RELAX, enjoy, and soak in the moment.
That’s the mindset Calvin Oftana will bring, as he plays his first-ever Game 7 in a PBA finals on Friday night when TNT and Barangay Ginebra clash one last time for the Commissioner’s Cup championship.
Twice a champion with the Tropang Giga, the two times Oftana played in the finals both ended in Game 6 triumphs over the Gin Kings. This time around, he hopes to help his team win a third one while playing on the biggest stage in sports.
“It’s my first Game 7. Excited ako and we're happy na meron pa kaming isang chance na do-or-die game,” said Oftana.
TNT came through in its first must-win game after grinding out a 87-83 win Wednesday night that levelled the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and arranged the decider.
Oftana finished with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from downtown, but was held scoreless in the second half.
He credited the Gin Kings defense for denying him the ball and not making it easy to get to his shooting spots.
“Grabe yung depensa nila sa akin. So I have to help my teammates, let them do the scoring, and help them to get open,” said Oftana.
He made up for it by grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out four assists, adding three steals, and shooting 5-of-11 from the field.
“Right now sa finals, it’s not all about points kasi kailangan mong gumawa ng bagay para ipanalo ang team,” Oftana added. “Nagkulang ako sa points, nagkulang ako sa production, pero I think I consider naman na ok yung ginawa ko.”
Calvin leaves it all on the floor
Oftana was doing it all so much that he suffered cramps in the final 33 seconds of the game.
“Nag-cramps lang, pero thankful pa rin na nakalaro pa rin ako,” added the former NCAA MVP from San Beda, who was fielded back in with 18 seconds to go.
Now, he looks forward to playing in what many refer to as the best two words in sports.
“Hindi pa tapos ito,” said Oftana.
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