Ricafort eager to bring energy, help motivate Maroons

Photo by Trista Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Rob Ricafort couldn’t help but feel like the lucky charm after University of the Philippines plucked its third win in the UAAP Season 80 men’s, a 98-87 stunner of La Salle, on Saturday.

The 24-year-old played his first game for the Maroons against the Green Archers after he got a temporary restraining order against the ineligibility ruling by the UAAP.

“I guess it’s a good thing because every time I just step on the court I really just want to bring the energy and motivate everybody,” said Ricafort Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The UAAP eligibility board initially deemed Ricafort ineligible to play as he will reach 25-years-old, the league’s age limit, in January of 2018 but UP argued that the basketball tournament is long over by the time the forward reaches that age.

In the event that the TRO expires and the UAAP’s decision stands, the victory against La Salle, and other wins Ricafort takes part , may be forfeited.

But amid the legal hoopla, Ricafort just wants to focus on playing as hard as he could for the Maroons.

“I just want to contribute as much as I could and be better especially that today was my first game,” said Ricafort who had two points and one assist in 10 minutes of play. “We beat La Salle, and they are the no. 1 team and that says a lot about our team.”

And Ricafort wasn’t shy to tell who among teammates got lucky every time he got to the floor.

“I guess I feel lucky when I stepped on the court, because every time I’m in there, Paul [Desiderio] starts shooting the lights out!” exclaimed Ricafort.

Desiderio seemed to relish Ricafort’s blessing as he finished with a career-high 30 points, 18 of which were from long range.