Calvin Oftana disheartened by first PBA ejection as TNT rallies behind Bol Bol’s 50-point explosion 

A stunning individual performance and a rare setback for Calvin Oftana defined TNT’s gritty 97-92 escape over Titan Ultra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center.

While TNT extended its streak to three wins and improved to 5-2, the night took an unexpected turn just minutes into the contest when Oftana was ejected for the first time in his professional career. 

The 30-year-old forward logged only two points and one rebound before being assessed a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 at the 4:53 mark of the opening quarter, with TNT trailing 13-15.

The incident occurred during a contested attempt, when Oftana, caught in a double team, inadvertently struck rookie Mark Denver Omega in the face on the follow-through. 

Officials reviewed the play and upgraded the contact, resulting in an automatic ejection—marking the first such infraction of his PBA career.

“It wasn’t intentional. Hindi naman nakasara yung kamay ko kapag tumitira ako. It just so happened, pag land ng kamay ko, naka-closed fist siya and natamaan siya sa mukha,” said the former San Beda MVP.

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Calvin Oftana was given a Flagrant Foul 2 in the 4:53 mark of the first quarter after a hit to Mark Omega to the face after an attempt. The hit looked inadvertent but still warranted an ejection | @spinph

— Reuben Terrado (@reubensports) April 18, 2026

“Kahit nga F1 wala naman ako, e. Napa-isip na rin ako nung hindi pa tinatawag kasi nga closed fist daw. Pero siyempre hoping pa rin ako na sana technical or F1 lang kasi wala naman akong previous record e,” the Cebuano forward stated.

Clearly shaken, he apologized to his teammates at halftime. “I really felt bad and I said sorry to the team,” he shared.

With Oftana sidelined, TNT found its answer in a monster outing from import Bol Bol, who erupted for 50 points, 17 rebounds, and four assists to carry the Tropang 5G through a physical and tightly contested finish. 

Oftana, meanwhile, could only watch from the dugout, following the game on his phone as TNT clawed its way to victory—an ending that brought him visible relief after his abrupt exit.

Looking ahead, TNT braces for its next assignment against the Converge FiberXers on April 22 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, aiming to sustain momentum in the standings.

Amid lingering buzz about potential opportunities overseas, including reported interest from the Korean Basketball League, Oftana remains grounded. The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay reiterated his commitment to TNT, honoring a contract that runs through 2027 while keeping his focus firmly on the ongoing conference.

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