After being traded to the Meralco Bolts late in the season, veteran forward Ranidel De Ocampo found himself competing for a title once again as his squad takes on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup finals.
De Ocampo, who played for TNT in the Commissioner’s Cup finals last season, is hoping to finally win a crown this time around especially that he’s approaching the twilight of his illustrious PBA career.
“Nung nakakausap ko si Danny Seigle nung andun pa ako sa TNT, yun rin yung gusto niya mangyari. Kasi nga ilang taon na ba siya. Gusto niyang maka-champion ulit kasi nga limitadong-limitado na siya. Ako, palapit na doon,” said the 35-year-old De Ocampo.
“So talagang sobrang blessing ako na nagkaroon ako ng opportunity kahit papaliit nang papaliit na yung chance, andito pa rin. Sana hindi masayang. Pipilitin kong hindi masayang.”
The former Finals MVP has been a huge addition to the Bolts who hope that he would be the last piece to Meralco’s championship puzzle.
“Andito ako para tulungan yung team. Sa tingin ko deserve ng Meralco manalo ng championship. Championship na lang kulang sa kanila. Gusto kong maibigay yung best ko para manalo yung team. Yung experience ko sa finals sana mai-provide ko sa kanila,” he said.
“Basta ang gusto ko lang makuha namin yung goal namin, ma-accomplish namin yung target namin at magtulungan kami.”
De Ocampo is also relishing the fact that he and Meralco coach Norman Black are back together vying for a title. They won championships when they were still with TNT.
“Masaya ako pakiramdam ko blessing talaga na nasa finals ulit ako. Naka-back-to-back appearance ako ngayon. Minsan lang mangyari ito eh. Para sa akin big opportunity ulit ito lalo na kasama ko si coach Norman. Siya yung isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit ako andito kasi kinuha niya ako. Susuklian ko yung tiwalang ibibigay niya,” De Ocampo said.
