‘Great victory’ to regain Abueva’s professional license, says Topex

ANGELES CITY – Phoenix interim head coach Topex Robinson views the Games and Entertainment Board’s (GAB) decision to reinstate Calvin Abueva’s license as a victory for the team.

“It’s a great step for us, a great victory for us,” Robinson told the Manila Bulletin after the Fuel Masters escaped NorthPort, 110-105, on Thursday for a second straight victory in the PBA Philippine Cup.

“The first victory for us (was) when the PBA allowed him to be here in the bubble. This is another victory for us as GAB has already reinstated its license. I think it’s just a matter of time and we just have to trust that the PBA will make the right decision. ”

Abueva received probationary status for six months after completing the GAB requirements. The 32-year-old attended the third and final webinar on the “Code of Conduct and Ethics for the Professional Athlete” along with Robinson and team manager Paolo Bugia on Wednesday night.

Read: https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/15/calvin-abueva-finishes-gab-requirements-pba-next-to-decide/

Now it is up to the PBA to lift the indefinite suspension imposed on Abueva a year and four months ago after a clothesline hit TNT importer Terrence Jones, along with a verbal altercation and obscene gestures to Ray Parks’ girlfriend, Maika Rivera .

“We trust him (PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial). He’s in a better position than us. So we will only respect the position. We know the commissioner wants the best for the league. So I know he will make the right decision. ”

Lifted or not, the 45-year-old mentor said they are happy to have the energetic Abueva in the bubble.

“When we went to the bubble, the reminder n’ya (Martial) lang samin is that Calvin is only allowed to be in the bubble. So we’re happy with that, ”Robinson said.

“That is something very important to us. Perhaps if that moment comes, we will rejoice. If not, we’ll still be happy for him because the important thing to Calvin is that he’s here. That’s what we care about. ”

Phoenix shares the lead with TNT with two wins each. Abueva has yet to show up to those games, not even in street clothes in the arena as an observer, but he has been joining practices since arriving last week.