Calvin Abueva did not want to disrupt the momentum Magnolia had built in the PBA On Tour as he returned to action against San Miguel, Sunday night.
Thus, the relief on his part that he derailed none of that as the Hotshots put on a dominant display against the badly depleted Beermen, 94-65, to remain unscathed through eight games in the ongoing preseason tournament.
“At least, ‘di ako nakasira sa momentum nila,” he said moments after the game at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. “Maganda ‘yung balik ko sa game na ‘to.”
Abueva checked into the game at the 7:16-mark of the first quarter, marking his On Tour debut after missing their first seven games due to a minor knee issue.
In true ‘Beast’ fashion, the veteran forward would go on to finish with nine points and 16 rebounds — all that while under minutes restriction.
“That’s Calvin,” said head coach Chito Victolero, who played his star forward for 19 minutes. “Once you put him on the floor, ang dami niyang magagawa.”
Still, Abueva said that he’s far from where he would want to be in terms of game shape, and hopes to get there as soon as he can.
“Medyo kaunti lang na hangin ang kailangan. Medyo nasa 70 [percent], kulang pa ng 30,” offered the two-time BPC. “Pero it doesn’t mean na ‘di mo gagawin na maging 100 percent this preseason.
“Siyempre mas paghahandaan, mas i-eexecute namin ginagawa namin ngayong preseason para madala namin sa regular season.”
