After playing his best game yet in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals in Game 4, Calvin Oftana is determined to carry over his splendid performance to Game 5 Friday, Jan. 30.
Calvin Oftana turned in his best game yet in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals last Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Oftana fired five triples for a conference-high 29 points in the Tropang 5G’s 111-87 win over San Miguel in Game 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
After helping TNT force a 2-all standoff in the best-of-seven series, the TNT winger refused to hog the credit.
“Happy lang ako with the way we responded. Hindi lang naman ako [kung hindi] pati ang mga bigs namin; si Jordan (Heading), ang mga pasa niya,” Oftana said.
[WATCH: PBA LIVESTREAM: TNT vs San Miguel | Philippine Cup Finals Game 5]
It was, indeed, a spectacular response for Oftana and Co. after dropping their two previous games, the last one in a heartbreaking fashion.
After erecting an 89-86 advantage inside the final minute, Cjay Perez stole the victory for SMB.
Perez first knocked down a four-pointer in the face of Henry Galinato to regain the lead, then followed it up with a booming three over Oftana himself.
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“Sabi namin, until tumunog 'yong buzzer, 'wag kaming mag-celebrate early [in Game 4]. Hats off to Cjay [in Game 3]; grabe ang kumpyansa noong tao,” Oftana said.
“Sa practice namin, sinabi namin [sa isa't-isa], tiwala lang talaga. Ito, we have a chance in the [virtual] best-of 3, we will take it.”
Oftana and TNT now shift their focus on Game 5 Friday, Jan. 30, as they eye a 3-2 lead.
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Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Every game is a different game. Kung ano ang approach ko [in Game 4], kung anong magandang nakuha ko [doon] dadalhin ko next game. Kung ano ang mga mali, mag- a-adjust lang ako,” he said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.