TNT escapes Meralco to set up PBA Finals rematch with GSM

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

And it’s the TNT Tropang 5G and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel meeting once again in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

On May 31, 2026, the Tropang 5G survived a tough challenge from the Meralco Bolts, 97-94, to officially claim a seat in the championship stage and wrap up the import-laced semifinal series in six games.

Up by 14 points, 91-77, with 6:40 remaining in regulation, TNT attempted to put the final nail in the coffin, but the resilient Meralco squad didn’t back down from the challenge, staging a massive 11-0 run to pull within three points, 91-88.

Bong Quinto and Meralco reinforcement Patrick Gardner came up big during the crucial three-minute stretch, knocking down clutch 3-pointers that put the Bolts within striking distance.

A much-needed trifecta from Jordan Heading stretched TNT’s lead back to six points, 94-88, but the Quinto-Gardner connection wasn’t done doing damage as a give-and-go play added another deuce to Meralco’s tally.

The Bolts got their biggest moment when they deadlocked the game at 94-all, courtesy of Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge’s aggressive attempts in the shaded lane.

Unfortunately, the Tropang 5G missed the presence of import Chris McCullough in crunch time after he fouled out, leaving head coach Chot Reyes with a big puzzle to solve as to where he would get his offense in the final 48 seconds of the game.

Answering the call for TNT was Heading, who took Gardner’s defense to school after getting past him for an easy foul-counted layup conversion, steering the Tropang 5G back into the driver’s seat with a three-point cushion, 97-94.

TNT then sealed the semifinal win with a string of stops in the final 42 seconds of the game. Meralco had plenty of looks to either tie or inch closer, but the Tropang 5G forced the Bolts into two consecutive misses off disciplined defensive holds.

The Bolts were rewarded with another offensive possession after the referee’s review, but Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy clamped down on Newsome and CJ Cansino, who generated Meralco’s last offensive try inside the final 12 seconds of the game.

Heading was an unstoppable force for the Tropang 5G, as the veteran shooting guard closed out the series-clinching Game 6 win with 30 big points, including the last three points for TNT.

Despite fouling out with three minutes remaining, McCullough still stuffed the stat sheet with 22 markers, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, while Oftana chipped in 12 points.

On the other hand, Gardner tried to lead the Bolts and force a do-or-die Game 7 with a 32-point masterpiece, but his personal heroics weren’t enough to help Meralco live another day.