Arvin Tolentino, Calvin Oftana lead new wave of PBA stars honored at 31st Press Corps Awards

Calvin Oftana and Arvin Tolentino — two players whose careers are on sharply ascending paths — will take center stage when the 31st PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night unfolds on October 13 at Novotel Manila, honoring their standout performances in Season 49.

For Oftana, being named the Order of Merit awardee caps off a season that showcased his evolution into one of TNT Tropang Giga’s most dependable leaders. The 27-year-old forward collected the most Player of the Week citations — four in total — as he powered TNT to all three conference finals, including title victories in the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup. His steady all-around play and trademark composure made him the silent engine behind the Tropang Giga’s near grand-slam run.

Meanwhile, Arvin Tolentino’s recognition as the PBA Scoring Champion celebrates a breakout campaign that turned him from a streaky scorer into one of the league’s most consistent offensive weapons. 

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Congratulations to our Season 49 Mythical 1st Team CJay Perez, Robert Bolick, Arvin Tolentino, Calvin Oftana and June Mar Fajardo. #PBA50#PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/dnL7DxTp0J

— PBA (@pbaconnect) October 5, 2025

The NorthPort star averaged 21.2 points per game, leading all locals in scoring while steering the Batang Pier to a Commissioner’s Cup semifinal berth — a feat that also earned him his first-ever Best Player of the Conference award.

Beyond his PBA exploits, Tolentino’s rise has now taken him to the international stage. Fresh off his stellar Season 49, he signed with the Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) — following in the footsteps of fellow Filipinos like Rhenz Abando and RJ Abarrientos. The move marks a new chapter in his career, offering him the chance to test his offensive arsenal and physicality against some of Asia’s top-tier talents.

For the 28-year-old forward, his journey from being a role player at Ginebra to becoming NorthPort’s franchise cornerstone — and now an overseas import — is a testament to hard work and self-belief. His smooth shooting stroke, improved efficiency, and fearless mentality have made him one of the most exciting Filipino exports in recent memory.

Both Oftana and Tolentino were also part of the PBA First Mythical Team, joining nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Robert Bolick — a lineup that underscores their status among the league’s best.

As the awards night approaches, the duo’s recognition goes beyond individual accolades — it reflects a generational shift in Philippine basketball, where new stars are not only carrying the torch locally but also making their mark on the global stage. 

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