MANILA: Calvin Abueva had a really nasty fall early in the fourth quarter Tuesday night, which would have given a person of lesser caliber all the excuse not to go on.

Instead, the third-year power forward known as “The Beast” played on, and did everything humanly possible to fuel Alaska’s rally from 18 points down for a 100-98 victory over Talk ‘N Text in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-1 Abueva practically willed the Aces to keep on trying, and then capped a career game by draining a right-handed floating jumper at the buzzer as Alaska climbed into a momentary tie with idle San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra and first game winner Meralco.

The winner of the Rookie of the Year award two seasons ago, Abueva finished with 26 points and 22 rebounds and became the shortest player to ever achieve a double-double in the league’s 40-year history.

And he did it after landing so hard on the floor with his right hip after jumping so high to tap the ball to RJ Jazul who drained a triple that made it 77-80 going into the final 9:28.

“He is a Tasmanian Devil or whatever you want to call him,” coach Alex Compton said of Abueva during the customary winning coach’s interview. “His ability to get balls is amazing. And when you have the ball, you have a chance to score.”

The loss was the second in three games for the Tropang Texters, who led, 80-62 late in the third quarter after five straight points from rookie point guard Kevin Alas.

But the Aces never rolled over and refused to die despite the huge deficit, as Abueva worked his butt out on both ends just to ignite Alaska.

The entire team took Abueva’s lead and went gung-ho the rest of the way, totally outworking the Tropang Texters from there as the Aces brought down a second straight powerhouse after ripping defending champion Purefoods, 93-73, last week.

Dondon Hontiveros fired 14 points and made the game’s most critical decision when he opted not to call for time with five seconds left, fielding an outlet pass to Abueva for the game-clinching short stab.

“Dondon got a good veteran read (of the situation),” Compton said. “I just thought that it was a great decision by the guys).”

JV Casio was also instrumental in the game-winning play, when he pulled out a defensive gem on Jason Castro, whom he stripped of possession when the Texters were trying to break a 98-all tie.

Abueva also forged that last deadlock with two free throws with 18.2 seconds left, when he picked up a foul from Ranidel De Ocampo while going for a baseline drive.

The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for the Texters, who built that huge lead mainly through the effort of Ryan Reyes, who hit 14 straight points early in the third period that broke a 50-all tie for 64-52.

Reyes was recalled to the bench right after making his fourth triple during that run and was forgotten on the bench until the Aces had already crept so close and had a chance of winning it in the end.

Reyes finished with 24 points and led the Texters, who also got 15 from Alas and twin digits from three others.

Alaska dominated the rebounding battle, 61-39, took 17 more field goal attempts and doubled Talk ‘N Text’s tries from the stripe with their 36 free throws.

Completely overshadowed at the way Abueva performed was the effort of John Wilson for the Bolts in the first game, where he scored all nine of his points in overtime that enabled the Bolts to survive Blackwater, 83-75.

Wilson salvaged a disappointing night for himself by coming up with that production in the extra session and the Bolts avoided the ignominy of being the first veteran team to be conquered by an expansion squad this season.

Cliff Hodge also had a career night with 26 points and 18 rebounds to pace the Bolts.

Ironically, Hodge and Abueva, who entered the league in the same year, will go head-to-head on Friday in a battle of two unbeaten sides also at the Big Dome in Cubao.