For the last time this conference, Vernon Macklin wears his Magnolia uniform when the Hotshots take on the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Each coming from two consecutive wins, Magnolia (2-1) and Meralco (3-1) collide at 7 p.m., while Blackwater (0-5) hopes to end its misery when it takes on TNT (3-1) at 4:30 p.m.
Macklin, who averages 21.0 points above his 12.6 rebounds per game, plays his final game with the Hotshots as he heads to China for his commitment in the National Basketball League (NBL).
Hotshots coach Chito Victolero said he was aware of Macklin’s prior engagement with a Chinese Club and he has no hesitations in giving the 6-foot-10 big man the green light.
“From the start we knew that he will leave for the NBL,” Victolero said. “We had an agreement that he will just be playing four games with us.”
Three National Basketball Association veterans are on the list to replace Macklin, but Victolero chose not to name their next reinforcement.
Magnolia easily trounced Columbian Dyip in their last encounter, 126-101, on Wednesday. Meralco, on the other hand, had a 93-85 win over defending champion San Miguel last week.
TNT will also be parading a new face as it parted ways with Jeremy Tyler. The KaTropa have yet to name their new import.
Tyler averaged 12.3 games and 13.3 rebounds in four games.