TNT bows to Meralco as Bol goes down with injury

Sports

THE Meralco Bolts pulled away late to post a series-tying 87-76 win over the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 2 of their semifinal series in the 50th PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday night, May 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Meralco evened the series at 2-all, bouncing back from an 89-94 loss in Game 1.

The biggest story of the night was the early exit of TNT’s super import Bol Bol, who suffered an Achilles injury late in the first period.

Bol was driving to the basket when he slumped to the floor and quickly clutched his left foot. The 7-foot-3 former NBA player was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed to have suffered a torn Achillles.

Bol had produced 10 points and six rebounds before suffering the devastating injury. He tallied 37 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks when TNT won Game 1.

TNT is racing against time to bring in a new import as Game 3 of the series is set on Sunday, May 24. According to reports, the Tropa are eyeing Marquese Chriss or Darius Days as Bol’s replacement.

Chris Newsome led the way for Meralco with a 24-point output. Newsome also keyed the Bolts’ endgame breakaway by unloading 15 of his output in the final quarter.

Roger Pogoy fired 27 points and Calvin Oftana had 22 for TNT, which kept the game close even without Bol but faded in the endgame.

THE SCORES:

MERALCO (87) – Newsome 24, Jones 16, Mocon 16, Hodge 12, Quinto 6, Cansino 5, Brickman 3, Black 3, Rios 2, Banchero 0, Nates 0.

TNT (76) – Pogoy 27, Oftana 22, Bol 10, Heading 6, Nambatac 4, Quitevis 2, Khobuntin 2, Chua 2, Ferrer 1, Williams 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Enciso 0, Nieto 0.QUARTERSCORES: 15-22; 35-40; 57-all; 87-76.(CCM)