Titan Ultra’s Calvin Abueva wasn’t able to suit up for the Giant Risers in their PBA Philippine Cup game against Magnolia, but he still made quite an appearance.
Quite literally, Abueva had the loudest presence on the floor, urging Titan Ultra on from the sidelines against his former team.
While the Giant Risers eventually fell to the Hotshots, 127-119, Abueva’s energy didn’t go unnoticed-especially by Magnolia big man Ian Sangalang.
‘I know Calvin, and he’s always been like that. I felt him earlier-he was so eager to play, but he couldn’t,’ Sangalang said at Araneta Coliseum on Friday. ‘Pero ‘di siya puwede, e. Sorry na lang,’ he added in jest.
Abueva has been sidelined since sustaining an ankle injury a few games back against Converge. But even in street clothes, the fiery forward made his presence felt, drawing two technical fouls for jeering at his former teammates and even the officials.
Sangalang said he would’ve preferred to battle Abueva on the floor and wished him a quick recovery.
‘Get well soon. That’s more important than bouncing back,’ he said. ‘I was actually talking to him before the game, asking if he’d play. He said he’d try-I even thought he’d surprise us-but he really couldn’t do it.’
Sangalang and the Hotshots look to keep their winning streak going on Sunday when they face Meralco at Ynares Sports Center in Montalban.