ALASKA rookie star Calvin Abueva doesn’t see any problem as far as a possible stint with Gilas-Pilipinas is concerned.
But the Alaska rookie said he can’t make a commitment to the national team until his manager, lawyer Charlie Chua, and Gilas management work out a deal on his possible involvement.
“Hindi ko pa alam kasi pag-uusapan pa lang yan ng manager ko at ng Gilas,” Abueva said to Spin.ph. “Kung ano ang mapagkaka-sunduan nila eh 'yun ang susundin ko.”
The former San Sebastian star, however, made it clear that he’s more than willing to play for the national team set to compete in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Basketball Championship this August in Manila.
“Oo naman. Siyempre, walang problema sa akin 'yun. Para sa Pilipinas yan eh," he said.
Injuries to members of the national training pool formed by coach Chot Reyes has led to a clamor for Gilas to consider tapping the services of other available PBA players, including Abueva.
Alaska team owner Fred Uytengsu, in an interview with Spin.ph, has said he is open to lending Abueva to Gilas shortly after the Aces won the Commissioner’s Cup championship.
Reyes himself admitted how he covets to have the services of the one-time NCAA MVP in the national team with injuries hounding players of the Gilas pool.
The 17-man training pool of Reyes is now down to 15 following the exit of Kelly Williams and Jared Dillinger due to various injuries.
Also nursing injuries are Talk `N Text stalwarts Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Ryan Reyes, together with Abueva’s Alaska teammate Sonny Thoss.
Named Finals MVP, Thoss will actually miss out on Gilas’ two-week training camp in Lithunia to seek treatment for his back injury.
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