Ricardo Ratliffe was almost unstoppable inside the paint in his return with Magnolia in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
When he left the PBA for South Korea, Ricardo Ratliffe made a promise to coach Chito Victolero he would return.
Ratliffe did, seven years later.
Though he was already a shadow of his old self at 35 years old, Ratliffe still impressed in his comeback game in Magnolia's 118-100 whipping of Blackwater in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Thursday, Nov. 28.
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South Korea’s naturalized player was an unstoppable force down low as he erupted for 30 points and 18 rebounds he spiked with five assists and two blocks.
The win spoiled an equally stellar 42-point outing by his Bossing counterpart, George King, who also had 12 rebounds, two assists, five steals and a block in a losing cause.
Ratliffe had nothing but gratitude to Victolero and the Hotshots for entrusting him the job of bolstering the team.
“I’m just super grateful he (Victolero) still considered me as an import. Not as young as I used to be, I’m 35 now,” said Ratliffe.
“But he still believes in me, believes in the way I take care of my body and still gave me a chance to come out here and help this team get some wins.”
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Helping hands for Ratliffe
Ratliffe got plenty of help from the locals, with Jerrick Ahanmisi firing 21 points including a four-pointer.
Mark Barroca contributed 15 points and eight assists, while Zavier Lucero added 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
Rookie Jerom Lastimosa, picked No. 9 in the draft last July, made his debut for Magnolia and went on to collect nine points, two rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.
The Hotshots used a 21-14 second quarter to create a separation they never relinquished.
The Bossing did threaten to turn things around, though, in the fourth period.
After Magnolia made it a 20-point game, 89-69, Blackwater went on a spirited 18-7 rally behind King and Sedrick Barefield to pull to within nine, 87-96, with 7:40 left to play.
Ratliffe responded with a three-point play, and before the Bossing knew it, Paul Lee sank two free throws to keep the score out of reach, 114-91 with a little over three minutes to go.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 118 – Ratliffe 30, Ahanmisi 21, Barroca 15, Lucero 13, Lastimosa 9, Lee 9, Dela Rosa 8, Dionisio 6, Sangalang 3, Abueva 2, Balanza 2, Laput 0, Eriobu 0, Mendoza 0
BLACKWATER 100 – King 42, Barefield 24, David 8, Chua 6, Tungcab 4, Kwekuteye 3, Ponferrada 3, Hill 3, Guinto 2, Corteza 2, Montalbo 2, Suerte 1, Ilagan 0,
Escoto 0, Jopia 0
Quarterscores: 29-27, 50-41, 82-69, 118-100