Calvin Abueva facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Calvin Abueva

Abueva with the Magnolia Hotshots in 2021
No. 17 – NorthPort Batang Pier
Small forward / power forward
Personal information
Born	(1988-02-04) February 4, 1988 (age 37) Angeles City, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
College	San Sebastian
PBA Draft	2012 Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the Alaska Aces
Pro career	2012–present
League	PBA
Career history
2012–2018	Alaska Aces
2018–2020	Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
2021–2025	Magnolia Hotshots
2025–present	NorthPort Batang Pier
Career highlights and awards
PBA champion (2013 Commissioner's) 2× PBA Best Player of the Conference (2016 Commissioner's, 2021 Philippine) 9× PBA All-Star (2013–2019, 2023, 2024) 4× PBA Mythical First Team (2013, 2016, 2020, 2021) 2× PBA Mythical Second Team (2015, 2022) 2× PBA All-Defensive Team (2015, 2020) PBA Rookie of the Year (2013) PBA All-Rookie Team (2013) PBA Mr. Quality Minutes (2015) NCAA Philippines champion (2009) NCAA Philippines Most Valuable Player (2011) 3× NCAA Philippines Mythical First Team (2009, 2010, 2011) PBL champion (2010 PG Flex-Erase Placenta) PBL Finals MVP (2010 PG Flex-Erase Placenta)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Philippines FIBA Asia Championship Silver 2015 Changsha Team SEABA Championship Gold 2017 Quezon City Team William Jones Cup Silver 2015 Taipei Team

Calvin Abueva (born February 4, 1988) is a Filipino professional basketball player. He plays for the NorthPort Batang Pier in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was chosen as the second overall pick by the Alaska Aces in the 2012 PBA Draft.

Calvin is known as "The Beast" because he is a strong player on both offense and defense. He was a star in college basketball, playing for the San Sebastian College – Recoletos Stags in the NCAA. He was the first college player ever to lead a league in points, rebounds, and assists. Because he can play many different roles, he is often compared to the famous player Sean Chambers.

College and Amateur Career

Calvin Abueva went to San Sebastian College. He began his college basketball journey with the Stags in the NCAA in 2009. He was a key player alongside Jimbo Aquino when the San Sebastian Stags won the NCAA title in 2009.

After Aquino left, Abueva became the team leader. He formed a powerful trio with Ronald Pascual and Ian Sangalang. In the 87th season of the NCAA, he won the Most Valuable Player award. He led the league in scoring (20.6 points) and rebounding (13.7 rebounds). He was also fourth in assists (3.9).

In his fourth and final year in the NCAA, Abueva was expected to win his second MVP award. He had many amazing performances, including 16 double-doubles and 4 triple-doubles, which was a league record. However, during a game in August 2012, he received a disqualifying foul for an incident. This led to a suspension, which meant he could not win any individual awards that season.

NCAA Career Statistics

Source:

Year	Team	GP	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2011	San Sebastian	22	29.0	.411	.265	.726	13.7	3.9	.7	.6	20.6
2012	San Sebastian	17	33.0	.364	.216	.724	16.4	6.5	1.2	1.6	20.1

Abueva also played for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Developmental League. He helped his team win three championships in a row.

Professional Career

Alaska Aces (2012–2018)

Abueva with the Alaska Aces in 2014

Starting Out

Calvin Abueva could not play in the first few games for the Alaska Aces. He still had to finish his college duties in the NCAA. In his first game, he made a big impact against the Petron Blaze Boosters. He scored 12 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in just 27 minutes.

Early in his first season, he was a top contender for the Best Player of the Conference award. Even though he had high statistical points, he did not win the award. However, his great performance made people talk about him possibly winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP. This was a rare achievement, only done by Benjie Paras before. Abueva was a key player when the Alaska Aces won the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup Championship.

Despite some challenges later in the season, Abueva was still named the 2012–13 PBA Rookie of the Year.

Finding His Rhythm

In his third season, Abueva's performance greatly improved. On October 28, 2014, he helped his team, the Alaska Aces, come back from 18 points down to win 100–98 against Talk 'N Text. He scored 26 points and had a career-high 22 rebounds. This made him the shortest PBA player to get more than 20 rebounds in a single game.

On November 11, 2014, he had another impressive game. He scored 23 points and grabbed 21 rebounds against the Kia Sorento. He started the 2014–15 PBA Philippine Cup averaging 15.33 rebounds per game. Fans compared his rebounding skills and energetic play to Dennis Rodman.

On May 13, 2016, Abueva received the PBA Commissioner's Cup Best Player of the Conference award. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in that tournament. In October 2016, he was also named to the PBA Mythical First Team.

Phoenix Fuel Masters (2018–2020)

On August 7, 2018, Abueva was traded to the Phoenix Fuel Masters. In his first game for Phoenix on August 22, 2018, he scored 12 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and had 5 assists.

In June 2019, Abueva faced disciplinary actions and was suspended for a long time. He was allowed to rejoin Phoenix's practice sessions in September 2019. He could not play in the 2019 Commissioner's and Governors' Cups.

For the 2020 season, Abueva was allowed to join Phoenix's team activities. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the Philippine Cup to be postponed, which gave him more time. In July 2020, Abueva shared that he had completed certain requirements for his suspension to be lifted. His suspension was officially lifted in October 2020, allowing him to play for Phoenix in the Philippine Cup, which was held in a special "bubble" format.

Magnolia Hotshots (2021–2025)

On February 17, 2021, Abueva was traded to the Magnolia Hotshots. He signed a new three-year contract with the Hotshots on December 20, 2023.

In February 2024, during the 2023–24 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, Abueva received a fine for a gesture he made. He also resolved an issue with another player and their family. On March 31, 2024, Abueva was suspended for one game and fined for an interaction with a fan during a game.

NorthPort Batang Pier (2025–present)

On May 27, 2025, Magnolia traded Abueva to the NorthPort Batang Pier.

PBA Career Statistics

As of the end of 2024–25 season

Season-by-season Averages

Personal Life

Calvin Abueva was born to Evelyn, his Filipina mother, and Calvin Sweeney, his African-American father. When he was a boy in Angeles City, he loved watching his childhood hero Robert Jaworski play basketball on TV. The next day, he would try to copy Jaworski's moves on the courts of Bayanihan Park. He learned from Jaworski how to be a great rebounder, even though Jaworski was a guard. Calvin also played volleyball when he was younger.

Calvin has a younger brother named Richard Ramsey. Richard was adopted when he was three months old. In 2010, Richard finally met Calvin, their mother Evelyn, and his other three siblings. Like Calvin, Richard also plays basketball. He played for De Ocampo Memorial College and is now an assistant coach for the De Ocampo Cobras.

Images for kids

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  Abueva with the Magnolia Hotshots in 2021

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  Abueva with the Alaska Aces in 2014