Chito Victolero not surprised that Calvin Abueva is leading BPC race: 'He just plays hard'
Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero was hardly surprised upon learning that his ward Calvin Abueva is leading a tight race for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup.
Abueva, who was acquired by the Hotshots through a trade earlier this year, currently has 35.36 average statistical points (SPs) on the strength of his averages of 16.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per outing.
In second spot is TNT rookie Mikey Williams, who has collected 35.30 average SPs anchored on 18.4 points, 4.2 boards, and 3.7 assists per game. NorthPort's Robert Bolick Jr., meanwhile, is in third with a close 35.27 SPs.
Victolero shared the news did not come as a shock especially because Abueva was also nominated for the similar award in the previous conference.
"Actually, no [I was not surprised]," said Victolero after they gutted out an 81-70 victory over Rain or Shine in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series on Sunday.
"He was also there last season and we know he really played well and that he's just continuing the work now."
Victolero also pointed out Abueva's intangibles that also helped a lot in the team's road to the playoffs.
"What's good about him is that he's very consistent on both ends of the floor. The energy and the hustle and not only the rebounds and the scoring but the other aspects as well," Victolero, whose team last won a title in 2018, added.
"I think Calvin just plays hard. And if ever he really got this blessing, Calvin is really deserving of this."
—JMB, GMA News