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Calvin Oftana
No. 8 – TNT Tropang Giga
PositionSmall forward / power forward
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1996-01-03) January 3, 1996 (age 28)
Danao, Cebu, Philippines
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High schoolAsian College - Dumaguete
CollegeSan Beda
PBA draft2020: 1st round, 3rd overall[a]
Selected by the NLEX Road Warriors
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2022NLEX Road Warriors
2022–presentTNT Tropang Giga
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Philippines
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Hangzhou Team
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Phnom Penh Team

Calvin John Oftana (born January 3, 1996) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He played college basketball for the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA.[1] He plays both the small forward and the power forward positions. He has also played as a shooting guard during college.[2][3]

Early life

[edit]

Oftana was born in Danao, Cebu, but grew up in Siaton after his parents split up.[4] He was raised by his mother along with his nine siblings.[5] He did track and field, winning a 100-meter sprint in a district meet when he was Grade 6.[6][7] He was also a volleyball spiker.[5] When he got a growth spurt in high school, he was encouraged to try basketball. He played it in fiesta opens.[4]

High school career

[edit]

When Oftana was in second year high school, he was discovered by Coach Mike Villahermosa of Asian College-Dumaguete.[6] He convinced Oftana's mother to let Calvin play basketball for him. Under Coach Villahermosa, Oftana learned the basics of basketball. He also watched YouTube videos of shooting and dribbling drills to hone his skills further.[7]

College career

[edit]

Oftana first played for the San Beda Red Lions in Season 92.[1] He won titles with San Beda from 2016 to 2018.[8][9][10] He was a backup to Art Dela Cruz and Javee Mocon during this time, as he developed his work ethic.[5]

In Season 95, Oftana took on a bigger role.[11] He had a near triple-double with ten points, ten rebounds, and seven assists in a win against the San Sebastian Stags.[12] For that performance, he was given Player of the Week honors.[13] He had a college career-best of 27 points and nine rebounds against the CSB Blazers.[14] He won Player of the Week again after scoring a personal-best 29 points while adding nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals in San Beda's rematch over the Blazers.[15] He won MVP after averaging 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 blocks, becoming the eighth MVP to hail from San Beda (the first since Sudan Daniel in 2010), and finishing 18–0 in the eliminations as they gained an outright finals berth.[16] They lost to the Letran Knights in three games.[17]

Professional career

[edit]

NLEX Road Warriors (2021–2022)

[edit]

In 2021, Oftana declared for the PBA season 46 draft.[18] He was offered to be included in the special Gilas round during the draft, but he declined.[19] He was drafted with the third pick during the first round by the NLEX Road Warriors.[20] In their elimination round match against the Meralco Bolts, he had a then career-high 34 points on 8-of-11 shooting on three-pointers and 12-of-18 from the field in 29 minutes of play; breaking the all-time record in three point attempts made by a rookie at eighth, erasing the 34-year mark of Allan Caidic at seven.[21] He scored the game-winning layup with 6.1 seconds left as NLEX got an 81–80 win in the quarterfinals.[22] On February 11, 2022, during a 100–110 loss against the Meralco Bolts, Oftana exited the game in the fourth quarter after suffering an injury. It was later revealed to be a fractured left ring finger, and was subsequently ruled out for six weeks.[23] Despite not being able to finish the season, he still made it to the PBA All-Rookie team.[24]

In Oftana's first game since the injury (which was also NLEX's season-opener for the 2022–23 season), he scored 18 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to help his team outscore the Terrafirma Dyip and complete their comeback win.[25] Against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, he made a three-pointer that sent the game into overtime.[26] The Road Warriors won in overtime, and he finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. He then had 18 points against the NorthPort Batang Pier as NLEX claimed the 6th seed.[27] In Game 3 of their Philippine Cup playoff series against the Magnolia Hotshots, he had 32 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, but he wasn't able to score in overtime and Magnolia went on to eliminate them.[28]

TNT Tropang Giga (2022–present)

[edit]

2022–23 season

[edit]

On September 19, 2022, Oftana was traded to the TNT Tropang Giga in a three-team trade involving TNT, NLEX, and the Blackwater Bossing.[29] Prior to playing a game with the team, he signed a three-year contract extension on October 4.[30] In his first game with TNT during the Commissioner's Cup, he had 12 points and seven rebounds, but committed two costly turnovers in the fourth quarter and was whistled for fouling Paul Lee with 4.3 seconds left.[31] Lee then went on to make two game-winning free throws for the Magnolia. Against his former coach Yeng Guiao, now with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, he contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the win.[32] In a loss to Phoenix, he had his best game yet, with 27 points on seven three pointers in 38 minutes.[33] TNT did not qualify for the playoffs that conference, their first since the 2018 Governors' Cup.[34]

In Oftana's first game of the 2023 Governors' Cup, he had 17 points and seven rebounds in a win over Phoenix.[35] After missing a game due to health protocols, he had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds to help TNT take the win over Magnolia.[36] Against the San Miguel Beermen, he had 14 points, six assists, and 10 rebounds, with the last rebound allowing him to make the game-winning putback basket.[37] This allowed him to receive Player of the Week honors and placed TNT at the top of the standings for the conference.[38] He also made it into the PBA All-Star Game as a replacement for Terrence Romeo.[39] In the semifinals, he had 21 first half points in Game 4 against Meralco to send TNT back to the finals.[40] In his finals debut, he had 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, but still lost to Barangay Ginebra.[41] He then had a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds as TNT tied the series in Game 2.[42] In Game 5, he stepped up for injured RR Pogoy with 20 points on four triples as TNT took a 3–2 series lead.[43] He was able to win his first PBA championship in the following game.[44] For the 2022–23 season, he was named to the Second Mythical Team.[45]

2023–24 season

[edit]

In TNT's first game of the 2023–24 season, Oftana scored 28 points as he tried to rally the team against Magnolia, but they lost.[46] Against NLEX, he scored 19 of his 29 points in the third quarter to lead TNT back from 22 points down and eventually take the win.[47] In a loss to San Miguel, he had a double-double of 27 points and 13 rebounds.[48] In a Christmas Day game against Ginebra, he had 27 points and three steals, but was only able to score six points in the fourth quarter, and they lost.[49] He then had a new career-high of 37 points alongside Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson's 50 points, but they still lost to Rain or Shine.[50] They got to the Commissioner's Cup playoffs as the eighth seed, but they lost in the quarterfinals to Magnolia.[51][52] He finished fourth in the voting for Best Player of the Conference for the Commissioner's Cup.[53]

Oftana started the 2024 Philippine Cup by scoring TNT's last five points in a clutch win over Rain or Shine. He finished that game with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.[54] That season, he played in the All-Star Game and won the 3-Point Shootout for the guards.[55][56] In a win against Meralco, he scored 26 points, including seven points in the clutch.[57] He tied his career-high of 37 points in a comeback win over NLEX in which he made eight triples.[58] In Game 1 of the quarterfinals against Rain or Shine, he scored 32 points, with 18 coming in the third quarter, to lead all scorers and get the win.[59] Rain or Shine then limited him to just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field as they took the following game.[60] In Game 3, he had 27 points, but committed two turnovers in the final minutes of the game as their season ended at the hands of Rain or Shine.[61]

National team career

[edit]

In 2020, Oftana was called up to the Philippines national team to play against Thailand. In that contest, he scored 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.[62]

In 2022, Oftana made his return to the national team for the fourth window of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.[63] He played against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.[63][2] He also got to play in the fifth and sixth windows.[64][65]

Oftana then made his SEA Games debut in the 2023 edition. However, he suffered a Grade Two strain in his calf in Gilas' first game against Malaysia and was later ruled to be out for the rest of the tournament.[66]

Oftana was included in the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.[67] However, he was not included in the 12-man final roster.[68] He did get to play in the 2022 Asian Games. In a win over Qatar, he scored 11 points, including three triples in the first quarter.[69] The team then went on to win its first Asian Games gold medal in basketball in 61 years.[70]

PBA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

As of the end of 2023–24 season[71]

Season-by-season averages

[edit]
Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 NLEX 19 22.9 .456 .319 .744 5.9 1.7 .6 .6 10.4
2022–23 NLEX 46 29.7 .465 .383 .811 7.0 2.1 1.2 .5 13.6
TNT
2023–24 TNT 26 36.9 .481 .399 .830 8.0 2.6 .9 .5 21.8
Career 91 30.3 .470 .380 .809 7.1 2.2 1.0 .5 15.3

Personal life

[edit]

In 2023, Oftana celebrated the birth of his first son Khalel Thaddeus.[72]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The 2021 draft was composed of two drafts: the Gilas special round, which consists of 4 players reserved for the Gilas Pilipinas program, and the regular draft. Oftana was selected as the third pick of the regular draft.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Li, Matthew (June 22, 2016). "San Beda Red Lions: NCAA Season 92 Starter Pack". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Agcaoili, Lance (August 30, 2022). "Marc Pingris impressed by Gilas' Calvin Oftana". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  3. ^ "Dumaguete City shooting guard named NCAA MVP". Watchmen Daily Journal. November 12, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Henson, Joaquin (November 27, 2020). "Another Calvin joins Gilas". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Riego, Normie (July 2, 2022). "With Calvin Oftana at the wheel, NLEX are in good hands for road ahead". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Calvin Oftana: Soaring from Siaton to San Beda | ABS-CBN Sports". August 10, 2019. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Sacamos, Karlo (August 5, 2022). "YouTube-taught late-bloomer Calvin Oftana in line for another Gilas call-up". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  8. ^ Bracher, Jane (October 11, 2016). "San Beda sweeps Arellano for record 20th NCAA title". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  9. ^ Marquez, CJ (November 16, 2017). "San Beda captures second straight NCAA basketball title". cnn. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  10. ^ Naredo, Camille B. (November 12, 2018). "NCAA: San Beda sweeps Lyceum for third straight crown". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  11. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (July 26, 2019). "Amid recruitment offers, Oftana glad to stay at San Beda as he inherits Mocon role". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  12. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (July 26, 2019). "Oftana overshadows 'Bandana Bros' as San Beda rips San Sebastian to sustain streak". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "San Beda forward Calvin Oftana named NCAA Player of the Week". Spin.ph. July 28, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  14. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (August 23, 2019). "San Beda shows St. Benilde how it's done to stay unbeaten in NCAA for a year". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "Calvin Oftana voted NCAA Player of the Week for second time in Season 95". Spin.ph. October 13, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "Calvin Oftana is NCAA Season 95 MVP, becomes eighth San Beda player to win". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  17. ^ Isaga, JR (November 19, 2019). "Letran ends San Beda reign, captures NCAA crown". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (January 26, 2021). "Calvin Oftana foregoing final year at San Beda to enter PBA Rookie Draft". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  19. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (February 12, 2021). "Why Calvin Oftana, William Navarro aren't part of special Gilas draft". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  20. ^ Li, Matthew (March 14, 2021). "PBA Draft: Calvin Oftana finds home in NLEX". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Ramos, Gerry (September 22, 2021). "Rookie Calvin Oftana breaks Caidic record in head-turning performance". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Terrado, Reuben (September 29, 2021). "Calvin Oftana nails winner as NLEX forces rubber match vs Meralco". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  23. ^ Li, Matthew (February 11, 2022). "Calvin Oftana out six weeks due to fractured ring finger". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  24. ^ Joble, Rey (June 25, 2022). "Sky is the limit for Oftana". The Manila Times. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  25. ^ Ramos, Gerry (June 8, 2022). "Fit-again Calvin Oftana wastes no time making presence felt for NLEX". Spin.ph. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  26. ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 30, 2022). "Oftana to the rescue as NLEX survives Phoenix comeback". Spin.ph. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  27. ^ Ramos, Gerry (July 22, 2022). "NLEX pounces on shorthanded NorthPort to claim No. 6 seed". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  28. ^ "Jalalon plays hero as Magnolia survives NLEX in OT, sets semis date vs TNT". RAPPLER. July 31, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  29. ^ Ramos, Gerry (September 19, 2022). "Rosario now a Bossing, Oftana goes to TNT as PBA approves trade". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  30. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 4, 2022). "Prized TNT acquisition Calvin Oftana signed to 3-year extension". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  31. ^ Bacnis, Justine (October 5, 2022). "Oftana not sulking on controversial foul on Lee: 'Ganun yung basketball e'". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  32. ^ Bacnis, Justine (October 15, 2022). "Oftana remains forever grateful to Guiao: 'Siya 'yung nag-mold sa'kin'". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  33. ^ Bacnis, Justine (November 2, 2022). "Calvin Oftana slowly getting old form back". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  34. ^ Ballesteros, Jan (January 23, 2023). "TNT's Calvin Oftana: 'Gigil kami makabawi'". onesports.ph. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  35. ^ Bacnis, Justine (January 25, 2023). "PBA: Hudson, TNT give Jolas successful debut, eke past Jarin's Phoenix". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  36. ^ Terrado, Reuben (February 4, 2023). "Jolas glad as Oftana provides big lift in return from health protocols". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  37. ^ Bacnis, Justine (February 19, 2023). "PBA: Oftana's last gasp putback downs SMB, gives TNT solo lead". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  38. ^ "Calvin Oftana named Cignal Play-PBAPC Player of the Week". www.pba.ph. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  39. ^ Ramos, Gerry (February 25, 2023). "Reserves Norwood, Cabagnot, Oftana, Jalalon make PBA All-Stars". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  40. ^ Bacnis, Justine (March 31, 2023). "PBA: Mikey Williams puts nail in Meralco's coffin as TNT sets up clash vs Ginebra". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  41. ^ Joble, Rey (April 10, 2023). "Oftana far from satisfied". Daily Tribune. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  42. ^ Terrado, Reuben (April 13, 2023). "Jolas sticking to winning formula as small ball gives Ginebra problems". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  43. ^ Ramos, Gerry (April 19, 2023). "Jolas on Calvin Oftana: 'He's a breath of fresh air'". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  44. ^ Dalupang, Denison Rey A. (April 22, 2023). "PBA: Calvin Oftana makes room for more success, eyes Gilas stint next". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  45. ^ Ventura, Sid (November 5, 2023). "Fajardo's comeback comes full circle with history-making 7th PBA MVP award". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  46. ^ Bacnis, Justine (November 5, 2023). "PBA: Tyler Bey drops 30-20 game as Magnolia weathers late TNT rally". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  47. ^ Isaga, JR (December 13, 2023). "Oftana spoils Bolick NLEX debut, Taulava retirement; Converge scores breakthrough". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  48. ^ Bacnis, Justine (December 17, 2023). "PBA: San Miguel escapes TNT to move to cusp of quarters". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  49. ^ Terrado, Reuben (December 29, 2023). "Cone takes notice of Calvin Oftana's 'MVP-like conference'". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  50. ^ Magallon, Reynald I. (January 5, 2024). "ROS spoils Rahlir's 50-point debut, Oftana's career-high to punch QF ticket". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  51. ^ Bacnis, Justine (January 14, 2024). "PBA: Pogoy delivers in return as TNT catches last ride bus to playoffs". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  52. ^ Bacnis, Justine (January 17, 2024). "PBA: Magnolia freezes out TNT, secures semis berth with commanding victory". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  53. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (February 9, 2024). "CJ Perez named PBA Comm's Cup Best Player". pna.gov. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  54. ^ Ballesteros, Jan (February 28, 2024). "PBA: Calvin Oftana shines as TNT scrapes past Rain or Shine to open Philippine Cup". onesports.ph. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  55. ^ Alba, Katrina (March 24, 2024). "IT'S A TIE | 2024 PBA All-Star Game ends with stalemate in Bacolod". onesports.ph. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  56. ^ Dioquino, Delfin (March 24, 2024). "Room to improve: Oftana still wants to be better after 3-Point Shootout reign". Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  57. ^ Terrado, Reuben (April 7, 2024). "Calvin Oftana shines as TNT ends 2-game skid vs Meralco". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  58. ^ Villanueva, Ralph Edwin (April 13, 2024). "Oftana erupts for 37 points as Tropang Giga storm back vs Road Warriors". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  59. ^ Escarlote, Mark (May 10, 2024). "Oftana shines as TNT closes in on semis". Daily Tribune. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  60. ^ Escarlote, Mark (May 13, 2024). "ALIVE AND KICKING". Daily Tribune. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  61. ^ Villanueva, Ralph Edwin (May 15, 2024). "Painters escape Tropang Giga to enter semis". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  62. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (December 1, 2020). "Oftana insists no hard feelings after cut in first game, proves worth in Gilas debut". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  63. ^ a b Ramos, Gerry (August 23, 2022). "Why Calvin Oftana is ecstatic in second Gilas stint". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  64. ^ Li, Matthew (November 7, 2022). "Navarro, Lopez, Tolentino cut as Gilas take 13 players to Jordan, KSA". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  65. ^ Li, Matthew (February 26, 2023). "Kevin Quiambao replaces Calvin Oftana for Gilas-Jordan game". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  66. ^ Terrado, Reuben (May 11, 2023). "Oftana suffers Grade 2 calf strain, feared out for rest of SEA Games". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  67. ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 6, 2023). "Clarkson, Brownlee, Kouame head 21-man Gilas pool for World Cup". spin.ph. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  68. ^ Ventura, Sid (August 23, 2023). "Gilas Pilipinas confirm final 12 for FIBA World Cup". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  69. ^ Bacnis, Justine (October 2, 2023). "Gilas Men demolish Qatar, advance to Asiad QF". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  70. ^ Bacnis, Justine (October 6, 2023). "Philippines ends 61-year gold drought in Asian Games Basketball". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  71. ^ "Calvin John Oftana Player Profile, TNT Tropang Giga - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  72. ^ Caniza, Annika (June 16, 2023). "LOOK: Gilas Player CJ Oftana Welcomes New Baby". The Game. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
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