WATCH: Macklin gifts Magnolia with win in farewell game; opens door for return
MANILA, Philippines — They say first impressions last. But on Friday night, Vernon Macklin made sure his last outing with his PBA team withstands the test of time.
Set for a tour of duty in China’s National Basketball League, Macklin gifted Magnolia 21 points, 15 rebounds, and the 81-79 win over the Meralco Bolts.
Down 10 in the late in the third frame, Macklin led the Hotshots’ charged. He capped it off with pressure-packed free throws to give his team the lead and eventually, the victory.
“We know na this is his last game and he needs to fly to China. But binigay parin niya lahat eh. I’m very happy, I’m very proud of V-Mack kasi talagang he’s very professional,” Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero said of his foreign reinforcement.
PhilStar.com Sports caught up with 31-year-old import himself as he talked about his pair of game-winning-freebies, his four-game tour of duty with Magnolia, and the possibility of reprising an import role in the Philippine Basketball Association in the future.
.@vernon_macklin on his game-winning freethrows over @TheMeralcoBolts, his final game with the @M_Hotshots, and the possibility of another PBA stint. He is bound for China to play in the NBL. #PBA2018 pic.twitter.com/0pymm0F4eh
— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) May 18, 2018
Macklin, a former Barangay Ginebra import, ends his Hotshots stint with a line of 21 points, 13.2, and an assist per outing.
Victolero said Magnolia will pick a new reinforcement in the coming days, capitalizing the break afforded by the All-Star festivities. They are now tied with Alaska at second place in the conference with a 3-1 record.
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