Chot Reyes admits Bol Bol is still adapting to the PBA after a monstrous performance vs. NLEX

The TNT Tropang Giga wasted no time bouncing back from their opening setback in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, grinding out a hard-fought 103–97 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday, March 22, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

At the heart of TNT’s resurgence was their high-profile import Bol Bol, who delivered another eye-popping performance with 40 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks. The former NBA big man continues to make an immediate impact in his early PBA stint, following up his explosive debut outing where he tallied 38 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks in a narrow 112–109 loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Despite those gaudy numbers in his first game, TNT head coach Chot Reyes made it clear that statistics alone were not enough. The veteran tactician had openly expressed disappointment after the opening loss, pointing to a lack of effort rather than execution. That narrative, however, shifted after TNT’s response against NLEX.

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“My entire pregame was very simple actually. It can boil down to one word and I just said it boiled down to effort. The reason why I was upset when we lost the last game was because I felt Rain or Shine just simply outworked us. For us, effort is a sacred value and we can accept teams outplaying us, being better than us, but we cannot accept the fact of losing the effort battle,” Reyes said in the postmatch press conference.

Fans greet Bol Bol upon returning to the court minutes before his first PBA game for TNT against Rain or Shine @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/aLfixyqjTx

— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) March 20, 2026

The difference was evident on Sunday, as TNT showed more urgency on both ends of the floor, matching NLEX’s physicality while maintaining composure in crucial stretches. Bol’s dominance inside, coupled with improved team energy, allowed Tropang Giga to control the tempo and secure their first win of the conference.

“That’s why today, that was my only message. I said I don’t care what you do, how many shots you miss, as long as we outwork the other team. And I thought Bol put in great effort on the floor,” he added.

While Bol’s production has been nothing short of spectacular, Reyes emphasized that the 24-year-old is still in the process of adjusting to the unique style and intensity of PBA competition. Known for its physicality and relentless pace, the league presents a different challenge compared to the NBA.

“But I think we still need to get a lot more work, some more work before he figures out really how to play here in the PBA. We told him. At least now, he is experiencing it first hand that this is a tough league. Hopefully, he keeps on improving,” Reyes concluded.

With momentum now on their side, TNT will look to build consistency as they prepare for a marquee matchup against the San Miguel Beermen on Saturday, March 28, at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum. The brief break gives Reyes and his squad an opportunity to further refine their chemistry and reinforce the effort-driven identity their coach continues to demand.

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