Un-beastly

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When was the last time you saw Calvin Abueva play like Calvin Abueva?

We've seen flashes here and there, but where's the reigning PBA Rookie of the Year? Where is the energy guy the first year in San Sebastian? Or the triple-double monster the last year? Who's this 6"1 guy who looks like Abueva, plays a bit like Abueva, but doesn't have the same effect on the game like Abueva?

In 51 games last season, Abueva averaged somewhere around 26 minutes a game, with 12 points and 9 rebounds plus a bunch of intangibles-- from setting low post screens, playing the pay-war game and just making plays for his team en route to the ROY plum. This year, in 27 games, his minutes are down by about 6 a game with his numbers somewhere around 8 points and 7 rebounds.

But no one is afraid of the man they call "The Beast" anymore.
Guys that Abueva used to get into heated on-court battles with are starting to love him and give him a pound/ fist pump after hard-nosed plays. There's a level of respect now, which is fine and dandy.

But where is the "angry Abueva?" The one who never gave a rat's ass about playing the right way? Has he really bought into the gospel of Luigi Trillo and the Alaska Aces, opting to sacrifice facets of his game if only to help others or allow them to shine (Gabby Espinas, the man we've christened "The Prototype" to Abueva's "Beast," has enjoyed a resurgence this season while taking away from Abueva's stats).

We get it though. And if it's true that Abueva has bought into the Aces' "We Not Me" philosophy, then that's great. But now that he's "refined," he needs to find another way to stay relevant.

Yes, 8 points and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes is still mighty solid, but not impressive. In a sporting world of "what have you done for me lately," those numbers aren't going to cut it. This is a guy who's supposed to be dominating the league by now as one of its finer attractions. By now, he should've transitioned (or at the very least, be on his way) to playing the PBA shooting guard/ small forward spot which is more apt to his build. By now, Abueva should be playing a lot more like a young Mark Caguioa rather than a smaller Terry Saldana-Ronald Tubid hybrid.

But we're not there yet.

Will Abueva be able to make the leap? We'd like to hope so.

Otherwise, it's only a matter of time before a bigger, stronger energy guy (Cliff Hodge) takes Abueva's "Beastly" title away.