Macklin savoring last ‘bittersweet’ days with Magnolia

Vernon Macklin is just days away from leaving Magnolia and he plans to spend his best days with his team before he flies to China for the National Basketball League.

And the man once known as “Mack Attack” when he played for Ginebra in the PBA 2013 Commissioner’s Cup began his farewell tour when he led Magnolia to a 126-101 shellacking of Columbian.

Macklin played his penultimate game with the Hotshots in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta and he finished with 19 points and eight boards in a match that made him realize his departure is already fast approaching.

“I still have the same mindset like if I was playing a normal game even if this is a bittersweet situation,” said Macklin. “I came here with these guys to start the season and I wanted to finish the season with these guys.”

Macklin, however, didn’t divulge much information regarding his stint in China in a show of respect to his current club.

“Right now, I’m still with the Hotshots, so I don’t want to talk about the situation,” said Macklin. “Right now I’m just going to continue playing for Purefoods.”

Macklin’s most emphatic play of the game was in the second quarter when he gave the Hotshots a 56-30 lead with a one-handed dunk 5:05 left in the period.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the first game or if it’s the last game, I’m definitely going to play hard for my team, for the Hotshots, and for myself.”