TNT gunner Calvin Oftana went 0-for-6 in more than nine minutes of action in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in the best-of-seven PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.
The worst thing that could happen when a soldier heads to the trenches is running out of ammunition.
That is exactly what happened to Calvin Oftana in TNT's 92-98 loss to San Miguel in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals Wednesday, July 16.
After heating up in the third period where he poured 13 of his 23 points, the TNT winger cooled off when it mattered most.
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Oftana went 0-for-6 from the field in fourth period, compounding the Tropang 5G's woes after Game 1 hero RR Pogoy struggled to get it going and Poy Erram exited the game with an ankle injury.
"Wala, ayaw talagang pumasok. I tried to help the team in my own way pero parang napasama pa," Oftana said.
[RELATED STORY: Huge blow for TNT as Poy Erram hurts right ankle in Game 2 of PBA Finals vs San Miguel]
There were a lot of factors that contributed in the disruption of the Tropang 5G's signal at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Among them was Chris Ross, who bullied TNT's backcourt on the defensive end.
"Kailangang i-handle ng mga guards namin 'yong pressure ng kabila," Oftana said.
TNT standout Calvin Oftana (right) guards San Miguel veteran Chris Ross in Game 2 of the PBA Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
But learning from their mistakes and stepping up should be the task of every Tropang 5G, according to the 6-foot-5 cager.
"Kailangan naming mag step up, learn from every game. Kasi mahaba-haba pa. Hopefully, 'yong mga mali namin sa first two games, sa Game 3, maitama namin," Oftana said.
TNT tries to regain the lead when it takes on San Miguel in Game 3 Friday, July 18.
Match starts at 7:30 p.m. at the same venue.