Balkman's past history carries weight on PBA's decision

MANILA, Philippines -- PBA Commissioner Chito Salud came down hard on Renald Balkman owing to his past history of melting down. 

The decision to ban him for life in the PBA was not only based on Balkman's latest outburst but by thoroughly examining his past history of emotional outburst on the court including his head-butting incident in a FIBA Americas qualifiers two years ago while playing for Puerto Rico and his involvement in a melee during a pre-season game in Cebu City, curiously, against Alaska again. 

"In arriving at this decision, I took into consideration Balkman's track record as a player, including the head-butting incident during a FIBA-Americas game between Puerto Rico and Venezuela and his altercation with the bench of the Alaska Aces during a pre-season game in Cebu City," Salud said in a statement released to the media.

Below is the footage of Balkman's head-butting incident against Venezuela's Greivis Vasquez from Youtube.

Balkman was averaging a tournament-best 28.2 points per game before he snapped after he was held down to a personal-worst six points in a 73-83 loss to Alaska last Friday night.  The 2006 20th overall pick by the New York Knicks in the NBA, who also played for the Denver Nuggets, has led Petron to a 5-2 win-loss cards in his short stint in the PBA while averaging 25 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.7 blocks. 

Salud met with Balkman for 45 minutes then talked with his team and technical staff for almost two hours before announcing the landmark decision. 

"I also took into consideration Balkman's evident disregard for local and the host country's sensibilities highlighted by his choking ac on-court in full public view of his own teammates who was trying to pacify him," Salud added. "Stiff as it maybe, this decision upholds the tenets of contextual accountability and the overall interest of the league and the fans."

Below is AKTV's footage of Balkman's meltdown in the dying seconds of their game against Alaska last Friday night.