Calvin Abueva’s exemplary conduct in his return from an indefinite suspension didn’t go without notice after being nominated for the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award.
The Phoenix Super LPG star was one of five players named Tuesday as candidates for the said honor that will be handed out in the virtual PBA Awards Night set Jan. 17.
Reigning three-time winner Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, NLEX’s Kevin Alas, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Scottie Thompson and Terrafirma’s CJ Perez were the other players in consideration for the award named after PBA great Samboy Lim.
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Putting Abueva’s name in the award that pays tribute to the player that show true sportsmanship may be new for many, given his past brush-ins that prompted PBA commissioner Willie Marcial to suspend him for 16 months.
But Abueva kept showing composure while avoiding heated exchanges with rival foes, even going a further length of helping them get up whenever they are down on the floor.
Marcial even praised Abueva for his improvement which translated into his strong play in the recent bubble at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
Abueva is also a nominee for the Best Player of the Conference award and the Mythical Five selection.
Whether those qualities will convince eligible voters, namely the players, media and the PBA Commissioner’s Office, to select him remains to be seen.
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Norwood has won the award the past three seasons while Thompson, Alas and Perez were also noticed of being deserving as well.