Distrito vows not to waste 'second chance'

Shortly after his return, former basketball star Rudy Distrito is eager to make full use of the "second chance" he received from God. "God has given me a second chance... God is willing me to be a good man again," the Negros Occidental native Distrito, 51, said in an interview with Negros news site Visayan Daily Star. Distrito will be returning to Sitio Magsungay, Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City this weekend to be with his family. He also plans to someday coach in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He gained fame – and notoriety – while playing for Ginebra San Miguel (now Barangay Ginebra) in the PBA. Distrito is best remembered by loyal Ginebra fans as the one who made the game-winning shot during the 1991 PBA Open Conference Finals where the Gin Kings rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to beat Shell. He returned to the Philippines Wednesday after being released on parole and deported from the United States where he was convicted for voluntary manslaughter.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV "I’m free, and I’m very happy," Distrito said. He thanked his family, the PBA Foundation, and his former fellow cagers and fans for their support through his ordeal in the United States. Distrito was convicted in 2005 for killing Juan Amaya, who had married his live-in partner Marie Jo Buenafe, in November 2004. Distrito said the Mexican was his driver and he did not know that he was a gangster. He said the argument that ensued between and the Mexican before the killing was not because of jealousy over Mary Jo, but was more of business and miscommunication. "I did my time in jail, I paid, I went through a lot and my family suffered," said Distrito, adding that his five children who live in the US are doing well. – GMANews.TV