MANILA, Philippines — It’s still a no-go for suspended Phoenix player Calvin Abueva in the coming PBA bubble in Clark in Pampanga.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial shot down the idea of Abueva making his comeback in the restart in his home province, stressing he has yet to fully comply with the conditions for his reinstatement.
“He has not completed the requirements yet,” Marcial said in yesterday’s Power & Play program on Radyo Singko and One Ph.
Abueva, who’s been under suspension for 15 months now, piqued fans’ interest when he posted a photo of himself with the caption “Comeback is real” on social media.
Phoenix even sought to name Abueva, who’s already participating in the team’s non-contact physical conditioning sessions, to its 15-player lineup for the Clark bubble.
The Fuel Masters were disallowed from doing so but all the same, they still hope “the Beast” will get reinstated in time for the Oct. 11 opening.
“Once he completes the requirements, we’ll talk again. We’ll see (what happens),” said Marcial, insisting that Abueva himself understands the situation based on their last conversation.
The commissioner stressed the heavy penalty imposed on Abueva for his unsportsmanlike action in the Commissioner’s Cup last June 2019 is meant to help him reform.
“Some thought I’m being unfair (to Abueva) but no, all these things I’m doing is for the good of both the PBA and Calvin himself. And that’s clear to both of us,” said Marcial.