Abueva rejoining Gilas or skipping FIBA Asia Cup?

MANILA, Philippines – Calvin Abueva had advised the Gilas coaching staff that he would show up in practice last night and keep his commitment to help Gilas Pilipinas in its FIBA Asia Cup campaign, according to his agent-adviser.

But would he really appear and rejoin his Gilas teammates in training?

That’s the question as Abueva had missed all their previous practices, prompting Gilas coach Chot Reyes to make an ultimatum that they would wait for the Alaska player only until last night or they would be forced to drop him from the roster.

The Gilas practice was set at 8 p.m.

“Nagpasabi na daw na dadating siya (He’d advised that he would come) Monday night,” said player agent Danny Espiritu.

“Your news is the same info I have,” said Gilas team manager Butch Antonio.

Abueva has also been missing in practices of his mother ball club Alaska Milk. On Saturday, he skipped their game against the Star Hotshots at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Alaska coach Alex Compton said Abueva was dealing with a domestic problem.

The STAR tried to get in touch with Alaska team manager Dickie Bachmann but he said in a text message: “Sorry, I can’t talk right now.”

Reyes was hoping Abueva to show up especially with their limitation of time in preparation for the Asian meet that is firing off in a week in Lebanon.

In case they’re forced to drop Abueva, Reyes said another big problem would be whom to be tapped to replace him.

“Iyan ang malaking problema (That’s the big problem),” said Reyes.

The other players named to the Asia Cup Gilas team are June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra, Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort, Star’s Jio Jalalon, Phoenix Petroleum’s Matthew Wright, Rain or Shine’s Raymond Almazan and Gabe Norwood, TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro and RR Pogoy, Alaska’s Carl Bryan Cruz and Fil-German Christian Standhardinger.

Cruz and Standhardinger may do double duty as they’re also in the Gilas lineup to the Kuala Lumpur SEAG slated Aug. 19-30.

Others set to don the Gilas jersey in the SEAG are Troy Rosario, Baser Amer, Almond Vosotros, Kevin Ferrer, Kiefer Ravena, Ray Ray Parks, Mike Tolomia, Von Pessumal, Raymar Jose and Kobe Paras.