Calvin Abueva is one of the most misunderstood cagers in the country today.
On the court, the 6-foot-2 forward is as physical as they come, carving out rebounds against taller defenders, scraping out loose balls, and even playing mind games with his rivals. But off the court, the 29-year-old is one of the most genuine persons one could meet.
Even his on-court opponent and Gilas Pilipinas teammate Raymond Almazan could attest to that.
“Si Calvin lagi ko kasi kakulitan yan,” shared Almazan, a Letranite who battled against Abueva’s San Sebastian team back in college.
“Si Calvin kasi sa loob ng court, ma-mimisinterpret mo with the way he plays. Pero sobrang bait talaga niya outside the court. Wala akong masabi sa kanya.”
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Last April 4, a fire broke out in San Juan City that saw 15 houses burned down, 30 families left homeless, and four people injured.
Once Abueva heard about the news, he had to do something to help out the families affected by this tragic incident.
“Pag may opportunity na dumarating, yun yung ginagawa ko. Yung sa akin, naawa din ako sa mga nasunugan sa San Juan,” the five-time All-Star shared.
“Taga-San Juan din kasi ako. Malapit sa biyenan ko yung mga nasunugan.”
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One of the perks of being part of the Gilas Pilipinas line-up is that they are allotted a month-long supply of Chooks-to-Go chicken in the form of gift checks. The players can use this for their personal consumption or as gifts.
This time around, the man known as the Beast chose to give it as a gift, a gift that 180 people would enjoy.
“Actually, nagpapasalamat ako kay boss Mel Macasaquit [of Bounty Sports]. Kung hindi niya binigay yun, siguro hindi ako nakapagpakain ng 180 people,” Abueva gladly recalled.
“Yung 20 pieces na yun, pina-chop ko, sineparate ko tig-isang slice bawat manok para umabot ng 180. Hinaluan ko ng pansit at ng kanin para mas solb yung nakakain,” he enthusiastically furthered, adding that it was he and his wife that did the painstaking process of chopping the meat.
And he did this just to share the blessings he has been receiving in his five-year journey as a pro.
“Ang laking blessing sa akin na naipamahagi ko yung mga blessings na natatanggap ko,” Abueva reflected.
“Lahat ng tao dun nag-enjoy naman kahit sa sandaling iyon.”
For the proud son of Angeles City, Pampanga, he did this not because he wanted publicity. He did this because it was his duty as a member of Gilas Pilipinas.
