QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – Alaska Aces forward Calvin Abueva finally showed he was human behind his beastly exterior. The former San Sebastian College standout bagged his second individual trophy in the PBA as the Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the conference awardee.
Right before the crucial Game 4 of their finals series on Wednesday, the 28-year old Abueva admitted he was teary-eyed as his name was called to receive the trophy. However, he still saw the task at hand and delivered.
“Pag banggit ng pangalan ko, naluha ako,” said Abueva. “Pero hindi ko inintindi ang nakuha ko, mas iniisip ko ang panalo [sa Game 4]. Sakto nga, nakuha ko nga [ang best player of the conference] at yung panalo. Pero hindi pa ‘yun ang huli, may Game 5, 6, at 7 pa.”
“Pasalamat pa rin ako na nag-extend ang series, tsaka hindi nila kaagad matatapos ang series,” added Abueva. “May determination pa rin kami manalo kaya eto ang kinalabasan.”
In Game 4, Abueva scored 14 points with 10 rebounds – but true to his aggressive nature, he was ejected with 1:35 left in the match for a second technical foul incurred in the fourth quarter for complaining to the referees.
The diminutive forward finally won the distinction, beating out the likes of Greg Slaughter of Barangay San Miguel, Terrence Romeo of Globalport, Carlo Lastimosa of Blackwater, and Jayson Castro of Tropang TNT who won last year’s plum.
Center Rob Dozier, who was part of Abueva’s first PBA championship in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup, commended his long time teammate and saw how much he has matured since his early days in the league.
“On and off the court, he’s way mature than he used to be,” said Dozier. “He thinks more. He’s engaged more to what the team needs. He is a better passer, better shooter. He’s gotten better all around. I’m proud of him.” Diego de la Paz
