Renaldo Balkman came close to completing his road to redemption in the Philippine Basketball Association after helping the San Miguel Beermen advance to the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. by finishing off the Alaska Aces in the semifinals.
Balkman averaged 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.3 blocks in the series that ended Sunday night when the Beermen overpowered the Alaska Aces, 104-99, in Game to close out the best-of-Five series, 3-1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Capturing the championship will certainly be the icing on the cake for Balkman, who was banned from the league after choking teammate Arwind Santos during a game five years ago.
Early this year, he teamed up with Ginebra import Justin Brownlee to help Alab Pilipinas win the ABL championship.
"It's a blessing for me," said Balkman, who sparked the Beermen's turnaround from a 0-3 start after replacing Troy Gillenwater.
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"I just won one and I'm trying to come back and win another one right now. Sitting out for a whole year last year, this has been a great year for me. I'm glad to be back in the Finals. I'm glad to be here."
Balkman was sidelined last year with a knee injury while playing in his native Puerto Rico.
More than erasing the negative perception caused by that choking incident, Balkman is also trying to beat what many have failed to beat before - Father Time.
"People say 'Oh, he might be too old' cause I just turned 34 this year, but I still got it. I got a lot left in my tank," he said.
"As you all can see out there on the court, I give my all everytime. Age is nothing but a number. Believe that. And I'm trying to get a couple more this year."(JT)
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