No closed door for Ritualo

Renren Ritualo hasn’t played a PBA game since scoring 13 points for Air21 in a 104-94 loss to Rain Or Shine in the Philippine Cup last January. He was cut by Air21 after the First Conference and while Alaska picked up his contract before the start of the Commissioner’s Cup, the Rainman hasn’t suited up for the Aces at all.

Ritualo, 35, is a tested winner. He played on the San Beda junior championship team in the NCAA in 1996 and starred on four La Salle senior title squads in the UAAP in 1998-2001. Ritualo’s jersey No. 4 was retired by the Archers in a tribute shared only by legends Kurt Bachmann (No. 33) and Lim Eng Beng (No. 14) and volleyball standout Manilla Santos (No. 14). In the PBL, he won titles with Welcoat in 1999, 2000 and 2001. And in the PBA, Ritualo played on the Talk ‘N’ Text squad that took the 2008-09 Philippine Cup crown.

On the international front, Ritualo has played for the Philippine team at the SEABA Championships, the ABC Youth, Brunei Cup, Global Hoops Summit, the FIBA Asia Champions Cup and the 2007 FIBA Asia Championships in Tokushima. Ritualo’s teammates on the 2007 squad coached by Chot Reyes included current Gilas players Jimmy Alapag and Gabe Norwood, Mark Caguioa, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Eric Menk, Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and Mick Pennisi.

In 2002, Ritualo was voted PBA Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and Mr. Quality Minutes. And in 2008, he reigned as the PBA’s Shootout King. Ritualo’s in the PBA record books as the first player to knock down at least eight triples in four games.

After sitting out the Commissioner’s and Governors Cup this season, Ritualo said he’s not closing the door on a comeback. “It’s difficult to talk retirement since my contract doesn’t expire until the end of August,” said Ritualo. “My door is open. But I’m not trying out for any team. I think teams out there know what I can do. If I’m asked to join a team, whether an existing team or an expansion team, I’ll surely consider playing. I’m not done yet.”

Kia Motors or Blackwater could use a shooter of Ritualo’s caliber. He’s a 12-year veteran who once hit 40 points in a game and has a career three-point clip of over 30 percent. Ritualo averaged in double figure points in his first six seasons, including a career-high 18.4 in 2005-06 with Air21.

In the meantime, Ritualo is concentrating on his other field of expertise, education. A La Salle degree holder in guidance counselling and psychology, Ritualo opened Children’s Little University on Samar Avenue corner Eugenio Lopez Drive in 2007 for children in the age range of 1.8-6.5. From a student population of 14, the school has grown every year and now, enrolment is up to 37.

“We give every child personal attention,” said Ritualo. “My wife Margaux is the school directress. With our hands-on approach, we’ve been able to produce students with a 100 percent rate of admission into the big schools. And they’ve gone on to earn honors. It’s something we’re very proud of.”

That same personalized approach is what Ritualo is offering in the second edition of his basketball camp called “Keep The Dream Alive” for adults 21 years old and above. The camp includes games, competitions, skill drills and brushing up on fundamentals with his personal supervision.  Ritualo’s staff includes former PBA cager Jenkins Mesina and Kim Gandarosa. He’s also planning to tap former Powerade guard James Martinez’ services.

“We offered this camp for adults in 2007 and it was quite successful,” said Ritualo whose mother Baby was a psychology professor at UE and father Florendo was a PBA player. “Now, we’re doing a repeat. We’re giving each participant a reversible jersey from Jersey Haven. Our personalized basketball training program features a low student-coach ratio so we’re limiting the slots to 30.”

Ritualo said the camp is broken down into 10 sessions from 8 to 10 p.m. at the La Salle Greenhills Gym on July 21, 25, 28 and August 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18 and 22. The fee for each participant is P8,500 for 10 sessions. For a group of five, a discount is given at P8,000 for 10 sessions. The cost is extremely reasonable considering the personalized approach and the program lined up by Ritualo.

“Depending on the participants, we’ll assess their level of play and decide whether to make separate divisions,” said Ritualo. “We’re excited to do this. We’re encouraging adults who want to improve their basketball skills to enlist for a recreational or competitive purpose. Our program is designed to look after the specific goals of individuals.”

Ritualo said at the end of the program, he hopes the participants will have learned to become healthy individuals with an appreciation for discipline, sportsmanship and team spirit. “We aim to promote health and wellness through a personalized training program,” he said. “Through our low student-coach ratio, each participant is assured of a good quality basketball program. We aim to promote camaraderie and healthy competition while learning from PBA teachers.”          

Ritualo said down the road, he’d like to be involved with the La Salle basketball program. “When I’m finally retired from playing, I’ll focus on education and giving back,” he said. “I spent some of my best years at La Salle and my dream is to give back to the Lasallian community. In any way that I can help the basketball program, I’ll be ready.”

At the moment, Ritualo is concentrated on making the “Keep the Dream Alive” basketball camp a success while keeping his door open for a return to the PBA.