There’s no disputing that TNT Tropang 5G forward Calvin Oftana is one of the best players in the PBA. In fact, he might be the league’s best wing overall—especially with Arvin Tolentino now taking his act to South Korea. Unfortunately, Oftana isn’t playing like he’s cream of the crop in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, and it’s torpedoing TNT’s Grand Slam bid.
To be fair, Oftana’s numbers aren’t all that bad—15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. But these are good player numbers, and the former San Beda Red Lion can certainly be more than that. He’s shown time and again he can be a great player, like when he torched the league to the tune of 21.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in TNT’s first four games in the Commissioner’s Cup or when he exploded for 28 second half points in Game 2 of the Tropa’s semis series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters this conference.
That impactful Calvin Oftana has been missing in these Finals save for one sterling third quarter in Game 2 when the Gilas mainstay fired 13 points on three triples. Other than that, Oftana has been average as best, content on being one of the guys and drifting into obscurity. It hasn’t helped that he’s shot just 18-for-47 from the field overall, which isn’t typically what you’d expect from the sweet-shooting wing.
Show Up or Pack Up: Calvin Oftana Might Be Due
Even worse, Calvin Oftana has disappeared in the fourth quarter of every game, seemingly like clockwork:
- Game 1: 2 points, 0-for-6 from the field
- Game 2: 0 points, 0-for-6 from the field
- Game 3: 3 points, 0-for-2 from the field
- Game 4: 2 points, 1-for-2 from the field
Oftana’s fourth-quarter no-shows have been so bad that he’s had nearly as many turnovers (6) as points (7). These disappearing acts, in turn, have placed a huge burden on RR Pogoy and Jordan Heading, who are left with no choice but do the heavy lifting on offense. It’s a task Pogoy and Heading—arguably two more of the league’s best—can certainly handle, but probably not with lingering injuries (a hurting hamstring for Pogoy, back issues for Heading).
Needless to say, Oftana’s lack of production or even aggressiveness has made beating San Miguel—already a tall order in of itself—a lot harder. But Game 2 was well within reach for the Tropa, and Game 4 was still a tight one at the five-minute mark. TNT even had a chance to potentially steal Game 3, inching to within 90-83 after playing terribly in the third canto.
Each time, the Grand Slam-seeking Tropang 5G needed that one big lift, that one final push—something an on-point Oftana could’ve certainly given. Not only is he talented, he’s also got the physical advantages against pretty much every Beerman as he’s taller, longer, and rangier compared to Don Trollano, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, CJay Perez, Jericho Cruz, and Jeron Teng—the same players who’ve taken turns guarding the 6-foot-5 Oftana. Unfortunately for TNT, their uber-talented wing has been anything but on-point this series, and it might have cost TNT at least one game, maybe even two.
The good news is that these Finals are a race-to-four, and there’s at least one more game to play. Calvin Oftana showing up and taking charge in Game 5 might be the tonic TNT needs to extend this series even longer.
The ball is in Calvin Oftana’s court now. It’s either show up or pack up.
