The Star Hotshots’ wait for Ricardo Ratliffe has proved to be a right decision after all.
Ratliffe was in his old dominant form in his PBA comeback, delivering monster numbers with 37 points and 22 rebounds as the Hotshots topped the TNT KaTropa Texters, 107-97, to gain a share of the lead with the Meralco Bolts in the Commissioner’s Cup at the MOA Arena Wednesday night.
Aldrech Ramos had his solid comeback after suffering a broken nose while Paul Lee churned out a stellar second-half effort, helping the Hotshots get past the Texters and pull even with the Bolts at 7-2.
The Texters struggled after Dontee Greene got into foul-trouble situation and subsequently suffered a third loss against six wins.
“Thursday lang namin nalaman na-available si Ratliffe for us. Ang una nyang plano eh pumunta sa Dubai for a short one-month tournament. We’re fortunate kami ang pinili niyang laruan in the end,” said Star coach Chito Victolero.
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Tony Mitchell is still in the country, placed in the injured reserve list by the Hotshots.
“Pero kung Ratliffe stays healthy. He’ll play for the rest of the tourney. Baka umuwi na rin si Mitchell dahil siyempre kailangan din niyang magtrabaho,” said Victolero.
Mitchell provided some morale boost in giving a little pep talk in the Star dugout at the half.
The Hotshots actually got off to a scrambling start but they had wiped out an early 16-point deficit at the turn, 60-59.
Star seized the lead at halftime on a buzzer-beating jumper by Mark Barroca.
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The Hotshots pressed their attack in the second half and got a huge break as the TNT import incurred a fifth foul just four minutes into the third period.
Ratliffe and his teammates took the third at 87-79 and had a relative easy time keeping the Texters at bay in the final canto.
Crucial three-pointers by Ramos and Lee helped Star stay in control to the finish.
Lee scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half while Ramos came through with 11 markers, four assists and three rebounds.
PJ Simon (with 12) and Barroca (10) were the other Hotshots who finished in double figures.
Greene was limited to playing 27 minutes due to fouls. He put in 29 points and 12 rebounds.
