CALVIN Oftana was clutch for TNT on Friday night, sending Game Two into overtime and delivered the crucial baskets to seal their 113-105 win over Rain or Shine in their PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup semifinal playoff.
And apparently, Oftana could have won the game outright in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.
READ Mamuyac accepts blame after decision to foul Oftana backfires
Oftana knocked down three free throws to tie the match at 99 with 7.7 seconds left in the fourth after he was fouled by Gian Mamuyac. However, a closer look at the play showed Oftana was clearly attempting beyond the four-point line.
TNT coach Chot Reyes admitted that, at first glance and from his vantage point from the bench, they also felt that Oftana’s shot was a four.
“Tingin namin four, pero parang stepping. Pero parang tingin ko four,” said Reyes after the postgame press conference of Game 2.
The play eventually became moot and academic as Oftana saved TNT by scoring seven of his 39 points in overtime to lead the Tropang 5G to the overtime win over the Elasto Painters and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series.
Free throws proved to be the story of Game 2. The three free throws allowed Oftana to finish the game with a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. TNT as a team, made 19-of-21 from the charity stripe.
That was in contrast to Rain or Shine where out of 34 attempts, it only connected on 20..
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