CANDON City - Calvin Oftana is tempering expectations on TNT's high-profile import Bol Bol ahead of the Tropang Giga's PBA Commissioner's Cup title defense.
The veteran forward said having the 7-foot-3 former NBA player doesn't mean TNT is already guaranteed of retaining its championship.
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"Hindi naman porke ganito yung import ninyo, ganun ang import ninyo," said Oftana at the sidelines of the PBA All-Star Weekend here.
"Pagdating naman kasi sa laro iba na yung mindset nun. Lahat gustong manalo."
Oftana hasn't had a full practice with TNT with Bol around as he was focused on initially playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers and later, rehabbing his ankle injury.
So he couldn't say for certain whether the son of the late NBA star Manute Bol isn't in playing shape yet.
"So far OK naman siya pero sabi nga nila wala raw sa kundisyon," he said
Good thing TNT won't have its first game until March 20 yet against Rain or Shine.
Despite his status, the 26-year-old South Sudanese-American is very down to earth, according to Oftana
"Approachable naman siya, pero mahinhin," said the former NCAA MVP from San Beda said.
"Pero ganun naman ang mga import. Dati si Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) ganun din naman. Pero kalaunan nung naglalaro na kami, nakukuha na namin yung loob niya. And napapatawa na siya ng mga kasama ko."
Oftana mentioned the likes of San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, and even guest team Macau Black Bears as the threats to TNT's title-retention bid.
"Maraming quality imports na dumating ngayon this conference," Oftana admitted.
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