Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Ranidel de Ocampo knew he had to make his presence felt.
With TNT going scoreless for the first seven minutes of the second quarter, the veteran forward gave coach Nash Racela the look and got himself on the floor for the first time in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday.
“We talked about it, that if he needs me, I can play,” he said.
Considering that de Ocampo is still on the road to recovery following his week-long battle with flu, the 35-year-old tried to be the source of inspiration to the KaTropa as they lost hold of their early 17-point advantage and allowed San Miguel to zoom ahead in the second quarter.
However, he could only do so much as TNT fell, 102-88, and the Beermen equalized the best-of-seven series to one game apiece.
“I tried but it’s obvious that I’m still not at 100-percent. We couldn’t win today,” he said, as he finished with three points in his eight minutes on the floor.
But de Ocampo vowed to come out better for Game 3 on Sunday, where he expects his body to be at a better shape to help TNT once again gain advantage in the championship duel.
“I’ll be ready for the next game,” he said.