FOR Ranidel de Ocampo, Talk `N Text’s near perfect record in the just concluded PBA Commissioner’s Cup meant nothing especially after the Tropang Texters’ title bid ended in a loud thud Thursday evening.
The proud franchise went on a 13-0 rampage on its way to the Finals, but fell to the San Mig Coffee Mixers in the title series, 3-1, after a disappointing collapse in Game Four, 100-91.
The Tropang Texters finished their campaign in the tournament with a 14-3 record.
“Kung titingnan mo sa record, mas marami pa kaming panalo eh, pero ganun talaga pagdating ng championship (series), kung sino `yung maka-stop at makagawa ng magandang play sa huli, siya ang mananalo,” rued the 32-year-old pride of St. Francis of Assissi College.
“Siyempre, feeling namin, malungkot kami ngayon. Disappointed kasi maganda ang simula namin pero pagdating nitong huli, natalo pa kami.”
With the season-ending Governors Cup about to kick off right away on Sunday, the 6-foot-5 De Ocampo said Talk ‘N Text will just have to set aside the painful experience, take a one-day break, before moving on and start preparing for the third conference.
“Ganun talaga ang basketball eh, kung natalo ka man ngayon, kailangang kalimutan mo na yan. Wala naman kaming regret kasi binigay naman namin ang best, pero talo talaga,” he added.
Talk ‘N Text opens its Governors Cup campaign with a game against sister team Meralco next Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters will be bannered by 2014 NBA D-League co-MVP Othyus Jeffers.
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