The Meralco Bolts delivered a commanding performance on the road, defeating the TNT Tropang Giga 87–76 in a PBA on Tour matchup on May 22, 2026. The Bolts took control early and never looked back, showcasing balanced scoring and tenacious defense to secure the victory.

Match Overview

Playing at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Meralco set the tone in the first quarter, building a double-digit lead that forced TNT to play catch-up all night. The Tropang Giga fought back in the third period, cutting the deficit to single digits, but the Bolts responded every time with timely baskets and stops. By the final frame, Meralco's experience and composure under pressure sealed the 11-point win.

Key Performers

• Meralco Bolts: Import guard Aaron Black led all scorers with 22 points and 7 assists. Chris Newsome added 18 points, while Raymond Almazan controlled the paint with 12 rebounds and 3 blocks.
• TNT Tropang Giga: Jayson Castro paced the home side with 16 points and 5 assists. Rookie guard Mikey Williams contributed 14 points, but the team struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 6-of-23 from three-point range.

Turning Point

After TNT trimmed the lead to 68–65 with 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Meralco head coach Norman Black called a timeout. The Bolts executed a 12–2 run over the next four minutes, highlighted by a Newsome steal and dunk and two clutch triples from Black, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Season Context

The win improved Meralco's PBA on Tour record to 4–2, keeping them near the top of the standings. For TNT, the loss dropped them to 3–3, exposing recurring issues with perimeter defense and offensive consistency. The two teams are likely to meet again in the upcoming Commissioner's Cup, where this result could serve as a confidence booster for the Bolts.