Two games in, Bol Bol has produced as any former NBA player would in the PBA. 

Bol has so far averaged 39.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 3.5 blocks through two games, demonstrating the versatile, two-way ability that immediately vaulted the TNT Tropang 5G into title contender status (as if they aren’t already). 

However, the Tropang 5G have yet to really live up to these expectations. At 1-1, TNT finds themselves in the middle of the pack, which is nothing new for them but is nonetheless a place they prefer not to be in. The Tropang 5G were tested early against the physical Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who did not back down from their punches. 

It seemed another collapse was going to haunt TNT against their sister team the NLEX Road Warriors, but Bol and the rest of the Tropang 5G were able to avert what would have been a monumental collapse.  

Having an even record early on is a relief for TNT, but it does not cover the holes that have been exposed early on in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. The dependency on an import is not an exclusive trait to the Tropang 5G, but TNT being overly reliant on theirs speaks to them playing below their potential. We’ve already seen this story before, when the Tropang 5G had Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, but his Achilles injury revealed his value to TNT, more so when he is in street clothes. 

Regardless of their methods in acquiring their stars, the Tropang 5G are one of the more stacked rosters in the PBA. TNT has a strong cast in Calvin Oftana, Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and even reliable veterans in RR Pogoy and the returning Jayson Castro. On their own, they can lead the Tropang 5G to the finals of pretty much any PBA conference regardless of who the import is. 

The local players naturally cede touches to their imports, but TNT is so much better when it gets its players more involved. The Tropang 5G have thus far averaged 16.0 assists per game, much lower than the 21.5 that their opponents have handed out. Their opponents have been getting more offense out of the ball movement and TNT should do the same, especially when things get stagnant. 

Thankfully, time is on the side of the TNT Tropang 5G, who still have 10 games to get things together. They and some of the other teams are still shaking off the rust so everyone is somewhat on level footing. Their import is already in midseason form, but the difference between success and another campaign marred in failure is how quickly the rest of the Tropang 5G can keep up with him.