CALVIN Abueva's horror year just got worse.
Already suspended indefinitely by mother club Alaska for going AWOL during the course of the PBA season, the enigmatic forward's world just got smaller after he was suspended for six games by Fiba for his role in the brawl between Gilas and Australia players in their Fiba World Cup Asia qualifier last July 2.
Abueva's six-game ban was the longest handed down by the world basketball body, which meted suspensions ranging from one to six games to 13 players from both sides - 10 from the Philippines and three from Australia - as well as to Gilas coaches Chot Reyes and Jong Uichico.
Asked about Abueva's penalty on Thursday, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio explained that the rugged forward's punishment was the longest because of his involvement in previous altercations in Fiba-sanctioned events.
Panlilio pointed to a shoving incident during warm-ups of the Gilas-Australia game at the Philippine Arena, where Abueva was accused of tripping Boomers big man Daniel Kickert.
Abueva, it will be recalled, was also ejected from the Philippines' preliminary game against China in the Fiba-Asia Championship in Lebanon last August 10, 2017 for head-butting Chinese big man Li Gen.
"It was very clear on Calvin's side based on the decision. There was a commotion during the warmup and had a previous alternation in FIBA Asia Cup. They looked more on violating same article. Maybe he was repeat offender," Panlilio said.
Worse, the Fiba suspension has left Abueva with nowhere to go, especially with Alaska showing no sign that it is ready to lift the suspension on its controversial forward.
So where to, Beast?
That is something only Alaska can answer.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
