Calvin Abueva’s role with the Magnolia Hotshots has been the subject of heated debate following a report by Spin.ph that questioned why the veteran forward has seen his minutes drop despite being healthy. Abueva, widely known as "The Beast," has been a consistent spark plug throughout his career, yet his limited playing time and absence from recent games have left fans and analysts speculating about his future with the team.
According to Spin.ph column of Snow Badua, Abueva quickly recovered from a neck injury sustained on November 28 in a game against Blackwater. While he was rested as a precaution in their December 1 match against Converge, he reportedly returned to training just days later and was deemed fit to play. Despite his readiness, Abueva logged just 12 minutes in a loss to Rain or Shine and didn’t see action at all in subsequent games against NorthPort and TNT.
This has raised eyebrows, especially among fans who believe Abueva’s energy, hustle, and scoring ability are precisely what Magnolia needs to snap out of its ongoing four-game losing streak. One fan commented on Spin.ph's Facebook post:
“Nice coach. Abueva 12 mins 8 pts. Paborito dela rosa 16 mins 2 points. Labo.”
The report hints at a puzzling strategy by head coach Chito Victolero, who has stuck to a rigid rotation that prioritizes players like Rome Dela Rosa and Aris Dionisio in positions where Abueva has historically thrived. Victolero’s reluctance to pair Abueva with import Zavier Lucero, even when Abueva could slot into the small forward or shooting guard positions, has further fueled speculation about the coach’s decisions.
Could this be a high-risk strategy by Victolero to test new combinations, or is there something more at play? Unfortunately for Magnolia, this approach hasn’t produced results, as the team continues to slide down the standings.
The Spin.ph article also raises the possibility that Abueva’s diminished role could be a precursor to a trade. With Magnolia’s struggles, management may be exploring bold moves, including parting ways with the 35-year-old forward to acquire younger, in-prime talent or assets to revamp the roster.
Abueva remains a valuable player in the league, capable of changing the momentum of games with his intensity and versatility. If he is indeed on the trade block, there will likely be no shortage of suitors.
Magnolia’s handling of Abueva has left fans and analysts puzzled. As the Hotshots continue their downward spiral, they face a critical decision: reintegrate Abueva into the rotation and maximize his contributions or trade him to jumpstart a rebuild.
For now, the guessing game continues, but one thing is clear—Calvin Abueva still has the talent to make a difference. Whether that difference will come in a Magnolia jersey or elsewhere remains to be seen.
As Spin.ph aptly noted, Abueva’s absence on the court has only fueled more questions about Magnolia’s direction. Are the Hotshots willing to gamble on their veteran star, or is this the beginning of the end of "The Beast" era in Magnolia?
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