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    Abueva to be signed to three-year, maximum deal after great comeback

    After storybook comeback, 'Beast' is set to sign a deal that guarantees him at least P15M over three years by Phoenix, sources say
    Dec 21, 2020
    PHOTO: PBA Images

    CALVIN Abueva sure is making up for lost time.

    After a successful career comeback that saw him in his best behavior in the PBA, Abueva is set to receive a new contract deal from Phoenix Super LG.

    Following his dramatic return from a 16-month suspension to help the Fuel Masters reach the semifinals of the Philippine Cup bubble Finals, the 32-year-old Abueva will be re-signed to a fresh three-year pact by the team, sources said.

    Both parties have reportedly agreed to the deal to be signed before Christmas, or as early as Tuesday.

    Terms of the transaction have not been made available, although based on the previous contract Abueva had with Alaska and later on, with Phoenix, the native of Angeles City, Pampanga has already been receiving the maximum salary.

    ‘The Beast’ deserves no less.

    After being reinstated by Commissioner Willie Marcial five games into the Fuel Masters’ campaign inside the bubble, Abueva lost no time in proving he’s back as he helped the team in its push for a playoffs berth.

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      The Fuel Masters made it back to the Final Four and fell one win short of making it to the finals for the first time in franchise history, blowing a 2-1 lead over TnT Tropang Giga in their best-of-five semifinal series.

      By the end of the season, Abueva found himself in the running for the Best Player of the Conference award, finishing second behind TnT sophomore guard Ray Parks Jr. in the players’s statistical race.

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      Parks had a 38.2 sps, while Abueva is not far behind with 37.1

      If ever Abueva upends Parks and win the season’s top individual award, it would be a Cinderella story for one of the most eccentric players in league history.

      The former NCAA MVP found himself in hot water middle of the 2019 season after getting entangled in a heated word war with the girlfriend of Ray Parks and afterwards, in a physical play with former TnT import Terrence Jones, who Abueva hit with a clothesline during a Commissioner’s Cup game between the Tropang Giga and the Fuel Masters at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

      The twin incident led to him being slapped with an indefinite suspension by the Commissioner’s Office and fined a total of P70,000.

      Abueva’s case worsened when he was caught playing in a ‘ligang labas’ during his suspension, prompting Phoenix management to impose a hefty internal fine on the controversial forward.

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      His salary was reportedly put on hold during the time he was suspended and didn’t receive at least an ‘allowance’ until the PBA finally allowed him to join Phoenix in practice.

      Even after joining the Fuel Masters inside the bubble, there was no guarantee Abueva could play for the team until he completed the requirement assigned to him by the league, including an online seminar with the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

      Shortly after fulfilling all that was required of him, his suspension was finally lifted in time for Phoenix's game against NLEX.

      Abueva was quick to make his presence felt, falling short of registering a triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists in a 114-110 win and was adjudged as the Best Player of the Game.

      There was no stopping 'The Beast' from there.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      PHOTO: PBA Images
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