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Just beastly | Philstar.com
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Just beastly

- Pio Garcia - The Philippine Star

Whoever said Alaska lost in the Junmar Fajardo sweepstakes is terribly wrong. Not to mention, it was a dumb pronouncement. Heck, I might go on a stretch and say that Alaska actually won that one. They got the best collegiate and pro-ready player in the nation right now. And hothead or not, this guy is a monster on the hardcourt. Is the PBA ready for Calvin Abueva?

They should be.

Because hell must freeze first before this guy runs out of gasoline to power that motor.

Mind you, I’m no fan of Abueva or his antics. But that game of his man, it’s just…out of this world, to say the least. When was the last time you saw a six-foot-something dude who plays with ferocity and limitless energy rack up triple-double after triple-double? That’s insane. That’s like playing NBA 2K12 on rookie mode and have your team’s superstar rack up the stats game in and game out.

Photo by The STAR's Jun Mendoza

It really is unbelievable. The rate Calvin Abueva is going? He would be a marvel to watch in the pro ranks, I’m pretty sure he can handle himself and give some. This guy has it. Not Junmar Fajardo. If there’s one dude who isn’t scared witless to drive against a 6-foot-10, 270-pound something guy, it’s Abueva.

He may be a hothead on the planks, but that’s his game. He thrives in physicality, intense matches, chest-to-chest defense and the bump and grind down low. That nickname won’t suit him much if he hates those, right?

Well see here, Abueva was not this GOOD two years back. Heck, all he knew was to grab rebounds, turn them to gold, and land a few punches here and there. Oops, my bad on the punches, but you get the point. He was a Gabby Espinas at best then. Pure hustle, pure energy, sheer ferocity. That’s all he went by as Jimbo Aquino’s San Sebastian Stags romped off the San Beda Red Lions to cop an NCAA championship in Ato Agustin’s first year as head coach.

He could not hit a jumpshot. He could not even split his free throws. All he can do was jump. And boy did he jump high to outpower Sudan Daniel, San Beda’s foreign student-athlete.

That was Calvin Abueva then. But now…

Pass.

Rebound.

Steal.

Score.

Shoot.

Block.

He can do all of those now. He’s as strong as any center in dishing out and receiving punishment. But on the flipside, he’s as fast and as quick as the fastest point guard in college ball today. This guy is a demon. It is unfair and unjust to the competition that he is that damn good.

It’s like a big fish in a little pond full of fingerlings. But what if the big fish jumps to the biggger pond with the big fishies? Let’s be assured that when talking about the “Beast,” you cannot doubt.

He will make you look like a fool.

He will use it to fire up that motor of his.

He will cause beautiful mayhem on the hardwood, leaving dumbfounded opponents and waylaid teams along the way.

Alaska picked well. They did not lose out on Fajardo. It’s Petron who lost out on Calvin Abueva.

Follow @PioStark for more commentaries about sports and funny facts of life.

ABUEVA

ATO AGUSTIN

CALVIN ABUEVA

GABBY ESPINAS

JIMBO AQUINO

JUNMAR FAJARDO

NOT JUNMAR FAJARDO

SAN BEDA

SAN BEDA RED LIONS

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