CHICAGO - Doomed by a series of import replacements in this ongoing PBA Governors' Cup, three total after inexplicably ditching a highly effective Glenn Robinson III, the Magnolia Hotshots are eager to change their fortunes.
Three days ago, no less than coach Chito Victolero told SPIN.ph that the chicken giant is the first to take advantage of the no height limit for the upcoming Commissioner's Cup by bringing back Ricardo Ratcliffe.
Also known for his naturalized Korean name, Ra Gu-nah is a 6-foot-8, 240-pound power forward who has played in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) since 2012 where he is a four-time champion and a three-time Player of the Year.
READ Ricardo Ratliffe reunites with Magnolia Hotshots in PBA comeback
Now aged 35, with thousands of playing miles on his knees, the Hotshots are hoping that Ratcliffe is the magic elixir that can cleanse Magnolia's brutal six-year title drought.
Even though it realizes that size does matter, the TNT Tropang Giga are seriously considering bringing back Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who just pushed them to this conference's final round after dispatching a gallant Rain Or Shine, 3-1.
"It's definitely an option," TNT assistant coach Josh Reyes told me via text message.
RHJ IS THE MAN.
The plan is a bit of a gamble to yield inches and pounds at the reinforcement spot but it's worth taking given that RHJ already has a built-in rapport and chemistry with the locals.
And besides, the 6-foot-6, 217-pound RHJ is bull-strong and only 29 years old. He also owns a vast experience of guarding bigger, taller players during his six seasons in the NBA.
Should the Tropang Giga ultimately decide to keep RHJ, it would mean lifting a page off the Blackwater playbook.
After an impressive showing that included a 64-point explosion, the Bossing have a deal in place to bring back 6-foot-6, 220-pound George King in the Commissioner's Cup.
Though not as stout as RHJ's credentials, King has also played in the NBA and the G League.
WILL A.D. BE BACK?
Allen Durham of Meralco has also similarly impressed while playing for the electric company.
But at age 36 and with significant wear and tear that has slowly robbed him of his explosiveness, I don't know if his return is plausible.
The Bolts did not respond to questions about their import status but I think it would be malpractice on their part not to consider Durham, who is so passionate for the game and always gives max effort.
By the same token, it's one thing to give up size, but when you also lump in the age factor, the whole equation gives you pause.
Team manager Paolo Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucenic certainly have a tough decision to make,
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Fuel Masters are still searching for their big man. "Wala pa," coach Jamike Jarin said.
Jong Uichico of NLEX did not respond to my text message but sources told me the Road Warriors do not have a reinforcement just yet although the team has "a short list."
No word yet if Justin Brownlee will return for Ginebra or whether Bennie Boatwright
is well enough to play after a serious foot injury.
It's quiet over at NorthPort, more so with Terrafirma, which doesn't even have a permanent head coach.
Just another day in the PBA.
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