PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial stated weeks ago that the league was making baby steps as it wooed government to allow the resumption of its stunted 45th season.
For Marcial, it’s mission accomplished—the 12 PBA teams are all accounted for in the Clark bubble as of Tuesday, everyone harnessing up to resume what was shuttered by the Covid-19 pandemic in March.
Little did the PBA’s bad boy, Calvin “The Beast” Abueva, know that he would be making his own baby steps toward his reinstatement in the league.
Abueva and Phoenix Super LPG Interim Coach Topex Robinson were well on their way to Clark before sundown on Tuesday, their smiles concealed by face masks as they sat relaxed in an air-conditioned van that would take them to the PBA’s home for the next 49 days.
“This is considered a major breakthrough for Calvin [Abueva] and for the team. This is a very huge development and we’re thankful for the Commissioner’s Office for being supportive,” Robinson told BusinessMirror.
“They [PBA] were the ones who initiated the move to allow Calvin to join the bubble,” Robinson added.
It was a major development for the 2013 Rookie of Year who was suspended indefinitely by the league—on top of a P70,000 fine—for clotheslining then-TNT KaTropa import Terence Jones and engaging former Blackwater guard Bobby Ray Parks Jr.’s girlfriend in a shouting match, both taking place on separate dates at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City in May last year.
Marcial met with Robinson and Abueva at the league’s offices in Libis, Quezon City, at around noon on Tuesday with the 6-foot-4 former San Sebastian star getting the green light to join his team in Clark.
But that’s all so far for the colorful Abueva. He couldn’t suit up for an official game with the Fuel Masters in the bubble without another approval from the PBA and a professional basketball player’s license from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
So from Libis, the duo drove all the way to Makati City and renewed talks with the GAB through Commissioner Eduard Trinidad and PBA Pro Games Chief June Bautista.
The goal was to have Abueva’s license reinstated and according to Robinson, their mission looks as doable as what Marcial hoped for before.
“He [Calvin] is very happy with the progress. The fact that he was asked to go there [Clark bubble] is already huge,” Robinson said. “We are aware that Calvin’s GAB license was revoked. There’s no reinstatement yet for his license, but we went there for a courtesy call and they really appreciate Calvin’s gesture.”
Trinidad said that Abueva sought the reinstatement of his license, but didn’t make any commitment with the Fuel Master.
“Calvin’s request will be discussed and decided upon by the board in its next meeting,” Trinidad said. “He will undergo a seminar on the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of a Professional Athlete once the GAB board decides to give back his license.”
Abueva may still be barred from playing at the resumption of the Philippine Cup, but Robinson said he is allowed to join the team’s scrimmage that would start Thursday at the Angeles University Foundation.
While suspended, Abueva was obliged to complete the PBA’s reinstatement requisites including engaging in various charitable works and undergoing psychological therapy and tests.