![The Bolts respond with urgency and discipline to stay alive in the semifinals. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PBA-IMAGES546-400x200.jpg)
Meralco rediscovered its edge on defense and balance on offense to finally break through against TNT, pulling closer in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
![Throwback to Guiao’s candid pre-finals assessment: “We played with a system, and that was enough.” [photo credit: PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Blue-and-Red-Modern-Sporty-Static-Sports-Quote-Feature-News-Facebook-Post1-400x200.jpg)
Before the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Coach Yeng Guiao gave his assessment of his Rain or Shine squad. With no superstars but a disciplined system, he prepared his team to face Talk ‘N Text.
![Jordan Heading leads TNT Tropang 5G with 26 points in Game 2 against Meralco [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PBA-IMAGES1814-400x200.jpg)
TNT Tropang 5G polished their game from Game 1 and rolled to a 109-92 wire-to-wire victory over Meralco, moving within two wins of the PBA Philippine Cup finals.
![Jeron Teng ignites San Miguel Beer with a fourth-quarter surge in Game 2. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PBA-IMAGES1446-400x200.jpg)
San Miguel Beer ditched old patterns, trusted new combinations and leaned on Jeron Teng’s surprise burst to level its PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series with Barangay Ginebra.
![Scottie Thompson attacks the lane during Ginebra’s win over the Beermen. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PBA-IMAGES1911-400x200.jpg)
RJ Abarrientos powered a dominant Barangay Ginebra second unit that outplayed San Miguel Beer’s reserves, lifting the Gin Kings to a 99-90 Game 1 win in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
![Calvin Oftana attacks the basket during TNT’s fourth-quarter surge against Meralco. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PBA-IMAGES440-400x200.jpg)
A second-half defensive overhaul fueled TNT Tropang 5G’s stunning comeback from 21 points down as it defeated the Meralco Bolts, 100-95, in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
![Kobe Bryant watching Manny Pacquiao’s sparring session at Wild Card Boxing Club in 2011. [photo credit: Chris Farina of Top Rank | Tempo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot_495-400x200.png)
In November 2011, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made a rare visit to Manny Pacquiao’s Wild Card Boxing Club workout, highlighting a unique crossover between basketball and boxing.
![Chris Newsome attacks the lane during Meralco’s clinching win in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES738-400x200.jpg)
Seventh-seeded Meralco finished a rare comeback from a twice-to-win hole, outlasting Rain or Shine to clinch the final semifinal seat in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
![One shot. One moment. Stephen Holt delivers as Ginebra books a semifinal showdown with San Miguel. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES231-400x200.jpg)
Stephen Holt delivered the biggest shot of the night, drilling a buzzer-beating three in overtime to send Barangay Ginebra past Converge and into the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
![Jordan Heading and the Tropang 5G secure their spot in the semis with a big win. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES165-400x200.jpg)
TNT Tropang 5G defeated Magnolia Hotshots 118-109 Saturday to secure a PBA Philippine Cup semifinal slot, aiming for a fourth consecutive finals appearance.