Calvin Abueva signs fresh 3-year deal with Magnolia

Magnolia has locked in veteran forward Calvin Abueva to a new three-year contract extension, even though a calf muscle strain has kept the “Beast” sidelined and unable to play in the ongoing PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup.

At age 35, Hotshots team governor Rene Pardo said Abueva remains a dominant force on the court.

“We signed Calvin for another three year. As long as he takes good care of his body, madami pang pahihirapan niyan,” said Pardo during an interview with The Manila Times.

The 2nd overall pick of the 2012 draft, who is considered as undersized for his position, was expected to play a few weeks ago after recovering from a surgery to remove hemorrhoids during the offseason.

Unfortunately, the tough as nails forward injured his calf during a practice session, causing the team to postpone his debut.

However, after consulting with the team’s physiotherapists on Thursday, Pardo confirmed that Abueva has been given the green light to play. He is expected to see action this Saturday when the Hotshots face off against the Converge FiberXers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I was talking to our PTs and we expect Calvin to play this Saturday already against Converge,” shared the long-time team executive.

Abueva’s return will bolster an already formidable frontcourt led by athletic import Tyler Bey. The duo is expected to form a deadly combination.

Now in his third year with the Hotshots after being traded from Phoenix in 2021, the former San Sebastian star has yet to win a championship with Magnolia.

However, he has helped the team reach the Philippine Cup Finals while earning his second career Best Player of the Conference award.