CALVIN Abueva vowed to keep his cool once given the chance to play again in the PBA.
In his first interview since being suspended indefinitely for a clothesline hit on TNT import Terrence Jones, Abueva has promised to change his ways and learn from the incident that has left him in the freezer for over three months now.
“Siyempre, ‘yung init ‘yung number one na iniiwasan ko. I’ll just play my game lang para hindi masundan kung ano mang nangyari sa akin this season. Make better ko ‘yung sarili ko, paano ko maiiwasan, at paano ko mai-improve sarili ko,” said Abueva.
Abueva said he will continue to play hard for Phoenix Pulse, but will make sure that all his actions will be within the bounds of the rules.
“Oo, sinasabi nila dirty player ako … Pero sa akin, it’s going to be like hustle lang kung ano ginagawa ko sa loob. Kung ano man ‘yung nakikita nila dati, as a player, siyempre, babaguhin mo ‘yung dapat mong ipakita pa,” the 'Beast' said.
On Thursday, Abueva attended his first practice with the Fuel Masters since he was suspended, a day after PBA commissioner Willie Marcial gave him the green light - a move that surprised Abueva.
Even though there is still a cloud of uncertainty over his PBA return, Abueva said he is just happy to be back with his teammates and get the chance to work himself back into shape.
“Kahit ako nabigla eh,” said the former NCAA MVP out of San Sebastian. “Siyempre masaya at nakasama na ako sa team ko. At least, kahit papanao, nakapag-rest ako 'nung indefinite suspension ko."
Following the rest, Abueva said he is determined to get back to work and regain the trust of Phoenix and his teammates.
“Sayang din kung matutuluyan ‘yun at pursigido ako na ibalik lahat kung ano ‘yung mga nangyari. Two conferences wala ako dito. Masaklap ‘yung nangyari sa akin. Ngayon kaya ko ibalik kung ano ‘yung sinimulan ko dito,” said Abueva.
The PBA commissioner clarified that Abueva will still have to undergo a process in order for the suspension to be lifted.
Abueva has no problem with that.
“Hindi ko pa (iniisip) ‘yan. As of now, wala pa akong balita. Basta masaya ako nakakapag-ensayo ako kasama mga teammates ko,” said Abueva.
“Sinabihan niya ako na ayoko naman mapag-iwanan sa mga teammates ko. Baka mamaya bigla akong ibalik tapos wala ako sa shape ng practice mo. Parang start again," said the former Rookie of the Year awardee.
"Much better na sinabi ko kay boss Willie kung puwede ba ako makipag-ensayo para hindi mabago ‘yung katawan ko para at least kahit papano, nandoon na ‘yung regular na sistema ko,” he added.
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