The TNT Tropang 5G booked their ticket to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals after surviving the Meralco Bolts, 97-94, in Game 6 on Sunday at a packed Ynares Center in Antipolo. TNT will be facing perennial adversary Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, who sealed the first Finals slot with a victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters earlier in the day.
What Happened?
Meralco started off hot, outscoring TNT, 9-2, in the first two minutes of the opening frame. But TNT chipped away at that lead gradually, eventually catching up at 12-all to set off a tight finish to the first, with the Tropa coming out ahead, 29-25. It was more of the same in the second canto, with the lead changing hands six times. TNT looked headed for intermission with a 47-44 lead when Kelly Williams hit a buzzer-beating four-pointer to push the Tropa ahead, 51-44, entering halftime.
Chris McCullough then opened the second half with a basket to give TNT a 53-44 cushion. Meralco retook the lead, 63-61, with a 19-8 run, only to be outscored, 18-8, the rest of the way. The Tropa entered the fourth with a 79-71 lead and looked headed for a runaway victory after taking a 91-77 advantage at the 7:04 mark.
The Bolts, though, had one last run in them, going on a 17-3 blitz to tie things up at 94 with less than two minutes remaining. Meralco even had a chance to take the lead, but Bong Quinto was whistled for an offensive foul on Calvin Oftana, setting the stage for a Jordan Heading three-point play. That proved to be the game-winner as Meralco couldn’t score in their final possessions.
Who Stood Out?
It was the Jordan Heading game for TNT as he converted on the game-winning and-1 in the final minute to cap off a 30-point outing, which was just two points off his career high of 32. He also shot 9-for-13 overall and 7-for-10 from the arc.
For Meralco, Patrick Gardner gave a better account of himself, staying out of foul trouble to tally 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Jason Brickman, meanwhile, quietly put together a solid performance, finishing with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
3 Keys to the Game
- Jordan Heading. Meralco simply had no answer for the sweet-shooting lefty, who unleashed the entire arsenal in Game 6. He shot down the Bolts with those threes but also got to the basket seemingly at will, especially in the final frame.
- Three-point shooting. TNT is starting to shoot like the TNT of last season, this time going 12-for-28 from the arc compared to Meralco’s 8-for-18. That’s a 12-point difference right there in a three-point game.
- Lack of defensive adjustment. With McCullough fouling out, Meralco had a golden opportunity to send this series to Game 7. But down the stretch, the Bolts kept switching Gardner to Heading, who took full advantage, either by shooting that trey ball or driving. In that game-winning and-1, in fact, Gardner again switched out on Heading.
Next Up for the PBA
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. TNT Tropang 5G (7:30 p.m.)
