After missing the last two FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers windows, Calvin Oftana will make his Gilas Pilipinas Men comeback at the 20th Asian Games.
The 6-foot-5 TNT forward will complete the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s 12-man roster for the continental meet.
Oftana, who recently recovered from a hamstring strain and a toe injury, went straight to the airport to fly to Nagoya, Japan, and join the national team on Wednesday morning.
“Calvin Oftana is stepping in as our 12th man. He is arriving this afternoon; we hope in time to make our practice schedule today,” said Gilas head coach Tim Cone.
Oftana was part of the 30-man long list submitted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to the Asian Games organizers two months ago.
(C) FIBA
Initially, Justin Brownlee was slated to be Gilas Men’s 12th man, but he has yet to fully recover from the multiple leg injuries he sustained during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and the third window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
“Calvin was always on the list to play, but we were uncertain of his health status. He has since returned to TNT’s practice and is good to go,” continued Cone.
Oftana is part of Gilas Men’s FIBA Window core alongside Asiad team members RJ Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar, and Justin Arana, making his integration into the system seamless.
He was also part of the Gilas team that won the gold medal at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
However, Oftana will have several new teammates in Robert Bolick, Don Trollano, Sedrick Barefield, Adrian Nocum, Zavier Lucero, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jerrick Ahanmisi, and Brandon Bates.
Gilas will open its Asian Games campaign against Bahrain on Friday before facing Kazakhstan on Saturday and China on Monday.
“Because of the system we are running and his previous experience in the window teams, he’s a plug-and-play player and will fit right in,” Cone said.
