TNT pulls off miraculous Game 5 comeback to eliminate Meralco

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

What in the world just happened?

Down by five points with only 27 seconds left in regulation, the TNT Tropang 5G did the unthinkable and closed out the game with a stunning 8-0 run to frustrate the Meralco Bolts, 99-96, and wrapped up their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series with a 4-1 victory to advance to the grand finals.

On Jan. 14, 2026, the Tropang 5G staged one of the biggest come-from-behind efforts in PBA playoff history as they weathered the storm and survived the Meralco barrage in the clutch minutes of the fiery Game 5 chess match.

Out of desperation, TNT tried to hoist quick shots to overcome their five-point deficit with 27 ticks left, and they responded well after Rey Nambatac gave them a new lease on life with a long four-point bomb from the left elbow.

With the huge four-pointer that Nambatac drained, the Tropang 5G were only down by a point, 95-96, and immediately set their sights on a potential steal inside the final 21 seconds of the game.

All of a sudden, the next sequence of events turned out to be TNT’s answered prayer after Jordan Heading completed a mano-a-mano steal on CJ Cansino.

Split seconds after the completed defensive stop, Heading took two steps to the cup and converted the dagger layup that put the Tropang 5G back in the driver’s seat, 97-96.

Everything that happened looked surreal for TNT, as they pulled off the game-winning run in just 10 seconds, starting with Nambatac’s demoralizing four-point heave.

Meralco had the chance to retake the advantage coming off a timeout, but Cansino’s drive attempt was contested well by TNT’s frontcourt, resulting in a foul on Nambatac.

Having gone through several tense playoff moments in the past four years, Nambatac calmly sank both shots from the charity stripe, giving the Tropang 5G a three-point cushion, 99-96.

The Bolts were rewarded with another chance to equalize or win the game, but for the second consecutive possession, TNT held its ground and covered Cansino’s three-point attempt.

TNT then burst with emotion as the final buzzer sounded, celebrating their biggest win of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup playoffs while recording their fourth straight PBA grand finals appearance in style.

On the other hand, the Tropang 5G spoiled Cansino’s career-high 36-point outing, as he went off, shooting the rock, including six crucial points in the final two minutes of the fourth period.

Heading led all scorers in the game with 31 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Nambatac chipped in 25 markers, four dimes and four boards.

With the grueling win, the Tropang 5G became the first team to secure a grand finals slot and now await the winner between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel.