This is a fairy tale with a plot as twisted as shoelace knot.
Arwind Santos and Renaldo Balkman were once embroiled in a heated altercation that led to the latter getting kicked out of the PBA, but five years after the incident things seem to have been patched up between the two.
With the two sharing the courts together once more, Santos said he has already forgiven Balkman for his actions.
READ: Balkman comes full circle, rejoins Beermen in PBA
Santos also said that if his own mother Arceli could forgive Balkman, why couldn’t he?
“Actually I forgave Rey earlier than my mom did,” said Santos in Filipino Thursday after San Miguel’s practice at Acropolis Club House. “Of course if my mom can forgive him, why can’t I?”
Balkman was banned from the league in 2013 after he choked Santos during a Commissioner’s Cup game against Alaska, a match the then Petron Blaze Boosters lost 83-73, but found a way to stay in the basketball scene and led Alab Pilipinas to the ASEAN Basketball title in May.
READ: Balkman puts negativity behind ahead of 2nd PBA stint with San Miguel
He got permission to return to the PBA after commissioner Willie Marcial lifted the punishment this year.
“We’re really okay with each other, and after we practiced yesterday I know we’ve improved even further,” said Santos.
Santos was eager to welcome his former teammate back to the Beermen and he said he would support Balkman in any way he can.
“He knows what happened with us when we were in Petron and of course, he wants to return in a proper way,” said Santos. “Whatever he wants to do I will support him.”
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