Controversial Petron import to face league commissioner today, says he’s ready for possible sanctions
Renaldo Balkman, the Petron Blaze import who is in the eye of a controversy following his outburst last Friday night, is ready to face the consequences of his actions, even if it will mean sending him home.
“I’ve done something bad. If you do something wrong, you have to prepare yourself for the consequences,” said Balkman in a television interview last night.
Balkman was calm and mild in the interview, a stark contrast to the actions he showed in the closing seconds of their 73-83 loss to the Alaska Aces Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Tension marred the ending of the game when Balkman lost his cool and choked teammate Arwind Santos, who tried to calm him down.
Before the choking incident, Balkman shoved Petron assistant coach Biboy Ravanes and teammate Ronald Tubid.
Balkman had apologized for his actions.
“I didn’t go out there to do something to my teammates and my opponent, I regret It. I apologize to the fans for the things I’ve done on the court,” he said.
The six-foot-eight import struggled in that game, where he just managed six points after averaging 28.2 points a game in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Balkman said his awful game was the reason why he confronted the referee following a play where he asked for a foul.
“I wanted to let the referee know I had a frustrating game. I didn’t notice that I was being pacified since my main focus was to let the referee know that I was frustrated throughout the game . It escalated to something that shouldn’t happened and I regret everything that happened.”
Balkman said he felt so bad after the incident that he wanted to isolate himself. “ I felt I just wanted to go to a cave or in a dark corner for a while because for everyone, I’m the bad guy. I am not a bad guy. I’m a different guy from that I showed you at the end of the game.”
Balkman said it can’t be avoided some people will judge him because of the incident. “Everybody is entitled to their opinion. I messed up. I love the Philippines, I love the PBA , its a great league. If I am sent home, I have to take it and deal with with my consequence I am ready for that possibility but if Im given second chance, i’ll show to everybody that I deserve it and i’ll do my best to give Petron another championship.”
Santos appeared in the interview and asked the fans for more understanding. He said everything has been patched between him and Balkman.
Balkman will appear with the PBA Commissioner’s office at 11:30 today.
“As a host country, we deserve a very very convincing explanation,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Salud in a separate televiosn interview.
Meanwhile, the Air21 Express snapped five-game losing streak by beating Globalport Batang Pier, 106-94, last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
