TNT kept its PBA Commissioner’s Cup title hopes alive Wednesday after surviving NLEX, 96-93, in a tense quarterfinal showdown at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With their season on the line, the Tropang 5G finally received the balanced support around Bol Bol that head coach Chot Reyes had been waiting for throughout the conference.

Bol once again carried the offensive load with 34 points and 14 rebounds, but this time, the veteran trio of Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Jayson Castro delivered crucial production. Their combined effort helped TNT wipe out the Road Warriors’ twice-to-beat advantage and extend the series to a sudden-death decider on Saturday.

“This is the first game in the whole conference that we had those three guys in double figures. Hindi magsabay-sabay ang magandang laro ni Calvin, Roger and Jayson, eh,” Reyes said. “They’re really our three vets, our three mainstays and this is the first time that the three of them got double figure outputs so as long as we can get those kinds of help around Bol then we give ourselves better chances of winning.”

Veterans finally deliver

Oftana finished with 19 points while Castro added 14, but Pogoy emerged as one of the game’s biggest difference-makers. Known primarily for his defensive intensity, Pogoy doubled his conference scoring average with 15 points while taking on the difficult assignment of slowing down NLEX star Robert Bolick.

Pogoy’s defensive effort disrupted Bolick’s rhythm from the opening tip. Bolick struggled with foul trouble early and eventually fouled out with 4:33 remaining, a turning point that severely weakened NLEX’s late-game comeback hopes.

Reyes emphasized that Pogoy’s defensive role was just as critical as his scoring outburst. By assigning him to shadow Bolick, TNT managed to neutralize one of NLEX’s biggest offensive weapons during key stretches.

“That’s the value for us of Roger because if you notice, we put Roger on him right away,” Reyes explained. “You cannot stop a guy like Berto so the best we can do is slow him down, limit his looks and his touches.”

Bol’s clutch finish

Despite Bolick finishing with 15 points and four assists, his absence in crunch time loomed large. TNT capitalized, with Bol sinking clutch free throws in the final moments to break the game’s seventh deadlock and push the Tropang 5G ahead for good.

Bol’s free throws with 5.7 seconds left stretched TNT’s lead to three, leaving NLEX one final possession to force overtime. However, Schonny Winston missed a baseline jumper at the buzzer, sealing the Road Warriors’ heartbreaking defeat.

NLEX now faces immense pressure after squandering its twice-to-beat privilege. While Cady Lalanne posted 17 points and 15 rebounds, and reserves Xyrus Torres and LJ Gonzales provided valuable support, NLEX’s inability to execute late proved costly.

TNT’s victory showcased the formula Reyes believes is necessary for a deep playoff run. While Bol remains the centerpiece, sustained contributions from the veteran core could determine whether the Tropang 5G can truly contend for another championship.

“We’re happy with this win but there’s still a lot of improvement if we want to get past them again for the next game,” Reyes said.

Saturday’s do-or-die clash now becomes one of the conference’s biggest pressure games, with TNT carrying momentum and NLEX looking to avoid a collapse after holding the series advantage.

For TNT, the equation is simple: if Oftana, Pogoy, and Castro continue to complement Bol Bol at this level, their championship path remains very much alive.