MANILA, Philippines – Nakarekober na si Ranidel de Ocampo mula sa spine injury at pinipilit na makahabol sa kanyang mga kakampi sa Talk ‘N Text sa kanilang practice.
Umaasa si De Ocampo na magiging handa siya para sa pagdedepensa ng Tropang Texters sa kanilang korona sa 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup na sisimulan sa Feb. 10.
Kaugnay nito, muli namang tutulungan ni import Ivan Johnson ang Talk ‘N Text matapos manalo sa Rain or Shine sa Game Seven ng kanilang cham-pionship series.
“We’ve started training on Jan. 11. Ranidel is with us but he’s still feeling his way around. Ivan arrived Friday and has had couples of practices already,” wika ni TNT coach Jong Uichico. “We’re back with a complete lineup. We have Ivan Johnson as import again but we have a different lineup from last year. The other teams have improved so it’s hard to tell what’s ahead of us in the second conference,” dagdag pa nito.
Hindi nakalaro si De Ocampo sa 13 games ng Tropang Texters sa Philippine Cup matapos magka-injury sa kanilang weight training.
Sa una at huling laro ni De Ocampo sa nasabing torneo ay nagtala siya ng 26 points, 15 rebounds, 3 steals at 1 assist.
“He’s trying to get back slowly. He’s yet to join us in full practice,” sabi ni Uichico.
Matagal namang nabakante si Johnson matapos maglaro sa Spanish league.
“But he’s not completely out of basketball. He’s playing pickup games. And we still have two weeks to get ready for the Commissioner’s Cup,” paniniyak ni Uichico.
Si Johnson, naglaro para sa Atlanta Hawks sa NBA, ay import sub kay Richard Howell. (NB)