Magnolia Hotshots import Ricardo Ratliffe into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
Magnolia’s bid for more wins in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup resumes this Christmas Day, and standing in the way of the Hotshots is a team from Barangay Ginebra just as eager to get back to their winning ways.
The tipoff between the business siblings will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the legendary Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, with Chito Victolero knowing all too well what is at stake.
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At 2-4 (win-loss), Magnolia’s title hopes would all but collapse with another loss and provide more fodder for the club’s opponents who feel the Hotshots are far from true contenders.
“That’s what we had to deal with,” Victolero said of the mounting pressure to collect enough wins to reach the playoff threshold. “(But I told the team that) the pressure is when you go out and see the homeless people fighting for their food for the day.”
“Us? We’re blessed,” he continued. “We still have a chance to compete. The only thing we have to do is grind for 48 minutes. We’ve done that in previous games, but we don’t we just can’t finish.
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Meanwhile, Meralco is also aiming for a bounce-back win against a Converge team that recently handed Barangay Ginebra its second loss in five games.
Akil returns
The Bolts have reactivated original import Akil Mitchell after he recovered from a nose injury. He will be joined at the 5 p.m. curtain by shooter Allein Maliksi who is also returning from the infirmary.
Jordan Heading, the former Gilas Pilipinas sharpshooter who recently joined Team Converge, will be one of the draws of the two clubs playing their first Christmas duel.
“I’ve done it in the United States, Taiwan and Japan. It’s fun and a bit of a different vibe. Everyone is happy to take time off from work and enjoy the show with their family. I hope we can give them a good day and a good show and make their money and time on Christmas Day worth it,” he said.
Looking forward to taking the chance
The Hotshots beat the Gin Kings in their previous meeting on Christmas Day, 117-94, three years ago. Mike Harris led the rout of the crowd favorites which also took place at the Big Dome.
And importer Ricardo Ratliffe is also eager to get his chance.
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“I know it’s the biggest rivalry in this league. I didn’t have my chance the first two times when I came on as a replacement. I usually arrive right before the playoffs because of the season in Korea, but I’m really looking forward to my rivalry game,” he said.
