Two-time PBA Champion Rico Maierhofer. Photo from Facebook/PBA MotoClub.MANILA — Two-time champion Rico Maierhofer has nothing but well wishes for the PBA as the league celebrates its 50th Season starting next month.
Maierhofer, who played for the Purefoods franchise, Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer, Barako Bull, and GlobalPort Batang Pier, was grateful for his nine-year career in the league which saw him win the 2009 Rookie of the Year award and earn two All-Star appearances with his pair of titles.
“Isang karangalan na nakasama kami sa 50 years,” said the former De La Salle University star. “I played only for nine years, so at least, doon sa 50, may contribution kami.”
“At the same time, yung PBA, sobrang laking factor niyan sa life namin, so utang na loob namin yun sa PBA,” added Maierhofer, who also leads the group of former league stars and standouts PBA MotoClub together with Jayjay Helterbrand and Jerwin Gaco, among others.
After a solid stint with the Green Archers in the UAAP, Maierhofer showed flashes of brilliance in his early years in the PBA, a showing that was stamped by his ROTY plum and a 2010 All-Rookie Team inclusion.
However, Maierhofer acknowledged that his injuries also kept him from maintaining his play, which is why he also considers that as the biggest lesson he learned from his career.
“Basketball is all about hard work,” he emphasized. “The more you work hard, the better yung career mo. Ako, injury-laden yung career ko eh. I don’t know why, pero sa mga nai-injure na mga players, don’t stop. You need to work harder, para maiwasan and to protect yourself.”
“Sa akin kasi, minamadali ko yung injury eh. Hindi pa ako 100%, nilalaro ko na. That is wrong. ‘Wag niyong gagayahin yung ginawa ko before para mas tumagal pa kayo sa basketball career ninyo,” he added.
Fortunately for Maierhofer, he played enough to have his own poultry farm, while also keeping his passion for the sport alive through the PBA MotoClub.
“Usually, nagta-travel pa rin kami to play basketball. Nai-invite kami overseas and domestic, so everywhere, nakakapag basketball pa rin kami,” he said of their group which also shares their trips via their YouTube vlogs.
“Sa PBA MotoClub, nakakapag-bonding pa rin kami, and then para din sa charity. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam na ano eh, yung charity work namin, kapag nakakapag bigay kami ng funds sa mga nangangailangan, nabi build-up namin na yung group is for charity work,” he said.
“But at the same time, nakakapagbigay rin kami ng insight sa basketball happenings dito sa Philippines,” continued Maierhofer.
And speaking about insights, given that the 6-foot-6 Maierhofer is grateful for how the PBA has opened countless opportunities for him even after his retirement, he also wants the league to extend its presence well beyond 50 years.
For this to happen, Maierhofer pushes for better competition among the PBA’s 12 squads.
“Opinion ko, in order to make the league stronger, dapat ma-figure out natin kung paano iba-balance ang lahat ng teams,” he emphasized. “‘Di naman bago sa lahat na ang malakas lang is dalawa or tatlo eh. Nakukuha nila yung malalakas na players ng iba.”
“I don’t know why. I’m sure, hindi na bago yung mga tinatawag na farm teams, pero kung mali-limit nila yun? At mas lalakas yung ibang teams? Mas lalakas yung viewership ng PBA,” he added. “Alam naman natin yung mga nanood, they want good competition, they want fair and balanced games, yung hindi mo malalaman kung sino yung mananalo. Mas interesting manood ng basketball if you don’t know who is going to win.”
Maierhofer then said that he knows that PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and his Board are making efforts to achieve this, but he also hopes for swift development for the sake of fans.
“Hopefully, ma-balance natin,” he said. “I know, yung mga bosses natin sa PBA, they are doing their best to do this. I’m sure mafi-figure out nila yan dahil 50 years na yung PBA, they all know what they are doing.”
“Hopefully, 100, 150, 200 years pa yung PBA,” continued Maierhofer.
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