Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe shoots in opposition to NLEX within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—In what was Magnolia’s most necessary but, Hotshots import Ricardo Ratliffe shut down NLEX’s largest weapon to make the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
Behind Ratliffe’s herculean effort, the Hotshots decimated the Highway Warriors, 112-81, to lock up the final quarterfinal seat.
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Ratliffe not solely led Magnolia’s offense, he additionally anchored its protection as he put the clamps down on his NLEX counterpart Mike Watkins.
READ: PBA: Magnolia knocks off NLEX for final quarterfinal ticket
“It takes loads of focus taking part in in opposition to a man like that who’s robust, very athletic and 4 or 5 inches taller than me. You simply have to remain locked in,” mentioned the bull-strong Ratliffe.
“I watched loads of movie on him, tried to check how he rolls into the basket, I do know him and (Robert) Bolick have actually good decide and rolls. I attempted to ensure I don’t let him get these simple lobs.”
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Ratliffe completed with a monster double-double of 32 factors and 14 rebounds and restricted Watkins to simply 10 factors on an abysmal 23 % capturing from the sector and 14 rebounds.
Coach Chito Victolero heaped reward at Ratliffe, who’s been one of many largest causes for the Hotshots’ resurgence.
“This man, I instructed him to maintain grinding and digging deep as a result of that is the time of the 12 months the place we want one another’s backs and keep collectively,” mentioned Victolero.
READ: PBA: Magnolia hopes to maintain surviving for final playoff spot
“On this state of affairs, I wished these guys to have the expertise and the characters to battle and go to battle. I feel they need to be within the QF however that is solely the beginning,” he added.
The street doesn’t get any simpler for Ratliffe and firm with high staff Northport up subsequent. The Batang Pier, bannered by import Kadeem Jack, personal a twice-to-beat benefit in opposition to the Hotshots of their quarterfinal duel.
“I do know final time we performed them it was the primary time I performed after my harm so I couldn’t actually give it my finest effort however this spherical, I’m at one hundred percent so I’m actually trying ahead to that rematch [with Jack],” mentioned the 35-year-old Ratliffe.
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Magnolia tries to increase its four-game profitable streak and drive a rubber match in opposition to NorthPort on Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
