Ranidel de Ocampo leaves the PBA as a six-time champion and nine-time All-Star
Photo from Fiba.Basketball
Six-time PBA champion Ranidel Ocampo has announced his retirement from the league on Apr.13.
De Ocampo spent 16 years in the PBA where he was crowned the finals MVP twice in 2014 in different conferences and the Best Player of the Conference that same year. The veteran was the fourth overall pick in his draft class in 2004 where he was selected by FedEx Express.
During his rookie year, de Ocampo made a name for himself after averaging seven points and four rebounds per game. But it was during his time with the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters where de Ocampo morphed into a superstar and won championships in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. His performance with the Tropang Texters was also one of the reasons why he was chosen to represent the Philippine national team at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships where Gilas won silver and played in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2014.
Aside from the championships, de Ocampo will always be remembered for the clutch three-point basket he scored against South Korea in the 2013 FIBA Asia tournament. This was also the shot that secured Gilas a ticket to the 2014 World Cup in Spain where they competed and won a game for the first time in over 40 years.
“I was able to represent and fight for our country and entertain basketball fanatics. I can now spend more time with my family,” says de Ocampo. “At first, I only saw basketball as a sport that I like to watch. It has never crossed my mind that it will become one of the biggest parts of my life.”
Although Gilas Pilipinas has yet to make a statement in the global games, de Ocampo left his mark by starting a winning culture for the team. He became a leader and eventually a mentor to some of the players representing the team right now like Kiefer Ravena and Gabe Norwood. He leaves the PBA a legend with nine All-Star appearances and three-time Mythical First Team selections under his belt.
Social media reacts to the announcement of Ranidel De Ocampo
A lot were surprised after de Ocampo announced his retirement on Monday and social media was filled with multiple tributes for the six-time champion.
