MANILA – The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on Friday decided to reinstate Calvin Abueva’s professional athlete license.
GAB chairman Baham Mitra announced that the Phoenix forward can get his license back in a major breakthrough toward his possible return to action for the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) bubble.
The PBA first slapped Abueva with an indefinite suspension for his unsportsmanlike conduct to a fellow player and another player’s loved one during last year’s Commissioner’s Cup, leading to GAB putting his license on hold as well.
“Calvin Abueva was remorseful in what he did and was sincere enough to accept his wrongdoings and asked for an apology for his actions with a promise not to repeat the same mistakes and set a good example to the audience especially the young fans,” Mitra said.
Mitra added, though, that Abueva must undergo a seminar about the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of a Professional Athlete and a mandatory drug test.
In a text message to the Philippine News Agency, GAB commissioner Eduard Trinidad, who met with Abueva and Fuel Masters interim coach Topex Robinson recently, revealed how Abueva can attend the seminar.
“Ang unang napag-usapan namin, pupunta siya ng GAB office. Doon siya mag-seminar and medical (What we first agreed upon is that he will go to the GAB office. He will attend the seminar and undergo medical tests there),” Trinidad said.
He added that Abueva can ask permission from the PBA to go to Makati City, from the league’s bubble in Angeles City in Pampanga, to attend the seminar.