Tropang 5G Hold Off Bolts to Win Game 1

TNT leaned on its local firepower at the perfect moment, with Jordan Heading stepping up off the bench as the Tropang 5G narrowly defeated Meralco, 94-89, to claim Game 1 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Ynares Center.

Heading provided a timely spark, scoring 16 points while helping TNT pull away late alongside Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana.

With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, Heading scored six points in a pivotal 9-2 run that turned a tight 81-77 lead into a more comfortable 90-79 advantage with under three minutes remaining in the best-of-seven opener.

Meralco refused to fold, with Bong Quinto leading a comeback that trimmed the deficit to 92-89 in the final minute. TNT import Bol Bol, however, answered with a tough layup with 46.3 seconds left, restoring breathing room for the champions. A missed four-pointer by Marvin Jones with 4.6 seconds remaining sealed TNT’s victory.

“When we get that other scorer aside from Roger and Calvin, it really helps our offense, it really helps the flow of our game,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes. “And I think when we’re scoring well, it also energizes our defense.”

Bol Bol dominated with a monstrous all-around performance: 37 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks, with the latter two setting conference highs. Pogoy added 21 points and nine rebounds, while Oftana contributed 14 points despite heavy defensive attention, including three crucial markers during TNT’s decisive fourth-quarter run.

“That’s when winning counts, right? That’s when you win ball games—in the last two to three minutes,” said Heading. “All five of us are making big-time plays, and we go to Bol down the stretch—he’s gonna deliver.”

For Meralco, Jones led the charge with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Quinto added 17 points. CJ Cansino contributed 12 points, and Chris Newsome chipped in 11, but the Bolts fell for the third time in their last four games dating back to the eliminations.

Game 2 of the semifinals is set for Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.