Extended playing time not a problem for Balkman

Photo from ASEAN Basketball League

STA. ROSA — Renaldo Balkman doesn’t mind playing the full 40 minutes and more if that’s what it takes for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to win games.

Unfortunately, his Iron Man-like effort, which saw him post 37 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, ended in a 100-103 defeat to Mono Vampire on Wednesday as the 2018 ASEAN Basketball League gets evened up at one game apiece.

But rather than show signs of exhaustion, the Puerto Rican forward said he wants more.

“I’ll play another 40 minutes. That’s how I feel right now. It’s all good,” he said.

Balkman had his hands full against Mono’s man mountain Sam Deguara, and with the series shifting to Bangkok for Game 3 on Saturday, the explosive World Import is ready to take on the Maltese-Italian giant once again despite his 10-inch height disadvantage.

“I can’t wait to see him on Saturday,” said Balkman of Deguara, who posted 30 points and 20 boards for the Thai side. “He played a good game, that’s all I can say. You say unstoppable, but it’s all good. Let’s wait to see what happens.”

Despite Alab losing homecourt advantage with this loss, Balkman remains upbeat of his team’s chances as he braces for a wild crowd at Stadium 29 for Games 3 and 4.

“It’s always tough when you lose, but I’m gonna keep the smile on my face because it’s 1-1,” he said. “It’s not over yet. We got to go out there and win the game on Saturday. Like they showed tonight, they beat us here in our house so we got to beat them over there too. The next game is anyone’s game, so we got to go there and play better than we did tonight.”