MORE than his size and NBA experience, it’s how import Bol Bol blends in at TNT that will determine success or failure in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup title defense.
The talent and skills are no doubt there for the Tropang 5G's celebrated import, but coach Chot Reyes stressed chemistry and cohesion remain the biggest factors on whether this group can win a championship together.
READ TNT hiring Bol Bol 'like bringing machine gun to knife fight,' says Guiao
“Hopefully, we fit well together,” Reyes said curtly when asked about his expectations on the 7-foot-3 son of the late NBA star Manute Bol, who arrived in the country on Thursday.
The presence of the American-South Sudanese, a second-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, bolstered an already formidable frontline for the Tropang 5G which already has the likes of Poy Erram, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, the vastly-improved Henry Galinato, and former MVP Kelly Williams.
The 26-year-old Bol Bol, who boasts of a 7-foot-7 wingspan, could also be TNT’s possible answer to 6-foot-10 San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo, especially after the Tropang 5G lost in back-to-back Philippine Cup finales against the Beermen with the nine-time league MVP leading the way.
Again, Reyes said everything depends on how Bol Bol will adapt to the TNT system.
“We have yet to practice with him,” said the TNT coach as the Tropang 5G have yet to practice following their runner-up finish in the all-Filipino conference.
Reyes pointed out how Rondae Hollis-Jefferson settled in right away with TNT’s system which eventually netted the franchise three titles in the last seven conferences – four of them in import-laden tournaments.
Unfortunately, Hollis-Jefferson went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon while on loan to Meralco in the East Asia Super League, shutting his entire season down.
Team manager Jojo Lastimosa said it was the ‘coaches’ decision’ to tap Bol Bol and bring him here as replacement for the 6-foot-6 Hollis-Jefferson, a three-time Best Import winner.
Hollis-Jefferson and Bol Bol crossed paths in the NBA, with the 31-year-old RHJ already with Toronto when the towering American-Sudanese entered the draft and eventually, suited up for the Nuggest.
‘Yes, six years ago,” said Lastimosa about Bol Bol and Hollis-Jefferson coming across each other in the world’s biggest basketball stage.
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