A 50 kind of night
It took just one game for Bol Bol to reset his personal best in the PBA, dropping 50 points on Saturday in faraway Rodriguez, Rizal.
But while his feat helped TNT hold off Titan Ultra, 97-92, to go 5-2 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, coach Chot Reyes pointed out the team’s need to ease off its reliance on the offensive production of its highly-touted import.
“We had to rely on the scoring of Bol to make up for the absence of our gunners,” Reyes said following the contest at Ynares Center Montalban.
The Tropang 5G raised their winning streak to three straight, but had to do it minus an injured Jordan Heading (ankle). Ace forward Calvin Oftana also got tossed in the first quarter for a Flagrant Foul 2, while RR Pogoy was reduced to just four points on a 2-of-8 clip.
Rey Nambatac was the only other TNT player outside of Bol to breach double figures with 12 points.
TNT now shares third place in the standings with Meralco, and possibly Barangay Ginebra, if it can claim a win over Terrafirma in the nightcap that was ongoing at press time.
But the Tropang 5Gs concerning play during their wins over the Dyip, Blackwater Bossing and the Giant Risers was certainly not lost on Reyes, who hopes to see a drastic change in the team going into the final third of their elimination round campaign.
They have Converge and guest team Macau next on Wednesday and Friday, respectively, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium before going up against Phoenix (May 1), Magnolia (May 5) and Ginebra (May 10).
Boatwright debut
“It was three very tough wins, and we still have Magnolia, Converge and Ginebra,” said Reyes. “We really have to find a way to raise our game, to elevate our level. Otherwise, we’re going to have a very difficult time against those three teams, including Phoenix [and Macau].
“So we have a tough stretch these last [five] games. I don’t think the kind of game we played in the last three games is gonna get the job done. We have to get better.”
Lack of scoring support or not, Bol played huge once more for TNT as his 50-piece erased his previous high of 48, which came during Tuesday’s win over Blackwater. But more than his offense, Bol also provided 17 rebounds, four assists and six blocks.
Meanwhile, Bennie Boatwright is set to make his return on Sunday as San Miguel Beer plays NLEX in a 5:15 p.m. start at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Boatwright officially takes the place of Justin Patton, who failed to show up in last Sunday’s loss to Magnolia that sent the Beermen reeling to a 3-4 record.
The second game will pit Magnolia (3-4) against Converge (2-5) as the two sides aim for a crucial win to boost their playoff bids after a sluggish start in the elimination round.
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