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Tag: Jordan Heading

  • Jordan Heading sends TNT back to the Finals for another crack at Ginebra

    Jordan Heading sends TNT back to the Finals for another crack at Ginebra

    For TNT, the road back to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals wasn’t about surviving another semifinal grind — it was about earning one more chance.

     

    And when Meralco refused to go quietly, the defending champions leaned on the same identity that carried them through another long conference: composure, timely execution, and someone stepping up when it mattered most.

     

    The Tropang 5G looked headed for a comfortable finish after building a double-digit lead, only for the Bolts to storm back and force a 94-all deadlock inside the final two minutes. With momentum suddenly swinging and Chris McCullough already sent to the bench after fouling out, TNT needed one more answer.

     

    Jordan Heading had it.

     

    The lefty guard calmly converted a three-point play after drawing contact from Patrick Gardner before the clock hit the final minute — a sequence that ultimately became the dagger in TNT’s 97-94 Game 6 victory at the Ynares Center.

     

    And just like that, the Finals rematch became official.

     

    TNT will face Barangay Ginebra once again in what has quickly become one of the league’s most recurring championship matchups — their fourth Finals meeting in the last eight conferences.

     

    But even as expectations rise around another heavyweight showdown, coach Chot Reyes made sure to frame the assignment differently.

     

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    “We’re coming in as the underdogs, playing basically the Philippine national team,” Reyes said.

     

    The statement carried its usual edge, but also reflected the reality of facing a Ginebra side built around championship experience and massive fan support.

     

    Heading, though, wasn’t interested in looking too far ahead.

     

    After dropping the previous Finals against the same opponent, the veteran guard knows exactly what another opportunity means.

     

    “That means everything,” Heading said.

     

    “When you lose in the Finals, that sticks with you the whole offseason, the whole next season, the whole preseason. That’s what you’re thinking about.”

     

    For TNT, the chance to rewrite that ending comes with familiar faces and familiar stakes.

     

    Heading finished with 30 points to lead the closeout, while McCullough added 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists before exiting. Calvin Oftana chipped in 12 as the Tropang 5G secured a fifth straight Finals appearance.

     

    For a team that has stayed near the top despite constant roster movement and pressure to repeat, the mission remains unchanged.

     

    Win another one. Finish the story this time.

     

    Because if there’s anything Heading made clear — TNT isn’t satisfied with just getting another crack at it.

     

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  • Jordan Heading breaks out of slump as TNT outlast Meralco in Game 1 

    Jordan Heading breaks out of slump as TNT outlast Meralco in Game 1 

    In TNT’s hard-fought PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 1, 94-89 win over the Meralco Bolts, Jordan Heading emerged as one of the defining difference-makers off the bench.

     

    Heading flipped the script on a conference-long slump by contributing 16 points while also supplying the kind of defensive effort with two rebounds and one steal. 

     

    His breakout came at a crucial moment — not as a lone scoring burst, but as part of a broader TNT adjustment that leaned on balance and timing alongside the towering presence of the team’s import, Bol Bol.

     

    With Meralco tightening its defense on Calvin Oftana and forcing possessions into more difficult looks, TNT needed another local to steady the offense and Heading was there to answer.

     

    “He’s been struggling with his shot, and his offense the whole conference, but we’ve been very happy with the way he’s been playing defense,” said head coach Chot Reyes.

     

    “He’s putting in the effort there and we talk about it in our team, there are many ways to impact the game not just offensively. Today he had some key defensive stops that he’s been doing the whole conference. When his offense is clicking as well that’s a big plus for us,” the veteran coach added.

     

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    What made Heading’s performance more valuable was its timing. His contributions helped stabilize TNT’s attack whenever Meralco threatened to turn defensive pressure into momentum, allowing the Tropang 5G to maintain control in a game that tightened late before they eventually closed it out.

     

    TNT’s structure in the semifinals opener wasn’t built on one dominant run alone. Instead, it was a collection of responses.

     

    “All five of us are making really big-time plays and just doing what we need to do, and go to Bol down the stretch, and he’s gonna deliver,” Heading said.

     

    Heading’s emergence became the release valve that kept the offense from stalling completely during key stretches.

     

    “They did a great job defending Calvin and we all knew how good (Chris) Newsome is on defense,” coach Reyes said.

     

    “So, it was important that we have another guy stepping up and normally that’s either Ray (Pogoy), Jayson (Castro) and tonight, Jordan (Heading). When we get that scorer, it really helps our offense. It really helps the flow of our game,” he added. 

     

    Beyond scoring, Heading emphasized that his role in the series extends into areas that often go unnoticed, particularly on the defensive end, where TNT’s identity against Meralco has historically been defined.

     

    “They’re really good at executing off the ball so we have to do a better job on the defensive end,” Heading said.

     

    In a playoff game decided by small margins, Heading’s two-way contribution became one of those subtle but decisive edges, helping TNT survive Meralco’s push and seize a 1-0 lead in the series.

     

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  • Jordan Heading shrugs off Finals MVP talk ahead of PBA Philippine Cup finals

    Jordan Heading shrugs off Finals MVP talk ahead of PBA Philippine Cup finals

    TNT Tropang Giga once again proved why it remains one of the PBA’s most formidable franchises, booking a return trip to the Philippine Cup Finals after surviving a tense 99–96 victory over the Meralco Bolts in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, January 14.

     

    The hard-earned win not only closed out the series but also propelled TNT to its fourth consecutive finals appearance across conferences, a remarkable run that further cements the Tropang Giga’s status as a modern-day powerhouse in the league. In a matchup defined by momentum swings, defensive grit, and clutch shot-making, TNT leaned on its composure and experience to outlast a relentless Meralco side that refused to go quietly.

     

    At the center of TNT’s latest triumph was Jordan Heading, who delivered a masterful performance when it mattered most. The Filipino-Australian guard poured in a game-high 31 points, anchoring the Tropang Giga’s offense while showcasing his ability to score from all three levels. Heading repeatedly answered Meralco’s rallies with timely baskets, steady playmaking, and confident leadership, underscoring why he has quickly become one of TNT’s most reliable offensive weapons.

     

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    Since being acquired from the Converge FiberXers in early 2025 in exchange for Mikey Williams, Heading has seamlessly embraced a larger role within the Tropang Giga system. His Game 5 outing was another reminder of how pivotal that move has been for TNT, particularly in a conference where roster depth and guard play often determine championship outcomes.

     

    As TNT prepares for the Philippine Cup Finals, Heading enters the series under considerable spotlight. In the franchise’s last two title runs, the Finals Most Valuable Player honors went to guards Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac—both of whom played instrumental roles in TNT’s championship victories in the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup. Naturally, comparisons have followed, but Heading has made it clear that such narratives hold little weight for him.

    “Honestly, I couldn’t really care less about the Finals MVP. I think comparison is the thief of joy. If I compare myself to Jayson Castro or Rey Nambatac, I will have a lot of sleepless nights. I’m just going to be Jordan Heading and enjoy the ride,” Heading said in the pre-match press conference.

     

    With Castro sidelined for several months due to a torn patellar tendon and Nambatac only recently returning from a sprained ankle, Heading has taken on the responsibility of serving as TNT’s primary floor general. His steady presence has helped stabilize the Tropang Giga during a challenging stretch, allowing the team to maintain its championship aspirations despite key absences.

     

    For Heading, however, individual accolades remain secondary to the ultimate goal.

     

    “It’s really about the championship. That’s what on my mind. There is a reason why those Finals MVPs have been guards. I think our offense is always initiated by our lead guard. Whoever has the hot hands in games will be different. We have a lot of weapons on our team, there’s a lot of guys to cover and that’s even without Jayson. Hopefully, Roger Pogoy comes back soon as well,” he added.

     

    That depth has been a defining feature of TNT’s sustained success, with multiple players capable of stepping up on any given night. As the Tropang Giga continue their title pursuit, that balance—combined with Heading’s poise and leadership—will be crucial against a finals opponent that is still to be determined.

     

    The 2025 PBA Philippine Cup Finals are set to tip off on Wednesday, January 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. With momentum on their side and championship pedigree to lean on, TNT will look to convert another deep playoff run into silverware, fully aware that their resilience, cohesion, and collective belief will be tested at the highest level once more.

     

     

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