Ranidel De Ocampo says goodbye to Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – Ranidel de Ocampo, the longest serving player in Gilas Pilipinas, said he’s done serving duty to the national team shortly after their sad exit in the FIBA OQT at the MOA Arena.

Moments after their loss to New Zealand, De Ocampo said his FIBA OQT stint could be a sign it’s time for him to retire from Gilas Pilipinas.

Few hours later, De Ocampo posted on his social media accounts that he’s officially announcing he’s bidding goodbye to the national team.

He’s 34 years old, almost one-third of those years he spent serving duty to Team Phl from the 2003 Southeast Asian Games in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

Jayson Castro hinted it could also be his last stint with Gilas. But he’s only 30 and is still at the peak of his playing career.  

Despite his sad fate of being the last cut in the 2007 and 2009 teams to the FIBA Asia Championships, De Ocampo had never turned his back on later calls to serve flag and country.

He never used a back injury that rendered him motionless for quite some time last year as possible reason to beg off from joining Gilas 4.0.

He’s among the pros who agreed to reinforce in the last minute the original Gilas team to the 2011 Asian joust in Wuhan, China, helping the squad to a fourth-place finish – the country’s best since 1987.

He has since then become a Gilas regular from the time of coach Rajko Toroman to Chot Reyes and Tab Baldwin.

He scored three points in 15:17 minutes of action in their 84-93 loss to France and was utilized for mere 33 seconds in their 80-89 defeat to New Zealand.

Father Time has seemingly caught up with the Tanza, Cavite native, a “stretch forward” who was among the key performers in Gilas’ silver-medal finishes in the 2013 and 2015 Asian meets and in their decent showing in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Playing extensively on De Ocampo’s spot in this Manila OQT was Gilas newcomer Troy Rosario.

“Marami nang mas bata. Pwede na siguro akong magpahinga sa national team,” he said.

He’s served the country well. Take a bow, Ranidel!