Reyes issues ultimatum on absent Abueva

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

The search for Calvin Abueva continues and Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes seems to have reached his breaking point.

The outspoken mentor on Sunday issued an ultimatum with the energetic Alaska forward still nowhere to be found.

“If he doesn’t come by tomorrow, we’re going to be forced to drop him. We have no other recourse,” said Reyes on Sunday during the national team practices at Upper Deck Gym in Pasig.

Abueva has been absent since the team resumed practice on Thursday and has yet to reach out to anyone regarding his status.

The information that got to Reyes was the same detail which Alaska coach Alex Compton shared when asked why the Kapampangan forward was absent on Friday in the Aces’ 101-92 defeat to Star.

READ: Compton says absent Abueva dealing with ‘personal matters’

“[He’s got some] personal matters to take care of,” the American mentor previously said when asked where Abueva is.

Reyes was obviously irked with the continuous disappearance of Abueva with the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup fast approaching.

“There’s no news. We’re trying to contact him through Alaska, through their team manager, but there’s none,” he said.

Reyes added that Abueva’s spot in the 12-man roster in Fiba Asia is in danger if he continues his disappearing act.

But the veteran tactician said that he has yet to make a final decision, hoping that Abueva will eventually show up in the team’s practices on Monday.

“That’s the big problem. I’m still yet to think about it,” he said.

Abueva last saw action with Gilas Pilipinas in the 2017 Seaba Championship, where he averaged 13.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

His presence is going to be much needed, especially with naturalized big man Andray Blatche opting to sit out the tournament.