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Manila Bulletin devider devider ABL: Balkman returns with one mission in mind

ABL: Balkman returns with one mission in mind

Published Jan 3, 2018 09:30 pm
Renaldo Balkman (photo by Peter Paul Baltazar) Renaldo Balkman (photo by Peter Paul Baltazar) By Ernest Hernandez After compiling a 1-4 win-loss record at the start of the 2017-2018 ABL Season plus injuries to Ivan Johnson and Regie Okosa, Tanduay Alab Pilipinas turned to former and controversial import Renaldo Balkman. “I think when we lost Ivan, we wanted somebody who could give us that same versatility and we just got lucky that Renaldo was available,” said Alab head coach Jimmy Alapag. “He gives us an opportunity to not only be flexible both offensively and defensively on what we want to do and at the end of the day. They (Balkman and Justin Brownlee) are both winners. Will lean on their experience moving forward,” he added. Back in 2013, Balkman had his first international basketball stint with the Petron Blaze Boosters – now known as the San Miguel Beermen - after enjoying six seasons in the NBA. He played for the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets. “It felt great to be back here in the Philippines. I’m on a mission to win a championship and today was a great day for me to be back where it all started,” said Balkman. In just the first games of the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Balkman averaged 25 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.7 blocks while leading Petron to a strong start with talks of the team being the favorites to become champions. All changed on March 9, 2013, when he engaged in a word war with the referees. Aside from that, he shoved teammates Ronald Tubid and Arwind Santos while both were trying to calm him. That forgetful moment included that celebrated reaction where he almost choked Santos. Balkman would, later on, be banned from the PBA by former Commissioner Chito Salud. Given another chance to redeem himself in front of the Filipino basketball community with Alab Pilipinas, Balkman was not expecting the crowd to cheer for him. “It felt good. I didn’t expect it but you know, the past is the past. As I moved forward, I did a lot of things since then. Tonight, it wasn’t in my mind, my head it was to go on and move over or whatever what came with it. I was just going to play basketball, and it has been a long time,” said Balkman. Balkman poured in 17 points as Alab Pilipinas won over Westports Malaysia Dragons, 90-79. He also had 11 rebounds, four steals and two blocks to cap an excellent all-around performance. Balkman admits that given a chance, he would love to play in the PBA again. “That is a goal but right now, we have to finish the ABL first and see what happens and we will take it from there,” said Balkman. With a new PBA commissioner yet to be named, the decision to lift the ban on Balkman will be in that person’s hands. For now, Balkman focuses on trying and helping Alab Pilipinas win a championship. He plans to treat it on a day-by-day basis. “Right now, it is about the ABL. We are just trying to win a championship – that is our goal right now,” Balkman ended.
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