Undermanned as they were, the TNT Tropang 5G still managed to pull off an exhilarating 110-107 victory over the Converge FiberXers on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The win evens TNT’s PBA Governors’ Cup record at 2-2, while the loss drops Converge to 3-2.
What Happened?
Converge opened with 16 unanswered points, highlighted by a triple from the returning Jamaal Franklin and a four-pointer from two-time PBA Finals MVP Mikey Williams. TNT finally got on the board at the 7:53 mark but still trailed, 20-3, with about seven minutes left in the first quarter. The Tropa, however, clawed back to within 33-25 after one, thanks to a 22-13 windup to the opening frame.
Powered by strong defense, TNT continued its spirited comeback, eventually nudging ahead, 44-43, on a Jordan Heading triple at the 3:46 mark of the second quarter. At halftime, Converge held a slim 54-51 lead.
The FiberXers reasserted control in the third quarter, with a seven-point burst from Justine Baltazar near the end giving them an 80-71 cushion heading into the final frame.
There was no quit in TNT, though, even after losing Heading and RR Pogoy to injuries in the third. With Rey Nambatac leading the charge, the Tropa seized an 89-88 lead midway through the fourth. That set up a frenetic finish, featuring three ties and seven lead changes—the last coming off Nambatac’s game-winning three at the horn.
Who Stood Out?
Nambatac didn’t just hit the game-winner; he also carried TNT in the fourth quarter, finishing with 30 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. Heading, before his shoulder injury, tallied 20 points to keep the Tropa competitive early. Off the bench, Henry Galinato registered 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Jio Jalalon added 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Converge, meanwhile, drew a solid debut from Franklin, who finished with 30 points, including 14 in the final six minutes. Baltazar contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Williams scored 17—all in the first half during his shootout with Heading.
3 Keys to the Game
- Resilience. Already down four rotation players, TNT lost two more in Pogoy and Heading during the third quarter. Rather than fold, the Tropa—led by Nambatac, Jalalon, and Galinato—kept fighting. In the end, they gave themselves a chance to steal the game, which is exactly what Nambatac did.
- Rey Nambatac. The former PBA Finals MVP delivered in the clutch, firing 18 of TNT’s 39 fourth-quarter points and hitting the decisive basket. Converge had no answer for his relentless drives and jumpers.
- Offensive rebounding. TNT lost the overall rebounding battle, 48-45, but grabbed more offensive boards (17) than Converge (10). Those extra possessions translated into 21 second-chance points, compared to just 10 for the FiberXers.
Next Up for the PBA
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Terrafirma Dyip vs. Macau Giant Pandas (5:15 p.m.)
San Miguel Beer vs. Titan Ultra Giant Risers (7:30 p.m.)
