Sports

College champ Calvin Oftana guns for first pro crown with TNT


Calvin Oftana will bring his infinite talent and potential to TNT.  —PBA IMAGES

Calvin Oftana will bring his infinite talent and potential to TNT. —PBA IMAGES

Calvin Oftana is looking forward to his first ever Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Finals, something TNT has always wanted to make happen since they acquired the talented forward from NLEX at the start of the season.

“I’m excited,” said Oftana, who will be one of the key players Tropang Giga will pin their hopes on against Barangay Ginebra in the Governors Cup Finals series starting on Easter Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Hopefully we can do the things that have made us so successful this season and I’m also very excited about how we’ll deal with our opponents in the Finals,” Oftana added in English. Filipino.

TNT guarantees Oftana’s services September of last year, or before the Commissioner’s Cup was conducted through a three-team transaction including Blackwater.

But Tropang Giga had to remove veteran giant Troy Rosario to Bossing, while Road Warriors picked up rookie Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser from NLEX.

Expectations are high that TNT, lost in the final to San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Cup, will be one of the leading contenders knowing Oftana’s talent and impressive numbers of 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals in his last match against NLEX.

But the second tournament turned out to be a defeat for Tropang Giga as they finished 4-8 (win-lose) to miss out on the knockout stages. The dismal campaign also became a correction period for Oftana, whose output dropped to 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals.

protagonist

Calvin Oftana PBA

Calvin Oftana. PBA . IMAGES

“My first conference with TNT was a bit downhill and we weren’t successful,” Oftana said. “But I’m really looking forward to being in the Finals, especially in my fledgling career at TNT.”

He’s averaged 13.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and steals so far this season-ending league season when TNT returned to the championship stage by overtaking. took a 10-1 lead in the knockouts before beating Phoenix and Meralco in the knockouts.

Oftana was key in TNT’s semi-final against Meralco, scoring all of his 21 points in the first half of Game 4, which ended in a split. Win 107-92.

Now he has the chance to win championships as a professional athlete, a feeling he has repeatedly enjoyed as a college standout player at San Beda. in the NCAA. Oftana helped the Red Lions won three in a row since 2016.

Will that be a factor for Oftana to come to the title fight?

“I spent many years in San Beda and I was able to experience how to be a champion. I guess it will help me in this Finals,” he said.

“But it is true that it is a different league, and we are at the professional level right now. You’re facing great coaches and great players — talented players,” Oftana continued. “What I can do is focus and make sure we can execute our game plan in this Finals.” request


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