MANILA, Philippines — Tropang TNT veteran big man Ranidel De Ocampo went on Twitter in the wee hours of Sunday, February 14 to comment on import Ivan Johnson's sudden ban from the PBA.
De Ocampo pointed out the possibility of Johnson's ban scaring away other potential good imports from playing in the Philippines.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Sana meron pa magaling na import na gusto maglaro dito sa Pilipinas!</p>— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) <a href="https://twitter.com/jutaca33/status/698576045599887360">February 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Super bad trip!</p>— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) <a href="https://twitter.com/jutaca33/status/698575659195478016">February 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Johnson was slapped a lifetime ban and ordered to pay a Php 250,000-fine Saturday, February 13 for cursing at commissioner Chito Narvasa during TNT's game against Meralco.
De Ocampo spent about an hour until almost 3 am interacting with fans who were still awake.
De Ocampo, who just came back in the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup from a back injury, admitted he wanted to tweet something but could not do it. (READ: Missing basketball bad, De Ocampo comes back strong for TNT)
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Gusto ko magtweet pero hindi ko magawa.</p>— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) <a href="https://twitter.com/jutaca33/status/698568166918623233">February 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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So he instead sent out cryptic responses to fans that served as a peek into his stand on the ban.
For instance, one fan asked whether Johnson's ban came too fast, to which De Ocampo threw back the question: "Is it fast?"
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/danwilmarinas">@danwilmarinas</a> mabilis ba?</p>— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) <a href="https://twitter.com/jutaca33/status/698573493739216896">February 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/danwilmarinas">@danwilmarinas</a> ang galing naman</p>— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) <a href="https://twitter.com/jutaca33/status/698574129805438976">February 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/iamtheboss8888">@iamtheboss8888</a> maghahanap pa ng gusto maglaro dito sa pilipinas</p>— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) <a href="https://twitter.com/jutaca33/status/698571287204012032">February 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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De Ocampo responded to a fan who alluded to possibly getting banned as well if they speak out.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/al_viado07">@al_viado07</a> no comment</p>— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) <a href="https://twitter.com/jutaca33/status/698570416588066816">February 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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He then said "hahaha we know it" to a fan who said the situation is sad and that De Ocampo should not tweet anymore.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/al_viado07">@al_viado07</a> hahaha alam na</p>— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) <a href="https://twitter.com/jutaca33/status/698569363247333376">February 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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— Rappler.com
More stories on Ivan Johnson's ban:
- Banned import Johnson apologizes to PBA commissioner
- Banned TNT import Johnson: 'The devil is working overtime'
- TNT rues lack of due process on banned import Johnson
- Guiao on banned Johnson: 'He's a world-class a*shole'
- PBA players speak out on Johnson's lifetime ban on Twitter
- Old nemesis Pingris did not expect Johnson's ban