With Ranidel de Ocampo's jersey no. 33 set to be retired by TNT in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semis, One Sports listed some of the 46-year-old’s best moments on and off the court.
There are plenty of things that make Ranidel de Ocampo a legend.
The most prominent is winning six championships for the TNT franchise from 2008 to 2017.
In two of those, the 2004 PBA Draft fourth overall pick, now TNT assistant coach, was adjudged Finals Most Valuable Player.
[RELATED STORY: Ranidel de Ocampo's jersey to be retired by TNT during semis Game 3: “Masarap 'pag natatawag kang legend’]
The former Gilas Pilipinas hero also earned the Best Player of the Conference plum in the 2014 Governors’ Cup, while also being a nine-time All-Star and a three-time member of the Mythical First Team.
But there is more to RDO than awards and championships.
With his jersey No. 33 set to be retired by TNT during halftime of its Game 3 tussle with Meralco in the Season 50 Philippine Cup Friday, Jan. 9, One Sports listed some of the 46-year-old’s best moments on and off the court.
Second Finals MVP
With Jimmy Alapag retired, TNT turned to its other veteran player in De Ocampo.
De Ocampo delivered a performance to remember for the Tropang Texters in its 2015 Commissioner’s Cup conquest of Rain or Shine in seven games.
During that series, he averaged 24.3 points and 6.6 rebounds to earn his second Finals MVP plum.
Christmas Day Showcase
It was Christmas Day.
In his first game since being traded from Air21, RDO nailed the game-winning jumper to lead TNT past his former squad, 109-108.
Aside from helping TNT clinch a semis seat, De Ocampo clearly sent a message to the team that gave him away for Don Allado.
He tallied 18 points and 16 rebounds.
LeBron James Poster
RDO had one cool moment with LeBron James immortalized in 2017 when the NBA superstar visited Manila for the Strive for Greatness tour.
That’s after James hummed for a breakaway, patented tomahawk dunk while De Ocampo, who was steps away from the King, went for a chasedown block that was captured by the cameras.
Of course, the block wasn’t even remotely successful.
[RELATED STORY: Former PBA sniper reminds everyone of legendary link between Ranidel de Ocampo, LeBron James]
It’s A Tropa Thing commercial
A 2016 TNT commercial saw RDO, Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier talking about nicknames while dining.
In the said spot where TNT big boss Manny V. Pangilinan also made an appearance, De Ocampo said he envied the other basketball players’ monickers, prompting him to ask fans for suggestions.
The nicknames included “Ranidelightful,” “Ocampocarne” and “Hodor.”
Ultimately, he stuck with RDO.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.