ANTIPOLO - Bol Bol poured huge numbers but TNT still had to survive a late charge by Blackwater, 99-94, on Tuesday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center.
Bol was spectacular again with 48 points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocks for the Tropang 5G to gain a share of fourth place in the team standings with a 4-2 win-loss record.
TNT's win spoiled the PBA coaching debut of Pat Aquino at Blackwater, which fell to 1-5. The Tropang 5G, however, nearly squandered a 95-85 lead before pulling off the victory.
The closest Blackwater got was 95-94 after Sedrick Barefield hit a three with Bol contesting the shot. After TNT came up empty after a shotclock violation, Barefield got another chance at making one over Bol but his shot fell short.
Calvin Oftana scored a short jumper from a Bol pass with 5.9 seconds remaining to stretch the lead to three, 97-94. Robert Upshaw tried to win it for Blackwater with a four-point shot but the ball didn't hit the rim. Bol made two free throws to settle the final count.
TNT coach Chot Reyes somehow expected that the game would be close even after TNT led by as many as 17 points after Blackwater shot an impressive 28-of-33 from the free throw line.
“We had no illusions that this is going to be an easy game,” said Reyes. “We were prepared for a hard game because I personally know the caliber of coach Pat Aquino. We had no idea what they were going to play because obviously, coach Pat has his own system and they came out with a game that really took advantage of their skills.”
“They kept taking the ball to us and our takeaway for this game is that we kept fouling. We kept Blackwater in the game because they were shooting free throw after free throw after free throw,” said Reyes.
Jayson Castro was the only double-digit scorer for TNT, other than Bol , as he finished with 10. The Tropang 5G missed the services of Jordan Heading due to an ankle injury.
Upshaw had 36 points and seven rebounds, while rookie Dalph Panopio had one of his best games of his young PBA career when he had 17 points and nine rebounds.
The scores:
TNT 99 – Bol 48, Castro 10, Nambatac 8, Pogoy 7, Oftana 6, Galinato 5, Williams 5, Nava 4, Ferrer 4, Nieto 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Chua 0, Khobuntin 0, Aurin 0.
Blackwater 94 – Upshaw 36, Panopio 17, Barefield 12, David 12, Murrell 7, Andrade 3, Mendoza 2, Zamar 2, Escoto 2, Tratter 1, Una 0, Mallillin 0.
Quarters: 26-21; 52-40; 77-65; 99-94.
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