CALVIN Oftana granted RR Pogoy's wish when the Cebuano aggravated his hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old forward gamely took the baton from his fellow TNT gunner and delivered one of the most clutch performances in the PBA playoffs this season to lead the Tropang 5G to a 113-105 win in overtime against a gutsy Rain or Shine side in their Philippine Cup semifinals series.
Oftana erupted for 39 points, including 28 in the second half and overtime period, to put the franchise halfway through of making it back to the finals for the third straight conference.
READ: Oftana scores 39 as TNT frustrates Rain or Shine yet again in OT
The former NCAA MVP from San Beda took it upon himself to put TNT on his shoulders after the exit of Pogoy – the Tropang 5G's best scorer in the playoffs – early in the second quarter after hurting his hamstring.
Pogoy, who sizzled for 28 points in the Game 1 win, told Oftana to take the lead for the team, as he was left helpless sitting on the bench no thanks to his injury.
“Sabi niya sa akin, 'Ikaw na ang bahala dito, amigo,'” recalled Oftana of his conversation with Pogoy, as they call each other by the Spanish word meaning friend.
To which he replied, “Ako na ang bahala, amigo.”
What followed next was a spectacular showing by the fifth-year forward, which he capped by canning three pressure-packed free throws in the final 7.7 seconds to forge overtime play.
Then in the extra period, Oftana hit the last of his five three-pointers for the night to give TNT the separation it needed to finally pull away from RoS.
Oftana finished the game hitting 13-of-22 from the floor, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line, while adding nine rebounds.
Back to you, Pogs
In a way, it was also reciprocation for what Pogoy did in the Tropang 5G's win during the series opener.
“Credit to Pogoy, talagang binuhat niya kami,” he said. “Alam naman namin yung capability ni Pogoy. Both ways kasi yung ginagawa niya, scoring at sa depensa. Malaking bagay yun.”
But Oftana made clear TNT is not just about him and Pogoy.
“Team talaga kami. Hindi kaya ng isang tao lang na buhatin yung team namin. It’s a collective effort, yun ang tinuro ni coach [Chot Reyes] para sa amin,” he said.
READ: RR Pogoy doubtful for Game 3 as he deals with hamstring injury
Pogoy is doubtful for TNT in Game 3 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when the Tropang 5G try to make it three in a row against the embattled Elasto Painters.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
