PBA: Ricardo Ratliffe plays big on both ends as Magnolia moves on

Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe shoots against NLEX in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—In what was Magnolia’s most important yet, Hotshots import Ricardo Ratliffe shut down NLEX’s biggest weapon to make the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

Behind Ratliffe’s herculean effort, the Hotshots decimated the Road Warriors, 112-81, to lock up the last quarterfinal seat.

Ratliffe not only led Magnolia’s offense, he also anchored its defense as he put the clamps down on his NLEX counterpart Mike Watkins.

READ: PBA: Magnolia knocks off NLEX for last quarterfinal ticket

“It takes a lot of focus playing against a guy like that who’s strong, very athletic and four or five inches taller than me. You just have to stay locked in,” said the bull-strong Ratliffe.

“I watched a lot of film on him, tried to study how he rolls into the basket, I know him and (Robert) Bolick have really good pick and rolls. I tried to make sure I don’t let him get those easy lobs.”

Ratliffe finished with a monster double-double of 32 points and 14 rebounds and limited Watkins to just 10 points on an abysmal 23 percent shooting from the field and 14 rebounds.

Coach Chito Victolero heaped praise at Ratliffe, who’s been one of the biggest reasons for the Hotshots’ resurgence.

“This guy, I told him to keep grinding and digging deep because this is the time of the year where we need each other’s backs and stay together,” said Victolero.

READ: PBA: Magnolia hopes to keep surviving for last playoff spot

“In this situation, I wanted these guys to have the experience and the characters to battle and go to war. I think they deserve to be in the QF but this is only the start,” he added.

The road doesn’t get any easier for Ratliffe and company with top team Northport up next. The Batang Pier, bannered by import Kadeem Jack, own a twice-to-beat advantage against the Hotshots in their quarterfinal duel.

“I know last time we played them it was the first time I played after my injury so I couldn’t really give it my best effort but this round, I’m at a hundred percent so I’m really looking forward to that rematch [with Jack],” said the 35-year-old Ratliffe.

Magnolia tries to extend its four-game winning streak and force a rubber match against NorthPort on Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.