TNT has become known for its collection of ‘Bisaya’ players in its roster, but the group gets its toughest test yet against arguably the best player the South has ever produced.
The ‘Bisdak’ bloc of TNT led by Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy and their bid for a PBA grand slam in the Philippine Cup will have to go through San Miguel and its pillar, eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
COLUMN: Fajardo's fitness will dictate how PBA Finals will go
“’Yung laban namin ‘yung final round kasi ‘yung the best Bisaya na ‘yung kalaban namin,” said Pogoy, who traces his roots to Talisay City, Cebu.
“Maganda din sa community lalo na sa Visayas, sa Mindanao kasi ang daming nanonood. And then, dami rin nagme-message sa amin. Maganda sa PBA tsaka sa amin din dahil puro Bisaya,” Pogoy added during a press conference on Friday.
Before the presser, Oftana, Pogoy, and Poy Erram shared a moment with Fajardo when the former approached them on the TNT’s side of the room. Oftana was also seen sitting alongside Fajardo at the San Miguel’s table.
“Nire-recruit ko na siya. Nire-recruit ko na siya sa amin para puro Bisaya na kami,” Oftana, a Dumaguete City native, joked about Fajardo.
Other ‘Bisaya’ players at TNT include Erram and Glenn Khobuntin, who grew up in Cagayan De Oro like Rey Nambatac, who will not play in this finals.
Barkley Ebona and Brian Heruela are also from Cebu, with Heruela even a former teammate of Fajardo during their days at University of Cebu.
Fajardo, from Pinamungajan, Cebu, is also looking forward to going up against the ‘Bisdak’ players in a finals that will serve as a showcase of Cebu basketball.
“Masaya ako na makalaban ko dito ang mga Bisaya. Proud Bisaya kami,” Fajardo said. “Nire-represent namin ang mga Bisaya sa PBA. Ibibigay naming ang best namin, ipapakita namin kung paano maglaro ang mga Bisaya which is hard-nosed siya. Pakita namin kung gaano kagaling ang mga Bisaya sa PBA. Good luck sa amin,” said Fajardo.
Oftana said having Bisaya teammates has help foster camaraderie at TNT.
“Pinaka the best as a player ‘yung mas maiintindihan mo ‘yung mga kasama mo lalo na during games. Hindi mo na kailangan mag-English. Ngayon, gusto mong ipahiwatig sa kasama mo, kung nagagalit ka man, may mga lingwahe, may mga sari-sarili din kaming parang kami lang ang nagkakaintinidahan. Malaking bagay ‘yun sa team.”
“Pinaka the best ‘yung kalaban ng Bisaya – si Kraken,” said Oftana.
Friendship will take a back seat in the meantime for this finals series.
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.
