TNT Tropang 5G’s Calvin Oftana during a PBA Philippine Cup game against San Miguel Beermen. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—TNT turned to one of its most reliable swingmen in Calvin Oftana to finally break through in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup.
After three tough losses to start the all-Filipino conference, the Tropang 5G finally barged into the win column after an 89-84 win over San Miguel Beer.
READ: PBA: TNT finally ends slump, beats San Miguel for its first win
Oftana headlined the much-needed triumph in more ways than one.
“Coach [Chot Reyes] told us yesterday during our huddle that we should just show up because that’s what we’ve been missing for the past three games,” said the sweet-shooting forward at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on Sunday.
“We have no Rondae [Hollis-Jefferson], no rebounder or shot blocker so having said that, we wrote it on our board as something that I can contribute to the team.”
Oftana finished with 23 points–which isn’t an unusual number for him on offense–until it was paired with his rebounding numbers– 21 boards–for a monster double-double.
READ: PBA: Winless Slam-seeking TNT searching for lost groove
The feat is even more impressive, considering June Mar Fajardo was down in the paint with him, bodying for rebounds down low.
For comparison, Fajardo scored 21 points and 14 rebounds, seven less than Oftana’s.
However, Oftana barely talked about his career-high in rebounds. He, instead, expressed relief as the grand slam-seeking TNT improved to a 1-3 record for the season.
“This may be my career-high in rebounds but I wasn’t looking for that. I’m just happy we got a win in this conference and hopefully, we sustain this,” said the Gilas Pilipinas forward.
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The Tropang 5G look to keep the momentum going on Friday when they face Terrafirma at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
