Thirty-seven-year-old Calvin Abueva made a statement in the Titan Ultra Giant Risers' PBA debut win against Meralco: The Beast is still in him.
Calvin Abueva steered new team Titan Ultra to a smashing debut in style Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Abueva exploded with 41 points to tow the Giant Risers past former champ Meralco, 100-96, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
More than that, the Kapampangan star also made history that night.
[RELATED STORY: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup details, where to watch, rosters, and more]
According to the league's chief statistician, Fidel Mangonon, Abueva became just the second oldest player to score 40, next only to PBA great Ramon Fernandez.
Abueva was 37 years, eight months and four days old when he put up this career-high numbers, two months and 11 days younger than Fernandez when the four-time Most Valuable Player scored also 41 points in San Miguel’s 99-101 loss to Alaska in 1991.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Calvin Abueva feels like college player again after 41-point eruption for Titan Ultra]
Asked whether his performance proved he can still hoop at a high level, the mercurial Abueva suddenly turned poignant.
“Sabi ko nga, ako 'yong taong hindi mo makikitaan ng kahinaan. Makikitaan mo lang ako ng kahianan kapag family ko na ang naagrabyado," said Abueva.
"Pero this team, hindi mo ako makikitaan ng kahinaan."
The Giant Risers’ elder statesman knew he still has the same motor and tenacity that earned him the moniker “The Beast,” and once made him the Rookie of the Year.
“Pinupursigi ko 'to kasi basketball 'yan, ikinabubuhay natin. Pero at my age, kailangang pukpukin kasi mayroon, eh. Mayroon at mayroon pa. Mayroon at mayroon pang ilalabas,” Abueva said.
That’s just what Titan Ultra coach Johnedel Cardel expected from his prized ward, someone he hopes the rest of the team emulates.
“Lahat sila kailangang maglaro na parang si Calvin. Puso palagi,” Cardel said.
“Kaya nga 14 years na sa PBA ito. 'Yong effort niya at puso niyang matapang, 'yon ang bagay sa PBA.”
Abueva and the rest of the Giant Risers look to sustain this early success when they test the mettle of preseason favorite Converge Friday, Oct. 11.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.