TNT leaned on a dominant outing from Bol Manute Bol and a clutch finishing kick from Calvin Oftana to turn back Terrafirma, 101-89, on Saturday, April 11, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The victory allowed the Tropang 5G to recover from a recent loss and regain momentum heading into the second half of the elimination round.

Bol Manute Bol imposed his presence all game long, finishing with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks while anchoring TNT on both ends of the floor. His inside dominance gave TNT control early, but the team still had to withstand a determined late rally from the Dyip.

Despite improving to a 3-2 record, TNT remained far from satisfied with its overall performance, particularly in areas that continue to trouble the squad. Head coach Chot Reyes stressed that the team still has significant work to do if it hopes to compete with the league’s top contenders.

“We’re still very far from competing against the better teams in this league,” Reyes said. “We have such a lot to work on and so much more to improve on as well.”

Oftana delivers in crunch time

Calvin Oftana stepped up when TNT needed stability the most, delivering a strong fourth-quarter performance to shut down Terrafirma’s comeback bid. He finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, asserting himself as the team’s closer after a quiet outing in their previous game.

Oftana scored 10 points in the final period, including a crucial three-pointer that halted Terrafirma’s momentum as the Dyip trimmed the deficit to single digits. His late-game execution sparked a decisive 7-1 run that ultimately secured the win for TNT.

Reyes pointed to Oftana’s turnaround as a key difference-maker, highlighting his improved impact after struggling in their last outing. The swing in his performance reflected the kind of consistency TNT needs moving forward.

Terrafirma fights but falls short

Terrafirma refused to go away quietly, mounting a strong rally after falling behind by as many as 22 points in the third quarter. The Dyip clawed their way back and cut the deficit to just six points late in the game, putting TNT under pressure in the closing minutes.

Mubashar Ali led the charge with 24 points and 17 rebounds, while Jerrick Ahanmisi added 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists off the bench. Their efforts, however, were not enough to complete the comeback as Terrafirma absorbed its third straight defeat to fall to 3-3.

The Dyip’s dominance on the boards, highlighted by a 54-46 rebounding advantage, underscored one of TNT’s lingering weaknesses. Reyes emphasized the need for sustained effort over the full 48 minutes, noting that such lapses could prove costly against stronger opposition.