RANIDEL De Ocampo believes retiring his TNT playing jersey would only add to his PBA legacy.
The 44-year-old De Ocampo is grateful to the management of the telecommunication franchise for the opportunity to have his No. 33 jersey retired, saying only a chosen few are given such a rare opportunity.
READ: TnT reunites with Ranidel de Ocampo, tapped as part of coaching staff
“Proud, kasi parang magiging legend ako, e,” said the now-Tropang 5TG deputy coach on his upcoming jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of Game 3 between TNT and Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals this Friday.
“Masarap din kapag natatawag kang legend, PBA legend.”
RDO's jersey will only be the third to be retired by TNT after Jimmy Alapag (No. 3) and Harvey Carey (No. 4), but the first among homegrown players.
The big man out of St. Francis of Assisi College played for almost a decade with TNT, where he won six of his championships.
He was acquired by the Tropang Texters from FedEx in 2008 in a trade for Don Allado.
The 6-foot-6 De Ocampo, who was one of the pioneering ‘stretch fours’ in the league, was the No. 4 overall pick by the Express in the 2004 draft.
TNT legend
But it was with TNT when his career really took off.
Aside from winning championships with the Tropang 5G, De Ocampo was a two-time Finals MVP, a Best Player of the Conference, a three-time Mythical First Team, and nine-time All-Star.
And so, he has nothing but thanks in seeing his jersey retired by the very same franchise he helped reached new heights during his stay.
“Parang nagbunga yung pinaghirapan mo,” said RDO, who credited team manager Jojo Lastimosa for spearheading the move - which, of course, has the blessing of management, including team owner Manny V. Pangilinan, team governor and Board chairman Ricky Vargas, and coach Chot Reyes.
“Kasama ko sa pag-asenso sa pagiging successful ng career ko yung pamilya ko, magulang ko, mga kapatid ko. At siyempre yung solid TNT fans at siyempre yung Team RDO Exclusive. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila ngayon na hindi na ako naglalaro, pero andyan pa rin sila sumusuporta,” he said.
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