The PBA rumor mill is currently buzzing with a name that sounds more like a basketball myth than a potential import: Bol Bol. While TNT Tropang 5G team manager Jojo Lastimosa has clarified that "nothing is definite," the mere fact that the Tropa is in discussions with the 7-foot-3 unicorn is enough to send shockwaves through the league.
With Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (RHJ) still sidelined by a lingering Achilles recovery, TNT is looking for a massive solution. In Bol Bol, they might just find a "cheat code" that the PBA is simply not prepared to handle.
A 7-Foot-3 Nightmare for the Opposition
For decades, the PBA Commissioner’s Cup has seen its fair share of dominant bigs, but Bol Bol is a different species altogether. Unlike the traditional "inside operators" who park themselves in the paint, Bol brings a modern NBA skillset to a 7-foot-3 frame with a staggering 7-foot-8 wingspan.
Unstoppable Offense: Imagine a player who can block a shot on one end, grab the rebound, and then lead the fastbreak like a guard. In his recent NBA stints with the Suns and Magic, Bol has shown a soft shooting touch from beyond the arc (shooting 33-42% in various seasons) and a handle that defies his height.
The "No-Fly Zone": Defensively, Bol doesn't just block shots; he erases them. In a league where the average center stands around 6'8", Bol's standing reach would allow him to contest shots without even jumping.
The Preparation Gap: How do you prepare for a player who is taller than June Mar Fajardo but can shoot like Marcio Lassiter? Most PBA teams lack the personnel to even simulate that kind of length in practice.
Can He Dominate the PBA?
There is a very real chance that Bol Bol could become the most dominant import in the history of the mid-season conference. While "stamina" is often the enemy of 7-footers in the high-octane PBA, Bol’s mobility is far superior to that of his late father, Manute Bol.
If TNT manages to seal the deal, Bol won't just be an import; he’ll be a tactical wrecking ball. He would force teams like San Miguel and Ginebra to completely scrap their defensive schemes. A "Twin Tower" lineup of Bol Bol and Poy Erram would effectively seal the paint, forcing opponents to live and die by the four-point line.
The Verdict: A Move Worth Making
Jojo Lastimosa is right to be cautious, but the fans are right to be excited. While RHJ is a proven winner and a beloved figure in the TNT camp, Bol Bol offers a ceiling that is arguably higher than any import we’ve seen in the last decade.
If the Tropang 5G can finalize this agreement, the rest of the PBA better start practicing their high-arc floaters—because with Bol in the middle, nothing else is getting to the rim.
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