Ricardo Ratliffe suffered an injury in just the team’s second game but Magnolia stayed with him through it all.
The only person who could stop Ricardo Ratliffe was warming the bench inside the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
With Akil Mitchell sitting out owing to a back injury, Ratliffe had a field day in Magnolia’s 129-92 win over Meralco in the final playdate of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, Jan. 31.
The hulking reinforcement went on to put up 31 points and 19 rebounds in the win that allowed the Hotshots to battle NLEX for the last playoff berth.
“I had to do (be aggressive from the start) that. They're a good defensive team, but unfortunately they were without their import tonight so I had to be a little bit more extra aggressive and just lead the team,” said Ratliffe after the match.
“And I know as I go, they're going to follow me. I'm just fortunate I hit some shots early and gave us the confidence to go on a good run.”
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The 35-year-old bared he is slowly getting into tip-top form after suffering a shoulder injury early in the conference.
And now that he’s gotten better, the Hotshots have also been playing extremely well on both ends of the floor and winning their last three games.
“I've gotten in a lot better shape, suffered an injury in my second game, and had me with a lot of discomfort for a couple of weeks. But I rehabbed hard, I really trusted the trainers and the coaching staff trusted me,” he said.
He couldn’t be more thankful the Hotshots management believed in him in that early rough patch.
“You know, they had the opportunity to change imports but they believed in me and they stuck with me. So I just try to make sure I repay them by going out there and playing the best I can and hopefully, it's good enough to bring some victories,” he said.
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But there’s more work to do for Ratliffe and the Hotshots.
Right now, the best way to repay the coaching staff’s trust is to help the team beat NLEX on Sunday, February 2 to catch the last playoff bus.