Balkman: I'm not a bad guy
Facing the specter of a stiff penalty from pro league commissioner Chito Salud, Petron Blaze import Renaldo Balkman is bracing for the worst.
Less than 48 hours after his infamous choke on teammate Arwind Santos in the final seconds of their 73-83 defeat against Alaska, a visibly emotional Balkman showed up and offered his deepest apologies.
"I'd like to apologize to everybody. The situation got out of hand. I don't wanna do something to my teammates and I regret everything that happened,” said the 6-foot-8 Balkman during an interview with AKTV Center hosts Mico Halili and former pro Ronnie Magsanoc.
Balkman is set to meet Salud at 11:30 a.m. on Monday at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City and the 28-year-old import said he’s ready for any kind of sanction, even the possibility of getting banned.
“I think I did some wrong. When you do some wrong, there’s a consequence. And I prepare myself for the consequence whatever it is–if it’s me going home or whatever case it may be,” Balkman stated.
RELATED: PBA players shocked over outburst even as Balkman says sorry
An NBA veteran with stints as a Denver Nugget and also as a New York Knick, Balkman appeared humble as he aired his sentiments.
“You see me as that kind of person but I'm not. I'm not a bad guy, I’m a good guy. I'm a fan favorite to everyone I played at. I want to let the fans know that I am human. It happens one time in your life and I was shocked,” he stated then added: “I love the Philippines. I love the PBA. It’s a great league. And I have to deal with it. If I’ll be sent home, I have to deal with it. I’m ready for that possibility. I’m a man of few words and I screwed up.”
(VIDEO FROM INTERAKTV)
Santos, who also graced the segment, related he has already forgiven Balkman and he’s hoping that their import will be given another chance.
“Sobrang okay na kami. Ayaw na naming palakihin ‘yung issue. Ang team namin ay isang pamilya–natural lang na magkagirian minsan ang mag-kuya. Balkman is like a brother to me,” added the 6-foot-4 forward.
“Sana harapin na lang natin ito nang normal. I pray for him na sana mabigyan siya ng second chance pa. Lahat naman ng tao dapat binibigyan ng second chance,” added Santos, who then shook hands and exchanged bro fists with Balkman.
RELATED: Two coaches say Balkman should go
Earlier, pro league commissioner Chito Salud, admitting he remains “mystified”, stressing that Balkman’s stunning act has “no place in the league” while sounding bold on a looming stiff penalty.
“I was stunned and, up to this point, I’m still mystified,” stated Salud to courtside reporter Jessica Mendoza in an interview during the halftime break of the GlobalPort-Air21 match.
“It was really an unfortunate event. There is simply no place in our league for that kind of behavior. Not here in the PBA. I am particularly concerned about our fans who saw that kind of a behavior. I am very, very heavy on the kind of responsibility of our players as role models to the youth. I’m concerned about that,” he added.
In an official statement sent by the Petron Blaze management last Saturday, Balkman has already expressed his apology but Salud said he’s expecting for a “convincing explanation” in their meeting.
“I wanna hear his side and, as I have said, he must have a very, very convincing explanation to the Filipino people as to how he behaved on that night. As host, our country deserves a convincing explanation. We will hear him out. And give him a fair hearing,” he added.
“I’m really glad that the Petron management has taken the initiative to ask Mr. Balkman to apologize in public. But I have to stress that Mr. Balkman’s audience is far different from the audience of the Office of the Commissioner. His apology has been accepted. My audience is far broader than the just the teammates of Mr. Balkman. As always, it is my responsibility to protect the interest of the league and to shield it from violence and belligerent behavior,” stressed Salud.
RELATED: Arwind made first move to patch things up; Balkman to appear on TV
Saying they’re not condoning that act of Balkman, Petron coach Olsen Racela is hoping Salud and the pro league fans will give their import a “second chance.”
“We don’t condone that. It’s a bad decision on his part. But I feel, he really feels sorry for what happened and I think we should give him a second chance. What you saw last (Friday) night was not the Rey Balkman we know. He’s been here for two months and kilala namin kung anong klaseng tao si Rey. Let’s not judge a person based on one mistake. I guess we should give him another chance,” stated the youthful coach.
Aware of the possibility of getting their prized import sent home, Racela is leaving the decision on Salud while keeping his fingers crossed.
“We know that’s a possibility, but we really don’t have a control over what the commissioner will decide on. Of course, we’re hoping for the best. We’ll respect whatever decision the commissioner will come up with. I know that a possibility but we’re hoping na sana hindi (mangyari). But kung ano man ang maging desisyon ni commissioner, we’re here to support him. The commissioner knows what’s best for our team and for the league,” he added.
