After failing to make the Gilas final lineup, Calvin Abueva's manager Dennis Pineda said that he expects 'The Beast' to be extra motivated.
"Mas ma-i-inspire yung bata ngayon sa nangyari siguro, dahil hindi siya nabigyan ng pagkakataon, eh palagay ko lalo pang (magpapakitang gilas yan), ugali ni Calvin yan, ipapakita niya kung ano siya," said Pineda, who also serves as the vice governor of Pampanga.
"Magsusumikap pa 'yan, marami pa tayong pwedeng makita sa kanya, number one ang puso," he added.
Pineda recalls a similar instance where Abueva got snubbed -- back in 2008 where he together with fellow natives Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual eyed to play in the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Among the three, only Sangalang got the offer, citing that the Diliman-based squad needed ceiling at that time.
"Dati dinadala ko silang tatlo dun (UP), kaso ang gusto ng school si Ian lang ang kukunin ang kailangan nga raw nila ng malaki. Dun ko una narinig si Calvin na nagtanong: ‘Bakit boss, hindi ba nila kami gusto?’ Pagkatapos nun, subsob na siya lagi sa ensayo," said Pineda.
The snub seemed to fire up Abueva, who in the next year steered the San Sebastian Stags to NCAA championship. He then led the league in scoring, assists, and rebounds before wrapping his collegiate career to jump to the pros.
The son of Pampanga governor Lilia Pineda also believes that in order for Abueva to secure a spot in future national teams, he must embrace the two-guard role, putting emphasis on mid to long range shooting.
"Mas mag-iimprove nag shooting nyan ngayon, saka may personal trainer sa shooting 'yan, tingnan nyo mas magiging deadly sa labas yan," Pineda said.
As a father figure to Abueva, Pineda has this to say to his prized discovery, "Wag kang masiraan ng loob Calvin, kahit ganun 'yung naging desisyon ng Gilas, suportahan pa rin natin yung bansa, focus ka pa rin sa buhay mo. Andyan ang team ng Alaska para ipakita mo pa kung ano yung Calvin Abueva talaga. Merun ka pang pwedeng ipakita, ipakita mo dyan sa team ng Alaska. Tutal yan ang buhay mo, yan ang nagpapasweldo sa yo, bigyan mo ng malasakit yung team at ang tao ang magsasabi kung karapat-dapat ka ba sa Gilas o hindi."
Pineda also has a message to Abueva fans who didn't take the decision of Abueva's removal too kindly.
"Sana ituloy-tuloy natin ang pagsuporta sa national team, bandila natin yan, wala sanang partisan para sa iisa o ilang players lang. Bansa natin ang dala nung labing dalawang players na yan."
"Kinausap ko na rin si Allan at pinagsabihan ko. Sabi ko dapat igalang natin desisyon ng Gilas at himukin ang lahat na suportagan ang national team," he said.
Source: SPIN
Image: Gilas Pilipinas Basketball
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