CHICAGO — In a social media post that put Tropang 5G fans into a blender of depression and anxiety, TNT star Calvin Oftana sounded like he was leaving.
“Grateful for every moment, every lesson, and every battle on the court,” Oftana said while thanking the franchise for believing in him “from the start.”
READ Oftana headed to Korean league? Here's the real score
The Sunday musings poured kerosene to the smoldering rumors that the 6-foot-5 , 185 lbs forward is headed to the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
But Oftana’s agent was quick to douse a bucket of cold water to the hot topic.
“”Just a post thanking TNT for their unwavering support,” PJ Pilares of Titan Management Group told me in a text message.
STAYING PUT.
Pointing out his client’s live contract, with the telecommunications giant, Pilares insisted that Oftana isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
In a separate telephone interview on Monday morning, Oftana himself reiterated that he has a contract with TNT.
“Appreciation post lang 'yun,” he said of his social media comments on Sunday.
While he assured the TNT family of staying in the PBA at least until his deal expires in December 2027, there are no guarantees beyond that.
Like vultures circling around a carcass, KBL teams have shown dogged interest on Oftana for years while keeping a safe, quiet distance.
An agent source in Korea told me that one of Oftana’s suitors has dangled a $20,000 a month offer.
That may be enough to lure the former San Beda sensation drafted by NLEX as the third overall pick in the 2020 PBA Rookie Draft before being shipped to TNT in 2022.
HIGH-VALUE ASSET.
As salaries go, PBA sources told me that Oftana is on the “Scottie Thompson level” pulling around P800,000 a month including perks and bonuses.
But in today’s tough economic times, Korea’s $20,000 jackpot amounts to P1.2 million a month.
To put that in perspective, former KBL MVP and Asian import Ethan Alvano, per Korean reports, once earned $260,000 a year or $21,600 monthly.
At age 30, with nothing more to prove as a three-time PBA champion and a three-time PBA All-Star, Oftana is ready for the next challenge of playing overseas.
Loyalty is good, but it’s not always a two-way street in sports.
Calvin Oftana needs to be reminded of that when he hits the free agency fork in the road in December 2027.
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