PBA players look back at ups and downs in 2018 as they welcome new year
MANILA, Philippines—As the world ushered in the new year, PBA stars looked back on the past 365 days that brought smiles, tears, and all sorts of emotions.
It can be said that Paul Lee and Magnolia teammate Jio Jalalon had one of the most memorable 2018 of all PBA players, celebrating the birth of their first children and capping off the year with the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup title
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Lee, whose daughter Tokyo was born in October, also won his first Best Player of the Conference award.
Jalalon and partner Kristina Apan also celebrated the birth of their baby girl Jiana Skyla just five days earlier before Tokyo was born.
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Continuing with happy families, Phoenix forward JC Intal and wife Bianca also celebrated the birth of baby daughter Carmen Eliana.
Intal also sneaked in his best nine memories of his 2018 that centered on his family and new daughter.
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TNT big man Kelly Williams wished himself and everyone a new start for 2019 after a “turbulent” past year.
Williams and the KaTropa did not have the best 2017-18 PBA season only making the playoffs twice and getting booted out in just the quarterfinals.
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Still, the 2008 league MVP had a positive outlook for the New Year.
Barangay Ginebra forward Kevin Ferrer also embraced 2018’s challenges as point for improvement for the coming year.
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The NLEX Road Warriors had one a rocky 2018 to say the least, entering the semifinals for the first time but losing two key players to various reasons.
The Road Warriors finished with a 6-5 record for the sixth seed in the Philippine Cup before losing to eventual runner-up Magnolia.
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Kevin Alas missed most of the season after tearing his ACL in March before Kiefer Ravena received a hefty suspension that extended to his PBA stint for a doping infraction during a Fiba game.
The 44th Season of the PBA opens on January 13.
