Calvin Oftana has made a strong case for the coveted Best Player of the Conference (BPC) after powering TNT Tropang Giga back to the finals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.
After a strong showing during the semifinals, the versatile forward could give leading contender Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort a run for his money for the highest individual award in the mid-season tournament.
Although Tolentino still holds a 36.3 statistical points (sps) advantage over Oftana’s fifth standing 31.9 sps, the latter advancing to the championship behind his sustained fine form could play a big factor.
Oftana’s numbers and impact in TNT’s playoffs run which helped propel his team into a second straight finals showdown against Barangay Ginebra could spell the difference in the chase for the BPC award.
The Gilas Pilipinas member averaged 16.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in the Tropang Giga’s semis series win over Rain or Shine decided in five matches.
In addition to accumulated statistical points, the winner of the recognition will also be decided by votes from players and the media.
The BPC and the Best Import will be named in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
But the 28-year-old San Beda University product would rather tune out the noise of achieving individual accolades and focus on the big picture.
“I don’t think much about it. As of now, our focus is on the finals,” said Oftana, who is expected to deliver the goods in in Game 1 of their best-of-seven finals series that is being played at press time.
Talks about Oftana overtaking Tolentino in the BPC race have been making rounds during the semis.
“Actually, I’ve been asked about that the past few weeks. But at that time, we’re still battling Rain or Shine so my mind was set on that series,” said Oftana, who at the end of the semis posted an overall tournament average of 18.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.2 blocks per outing.
“As of now, all we want to think about is the Finals,” he added.
“If ever it happens, I’m blessed. (But) not because of what I accomplished individually but as a team. I won’t be earning that if not for my teammates and coaches. I’ll be proud of it.”
While Oftana showed consistency in the semis, Tolentino’s numbers dipped as he barely made his presence felt in four of the Batang Pier’s blowout losses in five semis games.
He, however, remains in third place in the rankings with 20.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
The tossup for the BPC is still between Tolentino and Oftana after leading their respective teams in the Final Four despite 11-time winner June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel staying on top of the BPC derby.
Fajardo sports 42.0 sps from his average of 20.1 points, local-leading 16.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.7 steals followed by NLEX’s Robert Bolick with 37.1 sps after norming a local-best 23.5 points and 7.8 assists along with 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 steal and 0.1 block per outing.
At the fourth spot is Converge’s Jordan Heading with 32.6 sps and averaged 17.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks per game.
Heading managed to bring his team to the quarterfinals while Fajardo saw the Beermen surrender the throne after the elimination round. Bolick also failed to lift the Road Warriors into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, TNT reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could be well on his way to winning a second straight and third overall Best Import award.
The naturalized Jordanian amassed 52.7 sps to edge out closest pursuer Kadeem Jack of NorthPort (49.8 sps).
Hollis-Jefferson averaged 28.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, tournament-high 1.8 blocks, 5.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Jack normed 31.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks.
Rain or Shine’s Deon Thompson gathered 46.8 sps (24.8 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals 1.5 blocks) at the third spot while three-time winner Justin Brownlee of the Kings is far behind with 43.5 sps (233 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.9 block).