PHOENIX, SUSUGAL KAY ABUEVA

Handa na umanong sumugal ang Phoenix Super LPG kay Calvin Abueva sa muling pagbabalik ng Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) sa Oktubre 9.

Ayon sa team manager ng Phoenix na si Paolo Bugia, isinama na nila sa roster si Abueva kahit wala pang kasiguruhan na papayagang makabalik si Abueva sa pagsisimula ng Philippine Cup na gaganapin sa Clark Freeport Zone sa Pampanga sa ilalim ng isang bubble setup.

Nakumpleto na umano ni Abueva ang mga kinakailangang requirements para sa kanyang reinstatement, subalit hi ndi pa umano nililift ni PBA commissioner Willie Marcial ang ipinataw na indefinite suspension sa nasabing manlalaro.

“We’re definitely putting him on the roster with the hopes of bringing him there, but we’re hopeful that commissioner, before the opening on 9 October, will get him reinstated,” sabi ni Bugia.

“We’re taking that risk and we’re optimistic because it’s been a long time coming and we’ve seen the changes in Calvin both on and off the court. Hopefully, the commissioner will reconsider his reinstatement,” dagdag niya.

Ayon pa sa team manager ng Phoenix, kailangan nila si Abueva sa kanilang koponan.

“I think based on the rules of the league, once we decided not to reinstate Calvin, we cannot bring in another player,” sabi ni Bugia. “So we will have to live with it, but we’re talking the risk because I think he’s worth it.”

Pero kung sakali, malakas pa rin ang frontcourt lineup ng Fuel Masters na sina Jason Perkins, JC Intal, Jake Pascual, Alex Mallari, Justin Chua at Dave Marcelo.

“As of now, we will stick with the current team because it’s a short term plan,” saad ni Bugia. “But if he does get reinstated, that’s going to be a huge factor for us.”