By Jerome Lagunzad
Around this time over the past seven years, Charles Rhodes has been throwing an annual birthday bash for his family and close friends back in his hometown of Galveston, Texas.
It was a reunion of sorts since Rhodes is normally coming off a usual rigorous stint overseas.
This year, however, will be different.
The 6-foot-8 American is raring to party like never before as he relishes his first-ever career title after leading powerhouse San Miguel Beer to the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title at the expense of archrival TNT.
“It’s gonna be the biggest celebration. I never won (a championship) before so I’m going to celebrate to the max.
It’s gonna be crazy man!” beamed Rhodes, who turned 32 last June 25 which he marked behind the Beermen’s dominant 102-88 win in Game 3.
“Everybody back home is rooting for me. My whole city is ready for me. And we’re gonna have a bigger party once I make it home.”
Rhodes, however, nearly didn’t make it to the Philippines. The Beermen initially set their sights on tapping seven-year NBA veteran Dominic McGuire whom they initially thought to be the perfect complement to their already potent all-Filipino crew.
But the team management was left unimpressed when McGuire groped for form when he suited up for Mighty Sports in an invitational tournament in Dubai early this year, forcing them to keep their options open then giving Rhodes a chance to prove his worth.