Calvin Oftana delivers standout performance in TNT’s third win
Calvin Oftana helped the TNT Tropang Giga defeat the Meralco Bolts, 101-99, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday, January 7, at the Philsports Arena.
Oftana matched Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s output by posting 24 points, hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while adding four rebounds and two assists, earning him Player of the Game honors.
"Those breaks, we don't take it as a break. We are also conditioning ourselves since the conference is still ongoing. That's our job and we're happy that we won today because it's our first game and our minds are still very much on the cloud. At least now, December is over," Oftana said during the post-game press conference.
TNT head coach Chot Reyes praised the team’s flexibility, especially in the second half as Meralco tightened their defense against Oftana.
"In the second half, they [Meralco] never left Calvin. That's why we needed Roger [Pogoy] to step up and Jayson [Castro] hit that big three," said Reyes.
"That's how our game is, we empower our players to make plays and the key really is their selflessness and their awareness. They just have to be aware of what the situation is and then they have to be very willing," he added.
Meralco rallied to tie the game 99-all in the closing seconds after TNT, fresh off a 19-day break, took a commanding 23-point advantage early on.
The two teams kept trading baskets until Cliff Hodge fouled Hollis-Jefferson. RHJ’s free throws with ten seconds remaining in the game gave the Tropang Giga the victory.
In a solid all-around performance, the TNT’s super import finished with 24 markers, 13 boards, and five dimes, with Rey Nambatac contributing 15 points in the win.
Import Akil Mitchell topped Meralco’s scoring column with 24 markers, 18 rebounds, and seven assists, while Chris Newsome chipped in 19 points and eight dimes in the losing cause.
TNT is set to battle Converge on Saturday, January 11, while Meralco will try to claw back when they go against NLEX on Friday, January 10.
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.
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