FROM FAME TO SHAME
PBA commissioner Chito Salud didn’t go easy on Petron Blaze import Renaldo Balkman, banning him from the league for his grave misconduct that shocked Filipino basketball fans.
Salud also meted the six-year NBA veteran a fine of P250,000, a big downfall for the player, who until that fateful Friday game, appeared to be headed for greatness in the local pro league.
Balkman’s PBA tenure ended abruptly, his name going down in the shame list with the likes of Jojo English, Derek Hamilton, Ronnie Thompkins, Kelvin Upshaw and Andrew Moten.
He was the first import in 15 years barred from ever returning on a PBA hard court after English reneged on a contractual obligation with Sta. Lucia Realty in 1998.
Balkman was sacked for far a more grievous offense, throwing a wild tantrum late in the Petron Blaze-Alaska Milk tussle Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Salud said Balkman must account for his action.
Salud banned Balkman “for initiating threatening physical contact with a referee followed by a prolonged offensive, belligerent if not aberrant on-court decorum directed toward game officials and his Petron teammates and superiors, including the head coach and assistant coaches, amounting to blatant and utter disrespect for the game, his own ball club, the league, the fans and his host country.”
“In arriving at this decision, I took into consideration Balkman’s track record as a player, including a head-butting incident during a FIBA America’s game between Puerto Rico and Venezuela and his altercation with the bench of the Alaska Aces during a pre-season game in Cebu,” said Salud.
“I also took into consideration Balkman’s evident disregard for local and the host country’s sensibilities highlighted by his choking act on-court in full public view of his own teammate who was trying to pacify him,” Salud also said.
“Stiff as it maybe, this decision upholds the tenets of contextual accountability and the overall interest of the league and the fans,” he added. “I do encourage passion for the game but I also want to firmly instill a culture of accountability among our players. If one does something that violates the rules and the norms of sportsmanship and decent behavior, he will be made accountable.”
No amount of remorse on the part of Balkman stopped the PBA commissioner from handing down the severe sanction.
Balkman, earlier in the day, manned up for his action, expressing deep regret as he appeared before the commissioner.
To show support to their beleaguered import, coach Olsen Racela and his staff, and all the players trooped to the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City after their practice from the nearby Acropolis Gym.
Before sundown, they were aware they need to find a replacement for the import who powered them to 5-2 showing in the first half of the elimination phase.
“Meron kaming short list, pero wala pang napipili,” said Racela.
Balkman, a former New York Knick and Denver Nugget, was the tournament scoring leader until held down to six points by the Alaska Aces. (SB)
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