TNT hoists RDO’S No. 33

Ranidel de Ocampo formally cemented his spot in Talk ‘N Text lore after his No. 33 jersey was enshrined during his jersey retirement ceremony on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In front of adoring fans and joined by his family, friends and former teammates and coaches, De Ocampo proudly raised his now-framed blue jersey.

“I’m lucky because not a lot of players are given this kind of recognition,” the 44-year-old now Tropang 5G assistant coach said during the celebration held before the second half of the TNT-Meralco Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Game 3.

“I’m so proud of the recognition and of having my jersey retired here for Talk ‘N Text,” he added.

De Ocampo won all six of his PBA championships with the franchise he played for from 2008 to 2017.

He received the distinction as only the third TNT player to have his jersey retired, joining Jimmy Alapag (No. 3) and Harvey Carey (No. 4) in the elite club.

De Ocampo, a product of Saint Francis De Assisi College, was drafted by FedEx fourth overall in the 2004 Draft. He was traded to the then-Tropang Texters in the middle of the 2008-2009 Philippine Cup.

He was named Finals Most Valuable Player twice and awarded Best Player of the Conference during the 2014 Governors’ Cup.

“Thank you to the TNT management to boss (team governor) Ricky Vargas, (team manager) boss Jolas (Jojo Lastimosa) and boss (team owner) MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan), to coach Chot (Reyes). Thank you for having my jersey No. 33 of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, retired,” De Ocampo said.

Aside from his storied PBA career, the stretch four also served the national team.

He helped Gilas Pilipinas win silver in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championship and also saw action in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. De Ocampo won gold in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games and a championship in the 2012 Jones Cup.

De Ocampo last played for Meralco from 2017 to 2019 before retiring in April 2020.