By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
SIX-YEAR Philippine Basketball Association veteran Calvin Abueva began his new journey in the league, making his debut with the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday; a solid first game as he helped his new team get off to a good start in the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup.
Traded by the Alaska Aces in the in-between conference break, “The Beast,” as Mr. Abueva is fondly referred to, posted solid all-around numbers in his debut game with the Fuel Masters, punctuated by a 113-107 victory over the Columbian Dyip.
Came off the bench, the six-time PBA All-Star Abueva played 24 minutes in his first Phoenix game, producing 12 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.
He left his imprint on the game late in the match with his trademark hustle, going for every rebound he could get and putting up solid defensive plays to help preserve the victory for Phoenix.
Following the game, Mr. Abueva shared that it was nice to be back on the floor and that he is looking forward to a very fruitful fresh start with the Fuel Masters.
“This is a fresh start for me, a new beginning. I’ll just do my job and see where it takes me here,” Mr. Abueva shared to members of media.
“In this game I think I was able to show what I can do. I appreciate the trust that Coach Louie (Alas) has given me. It does not matter whether I start or not here in Phoenix. I’m just going to be ready when asked to play,” he added.
And the significance of the arrival of Mr. Abueva in Phoenix is not lost to the team, saying that it intends to make the newly forged partnership with the incendiary forward work.
“We really pushed to get Calvin because he is an extra body and extra energy for us,” said Phoenix coach Alas.
“We know of his past but we are not dwelling on that. I told him, ‘We were pals back in Alaska when I was still the assistant coach there but here I want you to allow me to coach you and be my player.’ The team will be here for him,” he added.
Prior to being traded to Phoenix, Mr. Abueva was suspended by Alaska indefinitely for going AWOL for some time that left many wondering about his whereabouts.
While suspended, Mr. Abueva missed majority of the Aces’ matches in the Commissioner’s Cup, including the playoffs where the Aces eventually fell to the San Miguel Beermen in their best-of-five semifinals in four games.
The trade ended his stay in Alaska where he won a title in 2013 (Commissioner’s Cup) and best player of the conference award in 2016 (Commissioner’s Cup).
DOUBLE-HEADER AT MOA ARENA
Meanwhile, PBA action is set at the Mall of Asia Arena today with the TNT KaTropa taking on the Blackwater Elite at 4:30 p.m. and Meralco Bolts facing off with Alaska at 7 p.m.
TNT (1-1) looks to win back-to-back after losing in its tournament opener. The KaTropa will be parading a new import in Stacy Davis from Pepperdine University in place of original import Mike Glover.
The KaTropa played all-Filipino in their last game on Aug. 19 yet still won, 81-74, over the Meralco Bolts.
Blackwater, meanwhile, makes it tournament debut with returning import Henry Walker bannering its cause.
In the main game, the Bolts (1-1), led by import Allen Durham, try to bounce back from their previous loss against the debuting Aces who will have Mike Harris as reinforcement.
