Magnolia coach Chito Victolero admits that trading Calvin Abueva to NorthPort was one of the toughest decisions the team had to make

The Magnolia Hotshots shocked the Philippine basketball community on Tuesday, May 28, by acquiring versatile forward William Navarro from the NorthPort Batang Pier in exchange for veteran Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a second-round draft pick.

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero opened up about Abueva’s trade, calling it “one of the toughest decisions we have had to make.”

“He has been an integral part of our team for the last four years — not just through his performance on the court, but also with his energy and dedication. We all know that Calvin’s energy is like no other. That said, we also have to think about the future of the team,” Victolero said during a media interaction.

Abueva ends his four-year stint with Magnolia, which began on a high note. He led the Hotshots to the 2021 Philippine Cup title and earned Best Player of the Conference honors. However, the 37-year-old has since become better known for his on- and off-court controversies than for his performances.

Earlier this year, Abueva was fined ₱100,000 for mocking San Miguel Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent’s disability during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. He also received a repeat ban warning from the league. Following the incident, he got into a post-game verbal altercation with San Miguel center Mo Tautuaa and his wife.

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero opens up about the difficulty of parting ways with forward Calvin Abueva, who contributed four impactful years to the Hotshots, as the team traded him for NorthPort Batang Pier big man William Navarro.#PBASeason49 #PBAAngatAngLaban #OneSports pic.twitter.com/bjyOKC2ehV

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) May 28, 2025

In March 2024, Abueva was fined ₱20,000 and suspended for one game after flashing a middle finger at a fan during San Miguel’s Clasico game against long-time rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. NorthPort will be his fourth PBA team, following previous stints with the Alaska Aces, Phoenix Fuel Masters, and Magnolia.

In Navarro, Magnolia has acquired one of the most promising young big men in the PBA. The former UAAP standout is a versatile scorer, as well as a capable defender and rebounder. Despite NorthPort’s struggles in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, the 28-year-old has stood out, averaging 20.6 points (fourth in the league) and 10.6 rebounds (third overall). He is also shooting an efficient 52.3 percent from the field. Ironically, his last game for NorthPort was against his new team, where he posted 27 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and four steals in a 106–97 loss in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

“Bringing in a young, up-and-coming talent like Navarro is a step we believe we need to take to strengthen our team and remain competitive moving forward,” Victolero added.

Magnolia is enjoying a brilliant run in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup, currently topping the standings with a 7-1 record. They will aim to continue their good form when they face Barangay Ginebra San Miguel next on Sunday, June 1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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