Calvin Abueva returns to Phoenix practice despite indefinite ban
THIS IS NOT A THROWBACK: The Beast has returned to practice today. #FightToThePhoenix pic.twitter.com/O2916xTNQi
— Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (@fuelmasters) September 26, 2019
MANILA, Philippines—Calvin Abueva is getting a new chance at life after PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial allowed him to join Phoenix’ practices starting Thursday despite being under indefinite suspension.
As per the league’s official website, Abueva sat down with Marcial on Sept. 16 and asked if he could join the Fuel Masters’ practices even if his suspension is still in effect and the commissioner granted the polarizing forward’s request.
Abueva also conducted basketball clinics to help his cause.
Phoenix head coach Louie Alas, who got reunited with Abueva at Upper Deck Sports Center, said the return of their beleaguered forward, in practice at least, was “super good news.”
“At least he can now see the light at the end of the tunnel unlike before when all of us were confused,” said Alas in Filipino. “It’s a very good development, hopefully this will the suspension would be lifted soon.”
Shaking off the rust. 👀💥#CalvinAbueva | #FightToThePhoenix pic.twitter.com/h9ue8Tubky
— Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (@fuelmasters) September 26, 2019
Abueva was suspended indefinitely on June 4 after a physical altercation with TNT big man Terrence Jones in the Commissioner’s Cup. He also exchanged verbal jabs with a female fan that turned out to be Bobby Ray Parks Jr.’s girlfriend.
The PBA also slapped with him a total of P70,000 fine, P50,000 on his clothesline of Jones and P20,000 for the verbal altercation.
Abueva’s life then got crazier during his suspension when he and his wife Sam publicly expressed their marital problems and the 6-foot-2 forward was seen playing in a non-sanctioned tournament.
