Ranidel de Ocampo retires from PBA

Ranidel de Ocampo has officially retired from basketball.

The Meralco big man announced his decision on his Twitter account on Monday.

"Because of basketball, I successfully fulfilled my dreams and gained so much lessons and values," he said. "I was able to represent and fight for our country and entertain basketball fanatics."

"I can now spend more time with my family. I thank the Lord for giving me a great and fruitful career," he added. "To all my coaches and teammates, friends and fans, thank you for being a part of my basketball journey."

Maraming salamat Panginoon! ???????? pic.twitter.com/LUeVDMAWVG

— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) April 13, 2020

Earlier, De Ocampo spoke about retirement in the 2OT podcast by Carlo Pamintuan and Magoo Marjon on Monday.

He appeared as a guest on the podcast with fellow Gilas Pilipinas veteran Marc Pingris.

"Although hindi ko pa naa-announce, dun na rin ako papunta eh, magre-retire na. Eh lagi akong nai-injury. Kaya siguro ano ito na 'yung time para magpahinga sa basketball," he said when asked by Pamintuan what's next on his basketball career.

De Ocampo, 38, said his last contract expired with the end of the 2019 season and it appears that he is not keen on signing another.

"Mahirap sumugal sa katulad ko may injury lang lagi," he said. "Kumbaga pipirma ako tapos hindi ko naman maibigay 'yung ine-expect nila di ba. Mamaya kakapirma ko lang ma-injury na ako. So nakakahiya naman 'yung ganun di ba."

The PBA has suspended its games amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The 2020 season is facing a possible reduction to two conferences if the current situation does not improve.

De Ocampo spent most of his career with TNT Katropa and won six championships in the PBA.

He won two silver medals in the FIBA Asia Championship and was part of the historic squad which competed in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. --MGP, GMA News