TWO teams will come out of Sunday’s Game 3 with the upperhand in their respective series in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Sunday’s playdate comes on the heels of news that TNT reinforcement Bol Bol, arguably one of the most high-profile imports to play in the PBA, is no longer playing due to an Achilles tear that he sustained in Game 2.
MERALCO VS. TNT
When: Sunday, May 24. 5:15 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Bol Bol-less TNT goes for 2-1 lead
TNT goes for the lead in the semifinals against Meralco after the unfortunate news that its super import Bol Bol will no longer play for the rest of the conference due to an Achilles tear in his left foot. TNT is also likely to play without Bol’s replacement Malick Diouf as he has yet to submit his papers to make him eligible to play in Game 3.
Bolts look to take advantage
With TNT likely to play without an import, Meralco must take advantage. But head coach Luigi Trillo warned that TNT remains a strong team with an all-Filipino line-up, as proof of their consecutive finals appearance in the Philippine Cup over the last two seasons. The Tropang 5G were also able to keep the game close until the fourth where they outscored the Bolts, 30-19.
Oftana, Pogoy could take over
With Bol Bol no longer playing, expect RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana to play a huge role to TNT’s offense in Game 2. Pogoy is averaging 24 points, while Oftana has an 18.0 cliip during the series. Their numbers could rise with Bol out and an import still doubtful for Game 3.
Defending without fouling
After limiting their opponent to only 11 free throw attempts in Game 1, the Tropang 5G gave up 35 free throw attempts to the Bolts, who made 24 in Game 2. Some TNT players were in foul trouble in Game 2 with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser having five fouls, and Calvin Oftana, Glenn Khobuntin, and Kelly Williams each getting four.
The TNT Tropang 5G may be reinforced by former UAAP champion Malick Diouf in Game 3 of the semifinals series against Meralco Bolts on Sunday. According to a report on the PBA site, TNT has tapped Diouf to replace former NBA player Bol Bol, who suffered a suspected partial tear in his Achilles tendon in Game 2 last Friday. Diouf can only suit up right away for TNT if they can complete the necessary papers which include a special working permit from the Bureau of Immigration and a license from the Games and Amusements Board. TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa earlier said they are eyeing NBA veteran Marquese Chriss or former import Darius Days to replace Bol.
Diouf is already in the Philippines as the Senate tackled bills proposing his naturalization, as well as fellow basketball player Elizabeth Means. The Senegalese big man recently played with Pacific Caesar Surabaya in the Indonesia Basketball League. Diouf previously played in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), helping lead the UP Fighting Maroons to a championship in Season 84. TNT and Meralco will face off again in Game 3 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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