Calvin Abueva. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alaska forward Calvin Abueva will be out indefinitely for the Aces after a torn quad left him sidelined in their season opener against NLEX Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Aces head coach Alex Compton said Abueva tore his quadriceps during the offseason, and it’s not just the tonsillitis that sidelined the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference in their 99-97 overtime loss to NLEX on Friday.
“Calvin is really injured and it wasn’t the tonsillitis,” said Compton. “Maybe if it was Game 7 we’d shoot some drugs into him and make him be able to play, but we couldn’t risk a complete tear.”
Compton said Abueva could miss a few more games and their Philippine Cup Finals rematch against San Miguel on Dec. 3 could see him sit on the bench.
“If he’s not ready for San Miguel I’m not gonna force him, he’s too important,” said Compton. “With Calvin we could win or lose against San Miguel, without Calvin we could win or lose against San Miguel.”
Abueva has played in more than 50 games in three of his four seasons with his sophomore year being the exception when he played 42 and he hasn’t suffered any major injury that left him sidelined for long stretches.
“The Beast” averaged 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 24 minutes per game last season.
“We’re talking about the most dynamic player in the league that completely changes the game and I can’t rip his muscle for a regular season game so while we need the win, especially after this loss, we gotta take care of him,” said Compton.