Calvin Abueva was surprisingly called for a technical foul after sticking his tongue out early in Game 3 of Alaska-Globalport, but he does not really mind as long as the Aces continue winning.
“Hindi ko naman alam na ganun na (kahigpit) ngayon. Talagang ganun, na-technical. Buti hindi ako na-eject doon sa last play ko kaya medyo lumuwag pakiramdam ko,” Abueva, who was in good spirits after an 82-69 Aces win, shared.
Abueva was referring to the hard foul on Terrence Romeo’s fastbreak lay-up towards the end of the third, which fortunately resulted to only a flagrant foul penalty one.
His earlier technical foul was whistled primarily due to taunting as Abueva stuck his tongue out after a made basket. While admitting the way games are being called is somehow getting into his head, Abueva says staying focused is the key.
“Medyo nakakafrustrate pero stay focused pa rin, at nakuha namin yung game na ‘to. Siguro nakukuha na namin yung momentum namin,” he said, adding at this point, it’s okay to shell out another amount for the corresponding fine as long as they win games.
“Ako okay lang sa fine, pero syempre (iniisip) natin yung panalo para makapunta sa championship.”
Abueva finished with 9 points and 15 rebounds in over 23 minutes of play.
Aces head coach Alex Compton said it was the first time Abueva was called for a technical foul for such an antic, but added it is only because the officiating has gotten a bit tighter.
“It is the first time it’s happened but I’m sure after what happened in Game 2 the officials wanted to be strict. (Abueva) is a lightning rod for attention,” Compton said. “But I like the direction the league (is going), which is to play basketball.”
