WITH how Calvin Abueva showing in the online Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of a Professional Athlete seminar given by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), Chairman Abraham Khalil Mitra is convinced that the controversial Phoenix Fuel Masters forward deserved to play again in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Mitra said they will immediately return Abueva's professional license at the end of the GAB seminar.
"We hold the seminar at night because he is training with the team in the morning. The discussion was lively and Abueva was persistent because he really participated," Mitra described the GAB online seminar with Abueva.
"Calvin was attentive and willfully participating in the seminar activities. He interacted with vigor and expressed the utmost eagerness to return back to the game for the sake of his children not wanting them to end up with what he has experienced as a child. He acknowledged that he used to have a tendency to become overwhelmed but has now proactively sought ways on how to manage his emotions," Mitra said.
Mitra also stressed that based on their pre-assessment, Abueva seems to have a basic understanding of the concepts of the conduct and ethics required of a professional athlete inside the basketball court.
"He duly emphasized how due process and mental health support was important in maintaining a good sense of self of a professional athlete," he said.
Aside from Mitra, also joining the virtual seminar are GAB pro-games chief June Bautista, Kara Mallonga, and Phoenix team manager Paolo Bugia.
After the said seminar, Abueva will undergo a mandatory drug test as part of the regulation in his medical record.
"These conditions are not serious, but he has to fulfill them and as proof, he has to sign that he will follow them. Calvin is apologetic and we feel that he really regrets what he did that led to his suspension from the PBA," said GAB Commissioner Ed Trinidad after an earlier meeting with Abueva.
Meanwhile, despite Abueva's inclusion in the Phoenix official line-up for the PBA's scheduled "bubble," the PBA has not yet made an official statement on the matter, but the league has previously allowed the controversial player to join the team's "bubble practice" with Clark. (JSG)