The volatile atmosphere surrounding the Titan Ultra Giant Risers exploded publicly on Tuesday morning when star player Calvin "The Beast" Abueva posted a simple, declarative message on Facebook: “Trade niyo nalang ako” (Just trade me).
The post, which shocked and mobilized the PBA fan base, strongly suggests a profound internal disagreement or mounting frustration within the Titan Ultra organization, even as Abueva himself has been maintaining his signature double-double streak.
The Impending Playoff Collapse
The most likely catalyst for Abueva’s distress is the team's ongoing struggle. While the exact records are dynamic, the rumors indicate that Titan Ultra is on its way to being eliminated early in the Philippine Cup.
For a hyper-competitive player like Abueva, who is consistently putting up All-Star numbers ($22.1$ PPG, $10.9$ RPG), the prospect of his efforts being wasted on a non-contending team is clearly reaching a boiling point. The post is less about personal comfort and more about a desire to be on a team that can compete for a championship, a motivation that drove his previous trade requests.
The Trade Scenarios Emerge
Abueva's demand immediately revives perennial trade rumors, sending team executives and fans into a frenzy of speculation:
The SMC Return: The most persistent rumor involves Abueva returning to the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) umbrella, either with his former team, the Magnolia Hotshots, or the fan-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Ginebra, currently struggling and looking for an emotional sparkplug, remains a highly appealing destination for both the player and the fans.
The Converge Connection: Converge FiberXers are another likely suitor, often linked to blockbuster deals as they look to build a contender around their young core.
The Vic Manuel Factor: Further adding fuel to the fire are rumors that forward Vic Manuel might be included in a potential trade. Manuel is a known friend and former teammate of Abueva. Packaging Manuel would allow Titan Ultra to acquire multiple players or a high draft pick necessary for a quick rebuild, keeping everyone on edge about what combination of assets will ultimately move.
Abueva’s public push puts immense pressure on Titan Ultra ownership. Having previously declared Abueva untouchable, the team must now decide whether to risk keeping a disgruntled star or to maximize the return on their most valuable asset before their season officially ends.
Related Article: PBA Trade Rumors: Magnolia, Converge, Meralco, NLEX Top TRADE ASSETS!
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