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MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) finally lifted the ban on Calvin Abueva.
On Sunday, the league canceled the harsh penalty imposed on the Phoenix swingman, which lasted 15 months.
This came after a meeting between Abueva, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and alternate Eric Castro, Fuel Masters head coach Topex Robinson, and team manager Paolo Bugia.
One of the resolutions at that meeting is for Abueva to attend a counseling program.
Marcial also warned him about future fines and suspensions if he commits another “minor offense on and off the court.”
“The league commissioner said he hopes Abueva has learned a lesson from the suspension and encouraged him to continually persevere, change for the better and be the ‘Beast’ who upholds good manners and correct conduct for himself, his family, his PBA family and seeing the public that looks up to him as their hero and example, “PBA said in a statement.
Abueva will be activated for Monday night’s Phoenix game against NLEX at the University of Angeles Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
‘He wants to play’
Robinson was emotional Friday night when Abueva’s situation was raised after the Fuel Masters’ win against Magnolia Hotshots.
“It’s very difficult because he wants to play and he wants to contribute, but the best thing he can do is cheer for us,” Robinson said.
Rumors surfaced that Abueva would play last week, but he was not activated in any of Phoenix’s games against TNT, Geneva and Magnolia.
The Fuel Masters lost to Tropang Giga on Monday night and Barangay two nights later, as Abueva’s absence was felt in those games.
Despite slipping after a promising 2-0 start, Phoenix didn’t waver.
“[Calvin] “It’s one of the big reasons we don’t really give up,” Robinson joked, “He doesn’t want to give up, so we always do it for Calvin.”
The resistance finally paid off after the team came back from 17 points down and closed out Magnolia in the fourth quarter for the win.
“Winning it for Calvin is really important to us,” Robinson said. (PNA)
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