TNT Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana has called their run to the PBA Governors' Cup title against Barangay Ginebra as a “job well done,” but the versatile wingman has made it clear that he's far from done.
Vowing to represent every TNT ka-tropa who stays inspired and optimistic in the face of challenges, Oftana explained why his second career PBA championship with the Katropa is a lot sweeter than the first time.
“Syempre sweeter and mas masaya ngayon, kasi noong first championship ko buntis pa lang yung asawa ko. Ngayon, nakikita na ng anak ko at naiintindihan na niya yung laro. Nakikita ko yung sigla niya at sila ng asawa ko yung naging inspirasyon ko," he said.
"Sweeter yung championship kasi ang daming hirap na pinagdaanan ng team.”
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Candid and humble, Oftana is finally reaping the fruits of his hard work even at times when the tide seems to be against him.
“Merong times na hindi pabor yung outcome ng laro, syempre nafru-frustrate ka. Hindi naman yun mawawala as a player. As a professional player, you need to know how to overcome those things lalo na yung sa mga fans na sobrang die-hard sa team nila.
"But I have my family, my teammates, coaches, at syempre yung mga ka-tropa natin kaya pusigido kaming manalo.”
Off the court, Oftana is active on social media, uploading TikTok dance videos with his siblings and sharing updates on his official Instagram account — powered by TNT, of course. He also reaches out to fans and ka-tropas in game venues and even through virtual platforms.
“Naglalaro tayo para makapagbigay ng saya sa mga ka-tropa natin. I want the team to be a top contender for every conference. Gusto ko sana nakakapag-compete tayo sa taas or compete for the title each conference kasi hindi lang siya personal goal but I’m also doing it for my family,” he said.
Born in Cebu but raised in Siaton, Negros Oriental, the 6-foot-5 sharp-shooting forward used to watch YouTube videos about shooting and dribbling when he shifted from track and field and volleyball to basketball as a teen athlete.
Oftana rose from playing for Asian College-Dumaguete to the San Beda Red Lions, where he eventually won championships.
Drafted third overall by the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Rookie Draft back 2021, Oftana is the only pure-blooded Filipino in the Top Four of that draft class alongside Joshua Munzon (1st pick overall), Jamie Malonzo (2nd), and Mikey Williams (4th).
Today, he is right at home with the TNT Tropang Giga.
“I’m giving my 100 percent every opportunity na makalaro. Binubuhos ko yun. Sabi ko nga kung bibigyan ako ng chance ng teammates at coaches, I will give it my all para sa kanila," said the former Red Lions star.
Oftana has also been an integral part of Gilas Pilipinas since 2020. He drained three triples in the early goings of the 2022 Asian Games vs Qatar and is part of that team that went on to win the country's first Asiad basketball gold in 61 years.
Even as Oftana suits up for Gilas against New Zealand and Hong Kong in the FIBA Asia Cup November window, he is already looking forward to the PBA’s next conference, hungry for more.
When asked if he sees TNT going on to win a grand slam, he shared, “I don’t want to say that ‘TNT can become the next dynasty in the PBA,’ but I can promise our supporters that I’m making my own path sa team. I’m trying to contribute sa history ng team. I’m making my own road and giving my all hanggang nandun ako sa TNT.”
Oftana is a living proof that dreams are for everyone. It doesn’t matter where you started. It’s how you push yourself to be the very best.
Still, Oftana would rather let his game do the talking.
“I honestly don’t think about it [status in the PBA]," he said. "I’m just focused on what I can do for the team. In my head, yun ang binabayaran sa akin eh, yung maglaro nang maganda para manalo para sa mga ka-tropa, sa management, at para sa family ko.”
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