FINALS MVP RDO: “KAYA KA NAGBA-BASKETBALL, PARA MAG-CHAMPION”
It took a career-high performance from probably one of the best performers ever to grace a Talk ‘N Text uniform to put a historic game, a Game 7 even, away for good.
Scoring a career-best 34 points, eight in the crucial second overtime period, to go with seven rebounds and four assists, Ranidel de Ocampo was the brightest star in Talk ‘N Text’s 121-119 double overtime Game 7 conquest as the Tropang Texters came away with the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday.
“Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam. Napatakbo at talon ako sa sobrang tuwa kasi ang tagal na rin namin di nagchampion,” he said.
De Ocampo ran away with the Holcim-PBA Press Corps Finals MVP plum after averaging 24.3 points, on 40 percent shooting from three-point country, 53 percent shooting from the field and 81 percent from the charity stripe, to go with 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks in the seven-game duel.
Looking back to the conference that was for them, the Tanza, Cavite native said that this championship was much sweeter compared to his previous ones, as he said, “Sobrang hirap talaga. Umabot ng Game 7, nag-double overtime pa. Sobrang special yung panalo na ‘to kasi marami kaming pinagdaanang hirap.”
After almost three weeks of near brawls, gruesome injuries, constant trashtalking and record-setting performances, de Ocampo was happy to get the series over with.
“Dun ko masasabi na ibang klase ang basketball dito. May mindgames, pati sa labas ng court, sa interview, di nawawala yung init. Very competitive talaga ang parehong team,” he said.
Though many expected Talk ‘N Text to undergo a rebuilding period under coach Jong Uichico, the Tropang Texters defied the odds and fast-tracked their progress, leading to a seventh franchise title.
De Ocampo admitted that the Philippine Cup semifinals exit at the hands of San Miguel served as a great lesson for the team to step up and strive to do better.
“Nakakuha kami ng aral sa last conference nung na-sweep kami ng San Miguel. Natuto kami, yung mga rookie at mga bago sa team, malaking bagay yung experience na yun. Naging maganda yung resulta ngayon at nag-champion kami ” he said. “Parang nagsisimula lang kami ulit. Yung nakaraan, lagi lang kaming contender. Ngayon, nakakapagsimula na ulit kami. Pag nagchampion ka, magiging habit yun na manalo ulit.”
The veteran, though, hopes that this won’t be his last one and his remarkable feat in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup Finals would go down as one of the biggest and most vital parts when the time comes for the public to assess his legacy.
“Iba yung meron kang championship. Yung mga awards, wala yan. Ang importante yung championship. Kaya ka nagbabasketball para manalo, para mag-champion,” said de Ocampo. (RL)
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