Calvin Oftana will bask in the glory of TNT's feat in the PBA before joining his Gilas Pilipinas brothers for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
The minute TNT captured the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup title by overturning Ginebra on Friday, Nov. 8, Calvin Oftana started bawling.
Oftana went around the court at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, giving his teammates and coaches the tightest hugs as he won his second championship in just his second Finals appearance.
“I was so emotional kasi it’s my second Finals appearance, and madaming nangyari, eh. There’s some circumstances sa team namin, up and down, but we stuck to the plan: to get the championship, that’s the plan,” Oftana said.
Indeed, it was a job well done for the Tropang Giga, who crawled back from 11 points down in the third period to hack out a 95-85 clincher in Game 6 against Justin Brownlee and the rest of the Gin Kings.
“Job’s done. Ito talaga 'yung mission namin before pa ng conference,” Oftana said.
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But as he cherished this latest milestone in his stellar career, Oftana knows it’s back to business in week.
That’s because the 6-foot-5 winger will report to Gilas Pilipinas on Nov. 15 as the national team hit the ground running for the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Gilas will take on New Zealand (Nov. 21) and Hong Kong (Nov. 24) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(Calvin Oftana is all smiles at centercourt after TNT remains to be the champion in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports)
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Oftana will be ready by that time.
But for now, the sweet-shooting forward will bask in the glory of a championship.
“After nito, I think, Gilas na naman. Trabaho na naman,” Oftana said with a smile.
“I’ll be ready. Pahinga lang nang kaunti. Looking forward sa mga Pilipino, sa Gilas nation, na suportahan kami.”