BY JONAS TERRADO
Phoenix Super LPG coach Louie Alas believes there’s now clear indication that the PBA will soon reinstate Calvin Abueva from an indefinite suspension imposed at this time last year.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial on Tuesday was noncommital when asked about the possibility of Abueva’s sanction being lifted, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic may have halted the tasks the controversial star needs to complete.
But Alas said that Abueva has been “remorseful and cooperative” during the process.
“May linaw naman,” Alas said. “Tapusin lang ni Calvin kung anuman pinagagawa ni Comm (Marcial). Tapos na sana yun kung walang pandemic.”
Marcial banned Abueva indefinitely while also being fined a total of P70,000 on June 4, 2019 due to a pair of misconducts committed in the early stages of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The multi-time All-Star stirred controversy was he flashed a lewd gesture at Maika Rivera, the girlfriend of Ray Parks Jr., during a game between Phoenix and Blackwater on May 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Two days later at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Abueva threw a clothesline at TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones in retaliation to a low blow by the former NBA cager.
Abueva has since apologized for both incidents while being active in outreach activities and basketball camps organized by Phoenix and his home province of Pampanga.
The PBA also allowed Abueva’s request to join Phoenix practices last September in order to stay in shape.
He also made efforts to help frontliners and those in need since the government imposed a community quarantine in mid-March.
“Pag natapos niya yun mga pinapagawa naming requirement, eevaluate namin tas dun ako magdedesisyon,” Marcial said in Tuesday’s online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
“Nahold (yung proseso) dahil dito sa COVID. Eto baka dahan-dahan na magagawa niya mga requirements namin. The sooner, the better,” added the PBA chief.
