In biggest test of career, Vernon Macklin steps up from free throw line for Ginebra

It was the biggest test in the young professional basketball career of Vernon Macklin.

With a reputation as a poor free throw shooter, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel import sank two pressure-packed free throws with 11 seconds left in the game to lead Ginebra to a thrilling 81-79 victory over Rain or Shine Monday night.

After the game, Macklin said it was one of the biggest games he has ever played.

The former Detroit Piston gave credit to Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua for sticking with him in the clutch despite his poor free throw percentage.

“Coach told me that I will win or lose you, so he stuck with me,” Macklin told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview. “There was a time I was shooting really bad from the free throw line, but he trusted me and didn’t pull me out.”

Chua said that he was willing to live and die with Macklin’s performance from the stripe.

“I know Macklin can make it. (I told him,) ‘I will stick with you, if you miss your free throws, you miss your free throws. But I’m not gonna take you out,’” said Chua, who noted that wasn’t always the case at Ginebra.

“Dati nung si Siot [Tanquingcen] pa coach, he would take out [former import Jackson] Vroman, who is always being fouled.”

Macklin was also instrumental in Ginebra’s final defensive outings, swatting away a potential game-tying layup by Jeff Chan. He finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists, dominating his matchup with counterpart Bruno Sundov.

Despite his gaudy numbers, he deflected praise to the rest of the Gin Kings.

“I have to give it to my teammates who played hard every game. Now, we’re here in the semis,” said Macklin.

SOURCE: Interaksyon

parang wala ata ako masyado nababasa ngayon conference ng bad things about coach al...
eto talaga ang hindi ko maintindihan sa ibang tao, bakit nila kinukumpara ang dating performance ni coach al kesa ngayon, dati kasi baka hindi pa matured yun coaching style nya at syempre iba ang tanduay kesa sa GINEBRA...

matured enough na si coach Al sana hanggang finals....

Congrats Coach Al....ituloy mo ang Ginebra sa Championship!

Ikaw ang best import para samen! wohooooooooo

kung hindi kaya si macklin import naten makakapasok kaya tayo ng semis

betterhalf wrote:kung hindi kaya si macklin import naten makakapasok kaya tayo ng semis

tingin ko hindi...

buti na lang kamo hindi available non si DJ MBENGA kundi sya import natin pano na kaya ginebra ngayon...

Thank you V-mack dumating ka sa Ginebra!

si vmack lang ata swerte sa freethrows kagabi ...............

thanks vmack ..............

kamusta naman.. sobrang dasal ako kagabi habang nag freethrow si vmack.. buti na lang di sya na pressure and that block.. wow.. haha

kitang-kita sa mata ni v-mack yung focus, yung puso, yung will to win...congrats v-mack ituloy tuloy mo na yan at bumawi ka sa tnt

vmack BEST IMPORT....boooom

VMack for best Import talaga! hope they win and climb up sa finals

buti na lng si VMACK nakuha import ng ginebra. buti na lng ndi natuloy yung pagkuha kay dj mbenga.

Bagay na bagay si VMac sa BGSM. May puso! Masipag pa!

badong1209@yahoo.com wrote:buti na lng si VMACK nakuha import ng ginebra. buti na lng ndi natuloy yung pagkuha kay dj mbenga.

tama ka kabs... kung si mbenga ang naging import natin... for sure elimination round pa lang NGANGA