Philippine Cup? Check. Commissioner’s Cup? Check. On deck: Governors’ Cup.
The San Miguel Beermen, a team that is in the midst of the most dominant run within two conferences since 1989, are looking to become the sixth team in the PBA’s rich history to secure a Grand Slam come the Governor’s Cup.
And the pressure is on for 28-year-old Wendell McKines.
The 6-foot-6 big man, known as Mr. Wensday, last played in the PBA back in 2015, suiting up for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. But McKines had left an impression on the San Miguel franchise when he scored 53 points and grabbed 17 rebounds against the Beermen during Game Two of their semifinals series.
After helping the San Miguel Beermen end their 17-year Commissioner’s Cup drought, reigning Best Import Charles Rhodes knows that McKines will carry a huge load on his shoulders. And he made sure to remind him of it after San Miguel’s 115-91 Game Six win, Sunday night.
“I told him the pressure’s on him now. The pressure’s off my back. I’m a champion, so I ain’t gonna (worry about that),” shared Rhodes, who averaged 22.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in the Finals series.
But Rhodes, who is four years the senior of McKines, is confident that his successor will do just fine, having seen firsthand the work ethic McKines posseses.
“I just give him encouragement,” shared Rhodes, who ended his personal odyssey in the Philippines.
“And he’s going to get the job done; he’s a hard worker.”
McKines, on the other hand, is embracing the pressure, as this is not his first dance in the PBA.
“Isn’t pressure supposed to bring out the best in you?” he said.
