CALVIN Abueva considered his short stint in the popular teleserye ‘Dolce Amore’ a perfect time to ‘unwind’ and get away from the rigors of basketball, even for just a brief time.
The Alaska star said he enjoyed doing the show and working with the celebrated love team of Enrique Gil and Lisa Soberano. 'The Beast' admitted he was initially nervous shooting the scene showing him scoring on an alley-oop, two-handed dunk on an open court, but was convinced he passed it with flying colors.
“Medyo kinabahan, pero ayos naman maganda,” said Abueva on Friday night after Alaska’s 105-89 demolition of Phoenix in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
His previous experience doing a commercial with Alaska during his rookie year somewhat helped him feel at ease facing the camera and doing his scenes with Gil, Soberano, and fellow player Paolo Hubalde of Mahindra.
He said the chance to land a cameo role in the highly-rated series was offered to him through his wife. Initially, he had misgiving about accepting it.
“Gusto ko ngang tanggihan. Gusto ko kasi magpahinga, pero sayang kasi opportunity din yun,” said the enigmatic power forward, who had eight points, six rebounds, and five assists in the Aces’ third straight win this conference.
“Kaya pinasok ko na rin kahit pagod.”
[See Alaska makes it three wins in a row]
The five-minute scene showed Abueva doing what he does best – playing on the court and scoring on a slam dunk. He and Hubalde then approached Gil, who, in turn, introduced the two players to Soriano.
Hubalde asked Gil to play with them but refused the offer. Abueva then turned his attention to Soberano and uttered the line, 'Ten, (Gil) sino itong kasama mo? Mukhang takot sa bacteria, mukhang pabebe yata.'
Soberano angrily took the ball away from Abueva and kicked it with so much force from the other end of the court straight to the basket.
The camera then panned on an amazed Hubalde and Abueva.
Although it appeared smooth and easy when it was finally shown on television, Abueva said he had a hard time completing the scene.
The former NCAA MVP estimated it took him more than 10 takes before getting things right.
“Thirty minutes lang tapos na. Medyo nahirapan, pero masaya, maganda,” said Abueva. “Take 10, 11, or 12 yata. Mahirap din yung pinagawa sa amin. Kala mo madali lang pero mahirap.”
Asked if he’s still willing to do it all over again, the power forward out of San Sebastian said yes if there are any takers.
“Kung may kukuha,” he said with a big smile.
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