Calvin Oftana had quite an experience when he faced coach Yeng Guiao as TNT took on Rain or Shine in Saturday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup tiff.
The sophomore saw himself going up against the same mentor who picked him third overall in the 2021 Rookie Draft and gave him a chance to flourish until the champion shot-caller left NLEX to return to Rain or Shine last month.
He played for a total of three conferences under Guiao and was traded by the Road Warriors to the Tropang Giga shortly after the latter’s departure, making their first meeting since parting ways an anticipated one.
And that reunion of sorts definitely became memorable for the 26-year-old winger, thanks to the ever-competitive bench tactician.
“Kanina nung pagpasok namin … ayaw talaga magpa-bless ni Coach Yeng e,” recalled Oftana in between chuckles.
But of course, he understands that it’s just the nature of Guiao. “Pero that’s him,” he said. “Talagang passionate siya pagdating sa court. Pero outside the court, the people don’t know his attitude, kasi approachable.”
Once the dust of battle settled, it was Oftana and TNT who came out triumphant as they dealt TNT a 110-91 beating for their second win in a row.
The former NCAA MVP out of San Beda proved to be a headache for Guiao, too, as he produced 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
“Gusto lang namin manalo,” he said after the match at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “I’m happy sa panalo namin, and looking forward [for more].”
They may now be with different teams but Oftana is and will always hold Guiao in high regard, grateful for all the help that molded him to who he is now.
“It’s good to see him kasi si Coach Yeng ‘yung nagbigay ng kumpiyansa sa’kin, tsaka siya ‘yung nag-mold sa’kin talaga para maging [kung ano] ako ngayon.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
