It was just an exhibition game, and yet Calvin Abueva still gave his all to help Gilas Pilipinas rally against Team Visayas.
Abueva scored 21 of his 26 points in the second half to go along with seven rebounds and two steals as he sparked the national team’s comeback from 15 points down to win in the Cebu leg of the PBA All-Star Week.
But despite his efforts, “The Beast” didn’t win the All-Star MVP trophy. That award went to teammate Terrence Romeo who scored 25 points, two rebounds and four assists.
Many fans online were outraged by Abueva’s non-selection as best player of the game.
Akala ko si Calvin Abueva MVP sa cebu, biglang sabi si Terrence Romeo pala. Parang nagulat din si TR ako din nagulat kasi Abueva 26, TR 25
— ItsMeERR (@zinue321) April 30, 2017
Anyare bakit hindi si calvin abueva ang MVP?
— Ash (@Ashlyyavila) April 30, 2017
Calvin Abueva. ? PBA SUCKS!!! #PBAAllStar2017
— Sasa Almazora (@sasasaying) April 30, 2017
CALVIN ABUEVA MVP!
— Kim Resma (@justKimmerrr) April 30, 2017
Makatulog na nga. Di ko naman mapapalitan result. Pero para sa mga fans mo ikaw ang MVP. #CalvinAbueva #TheBeast #2017PBAAllStars
— Ma. Assumpta Roldan (@masroldan81571) April 30, 2017
It wasn’t the first time fans felt that the Alaska Aces star was robbed of the All-Star MVP. In the 2015 edition, he put up an eye-popping statline of 37 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists to lead the North All-Stars to a 166-161 win over the South All-Stars in Palawan.
But it was Romeo who was picked as the All-Star MVP. He finished with 30 points, three rebounds and one assist in the game.
Real talk: Calvin Abueva has been robbed of the All-Star game MVP award twice in the last 3 years.
— PBA insider (@PBAinsider) May 1, 2017
Calvin Abueva PBA All Star stats:
2015: 37p 16r 7a 1blk (3/8/15)
2017: 26p 7r (4/30/17)
Robbed twice of the MVP. ??
May problema ba tayo?!?— Calai ? (@kawolouchtwia) April 30, 2017
Second time Calvin Abueva has been robbed of the All-star MVP award.
— John Malingin (@jewnnpyoo) April 30, 2017
Calvin Abueva for the second time around robbed by the PBA for All Star MVP. SMH!
— jet arpon (@jetarpon) April 30, 2017
Calvin Abueva got robbed again by Terrence Romeo. #PBAllstar2017
— Frederick (@derfsanity) April 30, 2017
hayy calvin abueva, you deserved every recognition, you'll get it all someday.
— Jen Floriz (@jenfloriz8) April 30, 2017
justice for calvin abueva naman jan… #PBAAllStar2017 #WeArePBA
— Onin Babiano (@onin_ram) April 30, 2017
Twice na nananakawan ng allstar MVP si calvin abueva! Haha #WeArePBA #2017PBAAllStars
— Jhay Santos (@JhayHSantos) April 30, 2017
calvin abueva was robbed again twice na, tsk sakit naman, he was d key for this win, sya naghabol at nag palamang #WeArePBA #PBAAllStar2017
— Onin Babiano (@onin_ram) April 30, 2017
Deja vu for Calvin Abueva. He should've won the All Star MVP. Not Romeo. #2017PBAAllStars #TheBeast
— ジェームス ケネス (@jmsknnth25) April 30, 2017
It’s still a mystery why Abueva keeps getting snubbed. Maybe his reputation as a “bad boy” inside the court still haunts him and turns off the selection panel (whoever they are) despite his amazing on-court skills.
But one thing’s for sure: it’s a bummer to not get recognized for your efforts, and it’s even more painful if it happens twice. Abueva still has many future All-Star games to play in, giving him plenty of opportunities to repeatedly prove his doubters wrong.