Calvin Abueva. File/Courtesy of FIBA website

Alaska superstar Calvin Abueva revealed he has been struggling with depression, which is why he took some time off from the Aces since the PBA All-Star break last month.

“Depression,” Abueva told ESPN TV 5. “(Kaya) ibabalik ko ang laro ko ngayon para ang depression mawala.”

“Du’n sa mga pinagdaanan ko, maraming tao namang naii-struggle e, di lang ako. Pero sa ’kin different side, iba rin ’yung nangyayari.”

Early this month, Alaska owner Wilfred Uytengsu announced placing the former San Sebastian standout under indefinite suspension for failing to advise the coaching staff and management of his whereabouts. 

Abueva eventually surfaced and was even included in the national team line up for the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers game against Chinese-Taipei on Friday.

PBA: Suspended Abueva still receiving salary from Alaska

Despite the suspension, he is grateful the team understood what he was going through.

“Tinaggap naman nila ako, pero syempre may mga complicated na mga bagay lang na kelangan baguhin. Pero pagkabalik ko syempre pinaghandaan ko kung paanong makabalik ako,” he said.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa management ng Alaska na kahit na binigyan nila ako ng suspension na ganu’n hindi nila ako hindi nila ako pinigilan sa Gilas. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako.”

National team coach Chot Reyes, is appreciative that Abueva is putting his personal issues aside for national duty.

“Sa Gilas kasi we treat each other as family eh. We give a deeper sense of purpose to what we're doing. I think that's what Calvin was able to relate to. Sometimes may mga personal issues, pero ’pag Gilas, isasantabi niya ’yun for a bigger purpose,” said Reyes.

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