Bol out but life goes on

MANILA, Philippines — The road to a title repeat in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup got exponentially bumpier for TNT.

Just when the Tropang 5G were connecting stronger with Bol Bol, the 7-foot-3 unicorn went down on a partial Achilles tear, sending the defending champs virtually back to square on with a different import moving forward.

But instead of being a defeatist, coach Chot Reyes and his gritty troops are ready to carry on minus Bol, their main man in scoring, rebounding and shot blocking.

“That’s basketball. That’s sports. Injuries are part of the game. And there’s nothing we can do about that except to do our best just to cope with it, right?” said Reyes after Meralco forced his team to a 1-1 tie in the best-of-seven semis with an 87-76 verdict.

Asked how it affects their chances in the playoffs, Reyes said, “Greatly.”

The Tropang 5G have tapped Malick Diouf, the 6-foot-11 newly naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas Men’s 3x3 team, to man the fort for now, while management tries to fly in prospects Marquese Chriss or Darius Days later on.

Pending clearance from concerned bodies, Diouf is expected to suit up today as TNT attempts to regain control against the fired-up Bolts in pivotal Game 3 at the SM MOA Arena.

“It’s like our situation in the eliminations, wherein after our loss to Converge, sinabi ko na, we needed to beat someone twice to get to the semis. Now, we need to find a way to beat somebody thrice (to make the finals). Those are the cards we’re dealt with,” said Reyes.

The Bolts, who had faced injury woes in past playoffs runs, feel they should make the most of TNT’s predicament. The Tropang 5G are also dealing with the health issues of veteran guard Jayson Castro (knee) and big man Henry Galinato (high fever), who both missed Game 2.