Ex-PBA import carries load for Puerto Rico scorer World Cup

SEVILLE, Spain – Remember Renaldo Balkman?

The six-year NBA veteran, banned for life in the PBA for an outburst that saw him grab Petron teammate Arwind Santos by the neck in a game during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last year, is among the leading players competing in the 2014 FIBA World Cup Group B play here.

Through the first two days of competition, Balkman and his Puerto Rico team and Gilas Pilipinas are tied in the cellar with similar 0-2 win-loss records.

They meet in a crucial tiff at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Centro Deportivo San Pablo.

“We’ve got Greece tomorrow (late Monday) then get to rest before the Philippines. I’m looking forward to it as any other game,” said Balkman.

In the hotel, Balkman has had small talks with former teammate Junmar Fajardo.

“I talk to him. I talk to him everyday,” said Balkman, his looks not showing he’s harboring ill feelings with the PBA.

“I love Manila. That’s a great city,” he said.

But, of course, playing the Philippine national team is a different story.

With two Puerto Rican starters down with injuries, Balkman, the most dominant import until his banishment in the 2013 PBA second conference, is now carrying much on his shoulders in this meet.

“I’ve got to get our guys going. We’ve lost two players. The bench has got to come out. That’s my focus right now,” said Balkman, losing on his side guard Carlos Arroyo and wingman Angel Vassallo in their game against Senegal Sunday.

He said they’re not losing hope.

“Anything is possible. Anything can happen. Right now, we just have to find a way. Whatever we need to do, we have to find a way,” he said.

“No excuses, we’ve got to play hard ‘til the end. We’ve got to focus. That’s the thing,” he added.   

Until today, many feel coach Olsen Racela and the Petron Blaze Boosters would have gone to rule the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup if not for Balkman’s exit.

Instead, Rob Dozier and the Alaska Milk Aces swept the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the best-of-three finals series.