Calvin Abueva had been an invaluable piece for Magnolia, but coach Chito Victolero and the Hotshots management needed to make the tough decision in order to bring an up-and-coming star in William Navarro.
There’s no doubt in Chito Victolero’s mind that Calvin Abueva had been a valuable asset for the Magnolia Hotshots.
However, Victolero also acknowledged Magnolia's need to go young for its future.
That’s why the Hotshots shocked the PBA world on Tuesday, sending Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a second-round pick for the 2026 Draft to the NorthPort Batang Pier for William Navarro.
It wasn’t an easy decision.
“Calvin has been an invaluable part of our team, and making the decision to trade him was incredibly difficult,” said Victolero.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Magnolia trades Calvin Abueva to NorthPort for Will Navarro]
The long-time Magnolia head coach pointed to the team’s need to plug in youth especially into its frontcourt, where Navarro will be paired with another up-and-coming forward in Zavier Lucero.
“However, given our current needs and long-term goals, we felt it was necessary to bring in a young, up-and-coming talent like Navarro to strengthen our roster,” Victolero added.
[ALSO READ: PBA: William Navarro waxes hot as NorthPort gets first win at Terrafirma’s expense]
While letting go of "The Beast" was a tough decision for Magnolia, Victolero believes it’s for the better.
“It’s never easy parting ways with someone who’s contributed so much, but we believe this move positions us better for the future,” he said.
Navarro's arrival should be a big boost for the Hotshots that currently lead the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
With Navarro bringing energy, length, and youth into the table, it is hoped that Magnolia (7-1) has a better now chance of breaking its championship spell. The Hotshots last won a PBA title in 2018 during the Governors' Cup.