REAPING REWARDS
With Talk ‘N Text earning the first ticket to the semifinals of the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 97-84 rout of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Tuesday, Ranidel de Ocampo can’t help but relish this feat, especially since it is also the Tropang Texters’ 10th straight win and still undefeated in this short conference.
“Masarap kasi nasa semis na kami,” the Julugan, Tanza, Cavite native said. “Yung mga ganitong pagkakataon kasi, masarap sa pakiramdam eh.”
“Yung mga pinaghirapan namin, nagbubunga na. Nasa gitna na kami nung kung saan naming gustong pumunta kaya konting tiyaga na lang. Alam naman namin na kailangan pa naming paghirapan yun,” he said.
The 6-foot-5 dead-shot forward was instrumental in the victory as he had 15 points for the game. But de Ocampo said that more than the sheer talent their team has, it’s the tirelessness of their import Richard Howell which has made the biggest difference for coach Norman Black’s squad.
“Talagang di naman sobrang galing ng import namin. Masipag siya at nagha-hustle,” the Gilas mainstay said. “Tanggap niya yung role niya at ginagawa niya yung kailangan niyang gawin sa court.”
Though de Ocampo proves to be a selfless individual in the court, one can’t help but praise his humility, even if in the statistical points leaderboard for the Best Player of the Conference, he was at third with 30.2 SP.
Aside from de Ocampo, five other TNT players finished in the top 20, a proof that the team is indeed a pick-your-poison squad where anyone can inflict damage at any point of the game.
This mindset helps the rest of the team ease issues of chemistry, which has proven to be a valuable part of the Texters’ championship pedigree.
“Dito sa amin, ginagawan namin ng paraan para makapag-jell yung bago sa team. Di lang sa import, pati rin sa mga bagong players na pumapasok. Ginagawa namin yung part namin para maging kumportable sila dito sa Talk ‘N Text,” de Ocampo said.
Going back to the task at hand, with a break looming as the Tropa await their semifinals opponent, de Ocampo said that their eyes are still dead-set on the prize, which is the championship.
“Kailangan focused pa rin kami kahit pahinga kami,” he said.(RL)
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