12 September 2017

What Ranidel Gives To Meralco?

Ranidel De Ocampo
Ranidel De Ocampo is no longer a TnT KaTropa. He parted ways with the team after years of winning championships. He is now a Meralco Bolt.

The trade agreement says that KaTropa will ship De Ocampo to Phoenix Fuel Masters for the rights to Norbert Torres and the 2017 first round pick. The latter then dealt De Ocampo to Meralco for fellow big man Justin Chua and the Bolts' first round pick in the coming draft. Phoenix then shipped Chua to TnT in exchange for the KaTropa's 2019 second round pick.

When the dust settles, KaTropa receives Chua, Torres and the first round pick of Phoenix. Phoenix receives the future first round pick of Meralco and and the second round pick of KaTropa. Meralco gets De Ocampo.

What this means for the Bolts is that they simply became more loaded and deep. They gave an impression that they do are interested to win in the next 2-3 years since De Ocampo is already 35 years old.

De Ocampo was an integral part of KaTropa's six title runs. He was named Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2013 Philippine Cup and 2015 Commissioner's Cup.

The 6-foot-6 forward also represented the country in the international stage. He was part of the Gilas Pilipinas squad who ended the South Korean curse at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

In the eight games played he suited up this conference, De Ocampo averaged 9.1 points and 4.3 rebounds for TNT.

The Bolts' rotation at the frontcourt just became more potent with De Ocampo, Reynel Hugnatan, Cliff Hodge, Kelly Nabong and Bryan Faundo manning the paint. It is now a mixture of potent veterans and energizer young players capable of crowding the shaded area and delivering on a pick-and-roll.

Meralco still does not have an overwhelming rim protector who is willing to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Greg Slaughter, Junemar Fajardo and even Asi Taulava, but they can gang rebound and space the floor on the offensive end.

De Ocampo brings another offensive option from the shaded area to complement the threat from Jared Dillinger, Mike Tolomia and Garvo Lanete. He’s exactly the player that the Bolts need, especially when things get tighter in the playoffs and instant offense is needed.

With the vastly improving Baser Amer and Chris Newsome, De Ocampo will now become a mentor and a leader whose presence will help develop the maturity of the Bolts.

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