Charles Rhodes has finally made his much-anticipated return to the PBA Wednesday evening when the San Miguel Beermen took on surprising leaders NorthPort Batang Pier in 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup action.
But that return had been something that he won’t cherish.
The former Best Import racked up 27 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in his first game back since 2017, but his efforts were not enough as the perennial contenders got humiliated by the Batang Pier, 121-88.
Rhodes was left disappointed with how his comeback had gone, going as far as saying that he had just suffered the worst loss of his professional career that started back in 2008 and had seen him play in various parts of the world.
“It was just very disappointing.
“My first game back and we get blown out like that, it’s just very disappointing. Probably like my worst loss ever as a pro — has to be. It was very embarrassing just to see like there was no energy, everybody wasn’t playing hard,” he said.
It wasn’t just Rhodes’ worst loss, but of the Beermen as well. As per the league’s stats chief Fidel Mangonon, this has been SMB’s worst loss since their 68-109 loss to guest team Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup.
But as disappointed as he is, Rhodes is confident with his team’s ability to redeem itself following losses. But he hopes that this stinging setback will help the Beermen to become much better as the mid-season joust progresses.
“Yeah, I think it’s just our first game. I don’t make excuses but they [NorthPort] already played like four games and we didn’t have our legs. There’s no need to panic. We’re going to be at the top at the end,” said the PBA champion.
“But we gotta do better than that,” the 33-year-old slotman from Galveston, Texas quickly added.
“We gotta have more pride in that. We’re the San Miguel Beermen so we gotta be better than that. We gotta be better than that.”
