Gilas veteran De Ocampo feels like rookie again

MANILA, Philippines -- Ranidel de Ocampo feels like a rookie again in the international game. 

De Ocampo, who has been with all the three Gilas iterations, is set to play his first international game since the Asian Games last year when they return to the court against South Korea at 5 p.m. Monday. The Talk n Text big man has recovered from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Estonia pocket tournament. 

"Excited ako," De Ocampo told Philstar.com after Gilas 3.0's scintillating debut in the William Jones Cup on Sunday night. "Ang bilis ng laro."

The national team's veteran "stretch four" watched from the sidelines when Terrence Romeo and this new Gilas team put up a spirited performance to hammer out a 77-69 win against the host Chinese Taipei. 

Romeo dazzled with 18 points on an array of killer crossover moves and acrobatic shots while fellow Gilas rookie Calvin Abueva got away with 15 points and five rebounds in just 14 minutes easily drawing praises from everywhere. 

"Magaling sila (Terrence and Calvin).  Sana ganun lagi ang ilaro nila," De Ocampo said. 

He was seated beside Los Angeles Lakers' Fil-Am guard Jordan Clarkson when Romeo made the highlight play of the game. 

With the Nationals leading by eight, 38-30, Romeo took Chinese Taipei's Lin Chin Chieh, the most popular player in their local league, to school with a nasty crossover then bumped American import Quincy Davis in mid-air switching the ball from his right to to finish with his left hand. 

The crowd roared. De Ocampo and the rest of the Gilas team went up on their feet. Clarkson was caught on TV wildly and animatedly cheering what arguably is the best play of the tournament so far. 

"Katabi ko si Jordan nun. Sa nakikita ko proud siya sa pagiging dugong Pilipino," De Ocampo said. 

With the Gilas' gutsy performance sans their naturalized big man Andray Blatche, Clarkson have more reasons to be proud of. 

On Monday night, De Ocampo hopes to be part of the Gilas team on the floor which could make Clarkson even prouder and further fuel his desire to play for the Philippines.