TNT forward Calvin Oftana. Handout photo
MANILA, Philippines – After a triumphant campaign in the 2024 PBA Governors' Cup, TNT's Calvin Oftana asserted that he is far from over.
The sharp-shooting forward from Siaton, Negros Oriental was one of the key players for Chot Reyes in their championship run, backed by spectacular import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
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And every opportunity he gets, Oftana vowed to give it all for his teammates and coaches.
"I’m giving my 100 percent every opportunity na makalaro. Binubuhos ko 'yun. Sabi ko nga, kung bibigyan ako ng chance ng teammates at coaches, I will give it my all para sa kanila," Oftana said.
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"I don’t want to say that ‘TNT is onto becoming the next dynasty in the PBA,’ but I can promise our supporters that I’m making my own path sa team. I’m trying to contribute sa history ng team. I’m making my own road and giving my all hanggang nandun ako sa TNT," he added.
Oftana, who also suits up for Gilas Pilipinas in the ongoing second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, said his second PBA title is sweeter because of his child and wife, whom he draws inspiration.
READ: PBA: TNT beats Ginebra in blowout fashion, on brink of Govs Cup title
"Siyempre, sweeter and mas masaya ngayon kasi noong first championship ko buntis pa lang yung asawa ko. Ngayon, nakikita na ng anak ko at naiintindihan na niya 'yung laro. Nakikita ko 'yung sigla niya at sila ng asawa ko 'yung naging inspirasyon ko. Sweeter 'yung championship kasi ang daming hirap na pinagdaanan ng team," said Oftana.
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The product of San Beda University eventually learned how to resilient — which, he argued, is one of his traits being a professional athlete.
"Merong times na hindi pabor 'yung outcome ng laro, siyempre nafu-frustrate ka. Hindi naman 'yun mawawala as a player. As a professional player, you need to know how to overcome those things lalo na 'yung sa mga fans na sobrang die-hard sa team nila."
"But I have my family, my teammates, coaches, at siyempre 'yung mga ka-tropa natin kaya pusigido kaming manalo," he went on.
Oftana and the rest of the Tropang Giga will gun for another title in the upcoming PBA Commissioner's Cup, where they will have Hollis-Jefferson again as an import.
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