The Phoenix Fuel Masters have included Calvin Abueva in their 25-man delegation for the Philippine Cup restart in Clark, Pampanga with hopes the indefinite ban on the suspended forward will be lifted in time for the PBA bubble.
"He is part of the 25-man lineup, with the hopes that the commissioner will reinstate him before the start of the bubble conference," team manager Paolo Bugia told ESPN5.com on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Abueva posted a photo of himself on Instagram with a caption, "Comeback is real."
ESPN5.com sought the PBA for comment but commissioner Willie Marcial said there was no update yet regarding Abueva's status.
"Wala pa (nothing yet)," Marcial said in a text message.
Phoenix can only hope the Commissioner's office will reinstate Abueva before the bubble commences.
Meanwhile, the Fuel Masters beefed up their coaching staff by tapping Jamike Jarin and Rich Alvarez to join interim head coach Topex Robinson for the bubble conference.
Jarin was a decorated mentor in the amateurs, having won titles for the San Beda Red Lions and the Ateneo Blue Eaglets. He was also an assistant coach with the Meralco Bolts before leaving to coach the NU Bulldogs for three seasons.
The top pick in the 2004 PBA Draft, Alvarez was previously an assistant coach for the Kia franchise.
"We are looking at them for now until such time where we can sign them on a more permanent basis," Bugia said.
Pending approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force, the PBA plans to resume the All-Filipino conference on October 9.
Serving as venue for the games is the Angeles University Foundation gym in Angeles City, Pampanga.
