WHILE he ended up playing for Meralco, Bong Quinto grew up watching mostly TnT Katropa games.
And so it warmed his heart when a former KaTropa was among the first to guide him during his rookie year with the Bolts.
"First na dating ko sa Meralco ang unang sumalubong talaga sa akin si RDO, si Kuya Ranidel," recalled Quinto, appearing with several other league young guns in an episode of the PBA Kamustahan.
The playmaker out of Letran said De Ocampo's big brother advice somehow helped him settle down in his first practice as a pro.
"First day pa lang ang dami na niyang kini-kuwento sa akin about anong gagawin as a rookie, anong (dapat) kong gagawin, yung sumunod ka lang kung anong sasabihin ng mga coaches, mga ganung bagay," said Quinto.
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Those words of wisdom helped him appreciate more the veteran forward, who Quinto grew up watching helped TnT become a powerhouse team and win one championship after the other.
That a utility staff of the KaTropa was a neighbor of the Meralco guard enabled him to watch games of TnT live at the venue.
"Bata pa lang lagi na talaga ako nanonood ng PBA as in live talaga," he said. "Every time na nanonod ako puro TnT ang napapanood ko."
Quinto thus grew up learning and appreciating the game of De Ocampo, who unknown to him, would become his teammate at Meralco.
The 6-foot-1 Quinto got the chance to play with RDO in what turned out to be his final season in the league after deciding early this year to formally retire from playing.
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De Ocampo was later named as the new member of the TnT coaching staff.
Meanwhile, after a slow start to his PBA career, Quinto eventually earned the trust of Meralco coach Norman Black as he would play a key role in the Bolts' run to the Finals of last season's Governors Cup.
Just before the new season, the hard work bore fruit for Quinto, picked by the Bolts in the second round of the 2018 draft, after he was signed to a new contract by the Bolts.
And he can only thanked RDO for taking him under his guidance. (RG)
