PBA: Bol Bol, TNT repel Meralco in Game 1 of Commissioner's Cup semis

Bol Bol hit timely baskets as TNT fended off a late Meralco rally, 94-89, in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

Bol converted the last two baskets for the Tropang 5G amid a Bolts comeback attempt, which pulled to within three points after a huge four-pointer from Bong Quinto in the final 56.3 seconds of the fourth period.

The TNT import flexed his all-around game, nearly finishing a triple-double output after dropping 37 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks as the defending champions drew first blood in the best-of-seven series.

Bol once again drew huge support from the locals with RR Pogoy posting 21 points and nine rebounds while Calvin Oftana had a double-double effort of 14 markers and 11 boards.

Jordan Heading was also huge after tallying 16 points, including six of TNT’s last 13 points that allowed the Tropang 5G to escape the Bolts.

“The foundation of our game plan is to not allow Meralco to outwork us and to win the efforts stats, so diving for the loos ball, extra effort, deflection, setting good screens,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.

“I thought if we’re able to match their energy and their effort, then we give ourselves a good chance.”

With Reyes’ instructions in mind, the Tropang 5G just outhustled the Bolts.

Tied at 69-all to end the penultimate period, Bol, who got plenty of breather in the third period, took flight for a dunk and completed a three-point play that gave TNT a slim 74-73 lead following Meralco’s 4-0 run to open the fourth.

The locals stepped up anew for TNT as Oftana hit a triple before sinking a layup off a Bol dish to make it a 79-75 lead.

Heading and Oftana then fueled a 7-0 swing to send TNT to an 81-75 edge, but Meralco import Marvin Jones proved his worth by sparking an 8-2 blast that pulled the Bolts to within five, 85-90.

Quinto, the hero in their do-or-die quarterfinals match against Magnolia last Saturday, showed his clutch genes again by hitting a four-point basket to further trim the gap to three, 89-92.

However, Bol’s driving layup in the final moments proved to be the dagger as TNT, who found itself in danger of early exit multiple times this conference, now got closer to another finals stint.

Over at Meralco, Jones led the way with 22 points and 14 rebounds while Quinto and CJ Cansino tallied 17 and 12 markers each.

Scores:

TNT 94 – Bol 37, Pogoy 21, Heading 16, Oftana 14, Nambatac 3, Williams 2, Castro 1, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Quitevis 0, Aurin 0, Galinato 0, Khobuntin 0.

Meralco 89 – Jones 22, Quinto 17, Cansino 12, Newsome 11, Brickman 8, Hodge 8, Rios 5, Banchero 4, Bates 2, Black 0, Mocon 0.

Quarters: 28-21, 53-49, 69-69, 94-89.

—JKC, GMA News