Five games into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Bol Bol has proven quite a handful, routinely putting up at least 30 points and 10 or so rebounds a game in leading the TNT Tropang 5G to a 3-2 record in the PBA COmmissioner’s Cup.
He was at it again on Saturday in TNT’s win over the Terrafirma Dyip, firing 35 points on 11-for-18 shooting while grabbing 14 caroms. He also got to the line 19 times, proving yet again how hard it is to guard a 7-foot-3 reinforcement with a feathery touch and guard skills.
Bol Bol Needs to Improve on Defense
TNT coach Chot Reyes, though, wants more from Bol Bol on defense. And the multi-titled coach admits this prized import still makes too many mistakes on that side of the ball.
“He still has a lot to work on defensively. He gives us that shot-blocking presence, but he still has too many lapses on defense—not sprinting back on transition, not calling out screens for his teammates,” said Reyes of Bol’s defensive shortcomings.
Indeed, Bol Bol has proven to be a prolific shot blocker, swatting four Terrafirma shots on Saturday and averaging 3.8 blocks in five games. But too often, the South Sudanese big man gets caught ball-watching, resulting in missed assignments and botched rotations.
Bol Bol Is Coachable
On the bright side, Bol Bol, according to Reyes, is very coachable. And that could go a long way in rectifying those often glaring defensive lapses.
“The good thing is he’s very open to suggestions, and he’s very open to coaching,” said Reyes. “He’s always been telling his teammates, ‘If you see me doing something wrong, let me know, tell me.’ So, he’s very open to coaching and to communication with his teammates.”
Then again, being coachable doesn’t necessarily mean improvements will come fast—if they will come at all. And Reyes knows this all too well.
“That being said, there’s still a lot for him to learn,” the veteran mentor concluded. “There’s still a lot for him to improve on, especially on the defensive end.”
If it’s any consolation, Bol Bol appears to have the physical tools to be a defensive demon. Whether he becomes one, though, is another matter altogether.
