Bol Bol aims for another dominant performance against San Miguel

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After two games in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, former NBA talent and TNT Tropang 5G reinforcement Bol Bol proved that he is indeed the leading candidate for the Best Import of the Conference award.

Across two games against Rain or Shine and NLEX, the towering force of nature already tallied a total of 78 points, 31 rebounds and seven blocks, the best stat line by any import so far in the tournament.

Despite a frustrating opening loss when Rain or Shine came back from an 18-point deficit to beat them, Bol and the Tropang 5G responded with a sense of urgency to grab their first PBA win against NLEX, 103-97.

It was a test of character for the former 44th pick in the NBA draft as TNT trailed for the majority of the game. However, Bol stayed locked in, taking charge when the Tropang 5G needed him the most in the pivotal fourth quarter.

Bol was unstoppable and played almost every minute of the final frame, resulting in a dominant stat line of 40 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks.

When NLEX still held a three-point lead inside the final four minutes, Bol steered TNT back into the driver’s seat after scoring 11 of the team’s final 13 points.

Standing in TNT’s way in its next scheduled PBA game is the frustrated powerhouse San Miguel Beermen squad that received a painful reality check in its loss to the cellar-dwelling Titan Ultra Giant Risers.

Expected to win against one of the worst-performing teams in the PBA, San Miguel collapsed, giving away the win to start the import-laced conference with a disappointing loss.

Bol will be going up against former National Basketball League champion Marcus Lee, who did not have a decent PBA debut with only four points.

Known as a defensive stopper, Lee takes pride in holding his opponents below their offensive average, but the big question is: Can he stop Bol?

With TNT badly needing another win for its first winning streak, and San Miguel hungry to get on board, expect a dogfight when both teams meet on the hardwood on March 28, 2026, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.