TNT KaTropa coach Nash Racela defended the Ranidel De Ocampo trade, noting the team’s need to rebuild and get ready for the future.
The 35-year-old De Ocampo was shipped to the Meralco Bolts after playing for almost a decade with KaTropa.
“We need to turn the corner quickly,” Racela said. “We’re saddened because we lost Ranidel. He’s a big loss, but at the same time, we need to move forward right away and players will need to step up and fill the void he left.”
Expected to step up in the post-RDO era is 25-year-old forward Troy Rosario who is also a stretch four like De Ocampo.
TNT is also expected to utilize new acquisitions Norbert Torres and Justin Chua–two young centers who can shore up the Ka Tropa’s frontline.