THE sanction meted by the PBA on Calvin Abueva was more about the league helping the Phoenix player reform his ways rather than as act of punishment.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said Abueva will end up as a huge waste of talent if the league won’t go out of its way and help the controversial player reform.
“Kung tingin nila parusa ito, sa akin para tulungan yung bata. Ang galing-galing nun. Kung may papagawa tayo para matuwid siya, mas gagaling yun,” said Marcial on Wednesday at halftime of the Commissioner’s Cup game between San Miguel and NorthPort at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“May kaunti lang problema siya, so ayusin natin yung dapat ayusin.”
Marcial said Abueva was apologetic when he was summoned at the PBA office on Tuesday and over the phone the morning after, asking the commissioner what should be done to alleviate his case.
“Sabi niya ‘Boss, sorry talaga. Ano ang dapat na gawin? Ayusin na natin ito,” Marcial quoted Abueva as saying.
However, Marcial said the appeal will have to go through the proper process.
“May proseso yan na titingnan natin,” said the PBA chief. “If ever, kailangan mag-usap kami ng (Phoenix) management, ni Calvin, kung ano ang dapat ayusin.”
Abueva was fined P70K and suspended indefinitely by the league following the clothesline he delivered against TnT import Terrence Jones during their game over the weekend at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
It was the biggest sanction meted by the league to a player since TnT import Ivan Johnson was banned for the rest of the 2016-17 season and fined P150,000 for cursing at former Commissioner Chito Narvasa during a TnT-Meralco Commissioner's Cup game three years ago.
Although saddened by Abueva's fate, Marcial said he had to do it for the good of everybody, including Abueva himself.
"Nakakalungkot sa akin, kasi yung mga players parang anak mo na rin ang mga yan," he said. "Pero sa tingin ko ito yung tamang hakbang na ginawa ko. Para sa lahat yun, sa PBA at para kay Calvin."
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