PBA Saved Macklin's Career

Vernon Macklin owes a lot to the PBA for saving his career which was on the downtrend after an inconsequential stint averaging 2.0 points in 23 games with the Detroit Pistons in the 2011-12 NBA season, a testy situation in Turkey and a second stint in the NBA D-League.

- Joaquin M. Henson

When Macklin suited up for Barangay Ginebra in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup, he averaged 23.3 points, 14.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists while hitting 56.2 percent from the field. Ginebra advanced to the finals but fell short of bagging the championship. Still, Macklin said it turned his career around. “I realized I can do this,” he said. “From my heartbreaker in the NBA, I went to Turkey where the league is the most physical I’ve ever experienced. I left Turkey not sure of myself. Then, I fell in love with the Philippines. With Ginebra, my best teammate was L. A. Tenorio who’s a super-smart guy. When I went back to play for Magnolia in 2018, my best teammate was RafiReavis. I’ll never forget the Filipino fans, probably the best in the world. That’s where I was called Big Mac. The PBA’s highly competitive, a lot of talented players. They’re in your face during a game but after, it’s all cool, we’re friends again. I respect the PBA referees, they were never a problem.”