PBA Finals: Injured Oftana says he wasn't about to sit out Game 7

TNT Tropang 5G’s Calvin Oftana and Jordan heading during Game 7 of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Calvin Oftana was willing to play through pain if it meant giving TNT one last shot at a championship.

The TNT star entered Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals nursing foot and calf injuries that had already sidelined him in the previous game. But after what he believed was a sign, Oftana decided he would suit up for the winner-take-all showdown.

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“I told my team that I’d pray first. If God gives me a sign, I’ll play Game 7 even if it hurts,” Oftana said after the game at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday night.

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“I dreamt that I was running, so I told myself maybe that was the sign.”

Oftana’s determination, however, was not enough to lift TNT past Barangay Ginebra, which captured the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title with an 88-76 victory.

Despite being far from full strength, Oftana logged 31 minutes and tried to provide a spark for the Tropang 5G. But the effects of the injury were evident as he finished with five points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal.

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Rather than dwell on what might have been, Oftana chose to accept the circumstances.

“We can’t control things like these,” he said. “Accidents happen. For me, I just really forced myself to play.”

The loss marked another painful ending for TNT, which has now dropped three consecutive PBA Finals appearances. The Tropang 5G previously fell twice to San Miguel Beer before coming up short against Ginebra in the Commissioner’s Cup championship series.

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For Oftana, the disappointment was compounded by the injuries that limited him during the most important game of the conference. Still, he opted to focus on the effort rather than the outcome, choosing to answer the call when his team needed him most.

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