Abueva hot on PBA crown

A first title in more than a decade will be the main objective of Calvin Abueva when Magnolia faces San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals series starting today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Abueva said it’s been more than 10 years since he last tasted a title so he will do everything to lead the Hotshots to the top of the season-ending conference.

“We’re hungry to win the championship,” Abueva, whose first title was with Alaska in the Commissioner’s Cup in 2013, said.

“On my end, it’s been more than 10 years since I won my first championship.”

“I’m definitely motivated to win because it’s been a long time.”

After winning the crown with the Aces 11 years ago, Abueva had several chances to emerge as champion.

From 2015 to 2016, Abueva carried his team to the championship round, but lost to San Miguel three times and once against Rain or Shine during the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.

Since then, it has become a turbulent journey for the pride of Angeles City, Pampanga, who got embroiled in a series of controversies, including one in the 2019 Commissioner’s

Cup where he hit TNT import Terrence Jones that led to his suspension for more than a year while playing for Phoenix Super LPG.

He returned during the first ever bubble tournament four years ago and was shipped to Magnolia for Chris Banchero the following season.

Now on his fourth season with the Hotshots, Abueva believes that he has a perfect opportunity to win the title against the mighty Beermen led by seven-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.

Mark Barroca, one of the remaining holdovers of the franchise’s 2014 grand slam team, shares the same objective with Abueva.

“I think we’re ripe to win the championship,” Barroca said.

“We’re hungry and we’re determined.”