With his family settled in the United States, Rudy Hatfield feels now is the best time to resume his basketball career in the PBA.

It took Hatfield almost three years to deal with issues concerning his family back in Michigan and now, the 6-foot-3 forward is thrilled and excited to see action in the PBA again with the popular ball club Ginebra.

“I’m actually excited. I’m thrilled to be back,” Hatfield said after his second practice session with the Kings Wednesday at the Acropolis Gym in Libis, Quezon City.

“I’m trying to get back in shape, try to gel with my team.”

Hatfield, who arrived early Tuesday, left the country in 2007 after helping the Kings win the all-Filipino Philippine Cup title.

At that time, his girlfriend Bettany was in a legal battle for the custody of her daughter Bella from a previous marriage. The couple got married that same year and now has an eight-month-old daughter named Lyla.

“That’s the reason why I left, the reason why I didn’t join the national team (which placed ninth overall in the FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan). I got married that same month,” said Hatfield, who currently stays with his good buddy and Ginebra teammate Eric Menk.

Back in the US, Hatfield, 32, said he took several jobs, including a computer software support, “which I wasn’t really good at.”
Hatfield said when he realized he wants to comeback in the PBA he decided to play some pick-up games to prepare him for his return. He’s not in top shape yet, he said.

“As far as getting up and down the floor, I say 8 or 9. Reading the plays and reading my teammates, maybe 5. I guess in two weeks I’ll be ready,” said Hatfield, who has career averages of 13.4 points and 10.8 rebounds.

“I’m just happy to have an opportunity to play again,” he added.

One of Hatfield’s teammates who is happy to see him back is Menk.

“On a personal level, I’m happy because he is my best friend. It’s good to have him back. I miss him the last two years,” Menk said.

Ginebra will face Rain or Shine on Saturday in an out-of-town game in Victorias City, but head coach Jong Uichico said it’s not certain if Hatfield will play.

“It’s hard to push him. He’s not yet in the right timing. We’ll still be deciding if we’ll play him or not,” Uichico said, adding that forward Junthy Valenzuela was relegated to the reserve list to accommodate Hatfield.

One thing is clear, though. He wants to help the team win another title just like he did when he first joined the franchise in 2007.

source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph