He just led his national team to the final of the FIBA Asia Championship and was one game close to the Olympic tournament. Now he is chasing another dream, in Abu Dhabi, at the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Final (October 15-16, Nation Towers on Corniche Road, daily from 6pm-11pm). Calvin Abueva, the superstar of Philippines will try to go against all odds together with his 3×3 basketball team, Manila North.

The team from Manila was the big surprise of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters that took place on their home soil and now they are coming in Abu Dhabi for the big party, together with the best 3×3 basketball teams in the world.

“The Beast” Calvin Abueva is an all-around threat on the 3×3 basketball court. He can score, he can rebound, he can pass the ball and he is a teammate you can rely on. But no one has to fear “The beast” more than the time he is close to the basket. His strong moves inside and the warrior spirit got him his nickname and he proudly carries it over and over each game.

In a country where basketball is a religion and a church (basket) is on every corner of the street, it is quite difficult not to fall in love of this sport. But from falling in love to dominate the Philippines college and pro leagues and nowadays FIBA 3×3 World Tour it’s a long way, that Calvin started it by his own. People from Bayanihan Park from Angeles, Pampanga could see about 15 years ago a young kid trying all kind of moves that somehow looked familiar. Maybe because the legendary Robert Jaworski was mimicked, move by move, step by step, by young Calvin.

And while most of the young kids usually are searching for the offensive moves, Abueva looked deeper into the game of his boyhood hero, only one of the best rebounders in the history of PBA. Calvin tried to duplicate the warrior spirit under the basket and kept it ever since.

Now, at age of 27, Abueva is standing himself as one of the best all-around players in the game, being the first player in history in any major league in the Philippines to finish as leader in points, rebounds, and assists in one season. He brought his full arsenal of skills also on the 3×3 basketball court and together with his teammates from Manila North pulled one of the biggest surprises in this year’s FIBA 3×3 World Tour. In the first Masters of the year they let behind teams like Manila West, with another star, Terence Romeo, and Ljubljana, the 2013 winners of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour.

Calvin Abueva will try now to reach new heights in Abu Dhabi, the host of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Final 2016. Knowing his passion and his will to dominate the game, we’re pretty sure the “The Beast” will once again make a strong statement.