‘Beast’ is ready for pro league

FEW COULD rival the collegiate basketball career path that Calvin Abueva has treaded.

An NCAA title with San Sebastian, a Most Valuable Player award last year and five triple doubles in four seasons have boosted the Pampanga-born forward’s stock.

So there were a few arguments that cropped up when he was taken at No. 2 by Alaska in the PBA Draft.

Potential

Petron, which owned the No. 1 selection, opted for the 6-foot-10 Junemar Fajardo, who, observers say, is still a raw big man, but brimming with potential.

Abueva, on the other hand, has been a man among boys in the NCAA, where he fills up every statistical category in each game.

In fact, in a sport that celebrates triple doubles and 20-20s, Abueva has achieved both—in a single game.

In short, there’s no player more ready for the pros in the draft than the 6-foot-2 forward, whose tremendous workrate and athleticism is an asset for any team.

Abueva would have none of that argument though saying he was just happy to have been picked.

“This (Getting drafted) is already a dream come true for me,” said Abueva.

While Alaska was in the thick of its preparations for the season-opening Filipino Cup, Abueva made an effort to also get involved in the buildup, juggling his time with the Stags and the Aces.

Abueva cannot suit up for the Aces until the NCAA season ends in late October.

But there’s no doubting his intention to help the Aces get better. When his car broke down after the floods brought by the Monsoon rains last month, Abueva went to Aces’ practices on a taxi cab.

And there, he has wowed the team. His teammates, notably newly-acquired veteran gunner Dondon Hontiveros, have taken to Twitter to show their amazement at the energy Abueva brings to the team.

Legacy

Despite his accomplishments, Abueva still longs to get that winning feeling back to the Stags, who have fallen short against the San Beda Red Lions in the past two seasons.

Stags coach Allan Trinidad said Abueva wants to leave a legacy at San Sebastian.

“He wants to win the championship for the school before he goes to the PBA,” said Trinidad.

Abueva lost the chance to win a second MVP award last month when he was slapped with a disqualifying foul in a game against Lyceum.

Individual glory, however, is secondary to him.

“My collegiate career will be complete if we win the NCAA title,” Abueva said. “That would be the best feeling I would take as I play in the PBA .”