PBA Finals: TNT hobbling ahead of Game 7 vs Ginebra

TNT opted not to field in Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who are both dealing with injuries, in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Their status is still up in the air for Game 7.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—TNT key cogs Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser are both game-time decisions ahead of Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Both Oftana (calf) and Ganuelas-Rosser (ankle) sat out Sunday’s Game 6, which saw the Tropang 5G pull off a gritty win over the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings to force a title decider.

“Our PTs (physical therapists) are working double time on them,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “Calvin has a calf strain, so that’s very hard. Brandon I think, has a better chance because it’s an inversion ankle sprain. So that’s really a point of concern for us.”

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Ailing, Oftana didn’t plan to miss Game 6, but he just couldn’t go against the team’s orders.

“I didn’t want to say it but I have something in my calf. It’s manageable, though,” Oftana said. I told the coaches that I wanted to play, but they decided not to play me and that’s okay with me.”

Still, TNT found a way to win, thanks in large part to Chris McCullough’s Herculean effort. McCullough posted 53 points on 20-of-36 shooting from the field and 22 rebounds.

Aside from Oftana and Ganuelas-Rosser, veteran guard Jayson Castro is also dealing with a left ankle sprain he sustained after stepping on Justin Brownlee’s foot early in the fourth quarter of Game 6.

The 39-year-old Castro played a key role in the Tropang 5G’s Game 4 win that tied the series.

Oftana is averaging 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, while Ganuelas-Rosser averages 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in the finals.