For this basketball crazy nation, the Philippines is blessed to have Ranidel de Ocampo.
De Ocampo said his last contract expired with the end of the 2019 season and it appears that he is not keen on signing another.
The 38-year-old forward admitted he is not yet ready to retire, but he said he will make an official announcement through his social media accounts.
“RDO” is a proud winner of six PBA titles since turning pro in 2004. A forward with a deft touch from the perimeter, he played an integral role in Gilas’ campaign in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, knocking down a crucial trey that helped secure for the Philippines a berth to the 2014 FIBA World Cup. The 6-foot-6 de Ocampo started his PBA career at FedEx (2004-08) then spent nearly 10 years with TNT KaTropa before being traded to Meralco Bolts in 2017.
He had missed the 2019 Governors’ Cup finals stint of the Bolts due to back injury. He was hit by torn calf muscle and mild Achilles tear the previous year. The PBA has suspended its games amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The 2020 season is facing a possible reduction to two conferences if the current situation does not improve.
De Ocampo is a brother of Yancy of San Miguel, who called it a career after Season 44. For all his success in the PBA, RDO will be best remembered as a proud member of Gilas Pilipinas as part of the batch that finished second to Iran in the 2013 Fiba Asia Cup in Manila to book a return to the Fiba World Cup.
His retirement came just a few months after elder brother Yancy De Ocampo also announced that he’s through playing with basketball the last four seasons with San Miguel Beer.
The Philippines will forever be grateful for the glory you brought to this country. Happy retirement to the de Ocampo brothers!
With additional reports: Philstar.net, Olin Leyba, gmanetwork.com, spin.ph, Gerry Ramos
Photo Courtesy: slamonlineph.com, Yancy De Ocampo – Facebook, smartgilasbasketball.com, fiba.basketball
