Montaña trades de Ocampo to Pop Cola

More concerned with the future of the team, Montaña has officially traded Ranidel de Ocampo, undeniably the best amateur center in the country these days, to newcomer Pop Cola in a move that surprised coaches in the PBL.

Blessed with the speed and soft touch from the perimeter not typical of a big man, de Ocampo, 21, is a mainstay of the national team for the coming Vietnam SEA Games and is likely to turn pro next year.

In return, Montaña will get 6-foot-5 Al Magpayo and 6-foot-4 Jayson Cuevas. Magpayo is one of the nine players taken by Pop Cola from the now-defunct LBC team. Cuevas also last played for LBC but was not chosen by Pop Cola.

"If we are thinking of just one conference then we will not trade de Ocampo because I know he’s the best amateur center these days but we have to be practical," said Montaña coach Bong Go. "We want to build a strong team in the coming conferences."

"If de Ocampo will turn pro next year, what will happen to us?" added Go. "So it’s better to get a player who will stay with us a little longer before turning pro."

While he acknowledged the absence of de Ocampo will surely create a big hole in the team, Go is still convinced they can still be a competitive team, saying: "We’ve some players who can fill up the slack."

Montaña humbled Blu Star Power twice during recent exhibition games in Mati, Davao Oriental and in Davao City.

The entry of de Ocampo will surely make the Panthers a team to beat, having seasoned players in their fold. In fact, some experts described the team as more dangerous that their sister team—Viva Mineral Water.

Meantime, Nash Racela has been officially appointed head coach of Pop Cola in the Second Conference which starts on Oct. 25.

Aside from Viva, Pop Cola and Montana, other teams participating in the coming conference are Welcoat, Hapee Toothpaste, Blu Star Power, ICTSI and Nutri-Licious.