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Tag: Bol Bol

  • Bol Bol enters evaluation phase as TNT Tropang 5G opens training camp for  PBA Commissioner’s Cup title defense

    Bol Bol enters evaluation phase as TNT Tropang 5G opens training camp for  PBA Commissioner’s Cup title defense

    The spotlight isn’t on game night just yet—it’s on preparation.

     

    As defending champions gear up for another run in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, TNT Tropang 5G has shifted its focus to a crucial four-day training block at the Inspire Sports Academy, where new import Bol Bol begins what could be the most important stretch of his transition into Philippine basketball.

     

    Rather than immediate expectations, the camp is designed as a controlled environment—part conditioning reset, part system immersion—for the 7-foot-3 former NBA big man.

    Team manager Jojo Lastimosa said the closed-door setup allows the coaching staff to closely monitor Bol’s progress as he adapts to TNT’s structure and pace.

     

    “I still have to see him in kind of at least full strength because he’s not in shape yet,” said Lastimosa on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during the MVP Olympics All-Star Game.

     

    “So I want to see him how he does in the camp, how he understands the system and all that.”

    Bol’s arrival comes with intrigue not just because of his rare size and skillset, but also because of his basketball lineage as the son of late NBA defensive icon Manute Bol. 

     

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    He first linked up with the team earlier this week during a light session at the Moro Lorenzo Gym, marking his initial on-court introduction to teammates and coaches.

     

    Later that evening, Bol observed from courtside alongside team owner Manny V. Pangilinan and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, as Lastimosa coached against a squad handled by Luigi Trillo in a tightly contested exhibition.

     

    While TNT enters the conference carrying championship momentum, Lastimosa emphasized that Bol’s integration remains a process rather than a guarantee.

     

    “It remains to be seen,” said the TNT team manager and former coach. “But I’m hopeful because he’s got experience and we know he got skills.”

     

    Bol’s professional journey includes NBA stints with the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns, and his arrival has naturally drawn comparisons to TNT’s previous import success with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who powered the franchise to last season’s Commissioner’s Cup crown.

     

    Still, the immediate objective is simpler: build rhythm, build chemistry, and rebuild conditioning.

    The Tropang 5G will conclude camp on Saturday, hoping the controlled grind becomes the foundation for another championship push. 

     

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  • “It’s like bringing a machine gun to a knife fight”: Yeng Guiao on TNT’s signing of Bol Bol

    “It’s like bringing a machine gun to a knife fight”: Yeng Guiao on TNT’s signing of Bol Bol

    The spotlight followed Bol Bol the moment he touched down in the Philippines, signaling more than the arrival of a new import — it marked the entry of one of the tallest and most intriguing talents ever to suit up in the Philippine Basketball Association.

     

    Bol’s presence instantly reshapes the PBA import landscape. Listed at the same height as former reinforcement PJ Ramos, who played under Manny Pacquiao during his brief coaching stint with Kia Sorento in 2014, Bol arrives with significantly greater global recognition and a far more modern skill set for a player of his size.

     

    At 26, Bol brings with him six seasons of NBA experience. His professional journey began in 2019 when he was selected No. 44 overall by the Miami Heat before launching his career with the Denver Nuggets. He later displayed flashes of his versatility with the Orlando Magic, and most recently suited up for the Phoenix Suns.

     

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    Now set to reinforce TNT Tropang Giga, Bol’s signing has already stirred debate across the league.

     

    Among the most vocal critics is Yeng Guiao, head coach of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who did not mince words in describing the acquisition as “unfair.”

    “He will practically own the paint offensively and defensively. It’s like bringing a machine gun to a knife fight. It’s unfair,” Guiao said.

     

    “Just the sheer height and length advantage he brings to the court is unmatched by any import this conference. He also has legitimate guard skills and his NBA credentials are also unquestioned,” he added.

     

    While Bol’s NBA averages — 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds across six seasons — may not fully capture his physical gifts, numbers rarely tell the complete story. His combination of extraordinary length, fluid mobility, and perimeter skill has long made him one of the NBA’s most fascinating long-term projects.

     

    His most productive stretch came during the 2022–23 campaign, when he averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in expanded minutes, offering a glimpse of the impact he can provide when entrusted with a larger role. In a league like the PBA, where dominant imports often tilt the balance of power, those tools could translate into immediate influence.

     

    Basketball pedigree further enhances the intrigue. Bol is the son of late NBA icon Manute Bol, whose 7-foot-6 frame made him one of the tallest players in league history. Like his father, Bol brings elite rim protection and an intimidating defensive presence. Unlike him, however, the younger Bol possesses guard-like handles and legitimate shooting range — skills he honed during his collegiate stint with the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball.

     

    For TNT, this is more than a headline-grabbing acquisition — it is a calculated gamble on upside. In the PBA, where elite imports often dictate championship trajectories, the Tropang Giga are betting that Bol’s rare blend of size, skill, and NBA pedigree will create matchup nightmares and potentially reshape the conference landscape.

     

    Whether he ultimately dominates as Guiao predicts or simply adds another compelling chapter to his unpredictable career, one thing is certain: Bol Bol’s arrival has instantly become one of the most talked-about storylines of the PBA season.

     

     

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  • Bol Bol arrives to boost TNT Tropang 5G title hopes  

    Bol Bol arrives to boost TNT Tropang 5G title hopes  

    The spotlight quickly followed Bol Bol upon his arrival in the Philippines, signaling not just the entry of a new import but the arrival of one of the tallest and most fascinating talents to ever suit up in the Philippine Basketball Association.

     

    Fresh from his NBA journey, the 7-foot-3 forward landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where he was greeted by Jojo Lastimosa as he officially began his stint with TNT Tropang Giga.

     

    Bol’s presence immediately adds a new layer of intrigue to the PBA import landscape. Standing at the same listed height as former PBA reinforcement PJ Ramos—who played under Manny Pacquiao during his brief coaching stint with Kia Sorento in 2014—Bol enters the league with far more global recognition and a unique modern skill set for a player his size.

     

    Now 26, Bol arrives carrying experience from multiple NBA stops, beginning with the Denver Nuggets, where his pro career started in 2019 after being selected No. 44 overall by the Miami Heat. He later showcased flashes of his versatility with the Orlando Magic before his most recent stint with the Phoenix Suns.

     

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    While his NBA numbers—6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds across six seasons—may not fully reflect his physical gifts, Bol’s combination of length, mobility, and perimeter skill has long made him one of the league’s most intriguing projects. 

     

    His most productive stretch came during the 2022-23 season, when he averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in expanded minutes, hinting at the impact he can deliver when given a larger role.

     

    Basketball lineage also follows him. Bol is the son of late NBA giant Manute Bol, whose 7-foot-6 frame made him one of the tallest players in league history. Like his father, Bol brings elite rim protection—but unlike him, the younger Bol adds guard-like handles and shooting range developed during his college run with Oregon Ducks men’s basketball.

     

    For TNT, Bol’s arrival is more than just a roster move—it’s a gamble on upside. In a league where dominant imports often dictate championship runs, the Tropang Giga are banking on Bol’s rare blend of size and skill to reshape their campaign and create matchup problems across the conference.

     

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  • TNT weighs Bol Bol as possible Commissioner’s Cup import

    TNT weighs Bol Bol as possible Commissioner’s Cup import

    The noise around TNT Tropang 5G possibly parading another NBA name as its next import is growing louder—but inside the camp, the tone remains far more cautious.

     

    Team manager Jojo Lastimosa has moved to temper expectations amid reports linking TNT to 7-foot-3 big man Bol Bol, stressing that while talks have happened, nothing is locked in just yet.

    “Nothing is definite,” Lastimosa said in a Viber message to a source.

     

    That clarification came after speculation that TNT was eyeing Bol as a potential reinforcement for the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, especially with reigning Finals MVP Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still recovering from an Achilles injury.

     

     For a franchise fresh off a championship run, the logic behind scanning the market is clear. The Tropang 5G remain in win-now mode, and history suggests they won’t settle for a low-impact import.

     

    Still, league whispers suggest the situation could move quickly.

     

    Sources told that TNT management and Bol’s camp are already deep into negotiations,with optimism that a deal could be finalized within days—potentially clearing the way for the son of the late Manute Bol to finally see action in the PBA, a league that now has no height restrictions for imports.

     

    “Let’s just say na in the next two days, okay na ’yan. Magpipirmahan na ’yan,” said the source. 

     

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    If completed, the signing would be both intriguing and risky.

     

    Bol’s pedigree is undeniable. A former McDonald’s All-American and NBA lottery talent, he’s spent time with several NBA teams, most recently the Phoenix Suns. But his recent résumé raises fair questions. During the 2024–25 NBA season, he averaged 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in limited minutes across 36 games—respectable numbers, yet hardly dominant.

     

    More concerning is the lack of recent high-level competition. Since that stint, Bol has largely been off the radar. He was even slated to suit up for Sudan in the 2024 Paris Olympics, only to withdraw at the last minute due to undisclosed personal reasons.

     

    That uncertainty is exactly why TNT remains guarded.

     

    “You can never be sure until he arrives,” Lastimosa said in a statement posted on the team’s social media pages.

     

    For now, that sums up the situation perfectly. On paper, Bol’s length, mobility, and perimeter touch could give TNT a new dimension—especially after coming off a tough six-game Finals loss to San Miguel in the Philippine Cup. In reality, however, the Tropang 5G know better than to count wins before their import even steps off the plane.

     

    Until Bol Bol is actually in Manila, the buzz remains just that—buzz.

     

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