ANTIPOLO — It wasn’t just the local stars who gathered and talked over the need to give Bol Bol support in preparation for the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
They also involved the former NBA pro himself in the discussion, and that worked wonders. The team overcame the twice-to-beat NLEX to reach the Final Four — and keep their title defense bid alive.
“Nag-usap kami as a team,” Calvin Oftana disclosed shortly after their 118-112 win in the knockout match on Saturday night at the Ynares Center here.
“Walang viewing, wala lahat. Instead na mag-viewing kami, nag-open forum kami kung anong problema sa amin internally.”
Roger Pogoy previously revealed that he spoke with fellow leaders like Oftana, urging them to step up in order to keep their campaign alive. The message proved effective, as they delivered solid performances to drag the Road Warriors into a sudden death, 96-93.
But it turns out the discussion wasn’t exclusive to the mainstays. Rather, it was an open forum among the rest of the Tropang 5G — including their import.
“In-open up namin kung ano ‘yung problema namin kay Bol, ano ‘yung pananaw niya sa team, kung gusto niya ba kami sa team or gusto ba namin siya sa team, mga ganung bagay,” shared Oftana of what went down in their meeting.
Fortunately, the 26-year-old Bol didn’t take anything personally and even listened to what the entire team had to say about him.
“Siyempre, you need to open up yourself naman sa kanya; ang maganda kay Bol, in-accept niya as a brother. Doon kami nagkasundo lahat,” he said.
What exactly did they tell him, Oftana was asked.
(C) PBA Images
“Sinabi lang namin na, ‘Bol, kailangan mo ipasa rin minsan.’
“Sinabihan talaga namin! Kasi sabi nga ni Coach (Chot Reyes), ‘You need to trust these locals,'” he revealed with a chuckle.
“Kasi, we’ve been there a couple of times na — sa semis, sa finals. And naniwala naman siya. So as locals, kailangan naming i-prove sa kanya na tama yung sinabi ng mga coaches at sa kanya,” he continued.
Being on the same page was something they struggled with, especially during the eliminations. But the talk finally translated to the hardwood, with Saturday night’s victory proof as they put out another convincing showing.
Bol led the way once more with 35 points and 13 rebounds, but Pogoy and Oftana upped their output from the last time out. The two finished with 21 and 20 points, respectively, while combining for 13 boards and seven assists.
The same trio of locals delivered once again, with the other being Jayson Castro with 14 markers, alongside four rebounds and eight assists for the newest member of the 10,000 points club.
Oftana and the squad couldn’t feel happier now that they have figured things out with the 7-foot-3 Bol.
“We started rough sa conference na ‘to and right now, we’re looking good in our own way, na nakukuha na namin ‘yung rhythm namin with Bol. And Bol is looking pretty good surrounded by us,” the former NCAA MVP from San Beda said.
“Siyempre motivated kami; siyempre ayaw naming umalis agad si Bol na ganito lang. And kami rin naman,” the Gilas stalwart added with a smile.
“Maraming nangyari sa team and happy ako nakalusot kami this quarters.”
But of course, it doesn’t stop here. TNT look to further maximize Bol in the lineup while preparing for Meralco in the semis.
“Happy kami sa pinapakita ni Bol, ‘yung versatility niya sa laro, kung paano niya dalhin ‘yung team namin,” Oftana said.
“It’s up to us na mga locals na to help him up, para makayod namin ‘tong semifinals to the Finals.”
