Calvin Oftana has zero intention of sitting out TNT’s most important game of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup to date this coming Friday.
The star winger said he’s all set to play for the Tropang 5G in Game 5 of their best-of-7 semifinal series against Rain or Shine despite his ankle injuries.
“Lalaro talaga ako,” he told reporters on the heels of their 108-92 victory at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Wednesday night, which gave the Grand Slam-seeking franchise a commanding 3-1 lead against their budding rivals.
“Kailangan ko maglaro eh. Pero ‘pag hindi naman ako kailangan sa Friday, if ever ‘di naman ako kailangan, at OK naman ‘yung takbo, ‘di ako maglalaro. Pero for sure, maggi-gear up ako,” the 29-year-old continued.
Already nursing a sprained left ankle during their quarterfinal encounter against the twice-to-beat Magnolia, Oftana hurt the other one early in the fourth quarter of Game 4. He was slow to get up from the floor before being subbed out.
(C) PBA Images
It was a tough sight for the entire TNT, having lost lead big man Kelly Williams during the second period due to a right ankle sprain as well.
Fortunately for the group, Oftana walked it off and checked back into the match with about seven minutes remaining.
He eventually finished the game, tallying 16 points on 46.2-percent shooting from the field. He also had seven rebounds and four assists to contribute to the Tropa’s balanced attack toward pushing their foes at the edge.
Still, the status not just of Oftana, but of the 43-year-old Williams as well is making Coach Chot Reyes worried entering the potential series clincher.
“I’m only concerned if we have enough men because we’re just falling like flies. We lost Kelly today, Calvin as well,” the straightforward mentor said.
But the former NCAA MVP out of San Beda assured that he’s ready to go for Game 5, refusing to make an excuse out of his injury as he’s eager to help TNT reach the Big Dance for the third time in a row.
“Nagsimula na mamaga. Pero OK lang ‘yan. Malayo sa bituka,” Oftana said with a chuckle. “Nasimulan na ‘to eh, tapusin na natin, ‘di ba?
“Ganun naman talaga ‘yung buhay eh, ‘pag kaya pa, i-gapang mo na. Si Lord na bahala, sana pagalingin ‘to ngayong gabi.”
Game 5 is at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
#WATCH: “‘DIKDIKAN NA ‘TO!” 😤
Calvin Oftana shrugs off his sprained ankle from Game 4 — all eyes on the finish line 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/0vSfDrefno
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) July 2, 2025
