BOL Bol had a flat start which unfortunately, rubbed off on the TNT locals, resulting in a 110-106 loss to Meralco in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game played in a playoff atmosphere at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tropang 5G’s celebrated import called in sick on the eve of the match, which contributed to his struggle defensively and allowed the Bolts to dictate the tempo of the contest from the get-go.
“He was sick yesterday (Monday). Masama yung tiyan niya two days before, and then on Monday as in hindi na talaga siya nakapag-practice,” said TNT lead deputy Josh Reyes.
“Of course, that’s not an excuse.”
READ Meralco escapes with a win as TNT fightback comes a bit too late
It didn’t help that the Tropang 5G’s locals failed to make up for Bol’s lackluster plays.
“Ang nangyari kasi ang baba nung energy niya sa defensive coverage, ang problema, ang baba rin ng energy ng locals sa simula,” said the young Reyes.
“Alam naman nila na di naka-practice si Bol na mababa ang energy, tapos sinabayan pa ng mababang energy (ng mga locals).”
That clearly explained why head coach Chot Reyes opted to sit out the 7-foot-3 former NBA player for a full quarter of the match from the 7:16 mark of the third quarter and TNT trailing, 48-66.
“So whoever is low in energy, bubunutin (from the bench) kung sino yung makapagbibigay ng energy. E nagkataon nga, kasama si Bol,” said the younger Reyes.
It was Jordan Heading, Justin Chua, and Glenn Khobuntin who kept the fire alive for the Tropang 5G heading to the final quarter.
Once the Tropang 5G managed to trim a 20-point deficit to just 84-98 with 7:58 remaining, Bol was sent back to the game.
“Tinamingan na lang namin kung kailan ibabalik. Mabuti nagkaroon ng chance sa dulo,” said Reyes.
With the TNT import on the firing end, the Tropang 5G went on an 11-0 run to creep within 107-105 inside the final 60 seconds.
But Meralco managed to regain its composure in the final minute, good enough to hold down the defending champion’s endgame comeback and pull off its fourth win in five outings.
Bol finished with his lowest PBA output so far with 28 points and 12 rebounds, almost the same numbers put up by Meralco counterpart Marvin Jones, who came away with 29 points and 12 rebounds, too.
Bol missed seven free throws, going 9-of-16 from the line. However, he had four block shots.
The great TNT comeback led by Bol was one of the positives in the team’s second loss in four games, according to Reyes.
“If you give him a chance and really push him, he can really be an anchor in defense,” said the TNT assistant mentor. “Yun lang nga consistency ang kailangan.
“And the support of the locals had to be there, too.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
