Phoenix 'saddened' by domestic violence claims against Abueva

MANILA, Philippines -- The Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters on Tuesday expressed their sadness over the allegations made against embattled forward Calvin Abueva by his estranged wife over the weekend.

"The Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters are deeply saddened by the recent allegations about the behavior of suspended player Calvin Abueva," the team said in a statement.

"Claims of domestic violence and neglect have no place in our team, and are seriously considered and mulled over by the company," it added.

Last Saturday night, Abueva's wife Sam alleged through a series of Instagram Stories that she had been physically abused by the PBA player. Sam, who is pregnant, also accused Abueva of forcing her to have sex earlier this month, causing her to be hospitalized.

Abueva refuted Sam's claims through a new Instagram account, saying that his wife's allegations were all false.

Phoenix said they are waiting for "a full and appropriate legal procedure" regarding Sam's allegations, before making a further assessment of the situation and a decision as to Abueva's fate with the team.

Abueva remains suspended by the PBA and Phoenix, following his war of words with Blackwater rookie Ray Parks and his girlfriend, as well as his hard foul against TNT import Terrence Jones when they played last month.

He was also recently fined by Phoenix for playing in a "ligang labas" without permission from the ball club.

In its statement, Phoenix said that it has "consistently provided moral support to Calvin throughout these troubling times."

"We have been continually reaching out to the distressed cager, despite his unresponsiveness and absence from the team, prior even to these untoward recent incidents," the team said.

"The responsibility and cure for his behavior rests with Calvin. He can step up and accept responsibility for his actions and take responsibility for his recovery -- it is his choice."