NLEX ships Calvin Oftana to TNT in three-team trade

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Another blockbuster trade shocked the whole Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) community.

After failing to clinch the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup championship title, the TNT Tropang Giga are going all out this Commissioner’s Cup and landed NLEX Road Warriors’ main gunner, forward Calvin Oftana.

The trade papers are still in the PBA commissioner’s office and are still subject to approval also involving the Blackwater Bossing squad in a three-team deal.

The trade proposal will shi[ Oftana to the Tropang Giga together with big man Raul Soyud.

Meanwhile, Troy Rosario, a part of the Tropang Giga’s run to several championships, will render his services to Blackwater with sharpshooter Gab Banal.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, a former PBA no. 1 pick, is also part of the trade package and is set to debut with the Road Warriors.

Also included in the deal from Blackwater is shooting guard Paul Desiderio who is still healing from an injury he suffered in the past conference.

Oftana is expected to bring additional height, shooting, and depth to the already deadly TNT squad with Jayson Castro, Mikey Williams, and RR Pogoy.

The former third overall pick during the 2020 PBA Rookie draft blossomed into a superstar role after the absence of Kiefer Ravena and averaged 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals during the Philippine Cup.

Oftana was also a member of the young Gilas Pilipinas pool of cadets and was present when the Tab Baldwin-led national team swept the Manama bubble.