Calvin Oftana downplays verbal spat with Jhonard Clarito
At A Glance
- TNT star Calvin Oftana quickly downplayed his heated verbal exchange with Rain or Shine workhorse Jhonard Clarito in the final moments of their semifinal clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 6.
TNT star Calvin Oftana quickly downplayed his heated verbal exchange with Rain or Shine workhorse Jhonard Clarito in the final moments of their semifinal clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 6.
With the clock winding down, tensions flared as Clarito dove hard and got tangled with TNT's Jordan Heading which triggered an altercation between the opposing players.
Displeased with the move, Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser confronted Clarito and had some words for the E-Painters forward before cooler heads intervened.
“Siguro nami-misinterpret ko lang ’yung mga ginagawa niya. Kasi alam naman natin na hard worker si Jhonard [Clarito],” said Oftana
.The Cebuano forward also echoed Poy Erram’s statement that Clarito is the heart and soul of the Elasto Painters, adding that ROS thrives when Clarito delivers an inspiring performance.
“Sabi rin ni Poy [Erram], siya yung heart and soul ng team nila. Kung maganda yung laro niya, maganda rin yung kalalabasan. Totoo naman ’yon, nakikita naman ng lahat ’yon,” he added.
Clarito also explained that what he did was just part of the game.
“Do-or-die game para sa amin ’yun eh, kaya medyo nagkagirian. Pero it’s part of the game — ’yung pisikal. Sa’kin, normal lang ’yun,” said Clarito, referring to his physical style of play.
“After ng game, kumustahan na kami. Ganun talaga ’yung laro eh — may nananalo, may natatalo,” he added.
The Grand Slam-seeking TNT now awaits its Finals opponent as Ginebra and San Miguel head to a do-or-die Game 7 showdown on Wednesday, July 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (ANGELO CAPARAS/INTERN)