The TNT Tropang 5G eked out a 77-75 Game 3 victory over the Meralco Bolts on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Playing importless, the Tropa looked headed for a 1-2 series deficit in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis series with the Bolts until RR Pogoy nailed a dagger game-winner.
What Happened?
Playing without an import, TNT relied on its stout defense to keep the game close, limiting Meralco to only 16 points in the opening frame for an early four-point lead. The Tropa continued to clamp down on the Bolts in the second, which they won as well, 23-18, for a 43-34 lead heading into halftime.
Meralco then came alive in the third, outscoring TNT, 25-12, as Marvin Jones and CJ Cansino combined for 14 in the quarter. The Bolts’ strong third canto allowed them to take a 59-55 lead as they looked primed to take advantage of TNT’s no-import situation. Meralco stayed ahead for much of the final period, even building a 70-64 cushion with five minutes left. But TNT retook the lead, 74-72, after Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser clustered in five straight points.
That set up a final high-powered exchange between two of the league’s best guards. First, Chris Newsome drilled a long triple from straightaway to give Meralco back the lead, 75-74. Then, in the very next possession, RR Pogoy squared up against Cliff Hodge and nailed his own pull-up trey to snatch the lead back, 77-75. In need of a tie, the Bolts went to Cansino, who got a clear driving lane, only to miss the layup. Bong Quinto then muffed a short stab off an offensive rebound to give TNT the victory.
Who Stood Out?
Pogoy only had 9 points, but those last three proved to be the difference maker. Before that, Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, and Jordan Heading took turns keeping TNT afloat. Nambatac, who has struggled all conference long, fired 18 on top of 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Oftana had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Finally, Heading tallied 12 points off the bench.
Part of the reason Meralco could not take advantage of the Tropa’s disadvantage was that no one really came up big. Marvin Jones came closest with his 22 points and 15 rebounds, but on 8-for-17 shooting.
3 Keys to the Game
- Defense. The Tropa’s defense was unforgiving, and it had to be without the safety net that was Bol Bol. That defense was particularly superb in the first half, when TNT limited Meralco to just 34 points. For the game, the Tropang 5G held the Bolts to only 37.5% shooting while also forcing 15 turnovers.
- Free throw shooting. In a game where points were hard to come by, TNT made sure to take advantage of free points, converting 24 of their 29 freebies. Meralco, in contrast, went 14-for-24 from the charity stripe. That five-point difference could have made a world of difference in the end.
- Captain Roger. Just when all seemed lost, Pogoy stepped up and gave TNT what it needed—a dagger.
Next Up for the PBA
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (5:15 p.m.)
TNT Tropang 5G vs. Meralco Bolts (7:30 p.m.)
