Just as when everybody thought that he would exit on a sour note, things turned around in favor of Vernon Macklin.
The 6-foot-10 center left the Magnolia Hotshots a hero, sinking the game-clinching free throws with 3.1 seconds left to play to lift his team past his college rival Arinze Onuaku and the Meralco Bolts, 81-79, Friday evening.
So for Macklin, who finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds to anchor Magnolia to their third win in a row, he couldn’t be grateful enough that his final game in a Hotshots uniform ended up with a win and in such fashion.
“It feels great,” said the 31-year-old after the bout.
“It feels great winning any game, but, you know, for this to be my last game with these guys in this conference, to actually leave in a good note and get a win, it feels great.”
Head coach Chito Victolero, for his part, expressed gratitude towards Macklin, calling him a professional.
“We know na this is his last game and he needs to fly to China. But binigay pa rin niya lahat eh. I’m very happy, I’m very proud of V-Mack kasi talagang he’s very professional.
“May contract na siya sa China pero go-hard pa rin siya,” Victolero remarked.
Just like he said last Wednesday in his penultimate game with Magnolia, Macklin said that it will be tough for him to leave this team, knowing that they have already made bonds despite his short stint.
“It’s tough. I built a great relationship with all the guys and the coaching staff and also the management. We played four games together, we had more practice together so it’s very, very tough and emotional,” expressed the Virginia-native.
But then, basketball will always be about business. However, Macklin made it clear that this will not be his last game in the PBA, that if another opportunity to come back to the Filipino pro league arises in the near future, he will go.
“Always. Like I said, this place always has a special place in my heart. Five years ago, I started with Ginebra and even here the fans are great, the teammates are awesome, the coaching staff is (great),” shared the seven-year pro.
“Everybody shows you love out here so I’m always open to come out here and get back in the PBA.”
