Calvin Abueva vows to give 110-percent in return to Gilas Pilipinas

Expect a different beast when Calvin Abueva dons the Gilas Pilipinas uniform anew after he was called to suit up for the nationals in their upcoming campaign in the Asian Games later this month in China.

Abueva, who along with 13 players and two coaches was suspended due to their involvement in the Philippines-Australia brawl during a 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier here, is returning to the national team for the first time in five years.

And the hard-working forward is out to give more than his 100-percent, even at the age of 35.

"It's an honor na makabalik ulit tayo dito and sabi ko nga sa family ko, siyempre nanonood din ako ng mga laro ng Gilas then 'yun nga, may intensity na kulang," he said on Monday.

"Pero [it's] just an honor na makabalik at pinagdasal ko na makapaglaro at the age of 35. Sabi ko nga, kung mabigyan ulit ako ng pagkakataon, then 110-percent ang ibibigay ko sa laban na 'to."

("It's an honor to return here and like I told my family, of course I've been watching the Gilas games, and there is some intensity missing... But it's just an honor to return and to play at the age of 35. Like I said, if given the chance, then I'll give this fight 110-percent.")

Abueva was among those who attended Gilas' first practice for the Asian Games at the PhilSports Arena alongside usual suspects June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Justin Brownlee.

But while Abueva is ready to pour everything again for Gilas, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is still awaiting confirmation from Asian Games organizers on whether he can suit up for the quadrennial tilt.

Nonetheless, Abueva, dubbed as 'The Beast', is prepared to give Gilas Pilipinas a huge reinforcement.

"Kailan mag-prepare, kumbaga ibibigay lahat para sa bayan kasi there are not easy games. These are hard games sa Asian Games. Kung ano ang pwedeng itulong sa team, 'yun ang itutulong ko," Abueva added.

"Ibang Abueva is different na ngayon, kumbaga kung ano 'yung pinapakita natin sa PBA, syempre iba 'yung ipapakita natin dito sa Gilas."

("We need to prepare, and give everything for the country because there will be no easy games. These are hard games in the Asian Games. What I can give to help the team, that's what I'll help with.")

The last time Abueva played for the country, he averaged 4.3 points, 3 rebounds, 1.3 and assists.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News