Louie Alas always had Calvin Abueva’s ear, back when the Phoenix head coach was an assistant to Alex Compton over at Alaska.
“It’s usually the job of the assistant to pass along the head coach’s message during emotional moments,” Alas said. “And Calvin always listened.”
Alas has faith that Abueva still does. The former NCAA champion coach with Letran said he had already spoken with Abueva hours after the trade that sent the energetic forward to Phoenix from Alaska was approved by the Commissioner’s Office.
“I told him: ‘Let me coach you, play for me,’” said Alas. “I told him that if he ever has any problems, he doesn’t have to look for for a person to talk to. I will always listen to him.”
“He knows I respect him and he knows I won’t think twice when there is a need to call him out,” Alas added.
Alaska received Phoenix’s first-round pick in 2019 plus wingman Karl Dehesa in exchange for Abueva, who makes up for his lack of size in the post with sheer will, energy and athleticism.
But it was hard to limit that boundless energy on the court, and Alaska had to deal with Abueva’s on-court antics and off-court issues that led to his suspension by Alaska weeks before the trade. Alas says the new situation might help tame the “Beast” where it matters.
“It’s hard to predict what will happen,” said the soft-spoken coach, whose demeanor is a stark contrast to Abueva’s fiery personality. “But maybe a different situation will be of help to him and to us.”
Alas said Abueva will be a big boost to Phoenix, thus the Fuel Masters were more than willing to shoulder some of whatever baggage Abueva is carrying.
“In the PBA, the difference between getting eliminated and making the playoffs is one possession,” Alas said. “I told Calvin, ‘you’re here to give us as many possessions as possible.’”