Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
2018-pba-commissioners-cup—magnolia-def-meralco—vernon-macklin
2018-pba-commissioners-cup—magnolia-def-meralco—vernon-macklin

Basketball

Vernon Macklin makes his final game a memorable one


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.

#ReadMore  Henry Walker glad to see 'good friend' Renaldo Balkman once more

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.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Rain or Shine ended Magnolia’s PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup campaign on Saturday but it meant more than just advancing to the...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Andrei Caracut took charge in the endgame as Rain or Shine showed Magnolia the door, 113-103, and advanced to the PBA Season...

Basketball

Ian Sangalang denied the allegations that he intentionally poked the eye of Aaron Fuller, which resulted in a torn cornea for the Rain or...

Basketball

Paul Lee submitted his best game of the series to date as Magnolia clobbered Rain or Shine, 129-100, to send their PBA Season 49...

Basketball

The referees simply didn’t want to dictate the game’s outcome. That was the reasoning offered by the PBA as the umpires were questioned for...

Basketball

The PBA has suspended Rey Yante for the rest of the Season 49 Governors’ Cup for missing a crucial call late in Game 3...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Aaron Fuller was willpower personified as he towed Rain or Shine past Magnolia in a heated encounter that went into extra time,...

Basketball

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero admitted that he wasn’t really sure of how Jabari Bird would perform in Game 2 of their PBA Season...

Advertisement