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Tag: TNT Tropang 5G

  • Converge, TNT search for answers as struggling imports take center stage 

    Converge, TNT search for answers as struggling imports take center stage 

    Tuesday’s showdown between Converge and TNT may ultimately be decided by the players both teams expected to carry them.

     

    Instead, it has become a battle between two imports still searching for consistency.

     

    When the FiberXers and the Tropang 5G square off at 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, much of the spotlight will fall on Justin Hudson and Darius Days—two reinforcements who have yet to consistently deliver despite the strong performances of their local teammates.

     

    For Converge, the supporting cast has done more than enough to keep the team among the early contenders.

     

    The FiberXers raced to a 3-0 start behind dominant wins over Titan Ultra, Terrafirma, and the Macau Giant Pandas before finally suffering their first defeat against unbeaten San Miguel Beer, 128-122.

     

    Even in that loss, Converge showed it could compete with one of the league’s top championship favorites.

     

    Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar combined for 45 points and 17 rebounds while battling June Mar Fajardo inside, and Juan Gomez de Liano, Mikee Williams, and Alec Stockton continued to provide reliable scoring.

     

    The one missing piece has been Hudson, who has struggled to establish himself as the consistent offensive force Converge envisioned when it brought him in.

     

    His production becomes even more important against a TNT squad desperate to avoid falling deeper in the standings.

     

    The Tropang 5G, meanwhile, have bigger concerns than simply replacing import scoring.

     

    The defending Governors’ Cup champions have been hit hard by injuries, with Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Kelly Williams all unavailable, leaving Chot Reyes to rely on a thinner rotation than expected.

     

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    The results have reflected those absences.

     

    After escaping the Macau Giant Pandas in their opener, TNT dropped consecutive games to NLEX and Terrafirma, slipping to 1-2 and outside the current Top Four.

     

    Like Hudson, Days has struggled to consistently impact games, making Tuesday’s matchup an opportunity for either import to finally swing momentum in his team’s favor.

     

    For Converge, a victory would immediately erase the sting of losing its unbeaten record against San Miguel and reinforce the belief that it belongs among the conference’s contenders.

     

    For TNT, the stakes are even higher.

     

    Another defeat would leave the defending champions digging an even deeper hole early in the conference while waiting for their injured stars to return.

     

    Both teams already know their local stars can compete. Now, they need their imports to prove they can do the same.

     

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  • Roger Pogoy doubles down on TNT, eyes more championships after signing new deal 

    Roger Pogoy doubles down on TNT, eyes more championships after signing new deal 

    Roger Pogoy never had to think twice about where he wanted to spend the next chapter of his career.

     

    After nearly a decade of wearing TNT colors, the veteran guard has committed to staying with the only PBA franchise he has ever known, signing a three-year contract extension with the Tropang 5G ahead of the new conference.

     

    The deal keeps one of TNT’s longest-tenured stars in the fold as the franchise continues its pursuit of another championship following a string of Finals appearances.

     

    For Pogoy, the extension represents more than job security—it is a vote of confidence that he intends to repay on the court.

     

    “Thankful ako kasi yun nga, sa management—Boss MVP, Boss Ricky, Boss Jolas, Boss Chot —na nagtiwala pa rin sila sa akin,” Pogoy told One Sports during the Tropang 5G’s media day.

     

    “Thankful ako na in-extend nila ako [at] dito pa rin ako sa TNT.”

     

    Since being selected by TNT in the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft, Pogoy has developed into one of the league’s premier two-way guards, playing a vital role in multiple championship runs while becoming one of the team’s most reliable scorers and defenders.

     

    Despite everything he has accomplished with the franchise, the 34-year-old insists the new contract only raises the standard he has set for himself.

     

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    “Mas lalo akong motivated kasi gusto kong suklihan din ‘yung tiwala nila sa akin. Gusto ko ring manalo pa ng mas maraming championship.”

     

    The timing of the extension comes as TNT continues to establish itself as one of the PBA’s premier contenders.

     

    The Tropang 5G have reached five consecutive PBA Finals, a testament to the consistency of their core. But that impressive run has also left the team with unfinished business after ending up on the losing side in three of those title series.

     

    For Pogoy, those painful defeats remain fresh and continue to drive the team entering another title chase.

     

    “Ilang finals na kami, five straight, pero tatlo [dun] hindi kami nanalo. Kaya ngayon, talagang motivated kaming lahat at pinaghahandaan talaga namin na sana matapos namin at manalo naman kami.”

     

    With his future secured, Pogoy now shifts his focus back to basketball as TNT looks to bounce back in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    The Tropang 5G resume their campaign on Saturday against the still-winless Macau Giant Pandas at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with Pogoy hoping to begin another chapter that ends the same way he envisions his new contract—with more championships in TNT colors.

     

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  • Darius Days focused on carving his own path as TNT searches for stability in the Governors’ Cup 

    Darius Days focused on carving his own path as TNT searches for stability in the Governors’ Cup 

    TNT Tropang 5G have leaned on star-caliber reinforcements in recent conferences, from three-time PBA Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to former NBA standout Bol Bol. 


    But as TNT begins another title chase in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, their imports Darius Days is making one thing clear: he has no intention of trying to become either of them.

     

    “Honestly, I’m Darius. I’m not Bol. I’m not Rondae. Whatever I bring to the table, that’s what I bring to the table,” Days said. 

     

    Instead of carrying the burden of comparison, the 26-year-old forward is focused on becoming the player TNT needs now.

     

    His arrival comes after a turbulent stretch for the franchise’s import rotation. Hollis-Jefferson, a three-time Best Import awardee, remains sidelined as he recovers from the Achilles tear he suffered while playing for Meralco in the East Asia Super League.

     

    Before that, TNT made headlines by signing 7-foot-3 former NBA player Bol Bol for the Commissioner’s Cup. His promising campaign, however, ended in heartbreak after he tore his Achilles in the semifinals. 

     

    The Tropang 5G turned to Chris McCullough for the Finals, but the club ultimately fell to Barangay Ginebra in a seven-game championship series.

     

    Days now inherits the role under far different circumstances, though he insists his job is simple.

     

    “I’m just here to help. I’m not here to fill those shoes. I’m just here to help win games,” he said. 

     

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    While his PBA journey is only beginning, Days brings experience from multiple leagues. The 6-foot-7 forward previously suited up for the Houston Rockets in the NBA before continuing his professional career in Canada, Australia, and Japan.

     

    Ironically, this opportunity was nearly his a year earlier. Days was originally lined up to reinforce TNT in the 2024 Governors’ Cup before the team opted to bring back Hollis-Jefferson prior to the tournament.

     

    Now finally wearing the Tropang 5G colors, Days has provided steady production through his first two games. He is averaging 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals, while knocking down eight three-pointers at a 35-percent clip to showcase his perimeter shooting.

     

    Despite those numbers, TNT has stumbled out of the gate as the Tropang 5G absorbed a 103-87 defeat to cellar-dweller Titan Ultra last Wednesday, a result that dropped the team further behind in the early Governors’ Cup standings. 

     

    Days still delivered 21 points and six rebounds in the loss, leading TNT in scoring despite the setback.

     

    Following the game, Days acknowledged that injuries have made it difficult for the team to establish consistency, but he remains confident that the group can turn things around.

     

    The Tropang 5G will have an immediate opportunity to do just that when they return to action on Saturday against Terrafirma Dyip. With the conference still in its early stages, TNT hopes Days’ steady contributions can help spark the climb back up the standings as the team searches for its rhythm.

     

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  • Josh Reyes refuses to give excuses after TNT suffers first PBA loss to Titan Ultra

    Josh Reyes refuses to give excuses after TNT suffers first PBA loss to Titan Ultra

    TNT Tropang Giga suffered its first setback of the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup after absorbing a 103-87 defeat to the Titan Ultra Giant Risers at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, July 22.

     

    The loss snapped TNT’s unbeaten start to the conference, with the defending powerhouse struggling to match Titan Ultra’s relentless pace throughout the contest. Playing with a depleted roster due to injuries to several key players, the Tropang Giga found themselves chasing the game for long stretches before eventually running out of answers against the Giant Risers’ transition attack.

     

    Adding to TNT’s woes was the ejection of head coach Chot Reyes with 9:29 remaining in the fourth quarter after being assessed two technical fouls. His departure forced assistant coach Josh Reyes to take over the coaching duties as the Tropang Giga attempted to mount a late rally, but Titan Ultra continued to control the tempo and pulled away for a convincing 16-point victory.

     

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    Despite the difficult circumstances, Josh Reyes refused to use injuries or the absence of several regulars as an excuse for the team’s first loss of the season. Instead, he credited Titan Ultra for dictating the pace of the game and exposing TNT’s lack of conditioning following an extended offseason.

     

    “Hindi. Parati naman emotions high yun eh. I think it’s as simple as we are not in shape yet. And we couldn’t keep up with the running. Titan did a good job turning the game into a track meet, taking advantage of their quickness and they got a lot of fastbreak points,” Reyes said after the game.

     

     

    Reyes acknowledged that while TNT’s offensive execution was not entirely problematic, its inability to slow down Titan Ultra’s transition offense ultimately proved costly.

    “It just snowballed from there. Our offense wasn’t as bad as it may seem. But we just couldn’t keep up with the running game. In the end, we couldn’t defend the next group anymore. It’s easy to have that as an excuse, we are not complete, we are not in shape yet coming off our extended break. I think that’s the biggest challenge eh. It’s not basketball per se, it’s the tediousness of everything.”

     

     

    The veteran assistant explained that the physical and mental demands of competing almost continuously over the past several conferences have taken their toll on the franchise. Rather than focusing solely on the tactical aspects of the game, Reyes emphasized that maintaining motivation and consistency has become one of the team’s biggest challenges after enjoying sustained success over recent seasons.

     

    “We have been going on without breaks for five conferences. So the challenge for us is how to get up every day, practice and get better. That we still have that eagerness and hunger to make ourselves better every day despite going through this for five or six conferences already,” he added.

     

     

    Fortunately for TNT, relief is on the horizon. The PBA will observe a lengthy break from August 15 to October 6 to accommodate the 19th Asian Games, providing teams with an opportunity to recover, regroup, and address areas that need improvement before the conference resumes.

     

    Reyes believes the upcoming hiatus will be invaluable for the Tropang Giga, particularly as they work toward getting their injured players healthy while improving the team’s overall conditioning. However, he stressed that TNT must first navigate the remaining games before the league pauses and remain in a favorable position in the standings.

     

    “Good thing there’s a break coming up. But kailangan namin matawid yun eh. So from tomorrow till the break we need to be able to hold the fort and still manage a respectable record,” Reyes concluded.

     

     

    Despite suffering its first defeat of the conference, TNT remains one of the early contenders in the Governors’ Cup and will be eager to quickly bounce back. The Tropang Giga will have little time to dwell on the loss as they prepare for another crucial assignment against the Terrafirma Dyip on Saturday, July 25, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

     

    A victory over Terrafirma would allow TNT to regain momentum and reinforce its position near the top of the standings before entering the stretch leading up to the league’s extended break.

     

     

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  • Rey Nambatac wastes no time rewriting his TNT story in Governor’s Cup opening win 

    Rey Nambatac wastes no time rewriting his TNT story in Governor’s Cup opening win 

    Rey Nambatac wasted little time putting his difficult Commissioner’s Cup campaign behind him, delivering a strong all-around performance to lead TNT Tropang 5G to a 106-103 victory over the Macau Giant Pandas in their opening game of the PBA Season 50 Governor’s Cup on Sunday.


    Nambatac finished with 23 points, six assists, and three rebounds as the defending champions held off a furious Macau rally after seeing a 15-point lead trimmed to just three in the closing minutes.

     

    The veteran guard’s performance marked a sharp turnaround from his previous conference, where he struggled to find his rhythm and posted career-low production since joining TNT.

     

    “To be honest, ‘yung last conference ko was a wakeup call, an eye-opener na rin para sa akin,” Nambatac said.

     

    The former Letran standout averaged only 5.5 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 27 games during the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. 

     

    His struggles extended into the Finals against Barangay Ginebra, a surprising dip considering he was named the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP when TNT won the same tournament last season.

     

    Rather than dwell on those struggles, Nambatac said he entered the Governor’s Cup determined to restore the level of play that helped establish him as one of TNT’s key backcourt weapons.

     

    “Sabi ko, hindi puwedeng ganun. So I need to step up and ibalik ko ‘yung usual na laro ko, and dito mag-i-start ‘yun sa conference na ‘to,” he said.

     

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    The offseason also saw Nambatac become the subject of trade speculation, with reports linking him to a possible move to Titan Ultra in exchange for Joshua Munzon. 

     

    He stayed with TNT, however, and immediately rewarded the team’s faith with one of his best performances in recent months.

     

    Nambatac’s offense proved crucial as TNT weathered Macau’s late charge to secure its first victory of the conference.

     

    Still, the 31-year-old guard knows sustaining that level will be the bigger challenge as the tournament progresses.

     

    “Sabi nga ni coach Chot [Reyes], hopefully magtuloy-tuloy na. And the key in this conference for me is to be more consistent,” he said.

     

    With the opening hurdle cleared, TNT will look to improve to 2-0 when it takes on the Titan Ultra Giant Risers on Wednesday, July 22, with Nambatac aiming to build on a performance that could signal the return of his old form.

     

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  • PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup imports: Veterans, newcomers set to headline title chase 

    PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup imports: Veterans, newcomers set to headline title chase 

    The countdown to the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup has entered its final stretch, and with every team now unveiling its reinforcement, the race for the season-ending championship is beginning to take shape.

     

    When the conference opens on July 10 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, all 13 participating teams—including guest club Macau Giant Pandas—will parade imports who comply with the league’s 6-foot-6 height limit. The field features a familiar blend of proven PBA stars, former NBA players, and first-time reinforcements looking to make an immediate impact.

     

    Barangay Ginebra San Miguel


    Leading the returning cast is Justin Brownlee, whose résumé in the league remains unmatched among active imports. The four-time PBA Best Import returns after steering the Gin Kings to the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup championship, where they outlasted TNT Tropang 5G in a grueling seven-game Finals series. Brownlee also powered Ginebra to its most recent Governors’ Cup title in 2022, earning his second Best Import award during that campaign.

     

    TNT Tropang 5G

     

    Defending Governors’ Cup champion TNT enters the tournament with a different reinforcement as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continues his recovery. The Tropang 5G have turned to former NBA forward Darius Days, who was originally slated to play for TNT in the 2024 Governors’ Cup before Hollis-Jefferson decided to return. Since then, Days has helped the Illawarra Hawks capture a National Basketball League championship in Australia.

     

    Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

     

    Rain or Shine is banking on continuity by bringing back Aaron Fuller, who guided the Elasto Painters to the semifinals of last season’s Governors’ Cup before eventually bowing to TNT. Fuller returns after his latest stint in Mexico.

     

    NLEX Road Warriors

     

    NLEX will also keep a familiar face in DeQuan Jones, who rejoins the Road Warriors under new head coach Jimmy Alapag. The former Orlando Magic forward first suited up for NLEX midway through last season as Myke Henry’s replacement and now returns to a squad that topped the elimination round of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup before its playoff run ended in the quarterfinals against TNT.

     

    Converge FiberXers

     

    Converge welcomes back one of the league’s most explosive scorers in Jalen Hudson. Returning to the PBA for the first time in three years, Hudson previously played for TNT in the 2023 Governors’ Cup, highlighted by a spectacular 56-point, 12-rebound, four-assist performance against his current team.

     

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    Magnolia Hotshots

     

    Magnolia has signed American forward KJ Buffen, who played collegiate basketball at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before building a professional career in Finland, New Zealand, and most recently Indonesia with RANS PIK.

     

    Blackwater Bossing

     

    Blackwater reinforced its roster with Kentrell Barkley, an accomplished import who arrives after winning the Most Valuable Player award in both the Indonesian Basketball League and the Vietnam Basketball Association. Barkley has also captured championships in Vietnam and Taiwan and now joins the Bossing under interim coach Pat Aquino.

     

    Meralco Bolts

     

    Meralco will finally get a full conference with Jordon Varnado, who is already familiar with the Bolts after helping the team reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 Basketball Champions League Asia.

     

    San Miguel Beermen

     

    San Miguel acquired George King after his release from Blackwater, bringing back one of the most prolific scorers to have played in the PBA. During last season’s Governors’ Cup, King erupted for a career-high 64 points for the Bossing before continuing his overseas career with stops in Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Taiwan, and Germany.

     

    Terrafirma Dyip

     

    Terrafirma introduces Justin Strings, a Sacramento State product who has played professionally in Canada, Germany, Argentina, and Uruguay.

     

    Phoenix Fuel Masters

     

    Phoenix turns to former NBA swingman BJ Johnson, who previously suited up for the Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks before most recently playing for Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia’s VTB United League.

     

    Titan Ultra Giant Risers

     

    Expansion club Titan Ultra Giant Risers has entrusted its campaign to Tirrell Brown, whose professional career has taken him across Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay.

     

    Macau Giant Pandas

     

    Guest team Macau Giant Pandas, formerly known as the Black Knights, will be reinforced by De’Vondre Perry. The Temple University product heads to the PBA after competing in Belgium, the Dominican Republic, and Germany, where he last played for SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt.

     

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  • Rondae Hollis-Jefferson eyes September return as TNT plans long-awaited reunion 

    Rondae Hollis-Jefferson eyes September return as TNT plans long-awaited reunion 

    For the first time since suffering one of the biggest setbacks of his professional career, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson can finally see the finish line.

     

    The former PBA Best Import has taken another major step in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, raising hopes that his return to TNT Tropang 5G could happen before the end of the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.

     

    In a recent update shared by TNT on social media, Hollis-Jefferson revealed that his rehabilitation has reached a significant milestone nearly five months after undergoing surgery.

     

    “I’m at almost five months post-surgery, I’m moving a lot better, I’m able to run, jump and start to do on court stuff,” he said.

     

    “I will say, around this five-month mark is where things start to ramp up where we do more work, pool workouts and a lot of strengthening.”

     

    Although the explosive forward is back running and working on basketball movements, he emphasized that there is still no fixed timetable for his comeback.

     

    “I can’t give y’all an exact date but we’re looking at somewhere between September and October.”

     

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    The update marks a welcome development for TNT, which has patiently waited for one of the franchise’s most successful imports to regain full health.

     

    Hollis-Jefferson suffered the devastating Achilles injury in December while suiting up for the Meralco Bolts in the East Asia Super League, abruptly ending another strong campaign just months after helping TNT capture another PBA championship.

     

    Rather than rushing his recovery, the Tropang 5G have opted for a cautious approach, prioritizing the long-term health of the former NBA veteran.

     

    With Hollis-Jefferson still completing his rehabilitation, TNT will begin its Governors’ Cup campaign with former NBA forward Darius Days serving as its reinforcement.

     

    The season-ending conference opens on July 10, though the Tropang 5G will make their first appearance on July 19 when they face guest team Macau at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    If recovery continues according to plan, however, TNT’s biggest mid-conference addition may not come through a new signing—but through the return of the import who has become synonymous with the franchise’s recent championship success.

     

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  • TNT makes Roger Pogoy its priority with new three-year deal 

    TNT makes Roger Pogoy its priority with new three-year deal 

    TNT Tropang 5G wasted little time addressing one of its biggest offseason priorities following its heartbreaking Game 7 loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

     

    Before free agency could even become a discussion, the franchise moved as fast as they could to secure veteran guard Roger Pogoy, rewarding one of its most dependable performers with a new three-year contract extension.

     

    The decision underscores just how valuable Pogoy remains to TNT’s championship aspirations. While the team fell short in its bid for another title, the veteran wing emerged as the club’s most consistent local contributor throughout the Finals series.

     

    Pogoy carried a significant offensive load against Ginebra, finishing as TNT’s top local scorer in the championship round with averages of 16.57 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He also shot an efficient 44 percent from the field and 82 percent from the free-throw line.

     

    His impact extended well beyond scoring. Pogoy was also tasked with one of the toughest assignments in the series, defending Ginebra import Justin Brownlee. 

     

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    Across the PBA’s 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup, the 34-year-old guard posted averages of 13.43 points, 3.95 rebounds, and 2.00 assists per game, continuing to provide steady production for a TNT squad that reached another Finals appearance.

     

    With his previous contract set to expire in August, Pogoy was on track to become an unrestricted free agent. TNT, however, had no intention of letting one of the cornerstones of its roster test the open market.

     

    “Pirma na lang ang kulang,” team manager Jojo Lastimosa said.

     

    The extension keeps intact a partnership that dates back to 2016, when Pogoy entered the PBA through the Gilas Pilipinas special draft and began what has become an entire professional career with the telecommunications franchise.

     

    For Pogoy, the new deal represents another vote of confidence from an organization that has consistently trusted him in crucial moments.

     

    “Very thankful sa management and siyempre kay Lord for all the blessings. Pag balik na after ng bakasyon,” Pogoy said, when asked about the formal contract signing.

     

    Lastimosa made it clear that retaining Pogoy was never up for debate.

     

    “He’s a TNT lifer just like Jayson (Castro). Very rare these days,” he said. 

     

    As TNT begins preparations for another title run, its first major move of the offseason sends a clear message and that is to keep proven winners in the fold remains a top priority, and few have embodied the franchise’s identity more than Pogoy.

     

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  • Game 7 draws record crowd as Ginebra-TNT finals sets new MOA Arena attendance mark 

    Game 7 draws record crowd as Ginebra-TNT finals sets new MOA Arena attendance mark 

    Before a champion could be crowned, Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals had already secured a place in league history.

     

    The championship showdown between Barangay Ginebra and TNT attracted 24,617 spectators at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, establishing a new all-time PBA attendance record for the venue and underscoring the enduring appeal of one of the league’s biggest rivalries.

     

    The figure eclipsed the previous mark of 23,616, which was set during Game 7 of the 2015-16 Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel Beer and Alaska.

     

    That contest has long been remembered as the “Beer-acle,” the night San Miguel completed a stunning comeback from a 0-3 series deficit to capture the championship.

     

    A decade later, another winner-take-all battle delivered a historic crowd of its own.

     

    Long before the opening tip, thousands of fans streamed into the Pasay arena, turning the championship decider into one of the most anticipated PBA games in recent memory. 

     

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    The matchup featured two of the league’s most recognizable franchises, with Ginebra chasing another title and TNT looking to defend its crown.

     

    The record turnout reflected more than just the stakes of a Game 7.

     

    It highlighted the continued drawing power of Philippine basketball, particularly when the league’s biggest teams meet on the grandest stage. Fans packed nearly every available seat inside the arena, creating an atmosphere worthy of a championship finale.

     

    While the final result would determine who lifted the trophy, the crowd itself had already become part of the story.

     

    By breaking a record that had survived for nearly ten years, the Ginebra-TNT title decider added another memorable chapter to the PBA’s long history of blockbuster Finals matchups and reaffirmed that, when everything is on the line, fans will always show up for the biggest games.

     

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  • “We’ve Been Here Before”: Chot Reyes, TNT embrace another winner-take-all Finals battle 

    “We’ve Been Here Before”: Chot Reyes, TNT embrace another winner-take-all Finals battle 

    TNT entered Game 6 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals with a simple message: the series would require a full 96-minute effort to overcome Barangay Ginebra.

     

    The number was written on a whiteboard inside the Tropang 5G dugout before Sunday’s game, representing the combined duration of Games 6 and 7 should TNT force a deciding match.

     

    After securing a 98-90 victory and tying the series at 3-3, TNT is now halfway through that goal and will look to complete the job in Game 7 on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    “If we really focus on playing defense, then we can stop this team,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “In our board (before Game 6), we put 96 minutes. We put the No. 96 encircled with a heart. We said let’s play the best 96 minutes of our lives.”

     

    “And now, all we’ve done is get through the first half, and find a way to get ready for the second half on Wednesday,” said Reyes.

     

    The Tropang 5G are familiar with this situation after also defeating Ginebra in a seven-game Commissioner’s Cup Finals series last season. TNT won the last two games of that championship matchup, including an overtime victory in Game 7.

     

    Reyes said the team has maintained the same mindset throughout the current series.

     

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    “We talked about it from the start. We are here for the long game. And now, we are in long game territory. We are just grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to try one more time,” said Reyes.

     

    TNT bounced back from a difficult Game 5 loss, where Ginebra escaped with a 100-95 overtime win behind Justin Brownlee’s 54-point performance.

     

    Despite the setback, Reyes reminded his players that they had previously been in similar situations.

     

    “Obviously, we were pretty down in the dugout but I reminded them in the dugout, we’ve been here before. We know how to do this. And my only message is to clear your minds, clear your hearts, and put their best foot forward,” said Reyes.

     

    “Whatever happens, happens. But like I said, we are prepared for 96 minutes. Now, there’s another 48 to be played,” Reyes added.

     

    Game 7 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a large crowd expected as TNT and Ginebra battle for the Commissioner’s Cup championship.

     

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