Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — After suffering a heartbreaking loss to New Zealand, Gilas Pilipinas is losing forward Ranidel de Ocampo, who has said goodbye to the national team.
“I officially announce my goodbye of playing in Gilas Pilipinas Basketball! #PUSO,” said De Ocampo in his Twitter post.
The Philippine team suffered back-to-back losses to France and New Zealand in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), ending its quest to play in this year’s Rio Olympics.
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De Ocampo suffered a slip disc injury back in October putting a question mark on his return stint to the national team. He was able to recover after over a month of treatment and eventually, was able to suit up for the FIBA-OQT.
Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Tab Baldwin thanked De Ocampo for his contributions to the national team.
“Thank you for your service, commitment and class. It’s been a privilege to work with you as both a player and a person,” Baldwin said in a tweet.
De Ocampo was part of the Gilas Pilipinas team that played in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championships. He also donned the national colors during the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup, where the Philippines finished in third place.
He averaged 9.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in FIBA tournaments he participated in since 2011.
His first stint in the international setting was back in 2003 when the Philippine team brought home the gold medal from the SEA Games in Vietnam.
CNN Philippines intern Justin Sagum contributed to this report.
