THE Titan Ultra Giant Risers are no doubt the most active team in the PBA trading market this early in the season.
Over the past weeks, the Risers have acquired Kobe Monje and Converge’s future first- and second-round picks for the rights to Dave Ildefonso as well former Magnolia big man Aris Dionisio in a one-on-one swap for rookie Chris Koon.
And just recently, SPIN.ph learned that several teams are now inquiring about PBA 49th Season Most Improved Player Joshua Munzon. And team owner Bryann Calantoc did not deny receiving feelers for the former 3x3 national player.
READ Is Munzon on trading block? Titan team owner responds
So, who is next for the team that is hoping to finally get into consistent winning?
Leave Calvin Abueva out of it.
Calantoc told SPIN.ph that there are no plans to trade Abueva, who he anticipates will play an integral role in their team for years to come.
“No, not Calvin. We will not trade Calvin. He loves playing for us, we like him so much,” he said over speculations that Abueva might soon find himself returning to the SMC side where he previously played for the Magnolia Hotshots.
“Calvin is our top player, unless other teams offer the same value, dun pa lang kami mag-iisip about it. Pero sa ngayon, Calvin will stay with us and we have no intention of trading him away. No, no way,” added the youngest PBA team owner at 37.
Calantoc revealed that one of the reasons why he opted to purchase the NorthPort franchise and not Terrafirma's was because of Abueva.
Both franchises were up for sale during the offseason.
“Actually, nung time na nag-i-inquire kami, Terrafirma talaga ang unang nababanggit sa amin. Then suddenly, Calvin was traded to NorthPort. There were rumors swirling around na for sale din ang NorthPort, nagtanong kami,” he said.
“So technically, Calvin was the reason why we pursued the NorthPort acquisition,” he said laughing.
Before his March 27 trade to the Batang Pier for William Navarro, who has since left Magnolia to play in the KBL, Abueva's game declined to the point that his averages dropped to 7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in 18 minutes of action under former Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
Abueva reborn
Upon his transfer to NorthPort, Abueva has been on a resurgence that he sustained upon the transfer to Titan Ultra, where he is averaging a healthy double-double of 22.14 points and 10.86 rebounds to go with 2.86 assists.
Those numbers are even better than his averages of 15.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game during his final year at Alaska back in 2017.
No wonder Titan loves him.
“Si Calvin ang energy guy namin. Like I said before, he even inspires other players to go hard in practice and in our game. Who wouldn’t like that?” said Calantoc.
“He is bound to become one of the league’s greatest players ever and we would want to see him immortalized in photos and videos 20, 30 years from now wearing our jersey and brand,” he said.
Asked if he is not worried that at 37, Abueva might have reached his game’s peak, Calantoc shrugged it off.
“Hindi naman. Iba pa rin ang level ni Calvin and he keeps himself in shape. Siya pa nga ang nauuna lagi sa mga gym work ng team. And he is a big fan of our men’s supplement product,” he said.
“Before game day and even pag may hard practice, nag Titan Ultra siya, kaya we made it a point to give him continuous supply of our dietary supplement,” added Calantoc, whose business portfolio includes coffee, food and beverage products.
Calantoc, however, is optimistic that once Abueva's contract is up for renewal, he will still welcome their offer with open arms.
“Hindi mahirap kausap si Calvin at ang misis nya na si Sam. They’re very humble and easy to get along with. Actually, ibang-iba si Calvin sa personal. Maangas siya sa court pero extreme opposite siya off it,” he said.
“He is a workhorse and he hates to lose. Siya ang nagppersonify ng product namin and the philosophy of the team. Titan Ultra won’t be the same without him. So, again. No trade for him,” said the Pureblends Corporation president.
In fact, Calantoc bared that when Titan Ultra goes full swing in its marketing and promotion, Abueva will be the face of the product.
“Calvin is still among the Top 3 most popular PBA players today. Kaya it’s logical that he stars in some promotional videos we will produce to advertise our Titan Ultra men’s supplement brand. So yes, Calvin will stay with us,” he added.
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