Chot to Abueva: No show, no go
Calvin Abueva
MANILA, Philippines - Calvin Abueva had advised the Gilas coaching staff that he would show up in practice and keep his commitment to help Gilas Pilipinas in its FIBA Asia Cup campaign.
Abueva had missed all their previous practices, prompting Gilas coach Chot Reyes to warn the Alaska ace to join the team or they would be forced to drop him from the roster.
Abueva was to join the Gilas practice last night, according to his agent Danny Espiritu.
“Nagpasabi na daw na dadating siya (He gave word that he would come) Monday night,” said Espiritu.
“We have the same info,” said Gilas team manager Butch Antonio.
Abueva has also skipped the practices of his mother ball club Alaska Milk. On Saturday, he was absent in 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 would finally show up as they are pressed for time in their preparation for the Asian meet that is firing off in a week in Lebanon.
In case they are forced to drop Abueva, Reyes said another big problem would be his replacement.
“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.
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