In the Lakan Season, Ricky Maurillo played only four (4) games with the disbanded Socksargen Marlins in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) before he tranferred to the Community Basketball Association (CBA) Pilipinas to represent the City of Palayan, Nueva Ecija. He now wants to return to the MPBL.
As basketball has been sidelined by the covid-19 pandemic, Ricky is raring to go back to the basketball court. Just like thousands of hoopers all over the Philippines, he feels incomplete without the sport he is most passionate of.
"Malungkot kasi hindi ako sanay ng walang basketball, pero alam ko may plano ang Panginoon para sa atin. Pagsubok lang to, walang impossible sa kanya, samahan lang natin ng dasal, said Ricky Maurillo in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
Challenges are nothing new to Ricky Maurillo. At one point in his life, he became a dishwasher, a fruit and vegetables vendor, and a laborer in a corn farm before basketball became his livelihood.
That experience somehow proved useful since he became tougher in terms of coping with challenges. It also gave him valuable lessons which he applied throughout his basketball journey which began when he was 13-years old.
At that young age, Ricky Maurillo is a constant face in their community basketball courts in Paombong, Bulacan. Together with his cousin, he joined inter-barangay leagues where he nurtured his basketball skills.
He fondly remembers the moment when his father bought him a brand new basketball shoes. His excitement, however, turned into frustration after he was not given playing time because at that time, he played in an older division which is composed of taller and stronger players.
"Sumali ako sa Junior Division kaagad kasi matangkad na ako noong time na yun sa edad ko na 13 years old. After three (3) years, naglaro ako sa Seniors Division. Nung time na yun, bangko lang ako. Naalala ko pa nga nagpabili ako ng bagong sapatos sa tatay ko para meron akong bagong sapatos na panglaro. Pero sa kakulangan ko nga ng experience, matatanda na mga kalaban, at kasagsagan ng malalakas na player sa baryo namin, nabangko ako, recalled Ricky Maurillo.
Ricky Maurillo remembers crying after that game. But his father was present to console him and urge him to continue playing.
"Sa sobrang inis ko talaga, hinubad ko yung bagong sapatos ko at umiyak sa tatay ko. Sinabi lang niya sa akin ganyan talaga pag nagsisimula. Lahat ng magagaling nanggaling sa pagiging bangko or bench player."
Taking his father's advice to heart, Ricky Maurillo vowed to elevate his game. He spent more time playing in the basketball court even at the hottest part of the day.
In one of the inter-town tournaments he played, Ricky Maurillo was later discovered by a referee who adivsed him to try-out with Centro Escolar University in Malolos Bulacan. He did and he was accepted in 2004. Unfortunately, he engaged in unwanted vices which put him off-track.
"Hindi naging maganda unang taon ko sa CEU kasi lahat ng bisyo andun. Barkada, inom, at sugal. Halos laman ako ng bilyaran malapit sa school namin."
Out of focus, Ricky Maurillo was expelled from his varsity team. He stopped his schooling and went to his aunt in Angeles city where he worked for money.
"Halos lahat ng hirap naranasan ko. Naging dishwasher ako, nagtinda ng gulay at prutas sa palengke, namitas ng mais."
At that point, the 6'3 forward almost gave up his basketball dream since he felt basketball may not be his true calling. But things fell to their places again.
His boss invited him to play for a league. Together with Marvin Enriquez and Allan Manalo, their team made a successful run all the way to the finals but they eventually settled for second (2nd) place.
Wih his passion for basketball reignited, he applied for the basketball program of the Unibersidad De Manila (UM) in 2006 under coach Ato Tolentino. With coach Tolentino, he got exposure in the PBA D-league where he played for Wang's basketball club against known basketball players such as vergel Meneses.
"Si kuya Vergel kasi idol ko nun kasi laking Bulacan talaga siya. Tuwang tuwa ako nung binigyan niya ako basketball shoes. Sabi niya para meron ako gamitin. "
Unfortunately, Ricky Maurillo's stint with UM didn't last long since his allowance from the said school was not enough to sustain his needs. He asked Coach Tolentino for advice as to where he can transfer given his financial constraints.
"Kinausap ko si coach Ato Tolentino na baka meron siya alam na pwede ko lipatan na meron allowance, kahit maliit lang para meron panggastos. Simula kasi nung kinuha niya akong player sa UM, siya ang nagbibigay ng allowance sa akin. Nilipat niya ako sa RTU na siya rin ang coach. Binigyan ako ng school ng allowance na 1,500."
Coach Ato Tolentino eventually resigned as head coach of Rizal Technogical University (RTU) but Ricky Maurillo chose to stay for three (3) years. He later joined coach Philip Cezar at the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) in 2010.
After graduation, he played under coach Bal David in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League (D-League) in preparation for the PBA draft. He submitted his application for the PBA draft in 2012 when he was 27 years old but his name was never called.
That didn't stop him from playing his beloved sport. He took his talents in various leagues before landing a spot with the Bacoor Strikers in the Datu Cup of the MPBL.
In the subsequent season, he transferred to the Socksargen Marlins but he only played for four (4) games before taking his talent to the CBA.
Ricky Maurillo thinks that he still can compete in the MPBL that's why he is open to entertain any offers from MPBL teams. But right now, he just prays that the Covid-19 pandemic will end so that basketball will return.
We join you in your prayers Mr. Maurillo. Like you, we are fervently praying for basketball to return.
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