Name Ricardo Cleofas | Role Basketball Player | |
Education Ateneo de Manila University | ||
Ricardo Cleofas (born February 9, 1951), also known as Joy Cleofas, is a former Filipino basketball player.
Joy played college ball for the Ateneo de Manila University mentored by Nilo Verona, He led Ateneo to a runner-up finish in his first year together with Marte Samson. The Blue Eagles became NCAA champions in 1969 and among his teammates were Chito Afable, Jun Ross, Francis Arnaiz and Samson. Joy then entered in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association for YCO AC Painters. That same year, YCO garnered the National Seniors and Panamin tournament.
He represented the country in the first Youth team in 1970 that won the first title in the Asian Basketball Youth Tournament. Cleofas also appeared at the Olympic Games as a member of the country's national basketball team in the Munich Olympics. The 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation and the 1974 World Basketball Confederation in Puerto Rico. Joy entered the pro league in the Philippine Basketball Association as a pioneer, playing for Tanduay. As a player, he was known for his ability to shoot from great distances, his accurate passing, and his hustle.