TNT will now focus its attention on Rain or Shine as the Tropang Giga gear up for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
Calvin Oftana won’t be with them, at least until later, as he concentrates on his Gilas Pilipinas duties with the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers right around the corner.
READ: TNT sends PBA guest team Eastern packing at Final Eight stage
“Mahaba-haba ‘yung pahinga, pero nasa Gilas ako eh,” said Oftana.
“Pero pag tungkol na sa bayan, siyempre ayaw mong humindi. Minsan lang ‘yun sa buhay mo, lalo na sa akin na galing barangay barangay lang, tapos mabigyan ng opportunity na makapaglaro para sa bayan.”
Outside the Ginebra players in Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, and Troy Rosario, Oftana is the only other player in the Gilas roster who will still be playing in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals after the national team duties.
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TNT coach Chot Reyes said they will make the best out of their preparations without Oftana for the meantime,
“That’s a factor that we have to consider. Certainly, that’s going to be a factor, Calvin not being with us in practice,” said Reyes after TNT overcame Eastern in the quarterfinals.
But Oftana isn’t too concerned about playing for Gilas Pilipinas while in the middle of TNT’s title bid that will resume on February 26 when it plays Game One of the best-of-seven series against Rain or Shine.
Oftana said recovery will be an important factor for him while he is in the middle of the Gilas training and games where they will play in Doha for three friendly matches, and against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.
“Ganun talaga. Siguro time management, ‘yung crucial doon ‘yung pahinga na lang siguro. After training, kung anong kailangang gawin para maging fresh pa rin. Siyempre, kapag tungkol na sa bayan, kailangan mong pumuko talaga," he said.
"Kailangan mong mag-trabaho kasi kagaya ng sabi ko, it’s a blessing, it’s an opportunity na galing akong barangay barangay. Ganun talaga ang buhay."
Oftana’s upcoming Gilas stint is on the heels of a remarkable performance in the Commissioner’s Cup where he is one of the statistical leaders in the Best Player of the Conference.
By virtue of TNT reaching the semifinals, Oftana is now a candidate for the individual award.
Oftana is also leading the league in three points made with 48, as of the end of the quarterfinals.
While his shooting has definitely boosted his confidence, Oftana said he won’t be out there with Gilas just to take outside attempts, just like in previous windows.
“Nandoon ako para sa ganung bagay – tumira at dumepensa. Pero pinakamalaking bagay na kailangan kong i-contribute sa kanila, depensa talaga kasi marami namang umiiskor sa amin. If there’s an opportunity na makatira ako, I’ll take responsibility for it na i-shoot, at siyempre, taking good shots,” said Oftana, who will also be out to improve his shooting percentage after a total of 4 of 13 shots from threes in four games with Gilas in the Asia Cup qualifiers.
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