CALVIN Abueva said he has no hard feelings towards Magnolia after a trade to NorthPort last May 27 ended his four-year stay with the Hotshots.
Abueva said trades are part of being a professional basketball player so he understands the decision of Magnolia to trade him for William Navarro. The Hotshots also gave up Jerrick Balanza and their 51st season-second round pick in the deal.
“Business,” said Abueva on Wednesday after NorthPort’s 113-108 win over NLEX.
“Business ‘yun, wala akong magagawa,” he added.
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The trade saw the 37-year-old Abueva go from a top-tier team to a NorthPort side that rarely gets out of the bottom half of the standings. But he's confident that NorthPort can also enjoy the same success as Magnolia during his time with the team.
“May pagkakataon pa naman na bumalik tayo sa ganung sitwasyon, di ba? Na ganun ang standing. Pero trabaho talaga eh,” said Abueva.
Abueva put in another strong performance for NorthPort in his second game with the team, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and five steals in their win over the Road Warriors.
Since the trade, it was actually NorthPort which got a win faster than Magnolia, which has remained winless in two games since the transaction.
Abueva said he is enjoying the minutes that he is getting at NorthPort, and he is making the most out of it.
“Ganun naman talaga laro ko kung maglalaro ka talaga sa loob. Kung sa labas [ka] at hindi mo makukuha ang minuto at score mo,” said Abueva.
Abueva admitted he is still trying to get into shape to withstand the additional minutes being given him. After the final buzzer, Abueva was flat on his back after sustaining cramps and had to be assisted by teammate Cade Flores.
“Sa NorthPort, namulikat ako, nabigla ata ako sa minuto. Pero siyempre, start pa lang ng conference, hindi start eh, end ng conference eh. And then, bawi na lang next conference,” said Abueva.
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Abueva was glad to see NorthPort snap an eight-game losing streak and looks forward to another win to close the conference against San Miguel on Sunday.
“Para kaming nag-semis. Last two games namin, nakuha namin ‘yung isa. San Miguel ang last game. Sana manalo San Miguel para no-bearing sila,” said Abueva, referring to SMB’s match against Converge that was being played at posting time.
“Pero hindi naman nila ibibigay kaagad-agad ‘yung last game. Tatrabahuin namin.”
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