PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial issued a stern warning to Calvin Abueva in the aftermath of a mocking gesture aimed at San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent during Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals last Sunday.
Before meting a P100,000 fine on the Magnolia forward for the offensive behavior, Marcial said he had a meeting with Abueva, who made fun of Gallent’s physical disability early in the fourth period.
Marcial said he reminded Abueva of the 16-month ban he imposed on him nearly five years ago after clotheslining then TNT import Terrence Jones.
The suspension also stemmed from Abueva's verbal altercation with Ray Parks' then girlfriend.
Abueva was still with Phoenix at the time.
Now the enigmatic forward got a new lease on life with the Hotshots and a chance to win his first championship since leading Alaska in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.
“Sinabihan ko siya, sabi ko ‘Calvin, yung ugali mo uli ha. Kaya kita na-ban noon dahil sa mga pinaggagawa mo,’” Marcial told reporters at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum before Game 3 of the best-of-seven Finals.
He added: “[Sabi ko] ‘OK lang naman 'yung maano ka sa court pero tigilan mo 'yung mga discrimination na antics at gesture at kung anong ginagawa mo. Baka i-ban kita ulit diyan or i-suspend.”
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The message got across.
Abueva vowed not to repeat the same mistake.
“Sabi niya, ‘Comm, hindi na mangyayari 'yun ulit," Marcial said.
In fact, Abueva messaged Gallent hours after the incident and even approached the San Miguel mentor before their Game 3 battle today to apologize.
He also reached out to Mo Tautuaa and wife, Aida, to apologize.