CALVIN Oftana has been filling in the shoes left by Kiefer Ravena for NLEX admirably, and Wednesday's no-tomorrow match against Meralco was no exception.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said the final play of NLEX’s 81-80 win over Meralco would have been automatically given to Ravena had he been around and not in Japan for his upcoming B.League debut with the Shiga Lakestars.
With their conference on the line, Guiao entrusted the role to his 6-foot-5 rookie and he delivered by hitting the game-winning layup off a perfectly executed play kicked off by a pinpoint inbound pass by Jericho Cruz.
“Actually, ‘yung last play na ‘yun, if we had Kiefer with us, that would have been for Kiefer,” said Guiao. “But he stepped into the shoes of Kiefer and he’s done excellently so far.”

After a slow start to his pro career, the 25-year-old Oftana is finally showing his potential since exploding for 34 points including a PBA rookie record eight three-pointers in the Road Warriors’ loss to Meralco last September 22.
On Friday, the former San Beda star had another impressive all-around game embellished by 12 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, but Guiao was the first to point out that Oftana is by no means a finished product.
Oftana, Guiao said, actually made crucial mistakes especially on the defensive end against Meralco and missed a three-pointer with Meralco up, 80-79.
NLEX dodged a bullet as Mac Belo missed two free throws with 8.6 seconds remaining, opening up the opportunity for the Road Warriors to execute a game-winning play. And Guiao trusted his rookie enough to give him the ball again.
Oftana a 'very special player'
“Despite his lapses and misjudgments on defense, he came out and gave us the winning basket. What more can you ask for,” said Guiao.
Guiao is glad to see his No. 3 pick in the last PBA rookie draft finally living up to expectations. But he also knows it's a process that has no short cuts.
“Ang kailangan lang ni Calvin is to mature with his decision making but he has all the attributes," said Guiao, who in the course of his long career has carved a reputation of bringing the best out of unheralded players.
"He has the basketball body. He has the athletic ability. He has the composure. All rookies will go through a point where they will have to make mistakes first before they get better. He is in that point,” said Guiao.
“He is a very special player and we are very lucky we were able to draft him,” he added.
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