The Renaldo Balkman show is back and better than ever.
Returning to rescue San Miguel in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup, the Puerto Rican reinforcement only has one thing in his mind in this shot at redemption.
"The main goal here is for us to win another championship. And that's what I'm here for. They've seen something in me that was positive, and they picked me," he said after attending his first practice session on Wednesday.
Balkman, 33, has gotten accustomed to answering about that infamous chapter in his playing career five years back.
But he won't let his past dictate his future as he tries to fulfill his sworn duty to the Beermen and inch them closer to achieving the rare Grand Slam feat.
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"Everybody calls it a second chance, but it's just another job for me. I've been playing all over the world throughout my career and I did what I did in the earlier years when I was young," he said.
"But I'm a little older now, and since then, I've had several jobs. Even in the ABL, it's just another job for me. I don't look into the past. I go out there and look into the future."
Balkman is coming into a very different San Miguel team, a unit that has been forged by challenges and come up as champions.
Since his last stint here, June Mar Fajardo has emerged as a four-time PBA MVP while also building one of the most talented units in the league today with Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, and Marcio Lassiter.
"I know a couple of guys that played on the team from several years ago," shared Balkman. "They're a great group of guys, all the more positive."
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Infuse to that core an NBA-caliber talent like Balkman and this might just bring the Beermen back to the right path after dropping their first two games.
However, Balkman is unfazed and said that for him, his goal is to blend in and give his 100-percent in order to help San Miguel reach the pedestal it aspires.
"I'm happy to be here and be a part of them right now. Again, the goal is to go out there and win, and that's my goal too. So if I can bring the energy, I can bring the mentality, the physicality to the game, that's what I'm gonna do," he said.
Balkman makes his PBA return for San Miguel on Saturday against Alaska in Dumaguete.
"I'm gonna give you guys another show," he vowed. "Like I told y'all before, it's showtime for me."(DL)
