The TNT Tropang 5G lived to fight another day on Wednesday, surviving the NLEX Road Warriors, 96-93, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to set up a do-or-die on Saturday. It is TNT’s second win over NLEX in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
What Happened?
NLEX came out firing, racing to a 15-4 start on the strength of three early triples—two from Cady Lalanne and one from Tony Semerad. TNT quickly regrouped, however, putting up 11 straight to tie the game. The two teams ultimately ended the opening frame tied at 26, with Bol Bol doing the heavy lifting for TNT with 17.
The Road Warriors and Tropa went toe-to-toe in the second, with NLEX staying afloat even with Lalanne and Robert Bolick benched for much of the quarter due to three early fouls. TNT, meanwhile, got a huge lift from Calvin Oftana, who fired 10 second-quarter points spiked by a trio of triples.
NLEX and TNT continued to battle in the third, with the Tropa hitting first courtesy of seven straight RR Pogoy points. The Road Warriors kept responding, only for TNT to turn up the defense at the four-minute mark to go on a 9-0 run that turned a 67-65 deficit into a 74-67 lead. The Tropa eventually took a 76-72 advantage into the final frame.
TNT continued to dictate the action well into the fourth, even leading by as much as eight, 93-85, up until the 2:53 mark. NLEX, though, went on an 8-0 run to tie things up. But free throws from Bol and failed conversions by the Road Warriors ultimately tipped the scales to TNT in the end.
Who Stood Out?
All season long, Chot Reyes has rued the locals’ lack of production. He got some against NLEX, with Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, and Jayson Castro doing damage. Oftana did his in the second en route to a 19-point outing. Pogoy came alive early in the third and scored 15. Castro was solid whenever he was on the floor, dropping 14 as he entered the esteemed 10,000-point club along the way.
NLEX, in contrast, could not get the usual big games from Lalanne and Bolick, who were hampered by foul trouble most of the match. But Ljay Gonzales and Xyrus Torres came off the bench to spark the Road Warriors, with Gonzales finishing with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Torres adding 14.
3 Keys to the Game
- Foul trouble. The Road Warriors played for long stretches either without one of Bolick and Lalanne or both, as they were slowed down by foul trouble. As a result, NLEX could not find any rhythm and had its best players limited. The Tropa took full advantage.
- Championship pedigree. TNT broke down NLEX little by little after the latter’s fast start in the opening frame. And the Tropa did so with their three veterans—and champions—leading the way in Castro, Pogoy, and Oftana. NLEX just had no answer.
- Turnovers. The difference in experience was evident in the turnover battle, where TNT only had 11 to NLEX’s 20. The result was a 22-8 advantage for the Tropa in turnover points.
Next Up for the PBA
Friday, May 15, 2026 | Ynares Center Antipolo
San Miguel Beermen vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (5:15 p.m.)
Phoenix Fuel Masters vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (7:30 p.m.)
