PBA: Calvin Abueva to follow Thirdy Ravena's lead in Japan?

By Jonas Terrado

Calvin Abueva bared Saturday an offer to play in Japan’s B.League, the same league that recently welcomed to its fold ex-Ateneo star Thirdy Ravena.

Phoenix's Calvin Abueva celebrates with teammate Jason Perkins (MB photo)

The suspended star of Phoenix Super LPG sparked intrigue on social media by posting an Instagram story of a text message containing the said offer.

“Good am Calvin pls call me (part of message censored) May offer sa Japan B League,” said the person, who Abueva didn’t reveal.

If in the event the offer gets into serious stage, it may pose an alternative for Abueva to resume his playing career since he is still serving an indefinite suspension slapped by the PBA more than a year ago for a pair of misconducts.

Abueva, who was banned for his lewd gesture at the girlfriend of Ray Parks Jr. and for hitting TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones with a clothesline, has since met most of conditions set by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial before being considered for reinstatement.

Thirdy Ravena (FIBA Images)

He said in the 2OT podcast weeks ago that he needs to complete four sessions of his psychology test in order to complete the process.

The offer, apparently informal at this point, could mean there’s interest from the B.League to tap Filipino cagers as part of the league’s “Asian Player Quota” rule.

Ravena became the first-ever player under the quota to be signed by a B.League team when he was signed by San-En Neophoenix.

The 23-year-old opted to skip the PBA draft after ending his UAAP career with a third straight championship to accept offers overseas which paid off when Ravena and the Neophoenix completed the deal.