Pogoy’s heroics steer import-less TNT to Game 3 win over Meralco

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

No import, no problem.

After losing Bol Bol to an Achilles injury, the TNT Tropang 5G saw their window of opportunity slightly close heading into Game 3, but their tested and proven all-Filipino core had something else to say to all the doubters.

On May 24, 2026, TNT bagged a thrilling Game 3 win to stun the Meralco Bolts, 77-75, and take a 2-1 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals behind the clutch genes of veteran shooting guard RR Pogoy.

Down by a point with only 28.2 seconds left, 74-75, the Tropang 5G turned to their spitfire shooter after setting him up with an isolation play against Meralco’s premier defender, Cliff Hodge.

After TNT’s shot clock ticked down to 5.7 seconds, Pogoy sized up Hodge with an in-and-out dribble before gathering with a hard left pound to get into his rhythm.

When Hodge took a short step back, Pogoy did not hesitate to let the leather fly, cashing in the biggest trey of the pivotal Game 3 that put the Tropang 5G ahead, 77-75, with only 7.4 seconds remaining in regulation.

Meralco had two chances to send the game into overtime, but CJ Cansino’s drive attempt went off the mark, followed by a point-blank tip-in miss by Bong Quinto.

TNT got the sigh of relief it wanted after notching the upset win without Bol, entering Game 4 with momentum, especially with the presence of newly tapped reinforcement and former San Miguel Beermen import Chris McCullough, who will reportedly suit up for the Tropang 5G in the next playoff game on Wednesday.

The Tropang 5G were almost dead in the water after trailing by 10 points with only six minutes remaining, but a courageous fightback led by Calvin Oftana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, Rey Nambatac and Pogoy sparked TNT’s comeback bid.

The comeback became official after Ganuelas-Rosser converted a layup underneath, which gave TNT the lead, 74-72. Meralco countered with a huge trey from Chris Newsome for another lead change, 75-74, but Pogoy ended the Bolts’ aspirations with the cold-blooded trifecta.

“I think it’s our heart, really,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes after the massive Game 3 win.

“All of our discussion yesterday in practice, even before any kind of game planning and tactical discussion was just about setting our minds right, that we have a chance.”

Nambatac led TNT with a team-high 18 points, while Oftana and Jordan Heading chipped in 15 and 12 markers, respectively.

The star of the night, Pogoy, had only nine points in the game, but he stepped up when the Tropang 5G needed him the most after knocking down the game-winning 3-pointer.