Calvin Oftana was the last player added to the Gilas Pilipinas roster for its gold-medal defense at the 20th Asian Games. Yet in their opening game against Bahrain, he looked every bit the team’s number one option.
Despite the 89-85 loss th Bahrain, the TNT Tropang 5G forward delivered a game-high 31 points, along with 3 rebounds, while shooting 6-of-9 from beyond the arc and 11-of-19 overall.
Oftana Is Always Ready for the National Team
The 30-year-old forward wasn’t part of the two tune-up games Gilas played against South Korea, which may have left Bahrain unfamiliar with his style of play. But that hardly mattered to Oftana. For him, it has always been about staying ready for the flag.
“I’m just being ready lang every time na may call-up sa akin dito sa Gilas,” he said in a post-game interview with One Sports.
He was ready indeed, leading Gilas’ offense as if he were starring for TNT in the PBA.
“Same lang naman eh, magamit man ako o hindi, kung sa mga sa [FIBA] Windows natin na nag-struggle ako, pero I’m happy that I’m part of the team,” Oftana added.
By halftime, the former San Beda Red Lion had already tallied 14 points and continued to be the Philippines’ go-to scorer throughout the match. Unfortunately, Gilas still absorbed a heartbreaking defeat.
Giving Whatever the Team Needs
Despite the setback, Oftana remained firm that he is simply doing whatever the team requires of him, regardless of which Gilas lineup he belongs to.
“Kahit sino pang team ‘yan, itong team na ‘to or ‘yung kabilang team, nandito lang naman ako para I-deliver talaga ‘yung laro ko and kung ano ‘yung kung kaya kong gawin para makatulong sa team natin,” said Oftana.
As Gilas Pilipinas faces Kazakhstan later at 6:00 p.m., don’t be surprised if Tim Cone once again turns to Calvin Oftana as the team’s go-to guy.
