Titan Ultra ships Calvin Abueva to Converge

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The first major Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) offseason trade has just been announced.

On Feb. 3, 2026, nine-time PBA All-Star and two-time PBA Best Player of the Conference Calvin Abueva found a new home after the Titan Ultra Giant Risers traded him to the Converge FiberXers.

It was also one of the swiftest trade deals approved by the PBA front office, as league commissioner Willie Marcial immediately gave the green light Tuesday for the negotiation to materialize.

In exchange, Titan Ultra will receive two-way player King Carilipio, big man Mark Omega, and former Gilas Pilipinas standout guard Rey Suerte.

Abueva had already shown displeasure with his former team after posting a bold statement on his official Facebook page last Jan. 20, writing: “Asan na yung karapatan ko, pag kayo may gusto kayo ang nasusunod ayaw ko na kahit star player ako hehehe.”

Two weeks after the controversial social media post, Abueva followed it up with a hint of being traded, saying: “Malapit na malapit na.”

Ironically, Abueva is coming off an impressive campaign with the Giant Risers, averaging 23.60 points, 11.90 rebounds, and 3.60 assists.

Titan Ultra management made it clear that Abueva would be the face of the franchise, but unknown circumstances urged the PBA veteran to force his way out of the young team.

Abueva was even nominated for Best Player of the Conference during the recently concluded PBA Philippine Cup, which San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo eventually bagged.

With the move, Abueva is back in a position to compete for a PBA championship, as the FiberXers are fresh off a postseason qualification after reaching the quarterfinals.

Abueva will team up with a loaded roster headlined by Rookie of the Year candidate Juan Gomez de Liaño, Schonny Winston, Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, and Alec Stockton.