By JONAS TERRADO
Calvin Abueva will be allowed to have his professional license reinstated on the condition that he completes a process set by the Games and Amusements Board.
GAB officials yesterday approved the measure, provided the suspended Phoenix Super LPG star attends a seminar on “The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of a Professional Athlete” followed by an expression of commitment to follow those guidelines.
The government regulatory body for professional sports is also requiring Abueva to take part in a mandatory drug test as part of GAB’s medical requirements.
Chairman Baham Mitra said GAB is taking into consideration Abueva’s expression of remorse over the two incidents that prompted PBA commissioner Willie Marcial to slap an indefinite suspension in June 2019.
“Calvin Abueva was remorseful in what he did and was sincere enough to accept his wrongdoings and asked for an apology for his actions with a promise not to repeat the same mistakes and set a good example to the audience especially the young fans,” Mitra said in a statement.
Abueva was joined by Phoenix coach Topex Robinson when he met with commissioner Eduard Trinidad during Tuesday’s meeting at the GAB office in Makati.
The two proceeded to the PBA bubble in Clark as the league permitted Abueva to join 5-on-5 scrimmages until commissioner Willie Marcial saw fit to finally lift his ban.
Abueva was initially left off Phoenix’s 25-man lineup composed of players, coaches, staff and officials for the bubble due to his suspension.
Once Abueva completes the process, focus will be on whether Marcial decides to reinstate Abueva before or after the restart of the PBA Philippine Cup on Oct. 11.
For now, Abueva is settling on being part of Fuel Masters practice sessions at the Angeles University Foundation.
Fuel Master interim coach Topex Robinson had earlier said that having Abueva in Clark is already a “small win for us.”
