Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Baham Mitra said the regulatory commission is looking forward to meeting with Phoenix's Calvin Abueva once he clears the requirements set by the PBA for his return.
"There has been no communication between Calvin Abueva and the GAB," Mitra said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday. "In case the PBA thinks na OK na siya, then he will have to also try to at least reach out to us."
Abueva, who has been suspended for a year after his clotheslining incident with former TNT import Terrence Jones, is actually just a step away from reinstatement after almost completing his mandated psychological sessions before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Once the forward finishes his final requirement, Mitra said the board will grant Abueva an audience and support his PBA return once he is able to prove that he has come out of his rehabilitation a changed man.
"We have observed his improper and unprofessional decorum in the games. You think he's worth being called a professional player? Nananakit na eh, 'di ba? Minsan unbecoming na of a professional player," said Mitra. "Ngayon kung na-disiplina na siya, he can probably present what steps and proper therapy sessions he has undergone. And then if he convinces the board, then OK lang din sa'min."
Mitra said he also hopes Abueva to scale back on the antics and aggression once he comes back on the floor for the Fuel Masters.
"Sana mag-comply din siya," he said. "Ako I believe in him. He's a very good player. Talagang very athletic tsaka prolific, tsaka makakatulong sa team. Pero sana naman nag-tame down na ng konti. Hindi na tama 'yung ginagawa niya. Nakakasakit na siya eh. Nakakatakot, baka mamaya maka-injure na 'yan ng ibang professional at magka-problema pa 'yung livelihood nila."
The chairman issued a reminder to all professional athletes covered by GAB and said that even though the board won't always step in on the smallest matters, everyone under its purview is still being monitored.
"We don't want to overregulate. We always believe in self-regulation. We only come in kapag malaki na ang problema," said Mitra. "Lahat po kayo may lisensya sa Games and Amusements Board. We don't want to overstep. But we're here, we're watching you. Turning pro comes with responsibilities."