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    RDO never failed to come to the aid of a Gilas 'brother,' says Lee

    Paul Lee recounts one game where De Ocampo came to Gary David's aid. Just one problem: he hit the wrong guy
    Jul 19, 2020

    BROTHERHOOD.

    In a sense, that has been part of the Gilas Pilipinas culture or any national team for that matter: friendship, camaraderie, loyalty.

    And when one found himself in trouble during games, who would be there to come to the aid of his Gilas buddy but big brother Ranidel De Ocampo.

    Magnolia guard Paul Lee recalled one of several ‘incidents’ in which De Ocampo, considered one of the pillars of the national men’s team during his time, got back at a player from the Dominican Republic in one of Gilas Pilipinas’ tune-up games overseas.

    Lee related how Gary David and one Dominican got into each other's nerves during the game to the point both players were already playing physical.

    “Merong player doon sa Dominican Republic na ayaw tigilan si Gary. Maya’t maya binabanatan talaga siya,” said Lee.

    David ended up with a busted lip and was taken out of the game.

    Just about everyone in the Gilas team knew what would happen next.

    “May nag-drive kay Ranidel. E wala na, mainit na. Pinalo ni Ranidel sa mukha. Ayun bumakat yung kamay ni Ranidel (sa mukha),” Lee recalled with a laugh.

    But the problem was, RDO hit the wrong guy.

    Naturally, the poor guy was left stunned.

    “Sabi nung pinalo ni Ranidel, ‘Why me?’” continued the Magnolia guard.

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    Although the atmosphere was tense, Gilas members couldn’t help but laugh about the incident on the bench.

    “Natawa kami and naawa kami nila LA (Tenorio) doon sa pinalo ni Ranidel kasi wala naman talaga siyang ginagawa,” a giggling Lee added.

    “Heat of the moment kasi yung nangyari.”

    Now an assistant coach at TnT Katropa after retiring last April, RDO did remember that game in Guadalajara. The sound of RDO’s hand hitting the face of the Dominican was heard up to the bleachers, teammates swore.

    "Siya natiyempuhan, e” said De Ocampo with a smile. “Why me? E, why din si Gary, wala rin namang ginagawa si Gary. Kapag marunong kang magbigay, dapat marunong ka ring tumanggap.”

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    Good thing, the game didn’t end up like the Gilas Pilipinas-Australia brawl during the 2018 FIBA World Cup qualifier.

    Lee recounted how RDO slowly got out of harm’s way as if nothing happened.

    “Alam mo yung Ranidel pagpalo, pumunta lang ng bench, nagpunas ng pawis. Parang walang nangyari,” said the Magnolia playmaker.

    “Ang galing nung moment na yun,” added Lee. “Sobrang epic nung kuwento na yun.”

    Lee and RDO had a good laugh about it, along with fellow Gilas veteran Arwind Santos and Troy Rosario in one episode of the PBA Kamustahan.

    But the episode underscores how brotherhood is formed and the bond is strengthened among Gilas Pilipinas members.

    “On the court, walang iwanan,” said Lee. “Kapag tinira ka, laban lang.”

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