Green light for Calvin

MANILA, Philippines — There was a big sigh of relief for Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone when Calvin Oftana got the green light to join the Nationals’ FIBA Asia Cup mission.

Oftana sprained both of his ankles during the last PBA Philippine Cup finals, forcing him to sit it out as Gilas played the Macau Black Bears in Monday’s tuneup while being assessed for the trip.

But doubts vanished as the TNT star reported for active duty and gamely took part in Gilas’ first practice in Jeddah yesterday.

“He looks really good. He looks spritely, he’s jumping well, he’s moving well,” a delighted Cone said in an interview on One Sports.

“So we’re pleased to have him. We need that guy who is a lights-out shooter that other teams have to worry about, (one) that spreads the floor for Justin (Brownlee), June Mar (Fajardo) and others,” Cone added.

Anytime for the flag and country, Oftana stressed.

“Siyempre para sa bayan and sa mga kasama ko sa Gilas. ‘Yung pahinga, saka na muna ‘yun after na nito,” he said.

Before wading into battle in the Aug. 5 to 17 continental showpiece, the Nationals first clash with an old rival from the last Asian Games, Jordan, in a friendly Saturday.

This marks the two squads’ first meeting since disputing the Asiad gold medal in 2023 in Hangzhou, China.

Justin Brownlee, hero of Gilas’ 70-60 triumph back then, is back to banner Cone’s crew. But Jordan won’t have Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in its fold this time, going with Dar Tucker for the tune-up with Gilas as well as the Asia Cup proper.

The Filipinos and the Jordanians are among the early birds in the busting Saudi Arabian port city on the Red Sea and thus saw it fit to have a good workout against each other right before the opening salvo on Tuesday.

Gilas will compete in Group D, kicking its bid against Chinese-Taipei at 9 p.m. (2 a.m. Wednesday Manila time), while Jordan will vie in Group C, facing India the 2 p.m. curtain raiser.