Contrary to circulating reports on social media, no tune-up match took place between Gilas Pilipinas and the TNT team led by celebrated import Bol Bol in preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa verified that such a game never occurred, emphasizing that the Tropang 5G only recently resumed training sessions.
Limited Preparation for Bol Bol’s TNT Integration
Lastimosa stated,
“We have no formal training yet,”
highlighting the early stage of Bol Bol’s integration into the TNT system. The 7-foot-3 forward, son of former NBA player Manute Bol, joined TNT as one of the most prominent signings in recent memory but has had minimal team practice so far.
Bol Bol himself brings six NBA seasons of experience, having played for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns before arriving in the Philippine league.
Gilas’ Recent and Upcoming Games Ahead of the Qualifiers
Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas has been active with tune-up matches, having played against Magnolia recently at the SMC headquarters in Pasig City. Their next scheduled game is against New Zealand, set for Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena as part of their rigorous preparation for the upcoming qualifiers.
Significance of Current Preparations for Upcoming Qualifiers
The clarification by Jolas and Lastimosa underscores the current unsettled state of readiness for both Gilas Pilipinas and TNT, especially regarding Bol Bol’s integration ahead of critical international competitions. The absence of joint tune-up games may affect the rhythm and cohesion of the involved squads as they approach the FIBA Asian Qualifiers, which remain a high-stakes contest for Philippine basketball.
