Rey Nambatac, another former player of Yeng Guiao torched him and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and gave TNT Tropang Giga control of their PBA Governors' Cup semifinals series.
Like a hired assassin, Calvin Oftana was all business in the 109-91 runaway win in Game 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, shooting down the Elasto Painters behind his four three pointers to finish with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds.
The former NCAA MVP had 13 of his output in the third quarter where the Tropang Giga finally pulled away for good and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
It's the first time Oftana is up against the 65-year-old Guiao, his former coach at NLEX, where he first learned the tricks in the league during his rookie season.
The forward out of San Beda has nothing but gratitude to his one-time mentor. Yet at the same time, Oftana said he has a task to do at TNT.
"Nothing against this game, pero I'm trying to compete kung saan ako ngayon. I'm giving my all," he said.
Since joining TNT two years ago, Oftana has already won a championship (2023 Governors' Cup) and became a member of the Second Mythical Team twice.
The 28-year-old Oftana said he has no intention of slowing down even if he's up against his former coach.
"Ganun naman talaga, nagtatrabaho ako kung saan ako ngayon. I just don't take anything for granted kapag nasa loob ako ng court," he said.
Nambatac, also a former prot?g? of Guiao like Oftana, did the same thing in the series opener, where he finished with 14 points and led a third quarter attack on the way to a 90-81 win.
Incidentally, the former Letran guard also teamed up with Oftana in the Game 2 third period breakaway, where he scored 11 of his 17 points.(RG)
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