Ranidel out for 6 weeks after gym accident

MANILA, Philippines - Talk N Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo will be out for approximately six weeks due to a herniated disc (L5S1) suffered in a freak accident during weight training at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center inside the Ateneo campus yesterday.

“He’s now able to move his legs but with difficulty,” said TNT assistant coach Josh Reyes after all the immediate treatments given De Ocampo.

At press time, De Ocampo was still under observation at the Makati Medical Center after tweaking his back and suffering tremendous pain in the accident.

De Ocampo, playing almost without rest with his Gilas Pilipinas stint in the PBA offseason, was immediately rushed to the hospital where he underwent X-ray and MRI examinations.

“The pain has subsided after he was given valium through IV. He’s also taken ketorolac pain reliever. But regardless of the results of his tests, he’ll be confined for further observation,” said TNT team manager Virgil Villavicencio.

“Everything is well coordinated with Dr. Mark Castro. And Boss MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) has called, easing Del’s deep concerns,” Villavicencio also said.

“His back muscles stiffened and he couldn’t move because of tremendous pain. It could be back spasms but of course we’ll never know,” said TNT coach Jong Uichico.

De Ocampo was lifting weights when he suffered the injury.

TNT officials, coaches and almost everybody asked for prayers for De Ocampo.

“Was lifting wts when he felt a twitch in his back. Could hardly move after. Pray it’s nothing serious,” said former TNT and Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes.