Calvin Oftana will be joining the Gilas Pilipinas Final 12 for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup despite being previously listed as doubtful due to injuries.

According to a report from the PBA website, Oftana, together with Justin Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, Japeth Aguilar, Carl Tamayo, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, and Jamie Malonzo will fly to Jeddah ahead of the August 5 to 17 tournament.

“Oftana’s case was uncertain as he still nursing a sprain in both his ankles, though nonetheless, the TNT forward opted to travel and join Gilas in the war at the desert,” the league said.

This is a welcome development for the nationals as they would have missed one of their best snipers if Oftana had to miss the Asia Cup.

“We were given medical records from his camp, and we’re not sure if he’s gonna be available for the whole tournament,” said head coach Tim Cone.

Fortunately, this would not be the case, and the TNT Tropang 5G star is now tipped to provide added firepower for Gilas, which will be facing Chinese Taipei on August 6, New Zealand on August 7, and Iraq on August 9.

On the other hand, this means that Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos, half of the latest additions to the Gilas Pool, will be missing out on roster spots.

The two gave Cone additional bodies during their two-week build-up, with Oftana, Fajardo and Perez still being with their respective mother squads in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals during that same time, but their return to donning national colors will have to wait for now. (ABS-CBN News)