Besides being a superstar in the PBA, Calvin Abueva is one of the most experienced 3×3 players in the country today. And the 29-year-old, up to this day, cannot forget his experience during the 2015 World Tour Final in Abu Dhabi.
“Dun nag-iba-iba yung mundo ko — ang sarap pala maglaro sa ganito.
“Naglaro ako sa Dubai, kahit namalalakas yung mga kalaban, pinakita parin namin kung ano yung dapat na dapat ipakita,” Abueva shared as his team finished sixth in the tournament.
Abueva was not allowed to join the men’s national 3×3 basketball team that is set to compete in the 2017 FIBA 3X3 World Cup, however. Still, the 6-foot-2 utility forward made sure to be there during the send-off of the Chooks-Pilipinas 3×3 and to give advice to Kiefer Ravena, Kobe Paras, and Jeron Teng.
“Siyempre nandiyan si Kobe, nandiyan sila Kiefer at Jeron, si JR [Quinahan] — kahit si JR may experience din. Ang sinabi ko lang sa kanila is maglaro sila as a team. Kasi ang mga lalaruin nila mas team talaga kaysa sa kanila,” Abueva shared, as the Philippines is bracketed with hosts France, Slovenia, Romania, and El Salvador.
And he is particularly excited to play with Ravena and Paras once they get back as Gilas Pilipinas preps for the 2017 SEA Games and FIBA Asia Cup.
“Excited!” the Angeles City-native expressed. “Excited na ako na mabuti dito na sila pumasok, hindi na sa ibang lugar.
“Alam naman natin na kailangan natin sila dito at mas ma-improve natin yung dapat nating ipakita dito sa Pilipinas.”
