Magnolia's Abueva sidelined after hemorrhoids surgery

MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva is expected to sit out for weeks as he recovers from a hemorrhoids operation, and in the process miss the early goings of the PBA Season 48. 

Abueva said he went under the knife a month ago, during the preparations for the Asian Games.

He told reporters during Wednesday’s PBA Media Day that for now, he is still healing from his operation. 

The fiery forward said that currently, he is having a hard time training and practicing. 

“The operation was a month ago, but [my situation] is still not that stable. It depends on my recovery, because I am waiting for about a week before the bleeding stops because the wounds are still fresh,” Abueva said in Filipino. 

“If the wounds would be dry for one to two weeks, that is when I can start practicing. But that will still be a long way ahead, and I will have to practice doubly hard as I catch up,” he added. 

Abueva said he is 70% recovered, but he could still not jump and lift weights. 

He bared that he might return in the final week of November or the first week of December, depending on his recovery. 

Abueva was originally tapped to represent Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games. But he was replaced about a week before the team was set to fly to China due to eligibility issues. 

While it hurt him first, Abueva said it was a blessing in disguise since he was able to have his hemorrhoids checked. 

“I may have put up a bad performance [in the Asian Games...]. It was a pity that I did not win the gold, but my body is important,” he said. 

Magnolia will take on the TNT Tropang Giga in the season-opening Commissioner’s Cup on November 5.