TNT Tropang 5G leaned on a dramatic defensive turnaround Sunday, January 4, to claw back from a 21-point deficit and defeat the Meralco Bolts, 100-95, in Game 1 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang 5G were outplayed for most of the first half before tightening their man-to-man coverage after the break, setting the tone for a rally that swung momentum firmly in their favor.

Calvin Oftana carried TNT down the stretch, pouring in nine of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter. He struggled from deep but made up for it at the line, converting 11 of 12 free throws.

TNT shoots for a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday at the same venue, though Oftana cautioned that the Bolts remain dangerous.

“Mahaba pa tong series,” he said.

Halftime reset changes the game

Meralco dominated early, racing to a 52-31 advantage in the second quarter and entering halftime up 62-46. The Bolts appeared comfortable, shooting efficiently and countering every TNT adjustment.

Coach Chot Reyes took responsibility for the slow start, admitting their initial game plan was exposed. At halftime, TNT simplified its approach and emphasized stopping the ball without overreliance on help defense.

The shift paid off immediately. TNT pressured Meralco’s guards, cut off driving lanes, and forced tougher shots as the Bolts gradually lost their offensive flow.

Meralco shot 56 percent in the first half but cooled significantly after the break, finishing the game at 47 percent from the field and failing to hit another three-pointer down the stretch.

Balanced attack seals Game 1

While Oftana closed the deal, TNT received timely support. Rey Nambatac scored 11 of his 17 points in the second half, while RR Pogoy erupted for 11 of his 16 points in the third quarter as TNT erased a 16-point deficit by period’s end.

The Bolts briefly resurfaced late, grabbing an 89-86 lead with 5:18 remaining. Jordan Heading answered with a strong drive, and veteran Kelly Williams followed with a three-point play that pushed TNT ahead for good.

Meralco managed to pull even once more but never reclaimed the lead. Oftana iced the game with four straight free throws in the final seconds.

The win extended TNT’s mastery over Meralco to six straight games dating back to the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup, including another comeback victory last October when the Tropang 5G rallied from 23 points down.

Despite a rare four-point play from Chris Banchero early in the fourth quarter, Meralco could not withstand TNT’s sustained defensive pressure, as the Tropang 5G drew first blood in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.