A team can always count on their veterans whenever the need arises.
In the win that sent the Katropa to their 11th semifinal appearance in the Philippine Cup, and their 23rd overall in franchise history, veteran forward Ranidel De Ocampo delivered in the very best of times.
The 6-foot-6 stretched big nailed two game-sealing free throws with six ticks left to douse cold water on Globalport’s fiery run. And as the final buzzer sounded, he finished with a game-high 25 markers on 7-of-10 shooting and went a perfect 10-of-10 from the foul line.
Even TNT head coach Nash Racela lauded the way the veterans had played in the semis clincher.
“Good thing our veterans stepped up today — Ranidel and Kelly [Williams]. It’s actually the key for us to win, veterans stepping forward and delivering,” Racela said.
It was truly a noteworthy outing for the Cavite native, who averaged 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds a match for the Katropa back in the elimination phase. But for De Ocampo, it was just a result of TNT playing while having each other’s backs.
“Ganoon naman yung team namin eh, nagtutulungan kami kung mayroon mang araw na yung iba ay hindi masyado nakalaro o hindi maganda laro,” said the 35-year-old.
“Mas maganda nga kung halos lahat kami laging maganda nilalalaro eh.”
For the majority of the conference, TNT have tried to find a perfect blend between the team’s veterans and young upstarts. When asked if he and the veterans are taking it as a challenge, De Ocampo thinks otherwise.
“Hindi naman siya challenge. More on gina-guide namin sila, nire-remind namin sila– everytime na may chance — na bigyan namin ng input.
“Yun yung trabaho naming mga beterano, at nakikinig naman sila,” the two-time FIBA Asia Championship silver medalist addressed.
TNT’s quarterfinal assignment is already done, and their focus now shifts to the semis against the three-peat seeking San Miguel Beermen. And for De Ocampo, all that TNT plans to do is to give it their all in the best-of-seven affair.
“Maganda ‘tong pinagdaanan naming laro, makakatulong ‘to sa semis. Alam naman natin na San Miguel ang pinaka-mahirap talunin na team, so gagawin naman namin yung best namin,” the 12-year veteran vowed.
