Daven Tamayo

PBA: Oftana speaks on TNT open forum with Bol, affirms support for import

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

ANTIPOLO – As former NBA player Bol Bol continues to stand tall for the TNT Tropang 5G, his teammates wanted to let him know they&#x27;ve got his back.Before the defending champions booked their spot in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup semifinals, the Tropang 5G sat down and had a talk with Bol.This proved to be beneficial for TNT, as they kept their title defense alive on Saturday, beating the top seed NLEX Road Warriors, 118-112, at the Ynares Center Antipolo.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/16/pba-tnt-completes-ouster-of-top-seeded-nlex-2253">READ: PBA: TNT completes ouster of top-seeded NLEX </a></div>Bol overcame foul trouble and powered the Tropang 5G with 35 points and 13 rebounds.Calvin Oftana shared what was discussed in their talk with the former NBA player.&quot;Nag-usap kami as a team. Walang viewing, wala lahat. Instead na mag-viewing kami pero nag-open forum kami kung anong problema internally. In-open up namin kung ano &#x27;yung problema namin kay Bol. Ano &#x27;yung pananaw niya sa team. Gusto niya ba kami sa team? Gusto ba namin siya sa team? Ganun bagay,&quot; he said.Bol has been consistently delivering for TNT, but it&#x27;s not exactly the same story for the locals and veterans of the Tropang 5G.This is why TNT veteran RR Pogoy took it upon himself to rally his teammates to all step up and support Bol to keep their title defense alive.&quot;Pinag-usapan talaga namin na kung gusto namin umusad sa next level, kailangan talaga mag-step up kaming lahat,&quot; he said last Wednesday.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/17/pba-jong-uichico-says-loaded-tnt-squad-overpowered-young-nlex-1109">READ: PBA: Jong Uichico says loaded TNT squad overpowered young NLEX </a></div>&quot;Kinausap ko rin si Calvin na kailangan akuin namin &#x27;yung responsibilidad kasi kami naman &#x27;yung matatanda na rito sa team eh,&quot; Pogoy added.Following this talk and the open forum with Bol, the Tropang 5G&#x27;s locals and veterans all came together to force the knockout game and eventually advance to the semifinals.Pogoy added 21 points, Oftana had 20 markers and Jayson Castro pitched in 14 points in the win.After the frank discussion, Oftana said they are glad the 26-year-old Bol took everything in stride.&quot;Siyempre, you need to open up yourself naman sa kanya. At siya naman, ang maganda lang kasi si Bol in-accept niya as his brother. Doon kami nagkasundo lahat eh,&quot; he said.When asked what exactly they told Bol, Oftana replied candidly but honestly on their discussion.&quot;Sinabi lang namin na Bol, kailangan mo ipasa din minsan. Sinabi nga talaga namin, kailangan mo ipasa din minsan,&quot; he shared with a laugh.&quot;Sabi nga ni coach [Chot Reyes], you need to trust these locals. We&#x27;ve been there for a couple of times na sa semis, sa finals. And naniwala naman siya,&quot; Oftana added.Now that they are on the same page with Bol, the three-time PBA champion said they have to prove what they said is true in the coming games.Up next for the Tropang 5G are the Meralco Bolts in the best-of-seven semifinals.Oftana said they will be ready for the Bolts when they clash in the first game on Wednesday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

As former NBA player Bol Bol continues to stand tall for the TNT Tropang 5G, his teammates wanted to let him know they've got his back.

As former NBA player Bol Bol continues to stand tall for the TNT Tropang 5G, his teammates wanted to let him know they've got his back.