After the Samsung Seoul Thunders bowed to Anyang KGC in six games in the Korean Basketball League Finals three days ago, American Ricardo Ratliffe had the option to fly to Dubai and take part in a month-long pocket tournament.
“I was thinking of Dubai to see something new,” shared the 6-foot-8 forward out of Richmond, Virginia.
However, somebody from the Philippines reached out to him; head coach Chito Victolero and the Star Hotshots, upon learning of Ratliffe’s availability, immediately invited him to come over to the country to return to the squad.
“Nalaman lang namin na available si Ricardo last Thursday,” bared Victolero.
“The plan talaga is he will go to Dubai.”
And that invitation made him think twice about going to the Middle East. Days later, Ratliffe finally made his decision: it is Manila over Dubai, and he will once again suit up for Star — a team he helped in last year’s Commissioner’s Cup.
“I decided to go with what I know and that was Star Hotshots. I really like the coaching staff and players and everything about them. So I just decided to come back in here,” shared the 28-year-old University of Missouri product.
“I played here last year, and I really enjoyed these guys.”
For Victolero, though, there is more to Ratliffe’s return than meets the eye; he believes that the import also came back to settle some unfinished business with Star after missing out on the semifinals of last year’s conference.
“Nagbago yung isip niya [to go to Dubai]. [He chose] to go here and finish the job,” said the first-year Hotshots head coach.
Wednesday night marked the return of Ratliffe to the league, and he delivered right away. He unleashed monster numbers of 37 points on 65 percent shooting, alongside 22 rebounds and three blocks in 39 minutes.
And most of all, his numbers helped the Hotshots secure their third win in a row at the expense of TNT Katropa, 107-97, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“I like the style of play we play this year. It’s kind of similar last year on offense but now I think the defense is just better,” said Ratliffe on the win, which improved Star’s record to 7-2 to share the second spot along with Meralco.
“We take pride on defense. That’s why we were able to comeback tonight against a great Talk ‘N Text team,” he continued.
The current Hotshots roster has become different compared to the ones Ratliffe played with last year. But, the world traveller admitted that he likes his new teammates now.
“It’s a totally different team but I like them, though. There’s other guys I’ve played against. I don’t really know them but they say they remember me when I played against them, or ‘I’ve seen you play on TV,’ things like that,” he shared.
Nevertheless, Ratliffe has come back to where he belongs, and he can finally settle that unfinished business of his that traces back from last year.
