PBA: TNT escapes late Blackwater rally as Bol Bol fires 48

Bol Bol dropped 48 points on gritty Blackwater. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

ANTIPOLO--Bol Bol played arguably his best game yet in the PBA, but TNT had to brave a last stand from Blackwater for a 99-94 win on Tuesday night at the Ynares Center 1.

Bol dropped 48 points and was on track for an uncommon triple-double with 11 rebounds and seven blocks.

The towering seven-foot-three import went 15-for-24 from the field and finally got his free-throw game going with 17-of-21.

Despite the monster stats, the Tropang 5G still had to escape one last gasp from the Bossing, who were close to scoring a huge upset in Pat Aquino's head coaching debut.

Down 10 with 2:22 remaining, Blackwater went on a 9-0 run capped by a crucial Sedrick Barefield three with 44.6 seconds to go to draw the team to within one, 94-95.

Christian David then drew the charge against Bol, giving his team the ball back with 33 seconds to play.

Although he forced the mismatch down low between Rob Upshaw and RR Pogoy, Barefield decided to go for a three against Bol's outstretched arms that only hit the front iron.

David then failed to foul Bol immediately, and eventually Calvin Oftana was found wide open for the layup with five seconds left.

Upshaw decided to go for the win outright in the next play, but he airballed his four-pointer as Bol once again defended the perimeter well in the end.

Bol was rewarded with two dagger free throws to cap his 48-point blast.

Jayson Castro was the only other TNT player in double figures with 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists off the bench as his team moved up to a tie with Ginebra for fourth place at 4-2.

Upshaw had his own efficient outing with 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 3-for-6 on fours, seven rebounds, one block, and one steal, but Blackwater fell to 1-5.

Barefield and David each added 12 markers, with the latter grabbing 11 boards.