One game to dish it all out – Abueva

MANILA, Philippines – Calvin Abueva left the Marriott Hotel a few nights ago holding on to a small glass trophy which he received as the 2015 Sportsman of the Year from local sports portal Spin.ph.

The Alaska Aces key player said he didn’t expect the award.

“I’m happy to receive this but at the same time I was surprised,” he said in Filipino.

Abueva was a hit among fellow sportsmen that night, and among scribes and plain admirers. He flashed a big smile as he left the building.

It was Saturday evening or four days before Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup, which unfolds tonight at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Alaska, which has blown a 3-0 lead in the series, squares off with San Miguel Beer. It’s a winner-take-all contest. There’s no tomorrow.

Abueva was asked about his thoughts about the pivotal match.

“Dito na makikita ang tunay na laro (It’s where you get to show everything),” he told The STAR.

Abueva, so easy to love or hate inside the court, is taking things in stride, reminded how his team lost what seemed to be an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the series.

“We have no control over fate,” he said.

“Bilog ang bola. Hindi natin masasabi. Dumadating talaga yun. Puwede mo ma-sweep. Puwede ka matalo (The ball is round. It happens),” Abueva said.

Everything is out the window, he said, and there’s no point crying over spilled milk.

“Dito sa Game 7, kapag talo ka, talo at kapag panalo ka, eh di panalo (In this Game 7, it’s either you win or lose). Pag nanalo eh di masaya. Pag natalo eh di malungkot,” Abueva said.

“This is do-or-die,” he said.

Losing three games in a row after winning three in a row is quite unthinkable, according to one of the PBA’s hottest players.