When import Henry Walker erupted for 27 of Blackwater Elite’s 52 points in the first half of their rubber match with Meralco Bolts, many anticipated that a historic upset would take place at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Thursday.
“Nung halftime nine-nerbiyos na ‘ko,” admitted new Bolt Ranidel De Ocampo. “Kinakabahan talaga ako kasi lagi pumapasok sa isip ko baka matalo, kung kailan nasa Meralco na ‘ko, matatalo pa. Tapos 12 (52-40) yung lamang, malaki.
“Iniisip ko kung paano kami makaka-balik.”
But during the halftime break, the Bolts refreshed their strategies, focusing mainly on how to stop Walker and his exploits. They then came up with an idea — putting the 6-foot-6 De Ocampo on him for the next half.
And safe to say, the switch paid off convincingly.
The 35-year-old forward made the game’s last 24 minutes tough for Walker. From 27 in the first half, the former NBA cager scored just seven in the second. Moreover, from 6-of-11 shooting from the outside, he finished at just 7-of-17.
With his limited production, the Elite went from being poised to become the fourth team in league history to take down a top-seeded squad, lost grip of the match and bowed to the now-semifinals-bound Orangemen, 104-96.
“Yun ang inutos ni coach, yung pagdepensa kay Walker. Kailangan ko magtrabaho, kailangan ko gawin yung pinapagawa ni coach,” said De Ocampo, who supplied 14 points and eight boards, of the task given to him.
With the way he defended the 6-foot-6 ex-NBA player, De Ocampo made it look simple. But for the 13-year veteran, he was only able to do it because he had already faced Walker last August 30, when he was still with long-time team TNT Katropa.
“Buti na lang, nung nakalaban namin Blackwater nung nasa TNT pa ‘ko, ako rin yung naggwardya dati kay Walker, so nakatulong din yun kahit papano,” he said, recalling the night where the Katropa won over Blackwater, 117-96.
“Pero siyempre, credit din sa mga teammates ko. Tulong-tulong lang din.”
