The TNT Tropang 5G proved they are ready to defend their PBA Governors’ Cup title with a 116-92 dismantling of the Terrafirma Dyip on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With the win, the Tropa avenged their earlier loss to the Dyip and raised their record to 5-4, the same mark as the idle Converge FiberXers. The loss, meanwhile, is Terrafirma’s sixth as against three wins.
What Happened?
TNT and Terrafirma engaged in a tight opening frame, 27-22, as both teams seemed to be feeling each other out. The Tropa, though, began opening the game up in the second canto, outscoring the Dyip, 30-20, to take a 57-42 lead into halftime.
The Tropang 5G’s defense continued to hold strong in the third, although Terrafirma clamped down as well to hold TNT to a 22-20 quarter and stay within 79-62 after three. That advantage ultimately proved insurmountable as TNT exploded for 37 fourth-quarter points to render the Dyip’s 30-point effort futile in the win.
Who Stood Out?
After a slow start, new import Nick Hornsby eventually settled into a nice rhythm for TNT and finished with a 26-point outing, 11 of which came in that fiery second quarter. A fit-again Calvin Oftana also had himself a night, firing a game-high 31 points in his return to the Tropang 5G. Jordan Heading, Henry Galinato, and Rey Nambatac rounded out the complete team effort with 14, 13, and 11, respectively.
For Terrafirma, import Justin Strings and the resurgent Maverick Ahanmisi starred, with the former putting up a team-high 27 and the latter adding a conference-high 25.
3 Keys to the Game
- Balanced scoring. The TNT offense was firing on all cylinders against Terrafirma, with Oftana’s 31 and Hornsby’s 26 leading the way. The two had plenty of help as well, with four others—Heading, Galinato, Nambatac, and RR Pogoy—ending up in double figures.
- Defense. As good as TNT’s offense was on Wednesday, their defense did well, too, and Juami Tiongson was the biggest casualty. The Tropa’s stifling defense, which held the Dyip to 40 points in the middle two quarters, also kept Terrafirma’s leading local scorer, Tiongson, scoreless.
- Too deep, too good. Ultimately, Wednesday’s blowout was a case of TNT being too good and too deep for Terrafirma. With almost a full complement of players, the Tropa were just levels above the Dyip, and it showed in the final result.
Next Up for the PBA
Friday, October 9, 2026 | Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Magnolia Hotshots vs. Blackwater Bossing (5:15 p.m.)
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (7:30 p.m.)
