Jayson Castro’s unfortunate season-ending injury has spurred his TNT Tropang Giga teammates to step up during their campaign in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Among the players who embraced the challenge is versatile swingman Calvin Oftana, who broke out of a mini-slump to play a key role in the Tropang Giga’s semifinal series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
After a meager 10-point average on 7-of-21 shooting (33 percent) in Games 2 and 3, Oftana summoned back his old deadly touch and sizzled with a team-high 26 on 12-of-21 shooting as TNT took Game 4, 93-85, for a 3-1 lead.
The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay followed this up with a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double to lead the local support for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (42-11) as the Tropang Giga sealed the clincher in Game 5, 97-92, to set another title duel with old rival Barangay Ginebra.
For his strong outing at such a pivotal stage, Oftana was named the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period March 5 to 7.
“Malaking bagay kapag nakapag-contribute ako sa team para manalo kami, lalo na ngayong wala si Kuya Jayson,” said the 28-year-old, stressing that every healthy body in the TNT fold is carrying the same mindset as they try to make it a “twin-kill” in Season 49 sans Castro after their triumph in the season-opening Governors’ Cup.
“It’s not just about me naman, eh. Iyung mga effort ng kasama ko [are as crucial]. ‘Yung intangibles, like si Kim [Aurin], more sa depensa. Si Kuya Kelly [Williams], ‘yung leadership niya sa loob. Ang presensya niya sa pagbantay kay [Painters import] Deon [Thompson], ‘yung mga ganyang bagay,” he added.
Oftana beat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ RJ Abarrientos and Jamie Malonzo, who were instrumental in the Gin Kings’ finals-clinching 126-99 romp over the NorthPort Batang Pier, and TNT teammate Rey Nambatac for the last POW citation for the mid-season conference given by the men and women covering the PBA beat from different broadsheets, tabloids and online platforms. (ABS-CBN News)