If you crack the bleeder too far it actually sucks air in through the threads of the bleeder screw. That being said, none of the air is in the abs unit, the only reason the manual states not to pump the brake pedal is they dont want the abs unit getting full of air, because it takes an overly expensive and very fancy tool to bleed the abs manifold.

You should be fine using the good old fashioned method. The pressure bleeding only gets you so far, the get that last little bit of air out you need line pressure that only the brake master can provide.