AFTER a mid-season wobble, Ranidel de Ocampo feels Talk 'N Text is back to its old, dominant self.
“Maganda yung kumpiyansa ng Talk 'N Text ngayon. Tingin ko balik na kami ngayon sa dati naming kumpiyansa,” said de Ocampo while enjoying a rare day-off after the Texters completed a sweep of Petron Blaze in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.
The Tanza, Cavite native had seen his team struggle through the eliminations with injuries to key players, the loss of Kelly Williams, and two import changes. But after a two-game sweep of the heralded Boosters in the playoffs, de Ocampo feels the reigning Philippine Cup champions are back to their best.
“Yung team kasi namin, alam ang role ng isa’t isa. Para kaming magkakapatid, pag nawala yung isa alam nung isa ang dapat gawin para mapunan,” said de Ocampo. “Kung mapapansin mo, ang tingin naming sa isa’t isa pantay-pantay. Walang superstar, walang nakakalamang.”
That team-first philosophy, de Ocampo said, has allowed the Texters to overcome adversity.
“Para kaming makina na kumikilos para isa’t-isa. Pag may nasira, kunwari na-injure, yung kapalit alam yung eksaktong role na gagampanan,” said the 6-5 Gilas Pilipinas mainstay.
"Kita mo nung kinuha kami sa Gilas, pito agad kami. Kumbaga sa pyesa ng kotse assembly. Isang buo,” he added.
The Texters, who barely finished at .500 in the elims at 7-7, take on Barangay Ginebra in a best-of-five semifinal series.
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