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| Ranidel De Ocampo's TNT number 33 jersey is going up to the rafters. PBA Images (file photo) |
MANILA—TNT made sure that the number 33 jersey will forever belong to Ranidel De Ocampo after the PBA announced on Wednesday night that the said jersey will be retired.
Asked about it, De Ocampo, currently a part of the team's coaching staff, said that he is proud that the PLDT franchise gave him this rare opportunity.
"I'm very proud kasi bihira lang naman yung nabibigyan ng ganitong recognition," said De Ocampo, who will become the third Tropang 5G member to have his jersey retired after Jimmy Alapag and Harvey Carey.
Like Alapag and Carey, De Ocampo, who joined TNT in 2008 after Air21 traded him there, was a key figure in the Tropang 5G's six PBA titles during the late 2000s and the early 2010s.
It was also during his stint with TNT that De Ocampo achieved huge milestones like winning the Best Player of the Conference award in 2014 and two Finals MVPs in 2013 and 2015.
One of De Ocampo's best moments for him with the franchise was right after the career-changing trade took place during the 2008 Christmas period.
"Ang most memorable moment ko sa TNT ay yung kinuha nila ako from Air21. Ang unang laban ko sa TNT, kalaban agad namin yung Air21, former team ko. So two seconds left, down by one kami, sa akin dinesign ni coach (Chot Reyes) yung play. Christmas Day, na-shoot ko yung basket," he further said.
De Ocampo added that his other best Tropang 5G moment was when they clinched the Philippine Cup trophy also during the 2008-2009 season, marking the first time he and older brother Yancy won a PBA title together in the pro ranks after joining forces at St. Francis of Assisi in the collegiate ranks.
Ranidel's jersey will be formally retired at halftime of Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals between TNT and Meralco at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The timing was fitting since the younger De Ocampo last played for the Bolts before retiring for good in 2020.
