Sweet return: Calvin Abueva lifts Phoenix to complete comeback against NLEX

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Beast was unleashed and can’t be tamed.

Even a 16-month lay-off could not keep Calvin “The Beast” Abueva from a scintillating performance in the PBA.

The Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters superstar swingman embraced the spotlight to help his squad complete one of the biggest turnarounds in the PBA bubble, 114-110, against coach Yeng Guiao and the NLEX Road Warriors.

With 5:17 left in the first quarter, Abueva received a high-low pass in the post, did his patent shimmy, and converted a banker fall-away to register his first points in the league since June 2019 due to his indefinite ban.

Kiefer Ravena and the Road Warriors however looked to spoil the emotional return of The Beast after piling up their largest lead of the ball game with 14, 77-63, in the third quarter.

Just as things looked dire for Phoenix, Abueva’s scrappiness and tenacity came to the rescue and inspired his team to a comeback. Abueva finished the game with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.

Matthew Wright also ignited the Phoenix offense after pouring in 28 huge points, 21 of which he scored in the first half alone.

Phoenix’s savvy leftie Justin Chua also contributed in the clutch after draining timely three-pointers to cap-off his 19-point performance.

NLEX’s Raol Soyud had a career-night with 27 points but was not enough to hold-down Abueva and the surging Phoenix squad.