By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — Calvin Abueva has been embracing his sixth man role with Phoenix Fuel Masters.
This past week, as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup resumed action from the Gilas Pilipinas break, the national team mainstay showed that he can still be effective off the bench, especially on Friday night.
Abueva was beastly against his former team, scoring 21 points and grabbing 16 rebounds as the Fuel Masters zapped the Alaska Aces, 94-80.
Coupled by a 14-point, seven-rebound, and two-block showing two nights prior in another win against the NorthPort Batang Pier, Abueva took into heart coach Louie Alas’ reminder.
“I just simply reminded him that it’s okay to be aggressive as long as he’s in control,” Alas said on the pointers he gave to Abueva.
Because of the impressive week, Abueva was named the Cignal-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week, beating fellow Phoenix players Matt Wright and Justin Chua, Blackwater’s Allein Maliksi and Mac Belo, and Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon.
Abueva’s performances this past week helped the Fuel Masters clinch a spot in the quarterfinals, and this week, the focus is on barging into the Top 2, which will mean twice-to-beat advantage in the next round
