PHI - Ranidel de Ocampo added to National Team roster
MANILA (FIBA Asia Championship) - Philippines coach Rajko Toroman has added TNT forward Ranidel de Ocampo to his list of players from the PBA for the Philippines National Team that is preparing for the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship to be played in Wuhan, China from 15-25 Sept. “We have been looking for a player like him for a long time,” said ...
MANILA (FIBA Asia Championship) - Philippines coach Rajko Toroman has added TNT forward Ranidel de Ocampo to his list of players from the PBA for the Philippines National Team that is preparing for the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship to be played in Wuhan, China from 15-25 Sept.
“We have been looking for a player like him for a long time,” said Toroman about the 6 foot-6 inches forward.
“He’s an aggressive player at power forward and I believe he can help us inside.” De Ocampo is expected to provide Toroman with more options for rotation with JP Aguilar and Kelly Williams.
“He’s a good rebounder and someone who can shoot the ball,” said Toroman. “We missed this kind of player in our past competitions and with him, we’ll have a chance to fill this weak spot.”
De Ocampo is expected to try out his first game for the National Team in the exhibition game against Kobe Bryant-led NBA All-Stars this weekend.
Meanwhile, Asi Taulava of Meralco and Dondon Hontiveros of Air 21 who assisted the Philippines – playing as Smart Gilas – in the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup in May will resume practice with the National Team.
“Dondon will start training on Monday while Asi will start practicing right after his last game on Wednesday,” said Toroman.
At Wuhan, Philippines go in with a fairly favorable draw in the Preliminary Round.
Philippines one of the four seeded teams – thanks to their semifinalists status at the 3rd FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup at Beirut last year – were drawn with GCC duo UAE and Bahrain in Group D for the Preliminary Round before hosts China exercised their right of choice and opted to play in this Group.
Three teams advance to the Second Round, where Philippines – if they qualify – will be joined by the three teams qualifying out of Group C – comprising bronze medalists of the 25th FIBA Asia Championship Jordan, another WABA team Syria, 3rd FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup runners-up Japan and Indonesia, whom Philippines defeated in the final of the 9th SEABA Championship recently.
FIBA Asia