ANTIPOLO — Calvin Abueva was back to his beastly ways after notching a double-double in Converge’s relieving win over Terrafirma on Tuesday, although this particular outing could be a sign of good things to come for the team.
The two-time Best Player of the Conference finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench to help the FiberXers snap out of a depressing four-game slide in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup. And a big part of it was thanks to the arrival of Cam Clark.
“‘Pag wala ako, ikaw ang nandiyan; kung magsabay man tayo, mas malakas, ‘di ba? Ayun ‘yung minindset ko sa kanya,” he said when asked about their new import shortly after the 120-103 victory at the Ynares Center here.
Abueva has been playing like his old self since their previous outing against San Miguel. Although they fell to a 114–126 decision, he still provided a silver lining by finishing with 26 points and 14 rebounds.
And now that he’s starting to hit his stride with the young franchise comes the entry of the 34-year-old Clark, whom Converge signed after not getting the results it had wanted with Jalen Hudson and, recently, Jamaal Franklin.
The acquisition was done in an attempt to turn things around, and they got off to a good start by beating Terrafirma so convincingly.
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The Arizona native led the way in his debut, finishing with 22 points alongside five rebounds, an assist, three steals, and two blocks.
No doubt that his familiarity with the league — this is his fourth stint after previous stops with NLEX, the Beermen, and guest team Hong Kong Eastern — came into play, and the star forward couldn’t be any more thankful.
Because he’s finally found somebody reliable enough to either be his reliever when he’s on the bench, or a solid running mate inside, Abueva believes.
“Nagbibigay rin ako ng konting advice,” the 38-year-old bruiser said regarding Clark. “Sabi ko, ‘You know, last two imports, parang struggle kami, sa offense at sa defense, at ikaw ang magbibigay sa amin ng extra defense.’
“Kasi sabi ko, ‘Kapag wala ako sa court, ikaw ang magbibigay pa ng depensa riyan eh,'” he added.
“At as long as magkasama tayo, I’ll give my best.”
Abueva has indeed been playing at his best, but even before Clark was brought in. The 14-year veteran averaged 17.3 points and 11.6 rebounds during their last three outings, including Tuesday’s bout opposite Terrafirma.
“Siguro ‘yung last conference medyo kumakapa. This conference medyo nagkakakumpiyansa na,” he said.
“Sinasabi ko nga pag ‘pinasok ako, yung minuto ko tatrabahuhin ko. ‘Yun nga, tinrabaho ko naman. I’m happy.”
