ANTIPOLO – Calvin Abueva had a forgettable outing for Converge against Magnolia on Sunday in their PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
Abueva played for only 13 minutes and scored only one point after missing all three of his shots, splitting his only trip to the line in the FiberXers' 106-94 loss to Magnolia.
Abueva was coming off his best game as a FiberXer when he had 14 points and five rebounds against his former team Titan Ultra last Wednesday.
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This game against another squad he once played for didn't go well. Worst, Abueva got into an argument with Magnolia coach LA Tenorio and committed a hard foul against Zavier Lucero in the second half.
The first incident happened with 39.5 seconds left in the third when Abueva hacked his former Magnolia teammate Paul Lee in the wrist in his drive to the basket. Abueva appeared to be pleading his case with Tenorio afterwards, with Ian Sangalang seen pushing Abueva to prevent things from getting out of hand.
Early in the fourth quarter, Abueva was called for a flagrant foul penalty one after he collided with Lucero while going for a lay-up. Replays showed that Abueva's elbow hit the head of Lucero while trying to challenge the shot before the two crashed to the floor, and only got up after a couple of seconds.
When asked about the incidents, Tenorio played down the argument, and added that the hard foul is just part of being who Abueva is on the court.
“Calvin is just being Calvin,” said Tenorio, when asked about the incidents. “Even when we were playing against each other, he is really like that.”
“He is the type of player na if you get irritated by him, talo ka. Kapag napikon ka, talo ka sa kanya. It's just me talking to Calvin, being his kuya also, reminding him to just keep playing. Yun lang yun.”
It was a frustrating night for Abueva against his former team that he played for 2021 to 2025, winning a Best Player of the Conference during the 2021 Philippine Cup.
Tenorio didn't get a chance to speak to Abueva during the traditional handshake after the game.
“Wala siya eh, nag-walk out din siya eh. Again, Calvin just being Calvin,” Tenorio said.
Lucero had little to say about the play, only saying that he wasn't hurt.
“I'm alright,” said Lucero.
Abueva, who never returned after the hard foul on Lucero, declined comment on the incidents.
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