Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767529726371PBA IMAGES15.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Calvin Oftana of TNT in action against Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals, January 4, 2026 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Media"/>Calvin Oftana of TNT in action against Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals, January 4, 2026 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Media</div>MANILA (UPDATED) -- The TNT Tropang 5G overcame a slow start and showed great poise in the closing stretch to take a 100-95 win over the Meralco Bolts in Game 1 of their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal series, Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.Meralco led by as much as 21 points in the first half but their performance plummeted in the fourth quarter, where TNT seized control.Calvin Oftana starred for TNT, draining the go-ahead jumper with under three minutes to play en route to 28 points and seven rebounds.The result gave TNT a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series.CJ Cansino sparked Meralco&#x27;s strong start, scoring 13 points in the first quarter. However, the former University of the Philippines standout was held scoreless in the final frame.&quot;At halftime, we just challenged the players to defend one-on-one. I think in the first half, we were relying too much on our help defense. And Meralco did a really good job picking it apart. Credit to them,&quot; TNT head coach Chot Reyes said during the post-game press conference. Reyes took responsibility for the team&#x27;s slow start where they gave up 62 points in the first half.  &quot;That&#x27;s on me because we prepared a game plan that they picked apart. The players were simply following and executing the defensive game plan that we prepared. That&#x27;s on me, we had to make sure we make the right adjustments at halftime. Yun na nga nangyari,&quot; he saidIt was a tightly contested final frame, before back-to-back baskets from Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser gave TNT a 96-91 cushion with 2:33 to play.&quot;I&#x27;m happy the way we played in the second half, yung depensa namin. Wake up call yung 62 points [na lamang ng Meralco] bihira yun ah. Sinusunod lang namin coach namin, happy for the team na nanalo. Mahaba pa yung series. We&#x27;ll be ready for game two,&quot; Oftana said.  Three other Tropang 5G players tallied double digits: Rey Nambatac added 17 markers, RR Pogoy had 16 points, while Rosser chipped in 14 markers. Chris Banchero tried to spark a run for the Bolts, ending with 16 points off 6 out of 11 field goal shooting. Cansino finished with 14 points, while Raymond Almazan and Chris Newsome had 13 markers each.  Game 2 of the best-of-7 semifinals series will be on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. &quot;Hopefully in game two, we are more ready to play from the start. Because I don&#x27;t think we can bring this kind of game in Game 2 and expect to come up with the same kind of result. We have to be definitely be better,&quot; Reyes said. <div> </div><div>The Scores: </div>TNT 100 – Oftana 28, Nambatac 17, Pogoy 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Heading 9, Williams 8, Khobuntin 6, Galinato Jr. 2, Erram 0, Jalalon 0, Enciso 0 MERALCO 95 – Banchero 16, Cansino 14, Almazan 13, Newsome 13, Hodge 8, Black 6, Reyson 6, Rios 6, Quinto 5, Bates 4, Jose 4 Quarters: 38-26, 24-20, 13-28, 20-26 <div> </div>

The TNT Tropang 5G overcame a slow start and showed great poise in the closing stretch to take a 100-95 win over the Meralco Bolts in Game 1 of their semifinal series, Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The TNT Tropang 5G overcame a slow start and showed great poise in the closing stretch to take a 100-95 win over the Meralco Bolts in Game 1 of their semifinal series, Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA: TNT erases 21-point deficit, stuns Meralco in Game 1 of semis

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

PBA: TNT erases 21-point deficit, stuns Meralco in Game 1 of semis

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 04, 2026 07:42 PM PHT

|

Updated January 04, 2026 08:29 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

PBA Philippine Cup

TNT Tropang 5G

Meralco Bolts

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.