Emotional Abueva delivers for Aces in crucial night

Abueva gestures “five” for Game 5 as he walks out of the court. Photo by Tristan Tamato/INQUIRER.net

Alaska star forward Calvin Abueva admitted that he was teary eyed when he received his first Best Player of the Conference award on Friday.

“Talagang pagbanggit ng pangalan ko, talagang naluha ako,” he said, taking home the hardware minutes before Alaska’s Game 4 tussle against Rain or Shine.

But amid all the praises thrown at him, he tried his best to contain his emotions and still deliver the way he has been doing for Alaska all conference long.

“Syempre, yung emotion andun. Pero syempre as a player, crucial game ito eh kaya kung ano yung dapat nating gawin, yung sipag, yung determinasyon sa laro, yung depensa, talagang nandoon,” he said.

Running away with the award amid a competitive field may be a huge recognition for the San Sebastian alumnus, but what matters more for Abueva is the biggest prize: the championship.

“Mas iniisip ko yung panalo ngayon,” he said, moments after the Aces’ 111-99 win.

Alaska still faces an uphill battle against the Elasto Painters, with the Aces staring at a 1-3 series deficit.

But if the you ask Abueva, the BPC award may be a sign of better things ahead.

“Sakto nga at nanalo naman kami, pero di pa naman yun yung huli. Nagpapasalamat ako na nag extend pa yung series. Alam mo naman na hindi pa naman agad-agad nila matatapos yung series kagaya ng nangyari sa amin last season. Syempre determined pa rin kami na manalo kaya eto ang kinalabasan.”

Showing no signs of doubts, Abueva is confident the Aces can still extend the series longer, but it’s not going to be any easier.

“Hindi naman basta-basta makukuha agad natin yung four straight wins hangga’t hindi tayo nahihirapan eh. Syempre bago nila ibigay yun, talagang papahirapan tayo ng mga yun. Di naman susuko basta-basta yung mga yan eh,” he said. “May mangyayari pa sa Game 5, Game 6, at Game 7.”

As they continue to have their backs against the wall, the Aces need to double their effort in order to achieve the improbable.

“Mas dodoblehin pa namin yung sipag namin,” he said. “Hangga’t inaasam nila yung championship, may comeback pa dyan. May determinasyon talaga kami na manalo, lalo na ngayon na parang umaangat na yung depensa namin. Nakukuha na namin yung dapat nilang gawin at ano yung dapat naming i-adjust.”

“Mas gaganda pa ito sa Game 5.”