RIGHT off as a Magnolia Hotshot, Calvin Abueva will be reminded of his old environment.
For it's the Magnolia Hotshots versus the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the 4:35 p.m. mainer of the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
It's the rematch of the Phoenix-Magnolia quarterfinal showdown in the Clark bubble tourney where the Fuel Masters prevailed to advance to the next round where they narrowly missed going all the way to the finals.
But suddenly, the Fuel Masters are a different team with Abueva and his tremendous energy being shipped over to the Hotshots in the offseason.
Magnolia is expected to redeem itself from its seventh-place finish in the last tournament and to even contend for the crown with Abueva plugging a crucial hole in the team.
Sponsored content: It's just hard not to recognize what Abueva can bring to any team he'll be with.
The 6-foot-3 forward adds immense value.
"He does things in games that will not show in the stat sheet like his hustle plays and hard work. And that's what's good about Calvin. He does more important things on top of his numbers," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
"Just imagine, he wasn't able to play for a long time, and yet he played well enough to be a candidate for BPC," Victolero also said, recalling Abueva's amazing run from his reinstatement from a long suspension.
And Abueva looks like a changed man from his wayward days.
Sponsored content: He could well provide Magnolia a huge boost while teaming up with the team's old core including Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Rafi Reavis, Ian Sangalang and Rome dela Rosa.
Add also Jackson Corpuz and rookies Loren Brill and Jerrick Ahanmisi.
Of course, the Fuel Masters must also feel that they've got what they needed in acquiring Vic Manuel, Chris Banchero, Bryan Faundo, Aljun Melecio, Larry Muyang and Nick Demusis.
Somehow, Manuel can fill in the spot left by Abueva while Banchero is to provide spark and hustle in the backcourt.
Then there's the system of coach Topex Robinson which should be in better fit now in Robinson's second tourney as Phoenix head tactician. (SB)
