Abueva retaliates to Chinese player’s rugged game with a headbutt 

What’s your take on Calvin Abuevas’ standing up against China’s tough guy, Li Gen?

At 2:27 left in the first quarter of the game won by Gilas Pilipinas against the taller, favorite China, Abueva was sent out of the game following a tussle with the Chinese toughie.

The referee assessed Abueva with a flagrant foul 2 after he head-butted Li Gen in retaliation to the Chinese off guard, who hit him with a closed fist on the back of his head.

In the youtube video posted by a certain Asleigh Baker and culled from the telecast by FOX Sports courtesy of 2017 FIBA Asia,  Abueva was whistled for a foul after hitting Li with his head. The slomo replay showed the previous action as Abueva crashing on to the flower after getting hit by Li. 

The Chinese appeared to stare down at Abueva who quickly stood back up and unleashed the headbutt that hit Li right smack on the jaw.

(Images courtesy of FIBA.Basketball)

There were different reactions by netizens on social media with some giving sympathy to Abueva.

“Sometimes it happened in basketball, it is a physical game. Don’t hate Abueva.,” said a certain Eltot on the comment wall of the Youtube channel.

One Tuto Martin posted:

“Madumi mag laro ung chinese player na yun binigyan nya din kanina si carl bryan cruz pero binawian din sya ni carl bryan. tama lang ginawa ni abueva, pinakita nya lang na di tayo kaya i bully ng china at pumapalag tayo. ang maganda sa line up na to maraming pumapalag. sa basketball kasi sindakan din kaya tama lang na wag tayo mag pasindak at sila ang dapat masindak sa atin.”

By the way, Li got back to his feet after lying on the court with his hands covering his face. He went on to finish the game as China absorbed a 96-87 loss in its first outing.