Balkman Kick In PBA

For Petron head coach Olsen Racela, that is enough for their import to be given another chance.

Balkman, who played well below his average pace on Friday in Petron’s 73-83 setback to Alaska, took his frustrations out on his teammates on Friday, leading to a shocking gesture.

While raging on an alleged non-call on each one of the referees, Balkman, along the way, pushed aside one of the Boosters’ assistant coaches, shoved Ronald Tubid and Arwind Santos, who were trying to pacify him, and then eventually putting his hand around Santos’ neck when the latter retaliated with a shove.

But after settling down, Balkman eventually apologized  to his teammates inside the Petron dugout.

“Sila-sila sila rin (nag-ayos). Nagsalita lang ako na we’re just like family na nagaaway-away, pero sila-sila lang rin nag-patch up kung ano man kailangan pag-usapan,” said Racela.

“It was better than a speech, inisa-isa nya kaming lahat. Pati si Arwind at mother ni Arwind kinausap nya,” Racela added.

Scoring an average of 28.2 points per game since the conference started, Balkman was limited to just six on Friday night as he misfired on all but three of his 16 attempts from the floor and all four from the stripe.

And that’s what Racela believe prompted Balkman’s shocking show of frustration.

“Ganun naman yun eh, that’s how much these players want to win. Yun yung passion sa laro, kaya ganun maglaro si Balkman every game. Ayaw na ayaw niyang natatalo. Frustrated siya na di maganda laro  tapos talo na kami,” Racela said.

Yes, Racela looks keen on giving Balkman another chance, saying the American-Puerto Rican is staying so far. “He realized what he’s done kanina sa loob so okay na.”

“I told them na it’s just one game, and I know how much all of you want to win. The true character of this team will come out the next game. We’re all in this together.”

But whether Balkman would be there in the next game or not, it has yet to be decided by the Petron higher-ups.

“We’re going to talk amongst ourselves, pati sila boss Robert (Non) and boss Noli (Eala). But the important thing is, alam niya pagkakamali nya at nagsorry siya sa mga teammates niya,” Racela said. (CF)