IN a span of just a few months, Renaldo Balkman has a shot at another championship, this time in the PBA.
Balkman came through with a double-double of 23 points and 16 rebounds as San Miguel finished off Alaska, 104-99, on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to reach the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.
Balkman will once again chase a championship, just two months after he and now Ginebra import Justin Brownlee teamed up to lead San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to a maiden Asean Basketball League (ABL) title.
The San Miguel import will be playing in his first finals in the PBA, the stigma of the lifetime ban he got from the league back in 2013 after choking teammate Arwind Santos a distant memory.
“Every finals is the same,” said Balkman, who turned 33 last July 14. “You just got to go out there and play hard basketball. It’s a blessing for me to come back and get another one. That’s my goal."
Balkman is also glad to disappoint critics who feel he is too old to play at a high level in the ABL and PBA.
“I’m really blessed. I want to thank God for this. With my injuries before, to now, and I still got it. People say I might be too old. I just turned 33 this year. I still have a lot left in my tank. As you all can see on the court, I’m going to give my all every time."
“Age is just a number, believe that. I’m going to get a couple more this year,” said Balkman.
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