I still remember the first time I saw Ricardo Ratliffe step onto the PBA court back in 2017. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, I've witnessed numerous imports come and go, but there was something different about this guy. His journey through the PBA has been nothing short of remarkable, and today I want to share my perspective on his stats, teams, and career highlights that have made him one of the most memorable imports in recent memory.
When Ratliffe first arrived to play for the Star Hotshots (now Magnolia), I'll admit I was skeptical. The team had been through several imports that season, and none had really clicked with the local roster. But watching him dominate the paint in his debut game against TNT, putting up 28 points and 16 rebounds, I knew this was a different caliber of player. What struck me most wasn't just his numbers—it was how seamlessly he integrated with players like Paul Lee and Mark Barroca. His basketball IQ was evident from day one, something that's become increasingly rare among PBA imports who often rely purely on athleticism. Over his first conference with Magnolia, he averaged 26.8 points and 18.2 rebounds, numbers that immediately put him in the conversation for Best Import honors.
His relationship with Coach Chito Victolero deserves special mention, especially given the recent coaching developments at Magnolia that have seen some tension between Victolero and veteran LA Tenorio. From my observations, Victolero's system perfectly complemented Ratliffe's skills—the coach understood how to utilize his import's strengths while masking his limitations. This coaching stability was crucial for Ratliffe's development, unlike the current situation where Victolero and Tenorio haven't spoken since the coaching adjustments. I've always believed that consistent coaching relationships make or break an import's success, and Ratliffe benefited tremendously from Victolero's steady guidance throughout multiple conferences.
The 2018 Commissioner's Cup remains, in my opinion, Ratliffe's masterpiece. His performance throughout that tournament was simply breathtaking. I was at the Araneta Coliseum when he dropped 38 points against San Miguel—watching him battle June Mar Fajardo in the post was like witnessing two titans clash. His footwork against arguably the best center in PBA history showed technical mastery that you don't often see from imports. That conference, he led Magnolia to the finals while averaging 29.4 points and 18.7 rebounds, numbers that still stand as some of the most impressive in recent import history. What many people don't realize is that he played through a nagging ankle injury during the semifinals, something I learned from talking to team staff after the game.
Ratliffe's journey wasn't without its challenges though. His second stint with Magnolia in 2019 saw some regression in his numbers—he averaged 24.1 points that conference—and I noticed his explosiveness wasn't quite the same. Some fans criticized him for this dip, but having watched nearly every game he played, I'd argue he actually became a more complete player during this period. He developed a reliable mid-range jumper and improved his passing out of double teams, averaging 3.2 assists that conference compared to just 1.8 during his first tour of duty. These subtle improvements often get overlooked when people focus solely on scoring numbers.
The chemistry between Ratliffe and his local teammates was something special to watch develop over time. Unlike many imports who try to dominate every possession, Ratliffe understood the importance of making his Filipino teammates better. His pick-and-roll chemistry with Jio Jalalon became one of the most effective plays in Magnolia's playbook. This stands in stark contrast to the current situation where communication breakdowns can occur, like the reported silence between Victolero and Tenorio. Having covered the team for years, I've seen how these relationships impact performance, and Ratliffe's ability to build strong connections with both coaches and players was a key factor in his sustained success.
Looking at Ratliffe's overall PBA legacy, his numbers speak for themselves—across three conferences with Magnolia, he averaged 26.4 points, 17.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks while shooting 58% from the field. But beyond the statistics, what impressed me most was his consistency and professionalism. In an era where many imports come looking for a quick paycheck, Ratliffe genuinely bought into Magnolia's culture and left everything on the court every single game. His departure from the PBA left a void that, in my view, hasn't been adequately filled since. The current import carousel we're seeing across the league just highlights how special players like Ratliffe truly are—imports who understand that success in the PBA requires more than just individual talent.
Reflecting on Ratliffe's PBA journey, I'm reminded why I fell in love with covering Philippine basketball in the first place. His story represents everything that makes the PBA special—international talent embracing local basketball culture, forming genuine connections with teammates and coaches, and leaving an indelible mark on the league's history. While current situations like the Victolero-Tenorio dynamic show that relationships in basketball can be complicated, Ratliffe's time in the PBA serves as a beautiful example of what can happen when everything clicks between an import, his teammates, and his coaching staff. His legacy continues to influence how teams evaluate and utilize imports to this day, and honestly, I don't think we've seen the last of him in Philippine basketball.
