LIGHT at the end of the tunnel for Calvin Abueva?
The versatile but mercurial Phoenix Super LPG forward took a step closer to his keenly-awaited PBA return after the Games and Amusements Board reinstated his pro license.
“Reinstated but probationary for six months,” GAB chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.
Abueva has also completed a series of seminars on the Professional Athlete’s Code of Conduct last Oct. 6, 8, and 14 through virtual conferences.
The 6-foot-2 Abueva also underwent a drug test inside the PBA bubble in Clark last Oct. 9.
Commissioner Willie Marcial has the final say on whether he can suit up for the Fuel Masters’ campaign in the Philippine Cup.
GAB official Kara Mallonga, in a report, said they had separate talks with Phoenix interim coach Topex Robinson, team manager Paolo Bugia, and Alan Trinidad, Abueva’s college coach at San Sebastian College.
“The three (Robinson, Bugia, and Trinidad) were unanimous in affirming that they have seen a significant transformation in Abueva since resources have been made available to aid him in his road towards reformation and recovery,” the report said.
According to the report, Robinson, Bugia, and Trinidad admitted that Abueva’s aggressive style of play may have caused him to be misunderstood by many.
“The three were consistent in stating that Abueva’s childlike manner may have caused him to get misunderstood by many since he’s in-court play style is quite aggressive given that his skills were not scientifically-acquired but rather developed in rough community settings,” the report said.
Abueva was suspended last June last year for clotheslining TNT import Terrence Jones and for making lewd gestures and comments to the girlfriend of former Blackwater player Bobby Ray Parks Jr. in Phoenix’s previous game.
Just after his suspension took effect, Abueva’s wife Sam also accused him of physical and sexual harassment. The two later reconciled.
Abueva, 32, got support from the Fuel Masters management which agreed to provide him the assistance to deal with psychosocial pressures of being a pro.
