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Calvin Abueva’s long-awaited return to the Phoenix Fuel Masters came with many questions. The main one was how would Abueva look like in his first game in 512 days?
For more than two minutes after Abueva first checked in at the 7:32 mark in the first quarter against NLEX on Monday, the response seemed a bit off.
The trademark hustle of fumbles, rebounds, and defense was there, but the offense wasn’t working yet. His first shooting attempt of the night against the Road Warriors ended with a whistle after crashing on an offensive foul. The second, a drive that came out of a timeout with four seconds on the shot clock, came up short and hit the side of the rim, while a mid-range jump shot for his third attempt of the night hit the iron.
Abueva knew she had to turn it around, fast. Fortunately, fundamental questions do not need complicated answers.
“I just reminded myself to cool down and get back to basics,” Abueva said in Filipino.
That approach worked. Abueva got on his feet by scoring his first two points on a hard jump shot below the basket with 5:16 left. He eventually calmed down and made five of the next 10 the rest of the way to finish with 21 points in 31 productive minutes off the bench and help Phoenix Super LPG beat the Road Warriors 114-110.
Abueva scored 9 of 11 free throws and added 13 rebounds, seven assists and one steal in a complete game that served as a massive shot to the arm for the Fuel Masters, now 4-2 in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.
“I didn’t really think too much about expectations. I only focused on my first game in 16 months, so I gave it my all on the court and doubled my effort,” he said.
That kind of pervasive brilliance on Abueva’s part was on par with the course before he was suspended in June of last year, but it wasn’t something coach Topex Robinson and the rest of the team expected of the 32-year-old star in his career. . first game back.
“We really tried to calm our expectations of Calvin. Everybody hoped that he would be completely free,” Robinson said. “But at the end of the day, the important thing is that we give him support. And I think that’s what he always needed during the year and a half that he was away.”
Phoenix certainly needed him Monday as much as Abueva needed the team during the 16 months he was suspended from the PBA game. The Road Warriors weren’t as active on 3s as they normally were (5 of 22), but impressive shots elsewhere (53.5 percent from the field), particularly in the paint (67.3 percent for 66 points), kept them going. within hitting distance on the stretch.
Abueva’s presence helped a lot to close the door on NLEX. Phoenix Super LPG’s offense was 18 points better with his star forward on the court, and that earned him the right to finish the game alongside Wright, Justin Chua, RJ Jazul and Jensen Rios. He also delivered on the clutch by landing a short jump that kept the Fuel Masters ahead by three, 110-107, with 44 seconds left.
“Coach Topex knows how I have played since our days in (San Sebastián),” Abueva said of Robinson. “Our communication is different from everyone else. He knows how to use me and he knows when to take me out of the game. So I am grateful for the opportunity to come back while I have him as a coach.”
Abueva said this kind of effort is something he believes can continue as he appreciates this new opportunity in his career.
“I am grateful for all the help that the GAB (Board of Games and Entertainment) and the commissioner (Willie Marcial) gave me. I told the commissioner that I am going to do my best not only in this game, but in the next games and future seasons. I will do my best until my career ends, “said Abueva.
When asked about his mental focus if opponents ever try to get under his skin, Abueva said he has that part covered.
“That’s a challenge for me, but I look forward to it. I will remind myself to stay focused on the game, and I am not thinking about anger or any kind of problem. I will just try to think of ways to win this one. game, “he said.
Robinson, for his part, said he and the rest of the team will continue to provide Abueva with the necessary support to keep him under control in the future.
“We just have to keep supporting Calvin because, once again, he is part of us, he is part of our family and we will always protect our family. We will always be our brother’s guardian,” he said.
