TNT pulls off escape act against Meralco, advances to PBA PH Cup finals

0Shares

TNT Tropang Giga advanced to the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup finals after pulling off a 99-96 victory over Meralco on Wednesday, January 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Tropang 5G relied on clutch plays in the final 21 seconds, overcoming a late five-point deficit to close out their best-of-seven semifinal series 4-1.

Jordan Heading led TNT with 31 points, while Rey Nambatac and Calvin Oftana delivered decisive contributions in the dying moments. Nambatac’s four-pointer brought TNT within one, and Heading immediately converted a steal off CJ Cansino into a layup to put the Tropang 5G ahead 97-96.

Jordan Heading drives to the basket against Meralco. [PBA Images]

Clutch plays seal TNT’s finals berth

Oftana shifted his focus to defense in the closing seconds, blocking a Cansino layup attempt. Nambatac then added two free throws, extending TNT’s lead to 99-96 with only 6.4 seconds remaining. Meralco’s final attempt, a double-pump four-point try by Cansino, fell short, officially sending TNT to its fourth straight finals appearance.

Coach Chot Reyes praised his team’s composure despite relinquishing a 15-point lead earlier in the game. “Even when we were five points down in the huddle, the players kept saying: ‘Kaya pa iyan, kaya pa iyan.’ There was a lot of positive energy,” Reyes said.

Meralco fights valiantly but falls short

Meralco’s CJ Cansino scored a career-high 36 points, but the Bolts were hampered by injuries to Chris Newsome and Jansen Rios, as well as foul trouble affecting Brandon Bates, Cliff Hodge, and Raymond Almazan. Bench contributor Aaron Black added 17 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while starters Chris Banchero and Bong Quinto combined for just 15 points.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser posted 12 points and five blocks, and Oftana finished with 10 points and six rebounds despite a 4-of-10 shooting night and five turnovers. Reyes acknowledged Meralco’s resilience, saying, “It’s a hell of a team. They just refused to quit, they kept coming back, and we’re just fortunate to catch a couple of breaks with the injuries.”

TNT now moves on to compete for the only Philippine Cup title that eluded it last season, while Meralco ends its campaign with a valiant effort in the semifinals.