Ranidel De Ocampo on Asian Games: ‘Wala kaming ibang pinag-uusapan kung hindi gold’

Philippine national men’s basketball team forward Ranidel De Ocampo has been silently effective for the country in international competition.

But the sweet-shooting big man, along with the rest of his Gilas Pilipinas teammates, has not shied away from talking about the elusive Asian Games gold medal, which the team will aspire for in the upcoming competition in Incheon, Korea.

“Wala kaming ibang pinag-uusapan dito kung hindi gold,” De Ocampo told InterAksyon.com in an exclusive interview.

“Ang maririnig mo sa practice puro gold. Kung gusto mong maka-gold, sige, ganito gawin natin. Kung gusto mong maka-gold, paghirapan natin.”

De Ocampo is dedicating every game to the Filipino fans who believe in the national team as it attempts to end the country’s 52-year gold medal drought in Asiad basketball competition.

“Lalaban na naman kami na parang buwis-buhay. Kaya sa mga sumusuporta sa atin, yung mga naniniwala sa Gilas Pilipinas, pipilitin talaga namin dahil target talaga naming maka-gold ngayon. Yun ang gusto naming mangyari,” he said.

According to De Ocampo, the experience they gained participating in the World Cup will be a big boost for the Philippines’ campaign in the quadrennial meet.

One of the most important things they’ve learned is how to play with a “killer’s instinct” after nearly defeating several tough European and South American teams in the World Cup but falling short in the endgame.

“Kailangan may killer’s instinct ka talaga. Kasi yung mga kalaban wala silang pakialam sa iyo, wala silang pakialam sa team natin,” De Ocampo said,

“Wala rin tayong dapat pakialam sa kanila. Basta kami, lalabanan namin kayo. Yun ang mentality ng mga kalaban doon.”

He said the team plans on carrying the lessons they learned on the world stage when go for Asian supremacy in the upcoming tilt.

“Ganun dapat ang mentality natin sa Asian Games. Kaya pagdating ng laro, kapag nakikita mong lumalamang ka na, kailangan may killer’s instinct ka. Tapusin mo na kaagad. Finish hard,” he added.

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