CHICAGO - While playing for the Oklahoma City Blue of the G League in the 2019-20 season, Sedrick Barefield was once at the doorstep of the NBA.
Back then, no one could have imagined that he would end up at Blackwater where winning is as scarce as a total eclipse, a constant trial and tribulation that tests both his character and mental health.
But here he is now, going through the same bludgeoning defeats as the Bossing are off to a lousy 0-2 start in the ongoing Philippine Cup where they've lost to Magnolia and Converge by a combined 53 points.
READ Here's the rookie draft order if the PBA season ends now
Since signing a two-year deal with the Bossing in July of 2024, the 6-foot-2, 190-lb. guard has been a real pro, hooping his brains out despite the crushing lows that Blackwater often endures.
In the past Commissioner's Cup for instance, the former MSU Mustang led all rookies in scoring with 20.7 points per game despite appearing only in four contests due to injury.
While Blackwater sank to a 3-9 finish, Barefield impressed with 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds an outing. He shot 42.2 percent from the feld (30-of-71) and 26 percent from above the arc (6-of-23).
BROKEN SPIRIT?
In his Philippine Cup debut last April 5, Barefield hit the ground running with 18 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Unfortunately, the gaudy stats were rendered meaningless in a 106-84 loss to the Hotshots.
Last Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Barefield had an uncharacteristically poor performance in the Bossing's shameful 111-80 rout at the hands of the Converge FiberXers.
The 28-year old Fil-Am from Corona, California had five points, one rebound, one assist and two turnovers while going just 1-of-10 from the field in 25 minutes and 40 seconds of action.
Great players go through droughts and cold spells, so scoring 15 below his average isn't surprising here. But since assists and rebounds are a function of hard work, the production of those departments give pause.
Has all the losing finally broken Barefield's spirit?
How many more of these terrible, senseless beatings can the former US NCAA hooper take?
ONLY BAREFIELD HAS THE ANSWERS.
But per multiple sources, Barefield will be out at Blackwater after his contract expires next year.
However, because PBA rules grant "the right of first refusal to the player's mother club," the leading Rookie of the Year candidate will need Blackwater's cooperation via trade to reach greener pastures.
As the No.2 pick, Barefield is getting paid no less than the max contract of P420,000 a month. But because Blackwater is almost always a non-qualifier in the playoffs, Sedrick is missing out on a ton of dough in bonuses.
In other words, he ain't winning and he ain't raking in enough money that his elite talent would normally cash in if he were at the MVP Group or the SMC bloc.
So the question beckons, will Blackwater trade their best player, or will the hapless franchise hold on to his rights and keep a presumably unhappy employee?
Based on their history, I think we know the answer.
Hang in there, Sedrick, happiness may just be a conference away.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
