Shopinas reunites Pumaren, Ritualo

MANILA, Philippines - Three-point specialist RenRen Ritualo is reuniting with his La Salle coach Franz Pumaren in a bid to put his skidding pro basketball career back on track and said yesterday he’s ready to provide the leadership that will make Shopinas competitive in the PBA this coming season.

Ritualo, 32, was FedEx’ eighth overall pick in the 2002 draft after a storybook career at La Salle where he powered the Green Archers to four straight UAAP championships under Pumaren. He averaged in double figures in his first seven PBA seasons but his numbers dropped precipitously in the last three. Ritualo has gone from FedEx-Air 21 to Talk ‘N’ Text back to Air 21 then to Powerade to Meralco and finally, to Shopinas.

Last season, Ritualo averaged a career-low 4.6 points in 14 games with Powerade and 15 with Meralco, going scoreless in nine outings. His scoring clip has dropped consistently in the last seven seasons from a career-high 18.4 with Air 21 in 2005-06 to 17.9 to 14.3 to 11.8 to 7.1 to 6.6 to 4.6. But if there’s anyone who can rekindle Ritualo’s fire, it’s Pumaren. They go back a long way. In the offseason, Ritualo was released by Meralco and Pumaren, newly hired by Shopinas as head coach, didn’t hesitate to recruit his top gun from their Archer days.

A La Salle legend, Ritualo is one of only three cagers whose jersey number was retired by his alma mater. The others are Kurt Bachmann and Lim Eng Beng.

“I’m excited to be with coach Franz again,” said Ritualo. “As you all know, we were together at La Salle. He taught me a lot of things I know now in basketball. I think my experience will help me provide leadership to the team. My goal is to help build a team that’s not only competitive but also has the heart to win. Fans should expect a team that works together as one to give them fun and exciting games.”

Ritualo isn’t the only La Salle star with Shopinas. Pumaren also brought in former Archers Hyram Bagatsing and Brian Ilad. Bagatsing applied for last year’s draft but wasn’t picked. Ilad was chosen by B-Meg in the recent draft and went to Shopinas in a three-way trade that sent Mark Barroca to Derby Ace, Don Allado and the Llamados’ second round pick in 2015 to Barako Bull and Elmer Espiritu to the Clickers.

There are 14 players in the Shopinas roster at the moment but Pumaren said tryouts are ongoing at North Greenhills. “No guaranteed slots yet,” he said. “Players are still trying out for the team.” So far, the players reporting for practice are Ritualo, Bagatsing, Ilad, Magi Sison, Dennis Daa, Khazim Mirza, Marvin Cruz, Pong Escobal, Mark Canlas, R. J. Jazul, Paolo Hubalde, Jojo Duncil and Ogie Menor. Espiritu recently joined the squad.

Pumaren explained that while Shopinas went up the stage to pick Barroca in the recent draft, it was more a formality because B-Meg had previously acquired the slot. “We want to assure fans that we didn’t give away our fifth pick,” said Pumaren. “Apparently, our pick was traded to B-Meg by the late Tony Chua and the PBA didn’t even know about it. We also found out that we won’t get a first round pick in 2012. We’re asking for a written confirmation of all transactions related not only to us but also to other teams so we can be guided accordingly.”

Pumaren said Shopinas management attempted to trade for Ginebra pick Reil Cervantes and Barako choice Dylan Ababou but no deal was consummated. Ginebra decided to keep Cervantes when Rudy Hatfield accepted a job offer in the US.

Pumaren said former Archers Cholo Villanueva and Tonichi Yturri will join his coaching staff as assistants with Jack Santiago. Strength and conditioning coach Dan Rose will also be in the staff.

 “We’re excited to be a part of the PBA family and we’re looking forward to the start of the season despite the lack of talent pool and time,” said Pumaren. “Our governor Ms. Sheila Lina wants to get the best talent available for us to provide the fans with a competitive team that could play with the best teams in the league. Management and staff have set modest goals at the start of the season. We’re looking at improving as the season progresses. With patience, perseverance and a lot of hard work, it’s our vision to be contenders in the very near future.”

Pumaren, in his first head coaching job in the PBA, added that he’s confident of what the team can do. “I’m optimistic we can put up a team worthy of the fans following,” he went on. “Expect us to spring some surprises. Having a dynamic pair in Ms. Sheila and team manager Jovie Saddul, ours will be a breath of fresh air to the league. We will be relentless in our pursuit of recognition and respect. That’s exactly what we will show on the court.”