Suspended Phoenix forward Calvin Abueva. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO
MANILA, Philippines—While waiting for the decision to allow him to play in the PBA again, Calvin Abueva has been keeping himself busy.
The former national team player is still hard at work practicing with the Fuel Masters. He has also opened a restaurant business in San Juan and doing charity work on the side.
With the PBA season nearing, Abueva is doing his hardest to prove he is a changed man and also keeping himself in top shape in case he gets the go-ahead.
“I’m very excited to play but we still have to take it easy because we don’t want any injuries since the season is about to start,” said Abueva in Filipino. “The season is about to start so I’m preparing for it so I can play.”
“I’m just doing everything I can to get ready because this isn’t just for me, it’s also for the team,” said Abueva. “We just have to put in the effort and I’m just waiting for the go signal. I’m just putting my fate in God’s hands now.”
Abueva has been suspended from the league since June 2019 after getting into a physical confrontation with TNT import Terrence Jones and a verbal altercation with Bobby Ray Parks Jr.’s girlfriend. Last September, he was allowed by the PBA to practice with Phoenix.
He, though, as not allowed to join the Fuel Masters’ tune-up games for the upcoming season.
“There are some words that Calvin won’t be reinstated in the near future but hopefully he’s allowed to go back to the league,” said Phoenix head coach Louie Alas. “In all fairness to Calvin, he’s doing everything he can to come back.”
“You really have to take pity on him because it really has been hard on him and now he’s cooking at his Dampa restaurant,” added Alas. “Well, he’s a good cook.”