Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok coach Chito Victolero is confident that more than the risk, there is high reward as the team obtained Calvin Abueva in a trade with Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
In a stunning move, the Fuel Masters shipped Abueva to the Hotshots for point guard Chris Banchero and two rookie picks this year - two months after the energetic forward helped the team reach the semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup bubble tournament in Pampanga.
“I think mas mataas ang reward kaysa dun sa risk,” said Victolero as he appeared Saturday at the sports show The Chasedown on One PH over Cignal TV.
“That’s our job as a coach. Tulong-tulong lang kami dito. Yun yung being positive, even the situation is negative, puwedeng maging positive. I explained it to Calvin.”
Read: Abueva grateful to Phoenix despite sudden trade
Abueva served a suspension for 16 months following his unsportsmanlike foul on then TNT import Terrence Jones during the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial lifted Abueva’s suspension midway of the last Philippine Cup.
Despite his impressive performance in the All-Filipino conference, where he was named to the first Mythical Team, there was still doubt and questions on his off-court activities.
According to Victolero, they can handle this situation. “Hindi lang naman siya may dinadalang problema outside of basketball,” he said. “It’s up to us pano ihahandle yan.”