Calvin Abueva named Spin.ph’s ‘Sportsman of the Year’

Calvin Abueva was named as Spin.ph's Sportsman of the Year after tirelessly playing for the flag in international basketball tournaments in 2015.

Right after the PBA season ended in July, the Alaska star headed to his first national tour of duty as he led Manila North to a finals run in the FIBA 3X3 World Tour Manila Masters.

Just a day later, Abueva showed up in Gilas Pilipinas practice after getting the surprise call-up as several players begged off the training pool.

He spent the next two months playing one tournament after another, a journey which ended with a silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship.

After a week, he was back to work again, leading Manila North anew to a quarterfinals appearance in the FIBA 3X3 World Tour Final just before the PBA season opened in October.

"Wala akong masabi. Talagang excited na nanginginig, talagang pinagpapawisan," he said when he received his award on Saturday night at the Mariott Hotel in Manila.

Alaska head coach Alex Compton, who introduced his player during the ceremony, said Abueva is a unique player who embodies the heart of the Filipino in fighting against all odds.

"Kahit anong height mo, lalaban 'to. Kahit 'yung kalaban niya ngayon na 6'10, lalaban 'yan," he said as the audience broke into an applause.

"Kahit na sa China, 7'4, re-rebound 'yan. Kahit sinong tapat niyan, hindi aatras 'yan. Lalaban at lalaban."

Abueva has been one of the most polarizing figures in Philippine basketball, but he endeared himself to the fans when he showed his tenacity on the court while wearing the country's colors.

The Beast shone in the William Jones Cup as he grabbed boards against much taller forwards, but his brightest moment came against Iran in the second round of the FIBA Asia.

He drew Hamed Haddadi's last three fouls of the game, sending the Iranian giant and former tournament MVP to the bench with less than four minutes remaining in the clock.

The Gilas hero thanked his coaches, his family, his fans, and the media for supporting him in his basketball career as he accepted the award during the event organized by Spin.ph.

Abueva is the third 'Sportsman of the Year' awardee from the Gilas Pilipinas program, with former head coach Chot Reyes and team captain Jimmy Alapag bagging the citation in 2013 and 2014. — LBG, GMA News