PBA: Bol Bol erupts for 50 points as red-hot TNT escapes Titan Ultra

TNT rode Bol Bol's dominant offensive showing to survive Titan Ultra, 97-92, and surge to its third straight win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center Montalban.

The 7-foot-3 import erupted for 50 points, matching the highest scoring output by an import this conference, previously set by Ali Mubashar. The former NBA standout also hauled down 17 rebounds, six blocks, four assists, and a steal as the Tropang 5G hacked out another narrow win to extend their streak.

Rey Nambatac led the local support in Jordan Heading's absence and Calvin Oftana's early ejection due to a flagrant foul penalty two on Mark Omega, pouring in 12 markers, seven boards, and two dimes while Jayson Castro chipped in seven points, five rebounds, and five assists as they improved to 5-2. 

The Giant Risers, meanwhile, fell to 2-5 after giving the defending champions a scare. 

"Just the next man up. Glenn and I thought Kevin played a really good game. We also got good minutes and good production from Kim Aurin so that's the story of this game," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said. 

"Roger Pogoy was off of his game, but he made up for it with his defense on Munzon and we had to rely on the scoring of Bol to make up for the absence of our gunners.”

Titan Ultra took advantage of a depleted TNT roster with the likes of import Michael Gilmore and Joshua Munzon torching the reigning champions early in the fourth quarter to build a 78-73 cushion. 

But Bol took matters into his own hands. The 26-year-old import ignited a decisive 12–0 blast, scoring all but two points in the run as TNT stormed back to seize an 85–78 lead with 4:36 remaining.

Titan Ultra kept fighting back with Munzon and Gilmore each firing a triple to trim the gap to four, 93-89, before RR Pogoy converted just his second basket of the night to give TNT a six-point advantage. 

Munzon, though, fiercely took a corner three over Bol's defense to pull the Giant Risers to within a single possession, 95-92, with 44 seconds left. But Titan Ultra failed to complete the comeback with Castro sinking a pair of free throws late to seal it. 

Gilmore led Titan Ultra with 33 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks while Munzon posted 21 markers, four boards, and five dimes. 

Scores:

TNT 97 – Bol 50, Nambatac 12, Castro 7, Ferrer 6, Williams 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Khobuntin 3, Nava 3, Pogoy 2, Oftana 2, Nieto 0, Aurin 0, Galinato 0.

Titan Ultra 92 – Gilmore 33, Munzon 21, Javillonar 8, Flores 5, Dionisio 5, Balanza 5, Yu 4, Ular 4, Pessumal 3, Sajonia 2, Omega 2, Caralipio 0.

Quarters: 26-24, 48-50, 66-68, 97-92.

—JKC, GMA News