For Renaldo Balkman, the only way to bury the painful memory of his banishment is by winning a Philippine Basketball Association crown.

That’s why when San Miguel Beer tapped him as reinforcement midway through the Commissioner’s Cup, the Puerto Rican bruiser grabbed the golden opportunity to win and gain redemption.

“I came out here with one goal and it’s to make it (to the finals),” said Balkman after tallying 23 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in the Beermen’s 104-99 victory in Game 4 of their best-of-five semifinal series against Alaska at the Smart Araneta Coliseum late Sunday.

“Like I told you, when I first started, one game at a time and now we’re here. We’re in the finals. This is what basketball is made of.”

Balkman’s return to prominence is one for the books.

He signed with Petron in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup, but had a major outburst in a game against Alaska, where a scary image of him choking teammate Arwind Santos made international headlines.

The Blaze Boosters sent him home and former PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa slapped him with a lifetime ban.

He returned to the country last year and powered San Miguel-backed Alab Pilipinas to the Asean Basketball League title, paving the way for new commissioner Willie Marcial to formally lift his ban.

“I’m really blessed. I want to take God first. It’s a blessing for me – I just won one (with Alab) and to try to come back and win another one right now is my goal,” he said.

“People say ‘oh he might be too old.’ But I still got it. I got a lot left in my tank. I will give my all every time. Age is nothing but a number. Believe that.”

Now that the Beermen are just four wins away from the elusive title, everything will be worthless if Balkman would fail on his mission.

“We’re here. We made it to the finals and now we have to win it.”

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