CALVIN Oftana is in the conversation for the Best Player of the Conference award after bringing TNT to the semifinals of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
Oftana is at fourth place in the BPC statistical race at the end of the eliminations with 32.7 average statistical points (SPs), behind front-runner June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel (42.0), Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort (39.0), and Robert Bolick of NLEX (37.1).
But with Fajardo and Bolick no longer in the hunt after missing the playoffs, Tolentino and Oftana have become the favorites to capture the BPC award, based on statistics accumulated.
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But if Oftana is to be asked, he believes the BPC award should go to Tolentino based on how he took NorthPort to the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
When asked if Fajardo’s absence have improved his chances of winning the BPC, Oftana said he is not thinking about the individual award.
“Hindi ko masabi. Ayokong pangunahan ‘yung mga bagay na ganyan. Pero we have Arvin Tolentino naman. I think he deserves it more than me,” said Oftana.
“Binuhat niya ‘yung team niya. And he deserves it,” the TNT gunner added.
Oftana said he wouldn’t mind if Tolentino wins the BPC, being good friends. Some fans even think that Oftana and Tolentino look alikes.
“Para kaming magkapatid niyan. Nalilito nga ‘yung mga fans, ako tina-tag sa mukha ni Arvin,” said Oftana.
“Isang beses sa mall, tinawag akong Arvin Tolentino. Sabi ko, 'Hindi ako ‘yan.' Pero okay naman kami,” said Oftana with a smile.
Oftana focused on team goals
Oftana’s focus is on the team’s goals, saying the BPC is just one of the by-products of the team's success.
“Hindi ko talaga iniisip. Parang magiging pressure sa sarili ko ‘yun. Pero it’s the work that I did. Every training, every morning, waking up, just blessed to wake up every morning and just blessed na meron akong mga kasama na sinusuportahan ako, mga coaches na nandoon palagi,” said Oftana.
“May nagtatag sa akin (na BPC candidate ako). Siyempre, hindi ko naman tinitignan ‘yung stats. Mostly, tinitignan ko ‘yung outcome ng team, outcome ng laro namin as a team. Tinitignan ko ‘yung stats ko kung saan ako nagkulang. So blessed lang,” said Oftana.
The Dumaguete native is hoping that the hardwork will result in a second straight title for the Tropang Giga this conference.
“Hindi naman ‘yun ang mission ko,” said Oftana, referring to the BPC. “My mission is to make my own legacy sa Talk ‘N Text, make our own legacy sa Talk ‘N Text lalo na nandiyan pa si Kuya Jayson (Castro), Kuya Kelly (Williams), Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson).”
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