Calvin Oftana could not be any happier now that he is about to make his maiden PBA Finals appearance in only his second conference with TNT.
This became possible when the Tropang Giga booted out Meralco to set up a date with reigning champs Ginebra. And the sophomore winger, of course, feels excited about the opportunity given how his first ride with the Tropang Giga went.
Surprisingly traded by NLEX back in September, he and his new club struggled in the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup. They finished with a measly 4-8 record as the flagship MVP franchise missed the playoffs for the first time in four years.
“My first conference dito sa Talk N Text, it was down kasi hindi kami nakapasok ng quarters. Now, nandito kami sa Finals,” Oftana reflected shortly after the pre-Finals presser, Monday at the Novotel Manila Araneta City.
“Early in my career sa Talk ‘N Text, ito agad ‘yung nangyari. Excited ako,” the third overall pick of the 2021 Rookie Draft furthered.
Playing on a stage as big as the Finals, however, is something Oftana is familiar with. The Dumaguete native reached the NCAA Finals in all of his four years with San Beda and won a rare three-peat from Seasons 92-94.
The winning mentality could help, but it’s not lost on the Season 95 Most Valuable Player that the professional ranks are a far different animal.
“Siguro, kasi ilang taon din ako sa San Beda. Tsaka nandun ‘yung pagiging championship team ng San Beda, and siguro malaking bagay din ‘yun na makakatulong sa akin dito. Pero it’s a different league,” he said
What Oftana hopes is that he will be able to carry over his solid play to the best-of-seven title bout, which begins on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-5 winger had been key in TNT’s run to the Finals, averaging 13.6 points on 51.9-percent shooting from the field, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and a steal. And he has embraced his off-the-bench role for the loaded Tropa.
“Hopefully, ‘yung mga bagay na nagagawa ko this conference, magawa ko this Finals,” said Oftana. “Excited ako.”
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The 2023 PBA Governors Cup Finals is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
