Calvin Abueva’s continued recovery from a hamstring injury prevented him from suiting up for Titan Ultra against his former team Magnolia in Friday’s PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Abueva was left with no choice but to play the role of cheerleader in the Giant Risers’ 127-119 defeat that sent the league’s newest team to 1-2 in the season-opening conference.
That denied Abueva the chance to face the Hotshots, who dealt the veteran forward in last season’s Philippine Cup for William Navarro when the franchise was still owned by the NorthPort Batang Pier.
WATCH: Calvin Abueva is not playing for Titan Ultra in today’s PBA Philippine Cup meeting with his former team Magnolia at Smart Araneta Coliseum due to a hamstring injury.
Here’s Abueva catching up with Mark Barroca before tipoff. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/layJ4oLqf5
– INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 17, 2025
Coach Johnedel Cardel said Abueva could return on Oct. 24 when Titan Ultra takes on TNT at Ynares Center in Antipolo. Abueva hurt his right hamstring, almost five minutes in Saturday’s loss to Converge in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Everything was fine between Abueva and some of his former teammates, even joking with Mark Barroca seconds before tipoff. He was also heard making good-natured taunts at other Hotshots players in an attempt to get them off their game.
But Abueva was also slapped with two technical fouls for improper bench decorum for arguing his case to the referees while on the sidelines.
Abueva was not ejected as PBA rules allow players and coaches three technical fouls per game.
Titan Ultra tried to pull off an upset of Magnolia despite Abueva’s absence behind Joshua Munzon before faltering in the second half.