Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Miguel import Charles Rhodes has played professional basketball for close to a decade now and for a man who’s journeyed so much in his career it’s surprising he’s never experienced a championship series.
That drought, though, has ended as the Beermen clinched the first spot in the Finals in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after eliminating Star in four games.
“It’s overwhelming, I just want to thank God for blessing me to get that, this is my first Finals I’ve ever been in my whole career,” said Rhodes after their 109-102 Game 4 win over the Hotshots Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“This really means a lot to me,” added Rhodes, who played in Spain, Turkey, and Korea.
Not even during his time at Mississippi State saw him reach the promised land, and now that San Miguel has given him the opportunity to claim his first title, Rhodes could not help but feel like a wide-eyed high schooler.
“Words can’t really describe the feeling, but I will go home and celebrate,” said Rhodes, who finished with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double. “I will celebrate like I’m in high school.”
“I got emotional, I almost cried on the court, and [Chris] Ross just told me ‘we got more to do, and we gonna get ready for it.’”