Phoenix import Simmons rues ‘worst game’ of his life in loss to Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Marcus Simmons was understandably unhappy with his woeful performance for the Phoenix Fuel Masters that paved the way for the team’s third straight defeat in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup.

Simmons, 28, rued a 7-point outing on Saturday, July 23, that resulted in a 106-89 beating at the hands of the more experienced Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

“I played like shit and I got to man up to it and I’ll be ready to play next game,” he said after the game, walking out of the locker room with his head down. 

“This is probably the worst game I played in my life. I feel bad for letting my team down. So next week I just got to bring it in practice and hopefully get the win, that’s it.”

Simmons, who played in Japan and in the NBA D-League in the past, tallied 11 rebounds and 3 assists, but also shot just 3-of-11 from the field in over 30 minutes.

In battling foul trouble, Simmons went scoreless in the opening quarter and had only a single point in the final frame, where the Fuel Masters collectively went cold for just 15 points compared to the Painters’ 41.

“I started off bad from the first quarter. I got to be more prepared for the game and just bring it,” he explained. “I can’t start off like that, it just carried over the whole game. I can’t get in any rhythm because of foul trouble.”

Simmons is coming off of averaging 24.5 points and 11 rebounds in the first two games, both losses, as Phoenix is now languishing at the bottom of the standings. 

Simmons’ presence on the floor also affected the defense as his plus/minus was -15 to go with two turnovers. His trips to the free throw line were also unfruitful as he made only one of his 7 attempts.

“I won’t blame the officiating. I just got to be ready play,” he said. “I missed a lot of easy shots and I let that get into my head and I was committing stupid fouls. I ended up on the bench and when I get back in the game and I didn’t have a rhythm so it’s not the officiating. I won’t blame the officiating.”

Phoenix will try to get its first win against Globalport on Sunday, July 31. – Rappler.com