CALVIN Abueva didn't waste time in reconnecting with his long-time mentor and joining his new PBA team.
The 38-year-old veteran attended his first practice with Converge this weekend, two days after being traded by Titan Ultra for the trio of Rey Suerte, King Caralipio, and rookie Mark Omega.
READ: Calvin Abueva looks thrilled as he goes live on FB after trade
Led by coach Dennis 'Delta' Pineda - long known as Abueva's discoverer and mentor - the FiberXers rolled out the red carpet for their new teammate.
Abueva assured them that he'll be bringing the same energy and intensity he's been always known for in his entire playing career.
"Dala-dala ko yung maturity and energy na hindi tayo ang puwedeng nasa downline," said Abueva as he addressed the team in his maiden practice.
He asked the full cooperation of the team in its bid to make it deep into the playoffs after bowing out in the quarterfinals for the previous four conferences.
"Kailangan ko ng tulong ninyo, kailangan ninyo rin ng tulong ko," stressed the 'Beast.'
"Maniwala kayo sa akin. Yun nga magkaisa lang tayo and ibigay natin ang lahat."
Even at his age, Abueva promises to keep up with Converge's young, athletic, and dynamic roster behind Alec Stockton, Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, and star rookie Juan Gomez De Liano.
With how he performed for Titan Ultra in the previous conference, that certainly holds true.
"Mga bata pa tayo. Ako bata pa ako, 38, pero sasabay ako sa inyo," the former Rookie of the Year and two-time Best Player of the Conference said.
READ: What will Suerte, Caralipio and Omega bring to Titan Ultra?
Abueva's entry to the team just came shortly after Converge came a win away from making the semis for the first time in franchise history, only to lose in overtime against Barangay Ginebra in their do-or-die encounter in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals, 99-98, on a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3 of Stephen Holt.
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