Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva have plenty of history together.
The duo, who together with Ronald Pascual formed the famous alliance known as the ‘Pinatubo Trio’, led San Sebastian College-Recoletos to the 2009 NCAA men’s basketball crown and became one of the deadliest tandems in the history of the league.
After their college run, though, the two parted ways when they made a jump to the professional ranks as Sangalang went on playing for San Mig Coffee Mixers (now Magnolia Hotshots) while Abueva was drafted by Alaska.
They would face each other a number of times and for both cagers, it was strange at first to be on the different ends of the court after spending years as teammates.
“Nung time na (nasa) Baste kami, ako 'yung madalas na pumapasa sa kanya, ako 'yung madalas na mag-penetrate sa mga play namin. Tapos nung nakakalaban ko na siya, parang nakakailang kasi parang nasa college days pa kayo na gusto mo siyang pasahan,” Abueva shared on 'Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96' on Monday.
Sangalang agreed, saying: “For me, nung nakalaban ko si Calvin, naiinis ako eh. Nung kakampi ko siya, okay eh. Pero nung nakalaban ko na siya, naiinis ako kasi syempre marami kaming pinagdaanan ni Calvin.”
According to the 6-foot-7 Sangalang, it was challenging defending Abueva since the latter is a lot quicker and jumps higher than him.
“Naiinis din ako sa kanya kasi napakalikot niya sa court. Nung nasa PBA na kami, buti di siya pinapadepensa sa akin kasi medyo mas mabilis siya sa akin at mas mataas siyang tumalon. Iba yung talent niya kasi sa talent ko,” said Sangalang.
But all that is now part of the past.
Abueva was recently involved in a trade that sent him from Phoenix Super LPG to Magnolia, sparking a reunion with Sangalang, who was a key cog in four of the franchise's championships.
“Masaya kasi nakaka-bonding ko na ulit si Ian. Swerte nga ‘yung team na napuntahan niya kasi nakakuha siya agad ng mga championship at inaasahan ko rin na maging part sa mga goal niya na maka-champion dito sa team na ‘to,” added Abueva.
Watch their story on GMA Synergy's 'Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96' every weekday (2:45 p.m.), Saturdays (4:30 p.m.), and Sundays (5:05 p.m.) on GTV.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News
