Calvin Abueva set for fresh start as Converge lands ‘The Beast’ in multi-player deal

Just as Calvin Abueva appeared to rediscover his old edge, another pivot in his winding PBA journey is taking shape.

Sources revealed Tuesday that the fiery forward is on his way to Converge, with Titan Ultra agreeing to part with “The Beast” in exchange for Rey Suerte, King Caralipio, and Mark Denver Omega. The transaction is now awaiting clearance from the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

Beyond the numbers, the move carries a familiar undertone. Abueva is set to reunite with Dennis “Delta” Pineda, his longtime backer who now wears two hats as Converge head coach and Pampanga vice-governor. Their renewed partnership adds a personal layer to a deal that could reshape Converge’s identity moving forward.

The timing, however, is what makes the trade especially striking. Abueva was in the midst of a full-blown resurgence with Titan Ultra, emerging as one of the Philippine Cup’s most productive players in what turned out to be his lone — and possibly final — conference with the expansion team. 

He even entered the Best Player of the Conference race, eventually placing third behind June Mar Fajardo and Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liano.

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Calvin Abueva is set to be reunited with coach Delta Pineda at Converge @spinph

— gerryramos (@gerardmos) February 3, 2026

Yet behind the on-court revival, frustration was brewing. Approaching his 38th birthday, Abueva had grown increasingly vocal on social media, openly hinting at a desire for a change of scenery. Those “trade me” posts now appear to have foreshadowed a swift resolution.

Statistically, Abueva delivered his strongest showing in years. He topped the Philippine Cup elimination round in scoring at 23.6 points per game, while also posting 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks. It marked his most productive conference since his 2021 Philippine Cup stint with Magnolia, where he captured the BPC award. Despite his output, Titan Ultra finished just 4-7 and narrowly missed the playoffs.

Converge, meanwhile, parts with depth and youth. Suerte, selected in the 2019 Gilas special draft, averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds last conference. Caralipio, a Letran product signed in 2023, chipped in sparingly during the eliminations. Omega, a second-round pick in the most recent draft, is set to land with his third team in a whirlwind rookie season.

For Abueva, the trade represents more than a roster move — it’s another reset in a career defined by intensity, reinvention, and unfinished business. For Converge, it’s a bold bet that a proven veteran, still capable of elite production, can accelerate the FiberXers’ climb in the PBA hierarchy.

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