Phoenix still has its fingers crossed that Calvin Abueva will have his indefinite suspension lifted before the PBA season reboots.

Reports surfaced on Thursday, September 24, that the PBA barred the Fuel Masters from including Abueva in their lineup after initially putting the embattled forward in their 25-man delegation for the bubble.

The Philippine Cup resumes in a semi-bubble setting in Clark, Pampanga on October 11, with no one allowed to enter the bubble after October 10.

“[W]e are hopeful that the PBA will have a decision before that,” Phoenix team manager Paolo Bugia told Rappler.

“As of now, we are still awaiting that Calvin will be reinstated before the season restart.”

Teams have until Friday, September 25, to submit their lineup to the PBA.

Players and other personnel involved in the bubble will be tested for the coronavirus and will have to undergo a strict five-day quarantine.

Once cleared, they will be allowed to enter the bubble.

“For now, we can only put a 24-man roster due to his status as he is still suspended,” Bugia said of Abueva.

Abueva has not seen action in the PBA for more than a year now since he was slapped with an indefinite suspension for his on-court antics, including clotheslining import Terrence Jones.

Without Abueva, Phoenix failed to reach the playoffs of the last two PBA conferences. – Rappler.com