TNT forward Calvin Oftana continued his hot shooting in the PBA Commissioner's Cup during the Tropang Giga's 101-99 escape of the Meralco Bolts.
Calvin Oftana showed no signs of rust in the TNT Tropang Giga’s first game back after the Christmas break.
The 6-foot-5 forward finished with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting to go along with four rebounds and two assists to push the Tropang Giga past the Meralco Bolts, 101-99, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, January 7.
“Those breaks naman, we don't take it as a break lang eh. Nagpapa-condition din kami. Siyempre may liga pa. Trabaho namin 'yun and we're happy na nanalo kami ngayon kasi our first game sobrang on cloud pa 'yung mga isip namin. At least now, tapos na 'yung December,” Oftana said during the post-game press conference.
In five games, Oftana’s shooting from beyond the arc has been vital to TNT’s success and three-game winning run.
The secret behind it? The TNT superstar credited his preparation and the trust of his teammates and coaching staff.
“Mataas lang kumpiyansa ko eh, kasi ginagawa ko naman 'yun sa training eh. So, I think 'yun naman 'yung sikreto nun and siyempre hindi mawawala 'yung coaches, 'yung kasama ko, giving me leeway na tumira,” Oftana explained. “Just giving back 'yung tiwala nila sa akin.”
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After building a 23-point lead in the second quarter, TNT saw their advantage disappear in the third as Meralco continued to trim the deficit courtesy of an 18-0 blast.
Come late in the fourth quarter, the Bolts eventually took the lead behind Bong Quinto’s running shot with four minutes left in the game.
The two squads would continue to exchange baskets before Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s free throws with 10 seconds left in the game ultimately sealed the win for the Tropang Giga.
Head coach Chot Reyes was all praises for the team’s ability to adapt, particularly in the second half when Meralco tightened its defense on Oftana.
“In the second half, hindi na iniwan talaga si Calvin. That's why we needed Roger [Pogoy] to step up and Jayson [Castro] hit that big three,” said Reyes.
“Ganun ang laro namin eh, we empower our players to make plays and the key really is their selflessness and their awareness. They have just to be aware what the situation is and then they have to be very willing,” he added.
Alongside Oftana, Hollis-Jefferson put up 24 points along with 13 boards and five dimes. Rey Nambatac contributed 15 markers in the win.
Import Akil Mitchell paced Meralco with 24 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists, while Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero had 19 and 14 points, respectively.
THE SCORES:
TNT 101 – Hollis-Jefferson 24, Oftana 24, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 12, Castro 7, Erram 6, Galinato 5, Aurin 5, Khobuntin 3, Razon 0, Varilla 0.
MERALCO 99 – Mitchell 24, Newsome 19, Banchero 14, Quinto 12, Black 8, Hodge 6, Rios 5, Bates 4, Almazan 4, Cansino 3, Caram 0.
Quarter scores: 27-17, 52-35, 79-68, 101-99.