Unlikely friendships form among players whenever Gilas Pilipinas gathers new recruits and starts working out for a particular tournament. Marc Pingris and June Mar Fajardo became good friends because of the program while Gary David and Ranidel de Ocampo became brothers for life as well.
This time, a peculiar friendship between Raymond Almazan and Calvin Abueva has just blossomed.
Almazan and Abueva’s rivalry traces way back to their years playing in the NCAA. Almazan was then playing for Letran, whose side gave Abueva a sour end to his college career back in 2012 as the Knights edged the San Sebastian Golden Stags in the tournament’s Final Four.
And that rivalry of theirs continued in the pro ranks. After the Final Four debacle, Abueva declared for the 2012 PBA Draft, where he was selected second overall by Alaska Aces. Almazan then followed suit the next year, and was picked third overall by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
From there, both cagers fought each other in the last three years, and met again in a big stage that is the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, where Almazan reigned victorious over Abueva as Rain or Shine finished the Aces in six games to claim the coveted championship.
From the collegiate ranks to the pro league, the two cagers’ contest truly goes deep. But that all changed when the national basketball team called up players and commenced working out last March to start their preparations for the SEABA Championship for Men.
The Gilas call-up proved to be the start of what is turning out to be a fruitful friendship between Almazan and Abueva. It all started during the team’s initial workout session in Tagaytay back in March, and from that point on, they became closer than ever.
Their closeness has then became evident come Gilas’ weekly practices — often fooling around with each other. It even extended in the 2017 PBA All-Star Week, where Almazan, representing Gilas, and Abueva, playing for PBA Luzon All-Stars, were trash talking — in a fun way — each other.
“Even sa practice ayaw ko siya kasama,” quipped the 6-foot-7 Almazan moments after Gilas trumped the All-Stars 122-111 Friday night at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena, Quezon.
“Gusto ko magkalaban kami lagi eh.
“Kahit sa practice sinasabi ko kay coach wag kami pagsamahin ni Calvin kasi masarap kalaro si Calvin. Very [competitive] player eh,” the Orion, Bataan native furthered.
Still, that fire Abueva has is what the 27-year-old Almazan likes the most about him. The competitiveness the Beast possesses and exercises even in simple workouts definitely rubs off on him, and it helps him notch his game higher.
“Kahit na practice lang, very competitive. So nacha-challenge ka, magi-improve ka,” Almazan shared.
And that improvement has paid dividends for Almazan, as he, along with his newfound friend Abueva, made the cut for the final 12-man Gilas line-up that will slug it out against fellow Southeast Asian cagers in the upcoming SEABA Championship slated in May.
“Happy siyempre.
“I promise I’m gonna give my best. I’m gonna put my hard work every game. Laging sinasabi na puso, basta may puso ka sa laro. Ayun, makikipag-palitan tayo ng mukha doon,” he assured.
And now, the former rivals have become officially teammates, at last.
