Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
There were no hard feelings for Calvin Abueva when he learned that coach Chot Reyes dropped him from the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the February window of the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers.
To his credit, he perfectly understood the grounds why he and Raymond Almazan were expelled for the next set of games after they missed the squad’s first three weekly practices at Meralco Gym.
“Of course, it’s going to be unfair for the players who were practicing here before us if we suddenly join the team,” said Abueva, who he finally showed up before his Gilas teammates on Monday, in Filipino.
“That’s why I’m here is because I want to prove that I’m still here and I still want to be a part of Gilas.”
Abueva refused to go into details but explained that a family problem prevented him from joining the resumption of the team’s sessions in the past weeks. It also affected his commitment with Alaska, where he asked to be excused before its game against Blackwater last Saturday.
“I’m apologizing for everything that’s happened to me. I’m fixing everything so that I can get things in order once again,” he said.
Though he’ll no longer suit up for the second window of the Asian qualifiers, Abueva said that he’ll remain supportive of the national team may it be on the floor or from the stands.
“I’m still part of the Gilas family and that’s why I’m here. Even if I don’t get to play in February, at least I’m here to support,” he said.
Apologetic as he was for the practices that he missed, Abueva vowed that he’ll always be present in the team’s practice in the coming weeks.
“Of course, I’ll always be present from now on,” he promised. “My problem is over and I’m no longer thinking about anything. I’m just thankful that my teammates are always there.”