Hotshots tap 2014 Jones Cup MVP Ratliffe to replace grief-stricken Bowles

 

The Star Hotshots has tapped Ricardo Ratliffe to replace its four-time import Denzel Bowles as its reinforcement for the PBA Commissioner's Cup, team governor Rene Pardo confirmed on Saturday.

Bowles, the league's Best Import in 2012, is set to return to the United States after just five games to mourn a death in the family.

Days before, Bowles  sought prayers for his godfather via his Twitter account.

Everybody pray for godfather Sherman at hospital in the I.c.u. Very important person in my life. ????????????????

— D.Bowles (@Denzel_Bowles) February 28, 2016

The Hotshots, through its website, had announced Bowles' departure and floated the possibility of tapping former import Marqus Blakely as his possible replacement, but the team eventually settled for Ratliffe.

Ratliffe arrived in the country Saturday morning, just in time for the Hotshots' important game against Tropang TNT on Sunday.

A 6-foot-8 power forward played for the University of Missouri Tigers which he led to the Big 12 NCAA tournament championship.

He went undrafted in the 2012 NBA draft and became the first American college player selected in the Korean Basketball League.  He was selected sixth overall by Ulsan Mobis Phoebus and began his professional career with them in the 2012–13 season, a report by the Columbia Daily Tribune said.

Ratliffe would be coming off a stint with the Seoul Samsung Thunders in the Korean Basketball League where he averaged averaged 20.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.

In 2014, Ratliffe won the William Jones Cup MVP and joined teammates Chang Yong Song and Tae Young Moon on the tournament Best Five. At the William Jones Cup, He averaged 24.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.

The Hotshots hope they can turn their conference around with the 2014 William Jones Cup MVP, as the team is currently dead last in the standings with a 1-4 card. — APG, GMA News