TNT bounced back against an undermanned Terrafirma side behind import Bol Bol, 101-89 to regain its winning ways in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The 7-foot-3 Bol finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocked shots as he atoned for a lackluster showing in the Tropang 5Gs 110-106 loss to the Meralco Bolts the previous game.
TNT improved to a 3-2 record.
Calvin Oftana also had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Roger Pogoy and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had nine points apiece.
Although satisfied with the effort compared to the loss against Meralco, coach Chot Reyes pointed out the reigning champions still have a lot to work on especially if the Tropang 5G would compete against the elite teams.
"This team (Terrafirma) outrebounded us. And they're not among the biggest teams in the league and still they outrebounded us," said the TNT mentor.
"We keep trying to remind the players about putting in a sustained effort for 48 minutes, but the reality is we're still far from that level."
Terrafirma lost for the third straight game for an even 3-3 record.
Import Mubashar Ali dropped 24 points, 17 rebounds, and two steals, but shot just 31 percent from the floor (8-of-26), obviously intimidated by the size and length of Bol in the middle.
Jerrick Ahanmisi shot 4-of-7 from three-point range to finish with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Brent Paraiso added 13 and five assists for the Dyip, who missed injured players Maverick Ahanmisi, Paolo Hernandez, and Aljon Mariano.
READ: Injuries ground Maverick, Hernandez in Terrafirma game vs. TNT
Terrafirman though battled its way back from a 54-76 deficit in the third period to threaten at 90-83 on a split from the foul line by rookie Jeo Chiu.
But Bol wouldn't deny TNT of the win, scoring on two free throws to stop the bleeding for the Tropang 5G, and then assisting on an open Oftana at the corner for a three pointer that made it a 97-88 game entering the final two minutes.
The scores
TNT 101 -- Bol 35, Oftana 20, Ganuelas-Rosser 9, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 6, Nava 6, Castro 5, Ferrer 3, Aurin 3, Galinato 2, Heading 2, Galinato 2, Williams 1, Nieto 0, Khobuntin 0.
Terrafirma 89 -- Ali 24, J.Ahanamisi 19, Paraiso 13, Hanapi 7, Chiu 5, Zaldivar 5, Bravo 4, Eriobu 4, Garcia 3, Umali 3, Catapusan 0, Adamos 0.
Quarters: 33-22; 53-44; 82-66; 101-89.
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