MANILA: There’s no other reason why Alaska has so far stayed unbeaten in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations.

Calvin Abueva, again igniting the fire in the Aces, on Tuesday night scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a hard-earned 85-75 Alaska win over newcomer KIA Motors at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Being the shortest power forward in the league at just 6-feet-1, Abueva again put up a towering performance that had Alaska dodging the upset axe as the Sorento played one of their worthiest games here.

It was the fifth straight win for the Aces, who duplicated their finest start in the post Tim Cone-era and Abueva’s performance was his second “20-20” of the conference, one not seen from a local player since the 2007 Season.

Asi Taulava, the 6-foot-10 veteran, was the last player to pull off that feat while with Talk 'N Text and Abueva has six more elimination round games left to better that, not counting the games the Aces will play in the playoffs.

Truly, Abueva was the bright spot on a day that didn’t impress Alaska coach Alex Compton at all.

“KIA was fighting hard, KIA was playing harder,” Compton said during the customary winning coach’s interview. He didn’t look happy at all, considering that the Sorento were blown off the floor by opponents equal Alaska’s caliber.

“If we weren’t able to push (the Sorento to) turnovers, they would have easily beaten us,” Compton said.

But Abueva would have none of that thought.

After Alaska started coldly to trail, 11-18 at the end of the first period, Abueva got offensive minded and scored all of his 23 points in the final three quarters. He also had 19 rebounds at the end of the third, typifying the hard work he put in to keep the Aces’ heads above water.

Alaska, which last started 5-0 under Luigi Trillo before winning the Commissioner’s Cup in 2012, actually played without starting center Sonny Thoss because of a foot injury.

His absence created a hole in the middle, which Abueva was all too willing to plug.

Vic Manuel, Alaska’s scrappy forward, contributed 15 points with Dondon Hontiveros and Cyrus Baguio finishing in twin digits with a combined 21.

“San Mig (now Purefoods), had what, a 1-5 start last year?” Compton asked. “And they won the championship by finishing strong. Five-zero means that we can’t lose seven games (in the eliminations) because we only have 11 games.”

Reil Cervantes, the former Barangay Ginebra reserve, tossed in 18 points to pace the Sorento, who got 13 markers from rookies Joshua Webb and 10 from Kyle Pascual.

KIA was still in it with 3:25 left, when a triple by little-known Chito Jaime shoved the Sorento within 73-77.

But Abueva then fed Baguio for a layup and then JV Casio broke up the KIA inbound before driving to the basket for another bucket.

Abueva, who won Rookie of the Year honors in 2012 over June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, then put the game to bed with a short stab entering the final 2:02 for an 83-73 lead.

The loss was the fifth consecutive for the Sorento after opening up with an 80-66 win over fellow rookie team Blackwater in the inaugurals last Oct. 19 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, Talk ‘N Text played a lot steadier in the crunch later in the night and nipped sister squad Meralco, 80-72.

It was the third straight win in a 4-2 card for the Tropang Texters, while the Bolts lost for the second time in their last three and dropped to 3-2.

Ranidel de Ocampo had a big triple in the endgame and Jimmy Alapag two crucial free throws as the Tropang Texters, who won this conference three straight seasons from 2011, survived the Bolts’ gritty stand.

Meralco stuck at the coattails of the Texters even if the Bolts struggled offensively.

The Bolts were just 68-69 down entering the final three minutes only to sputter in the end.