THE lifetime ban on Petron import Renaldo Balkman has set Twitter on fire, with netizens reacting to the news with shock, anger, and sadness as the temperamental import became a hot topic on the social networking site.
But from all the reactions, San Mig coach Tim Cone made the most sense when he tweeted that Balkman's meltdown would not have become such big deal - and the punishment not as harsh - had it not unfolded before a wide television audience.
Here's Cone's take on his account @manilacone:
"If the Balkman incident had happened in practice or in the locker room, then you could MAYBE smooth it out, but on National TV? Mahirap."
"I'm not saying I necessarily agree with the ruling, but I am saying because it happened on primetime TV, it forced the commissioner's hand."
Responding to a tweet from Rain or Shine guard Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5), Cone continued: "Tough call for Balkman's career. I feel for him, but sometimes you make your own bed and gotta lay in it."
National coach Chot Reyes also weighed in, saying he expects Petron coach Olsen Racela to turn the crisis into a positive and motivate his players to reach greater heights without Balkman.
If they can regroup, Reyes said he expects to see the Boosters go all the way to the finals of the Commissioner's Cup.
Reyes said on his account @coachot: "Perfect time now for Petron 2 show its character. @thebigOls will use this as motivation. If theyre able to regroup i see them sa FINALS."
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