MANILA, Philippines – It is not Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe’s first tour of duty in the PBA, but he has yet to face Barangay Ginebra.

Ratliffe will get to do so on Christmas Day as the Hotshots and the Gin Kings renew their rivalry in another chapter of the Clasico in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, December 25.

“I’m looking forward to it. I know it’s the biggest rivalry in this league,” said Ratliffe.

The naturalized Korean star reinforced the team back when it was still called Star in the 2016 and 2017 editions of Commissioner’s Cup but missed out on playing against Ginebra as he only came in as replacement import.

“I usually come around right before the playoffs because of my season in Korea,” said Ratliffe. “Definitely looking forward to Christmas and playing in my first rivalry game.”

And Ratliffe hopes Magnolia will emerge victorious as the Hotshots seek to turn their conference around after dropping four of their first six games.

That slow start might have something to do with Ratliffe, now 35 years old, not being in peak form on top of injuries to key players Calvin Abueva, Zavier Lucero, and Paul Lee.

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero, though, said Ratliffe is slowly returning to form.

The hulking Ratliffe impressed in a 99-95 overtime win over NLEX on Friday, December 20, churning out 38 points and 19 rebounds as the Hotshots got back on track after four straight losses.

“Ricardo is now, I think, 90 percent. In the last two games, he was only 50 percent,” said Victolero. – Rappler.com