Magnolia’s Calvin Abueva. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva has emerged as the frontrunner for the Best Player of the Conference award—something that did not surprise his head coach Chito Victolero.
Abueva leads the league with 35.36 statistical points at the end of the Philippine Cup elimination round, holding a narrow edge over TNT’s prized rookie Mikey Williams (35.30) and NorthPort guard Robert Bolick (35.27).
“We all know how well Calvin played [last season]. He’s just picking up where he left off this season,” Victolero said in Filipino after the Hotshots beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their quarterfinals opener on Sunday.
Last season, Abueva was also a candidate for the BPC plum won by Barangay Ginebra’s Stanley Pringle.
Victolero praised Abueva’s consistency and all-around play which the relentless veteran has been known for throughout his career.
The 33-year-old Pampanga native averaged 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game in the eliminations—one of the big reasons why the Hotshots finished as the third seed with an 8-3 record.
“He’s very consistent on both ends of the floor. The energy, the hustle, not only the rebounds and the points but other aspects like the 50-50 balls, and everything,” Victolero added.