A new life beckons for Ranidel De Ocampo a day after Easter.
The veteran forward officially retired following an accomplished 16-year PBA career, saying the slew of injuries that hobbled him the last two years with Meralco kept him from being competitive and from enjoying the game he started seriously playing at the age of 14.
De Ocampo, now 38, believes this is the perfect time to ride off into the sunset.
"With the guidance of the Lord and my family, I am now announcing my retirement as a professional basketball player," wrote De Ocampo in formally announcing his retirement on social media Monday.
"Because of basketball, I successfully fulfilled my dreams and gained so much lessons and values."
Sponsored content: Nicknamed RDO, the 6-foot-6 forward left behind a trail of personal glory that saw him win a total of six championships, bagged two Finals MVP, a Best Player of the Conference, and part of three Mythical First Team.
He was a first round pick of FedEx in the 2004 rookie draft, but played at his peak while with Talk 'N Text under coach Chot Reyes and behind a champion-caliber roster that had the likes of Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier, Jared Dillinger, Ali Peak, and Harvey Carey.
During his stint with the Katropa, De Ocampo also spent time playing for Gilas, where he became a significant part of the 2013 national team that earned a return trip to the FIBA World Cup after a 36-year absence.
De Ocampo will be best remembered for that clutch three-pointer he made late in Gilas' semifinal game against South Korea that clinched for the host a dramatic 86-79 win and formalized the Filipinos' World Cup homecoming.
Significantly, the victory ended years of heartbreaking losses the Philippine team suffered at the hands of their Asian nemesis.
Sponsored content: "I was able to represent and fight for our country and entertain basketball fanatics.
But after winning for Talk 'N Text its last championship in the 2015 Commissioner's Cup, things began to slow down for De Ocampo.
Two years later, he was shipped to Meralco in a three-team trade that also involved Phoenix.
While he was still decent enough to help the Bolts make the finals of the Governors' Cup for the second straight season, injuries began to get the better of De Ocampo.
Since injuring his calf in the 2017 Governors' Cup against Ginebra in the finals, the former St. Francis of Assisi College alum was never the same again.
He spent the next two years mostly in Meralco's injury list.
"Lagi na akong injured, marupok na. Hindi na talaga ako nakakalaro," said De Ocampo.
Taking the cue, he decided it was time.
De Ocampo was grateful for everybody, from the Lord Almighty, coaches, teammates, and friends, to the basketball fans, all of who made his basketball journey worthwhile.
Now, he's looking to spend more quality time with his family.
For indeed, there's no place like home. (RG)
