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Tag: Ranidel de Ocampo

  • PBA legends Arwind Santos, Willie Miller, Marc Pingris, Ranidel De Ocampo to spice up Rookies-Sophomores vs Juniors game

    PBA legends Arwind Santos, Willie Miller, Marc Pingris, Ranidel De Ocampo to spice up Rookies-Sophomores vs Juniors game

    The PBA’s rising stars won’t be the only attraction in Friday’s Rookies and Sophomores vs. Juniors showcase.

     

    Four of the league’s most recognizable veterans — Arwind Santos, Willie Miller, Marc Pingris, and Ranidel De Ocampo — are set to step back onto the court to add a nostalgic twist to the All-Star weekend event.

     

    Former MVPs Santos and Miller will suit up for the Rookies and Sophomores side, while Pingris and De Ocampo will reinforce the Juniors squad in a matchup that already features some of the PBA’s brightest young talents from their first three seasons in the league.

     

    Their participation forms part of the PBA’s 50th anniversary celebration, with commissioner Willie Marcial opting to blend past and present after plans for a full legends matchup proved difficult to organize.

     

    “Pinaplano namin talaga kasi 50th anniversary, papalaruin sila, two teams ng legends. ‘Yung iba, hindi magkasundo sa schedule so nahihirapan kami. Sinabi ko, magsama tayo kahit apat. Gusto ko nga tig-apat. Nahihirapan din talaga sa schedules,” said Marcial during Thursday’s press conference at the Hotel Van Gogh.

     

    “Buti napagbigyan ako ng apat na legends. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila,” he added.

     

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    The inclusion of the veterans gives fans a rare chance to see some of the league’s former superstars share the floor with the new generation.

     

    Miller, who captured the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2002 and 2007, and Santos, the 2013 MVP, are expected to provide leadership — and perhaps a few flashes of their old brilliance — while competing alongside the league’s young standouts.

     

    De Ocampo, now serving as an assistant coach for TNT, will find himself back in uniform and even sharing the floor with some familiar faces from the Tropang 5G organization.

     

    “’Yung coach din namin sa TNT,” said the 44-year-old De Ocampo, referring to Chot Reyes’ lieutenants Sandy Arespachochaga and Yuri Escueta. “Excited kami.”

     

    For Miller, the exhibition may be labeled as fun basketball, but he admits the competitive spirit that defined his playing days will still be there once the game tips off.

     

    “When it comes to basketball, competitive. Kahit fun basketball, Pilipino tayo, ayaw natin magpatalo diba. Pag jumpball, iba na ‘yung mentality,” said the 48-year-old Miller.

     

    The appearance of the four legends is expected to add extra energy to the contest, blending nostalgia with the promise of the PBA’s next generation as the league continues its golden anniversary celebration.

     

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  • “Proud ako kasi magiging legend ako”: Ranidel de Ocampo on TNT retiring his No. 33 jersey

    “Proud ako kasi magiging legend ako”: Ranidel de Ocampo on TNT retiring his No. 33 jersey

    Former TNT star Ranidel de Ocampo has firmly cemented his legacy as one of the franchise’s greatest players and is set to be recognized as a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend.

     

    The TNT Tropang Giga recently announced that they will retire De Ocampo’s No. 33 jersey in his honor. The ceremony is scheduled to take place during halftime of the Philippine Cup semifinal Game 3 between TNT and the Meralco Bolts on Friday, January 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Currently serving as an assistant coach under Chot Reyes for TNT, De Ocampo expressed his pride in receiving such a rare recognition.

     

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    “Siyempre very proud ako kasi bihira lang naman ‘yung mabibigyan ng ganitong kumbaga recognition. At ito pang dati kong team na Talk ‘N Text, nilaruan ko Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, ‘yun ‘yung ire-retire na jersey,” he said in a media interaction.

     

    “Proud ako kasi kumbaga magiging legend ako. Masarap din ‘pag natatawag kang legend. ‘Yun nga, PBA legend. At the same time, kumbaga parang nagbunga ‘yung pinaghirapan mo,” he added.

    At 44 years old, De Ocampo becomes only the third TNT player to have his jersey retired, joining PBA legends Jimmy Alapag (No. 3) and Harvey Carey (No. 4). He also took a moment to acknowledge the people who contributed to his success.

     

    “Kasama ko doon ang sa pag-asenso ko, sa pagiging successful ng career ko, ang pamilya ko, ang mga magulang ko, ang mga kapatid ko. Pati mother ko, ayan. At siyempre ang solid sa TNT fans, saka ‘yung team RDO exclusive. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila. Kasama ko sila hanggang nga ngayon na hindi na ako naglalaro, nandiyan parin sila sumusuporta,” he said.

     

    De Ocampo’s career in the PBA began when he was selected fourth overall by FedEx/Air21 Express in the 2004 draft. He joined TNT in 2008 and played with the franchise until 2017. During his time with the Tropang Giga, he won six PBA championships, was named a two-time PBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP), earned the PBA Best Player of the Conference award in the 2014 Governors’ Cup, and received nine PBA All-Star nominations.

     

    Reflecting on his career highlights, De Ocampo singled out his first championship as particularly memorable.

     

    “‘Yung first championship ko, ‘yun ding year na ‘yun, ‘yung conference na ‘yun. So ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-memorable sa akin. ‘Yung very, very first championship kasama ko ‘yung kapatid ko si kuya Yancy,” he recalled.

     

    With the retirement of his No. 33 jersey, TNT will not only honor De Ocampo’s on-court achievements but also celebrate his enduring influence on the franchise, both as a player and a mentor. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of TNT players, ensuring that Ranidel de Ocampo remains a true icon of Philippine basketball.

     

     

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