Calvin Abueva vows to bounce back against Brgy. Ginebra: ‘Babawi ako’

While Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero was talking to reporters just moments after the Hotshots fell short against San Miguel for their third loss in 4 outings in the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup, Calvn Abueva walked by and uttered his plans for the Hotshots’ next game.

“Ginebra, babawi ako,” said Abueva.

The struggling Hotshots are set to take on the unbeaten Gin Kings on Sunday, June 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 34-year old Abueva just wasn’t his usual self against the Beermen. He scored a measly 4 points, had 6 rebounds and team-high 4 turnovers in 33 minutes of action.

He got hurt in the 4th quarter after colliding with a San Miguel player and limped off the court. The 2nd overall pick of the 2012 rookie draft returned to the game but hardly made any dent for the rest of the match.

One good thing going for Abueva and the Hotshots is that the team hasn’t lost to its Manila Clasico rival since the arrival of ‘The Beast’.

The Chito Victolero-mentored squad pulled off an 89-79 win over the Gin Kings last July 25, 2021 – Abueva’s first meeting with Brgy. Ginebra in a Magnolia uniform. He scored 15 points and hauled down 9 boards in the emphatic victory.

Then came the team’s 117-94 win during Christmas Clasico. Abueva contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds as the Hotshots made it two-in-a-row over the Gin Kings.