Calvin Oftana believes that the PBA has some explaining to do regarding the officials’ decision-making late in regulation of TNT’s eventual overtime win over TNT to take Game 2 of their PBA Philippine Cup semis series on Friday night.
The athletic winger felt that he should have been given four free throws instead of just three as he drew a foul on counterpart Gian Mamuyac while in the act of shooting from deep with 7.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
“Kasi alam ko malayo sa line eh,” he told Tiebreaker Times before making his way out of the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on the heels of their 113-105 victory.
“Pinakita rin naman nila na talagang four points yun eh. Ni-review pa nila. So I think we deserve an explanation,” the 29-year-old furthered.
The referees, together with technical officials, thoroughly reviewed the said play and concluded that Oftana would have to shoot a total of three free throws.
But a video recorded by Tiebreaker Times showed that the Gilas Pilipinas stalwart took the shot beyond the four-point arc, meaning that he indeed should’ve shot four.
He did sink all three to eventually send the game into an extra period, but Oftana couldn’t help but think of the possibility had the call been more accurate.
Had he been awarded four bonuses, and granted that he made all of those, the Tropang 5G would’ve snatched the lead back at 100-99.
Still, they did win at the end and are now up 2-0 in the best-of-7 series. However, Oftana is hoping that the PBA (particularly the Commissioner’s Office) would address the matter soon — all in the name of accountability, of course.
“Kasi panglamang ‘yun namin eh,” said the former NCAA MVP from San Beda, who finished Game 2 with 39 points and nine rebounds.
“Sana reviewhin at gawan nila ng paraan ‘yan. Kasi klaro naman, may ebidensya na four points talaga, malayo pa sa linya,” he added.
#WATCH: WE DESERVE AN EXPLANATION 🧐
Calvin Oftana insists his last shot in regulation was a four-point attempt, not a three 🏀
🎥 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA2025 pic.twitter.com/dBbccobx45
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 27, 2025
