Calvin Oftana.–NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas’ Calvin Oftana and CJ Perez are again within the nation however their heads are nonetheless within the clouds following their gold medal marketing campaign within the Asian Video games.
“That group was in a distinct class. It was so particular as a result of nearly everybody was a veteran and knowledgeable,” mentioned Oftana, who got here out to help his alma mater San Beda, which misplaced to Lyceum, 67-62, within the NCAA Season 99 males’s basketball event on Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“Most of them are my kuyas (brothers) within the PBA however they’re there to information me and the crew, particularly coach Tim (Cone),” Oftana mentioned.
Gilas ended a 61-year gold medal drought within the Asiad males’s basketball event regardless of dealing with quite a lot of manpower woes up till the nationwide crew’s departure for the meet, however Oftana recalled how a lot the crew was nonetheless ready to push the nation’s bid.
“We nearly didn’t compete however coach Tim requested us if we nonetheless wished to play and we answered ‘Sure coach even when there are simply seven of us left we’ll nonetheless play,’” Oftana mentioned.
CJ Perez. –NCAA PHOTO
Gilas’ profitable feat in Hangzhou, China, was an “honor” to provide to the nation, a aim that Perez mentioned they didn’t anticipate to perform at first. Perez, the previous Lyceum star, was amongst Gilas’ late additions together with Kevin Alas, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross.
However Oftana mentioned the championship was potential by means of the chemistry that they constructed through the quick coaching camp Gilas held just a few weeks faraway from its World Cup stint.
“We’re so joyful as a result of after 61 years we obtained the gold medal,” added Oftana, who praised naturalized participant Justin Brownlee’s “dream-like” capturing. “Dream lang ata yun yung nas-shoot ni JB lahat ng tira niya.”
In Gilas’ semifinal win over host China, Brownlee sank 33 factors together with 17 within the ultimate body to steer a fightback from 20 factors down and earn a championship battle towards former PBA import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led Jordan.
Brownlee then collected 20 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists within the gold medal sport towards Jordan.
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“For the nation, in fact … It was troublesome however we have now Justin Brownlee so we helped him, we defended and ‘Magic’ Brownlee actually hit his pictures. Lord gave us the win and we’re so fortunate with the onerous work of our teammates,” Perez mentioned.
