Bol goes off for 48, helps TNT escape Blackwater

Sports

SEVEN-foot-three beanpole Bol Bol erupted for 48 points but the TNT Tropang 5G still went through some anxious moments before escaping the upset-conscious Blackwater Bossing, 99-94, in the 50th PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday night, April 14, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Bol was not only impressive on the offensive end but also shone bright defensively, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking seven shots as the Tropa notched their fourth win in six games.

The Tropa led by 10 in the closing minutes but the Bossing pulled within 94-95 and even had the chance to go ahead inside the final minutes.

Blackwater came up empty in a crucial possession after Sedrick Barefield misfired a three-pointer. Calvin Oftana made it a three-point game with an easy layup then after Blackwater import Robert Upshaw III missed a potential go-ahead four-ball, Bol made two gift shots to cap the scoring.

Jayson Castro was the only other Tropa to score in double figures with 10 points.

Upshaw tallied 36 points for Blackwater, which couldn’t give head coach Pat Aquino a winning debut.

Aquino replaced Jeffery Cariaso, who resigned from his post after the Bossing succumbed to a terrible start in the mid-season conference.

Blackwater is now 1-5 (win-loss) in the tournament.

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 III 36, Paonopio 17, David 12, Barefield 12, Murrell 7, Andrade 3, Mendoza 2, Zamar 2, Escoto 2, Tratter 1, Una 0, Mallilin 0.QUARTERSCORES: 26-21, 52-40, 77-65, 99-94.(CCM)