The Philippine national basketball team shrugged off a shaky start to dispatch Team Visayas, 125-112, as the 2017 PBA All-Star Week closed curtains on Sunday night at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Calvin Abueva finished with 26 points and seven boards while also providing a huge lift in the fourth quarter that turned things around for the national team.
Terrence Romeo added 25 points, two rebounds and four assists as he was named the All-Star MVP of the Cebu leg. June Mar Fajardo added 16 points and 13 boards for Gilas Pilipinas which, minus naturalized player Andray Blatche, fielded for the very first time its final lineup for the SEABA Championship this May.
With some of its members also playing in the Cagayan De Oro and Lucena legs of the annual showcase, Gilas Pilipinas started flat and allowed Team Visayas to establish a 34-21 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
After its lethargic showing, Gilas Pilipinas found a spark in Romeo who launched his own 9-0 scoring run to put Gilas just within one points, 43-42.
But Team Visayas converted bailout baskets that helped them still secure a 62-59 halftime lead.
Gilas Pilipinas finally took a 65-59 lead after a triple by Matthew Wright but Team Visayas regained control behind the exploits of Jeff Chan and LA Tenorio.
A three-pointer by Chan handed Team Visayas a 92-82 advantage, but Gilas Pilipinas quickly recovered thanks to Abueva who scored seven straight points to end the third frame.
“The Beast” then took over, erupting for 10 points early in the final canto to give the national team a 104-96 advantage with 7:34 left which was all Gilas Pilipinas needed to pull away and notch the win.
Tenorio, a late addition to Team Visayas, top-scored for his squad with 19 points, two rebounds and four assists.