‘They’re lucky to have him’: Jason Perkins on Calvin Abueva playing for NorthPort

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.’

Abueva ended 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.

BEAST TO BE UNLEASHED? Calvin Abueva is in uniform for NorthPort in its game against Phoenix #PBA50 pic.twitter.com/dym8UhZtUo

— SPIN.ph (@spinph) June 4, 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.

However, the veteran forward has a number of fans, including former Phoenix Fuel Masters teammate Jason Perkins, who claimed that NorthPort were lucky to have a player like Abueva in their ranks. The duo faced off on Wednesday, June 4, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, with Perkins coming out victorious over Abueva by leading his team to a 118-107 win.

‘I love playing against Calvin. Calvin’s a player I look up to. He’s a mentor of mine. Learned from his successes and mistakes. Wherever Calvin goes, I think they’re lucky to have him,’ Perkins said in the post-match press conference.

‘I think Calvin’s like 37 now? But his motor’s extremely high. He is always high in the scouting report, works hard and he’s always treated everyone with respect, on and off the court. I have nothing but good things to say about Calvin. I’m thankful every time I get to play against Calvin. I really, really enjoy it,’ he added.

While Abueva could not lead his new team to victory against Phoenix, he did enjoy an impressive debut, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. NorthPort has struggled in the Philippine Cup, winning just one of the nine games they have played, to be placed second from bottom in the standings. Abueva will aim to ensure his team ends on a positive note in their final two games of the tournament against the NLEX Road Warriors and San Miguel Beermen.

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