HIS PBA comeback remains very much a priority for Calvin Abueva.
But so does a shot at donning the Gilas Pilipinas jersey anew.
The controversial Phoenix star didn’t mince any word about his desire to wear the national team colors anew and represent the country in international competitions.
“Iniisip ko sa pagbalik ko na makapaglaro ako ng maayos at mapasama ako uli sa Gilas (Pilipinas) kahit ano ang nangyari. Nandoon pa rin ang puso ko na makasama sa national team,” disclosed Abueva when he appeared Saturday in the Power&Play program of former PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
Abueva’s stint with the Philippine team had taken the same path as his current status in the pro league.
The ‘Beast’ was among the members of the Gilas team suspended by Fiba for their roles in the brawl that marred the Philippine-Australia game during the World Cup qualifiers two years ago.
Abueva bore the brunt of the sanction as the world governing body for basketball suspended him for six games – the most among Philippine team members – owing to a prior unsportsmanlike behavior in Fiba-sanctioned competitions.

He never made it back to the national squad since then.
For 14 months now, the pride of Angeles City has never made it back either with Phoenix, as the indefinite suspension meted on him by the PBA Commissioner’s Office on separate court incidents, remains enforced.
But slowly, the 32-year-old Abueva said he’s complying with all the requirements being asked of him by commissioner Willie Marcial, undergoing a series of drug and psychological tests, as well as doing community services, which he’s actually doing on a regular basis even prior to him being suspended.
Abueva even revealed he voluntarily underwent additional psychological tests, more than the required number imposed by the league.
“Ako sa sarili ko I want to go back there kasi mas nagiging peaceful ako at nale-learn ko kung ano yung dapat ko ring makita ko sa ugali ko at sa katayuan ko,” said the former Rookie of the Year as he opened up about what he went through while under suspension.
“Laking tulong sa akin. Yung psychology, the best part yun sa life mo kasi dapat mo rin makilala yung sarili mo.”
Abueva is remorseful about what transpired during that fateful June 2 game between Phoenix and TnT in which he hit import Terrence Jones with a clothesline tackle in obvious retaliation against the former NBA player, who also hit him in the groin area prior to the incident.
“Totally mental blackout ako nun,” he said. “First time na nangyari sa buong career ko yun. Yun ang gulo na pinaka-malala, pinaka-worst.
“Pinagsisihan ko yun.”

While nothing is certain about his comeback, whether it be this year or next season, the talented former NCAA MVP out of San Sebastian has been keeping himself in shape during the pandemic break by joining Phoenix in its daily zoom workout, while doing additional training on his own.
He’s eager to make his PBA comeback and play basketball again, something which Abueva said he misses the most.
Along with that is also longing to play anew for the national squad.
“Proud na proud ako sa sarili ko na gusto ko uling mapasama sa Philippine team,” said Abueva.
A long shot? For ‘The Beast,’ nothing is impossible.
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