Meralco's De Ocampo prefers facing former team TNT in finals

MANILA, Philippines — The more things change, the more they stay the same, they say.

Just last conference, Ranidel de Ocampo was playing in the PBA Finals for TNT KaTropa. This time, in the season-ending conference, he’s doing it again. Only he’s in a Meralco Bolts uniform.

"Iba ‘yung pakiramdam dati kasi pag nag-finals, TNT ako,” the veteran forward said. “Willing at excited naman ako [na makatulong sa Meralco].”

De Ocampo, who has won six titles with the Talk ’N Text franchise, moved to a position of shooting for another championship after the Bolts swept the Purefoods Star Hotshots on Thursday night.

The versatile cager, who has also logged national team duty multiple times in his career, normed 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game during the semis.

And while many of his new teammates are looking to complete a “Revenge Tour” over their 2016 Governors’ Cup tormentors Barangay Ginebra, De Ocampo said he hasn’t put that much thought in his preferred next foe

“Kahit sino,” De Ocampo shared.

KaTropa, the team that dealt him to the top-seeded Bolts late in the elimination phase, are currently tied with Ginebra with a win each in the other semifinal bracket.

"Syempre kinakabahan 'pag TNT eh, matagal din akong naglaro doon, kahit paano,” he said about the possibility of facing his old club.

Before the Bolts secured the first finals berth, De Ocampo has hinted on preferably playing his old team in the Finals.

And he echoed that, Thursday night.

“Sana ngayon may TNT-Meralco, para may history naman na nasa Finals pareho [MVP sister teams]."