PBA: Renaldo Balkman set to return to SMB this conference as per local agent

MANILA, Philippines - After a succesful San Miguel Alab Pilipinas stint in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), Renaldo Balkman is set to settle the “unfinished business” with San Miguel Beermen in the PBA this conference.

Renaldo Balkman set to return to SMB this conference as per local agent
Bad boy no more. Renaldo Balkman proves the Filipino basketball fans that he’s worthy of a second chance after giving Alab Pilipinas an ABL title. Credit: Hoops PH

In a very rare “ask me anything” occasion, Renaldo Balkman’s Philippine agent, Ms. Sheryl Reyes confirmed that the NBA veteran will play for San Miguel Beermen in the 2018 Commissioner's Cup after answering a question from one of his Facebook followers.

Renaldo Balkman set to return to SMB this conference as per local agent
Photo Credit: Facebook/FemaleAgentsr

It was revealed that Balkman really wanted to play once again in the country after a very unfortunate event that involved his Petron Blaze Boosters teammate Arwind Santos and Asst. Coach Biboy Ravanes to continue an “unfinished business” as the Puerto Rican - American forward calls it.

With that hapless incident 5 years ago, Balkman was slapped with a lifetime PBA ban by former Commissioner Chito Salud and has just been lifted up by the new Commissioner Willie Marcial few months ago.

It was early this year when the former New York Knick got a call up from Alab Pilipinas Head Coach Jimmy Alapag to be one of the team’s world imports alongside resident Ginebra import Justin Brownlee.

Balkman and Brownlee steered Philippine’s ABL team to championship that started from the bottom of the standings with a 1-3 record.

The Beermen who still has the rights to Renaldo Balkman are currently playing with Troy Gillenwater as their reinforcement in the Commissioner’s Cup. Gillenwater however has yet to get used to his teammates as well as the coaching style of Leo Austria.

SMB lost its inaugural game last night against Meralco Bolts with Troy Gillenwater’s 19 points and 14 boards.

Ms. Reyes hasn’t given any timeline on Renaldo Balkman’s SMB homecoming but in case San Miguel continues to struggle early this conference, Balkman’s return will more likely be sooner than expected.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express



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