Almost a week after the "choking incident" that lead to the eventual banning of Petron Blaze Import Renaldo Balkman from playing in the PBA, Arwind Santos speaks up in Boy Abunda's "Bandila". Petron will play All-Filipino tomorrow versus Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Panabo, Davao Del Norte. They are expecting new import Rodney White on Sunday.
Video: The ABS-CBN News/Youtube
Photo: Nuki Sabio/PBA
PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has reached a decision regarding the choking incident by Petron Blaze import Renaldo Balkman in a lost game Friday versus the Alaska Aces. The decision was coiled after Salud met with the import at the PBA Office today, Monday, March 11, 2013.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF PBA COMMISSIONER ATTY. ANGELICO T. SALUD ON BALKMAN’S CHOKING EPISODE 11 March 2013
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 team mates and superiors,
including the head coach and assistant coaches, amounting to a blatant
and utter disrespect for the game, his own ballclub, the League, the
fans and his host country, import player Renaldo Balkman is hereby meted
the following penalties :
1. Ban from playing in the Philippine Basketball Association; and, 2. A fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP250,000.00).
In
arriving at this decision, I took into consideration Balkman’s track
record as a player, including the head-butting incident during a
FIBA-Americas game between Puerto Rico and Venezuela and his altercation
with the bench of the Alaska Aces during a pre-Season game in Cebu
City. 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. Stiff as it maybe, this decision upholds the tenets of
contextual accountability and the over-all interest of the League and
the fans.
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 behaviour, he will be made accountable.
The value of
accountability is important for me to uphold at all times. I think it is
key to this League’s continued success, the development of our players’
maturity and to their role as models to our fans, especially the youth.
It was already a won game by Alaska Aces (83-73) when Petron Blaze's import Renaldo Balkman had his meltdown It over a non-call by the referees, the series of actions went so odd, he pushed Assistant Coach Biboy Ravanes, went to the ire of the 3 referees, shove Ronald Tubid and even ended up choking Arwind Santos. To PBA fans, this is the first of any kind that has happened, especially an import doing it on his own team mates.
Rey Balkman started a twitter fury that raged up to midnight, most calling the Petron management to find another import that would replace the "BULOKMANIMAL" as they would say with even of ABL imports like Gabe Freeman. It was also reported that Rey apologized to all his team mates, even to Arwind's mom, Arcelli and wife Ivette Gavieres-Santos.
But for SMC Sports Director Noli Eala, he has stood firm that Rey would stay as the former NBA cager gave them 5 wins.
Does he deserve to stay put?
Update: PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has summoned Balkman to the PBA office, while Snow Badua tweets that the faith of Balkman now lies at San Miguel Group President/Chairman Ramon S. Ang.
[3rd Update] We're not that excited (yeah) and new year has not happened yet but we're here giving you the updates fresh as we know it on the teams and their imports for the upcoming PBA Commissioner's Cup which would start on February 8.
Ex-NBA player Renaldo Balkman is expected to banner Petron Blaze Boosters' Commissioner's Cup Tourney
1) Petron Blaze - RENALDO BALKMAN
Renaldo Balkman is the 20th Overall Pick of the New York Knicks in 2006. The 28-year-old moved to the Denver Nuggets in the 2008-2010 season before being reacquired by the Knicks in the 2010-2011 season. He is listed as 6-8 and was described by SMC Sports Director Noli Eala as "solid worker, hard nose defender and energy guy" for the Boosters.
2) Ginebra - HERBERT HILL
The 6-10 Hill is expected to help in the post-presence of Ginebra, who bowed out of contention in the PBA Philippine Cup. He was second round at 55th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2007 draft before he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
3) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters - BRUNO SUNDOV
The 7-3 import Bruno Sundov is Rain or Shine's help for Commissioner's Cup. The Croatian caught the interest of other teams but landed into Rain or Shine and is considered by ROS Team Manager Boy Lapid as the perfect fit to Coach Yeng's system as they need a role player and someone who can shoot threes.
They also enjoy the opportunity of having Jamelle Cornley in town (former import of ROS during the last Governors Cup) to prepare Sundov. Jamelle chose to remain to the Philippines to recuperate from his ACL injury.
4) Global Port Batang Pier - JUSTIN WILLIAMS
Justin Williams is a PF/C who played for 2 NBA teams (Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets). He last played for NBA D-League for the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He would banner the Commissioner's Cup campaign of Global Port Batang Pier.
5. SAN MIG COFFEE MIXERS - Matt Rogers
6. MERALCO BOLTS - Eric Dawson
7. TALK and TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS - Keith Benson
8. AIR 21 EXPRESS - Michael Dunnigan
9. ALASKA ACES - Robert Dozier
10. BARAKO BULL ENERGY -Evan Brock
[This is the final list of imports - Admin's Note]
6:37 AM
Unknown
