GOOD SIGN
Meralco import Brian Butch was feeling his shots early in their duel with Talk ‘N Text Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
He nailed back-to-back three-pointers, both going off the glass, early in the game, giving the Bolts a 12-8 lead.
That was until Ranidel de Ocampo stood right in front of the 6-foot-11 reinforcement.
Despite Butch’s six-inch height advantage, De Ocampo took the challenge head-on. After all, he is no stranger to taller counterparts, guarding bigger men in his time with Gilas Pilipinas.
That was when the tables turned.
The 6-foot-5 de Ocampo managed to hold his ground against Butch, and limited the import to an uncharacteristic 10 points from that point on.
Though Butch still led his team with 16 markers, the damage was already done as Talk ‘N Text limited the other cogs of the Meralco offense and pounded the Bolts in a 91-68 blowout.
After the game, coach Norman Black credited de Ocampo for the big part he played in setting the defensive tone for the Tropang Texters.
“I thought Ranidel established that defensive presence on our defensive intensity at the start of the game by the way he defended the import, and that set the tone defensively for us and gave us a big chance of winning the game,” Black said.
For his part, RDO said it’s all part of his business.
“Sinabihan lang ako ng import namin na lagi ko lang dikitan yung import at siya na yung bahala sa rebounds. So kumpyansa naman ako na kahit di ako makabalik sa ilalim at andun lang ako sa import, siya na yung bahala dun sa ilalim. Malaki yung tiwala ko sa kanya,” de Ocampo said of their import Richard Howell.
With 15 points across his name, de Ocampo also praised the balanced scoring their team had as five players chalked in double figures.
He said, “Sana laging ganito, balanced scoring kami, na lahat nagde-deliver. Lahat naman sa amin gusto mag-step up sa laro eh. Siguro minsan, nagkaka-tiyempo lang na di namin alam kung sino yung gagagawa.”
With Talk ‘N Text comfortably seated on top of the standings at 5-0, de Ocampo likened the feeling to their championship days when the squad also had strong starts in the elimination round.
“Ganyan naman kami dati eh,” he said. “Nung mga championship namin, nakakauna talaga kami ng panalo. Iba yung pakiramdam na nauna ka nang manalo kasi di katulad ng nakaraang conference, naghahabol kami sa huli. Mahirap yun eh. Di mo alam yung mangyayari sa yo.”
“Good sign para sa amin ito,” de Ocampo said. (RL)
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