Austria challenges SMB import Rhodes: ‘Ratliffe is the best import right now’

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San Miguel emerged victorious in Game 2, but Beermen coach Leo Austria is expecting more from his import Charles Rhodes after Star’s reinforcement Ricardo Ratliffe nearly led his team to a win with a dominating performance Monday night.

Ratliffe outplayed Rhodes with a 25-point, 35-rebound performance in the Beermen’s 77-76 escape to knot the semifinals series at 1-1.

It was the fourth most number of rebounds by a player in a PBA game and the second highest rebound output in the playoffs next to Michael Hackett’s 45 back in 1985.

“Next time, we should limit his rebounding as well as his scoring,” said Austria.

Rhodes found himself in foul trouble again, but still came away with a decent showing with 21 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and a block.

“After the first half, we know that Ratliffe already has 22 rebounds. He got 30-plus rebounds, but as long as their locals aren’t scoring, it’s okay for us. We won by one point, but next time, we have to limit their locals again,” he said.

Austria also issued a challenge to Rhodes.

“For me, [Ratliffe] is the best import right now. Maybe, Charles can argue with that and it’s up to him,” he said. “Because of eagerness to block and to attack, sometimes he gets called for an offensive foul. He knows that Ratliffe is really the kind of import who you can’t take lightly, so he should step up because this next game is very important for us.”

Game 3 is on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.