The title defense campaign of the TNT Tropang 5G suffered a major setback after import Bol Bol was ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup due to a partial Achilles tear.
Team officials confirmed the injury after TNT’s semifinal loss to the Meralco Bolts in Game 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena, where Bol exited late in the contest after appearing to hurt his lower leg.
According to reports, Bol initially twisted his knee during TNT’s previous game before medical evaluation later revealed damage to his Achilles tendon. TNT head coach Chot Reyes admitted the loss of the former NBA player is a huge blow for the defending champions as they continue their semifinal campaign without their star reinforcement.
Bol had been one of the most dominant imports in the conference since joining TNT earlier this year. The 7-foot-2 big man delivered massive performances throughout the tournament, including multiple 40-point games and a professional career-high 50-point outing during the elimination round.
His absence immediately impacted TNT, which absorbed an 87-76 defeat against Meralco as the Bolts capitalized on the import-less Tropang 5G lineup to level their semifinal series.
Following the injury, TNT quickly moved to secure a replacement import and tapped Malick Diouf to take Bol’s place for the remainder of the conference. Reports said the team is hoping the Senegalese reinforcement can help stabilize the squad as it tries to keep its championship hopes alive despite losing one of the league’s biggest attractions this season.
Bol’s stint in the PBA, though cut short, generated significant attention among Filipino basketball fans due to his NBA background and unique combination of height, shooting, and shot-blocking ability. His arrival gave TNT a strong boost during the Commissioner’s Cup and helped the team remain among the title contenders before the unfortunate injury.
