Alaska coach Luigi Trillo has likened Calvin Abueva’s injured right knee to a punctured tire that’s ready to give out any moment.
In short, the newest PBA champion coach believes that the Gilas-Pilipinas national team will be better off without the prized rookie.
Trillo said Abueva needs surgery to his right knee “to clean up a tear,” and that Alaska’s 6-foot-1 bundle of energy could be sidelined any moment once the knee acts up.
“Will a not-100-percent-Calvin be of help?” Trillo said the Inquirer over the phone when asked about Alaska’s position on its willingness to lend Abueva to the national pool.”
Said Alaska team doctor Facundo Sun: “He’s had that problem since March, a partial tear of the patella. It was just something that we tried to manage medically. But now, after the last two games (of the Finals), masakit na ulit.”
Trillo, team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu and the rest of coaching staff and management were set to meet last night to discuss the issue before talking with Gilas coach Chot Reyes.
“That surgery on Calvin has been scheduled as early as the elimination round (of the Commissioner’s Cup) and he needs it badly,” Trillo said.