MANILA, Philippines – It is not unusual for players to change jersey numbers. However, it is more uncommon for a player to do so not just in the middle of a season, but in the middle of a conference.

Yet that is exactly what Alaska forward Calvin Abueva did. "The Beast" showed up to the Aces' PBA Philippine Cup game on Wednesday against Phoenix with a brand new number on his jersey. After using No. 8 since his rookie season, Abueva is now playing as No. 88.

Asked to explain the change, Abueva told reporters after Alaska's 93-75 win over the Fuel Masters that it was his way of moving forward following a difficult stretch in his life.

The past couple of weeks have been a struggle for Abueva, who even missed Alaska's game against Blackwater last Saturday and was dropped from the Gilas Pilipinas pool for its upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

• READ: Say hello to the Beast 2.0

While Abueva did not go into detail regarding his struggles, he admitted that it had something to do with his family.

"Hindi naman naalis 'yung 8," Abueva said. "Pero parang 'yung nangyari sa akin past three weeks… sobrang lungkot ko, 'yung nangyari sa family ko, nangyari sa akin."

"Kaya ngayon, pinalitan ko 'yung number ko ng 88, kaya the Beast 2.0. Pinakita ko, pinandigan ko sa sarili ko na kaya ko 'to lusutan," he explained.

The change in number appeared to have re-energized Abueva. He had 21 points and 14 rebounds in their game against Phoenix, and was a team-best plus-28 on the night. Alaska coach Alex Compton had nothing but praise for his veteran forward after the game.

"I don't know (the reason behind Abueva's number change)… I don't actually know. But if he keeps playing like that, and he will be wearing 8, 888, okay lang sa akin. He was fantastic," said Compton.

Abueva intends for No. 88 to stay.

"Ang ganda ng number ko ngayon at 'yung pinakita ko," he said. "Sana, magtuloy-tuloy."

"Sana, maging tuloy-tuloy itong nilalaro kong 'to, at makapasok kami sa finals, makuha na namin 'tong championship na 'to," he added.

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