The best for the Beast

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial’s decision to slap an indefinite suspension on Phoenix forward Calvin Abueva was the best way to straighten out the Beast’s tumultuous basketball career, providing the process to put order back in his life.

“It’s in the league’s best interest and also Calvin’s best interest,” said Marcial of the unprecedented decision. “I’ve spoken with Calvin and he’s sorry for what happened. But hindi naman pwedeng paulit-ulit. Before I made my decision, I told Calvin it will be for the good of the league and for his own good.”

Marcial isn’t setting a time frame for when the suspension will be lifted, if ever. “It will depend on Calvin,” he said. “My plan is to meet with Phoenix team management and discuss what steps to take to help Calvin. Of course, this will mean a sincere apology from Calvin. There will be a process. It may entail counseling and professional guidance. Calvin’s only 31 and a very talented athlete. If he needs help in any way, the PBA is prepared to assist. We’re not doing this just for Calvin. We will do this for any other player facing issues.”

Marcial didn’t disclose what type of counseling will be suggested. But it’s possible anger management, psychological evaluation, behavioral patterns and even drug-testing may be looked into. 

“We understand the NBA and FIBA are aware of what happened,” said Marcial. “The video of Calvin clotheslining Terrence (Jones) is all over the internet. Terrence is well-known in the NBA, having played six seasons and he’ll likely go back to play in the NBA. Even Calvin’s involvement in the Gilas brawl with Australia in the World Cup Qualifiers has been brought up. We’ve monitored feedback on our decision and approval is up to 95 percent. The world is watching how this will come down.”

GAB chairman Abraham Mitra has also expressed concern over Abueva’s behavior on the court. Marcial has assured Mitra the PBA is in control of the situation and will never compromise the integrity of the league.

Aside from the indefinite suspension, Abueva was fined P20,000 for disrespecting Blackwater rookie RayRay Parks’ girlfriend Maika Rivera during the Phoenix-Blackwater game last Friday and P50,000 for the flagrant foul 2 he incurred in clotheslining Jones during the Phoenix-TNT last Sunday. The TNT-Phoenix game brought in a total of P264,000 in fines to 12 individuals, including nine players. 

Additionally, Marcial suspended referee Bing Oliva for 10 playing game days. Oliva failed to call a flagrant foul 2 on Jones for striking Abueva below the belt with his left hand. That caused Abueva to later retaliate with a clothesline. And when he was whistled for a flagrant foul 2, Abueva did a mocking jig on the sidelines and even went on top of a table to display his displeasure before being led to the lockerroom. If Oliva had called the foul on Jones, the outbreak could’ve been averted. 

It was also Oliva who called a reviewable deliberate foul on Abueva after R. R. Pogoy tripped. A review on the TV monitor showed Pogoy tripped on his own with Abueva near him. The foul was rescinded and the eventual call from the table was an inadvertent whistle. Marcial said it was the right call. “The review showed Calvin didn’t trip R. R. so there was no contact,” he explained. “It’s bad enough that we made a call to stop the play. It’s worse if we call a foul when there was none. So the right decision was to call an inadvertent whistle. There’s nothing in the rule book that requires you to call a foul after a gesture for a reviewable deliberate foul. I’ve told our referees that it’s bad when you miss a call but it’s worse when you make a call because you imagined contact.”

No doubt, Abueva is an exceptional athlete who plays with a lot of energy and high intensity. He’s often described as a game-changer. When he checks in, you know there will be impact one way or the other. That’s how he influences a game. He’s a rugged defender, he makes you lose your cool. That’s part of his game. But when he crosses the line, Abueva must be reined in. Abueva won’t be Abueva if he plays without emotion. The key is for him not to get carried away by his emotions.

Obviously, Abueva needs some kind of guidance counseling. It’s not too late for reform. Marcial’s decision to suspend him indefinitely will give him time to reflect on what he has to do to show remorse and come back in good standing. It’s a pity if Abueva isn’t able to return to the PBA but it’s more a pity if he doesn’t reform.