TNT’s Calvin Oftana.–PBA IMAGES
Calvin Oftana didn’t get the amount of playing time he’s so used to having at TNT during Gilas Pilipinas’ bid in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) last month in Latvia.
But the Tropang Giga ace, who hails from Dumaguete, is not looking at the Riga tour as a wasted stint. Instead, he feels he was able to return to his PBA club richer with experience that he is now looking to cash in on.
“You know, I came from humble beginnings. I used to play on the streets for water bags. Now, I’ve played at the OQT. That’s my first-ever game outside Asia, so it was big for me,” Oftana told the Inquirer in Filipino during the PBA’s media day held recently at Le Parc in Pasay City.
“I just rested for a couple of days. Since I wasn’t able to play much [in Riga], I went straight back to team (TNT) practice so I could get back on coach Chot [Reyes’] system where we’re mixing up stuff. We have our usual dribble-dive, but we’re now having some motion [action],” he went on.
Oftana also recalled seeing Latvia’s Rolands Smits, the world No. 6 squad’s center who was among Gilas’ key scouting targets during the OQT, thinking the big man was the kind of player he wants to take after.
“For me, he’s quite the player. You couldn’t tell he was actually good. From his body language, you’d think he’s just average. Turns out, he’s an impact player,” the TNT gunner said.
Fitting in
Oftana said that aside from upskilling, he has been working on how he fits in with this edition of the Tropang Giga, who recently underwent some personnel tweaks following the trade for Rey Nambatac and the inclusion of import Darius Days, a former Houston Rocket.
“I told coach Chot during our exit interviews [last season] that I easily get frustrated when my teammates don’t convert whenever I set them up. And that’s what I’m trying to mold [about myself now], so we could have great chemistry for this coming conference,” he said.
Asked about his goals for TNT this season, Oftana, who has been forward-looking throughout the interview, reached for an old response.
“The same goals: To make the quarterfinals, then the semifinals, the finals, and hopefully win a championship,” he said.
Entering his fourth PBA season, Oftana seems to have matured as a player as well.
“We also know that we have to take things a step at a time. And everything starts in training,” the two-time All-Star and 2023 Governors’ Cup champion said.
“Right now, I like what I’m seeing. Everyone’s going hard this early, and I’m seeing physicality and presence of mind from my teammates, too.”