Rico Maierhofer retires from basketball after injury-prone career

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MANILA, Philippines—Rico Maierhofer is calling it a career after almost a decade of professional basketball.

The lanky 6-foot-6 forward was a winner in both the collegiate and professional ranks having led De La Salle to the 2007 title and was a two-time champion in the PBA with the Purefoods franchise and San Miguel.

He was also a champion with Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.

“It was truly a wonderful experience, but unfortunately, due to an injury-prone career I am announcing my early retirement from playing professional basketball,” said the 33-year-old Maierhofer via Instagram.

He suffered his worst injury in April 2016  when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament while he was with Globalport—now known as NorthPort—in the PBA.

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“Thank you to the entire San Miguel Corporation,” said Maierhofer, whose stint with NorthPort from 2015 to 2017, was the only time he didn’t play with SMC in his career.

“My family and I are forever grateful for the opportunity and had been blessed with three championship rings all from the SMC Family,” said Maierhofer. “

Maierhofer also thanked his wife Jeck for taking care of their four children, his parents, and the Lord.