(c) PBA Media Bureau
The impact of trades do not only alter the performance and the direction of franchises, they also create storylines that are worth watching for years.
The divorce of the Alaska Aces and Calvin Abueva could be a goldmine for the PBA.
Alaska has been a franchise with the track record of success and sustainability. Their decision of trading The Beast for an underwhelming return was another exhibit of their trust to their system.
Their message is clear. They want to prove that they can win a championship without a superstar.
Calvin Abueva is a superstar. He is one of the few basketball players that you cannot be neutral with. You either love him or hate him. Yes. Just like Lebron James and Russell Westbrook of the NBA.
So, when I read the statement of Abueva that he is not taking their next game against Alaska personal, I was saddened.
"Sa akin, syempre sa court yan eh. Wala namang personalan yan. Yung sa court, sa court. Sa labas, iba kami," Calvin said to the media when asked about their upcoming game.
Abueva should not treat their next game as just another game. Every date against Alaska is an opportunity to show to the Aces that they made wrong decisions all throughout his six years stay with them.
Taking it personally doesn't mean that he hates the Alaska franchise. It is more about proving something to the PBA universe and to himself.
Remember, his ceiling was supposed to be very high. But in the last three seasons, I did not see Calvin as one of the 20 best ballers in the league.
Now that he is on another team, he needs every fuel that he can have to get out of the shackle that was created in his time with Alaska.
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