Cone, Chot, players air their views on Balkman punishment

Renaldo Balkman and the Petron Blaze Boosters before the meeting with Commissioner Salud. (PBA Images)

Notable basketball personalities took to Twitter to give their reactions after PBA Commissioner Chito Salud slapped Petron Blaze import Renaldo Balkman a lifetime ban plus a hefty fine of P250,000 following his complete meltdown that ended with a stunning choke on teammate Arwind Santos at the tail-end of the Boosters’ 73-83 defeat against the Alaska Aces last Friday night.
 
“Wow!” was SanMig Coffee coach Tim Cone’s initial reaction then expounded his point.


 


 


 
Cone added the 6-foot-8 Balkman has no other choice but to accept his fate.
 


 
Stressing the decision was just, national team coach Chot Reyes is convinced the Boosters can use this incident as a rallying point in their championship drive.
 


 



RELATED: Balkman: I'm not a bad guy
 
Balkman’s teammate, Dorian Peña, couldn’t hide his disappointment.


 
Rain or Shine wingman Gabe Norwood, meanwhile, was surprised, saying he expected a suspension but not a ban.
 

 


 
Amateur cagers Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo and San Beda’s Melo Lim also tweeted their reactions.