CALVIN Oftana is doubtful for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 due to the ankle injuries he sustained during the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone revealed on Monday that the TNT forward could be scratched from the Asia Cup line-up due to his situation.
Oftana hurt both of his ankles during TNT's playoff run where the Tropang 5G were eyeing for a Grand Slam.
READ: Gilas climbs out of 21-point hole to beat Macau in sendoff match
“We are not sure about Calvin,” said Cone. “The medical reports are that he might be out a little bit longer, so far that we’ve gotten.”
“We were given the medical report from his camp so we are not sure if he is going to be available for the whole tournament. We are going to address that today or tomorrow,” said Cone.
Fortunately for Gilas Pilipinas, Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos have been practicing with the national team for several weeks already, and are under consideration to be a replacement for Oftana since they are part of the ‘long list’ initially submitted to FIBA.
“We’ve got Troy and RJ sitting on the wings to step in if necessary,” Cone added.
Oftana were among the Gilas players who showed up in the send-off game against Macau Black Bears at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum along with Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo.
Sotto has already been ruled out of the FIBA Asia Cup due to the ACL tear he sustained in the Japan B.League.
But Cone assured that Fajardo, fresh from San Miguel’s title victory in the PBA Philippine Cup, will start practicing soon after the calf issue that he had in the finals.
“But June Mar, we expect him to start practicing when we land in Jeddah. He is going to take two or three days off from doing any physical activity and we expect him to start practicing when we arrived which will be the 31st, and we expect him to play in the friendly against Jordan,” said Cone.
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