SMART CLARK GIGA CITY--Calvin Abueva strongly believes that longtime pal Ronald Pascual can make his own basketball comeback.
As Phoenix bowed out in the semifinals of PBA Philippine Cup and exited the bubble on Saturday, Abueva bared his plan to visit Pascual, who still wants to play professional basketball after plunging to the "deepest, saddest stage in his life" according to his elder brother Ronnel.
"Gusto niya bumalik sa paglalaro. As of now wala pa kong magawa. Pero ang sabi ko naman sa kanya after ko dito magkikita kami as a friend, as a brother para makakuha naman siya ng konting advice kahit papaano," said the 32-year-old Abueva, who already talked with Pascual through a video call a few days ago.
Pascual, one of San Sebastian's famed "Pinatubo Trio" together with Abueva and Ian Sangalang of Magnolia, was selected by San Miguel as the third overall pick in the 2014 PBA Draft.
He won two titles with the Beermen but was eventually traded to Star (Magnolia), GlobalPort (now NorthPort) and Blackwater, which released him in 2017.
The former NCAA star last played in the PBA for Alaska in 2018 where he put up averages of 4.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.5 minutes of play.
Abueva, who recently went through the hardest trial in his career--an indefinite suspension that lasted for 16 months, is convinced that Pascual still has what it takes to get back in the PBA.
"At 32 years old, pwedeng-pwede pa. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, 'Kahit mga ilang years pa pwede pa 'yan basta ayusin mo lang kasi 'yan na lang 'yung years na natitira mo eh.'"
Pascual recently reunited with his family in Pampanga and Abueva said he is currently staying in a common friend's house in the same province where there is a basketball court for him to practice and regain his confidence.
"Ang advice ko sa kanya is to continue 'yung ginagawa niya ngayon at kung gusto niya talagang bumalik sa paglalaro, kailangan niyang i-grab lahat ng opportunity na nawala sa kanya," said Abueva.
"It's important na makabalik siya. Kung 'di man ngayon or next year, at least nasa momentum at tamang condition na siya."