A pumped-up Calvin Abueva. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With another PBA title within reach, Calvin also has a chance to add a first-ever Best Player of the Conference award to his resume.
But Abueva is setting aside personal goals to keep his focus on a much bigger duty: help the Aces finally win a PBA title after a series of heartbreaks.
“Di ko pa iniisip yun,” he admitted Thursday during the Finals press conference at PBA Cafe in Pasig.
With struggles evident in the Aces’ semifinals performance, Abeuva knows that the team has to play in their absolute best if they want to finally claim the title in their fourth try in five conferences.
“Yung sa Meralco, nag-struggle kami sa semis at umabot pa ng Game 5,” he said. “Ang tagal na naming hinahangad na makuha yung championship at yung mindset ko, nandoon na sa Finals.”
But Abueva is not shying away from the challenge of being awarded the best performer in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“Once na ibinigay na sa yo, iga-grab mo na talaga.”
The San Sebastian standout remains as the favorite to take the award as teams of close competitors Greg Slaughter (Ginebra), Terrence Romeo (GlobalPort), Jayson Castro (TNT), and June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel) already made their exits in the second conference.
It won’t be easy for Abueva, though, as Rain or Shine’s bevy of tough big men awaits him in the best-of-seven championship duel.
“Wala ng tataas pa sa physicality dito. Manalo o matalo, bigay na lahat,” Abueva said.