By Adrian Stewart Co
Negrense forward Calvin Oftana has no hard feelings despite only being lined up in Gilas Pilipinas second encounter with Thailand in the 2020 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Manama, Bahrain.
According to the Negros Oriental-native, he was just happy to be able to get back in the court and make a quick impression when he scored nine points in Gilas’ 93-69 win over Thailand last Monday.
“It’s good to be back on the court,” said the San Beda forward in an interview with Spin.ph. “For how many months na walang laro, medyo nangapa pa rin ako. Tapos first time pa sa international, kaya talagang kinabahan ako.”
“Kinabahan ako, pero tsumamba so sinagad ko na,” added the 6-foot-5 forward. “We have a good team and good coaches na kahit sa konting time of preparation, nakabuo kami ng samahang parang ilang taon nang magkakasama.”
Oftana insisted that he had no hard feelings for being cut during Gilas Pilipinas’ first encounter with Thailand last Friday, noting that everyone in the team only wants the best for the collective.
“We all deserve na ma-lineup sa team na ito,” he said. “Sobrang proud ko lang na nakalaro ako for Gilas Pilipinas. Siguro mananalamin ako kasi parang hindi pa rin totoo.”
Meanwhile, Allyn Bulanadi, who is nursing a dislocated right shoulder, was the lone player from the 15-man pool to not see action in the Manama bubble.
“What I love about this team is hindi mo makikita na may nadidismaya kung hindi nakalaro, but instead mino-motivate pa namin ang isa’t-isa to do the right thing para manalo kami,” Oftana said./ASC, WDJ