MAGNOLIA stayed patient with Ricardo Ratliffe and the import rewarded the Hotshots with a place in the quarterfinals of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
After a shaky start to the conference, Ratliffe was simply dominant with a 32-point, 14-rebound effort that lifted Magnolia to a 112-81 blowout over NLEX and a place in the quarterfinals as the No. 8 seed.
The Hotshots got off to a 2-5 win-loss start as Ratliffe groped for form, none worse than a 10-point game against NorthPort last December 4 that led to calls for the Korea naturalized player to be replaced.
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But even with the defeats, Magnolia stood by Ratliffe, who repaid the trust by being on top of his game during a four-game winning streak that propelled the Hotshots to the quarterfinals and a date with the Batang Pier in the quarterfinals.
“It means a lot,” said Ratliffe on reaching the playoffs. “We had some struggles at the beginning of the year, once I got injured.”
Ratliffe dealt with a shoulder injury that he sustained during a game last November 30 against Converge, but played better once it healed during the holiday break.
The 35-year-old Ratliffe knew the chatter about him being replaced, but got an assurance from head coach Chito Victolero.
“For them to have faith in me, especially coach, a lot of rumors going around that I would go home. But coach assured me that I was here for them the whole season," the hulking import said. “He trusts me and I trust him.”
The Magnolia import said he worked harder to get back into full fitness so that he can perform the way he did with the Star Hotshots in 2016 and 2017.
Perform he did.
After the holiday break, Ratliffe averaged 27.7 points and 16.2 rebounds in six games that included the NLEX playoff game, higher than his 24.9 points and 16 rebounds in his first seven outings.
“He told me that he’s going to let me get some rest and let me know what I need, worked a little extra with the trainer so I can get back to 100 percent. And that’s exactly what happened and it paid off.”
“I just thank coach. I thank this organization for trusting me. And now, we headed to the playoffs,” said Ratliffe.
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