As the old saying goes: there’s no harm in asking.
The Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters have slapped an ‘internal fine’ on their embattled superstar Calvin Abueva for playing in an inter-barangay league in Montalban, Rizal last Sunday.
“This news is not only [a] breach to team policies and rules, but also a stark contrast of how we wish to exude our players, especially Calvin,” the team’s statement read.
“An internal fine will be imposed on him for these actions. Any further incidents will be dealt with more severity.”
The league slapped Abueva with an indefinite suspension last June 4 due to several counts of disorderly conduct – once for lewd conduct on the court, and another for hitting a fellow player.
Phoenix honored the league’s punishment by not even involving Abueva in their practices.
“The Phoenix Pulse Fuelmasters are deeply disappointed upon learning of Calvin Abueva’s participation in an unsanctioned ‘ligang labas’ game in Montalban, Rizal,” the statement read.
“The team has spoken to Calvin previously and agreed that the cager will use this idle time to reflect on his character while working out on his own both physically and mentally to ready himself for his eventual return once his suspension is lifted.”
The Fuel Masters brass have been exhausting all its efforts in trying to shed light on the length of Abueva’s suspension, even reaching out to the Games and Amusements Board.
League commissioner Willie Marcial said that the league could have cleared Abueva to play in an unsanctioned league if his mother team allowed him to.
This will be a huge blow to Abueva, as he has yet to receive a paycheck since the time of his suspension.
