Calvin Abueva needs to be nicer to media, players to win MVP

Calvin Abueva was a contender for Best Player of the Conference in the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup.

Each time, despite impressive statistics, the Alaska Aces star rookie came up short after not getting enough votes from fellow players and members of the media.

Abueva’s steady play and his role in the Aces’ championship win in the Commissioner’s Cup gave him the lead in the statistical race for Most Valuable Player.

But for the hardworking forward to duplicate Benjie Paras’ feat of being a rookie MVP 24 years ago, Alaska coach Luigi Trillo said Abueva needs to be nicer to those who have the power to vote for him.

“He has to do a better job with the media. He has to be a better person with that. I think, maybe he’s ashamed (whenever he talks to the press),” Trillo told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview.

“He has to do also a better job dealing with other players. He’s molded like an enforcer, tough guy. We’re working on that. Honestly, I’ve been doing that and we have to work on him on other things as well.”

With Abueva emerging as the face of the Alaska franchise, Trillo said they are working on having him become more of a role model.

“We’ve spoken to him. We need to consistently be bringing that. He has to be a better person with that. I think we told him to pick up a guy when he falls down, to compliment his teammates every time they made an assist, and show respect to fellow players. Those things are important also. I see that now,” said Trillo.

Improving Abueva’s personality will be one of the challenges for Trillo and his coaching staff, but not at the expense of drowning out his fiery competitiveness.

“I’m very proud of him, more than him being up in the stats. I thought last conference wherever we put him, small forward or power forward, he accepted his role. He did a lot of the dirty work. Now, we’re in that situation wherein obviously you’re happy for him, but more than that, I’d like to see him continue doing that,” said Trillo.

“For him to be successful, those are the things he did — rebounds, being the toughest defender of the other side, dive on the ball. That’s him. If he keeps on doing these things, I think he’ll do well.”

article source: interaksyon.com

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