In a dramatic turn of events, the aftermath of Game Two of the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup finals between San Miguel and Magnolia unfolded into a heated argument involving star players Calvin Abueva and Mo Tautuaa, along with their wives.
The tension reached its peak at the SM Mall of Asia Arena hallway, where Abueva and his wife attempted to confront Tautuaa and his wife. Coaches and security personnel swiftly intervened, preventing the situation from escalating further.
Abueva, not one to back down, even went as far as challenging Tautuaa to a physical altercation. The two players, who share a history as former teammates during their time with Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games, found themselves at the center of a post-game fracas.
According to a post on X/Twitter, Tautuaa’s wife, Aida, claimed that the incident started when she encountered Abueva on her way to the restroom. She alleged that Abueva smirked at her, nodded, and made inappropriate remarks.
“I had to walk past him to go to the restroom. He smirked at me, nodded his head up and down, and said, ‘yeaaa’ laughing,” wrote Aida. “I said ‘wtf is wrong with you’ and kept walking. He walked after me and got in my face.”
Abueva vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that it was Tautuaa’s wife who displayed disrespect when he was leaving the Mall of Asia Arena. According to Abueva, she confronted him and questioned his behavior, creating a volatile situation.
“Dumaan siya dito, hinihintay ako anak ko, and then sabi niya ‘what the f*** are you smiling. Sino siya para ii-smile ko siya,” recounted Abueva. “Bakit niya ako ginanun? Hinihintay ko asawa ko tapos gaganun niya ako.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Abueva was also involved in a verbal exchange with San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent, leading to a technical foul. The incident occurred after Abueva was called for a deliberate foul on Tautuaa early in the fourth quarter.
The intense confrontation unfolded against the backdrop of San Miguel’s 109-85 victory over Magnolia in Game Two, giving the Beermen a commanding 2-0 lead in the finals series. As the basketball action on the court remains intense, the off-court drama has added another layer of intrigue to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals. Fans are left eagerly anticipating how these off-court tensions will impact the dynamics of the series moving forward.
Bigla ko lang naisip, kung gusto mag-ingay ng pinoy wrestling bat di kaya nila iguest si Abueva. He’ll have one of the best promos. Mala Rodman to for sure. pic.twitter.com/J2mad2lIgt
— bekshoot (@_bekshoot) February 4, 2024