“Different Calvin Abueva, but the same intensity,” is what Calvin Abueva promised upon his return to Gilas Pilipinas on Monday, marking the team’s first practice for the upcoming 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China.
Abueva was one of the 13 players called up by interim head coach Tim Cone for the continental quadrennial event, which is set to open on September 23, with basketball commencing on the 25th.
This marks Abueva’s return to Gilas for the first time since the infamous Australia brawl at the Philippine Arena in 2018.
“Iba na si Abueva. Syempre, kung ano ang kaya kong maibahagi sa team, ibibigay ko. Kung ano ang maaari kong idagdag sa team, idadagdag ko,” said the fiery forward of Magnolia.
“Iba ang Abueva ngayon. Parang yung mga nagawa natin sa PBA, syempre, mas magbibigay pa tayo ng iba sa Gilas,” he continued.
“Alam naman natin na may mga basher, di ba? Isang pagkakamali lang, kaya kailangan nating mag-focus at ibigay ang best natin dito.”
Abueva, along with Jason Perkins, only need to overcome one obstacle before officially becoming part of the team that will compete in Group C against Jordan, Bahrain, and Thailand.
The two were not initially included in the 60-man list that the Philippines submitted for the basketball event of the Asian Games.
Cone and his team are now racing against time to include the two as replacements for injured players Jamie Malonzo and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
At the age of 35, Abueva shared that nothing will change in terms of the fire and energy he brings to a team once he steps onto the court.
“Best honor na nakabalik ulit tayo dito. Sabi ko nga sa family ko syempre nanonood din ako ng mga laro ng Gilas and yun nga, medyo may intensity na kulang. Yun nga best honor na nakabalik at pinagdasal ko na makapaglaro at age 35,” said Abueva.
“Sabi ko nga, kung mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon ulit 110 percent ibigay ko dito sa laban na to.”
