Abueva big boost for Gilas – Victolero

MAGNOLIA coach Chito Victolero has no doubt that veteran forward Calvin Abueva will still be an impact player after being tapped by Gilas interim coach Tim Cone, five years since the “Beast” last saw action for the national team.

Victolero mentioned that the long, 16-month suspension he had in recent years, along with the battles he had to face off the court have somehow toughened Abueva, who will be entering his 12th season as a pro when the PBA opens Season 48 on November 5.

Calvin Abueva (right) FIBA PHOTO 

“The experience and lessons he has learned the last five years, those are huge for him and I’m really sure he has learned a lot from them. That’s why he himself said that he’s excited to be back at Gilas,” Victolero told The Manila Times in Filipino.

The one-time PBA Coach of the Year said even at 35, Abueva remains a force to be reckoned with, especially in collaring rebounds and playing hard-nosed defense.

Sure, Asian players are no doubt taller and bulkier, but the Magnolia mentor said Abueva is that type of player, who plays with a big heart and fears no one.

The 47-year-old Mangolia mentor said Abueva won’t have to do the work alone considering that Cone has a tall frontcourt that includes Gilas’ FIBA World Cup holdovers June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, along with Moala Tautuaa of San Miguel and Phoenix forward Jason Perkins.

Abueva’s last Gilas stint happened in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, where he averaged 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist.

He was part though of the Gilas-Australia game in July 2018 that engaged in a brawl at the Philippine Arena that netted multiple suspensions in the Philippine team.

Abueva’s national team highlights include a gold in the 2017 Seaba men’s championships in Manila, along with silver medal finishes in the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup and William Jones Cup that same year.