TNT goes all in for PBA title drive with Bol Bol addition

MANILA, Philippines – After falling short of the championship in the past two conferences, the TNT Tropang 5G are going all in for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown.

The flagship franchise of the MVP Group welcomed the enigmatic Bol Bol as its import for the mid-season tournament, which removed the 6-foot-10 height limit for the second consecutive year.

He is the 7-foot-3 son of late NBA center Manute Bol, a 7-foot-6 big man who is listed as one of the tallest basketball players of all time.

Bol arrived in the country on Thursday, February 19, confirming weeks-long speculation online of his Tropang 5G stint.

He is seen as a perfect fit to the team’s needs for a seven-foot NBA player who can play the forward positions — a luxury TNT will enjoy as it looks to bounce back from its back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Philippine Cup.

A former McDonald’s All-American in high school who then played for the Oregon Ducks in the NCAA, Bol was picked 44th overall by the Miami Heat in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Bol suited up for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and the Phoenix Suns throughout six seasons in the NBA.

His best output in the world’s top basketball league came in the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 assist in 70 games for the Magic.

The Tropang 5G have been known for notable import signings, tapping former NBA players Terrence Jones and Rondae Hollis Jefferson, who led the squad to three championships. – Rappler.com