The TNT Tropang 5G got a stiff challenge from the Terrafirma Dyip but ultimately pulled out a 101-89 win on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With the win, TNT joined Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Phoenix Fuel Masters in joint fourth place in the PBA Commissioners’ Cup standings at 3-2. Terrafirma, on the other hand, dropped to 3-3 after starting out with three straight wins.
What Happened?
TNT raced out to a 33-22 first-quarter advantage behind 15 early points from Bol Bol. But a Mubashar Ali-led run allowed Terrafirma to tie the game at 44 with four minutes remaining before intermission. The Tropa then scored nine unanswered to take a 53-44 lead into halftime.
The Tropa asserted control after intermission, outscoring the Dyip 29-22 to push their advantage to 82-66 heading into the fourth. Terrafirma, though, threatened somewhat in the first half of the final frame, cutting the TNT lead down to 88-82 after a 16-6 run. But that was as close as the Dyip would get, as baskets from Bol and Calvin Oftana pushed the TNT lead back to double digits.
Who Stood Out?
Bol and Oftana took care of business for the Tropa, with the South Sudanese reinforcement leading all scorers with 35 on top of 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks. Oftana, meanwhile, finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and hit big buckets to cool off the Dyip’s fourth-quarter rally.
The Dyip drew solid games from Ali and Jerrick Ahanmisi, with the former putting up 24 points and 17 rebounds, and the latter adding 19 markers, 7 caroms, and 6 dimes. However, he shot just 5-for-20.
3 Keys to the Game
- Starters. TNT’s starting 5 outplayed Terrafirma’s, with Bol leading that strong first-quarter start and that finishing kick. In all, the Tropa’s starters scored 73 as opposed to the 52 scored by the Dyip’s starting unit. In fact, Bol and Oftana combined for 55—or three more than Terrafirma’s starters.
- Turnovers. TNT got 23 extra points, many in transition, off 16 Terrafirma turnovers. The Dyip, meanwhile, could only muster 11 points off turnovers, as the Tropa only coughed it up 12 times.
- Bol Bol. The big man from South Sudan had his way against the Dyip’s defense. His 15 points in the first quarter, in particular, set the tone, and he came up big whenever the Tropa needed a basket.
Next Up for the PBA
Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
San Miguel Beermen vs. Magnolia Hotshots (5:15 p.m.)
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. Phoenix Fuel Masters (7:30 p.m.)
