FORMER PBA import Vernon Macklin is in town as his current team, the Changwon LG Sakers, are gearing up for the coming season of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) with a series of tuneup games against PBA games.
Macklin last played in the country for Magnolia in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, but he is best remembered for his stint with Barangay Ginebra in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup where he led the Kings to a runner-up finish under Alfrancis Chua.
On Tuesday night, the 32-year-old Georgetown and Florida product saw action for the Sakers in an exhibition game against Barangay Ginebra with his former team winning the tightly-contested match, 93-91.
Macklin said it was only the second time he was able to face the Kings since his stint with the popular team in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup. The first came on Friday when the two teams squared off in a separate tune-up game.
The high-flying import said he was thrilled to renew acquaintances with the remnants of the 2013 team in LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa.
“It was my first time since I left the PBA,” said Macklin. “It was pretty cool. I’ve made (friends) with a lot of the guys. I love being here in the Philippines. It’s pretty cool.”
“We scrimmaged against them a few days ago. I was able to talk to LA (Tenorio), Mark (Caguioa), Justin (Brownlee), Stanley (Pringle),” said Macklin.

Macklin said the Kings are definitely a different team now compared to the 2013 squad, pointing out that the current squad is now much bigger thanks to twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.
“They have two bigs now with Japeth and Greg so they can go with Justin in the three-spot. They have Stanley and coach Cone is pretty good as well,” said Macklin.
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