The Beast: Chasing History

Can The Beast mirror The Tower of Power?
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

Ever found yourself in a race against time? Trying desperately to catch up to someone or something you love or hold dear, finding yourself now at only an arm's length-- may be less. The dream is almost at hand, literally.

The Alaska Aces' mercurial rookie power forward Calvin "The Beast" Abueva, in just two PBA conferences (41 played games to date), has already proven himself worthy of his collegiate moniker. He has already hushed even the harshest of critics. All his haters are now busy just ignoring his antics, or simply waiting for the next epic "flop" that they can blow up over social media.

They no longer question his game. His mental toughness. His desire to be the best. They question the flops, but they no longer question Abueva.

The Beast for PBA Commish Cup BPC

No stopping the Beast

The PBA Commissioner's Cup was supposed to be the one conference that would break the spirit of Alaska Aces' heralded rookie Calvin Abueva. It's where gargantuan imports would reign supreme, and Abueva's rookie rivals, top overall pick 6"10 Junemar Fajardo and the Meralco Bolts' 6"5 Cliff Hodge would be able to prove their worth.

Why wouldn't it be? Abueva after all is a hustling, rebounding, do-it-all and win-at-all-costs SIX FOOT ONE AND A HALF tall forward. He was supposed to hide in the shadows behind bigger teammates Sonny Thoss (who would naturally slide down to the power forward spot to make room for 6"9 import Rob Dozier at the center position) and even bossom buddy Gabby Espinas.

But how did the rookie touted as "The Beast" respond?

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.

Real season starts for Alaska

Business is about to pick up for Alaska

Though we mourn the death of what could've been another classic and entertaining grudge match between the San Beda Red Lions and the San Sebastian Recoletos Golden Stags for the NCAA championship, the painful reprieve allows us the chance to finally see this year's most magnetic draft pick strut his wares in the PBA.

We're talking about no one else but the Stags' Calvin "The Beast" Abueva.

The obvious vital cog to the Alaska Aces' rebuilding and re-imaging approach to this season is finally done with his collegiate commitments and, as posted earlier by Ms CK Kanapi, has signed on the dotted line for the Aces. How badly does Aces Head Coach Luigi Trillo want Abueva to suit up? Think this Friday versus Petron. That's how much Coach Luigi and just about any Filipino basketball fan, casual or hardcore, want to see Abueva wearing a jersey with the letters PBA emblazoned on it.