By WAYLON GALVEZ
When news broke out that Phoenix controversial star Calvin Abueva was traded to Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, veteran forward Marc Pingris immediately reached out and welcomed “The “Beast”.
The two, despite their heated clashes in the PBA the past several years, have a mutual respect for each other even since they played together for Gilas Pilipinas during the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China.
“Hindi pa kami nagkita pero nag-message kami. Sabi niya ‘brad ayusin mo na jan’,” said Abueva as he appeared Saturday on the weekly sports show The Chasedown on One PH over Cignal TV.
“It’s a big opportunity na anjan ka (with Magnolia), huwag mo na pakawalan. Ito yung kumpanya na alam mong makaka-ipon ka, maga-grab mo lahat ng opportunity na dadating sayo.”
This is the third team for Abueva after stints with Alaska and Phoenix Fuel.
While he is considered among the best with his energy and enthusiasm during games, Abueva is also a controversial figure on and off the court. He was suspended for 16 months for unsportsmanlike foul two years ago in former TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones.
He was shipped by Phoenix to Magnolia for Chris Banchero plus draft picks.
Abueva acknowledgd that since Magnolia is one of the top teams in terms of winning, this translates to won game bonuses particularly in the playoffs – more so if the team wins championships.
Meanwhile, Abueva’s friend,Vic Manuel, is willing to embrace whatever role be given to him by Phoenic coach Topex Robinson.
“Oo naman. Willing naman ako mag-sacrifice ng role kung yun yung dapat. Saka hindi makaka-bigat sa team,” said Manuel on the same sports show.
“Kailangan tulungan ko sila e, yun ang magiging role ko talaga sa Phoenix.”
Manuel, who will start practicing with Phoenix on Monday, will join a team the include Matthew Wright, Jason Perkins, Justin Chua, RJ Jazul and Chris Banchero, who the team got from Magnolia in the Abueva trade.
With the Aces, with the exception of now 10-year veteran JVee Casio, the team basically moving towards the youth movement led by Barkley Ebona, Abu Tratter, Jeron Teng, Rodney Brondial and Mav Ahanmisi.
“Sa Alaska sa akin dumadating ang bola. Dito sa Phoenix madaming pwedeng humawak, madaming puwedeng umiskor anytime. Kung ano lang yung magiging support ko sa kanila, saka kung ano yung makakabuti sa magiging takbo ng Phoenix,” he said.
Originally selected No. 9 overall by NorthPort (formerly GlobalPort) during the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft, this is Manuel’s fifth team after stints with Meralco, Air21 and then Alaska.
But unlike from the past when he was dealt from one team to another, Manuel feels his transition would be easy.
Not only he will be reunited with former Alaska teammates Banchero and Jazul, as well as Jake Pscual, Manuel will have adjusting to the system of Robinson – his former coach in the PBA D-League.
“Sa D-League, diyan ako nagsimula sa kanya. Familiar na din ako sa system ni coach Topex. Siguro hindi naman ako mahihirapan i-apply sarili ko dun (with the system),” said Manuel.
