Calvin Abueva was in a foul mood on Wednesday evening. He could not get the last laugh over his former team Alaska Aces.
For the first time in his stellar six-year career, Abueva was wearing a different shade of red as he is now playing for the Phoenix Fuel Masters. The utility forward, who was the face of the Alaska franchise since 2012, was traded by the Aces last August 7.
And clearly, there was no love lost between Abueva and the Aces.
All game long, the 6-foot-2 utility forward played with fury. It seemed like he had an extra gear for this contest.
“Calvin’s Calvin. He makes you play in transition while attacking the basket,” said Aces head coach Alex Compton. “Wala ako dito sa Pilipinas nung naglalaro si Bong Alvarez, he just kinda reminds me of Calvin. When he’s on the court, your eyes are drawn to him.
“He’s going to be great for Phoenix.”
And there were a lot of moments where Abueva and the Aces almost got into it.
During one play in the final frame, Chris Banchero inadvertently hit Abueva, causing the latter to stay down on the floor for a good minutes. Moreover, for the majority of the game, the 6-foot-2 Abueva was close to getting heated with Alaska’s 6-foot-5 Mike Harris – culminating in a brief confrontation to close out the game.
“Sinabihan ko siya. Ready naman siya kasi hindi naman basta-basta mapipikon ‘yan,” Vic Manuel recalled telling Harris. “Beterano na rin ‘yan, marami naring experience sa mga pinaglaruan niya.
“Yun lang niremind namin sa kanya, na si Calvin nga, ganun nga yung tactics niya.”
Abueva finished the game with 18 points, nine rebounds, a steal, and a block. But he could not say that he was the victor this time around as Alaska were able to get a 108-97 win.
Calvin could not get the last laugh this time around.
