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SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Alaska veteran Vic Manuel hopes to face his good friend and Phoenix star, Calvin Abueva, in the PBA Philippine Cup bubble.
After facing Terrafirma, 99-96, on Tuesday at the AUF Sports Arena, Manuel and the Aces (4-3) will face their former player Abueva and the Fuel Masters (4-2) on Thursday.
“We invite Alaska fans to continue supporting us in the next game against Phoenix, especially when Calvin is back. It will be a good fight for sure,” said Manuel, who had 18 points and seven rebounds, the team’s best.
Abueva, who was chosen second overall by Alaska in 2012, made his long-awaited return to the PBA with a bang in a 114-110 Fuel Masters victory over NLEX on Monday after a 16-month suspension.
Manuel, 33, congratulated his friend Abueva, 32, on his resounding return through an Instagram story, saying “Welcome back! Congratulations stop! “
The two thugs used to anchor the Aces’ front court until Abueva was traded to Phoenix in 2018 for Karl Dehesa and a 2019 first-round pick.
Alaska head coach Jeffrey Cariaso said they will prepare not only for “The Beast,” but also for Topex Robinson’s streak at Phoenix as a whole.
“First of all, I’m happy that Calvin is back,” Cariaso said. “We are in a situation where Phoenix is already playing well. They had Calvin who will really give them that extra spark, more All-Star. So let’s keep our hands full. “
“Coach Topex played well when he said Calvin is just a part of them. So this is how we are looking at it. Is it someone we care about? Of course. It’s that kind of gamer caliber. ‘Di naman mag-iiba’ yung namin preparation. We will explore it like we explore all other players. ”
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