Chito Victolero, Ian Sangalang believe Calvin Abueva just frustrated with ejection amid quick MOA Arena exit

Coach Chito Victolero and Ian Sangalang downplayed Calvin Abueva's antics when he quickly departed the Mall of Asia Arena following his ejection from the "Manila Clasico". PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--Calvin Abueva did not wait for the conclusion of the first Manila Clasico of the PBA 47th Season.

A few moments after he got ejected for collecting two technical fouls for Magnolia against Ginebra on Sunday night, he quickly changed to street clothes and just stormed out of the Mall of Asia Arena.

PBA Press Corps president Gerry Ramos of Spin.PH even witnessed Abueva uttering "Japan! Japan! Bye PBA!" upon his quick exit.

However, Coach Chito Victolero implied that there is no reason to speculate about the next move of Abueva, who was revealed to have received offers to play in the B.League in 2020, and that he might be just frustrated after getting thrown out of the game.

"I will talk to the guy. Maybe frustrated lang siguro si Calvin dahil sa nangyari," Victolero said after the Hotshots survived over the Gin Kings.

[Related Story: Magnolia prevails over Ginebra in Father's Day 'Clasico']

The events that led to Abueva's ejection began in the play right before he was sent off when John Pinto scored a layup against him and apparently shouted at him.

Obviously displeased with what Pinto did, Abueva had an extracurricular activity after Pinto was called for a foul when he bumped at him.

The referees saw Abueva's action as very wrong and slapped him with his second technical foul of the night, sending him to the showers.

Interestingly enough, his first technical foul happened during another confrontation with Pinto.

"Hindi naman din nya gusto ang nangyari," added Ian Sangalang, who is fully aware of Abueva's tendencies since their amateur days at San Sebastian.

However, the fact that Magnolia won should make it easier for the team to "move forward" from Abueva's latest debacle.

"We will move forward from this, and it is a big win for us. Kung magda-down kami going to the next game, sayang naman yung pinaghirapan namin in the last five days sa sobrang pagod. Kailangan naming i-push pa namin ang sarili namin para makabangon kami," Victolero further said.

Sangalang then said that he too will quickly talk to Abueva regarding the matter.

"Madali lang naman sabihan si Calvin. Nakikinig naman siya eh. Nakita naman namin kung paano siya nagbago dito sa team na ito. Never na siyang nawala. Never na siyang nag-absent. So naniniwala ako na kaya kong i-handle si Calvin," added Sangalang, one-third of the Golden Stags' "Pinatubo Trio" of the late 2000s and early 2010s alongside Abueva and Ronald Pascual.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno