Marcial says he consulted Salud, Santos before making decision
By JONAS TERRADO
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) yesterday lifted the lifetime ban on Renaldo Balkman, giving the former Petron import a second chance after choking then-teammate Arwind Santos in a game in 2013.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial made the decision official after weeks of discussions with Balkman, Santos and former commissioner Chito Salud, who imposed the ban along with a hefty fine of P250,000.
“He wrote a letter of appeal then personally appeared in my office. But I didn’t decide just based on that. I solicited the thoughts of Commissioner Chito Salud and Arwind Santos. Both gave their thumbs up for the lifting of the ban,” Marcial said in a statement released by the league.
The endorsements of Santos and Salud played a vital role in the PBA decision’s to lift the punishment which Salud handed shortly after the stunning incident occurred late in Petron’s 83-73 loss to Alaska on March 8, 2013 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I trust that he has learned his lesson and has become a better person and a more disciplined athlete. Good luck to him,” said Salud, who served as PBA chief from 2010 to 2015.
Marcial said Balkman has expressed regret over the incident that overshadowed a basketball career which included stints with the New York and Denver Nuggets in the NBA and the Puerto Rican national team while also vowing to be in his best conduct if given the opportunity.
Balkman has so far shown good character in his current stint with San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League where the 33-year-old serves as one of the team’s two world imports along with Justin Brownlee.
“Sabi niya nung nagkita kami na di na raw niya gagawin, iba na raw pagkatao niya,” Marcial said in describing his recent meeting with Balkman.
Marcial also reminded Balkman not to waste the rare chance at redemption.
“Sabi ko mag-ingat ka. Pag ginawa mo ulit yan, wala na, wala ka na sa (PBA). ‘Tas handa ka rin, baka tirahin ka din o ano. Sabi niya, iba na daw siya, di na daw siya ganoon,” added Marcial, who was joined in the meeting by PBA legal counsel Melvin Mendoza, technical official Eric Castro and Balkman’s agent Sheryl Reyes.
Marcial’s decision has sparked talks of Balkman’s imminent return, possibly in next month’s Commissioner’s Cup where he is two inches below the maximum height limit of 6-foot-10.
Though it holds a right of first refusal on Balkman, San Miguel has already enlisted the services of Troy Gillenwater for the midseason tournament.
