Calvin Oftana goes up against Jamie Malonzo during a game between TNT Tropang Giga and rival Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—TNT gunner Calvin Oftana let his confidence do the talking in the Tropang Giga’s huge win over Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Philsports Arena on Friday.
In their first meeting since the Governors’ Cup Finals’ sixth game, TNT proved why it was them who took home the chip over the Gin Kings with another high-octane game from Oftana.
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READ: PBA: TNT shuts down Ginebra behind Calvin Oftana, RHJ
“I just have confidence in myself,” said a beaming Oftana in Filipino following their 91-86 win over Ginebra.
“Sobrang bilib nga sa sarili ‘yan, eh! (He has a lot of confidence in himself)” interjected coach Chot Reyes humorously.
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“I just have a lot of confidence but I can’t have that without the help of my coaches and teammates plus my trust in the Lord,” Oftana said.
The San Beda product fired a game-high 32 points and seven rebounds to match, dialing up six buckets from the three-point area.
Oftana needed time to regain his conference, after he seemingly losing it in TNT’s last game against NLEX.
READ: PBA: Calvin Oftana fires 42 as TNT edges Magnolia for first win
“Calvin, as good a player he is, he’s still very coachable and very open to feedback,” said Reyes.
“Last game, he was missing shots because he wasn’t open. I told him, ‘di ka libre, pinipilit mo,’ and he took that advice. He learned that lesson and that’s why he continues to grow and develop as a player and a person.”
The two-time PBA champion certainly took those lessons to heart as he powered the Tropang Giga to a league-best 6-2 record.
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“I just need to breathe and take clearer shots. In that NLEX game, I learned my lesson in not taking forced shots. That was my wake-up call that I needed to be patient and now, my shots hit and it’s because of my teammates.”
