Will Abueva return to PBA?

At the moment, Calvin Abueva remains on indefinite suspension in the PBA and there’s no indication if he’ll ever return to play another game in the pro league. Two incidents prompted his suspension that was announced last June. One involved disrespecting Blackwater player Bobby Ray Parks’ girlfriend during a game and another was Abueva’s clothesline on TNT import Terrence Jones in a display of aggression that was chastised by NBA players Andrew Bogut and Isaiah Thomas in social media.

The altercation with Parks’ girlfriend drew a fine of P20,000 and the flagrant foul penalty 2 for attacking Jones carried a fine of P50,000.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday the suspension is still in effect. It isn’t helping Abueva’s cause that he’s been videoed playing for Barangay San Isidro in a basketball tournament in Montalban, Rizal recently. The PBA prohibits players to see action in any league while under contract and Abueva’s pro club Phoenix issued a statement that playing in a “ligang labas” is a breach of team policies and rules and will mean an undisclosed fine. Abueva has also been a star in social media lately as his wife accused him of physical abuse even while she’s pregnant, supported by CCTV footage. Abueva has denied the accusations. Now, there’s talk that Abueva is headed for Indonesia but it’s not sure if the trip is basketball-related.

“The ball is in Calvin’s hands,” said Marcial. “If he wants to show remorse, if he wants to return to the PBA, let’s see what he does. The PBA won’t tell Calvin what to do to show he’s a changed man. He should prove that to the PBA on his own. It’s like a married couple that quarreled if the husband is at fault. The wife isn’t going to tell the husband what to do to win her back. She’s not going to tell him to send her flowers or ask her on a date or whatever. If the husband wants to patch things up, let him make the first move. We’re waiting for Calvin to show his remorse. But all this talk about physical abuse and playing in a ‘ligang labas’ isn’t helping him in any way.”

For his part, Abueva has sent a letter to the PBA explaining what led to his altercation with Parks’ girlfriend and the attack on Jones, promising to turn a new leaf, pleading for a second chance and begging for understanding because basketball is his life and only source of livelihood. Abueva said he regrets what he did and he owes it to the PBA, Phoenix, the fans and his family to prove he’s a changed man. The letter was delivered before Abueva played in a “ligang labas” and the videos purportedly showing the incidents of physical abuse went viral.

Abueva, 31, was the second overall pick in the 2012 PBA draft behind only June Mar Fajardo and is clearly one of the stellar players in the league. He has played for the national team and is a seven-time PBA All-Star. Abueva was a PBA Rookie of the Year, named the Best Player of the Conference in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup and a Mr. Quality Minutes awardee in 2015. He won an NCAA title with San Sebastian in 2009 and a PBA title with Alaska in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.

If ever Abueva plans to return to the PBA, he’ll definitely need to undergo not only extensive drug testing but also a psychological examination, both for his own good. The PBA has a policy of random drug testing for marijuana, shabu and cocaine. The testing is done for every game in the eliminations of each conference. One player is picked at random from each team before a game and tested by extracting a urine sample after the game. Abueva has reportedly no record of having been chosen for testing. 

Abueva’s redemption not only as a player but as a human being can only come if he’s reinstated in the PBA. Playing in the MPBL is not an option as it appears the league may close its doors to Abueva in support of the PBA’s sanction. He may try his luck in the ABL but only as a “world” import because the restriction on “heritage” imports will continue next season. It’s doubtful if any ABL or foreign team will take a chance on Abueva. If Abueva is serious about turning a new leaf, he should demonstrate remorse and stop the shenanigan of playing in any “ligang labas.” Besides, what kind of example are organizers of “ligang labas” setting for the youth by inviting Abueva to play in defiance of his PBA prohibition?

To get back on track, maybe Abueva should voluntarily undergo drug and psychological testing and turn in the results to the PBA to disprove any speculation of being under the influence of prohibited drugs or mental instability. He should make a public apology, do community service and settle whatever problems he has with his family. As Commissioner Marcial said, the ball is in Abueva’s hands. How he wants to live his life is completely his decision.