NBA Slam Dunk Champ Gets A Sneaker Assist from Magnolia Teammate Calvin Abueva

Glenn Robinson III is fitting in nicely with the Hotshots, and The Beast is making sure he’s got the right kicks to take the league by storm.

Among the 12 imports who will be suiting up in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup set to open on August 18, the Magnolia Hotshots’ Glenn Robinson III clearly has the best pedigree.

Robinson III is not only the son of former overall no. 1 pick Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson, he’s also just the second NBA slam dunk champion to play in the PBA (1992 champion Cedric Ceballos, who played one game for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2003 Reinforced Conference Finals, was the first).

The younger Robinson was crowned 2017 slam dunk champion and played seven seasons in the NBA. Now, he’s on a mission to lead the Hotshots to their first PBA title in nearly six years. And to get him off to a running start, one of his famous teammates has given him a boost.

“I gotta shout out Calvin (Abueva), The Beast. I got on his shoes. He gave me a pair of his shoes. One of the first ones to get his shoes. So I appreciate my teammates.”

Abueva gave away a pair of his custom-made The Beast sneakers to Robinson, who proudly wore them on PBA Media Day at the Le Parc Events Center in Pasay.
Glenn Robinson III rocks his The Beast sneakers given to him by Calvin Abueva Photo by Sid Ventura
“As y’all can tell, our chemistry is already sky high,” Robinson said. “Yes, sir. Yes, sir. That’s my guy.”

It’s safe to say Robinson’s first overseas experience has been going well so far.

“All my time has been in the NBA. And then last year, I was in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd, the Milwaukee Bucks G-League team. So, I didn’t know how my first experience overseas was gonna be.

“And obviously, we haven’t played a game yet. But just the quality of living, being away from my family that long. When I’m awake here, all my family and friends are asleep.

“How would that be? How would an 18-hour flight be? I’ve never flown that far. So, everything has been amazing. Top-notch, good quality. My teammates are great. The coaching staff have been great at introducing me into the rules, the physicality. You know, just different things.

“So, I’ve been here for three weeks now. And I can say that I’m really loving the Philippines. I’m just enjoying the moment. I’m taking it day by day. Being in the NBA, I think that’s the most pressure that you can have ever.

‘Dunking is what I do’

Robinson admits he knew little about the PBA before he came over. His education started the moment he arrived at the airport and he was picked up by Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio, the four-time MVP who is still one of the most recognizable PBA personalities.

“We call him Boss Cap, but Alvin. Getting to know him and his story and seeing…he picked me up from the airport. So, everybody comes and wants pictures with him. Some of my teammates have said that, he’s like the LeBron James of basketball around here. So, it’s amazing to see that you all have a great functioning league.

“Learning that it’s the second-oldest (professional) league is something that I was like, ‘Whoa, this is a pleasure to be a part of.’ Every day I’m learning more and more. I wasn’t too familiar with it at first.

“I got a chance to watch the draft and to get to know Jerome (Lastimosa) and Peter (Alfaro), our two rookies. So, it’s a really cool experience for me to see a whole other league that’s functioning and running really well. So, I’m proud to be here and I’m excited to be a part of this.”

Imports with NBA pedigree, especially those who played there for several years, always carry huge expectations. Robinson is no exception.

“I am noticing things where I am expected to bring a high level of my game and whatever I can bring. My energy, my aura, everything that I can bring to the team is needed. And that’s why I’m here. That’s why they wanted me to be here with the experience I have. I just try to bring my best every day and uplift everyone around me. And my teammates have done a great job of bringing me into the team.”

For his part, Robinson has brought the flair that won him the slam dunk contest in 2017. Teammate Paul Lee shared that after one practice, their import unleashed a vicious 360-degree windmill dunk that left everyone in awe.

“That’s what I do. That’s always been my favorite part of the game is jumping and being able to dunk. I used to watch LeBron growing up. So, he’s the one who got me to dunking. Nowadays, the kids watch Steph Curry.

“Everybody wants to see the three. Dunking is what I do. So, I expect to bring that to the games, bring some excitement, some energy for the fans.”

‘You guys are smarter than NBA players’

Robinson was briefly teammates with Curry on the Warriors, and he learned a great deal during the time they were together.

“I always tell Coach Chito (Victolero) and I tell the players on our team that you guys are smarter than the NBA players, than college players over in America. From a young age, they all know how to play the game whether you’re a big or whether you’re a guard. They’re really smart. Their IQ is high. So, it’s been a pleasure to play this style of game because I haven’t been able to do that since Michigan.

“And playing with the Warriors, it really taught me little things like Steph Curry will do things that I can adjust to now. So, the speed of the game, knowing how to play, how to cut. It was a pleasure to play with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, that whole team.

“I enjoyed my experience with the Warriors. I was there for one year. And I think everything just gets you ready for whatever moments that’s next. That experience with the Warriors, I can definitely translate to playing here.”

Curry and the rest of Team USA have been busy in Paris chasing the gold medal, but Robinson admitted he hasn’t been able to follow their games live because of the time difference. He did, however, talk about another celebrated Olympian with his teammates.

“After practice yesterday, we talked about the gymnast who won here in the Philippines (Carlos Yulo). So, I was excited. I feel like I’m a part of the culture already. I was excited for him and to see some of his winnings. That’s pretty cool.

“Two gold medals. It’s really cool to be able to come back and do something for a country like that.”

Mission with Magnolia

The Hotshots shook up their roster in the off-season, trading away longtime point guard Jio Jalalon and back-up big man Abu Tratter for sophomore Zav Lucero in hopes winning their first title since 2018. Robinson says he is aware of the title drought.

“I spoke to Coach on the phone before I even got here a few times. That was something that he mentioned was that they seem to make it to the playoffs and far every year. But, since 2018, Magnolia hasn’t won a championship. So, that is our goal.

“That’s my goal as a team. You know you want to go into the season with high expectations. But, I think that it’s our job to take it game by game.

“I’m used to the NBA where it’s 82 games. And, 15 to 20 of those, you might take a break. You might take a day off. You just don’t know what happens. But here, 10-game regular season, every game matters. Every minute matters.

“So, I think it’s my job to come prepared every day. And, that’s what I’m going to do. So, our goal is to win that championship and bring it to Magnolia. But we’re going to take this thing day by day.”