PBA: Ranidel de Ocampo eager to start a 'habit of winning' for Talk 'N Text

Talk 'N Text is back at the top of the heap of Philippine basketball after two years of championship drought, outlasting Rain or Shine in an emotional seven-game series that ended in an epic double overtime victory for the Tropang Texters.

 

The team, which won its seventh title in the PBA, was the heavy favorite against the gritty Elasto Painters, but ultimately had to weather the storms all through the final buzzer.

 

Ranidel de Ocampo, who won the Finals Most Valuable Player award, made the big shots down the stretch to give the Texters enough breathing room against the Rain or Shine charge.

 

"Wala na kaming legs eh, talagang braso na lang 'yung pinangtitira namin, buti nga na-shu-shoot," said the veteran forward, who scored a career-high 34 points, eight of them in the second overtime, in 48 minutes of play.

 

It had been a tumultuous series for Talk 'N Text and Rain or Shine, as the run-ins on the court spilled out to the dugout, the players' wives, and the media interviews.

 

For de Ocampo, winning the Commissioner's Cup championship to culminate all the drama has made their victory so much sweeter.

 

"Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam. Talagang napatakbo ako, napatalon ako sa sobrang tuwa kasi matagal tagal na rin kaming hindi nag-cha-champion," he said.

 

With their championship, de Ocampo said he is eager to start another victorious era for the Texters to erase all their heartbreak for the past six conferences.

 

"''Yung nakaraang mga season. Lagi lang kaming contender, lagi kaming nabibibitin," de Ocampo said. "Kahit papaano nakakapagsimula na ulit kami." 

 

Talk 'N Text built their dynasty after bagging three straight All-Filipino trophies from 2011 to 2013, but succumbed to Grand Slam champions Purefoods in the past season.

 

Now, they are ready to start anew.

 

"Kasi s'yempre pag nagchampion ka kahit papano magiging habit mo rin na manalo ulit," he said. — ELR, GMA News