AS sweet as it is to imagine rewriting the PBA history, Alaska’s super rookie Calvin Abueva said at the end of the day, he’d still opt for a league championship with the Aces first, and maybe, the Rookie of the
Year and MVP award will follow.
“Di ko pa alam pero mas magko-concentrate ako sa game namin. Sana makuha namin itong Governors Cup para mas maganda at malaki ang chance ko (for the ROY-MVP award). Magpapakita lang ako ng maganda,” the 6-foot-1 Abueva told Spin.ph shortly after Alaska dropped a close 88-91 decision to Globalport Friday night.
The energetic Alaska forward led the statistical race entering the Governors Cup with a combined 21.4 statistical points through the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup, respectively.
Abueva’s claim for a possible piece of history got a big boost after helping the Aces reach the semifinals during the season-opening Philippine Cup, before playing a key role in the franchise’s Commissioner’ Cup championship.
The former NCAA MVP said he’s also grateful to his veteran teammate Dondon Hontiveros, who had offered to “mediate” on his behalf to make other players better understand his controversial Aces teammate.
“Nagpapasalamat ako dahil kuya yan (Hontiveros). Proud ako sa gagawin niyang yun (mediating on his behalf). Siyempre, malaking tulong niya sa akin kung ganun, though games na muna namin ang focus. Siyempre short season lang ito,” explained the flamboyant Alaska freshman.
Abueva posted impressive numbers of 14.17 points, 10.08 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.42 steals and 1.08 blocks per game during the first two conferences.
He had seven points, 11 rebounds and three assists in Alaska’s debut game of the conference.
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