NLEX will lose Calvin Oftana for at least six weeks.
The six-foot-five utility forward out of San Beda University has been diagnosed with a fractured left ring finger.
Titan Management Group managing director PJ Pilares bared the development to Tiebreaker Times.
“Of course, he was saddened by the results of the MRI but he’s fine,” Pilares said.
The injury occurred during NLEX’s 100-110 loss to Meralco, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With 7:45 left in the game, Oftana pickpocketed Aaron Black which led to a wide-open layup. However, the 26-year-old native of Danao City, Cebu jammed his finger during the attempt.
Though he still played on for a minute, he was visibly in pain before subbing out. Oftana did not return to the game and was immediately sent to the nearest medical facility.
Photo by PBA Images
It’s a huge blow for NLEX as Oftana is averaging 11.5 points on 52.8-percent shooting from the field with 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in six games played this conference.
Fellow rookie Matt Nieto knows the struggle in recovering from this kind of injury as he experienced this mid-2021. It caused him to miss the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament-Belgrade.
“Alam ko gaano kahirap maka-recover sa ganiyang injury kaya advice ko lang sa kanya is to take his time,” Nieto said. “Ang mahirap diyan yung rehab kasi maalangan ka sa simula. Pero again, just take his time and don’t rush it.”
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