Hontiveros no longer surprised with Abueva’s Gilas pool inclusion

Left out of the Gilas Pilipinas squad in the 2016 Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Calvin Abueva gets another chance to represent the country as he was picked in coach Chot Reyes’ 24-man national team pool.

And Dondon Hontiveros feels this chance for Abueva to don the country’s colors anew feels just right.

“I was no longer surprised,” he said.

Hontiveros has been telling Abueva months before the pool announcement that he deserves a spot in the new Gilas Pilipinas squad.

“Months before, during the launch of the partnership, I told him, ‘Calv, they’re looking for you. Your poster is here, so you must make it.’,” he recounted.

And on Sunday, Hontiveros’ words rung true as Abueva became Reyes’ lone pick from Alaska under the one player-one PBA team agreement with the SBP.

The Cebuano gunner has confidence that this time, Abueva will do his best to make it to the final 12, saying that his fellow Ace’s inclusion is definitely a big plus for the national team.

“We can’t say what their plan or setup was the last selection, but I guess a guy like Calvin is important to have on a team.”