RENREN Ritualo remains a beloved figure for the La Salle faithful through years and decades past.
An integral member of the Green Archers' UAAP four-peat title run from 1998 to 2001, the former Rookie of the Year (1997) and Finals MVP (2001) didn't shy away from the label as one the greatest La Salle men's basketball players ever.
Not to mention, Ritualo's retired No. 4 jersey lives on in the rafters of the Enrique Razon Sports Center inside the La Salle campus alongside basketball icons Kurt Bachmann (#33) and Lim Eng Beng (#14).
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But with utmost humility, Ritualo fondly honored his 'brothers' who made him the player and person that he is now after a decorated career with the Taft side.
"Babaguhin ko pa ba ‘yung (pagiging greatest La Salle player ever)? ‘Wag na no.
"But I won’t be here without my teammates. Lahat ng credit go back to my teammates. Alam niyo naman na my life wasn’t easy inside the floor. Kumbaga, it was really physical back then. My teammates were there to back me up and help. I’m giving it back to my teammates," Ritualo said.
"I won’t be here without them, and of course Coach Franz (Pumaren) and his coaching staff who really guided and coached us really well during games and practices," he added.
Reunited at last
As the Green Archers feted the silver anniversary of the 1998 champion team which marked the start of their four-peat, Ritualo was beyond delighted to reunite with his 'family' of fellow Lasallian basketball greats.
"It feels great kasi they’re my brothers eh. Talagang family kami. As you can see, after 25 years, we’re still family, we’re still together, we’re still in communication, we’re still tight. Parang walang nawalang oras, it feels like yesterday.
"Happy kaming lahat, especially kami ‘yung mga nag-organize nito, si Mayor Francis (Zamora), Dominic Uy, Mon Jose, and of course si Don Allado. All five of us, sleepless nights, meetings kung saan-saan, Zoom meetings here and there."
"Ito na ‘yung hinihintay namin after 25 years," he added.
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