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| Calvin Oftana is expected to play through pain in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. Peter Baltazar (file photo) |
MANILA—After firing a season-high 31 points in TNT's Game 2, Calvin Oftana was off in the next three games as the team is now on the brink of elimination.
Oftana admitted after the Game 5 loss, where he was held to just nine points in a little over 40 and a half minutes of action, that he had to play through painkillers due to his right toe injury.
"Sabi ko kay coach (Chot Reyes), hindi ko na kaya. Parang nawala yung bisa ng painkiller," Oftana said.
"Masama yung loob ko na di man lang ako makatulong sa mga kasama ko, but I trust my teammates naman. May mga shots kami na open na di lang talaga napasok."
The six-foot-five gunner, though, hopes everything will be fine as the Tropang 5G will try to extend the championship series against Barangay Ginebra to a deciding Game 7.
"Sana maging OK ang lahat, and pray lang talaga yung kayang gawin pati painkiller," Oftana said, adding that he will undergo surgery on the said toe after the series, effectively ruling him out for Gilas Pilipinas' upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifier window.
Also in the injury bug is Brandon Rosser, who sprained his ankle in Game 5.
While this may sound like good news to Ginebra, coach Tim Cone remains wary of what TNT can do since the team already fought back from 2-3 down against them.
"We've been here before, 3-2, against this team; they came back and beat us twice," Cone said.
