PBA: Calvin Abueva pleased his return did not stop Magnolia’s winning ways

July 10, 2023 Times Europe

Calvin Abueva. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines-Calvin Abueva is pleased that his debut in the PBA On Tour didn’t hamper the clean slate of Magnolia which it extended with Sunday’s rout of San Miguel Beer at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Abueva came off the bench to fall short of a double-double with nine points and 16 rebounds in 19 minutes as the Hotshots improved to 8-0 with a 94-65 win over the shorthanded Beermen.

“Medyo excited kaya ewan ko kung anong laro meron ako,” Abueva said. “Pero at least hindi ako nakasira sa momentum nila kaya maganda yung balik ko sa game na ‘to.”

(I was quite excited going into the game so I was not sure how I’m gonna play. But at least, I didn’t ruin the team’s momentum by getting a victory.)

The energetic forward has spent the duration of the On Tour as a spectator as Magnolia wanted to let him heal a nagging knee issue.

Coach Chito Victolero said the team gave him some five-minute stretches to give him time to get his rhythm back.

But Abueva seemed to have put the gas pedal whenever he’s on the floor as his usual energy was visible through, much to the delight of a solid Sunday crowd at the Pasig venue.

“Medyo konting hangin lang ang kailangan,” he said. “Medyo nasa 70 [percent], pero it doesn’t mean na di mo gagawin na maging 100 percent this preseason.

(I still need to get my conditioning back to 100 percent. I’m still at around 70 percent, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t do anything to put yourself back at full strength this preseason.)

Magnolia is now three wins shy of completing an 11-game sweep of the series, with Rain or Shine next on Saturday in Dumaguete City.

Also in line are Phoenix and Terrafirma on July 23 and 26, respectively, at Filoil Ecooil Centre in San Juan City.