Depleted Aces Top 2 bid stymied

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska Milk’s drive for a spot in the Top Two of the PBA Commisioner’s Cup elimination round suffered a snag with the continued absence of top player Calvin Abueva and the sidelining of rookie ace Jeron Teng to a stabbing incident over the weekend.

Abueva has gone AWOL (absent without official leave) since the Commissioner’s Cup resumption after the All-Star Week while Teng will undergo  medical  tests and procedures for stab wounds suffered in a brawl at the BGC in Taguig Saturday night.

Danny Espiritu, Abueva’s agent, said they still couldn’t contact his player who has been absent in all Alaska activities since their return from Iloilo on May 28.

The 6-foot-3 forward skipped Alaska’s game versus GlobalPort at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.

The team management and coaching staff felt Abueva is facing the same personal problem that prompted him to skip practices and games last conference.

“It’s personal problem again,” said Espiritu.

“We’ll just wait for his return,” said Alaska team manager Dickie Bachman.

The Alaska wing rotation has been hurt all the more on the injuries Teng sustained in an incident that also involved Rain or Shine center/forward Norbert Torres and PBA free agent Thomas Torres.

Teng is still confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Hospital in Taguig and it’s still uncertain when he’d be ready to get back into action with the Aces.

He suffered stab wounds in the back and in the side of his body.

Meanwhile, Willard Balisi confessed to the Taguig police as the one who possessed the knife in the brawl with Teng and the two Torreses.

“I was swinging my hands because I’m defending myself. There are multiple attacks on my head and I fell on the ground. Basically, I’m helpless  becuause they’re bigger ,” said Balisi, 37, during the interrogation.

Also arrested by the Taguig police in the aftermath of the melee were Edmar Manalo Lacanlale, 40, and Joseph Varona, 39.

Balisi and Lacanlale have been charged before the city prosecutor in Taguig for frustrated murder and physical injury, respectively.

Howard Calleja, counsel for Teng and Torres, said they would also ask the Department of Justice to issue a hold departure order against Balisi and Lacanlale. – With report from Ghio Ong