Louie Alas reaches out to Calvin Abueva, wife

Rather than comment on the latest controversy that Calvin Abueva is in, Phoenix Pulse coach Louie Alas is doing his part to save his power forward’s career, and maybe even his marriage.

“I don’t want to make any comments until we’re able to get to [talk to] Calvin and his wife,” Alas told the Inquirer on Monday. “I tried to contact both of them just this Saturday, but neither replied.”

Already serving an indefinite suspension from the PBA and facing sanctions from his mother team for playing in a barangay league in Montalban, Rizal, Abueva on Saturday was accused of infidelity and domestic violence by his wife, Sam, in a series of posts on Instagram.

Alas admitted that they are in the process of sanctioning Abueva for playing in a league in Rizal despite hearing his player’s explanation on why he did in a meeting last Wednesday.

“We cannot do anything about that, because that (playing outside of the PBA) is stipulated in every player’s contract as a no-no,” Alas said.

“He explained why he played, and that is to make money,” Alas said. “On our part, we explained that a sanction from the company awaits him.”

The soft-spoken coach, though, said that something can be done about the domestic problems of the pair, and that he had messaged Calvin and Sam some unsolicited advice to get them together to talk.

“I told them in separate, identical messages to not do anything while they are angry, especially posting on social media,” Alas said. “It’s the same attitude that my parents taught me, and it’s also something that I also teach my children.

“I reminded both of them that nothing good will happen while their tempers are flaring up,” Alas continued.
“They should cool down and then talk. Team management is willing to sit down with them to help them.”

Despite his good intentions, Alas, who acknowledges that he is close to Abueva since their Alaska days, still has to receive a reply from Calvin and Sam.

Phoenix team governor Raymond Zorrilla said that Phoenix is preparing a statement which is due to come out late Monday.