San Miguel hopes to snap skid vs. Alaska on Balkman's return

For five years, Renaldo Balkman had been professing love to do an unfinished business in the PBA.

He'll finally be able to do it, resurfacing on the PBA hard court as the San Miguel Beermen clash with the Alaska Milk Aces in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the Lamberto Macias Gymnasium in Dumaguete City.

With Balkman, the Beermen hope to check a two-game skid in their 5 p.m. tussle with the Aces who, for their part, seek to stretch their winning run to four games.

The Puerto Rican player, an NBA top draftee, was an impressive import with the Beermen in 2013 but went on an outrage that saw him choke teammate Arwind Santos resulting to a lifetime ban in the league.

Current commissioner Willie Marcial lifted the ban on Balkman on March 27, opening the door for his possible PBA comeback. Marcial said he made the verdict based on Balkman's appeal and on the decision of former commissioner Chito Salud, the league chieftain when the player committed his infamous act.

Balkman seems to have since mended his ways, drawing warm reception from Filipino cage fans in helping San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to a title run in the recently concluded ABL season.

At San Miguel Beer, his task is to help get the Beermen alive after a 0-2 start with losses to the Meralco Bolts and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. The ultimate goal is to save the team's bid for a possible second jewel to a possible grand slam.