By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--PBA star Don Allado announced his retirement from the PBA on Wednesday.
In a statement which he posted on his Twitter and Instagram handles, Allado formally said goodbye after 16 years of professional basketball playing for five clubs, which he called a blessing.
"I am officially announcing my retirement from playing professional basketball. Been blessed to have 16 years of pure bliss," Allado stated.
He further said, "The memories of perseverance, hard work, discipline, preparation, victories, setbacks & adventures will forever be engraved in my heart. This sport that I love has given me a life of discipline along with special people that have guided me in my success not only as a player but as an individual with substance."
The 6-6 center thanked everyone who has been there in his basketball career, especially his first team Alaska and team owners Bert Lina, Manny Pangilinan, Ramon Ang, Alfrancis Chua, and Robert Non. He even expressed his gratitude to Rain Or Shine owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que, who gave him an opportunity to play for their team when it was still in the PBL.
Allado also thanked his coaches, former La Salle mentors Derrick and Franz Pumaren, Junel Baculi, the chief tactician in his PBL team, Jong Uichico, Ron Jacobs, Chot Reyes, and Tim Cone, who was his coach in most of his PBA career.
He also said thanks to former teammates Francis Zamora and Ali Peek as well as the fans.
Despite hanging up his sneakers for good, Allado said that his life will go on.
"The journey continues," he concluded.
After leading La Salle to a UAAP title in 1998, the first of an eventual four-peat, Allado was chosen in the first round of the 1999 PBA Draft by the Aces, then known as the Milkmen, and would play for the Talk 'n Text Tropang Texters, the Barako Bull Energy, the Star Hotshots, and the Meralco Bolts.
Allado had career averages of 7.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.4 block, and 0.2 steal in 23.3 minutes of play per game.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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