Calvin Oftana (center) during during Gilas Pilipinas’ first practice in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup. –SBP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Calvin Oftana looks ready to go while June Mar Fajardo’s health remains a concern as Gilas Pilipinas arrived in Jeddah a few days before the 2025 Fiba World Cup.
Oftana was initially listed as doubtful, but Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone gave some positive follow-up on the TNT forward after the Nationals held their first practice in Saudi Arabia.
READ: Tim Cone keeps familiar Gilas faces, including Oftana and Malonzo
“He looks really good. I mean, he looks sprightly, he’s jumping well, he’s moving well. He looks really good,” said Cone said in a One Sports report.
“We’re pleased to have him. We need that guy who’s a lights-out shooter that other teams have to worry about. That helps us spread the floor.”
Oftana sat out Monday night’s tune-up game against the Macau Black Bears due to a sprained ankle he sustained during the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas gets to work in Jeddah ahead of Fiba Asia Cup
Another key Gilas figure, June Mar Fajardo, was also in street clothes during Gilas’ 103-98 win and he did not participate in the night training session in Jeddah.
The San Miguel Beer star is currently nursing a hurt calf, which he also sustained during the PBA all-Filipino conference.

June Mar Fajardo (right) during during Gilas Pilipinas’ first practice in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup. –SBP PHOTO
“Our concern right now really is June Mar. He hasn’t really been able to get into practice yet,” Cone also said of the PBA MVP.
Cone, though, justified the decision of including Fajardo in the Final 12 despite not being at his top shape yet,
“We’re not sure how much he’s going to be able to contribute but just his presence here, him walking on the court, already instills fear in the other team so it’s very important that he be here,” Cone said.