Calvin Abueva shrugs off food poisoning to torment former team

MANILA, Philippines—No amount of stomach pain was going to stop Calvin Abueva from giving it his all against former team Alaska in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Phoenix’ dynamic forward once again proved why he’s been tagged “Beast” as he put up a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double in the Fuel Masters’ easy 94-80 win over the Aces Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Abueva, who was traded to Phoenix during the playoffs of the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, said the win was a combination of their skills and Aces’ depleted line up.

“We got back at them but we did it in part because we were more aggressive and they didn’t have all their players,” said Abueva in Filipino.

“What happened was when we got tired there were players who can easily replace us but they didn’t have much pieces and they had a shorter rotation.”

Alaska played without starters Vic Manuel, Kevin Racal, JVee Casio, and also rookie GBoy Babilonia who are all nursing varying injuries.

Abueva said he had to constantly hydrate himself since Thursday after eating some bad seafood.

The 6-foot-2 forward exited the arena with a one-liter bottle of ion supply drink to keep his fluids replenished.

“I ate some bad oysters and that made my stomach upset and it’s a good thing there wasn’t an incident on the court,” said Abueva laughing.

“I’ve been drinking Hydrite and now Pocari Sweat because I have to recover since there are still tough games ahead of us.”

The Fuel Masters, after the win against the Aces, improved to a 7-1 record tying Rain or Shine at the top and will next face San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, and Magnolia in their final three games of the conference.