TNT back on right track

MANILA, Philippines — Strong signal restored.

With Bol Bol back to his dominant self, TNT tripped skidding Terrafirma, 101-89, for a quick rebound in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Four days after his league low 28-pointer in their 106-110 loss to Meralco, the 7-foot-2 Bol dropped 35 to go with 14 rebounds and four blocks as the defending champions regained their winning ways en route to a 3-2 record.

Bol’s 16-point flurry in the first period led to a 33-22 lead that the Tropang 5G used as a cushion for bouncing back and grabbing a share of fourth with Phoenix and Barangay Ginebra.

Once the competition’s hottest team at 3-0, the Dyip fell for the third consecutive game.

Calvin Oftana had  a 20-12 double-double, scoring 10 in the final canto, including a clutch triple off an assist from Bol that gave TNT a nine-point breathing room after Terrafirma cut what was once a 22-point tear into a manageable six.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and RR Pogoy chipped in nine apiece.

“I thought it’s the effort (today),” said coach Chot Reyes, who rued how the Tropang 5G “sucked like hell” in the defeat to the Bolts.

“The biggest difference was that players like Calvin was a plus-15 (efficiency) from minus-14 last time and Rosser who was minus-16 last time. Those two turnarounds were huge right away for our team. But to be very honest, we’re still very far from competing against the best teams in this league, still have a lot to work on and improve on as well.”

One such aspect was rebounding. Reyes pointed out how the Tropang 5G lost the battle of the boards versus Terrafirma, 46 against 54.

“This team out-rebounded us. They’re not among the biggest teams in the league and they still outrebounded us,” he lamented.