At last Rudy hatfield ends up with his three-year leave with PBA and go back playing for Brgy. Ginebra Kings this coming Fiesta Conference in March 21.
After a heart breaking 4-0 sweep against Alaska Aces in the recent Philippine Cup Semifinals, Kings finally got it's lost piece of puzzle in the person of whom they called the "H-Bomb"
Bill Rosmarino, Hatfield's agent already confirmed that the H-bomb has signed a one-year contract for Brgy. ginebra Kings.
“Rudy is already preparing his body for battle,” said Rosmarino. “I’m just so excited. This has been nearly three years of waiting. It will be so nice to watch, as a Hatfield fan, the new improved 110 percent version. With his new mindset, rest and heart, you can only imagine what Rudy will do on the court for Ginebra.”
In an exclusive interview from Philippine Star, Hatfield vowed to return with a bang.
“Don’t think for one second I’m gonna walk on the floor and let anyone walk all over me,” he said. “I’m comin’ to play. I’m comin’ to wrestle. And I’m comin’ to win. There’s nothing new to expect. I don’t have any new moves. I haven’t been given some miraculous pill that has me flying out of the gym and I won’t suddenly become a pure shooter. What you will see is me diving on the floor again, running up and down like a caged animal that has just been let loose and 110 percent of tenacious intensity.””
“What an awesome time playing for Ginebra is going to be,” he continued. “I’ve been following the PBA since I left and I definitely know what’s going on. I remember telling Eric (Menk) about J. C. (Intal) while he was at Ateneo and saying, ‘Look at the hops on this guy.’ It looks as if he’s become more than just a leaper.”
Hatfield admitted that as of this moment he is not in his PBA condition after his three years of absence in the league.
“I plan on being ready,” he went on. “The good thing is I still weigh the same as when I left so I won’t have to worry about getting rid of extra weight. You know, if anything, I’ll be in shape. Maybe not as good right away but I’ll surely be able to get up and down the floor.”
In three years of absence, Hatfield spend his time with his family and missionary works.
“After about a year of researching, speaking with God, receiving so many signs and just putting myself out there to believe, I was finally saved,” he said. “My old life was put to death and I was reborn. I now truly believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that if we believe in His death for our sins, His resurrection as ourselves being resurrected into a new life and that He is the way, truth and the life. By all means, I still sin, I still make mistakes and I have a long, painful journey to go before I’m made into the perfect image of Jesus. But at least I know I can repent and be forgiven and I focus everyday on getting closer to God.”
As for how long he plans to play, Hatfield said it’s up to the Lord.
“Right now, the thought is to play until God tells me it’s time to move on,” he said. “I don’t know exactly how long it will be. But what I do know is for the last three years, I’ve been trying to find a purpose for my life, wondering what God made me for. For about three years, I tried to fool myself that I wasn’t made for basketball. I do know now that God gave me a gift and maybe I’m not the most talented basketball player but he gave me something that gets the job done.”
Source: Philippine Star Sports by Quinito Henson
