PBA: Bol, TNT fend off top-ranked NLEX to stay alive

MANILA, May 14 ------ Bol Bol and TNT get to live for another day as the eighth-seeded Tropang 5G fended off top-ranked NLEX, 96-93, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

An uncharacteristic turnover from Jayson Castro kept the doors open for the Road Warriors 21.0 seconds left, with TNT leading only by a thread, 94-93. With clutch player Robert Bolick fouled out after committing six fouls at the 4:33 mark in the fourth frame, the NLEX side turned to Schonny Winston for the potential go-ahead basket. However, he missed on his baseline jumper, while heavily guarded by RR Pogoy.

Import Bol Bol completed his trip to the foul line, 5.7 seconds left, to put TNT up by three, 96-93, as Cady Lalanne tried to knot the match, but was defended well by his counterpart, missing entirely on his shot. Bol finished with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks, while Calvin Oftana added 19 points as well as five boards. Pogoy stepped up with 15 points, while Jayson Castro, who hit a milestone during the game, reaching 10,000-point club, added 14 markers. On the other side, NLEX looks to bounce back next match after TNT forced a decider. Lalanne wrapped up with 17 points and 15 rebounds to pace the loss.

The Scores:

TNT 96 – Bol 34, Oftana 19, Pogoy 15, Castro 14, Nambaatc 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Galinato 2, Heading 0, Quitevis 0, Khobuntin 0, Williams 0

NLEX 93 – Lalanne 17, Bolick 15, Torres 14, Gonzales 13, Semerad 11, Winston 10, Rodger 8, Ramirez 3, Bahio 2, Racal 0, Fajardo 0

QUARTERS: 26-26, 50-52, 76-72, 96-93

Source: news.abs-cbn.com