Oftana looking good ahead of FIBA tourney

Calvin Oftana gamely joined Gilas Pilipinas’ first practice session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, much to the relief of head coach Tim Cone.

“He looks really good. I mean, he looks sprightly, he’s jumping well, he’s moving well. He looks really good,” a very much relieved Cone said.

The TNT Tropang 5G forward got the green light for a tour of duty in the 33rd FIBA Asia Cup after recovering from spraining both his ankles during the Tropang 5G’s spoiled grand slam bid in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.

Oftana, as well as San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo, skipped Gilas’ sendoff game against the Macau Black Bears last Monday to rest.

The 29-year-old forward ended doubts of his availability after getting clearance to play and was included in Cone’s Final 12 roster.

Gilas opened the final stage of its buildup on Friday, following a short rest after departing from Manila on Wednesday evening.

“So, we’re pleased to have him. We need that guy who’s a lights-out shooter that other teams have to worry about. That helps us spread the floor for Justin (Brownlee) and June Mar and others,” Cone said.

The 6-foot-5 Oftana averaged 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in his six outings for Gilas in the three-window qualifiers of the prestigious continental basketball tournament.

While Oftana showed great signs of recovery from his injuries, the 6-foot-10 Fajardo is still taking time to get back into his usual explosive self because of the calf injury he sustained in the PBA all-Filipino conference semifinals.

“Our concern right now really is June Mar, and he hasn’t really been able to get into practice yet. We’re not sure how much he’s going to be able to contribute,” Cone said.

“But just his presence here, him walking on the court, already instills fear in the other team.”

Gilas will face Jordan in a final tune-up match on Saturday before wrapping up its preparations for the 5 to 17 August tilt.

The Filipinos are in Group D alongside Chinese Taipei, New Zealand and Iraq.

Gilas, seeking to end a 40-year championship drought, takes on the Taiwanese on 6 August before going up against the Tall Blacks on the 8th.

The team then ends the group stage against Iraq on 10 August.