Abueva, Espinas apologize for playing in Bulacan town league

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska players Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas on Wednesday issued formal apologies for joining a small league in Sta. Maria, Bulacan without the consent of their team.

In a statement posted in the PBA’s official Twitter account (@pbaconnect), Abueva explained that he played in the team as a guest player at the request of his cousin, adding that he thought it was fine to play in such leagues during the off-season.

"Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa aking paglalaro sa isang liga sa Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Mayroon po akong pinsan doon, na siyang nag-anyaya sa akin upang maglaro bilang guest player at magbigay ng kasiyahan sa mga tao. Sa aking pagkakaalam pwede pong maglaro sa maliliit na liga pag off-season,” said the Alaska super rookie.

(I apologize for playing in a league in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. I have a cousin there who invited me to play as a guest player so I could entertain the crowd. As far as I know, players are allowed to play in small leagues during the off-season.)

Proof that Abueva indeed saw action in the small league was a video recently posted on YouTube showing the dynamic rookie playing. Abueva, in a green jersey, even performed a two-handed dunk during one play.

The Alaska management recently said they have discussed the matter with Abueva and Espinas, who both vowed never to do it again.

“Ngunit ngayon po ay alam ko na, na hindi pwede, at pinapangako ko po na hindi na mauulit ang ganitong pangyayari. Salamat po," he said.

(Now that I know that it is prohibited, I promise this won’t happen again. Thank you).

Espinas, for his part, likewise apologized for joining the same league, saying it was Abueva who invited him to play

"Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa aking paglalaro sa isang liga sa Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Inimbitahan po ako ni Calvin Abueva na maglaro at magbigay kasiyahan sa mga tao doon. At dahil off-season, at siya'y aking teammate, napagpasyahan ko po na siya'y pagbigyan,” Espinas said.

(I apologize for playing in a league in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. I was invited by Calvin Abueva to play there so I could entertain the crowd. And because it is the off-season and he is my teammate, I decided to heed his request.)

PBA commissioner Chito Salud accepted both players’ apology, at the same time reminding players to seek permission from their mother teams before they can play in other leagues during the off-season.

“Ito ay maliwanag na nakasaad sa kanilang mga kontrata. Ang pangunahing layunin nito ay mapangalagaan ang ating mga manlalaro sa mga injuries na pihong makakadanyos di lamang sa kanilang mga mother ballclubs kundi sa buong liga,” Salud said.

(This is clearly specified in their contracts. The main objective of this is to protect our players from injuries, which would be also detrimental not only to the mother ballclubs but also to the entire league.)

Hindi po pinagbabawalan ang ating mga manlalaro na lumingon sa kanilang mga pinanggalingan lalo na't tumanaw ng utang na loob o magpakita ng pakikisama. Ang kailangan lamang po ay magpaalam sa kanilang mga mother teams dahil sila ay mga professional players na may responsibilidad sa liga at sa kanilang mga fans,” Salud added.

(Our players are not prohibited to give back to their communities. The important thing is to seek permission from their mother teams because they are professional players who have a responsibility to the league and to their fans.)

With their apology, Abueva and Espinas thus evaded possible sanction for their action.