Calvin Abueva missed nearly the entire first half of the Magnolia Hotshots’ game against the TNT Tropang Giga Friday night due to a knee injury.
The Beast hurt his right knee at the 10:55 mark of the second quarter when TNT import Jalen Hudson accidentally landed on it. The high-flying American bit on Abueva’s shot fake, causing him to fall on the veteran—first on his back and then, upon the two falling down, on Abueva's exposed right knee.
Abueva stayed down for a few minutes, got up slowly, and had to be helped back to the Magnolia bench. But the 34-year-old was able to put weight on his injured knee and was actually able to walk, albeit gingerly and with help from his teammates.
According to a report by Bea Escudero, the Magnolia medical staff diagnosed Abueva’s injury as a mild contusion, and he was seen on the bench icing his hurting knee.
Fortunately, it appears Abueva is all right, as he was able to play in the second half without favoring his right knee. The Beast, in fact, looked spry and mobile in his return after intermission, as he tried to get the Hotshots going after a poor first half.
Abueva finished the game with a near double-double of 12 points and 9 rebounds. He also added 5 assists in the loss, Magnolia's second in as many games.