A FEW months ago, Calvin Abueva was spotted in the sidelines of a kids basketball game wearing the hat of a proud, supportive father - not the 'Beast' that he has become known for inside the court.
The PBA star was at the Milcu Got Skills Basketball camp to support his second son, who has just started taking the sport seriously yet, this early, is already showing the same energy and work ethic that dad became known for.
[READ: PBA says no 5-second violation for Abueva inbound]
Intense as he is inside the court, Abueva is the exact opposite on the sidelines, insisting he is not putting any pressure on his sons to follow in his footsteps.
“Ayokong manggaling sa akin ‘yung pressure,” said the Magnolia Hotshots bruiser. “Gusto ko manggaling sa kanya kung ano ang dapat niyang gawin.”
Abueva, 34, said it hasn't been a year since his son took up the sport, yet he's happy with the progress he's seeing.
“Ako proud ako dahil nakuha niya ‘yung sipag kahit beginner pa lang,” said Abueva. “Napapanood niya ako. Maganda naman. Na-adopt niya.”
Abueva said he wants to see his son improve and helps him with a few tips here and there. But Abueva said he is careful not to overstep and meddle with the coach's duties.
“Hindi naman ako puwedeng mag-coach. Ang akin lang, kung ano ang puwedeng gawin at kung ano ang puwedeng sabihin sa kanya outside the court, kung ano ang kailangan niyang gawin na adjustment,” said Abueva.
The son of an American military man who used to be stationed in the former US base in Clark, Abueva had no formal training until much later when he was discovered by now-Pampanga governor Dennis Pineda.
Pineda later brought the 6-2 forward to San Sebastian where he won an NCAA MVP awatd before moving up to the PBA in 2012 and winning the Rookie of the Year.
Now that he is a father, Abueva said his son is very fortunate that there are coaches that guide him every step of the way.
“Siyempre, beginner, hindi mo naman agad sasabihing magaling agad. At least may mga basic training para sa kanya at sa mga bata, nag-iimprove siya,” he added.
The PBA said he'll always be in the sidelines to support his son.
“Hindi pa siya nakakapag-one year. Baka next year, ma-improve pa niya ‘yung konting ability niya na kailangan niyang gawin,” said the 'Beast.'
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