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Fans, Alaska surprised after Abueva cut from Gilas

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ABS-CBN News

<h3>&#x27;The Beast&#x27; hurt, but willing to move on</h3><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/sports/6/28/calvin-abueva-062816.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Calvin Abueva is one of the fan favorites in the PBA. <em>Photo courtesy of the PBA Media Bureau</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Several basketball fans were outraged that Calvin Abueva wasn&#x27;t included in the final roster of Gilas Pilipinas for the coming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.</p><p>Even Abueva&#x27;s PBA club, the Alaska Aces, believed “The Beast” was a shoo-in for the Final 12.</p><p>“We had no details on why Calvin was cut but yeah, it surprised us,” Alaska team governor Dickie Bachman told <a href="http://www.foxsportsasia.com/basketball/news/detail/item384312/alaska-exec-expects-calvin-abueva-use-gilas-exit-motivation-appeals-fans-respect-decision/" target="_blank">FOX Sports</a>.</p><p>The 12-man team that will go up against France and New Zealand next week consists of naturalized player Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar, Gabe Norwood, Ryan Reyes, Jayson Castro, June Mar Fajardo, Ranidel de Ocampo, Ray Parks, Jr., Jeff Chan, Terrence Romeo, Marc Pingris and Troy Rosario.</p><p>Abueva, along with Ginebra San Miguel’s LA Tenorio, were the final two cuts.</p><p>A consistent fan favorite because of his grit and intensity inside the court, Abueva admitted that he was hurt by the decision.</p><p>Following his team’s grueling championship series against Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Abueva gave up his rest days in the offseason just to join the national team pool. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13173305_1362872767062488_8599613084790404350_o.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">&#x27;The Beast&#x27; is credited for forcing Hamed Haddadi to foul out in Gilas vs Iran during the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. <em>Photo courtesy of the PBA Media Bureau</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>“Ramdam ko lahat ngayon,” an emotional Abueva told the <a href="http://www.tv5.com.ph/sports/labanpilipinas/article/gilas-diary-italy-day-4-the-cut-runs-deep-for-the-beast-but-hell-be-okay" target="_blank">TV5 website</a>. “&#x27;Yung sakit ng katawan, &#x27;yung pagod, &#x27;yung miss mo &#x27;yung pamilya mo. Dati kasi iniisip ko lang para sa bayan naman. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman lahat.”</p><p>“Alam mo mabait akong tao pero malalim ako magdamdam.”</p><p>Netizens couldn’t help but feel bad for Abueva, pointing out the player’s contributions in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, particularly when the Philippines beat Iran.</p><p>“Kay Abueva lang ako ‘di maka move on. Bakit siya yung natanggal? Kung meron man pinaka-deserving na mapasama sa Gilas, walang iba kundi sya ‘yun. Andami na nya napatunayan last FIBA Asia,” said Michael Laylo in his Facebook comment.</p><p>Arnold Llanera Guion said in an online comment that it was Abueva who forced Iranian big man Hamed Haddadi to foul out during Gilas’ 87-73 win over Iran.</p><p>“Anu ba yan coaching staff wala man lang kayong utang na loob. S’ya ang dahilan kung bakit kayo nkapasok ng [qualifiers], s’ya ang nagpa-graduate sa center ng iran dati,” said Guion.</p><p>“Sayang si Abueva. An energy guy who gives his heart out while playing for flag and country tapos tinanggal sa team. I still hope that we will do well sa qualifiers. Good luck!” said Ian Gambito.</p><p>“Masakit pero kailangang tanggapin. At least ngayon pwede na ako mag-focus ulit sa PBA team ko,” he said. </p><p>For Spin editor-in-chief Dodo Catacutan, Abueva’s non-inclusion in the Gilas roster is part of coach Tab Baldwin’s gamble.</p><p>Conceding that the decision may not be popular, Catacutan said Baldwin showed that he’s willing to do what it takes for Gilas to beat powerhouse teams like France and New Zealand.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13131065_1359161190766979_7636480662031125393_o.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Calvin Abueva will not focus on Alaska instead. <em>Photo courtesy of the PBA Media Bureau</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>“That bold move also tells me this guy has a firm plan on how to beat France, New Zealand or perhaps Canada and Turkey in the Manila qualifiers, and is determined to see it through regardless of the cost,” Catacutan said in an online <a href="http://www.spin.ph/basketball/fiba/commentary/gutsy-call-by-coach-tab-baldwin-calvin-abueva-la-tenorio-gilas-oqt#4qzTmXDj7rT9QKbW.99" target="_blank">commentary</a>.</p><p>“To cut down giants like France down to size, what we need is a well-laid plan and a coach who is unfraid to lose his job and won&#x27;t hesitate to swing for the fences.”</p><p>Even the Alaska team governor sided with Baldwin.</p><p>“We have to understand that it’s hard to explain,” Bachman said.</p><p>“It’s a tough decision for coach Tab to make because you have there Ray Parks and a healthy Ryan Reyes also, yet, we just have to respect coach and be patient,” he added.</p><p>Abueva, meanwhile, said he has no other choice but to move on.</p><p>“Masakit pero kailangang tanggapin. At least ngayon pwede na ako mag-focus ulit sa PBA team ko,” he said. </p><p>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</p>