Ni Marivic Awitan

PUWEDE na muling maging import si Renaldo Balkman sa Philippine Basketball Association.

Renaldo Balkman of San Miguel Alab Pilipinas (photo by Peter Paul Baltazar)

Renaldo Balkman of San Miguel Alab Pilipinas (photo by Peter Paul Baltazar)

Ipinahayag ni PBA commissioner Willie Marcial na inalis na ng liga ang ‘lifetime ban’ na naunang ipinataw kay Balkman may limang taon na ang nakakaraan.

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“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,” pahayag ni Marcial.

“I trust that he has learned his lesson and has become a better person and a more disciplined athlete. Good luck to him,” ayon naman kay Salud.

Ipinataw ng noo’y commissioner na si Salud ang ban kay Balkman matapos nitong sakalin ang teammate na si Arwind Santos. Bukod sa lifetime ban, pinagmulta rin siya ng P250,000.

Kasalukuyang naglalaro para sa San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas sa ABL nagpakita si Balkman ng taos pusong pagsisisi sa kanyang nagawa at umaasang mabibigyan ulit ng tsansang maglaro sa PBA..

“Balkman was apologetic and gave assurance for his behaviour on and off the court. He has matured since the incident now that he’s 33,” wika ni Marcial.