MANILA — TNT Tropang 5G stamped its authority early and never relented, dismantling San Miguel Beermen, 118-92, behind a dominant all-around performance from import Bol Bol in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Bol delivered a commanding double-double of 34 points and 18 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field, powering TNT to its second win in three games and exposing San Miguel’s defensive lapses in a lopsided contest that was decided as early as the first quarter.
“I think I am getting used to the physicality and is also trying to get my teammates involved,” the 7-foot-3 Sudanese center said. “I think we are good now. It is just hard in the first game, and after three games I am getting used to it.”
TNT wasted no time asserting control, racing to a 35-16 advantage at the end of the opening period before stretching the gap further, turning what was expected to be a tight matchup into a one-sided blowout.
Calvin Oftana chipped in 18 points, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser tallied 13 markers with two blocks, while Justin Chua provided solid support off the bench with 11 points for the Tropang 5G.
San Miguel struggled to keep pace despite double-double efforts from Marcus Lee, who finished with 30 points and 14 rebounds, and June Mar Fajardo, who posted 15 points and 20 boards. Jaymar Perez and Celedonio Trollano added 12 points each as the Beermen slipped to a 1-2 record.
In the earlier game, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots barged into the win column with a convincing 121-109 victory over the Macau Black Knights.
Import Clinton Chapman made an immediate impact, erupting for 39 points and 15 rebounds, while Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa added 23 and 20 points, respectively, as Magnolia improved to 1-3.
After a tight first half, the Hotshots unleashed a decisive 21-3 run in the third quarter to break the game open and build a lead that ballooned to as much as 19 points.
Chon Pong Lao led the Black Knights with 24 points, while Tony Mitchell and Damian Chongqui contributed 22 and 20, respectively, as Macau remained winless in four games./PN
