Calvin Abueva is now wearing jersey No. 73 for the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Wondering why Magnolia star Calvin Abueva is now wearing jersey No. 73?
Abueva said two factors prompted him to make the switch from No. 13.
The first one was his age.
"Actually, dati pa 'yan. Na-realize kong kailangan ko sigurong gamitin 'yon this conference. Masyado na tayong [nababad] sa trese," said Abueva after the Hotshots' 106-84 win over Blackwater in their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup opener on Saturday, April 5.
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"Pinalitan ko lang 'yong 1 ng 7. Nilayuan ko lang 'yung [original] number ko from my age na 37. Binaliktad ko lang."
This was also an ode to NBA great Dennis Rodman, to whom Abueva is compared in terms of playing style and aggressiveness.
The enigmatic Rodman used the jersey number when he played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the tail end of his career. Abueva wants to show he is worthy to don the number.
"And 'yong number na 'yon, kay Rodman talaga, 73, his old number. Kaya kinuha ko. Ngayon, kailangan kong i-prepare ang sarili ko para roon sa number na 'yon," said Abueva, who had 13 points and six rebounds.
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Is change also coming for the Magnolia Hotshots?
Abueva is hopeful the change will work wonders for the Hotshots, who are looking to return to the PBA Finals after years of futility.
"Siguro, ito 'yong time namin para pumasok sa semis, Finals," Abueva said.
"This is the first game pa lang ng eliminations, kailangan na naming ipakita 'yong mga ginagawa namin sa court lalo na sa practice."