RANIDEL de Ocampo didn’t mind getting on the wrong end of a poster – as long as it was with arguably the best player on the planet.
The TNT KaTropa star had an ambitious goal to block LeBron James in one of his dunk attempts in his Strive For Greatness tour exhibition game last Saturday, but he jumped prematurely in an epic failure that made sports video headlines around the world, including Bleacher Report.
“Actually, gusto ko siyang sabayan, kaya lang nakatalon na ako nung na-realize ko na wala talaga, hindi rin talaga (abot),” De Ocampo said on his decision to challenge James.
“Pero at the same time, okay na rin, nakasama ako sa poster, ‘di ba?” he was quick to add after the Texters’ 113-107 win over Meralco in the PBA Governors’ Cup. “Kung titingnan mo, ang daming natuwa, pinag-usapan; sigurado ako, yung mukha ko, kung saan-saan nakarating sa buong mundo.”
“Sa tingin ko, naging popular si LeBron dahil sa’kin,” he continued with a laugh.
[See Jayson Castro, Glen Rice Jr. conspire as TNT KaTropa get back on track with win over Meralco]
De Ocampo cherished the chance to play against James, in awe of the four-time NBA MVP, three-time champion, and the perfect basketball specimen.
“Sa tingin ko, advantage talaga siya sa basketball,” RDO said. “Pag maliit ang binantay mo (sa kanya), popostehan niya. Pag naman kasing laki niya, si Iguodala o si Draymond Green, kaya niya pa rin eh. kung guguwardiyahan mo naman ng malaki, iiwanan naman niya, so ang daming mismatch.”
“Sobrang special talaga ni LeBron – may shooting sa labas, malakas katawan, magaling umatake, kumpleto, mataas IQ, pumapasa, kaya naging successful siya,” he added.
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