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Tag: Meralco Bolts

  • Chris Newsome stays in the fight as Meralco faces do-or-die without star guard 

    Chris Newsome stays in the fight as Meralco faces do-or-die without star guard 

    Chris Newsome’s jersey never touched the floor in Game 4, but his voice never left the huddle.

     

    Sidelined by an MCL injury, the Meralco star was forced to watch as the Bolts absorbed a 102–83 loss to TNT in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. Yet even in street clothes, Newsome remained deeply involved, turning the bench into his temporary command post as Meralco tried to navigate life without one of its emotional and tactical anchors.

     

    “He’s still here. In spirit, huddles, he always talks to us. He tells us what to do. While he’s physically not on the court, he still talks to us for us to play well,” Brandon Bates said at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.

     

    That presence mattered, even as the result didn’t go Meralco’s way.

     

    With Newsome unavailable, the Bolts leaned on balance scoring. Chris Banchero led the way with 19 points, CJ Cansino followed with 17, and Cliff Hodge matched that output while adding eight rebounds. The effort, however, wasn’t enough to stop TNT from taking a commanding 3–1 series lead.

     

     

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    “Obviously, when you lose one of your main guys, it’s always going to be difficult but you have to have that next man up mentality.” 

     

    For Raymond Almazan, Newsome’s value extends far beyond what shows up on the stat sheet.

     

    “He’s our leader, not just on the court but off it as well,” Almazan said. “These things happen, so somebody has to step up. We’re down 3-1, but this series isn’t over yet. We still believe we can push it to Game 7.”

     

    Almazan finished with seven points and seven rebounds, a modest line that reflected a team still searching for answers while refusing to fold.

     

    Now facing elimination, Meralco turns its focus to Game 5 on Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum. Whether or not Newsome can return remains uncertain, but one thing is already clear: even sidelined, he remains central to how the Bolts fight to keep their season alive.

     

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  • “We know Meralco will come back really hard”: Inside Chot Reyes’ mindset ahead of Game 5

    “We know Meralco will come back really hard”: Inside Chot Reyes’ mindset ahead of Game 5

    The TNT Tropang Giga moved to within a single victory of clinching a coveted berth in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals after dismantling the Meralco Bolts, 102–83, in a commanding Game 4 performance on Sunday, January 11, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. With the win, TNT seized a 3–1 advantage in the best-of-seven semifinal showdown, placing enormous pressure on a Meralco squad now desperately seeking answers.

     

    Poy Erram delivered what was arguably his most dominant outing of the conference, spearheading TNT’s interior attack with 27 points on a hyper-efficient 9-of-11 clip. The veteran big man added nine rebounds and two assists, imposing his presence on both ends of the floor and setting the tone early. His energy and aggressiveness helped the Tropang Giga establish control from the opening quarter, forcing Meralco into difficult looks and limiting their ability to generate momentum.

     

    Complementing Erram’s strong performance were Jordan Heading and Calvin Oftana, who chipped in 15 and 14 points, respectively. Their perimeter scoring provided TNT with the offensive balance needed to keep the Bolts scrambling defensively throughout the night. With multiple players stepping up amid the team’s injury setbacks, TNT executed with precision and composure, refusing to allow Meralco any significant run.

     

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    Despite holding a significant series lead and appearing to gain rhythm at the most crucial stretch of the playoffs, TNT head coach Chot Reyes cautioned against overconfidence. He emphasized that the Tropang Giga are preparing for Meralco’s urgency and intensity in the upcoming matchup.

    “We have no illusions that this is going to be an easy series. We know Meralco will come back really hard. After the last game, when we lost the series and the series was 2-1, we already expected that it would be tough,” Reyes said in a media interaction.

     

    Reyes’ concern is amplified by TNT’s ongoing injury woes. The team continues to navigate the absence of several key contributors, including Roger Pogoy (hamstring), Rey Nambatac (ankle), and Kelly Williams (illness). Pogoy’s condition is particularly troubling for the Tropang Giga, with indications that the sharpshooter may miss the remainder of the semifinal series should it extend to a full seven games.

     

    “Hopefully, Rey heals and recovers, same thing with Roger. So right now, our focus is rest. As coaches, it’s our job to anticipate whatever adjustments they make for the next game,” Reyes added, underscoring the need for strategic preparation and internal adjustments.

     

    With manpower concerns and the Bolts expected to push back with urgency in an elimination scenario, Reyes has called on his remaining rotation to elevate their efforts both physically and mentally. He reiterated that the team must maintain discipline and avoid any hint of complacency heading into the potentially series-clinching encounter.

     

    “We need to be ready for a huge battle in Game 5. We just have to continue figuring things out. It’s now up to the others to fill that void,” Reyes concluded.

     

    TNT will now look to capitalize on the opportunity to close out the series when the semifinal duel resumes on Wednesday, January 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. A win would send the Tropang Giga back to the Philippine Cup Finals and keep their championship aspirations firmly within reach, while a Meralco victory would shift momentum and extend what has already been an intense and physically demanding series.

     

     

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  • Meralco suffers major blow as Chris Newsome will miss Game 5 due to MCL sprain

    Meralco suffers major blow as Chris Newsome will miss Game 5 due to MCL sprain

    The TNT Tropang Giga moved one win away from securing a spot in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals after dismantling the Meralco Bolts, 102-83, in Game 4 on Sunday, January 11, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The victory gave TNT a commanding 3–1 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series.

     

    Central to TNT’s win was Poy Erram, who delivered his strongest performance of the conference, anchoring the Tropang Giga with 27 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting, while also adding nine rebounds and two assists. Jordan Heading and Calvin Oftana provided additional firepower with 15 and 14 points, respectively, helping TNT seize control early and maintain it throughout the game.

     

    Meralco, meanwhile, struggled without their star player and captain Chris Newsome, who missed the game due to a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain on his left knee. Newsome confirmed he will also miss Game 5.

     

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    “Right now it’s just going through the recovery process, taking the precautions I need to do for me to be able to get back on the court. So listening to the team doctors and the team physicians and just taking it one step at a time till I am able to get back on the court,” Newsome told reporters.

     

    The 35-year-old guard added that he expects to be sidelined for at least three to five weeks, depending on how his injury heals.

     

    “There is a possibility it could be shorter, depending on the severity of the sprain. Right now we are just waiting for the inflammation to go down a bit. And I will be able to clear things up to where we have a better timeline for my return.

    “Game 5 that will be a tough one to try to reach. But it does help that we have an extra day between the game. So, I will be doing my share of recovery work from now until Wednesday so I can get out on the court. But it’s already a good sign I am able to work and stand on my own,” he added.

     

    Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo also confirmed Newsome’s status, noting that the situation “doesn’t look too good.”

     

    “You know, the MRI showed that it’s clear. But at this point, I think his priority has to be his health. We will see. So, I don’t see him playing the next game also. If ever, it might be next week,” Trillo said.

     

    Despite the injury setback, both Newsome and Trillo remain confident that Meralco can stage a comeback in the semifinal series.

     

    “It’s gonna take a complete team effort to try to get this, to try to turn this thing around. But again, it’s not impossible. It’s just gonna be really tough. We just gotta take it one possession at a time, one game at a time,” Newsome said.

     

    “We have to be better. It’s not over. We have to just focus on that next Wednesday game. We have to do things better,” Trillo added.

     

    Meralco will look to bounce back in Game 5, scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, hoping to extend the series and keep their Finals hopes alive.

     

     

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  •  “We are down, but we are definitely not out”: Chris Newsome urges Bolts to stay confident

     “We are down, but we are definitely not out”: Chris Newsome urges Bolts to stay confident

    The Meralco Bolts’ struggles in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals continued on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, as they fell to the TNT Tropang Giga, 109-92, in Game 2.

     

    Jordan Heading and Calvin Oftana spearheaded TNT’s dominant performance, combining for 50 points and putting added pressure on Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo to make significant adjustments heading into the rest of the best-of-seven series.

     

    Despite back-to-back defeats, Bolts captain Chris Newsome remains steadfast, urging his teammates to maintain a resilient “down but not out” mindset.

     

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    “I mean, it’s always tough, especially after a loss like that, where we didn’t have a chance in that game. You know they kept the lead. They kept us spread there. A very difficult position to be in. The morale of the team is down right now, but we are definitely not out,” Newsome said in a media interaction.

     

    “The one thing I wanted the guys to continue to embrace is the belief that we can continue to win and we continue to play good basketball. And these last two games don’t define who we are as a program and who we are as individuals. And we really have to play this series all the way out,” he added.

    The 35-year-old guard emphasized that Meralco’s veterans continue to remind the younger players that the series is far from over.

     

    “I think that’s the biggest takeaway for us is that they have to win four. We can’t let these two losses affect our morale and our team spirit. So that’s the main thing, taking that experience from our veterans and the ones that have been in multiple series before. A lot of us have been to game sevens. In a series, anything can happen,” Newsome continued.

     

    Meralco’s Game 2 effort was further hampered by Newsome’s early exit after dislocating his left pinky finger, limiting his availability and removing the Bolts’ most influential on-court presence.

     

    “I dislocated my left pinky. It was a clean dislocation. Our team physician popped it back in place, taped it up, and I just went out there and continued to play. Me having to take an early exit didn’t really help. You know I wanted to be out there to help the team start. But I think that’s where you have to show the capabilities of the team, regardless of who’s in the game, they have to be able to perform, they have to be able to execute the game plan.

     

    “It’s just unfortunate what happened to me earlier in the game. But I was able to get it back together and try my best to help the team win despite the injury I sustained,” Newsome concluded.

     

    With the Bolts now facing a crucial juncture in the semifinals, Newsome hopes the team can regroup and respond when the series resumes with Game 3 on Friday, January 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • Luigi Trillo takes the blame after Meralco falls to a 0-2 deficit against TNT in the PBA semifinals

    Luigi Trillo takes the blame after Meralco falls to a 0-2 deficit against TNT in the PBA semifinals

    The Meralco Bolts’ struggles in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals continued on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, as they absorbed a 109-92 defeat to the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 2.

     

    Jordan Heading and Calvin Oftana powered TNT’s victory, combining for 50 points and leaving Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo with major adjustments to consider. Trillo took full responsibility for the loss, acknowledging that the Tropang Giga outclassed his team across the board.

     

    “We didn’t play well today, obviously. They hit a lot of their threes. I just felt that their intensity was on another level, that’s why they are Talk ‘N Text. They are hitting every shot. They were on point. Their defense was bar none. Oftana played like he is Calvin Oftana, the best forward right now. And Jordan Heading played well. Hats off to Talk ‘N Text. They outplayed us today in every quarter. More than anything, that’s on me first,” Trillo said in the postmatch press conference.

     

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    Meralco’s shooting woes underscored their off-night, connecting on just one three-pointer and finishing with a 41.7 percent field-goal clip. The Bolts did earn more opportunities from the line—35 free throws compared to TNT’s 11—but failed to capitalize on the advantage in momentum and energy.

     

    “We only had 14 fouls. We had a lot of free throws. It’s funny, we complained about the free throws. We had a lot of free throws but our energy was not here whatsoever,” Trillo added.

    The coach also noted the impact of playing without team consultant Nenad Vučinić, whose presence on the sidelines typically influences Meralco’s execution. Vučinić is currently in New Zealand for his daughter’s wedding and is expected to miss Game 3 as well.

     

    “Yeah I think when a coach is in his flow. And obviously, he has the pulse of the team and we are winning, that’s very hard. When somebody comes in, it’s different. But you know, I will take this one. It’s on me.

     

    “He will be back soon. The next couple of games he will still be there. We will see, he has some family things to attend to,” Trillo continued.

     

    Despite falling into a 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven series, Trillo remains optimistic that Meralco can regroup and respond.

     

    “At this point, there’s still a lot of games to be played. Just moving forward, we need to play better. Just from the start, when you give 29, 28, 25, and 27 points in four quarters, we don’t deserve to win. That’s not our calling card.

     

    “No excuses here. We need to be better. We have to see the video. If we are gonna even have a chance, we are going to need to up everything that we are doing. Because right now we don’t look like a well-oiled machine,” he said.

     

    Meralco will aim to stay alive in the series when the semifinals resume with Game 3 on Friday, January 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • PBA Semis: TNT tightens grip, SMB strikes back to even series

    PBA Semis: TNT tightens grip, SMB strikes back to even series

    The PBA Philippine Cup semifinals began to show clearer contours on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with TNT asserting control in one series while San Miguel Beer answered back in the other.

     

    This time, there was no need for late drama from the Tropang 5G. After surviving a 21-point hole in Game 1, TNT flipped the script in Game 2 and delivered a commanding 109–92 win over Meralco to seize a 2–0 edge in their best-of-seven showdown. 

     

    From the opening minutes, the Tropa dictated pace, found rhythm on both ends, and steadily widened the gap—pulling away decisively in the third quarter to move within two wins of the Finals.

     

    Calvin Oftana once again set the tone, pouring in 26 points and seven rebounds as TNT’s steady engine. He was far from alone. Jordan Heading added 24, highlighted by a four-point bomb, while the supporting cast overwhelmed the Bolts with balance and depth. 

     

    Kelly Williams and Roger Pogoy chipped in 12 apiece—Pogoy draining all his points from long range—while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser contributed 11 points and six boards.

     

     In all, 12 different Tropang 5G players made their way into the scoring column, a testament to TNT’s collective rhythm after a grinding series opener.

     

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    If TNT took control in one bracket, San Miguel Beer made sure its own series didn’t slip away. The Beermen regrouped from their opening loss and leaned on timely contributions across the board to outlast Barangay Ginebra, 93–84, evening their semifinal duel at one game apiece.

     

    After struggling to find help in Game 1, San Miguel’s support crew came alive when it mattered most. Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz sparked a pivotal third-quarter push, before Jeron Teng seized the spotlight in the final frame. 

     

    Teng delivered a massive lift off the bench, finishing with 13 points—12 of them coming in the fourth quarter—along with five rebounds and three assists.

     

    The former La Salle standout was central to a decisive 13–5 run that turned a one-point edge into a commanding 80–71 cushion midway through the fourth, allowing the Beermen to wrest control and never look back. Trollano and Cruz finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively, easing the burden on San Miguel’s stars.

     

    June Mar Fajardo continued his dominant stretch regardless, posting 21 points and 23 rebounds for his third straight 20-20 outing, while CJ Perez added 11 points and five boards. This time, though, the Beermen’s victory hinged on balance rather than survival.

     

    On the other side, Ginebra leaned heavily on Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos, who scored 18 points each, with Norbert Torres adding 10. The rest of the Kings’ offense struggled to find consistency, including Ralph Cu, who was limited to just three points after his Game 1 breakout.

     

    With TNT holding a commanding lead and San Miguel restoring parity, the semifinals now head into a crucial stretch. Game 3 of both best-of-seven series is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Big Dome, where momentum—and perhaps separation—will again be up for grabs.

     

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  • Momentum, Adjustments, and Urgency: Game 2 stakes rise in both PBA Philippine Cup semifinals

    Momentum, Adjustments, and Urgency: Game 2 stakes rise in both PBA Philippine Cup semifinals

    Game 1 offered a warning shot rather than a verdict, and as the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals head into Game 2, both series have shifted from feeling-out affairs to tests of urgency, composure, and adjustment.

     

    For TNT and Meralco, the opener was a study in how slim the margins can be—even on an off night. The Tropang 5G escaped with a 100–95 win despite their main shooters misfiring badly from deep. 

     

    TNT’s perimeter gunners—Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading, and Rey Nambatac—combined for just 4-of-26 from three, numbers that normally spell defeat. Instead, TNT survived by changing the math of the game, relentlessly attacking the rim and piling up 47 free-throw attempts compared to Meralco’s 12.

     

    That imbalance flipped a game Meralco once controlled. The Bolts raced to a 21-point lead behind energy, execution, and confident shooting, but couldn’t sustain it deep into the second half. Head coach Luigi Trillo didn’t sugarcoat the collapse.

     

    “That thing (tight ending) should not happen when you go up by 20. That should be a step on the throats and done game. And we didn’t do that. We allowed them to come back,” said Trillo.

    For Meralco, Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum is less about tactical tweaks and more about sustaining edge and discipline.

     

    “Maybe, we have to be a heavy-duty team. We need to go down with humility and see that to beat this team, we have to not let go of the gas pedal,” Trillo added.

     

    TNT, meanwhile, knows the Game 1 result cuts both ways. Yes, they’re up 1–0—but they also won without their offensive engines clicking. Chot Reyes made it clear that kind of start is not something they want to repeat.

     

    “We saw that with the kind of energy, execution, even their three-point shooting in the first half. They were really primed for it. We got a first-hand taste of that,” said Reyes. “So hopefully in Game 2, we are more ready to play from the start because I don’t think we can bring this kind of game to Game 2 and expect to come up with the same result.”

     

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    Across the bracket, San Miguel Beer enters Game 2 against Barangay Ginebra with a similar sense of urgency after absorbing a 99–90 loss in the opener. Rather than dwell on the defeat, coach Leo Austria framed it as a necessary jolt.

     

    “Game 2, siguradong it would be an exciting game for us,” said Austria. “Parang na-wake up call na kami and they (his Beermen) know na mahirap ma-zero-two.”

     

    Ginebra’s win was built on balance and timely contributions. RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Norbert Torres, and surprise spark Ralph Cu all made life difficult for San Miguel, even as June Mar Fajardo delivered a dominant 27-point, 23-rebound performance in just 30 minutes.

     

    The concern for San Miguel lies beyond its star center. The Beermen’s bench—league-best at 57.5 points per game entering the semis—was held to just 29, compounded by a costly 15-of-31 outing from the free-throw line. Injuries also played a role, with Don Trollano battling a sore back, Jericho Cruz dealing with a hamstring issue, and Mo Tautuaa limited by a shoulder injury.

     

    “Dapat talaga hindi ko gagamitin si Mo dahil one week siyang hindi nakapag-practice,” Austria explained. “Kinausap ko na rin siya at sinabi kong kahit depensa, rebounds tumulong siya dahil gusto namin sanang ma-preserve si June Mar.”

     

    Ginebra coach Tim Cone isn’t expecting San Miguel to stay quiet for long, especially Trollano, who entered the series averaging over 16 points per game.

     

    “Game two is going to be a completely different game,” said Cone. “He’s probably gonna come out and go 10-for-15 in the next game… June Mar had a great game and Don had an off-game tonight.”

     

    Austria echoed that belief, pointing to his team’s mindset heading into Game 2.

     

    “Kinausap ko na sila at nakikita ko naming walang nakatungo, puro upbeat. Mga excited na makabawi dahil alam nilang magiging mas mahirap sa amin pag natalo ulit.”

     

    With both semifinals now clearly defined by what went wrong—and what could go right—Game 2 looms as a pivotal swing night. For Meralco and San Miguel, it’s about proving Game 1 was an aberration. For TNT and Ginebra, it’s about showing they can respond when the counterpunch inevitably comes.

     

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  • Luigi Trillo urges balanced whistle as Meralco eyes response after Game 1 collapse vs TNT

    Luigi Trillo urges balanced whistle as Meralco eyes response after Game 1 collapse vs TNT

    For Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo, Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals offered two hard truths—one internal, the other systemic.

     

    The Bolts’ stunning 100-95 loss to TNT on Sunday was first and foremost a missed opportunity. After building a commanding 21-point lead in the first half, Meralco failed to sustain its intensity, allowing the Tropang 5G to claw their way back and steal the series opener.

     

    Still, as Trillo reviewed the game, the conversation quickly shifted beyond execution and into the flow of the officiating.

     

    The numbers told a jarring story. TNT went to the line 47 times, while Meralco managed just 19 free-throw attempts—a 28-shot disparity that Trillo believes had a significant impact on the outcome. The imbalance became even more pronounced down the stretch, with the Bolts taking only two free throws in the fourth quarter compared to TNT’s 10.

     

    “Give credit to their physicality,” said Trillo, referring to TNT. “But again, they were awarded 17 free throws in the third quarter. End of the third, the foul calls were 24-12. At the end of the game, it was 31-17.

     

    “I think our team is not that bad at playing defensively,” Trillo said after the 100-95 loss on Sunday when the Bolts blew a 52-31 advantage in the second quarter.

     

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    “We are at fault. We didn’t match their intensity. But when you give a team 47 free throws, and it magically goes there, the PBA has to also look at the referees and check if they are making the right calls consistently for both teams.”

     

    Beyond the raw numbers, Trillo also pointed to moments he felt swung momentum away from Meralco—particularly drives by Chris Newsome that went unwhistled and a technical foul assessed on active consultant Nenad Vucinic late in the third quarter.

     

    “New (Chris Newsome) is going to the basket, he is getting bumped and they were not making a call. But when these guys (TNT) drive, there is an automatic foul. When you look at the flopping, they called us for flopping, [Rey] Nambatac flopped, [RR] Pogoy flopped.”

     

    “A bad word was said by Oftana… there was no technical foul. Our active consultant says something, and he gets called for a T. All I’m saying is let’s be consistent with the calls. If somebody says a bad word, give a technical.

     

    “If we are being called for those bump fouls, then we have to analyze that. I’m just saying what I saw. I have to check on the video,” said Trillo.

     

    Despite the pointed remarks, Trillo stopped short of placing the blame solely on officiating. He emphasized that Meralco’s biggest task heading into Game 2 is fixing what it can control—execution, composure, and matching TNT’s physical approach for a full 48 minutes.

     

    “Certainly, we need to be better. This is a champion team and they are playing better the last three conferences. Our hands are going to be full,” said Trillo.

     

    As the series shifts deeper into its grind on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Meralco will be looking not just for a more even whistle—but for a sharper, tougher version of itself to avoid falling into a deeper hole against a battle-tested TNT side.

     

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  • “That’s on Me”: Chot Reyes owns up as TNT escapes Meralco in Game 1 of PBA semifinals

    “That’s on Me”: Chot Reyes owns up as TNT escapes Meralco in Game 1 of PBA semifinals

    TNT Tropang Giga seized the early upper hand in their best-of-seven semifinal series after escaping with a hard-earned 100-95 victory over the Meralco Bolts in Game 1 on Sunday, January 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The win, however, did not come easily for the Tropang Giga, who had to overcome a disastrous opening half that saw them trailing by as many as 21 points. Meralco dominated the first two quarters behind crisp ball movement and stifling defense, racing to a commanding 52-31 lead at halftime and appearing well in control of the series opener.

     

    TNT head coach Chot Reyes did not shy away from taking responsibility for his team’s sluggish start, admitting that their initial game plan failed to slow down the Bolts.

     

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    “That’s on me. We prepared a game plan that were picked apart. The players were simply following and executing the defensive game plan we prepared, and Meralco picked it apart,” Reyes said after the game.

     

    Facing a steep deficit, Reyes emphasized the importance of regrouping and making timely adjustments during the break.

    “We had to make sure that we made the right adjustments at halftime. I think ‘yon ang nangyari,” he added.

     

    Those adjustments proved decisive. TNT came out of the locker room with renewed energy and urgency, clamping down defensively while finding their rhythm on offense. Roger Pogoy and Rey Nambatac spearheaded the turnaround in the third quarter, combining for 18 points as the Tropang Giga outscored the Bolts 28-13 in the period. The dominant run erased much of Meralco’s lead and swung the momentum firmly in TNT’s favor heading into the final frame.

     

    Calvin Oftana then took over in the closing minutes, delivering a composed and confident performance befitting a star. The versatile forward finished with a game-high 28 points, including two crucial free throws that pushed TNT ahead 98-95 with just 21.1 seconds remaining. Oftana’s steady presence on both ends of the floor helped stabilize the Tropang Giga as Meralco attempted to mount a late comeback.

     

    Nambatac provided valuable support with 17 points, while Pogoy chipped in 16. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser made his presence felt inside, contributing 14 points and key defensive stops that helped limit Meralco’s options down the stretch.

     

    Despite the loss, the Bolts showed why they are a formidable playoff opponent, controlling much of the first half and forcing TNT to dig deep. However, their offensive struggles in the third quarter ultimately proved costly, allowing the Tropang Giga to dictate the tempo for the remainder of the contest.

     

    With the victory, TNT takes a crucial 1-0 lead in the semifinals, but Reyes remains focused on the lessons learned from the near-miss.

     

    After securing the series opener, Reyes will be hoping that his team avoids another slow start and builds on their strong second-half performance when the two squads clash again in Game 2 on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • Ginebra outlasts San Miguel, TNT rallies past Meralco to seize early edge in Philippine Cup semifinals

    Ginebra outlasts San Miguel, TNT rallies past Meralco to seize early edge in Philippine Cup semifinals

    Depth and decisiveness defined the opening night of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals, as Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang 5G seized early control of their respective best-of-seven series at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Ginebra drew its edge from unlikely sources, leaning heavily on its second unit to blunt San Miguel Beer’s firepower and snap the Beermen’s 10-game winning streak with a 99-90 victory.

     

    What began as a tight, physical contest tilted sharply in the fourth quarter, when Ralph Cu and Norbert Torres flipped the script. The frontcourt duo buried four straight triples to turn a slim deficit into an 84-81 advantage, swinging momentum firmly toward the crowd favorites.

     

    From there, RJ Abarrientos and the regular rotation closed the door, with Ginebra’s bench answering the call of coach Tim Cone in emphatic fashion.

     

    Abarrientos led all Gin Kings with 23 points, four rebounds, and seven assists, while Cu and Torres combined for 21 points, accounting for half of the team’s 12 three-pointers.Along with Jayson David’s 10 markers, Ginebra’s reserves piled up 54 points—production that ultimately neutralized a monster night from June Mar Fajardo.

     

    The nine-time MVP delivered a dominant 27-point, 23-rebound performance, complete with three assists, a steal, and a block, but it wasn’t enough to keep San Miguel from falling behind 0-1. 

     

    Scottie Thompson added 22 points for Ginebra, with Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, and Stephen Holt chipping in timely contributions. For the Beermen, CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter scored 18 and 12, respectively, as the defending champions struggled from deep, hitting just 5-of-25 from long range.

     

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    Earlier in the evening, TNT authored a comeback of its own, riding Calvin Oftana’s late-game brilliance to escape Meralco, 100-95, and draw first blood in their semifinal duel. 

     

    Down by as many as 21, the Tropang 5G refused to fold, steadily chipping away until the game reached a tense deadlock late in the fourth.

     

    Oftana delivered the turning point—a three-point play with 2:57 remaining that broke a 91-all tie and shifted control to TNT for good. 

     

    Moments later, he found Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser cutting to the basket to stretch the lead, before calmly sealing the win at the free-throw line. 

     

    Oftana finished with 28 points on efficient shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists, anchoring TNT’s rally.

     

    Rey Nambatac and Roger Pogoy provided secondary scoring with 17 and 16 points, respectively, while Ganuelas-Rosser posted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

     

    Meralco stayed within striking distance behind Chris Banchero’s 16 points and CJ Cansino’s 14, but the Bolts’ final push fizzled when a contested three in the closing seconds missed its mark—an ending reminiscent of their earlier-season collapse against the same opponent.

     

    With both series now underway, the semifinals head into Game 2 on Wednesday at the Big Dome, where Ginebra and TNT will look to press their advantage, while San Miguel and Meralco aim to reset the narrative in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested march toward the Finals.

     

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