The last time Calvin Oftana and Scottie Thompson went toe-to-toe in a PBA Finals, the former won it all.
Although rivals in the PBA, TNT's Calvin Oftana and Scottie Thompson of Ginebra are actually friends off the court.
Oftana said the friendship developed during Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in 2022 where they always ended up as roommates.
Oftana and Thompson, both part of the new program for the Nationals under Tim Cone, are so close that they even swapped jerseys moments after the Tropang Giga dethroned the Gin Kings in last year's edition of the Governors’ Cup.
“Ever since magkasama kami sa national team, roommate ko na siya. Wala nang bago sa'min,” said Oftana on Thursday, Oct. 24.
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But Oftana and Thompson, who both played in the NCAA in college and each earned Most Valuable Player honors there, will have to set that friendship aside anew when the ball starts rolling in the Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals between TNT and Ginebra.
As the Tropang Giga gun for a 10th overall championship, the 28-year-old Oftana is not going easy on Thompson.
“Pagdating sa laro, iba na ang mindset namin. Gusto naming maglaro [para sa team namin],” said Oftana.
Oftana expects an all-out effort from Thompson.
“I know Scottie very well. Give all talaga siya pagdating sa basketball,” Oftana added.
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Game 1 of the best-of-seven finale is set on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.