Untamed

Running on primal instincts

There is a universal truth when it comes to the beings that roam this very world that we find ourselves fortunate enough to be part of. That no matter the education, the training or coaching, when things become increasingly challenging, nay, competitive, that every one, be it man, woman or beast, reverts to doing what they know instinctively. They no longer think, they just act in the manner that comes natural to them.

And for the Alaska Aces' 6"1 1/2 rookie Calvin Abueva, that means playing with fire, getting into the head of his opponents and occasionally, flopping to sell the contact and get the calls from the referees. There are no Xs and Os at times, Abueva leaves that up to his teammates. He runs the floor, goes hard and does whatever he pleases when he is given the basketball. It's the primal instinct to compete, to win.

Come Game 3, pay attention to Abueva and how he works the mind-boggling low post screen play. He's the only one who does it as far as we can remember. Guards are given screens and picks, centres as big as 6"7 Sonny Thoss or near 7 foot import Rob Dozier? Not so much. But look at Abueva, and how he "clogs" his own big man's space by setting a screen down low. It puts four guys into a small space down low. But at the same time, in a congested area such as the one made by Abueva, the biggest and strongest guy will almost, always be able to muscle his way through or around (which is often the case when they run that brilliant play).

Offensively, Abueva has learned the "art of shooting." He jumps straight up, he doesn't lean to either side or even tries fadeaways. His form is near Tony de la Cruz-esque. That's education. That's practice. Does he make the shot? No. He's not a natural shooter like teammate JVee Casio.

Do the missed attempts, ugly as they are, get to him?

No.

Because when the ball isn't falling for him from outside, he goes back to what he instinctively knows: attack the rim. Run right through mofos and get the ball closer to the iron. Swing the elbows, protect the basket, worry about looking good later, just make the play. Or in Abueva's case: ANY play.

Do you hate on Abueva because he is brash, cocky and borderline arrogant?

Have you ever spoken to him or been around the guy to conclude such?

As a player, Abueva does all the intangibles for his team to win. He hustles on the floor. He is fearless. Lost in the near-altercations, fighting and battling down low for rebounding position and the normal hand-to-hand/forearm-to-forearm combat against guys 6"5 and above is the fact that Abueva stands smaller than everyday good guy and crowd favourite 6"3 James Yap.

But Abueva is the league's top rebounder. And he doesn't even play more than 35 minutes a game.

So if he gives you the "nonchalant look," or if he sticks his tongue out to celebrate to himself, then let him be. He just took an elbow to the face from a guy whose biceps is as big as his thigh. We doubt that you'd be willing to do that.

Do you hate on Abueva because he flops?

For those who saw Abueva during his college days, "flopping" would be the last thing you'd ever expect from the man touted as "The Beast." Why would he resort to such when he plays bigger than everyone else?

But the PBA is a different "beast" altogether. Here, guys are bigger. And scrappy workhorses don't get calls. Rookies don't get calls. 6"1 1/2 guys who stick their noses into the big boys' business don't get calls, they get hit.

So Abueva had to adjust. He had to sell calls. Over-sell them to the point that he pretty much stole a whole chapter from the Book of Tubid.

We're split on Abueva flops. The PBA referees have done a great job in sorting out which ones are flops and those caused by actual hits. They don't get it right 90% of the time, but they're trying.

Do you hate on Abueva because he is a dirty player?

Has he stuck two fingers up someone's ass yet? He gave schoolmate Leo Najorda a subtle kick to the groin in a rebound scuffle in Game 2. But other than that, we haven't seen anything borderline dirty by way of Abueva. The elbows are part of the game. He hasn't pulled a Rudy Distrito on anyone. Not even a Beau Belga clothesline from hell (wait, we think we just hinted on our homeboy Belga being dirty lol).

James Yap whining about how Abueva was going for his injured back-- that was stupid. Yap was posting up Abueva, you guard those with a hand out to the back (or if the refs allow, a stiff forearm). You check into a game, you expect to get contact. If you're injured and not mentally prepared, then sit. Easy as that.

Abueva is Terry Saldana, Marc Pingris and Ronald Tubid all rolled into one. He is at his best when he doesn't have to think about the game and just plays it. The Xs and Os he leaves to Casio and Cyrus Baguio. The way he plays, with all heart and hustle, is magnetic and just a joy to watch.

Why do you hate Abueva?