Calvin Abueva: No One Like The Beast

You know how people have this natural tendency to compare today's players with those before them in hopes of properly categorizing or labeling them or what they might end up being once they hit the pros? Well, there are times that the experts get it, and others when they're just way off.

The above FTW YouTube clip featuring Jason Webb, Mico Halili, Miakka Lim and Chuck Araneta is an example of the latter instead of the former. Credit has to go to Halili's exceptional handling of the focus group discussion, but 75% of what came out of their mouths are questionable to say the least.


First, there's the "San Sebastian's offense is built around Abueva."

Uhm, no. This year, yes. Because he's emerged to be their best and most aggressive player. But prior to that, he had to earn his keep by being former SSC hot shot's Jimbo Aquino's Scottie Pippen. Back then, Aquino took all of the shots (much like how Ronald Pascual is right now) while Abueva was just working the boards-- relentlessly. No offense, just numbers through hustle and hard work.

Then the ridiculous "Abueva reminds me of Willie Wilson." Shame on you Mico Halili for bringing this up. The most embarrassing comment he's ever made other than calling JVee Casio the "Smurfinator."

Wilson = role player with little to no athleticism. Abueva = explosive player who has one thing in mind: attack the rim (be it on offense or defense).

Then there's the comedic Webb, stressing that Abueva's numbers are produced by him being the de facto star of his team. Uhm, no Sir, you don't average 16-17 rebounds a game because teammates let you-- specially when you're 6"1 1/2 and share the post with 6"8 promising big man Ian Sangalang. That takes a lot of desire right there.

To his credit, Halili makes up for this disastrous and pointless (because it seemed as though the group he was with A) haven't seen Abueva prior to this year or B) is a bitter descendant of former San Beda head coach Frankie Lim) by saying that YES, Abueva will be a bonafide PBA star someday.

If this writer were to be pinned to the wall and asked who or what to make of Abueva's game, he'd be an odd combination of these guys:

Terry Saldana's rebounding instincts, Marc Pingris' "fight," Rudy Hatfield's relentlessness and Gabby Espinas' NCAA ROY-MVP worthy game.

Hatfield would be the closest, since they have that "street ball hustle" kind of game wherein they crash the boards and can always take the ball up themselves and score. They can shoot from outside, but not consistently, and can also make the extra pass (Hatfield more than Abueva). Espinas-- simply because back when he was with PCU, this guy was ballin' and posting up 16-15 numbers a night. He didn't have that "mean streak" that Abueva's known for, and that's probably what's kept him back in the PBA.

And then there's the Pingris factor. Let's call it the "Pingris gene." The kanto swagger that has been missing from most PBA players who play with more talent and skill rather than fight. Mark Caguioa has it. Enrico Villanueva used to have it. Mac Cardona has way too much of it.

Abueva, despite being 6"1 1/2 will find ways to contribute in the PBA for Alaska. He's already coming in as the best offensive rebounder, will probably play either the 3 or 4 position, and continues to improve from the perimeter. You won't see the 20-20 numbers from him once he goes pro but that's okay. The beauty of Abueva is that he can be asked to play the SG position and told to just "drive hard" and he probably, nay, most likely, would. No silly jumpers, no bail out fade aways, just an "attack the rim" mentality that you won't get from starter Cyrus Baguio.

Star? Probably not. But somewhere around a decent Jayson Castro-like energy guy? Definitely.

P.S.

My favorite FTW hosts who make the most sense: Chuck Araneta, Mico Halili, Magoo Marjon and Charles Tiu. The rest, in my mind, are just there to make us laugh and smh. One on one mananalo daw si Ray Parks kay Calvin Abueva today? We're talking one on one here. Kahit anong crossover, pull up ni Parks kay Abueva, pag balik ng bola, sasaksakan at mamamain lang ni Abueva si Parks sa ilalim. Dikdikan. Pag team game, Parks, pag one on one? Abueva.