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  • Chot Reyes believes Chris McCullough can steady TNT after Bol Bol injury  

    Chot Reyes believes Chris McCullough can steady TNT after Bol Bol injury  

    TNT’s championship defense suddenly found itself hanging by a thread over the weekend. One moment, the Tropang 5G were leaning on the dominant presence of Bol Bol in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. 

     

    The next, they were scrambling to rebuild after the towering import suffered a torn left Achilles that abruptly ended his conference.

     

    But amid the chaos, TNT chose familiarity over panic.

     

    After exploring multiple options and even bringing in former University of the Philippines standout Malick Diouf for practice sessions, coach Chot Reyes revealed that the team is now leaning toward former San Miguel Beer champion import Chris McCullough as the man tasked to stabilize TNT’s title bid.

     

    McCullough was already courtside with team manager Jojo Lastimosa during TNT’s gutsy 77-75 Game 3 victory over Meralco at the Mall of Asia Arena — a symbolic sign that the franchise may already have found its next answer.

     

    For Reyes, the decision was never just about talent. It was about minimizing disruption at the most critical stage of the season.

     

    “It’s very ticklish because on one end, introducing a new element to the team can always go both ways. It can give us a jolt of energy. But it can also get in the way of already how smooth things are going with the team,” said Reyes.

     

    Instead of gambling on a completely unfamiliar reinforcement, TNT appears to be banking on McCullough’s proven ability to adapt quickly to the Philippine game. The 6-foot-10 forward already owns a Commissioner’s Cup championship after leading San Miguel Beer to the 2019 title — ironically at TNT’s expense.

     

    “I think the stability and maturity of somebody who’s been here already has won before,” Reyes explained. “When a new import comes in, there’s a lot of adjustments. Adjustment to the time, the weather, the culture, the kind of game. And then adjustment with his teammates. So with McCullough, at least those variables we’ve taken out already, adjustment na lang with his teammates.”

     

    The urgency behind TNT’s search became more apparent after the franchise exhausted several emergency options. Former NBA players Marquese Chriss and Darius Days were initially explored, while Diouf even joined practice in hopes of becoming a short-term solution. But paperwork delays prevented the former UP big man from suiting up in Game 3, forcing TNT to survive with an all-Filipino lineup.

     

    Remarkably, the Tropang 5G still found a way.

     

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    Roger Pogoy delivered the decisive triple late in the game, while TNT’s local core rallied around the emotional loss of Bol Bol to grab a crucial 2-1 series lead against Meralco.

     

    The victory became more than just a playoff win. It became a tribute.

     

    “It was disappointing losing Bol, losing our teammate, losing our brother,” said TNT forward Poy Erram Ganuelas-Rosser after the game. “Coach said that he messaged him and said he really wanted to be out here. So we want to go out there and dedicate the game to him and play for him.”

     

    “He carried us here so hopefully, we can bring us across the finish line and we could finish the job. We have a core of guys that when our back is against the wall, we find ways. Today, like the coach said, a couple of lucky bounces, a couple of plays that we made, we came out with the win. But it’s only one win in the series.”

     

    Now TNT hopes McCullough can provide the steady presence needed to finish what Bol Bol started.

     

    The former NBA forward arrives fresh from a stint with the Taiwan Beer Leopards, where he averaged 16.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists during the 2025-26 campaign. More importantly, he arrives knowing exactly what the pressure of winning in the PBA feels like.

     

    And for a TNT team suddenly forced to adjust in the middle of a semifinal war, that familiarity may end up mattering most.

     

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  • “Rondae called me and he made it happen”: Chris McCullough on return to PBA as TNT’s new import

    “Rondae called me and he made it happen”: Chris McCullough on return to PBA as TNT’s new import

    TNT Tropang Giga have officially signed former NBA player Chris McCullough as their new import for the remainder of the knockout phase of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, as the franchise looks to sustain its championship push following a major setback in the semifinals.

     

    The move comes after TNT lost star import Bol Bol to a serious Achilles injury sustained during Game 2 of their semifinal series against the Meralco Bolts on Friday, May 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The injury abruptly ended what had been a dominant campaign for Bol, forcing TNT to move quickly to reinforce their roster ahead of the decisive stretch of the conference.

     

    Despite the disruption, the Tropang Giga showed resilience, edging Meralco 77-75 in Game 3 on Sunday, May 24, also at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, to seize a crucial 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. McCullough was already present at the venue, observing his new teammates in action as he prepares for his long-awaited return to the PBA stage.

     

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    TNT management wasted little time in securing the 31-year-old forward, a familiar name to Philippine basketball fans. McCullough acknowledged that his decision to return to the PBA was influenced heavily by a conversation with TNT guard and former teammate Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, with whom he shared NBA experience during their stint with the Brooklyn Nets from 2015 to 2017.

     

    “Rondae called me and he made it happen. That’s the end of the story,” McCullough said.

    McCullough is no stranger to the PBA, having previously suited up for the San Miguel Beermen during the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup. In that campaign, he made a significant impact, leading the Beermen to a championship while delivering consistent, high-level performances throughout the conference and establishing himself as one of the most effective imports in recent league history.

     

    Now returning to the Philippines, McCullough expressed both excitement and urgency as he prepares to join TNT in a high-stakes semifinal environment. He is expected to make his debut in Game 3 of the series against Meralco on Wednesday, May 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where immediate production will be expected from the veteran forward.

     

    “I think when I step on the court on Wednesday, it will hit me a little differently. But I’m just still happy to be here. Just ready to get out there and play. Taking it one game at a time. That’s about it,” he added.

     

    McCullough steps into a crucial role for TNT, filling the void left by Bol Bol, who had been one of the standout imports of the season prior to his injury. The pressure will be immediate, as the Tropang Giga are firmly in contention for a Finals berth and will rely on McCullough to quickly integrate into their system.

     

    TNT head coach and management are expected to lean on the import’s experience, versatility, and familiarity with the PBA’s physical style of play as they attempt to maintain momentum in the series against a resilient Meralco squad.

     

    Acknowledging the circumstances of his arrival, McCullough also expressed sympathy for his injured predecessor while emphasizing his commitment to the team’s goals moving forward.

     

    “It’s sad to see an injury like that, but hopefully he can get back home and get surgery. I just want to help this team win as possible, do what I got to do, just play basketball,” McCullough concluded.

     

     

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  • Roger Pogoy delivers late dagger as TNT’s all-Filipino grit stuns Meralco for 2-1 semifinals lead 

    Roger Pogoy delivers late dagger as TNT’s all-Filipino grit stuns Meralco for 2-1 semifinals lead 

    With no import to lean on and momentum slipping away in the final seconds, TNT turned to its toughness and to Roger Pogoy.


    Pogoy drilled the game-winning three with 7.4 seconds left as the Tropang 5G escaped with a thrilling 77-75 victory over Meralco on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, seizing a 2-1 edge in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series.

     

    The veteran player answered immediately after Chris Newsome knocked down a clutch triple that briefly pushed the Bolts ahead, 75-74. TNT wasted no time on the other end, isolating Pogoy for the decisive shot that completed another gutsy performance from the all-Filipino squad.

     

    Playing their first game since the departure of import Bol Bol, the Tropang 5G leaned entirely on their local core and found enough firepower and composure to outlast a Meralco side bannered by import Marvin Jones.

     

    TNT appeared headed for defeat after trailing 72-66 late in the fourth quarter, but Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams fueled a pivotal 8-0 run that swung the momentum and briefly restored a 74-72 lead before the frantic finish unfolded.

     

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    The Bolts still had chances to steal the game, but missed attempts from CJ Cansino and Jason Brickman in the closing moments allowed TNT to preserve the narrow win.

     

    Rey Nambatac paced the Tropang 5G with a conference-best 18 points and eight rebounds, continuing his strong stretch in the playoffs. Calvin Oftana added 15 points and seven boards, while Jordan Heading chipped in 12 markers as TNT showcased its depth with nine players contributing at least two points.

     

    “More than the caliber and depth of our team, I think it’s our heart, really. All of our discussions in practice, even before any kind of game planning, were just about setting our minds right that we have a chance,” coach Chot Reyes said.

     

    “Yesterday, our discussion was because we’re all-Filipino without Bol, we cannot match Meralco’s energy and effort. We have to overcome it. We have to find a way to put in more energy and effort. I think that’s how the game panned out,” he added.

     

    Jones finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds for Meralco, while Newsome added 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the losing effort.

     

    Game 4 is set for Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, where TNT is expected to unveil either Malick Diouf or Chris McCullough as its new import.

     

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  • Healthy TNT gives Meralco a bigger problem in Game 2 

    Healthy TNT gives Meralco a bigger problem in Game 2 

    For most of the conference, TNT Tropang 5G spent more time searching for the right lineup than building momentum.

     

    Injuries repeatedly disrupted the defending champions’ rhythm, forcing coach Chot Reyes to shuffle combinations and adjust roles almost every game. But now, at the most important stretch of the season, TNT finally appears complete — and that reality may have created an even bigger problem for Meralco heading into Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    The Tropang 5G struck first in the series with a 94-89 win in Game 1, but more than the result itself, it was how TNT looked that raised concern for the Bolts.

     

    For the first time in weeks, the defending champions played with their preferred core fully available — and the difference immediately showed.

     

    Bol Manute Bol controlled the interior with 37 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks, while Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, and Jordan Heading gave TNT the spacing, shot-making, and versatility it lacked earlier in the conference.

     

    According to Reyes, this was the version of TNT they had envisioned all along.

     

    “That’s really a lineup we like going to because it’s pretty hard to match up and defend that lineup,” said Reyes.

     

    “We were struggling the whole conference trying to find that combination and that balance. But remember we were never fully healthy in the eliminations,” he added.

     

    “So, we were really not able to put in the lineup that we want together. Fortunately, as the eliminations wound down, we got Roger back to a hundred percent healthy and I think what you’re seeing now is being able to finally put the combinations that we want together.”

     

    The timing could not have been better for TNT.

     

    After missing eight elimination-round games, Pogoy looked fully locked in during the playoff opener, finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds while also helping slow down Meralco’s perimeter attack. Oftana added a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards, while Heading provided another offensive spark off the bench with 16 markers.

     

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    But the biggest issue for Meralco remains Bol.

     

    The 7-foot-3 import dominated both ends despite struggling from the free throw line, where he shot just 5-of-13. Even then, his impact completely changed the complexion of the game, particularly inside where TNT overwhelmed the Bolts, 56-42, in points in the paint.

     

    That interior advantage effectively erased Meralco’s edge from the perimeter and exposed one of the team’s biggest concerns entering Game 2 — its inability to consistently contain TNT near the basket.

     

    The Bolts also struggled to find offensive rhythm themselves.

     

    Import Marvin Jones still managed 22 points and 14 rebounds, but he missed his first seven attempts and never fully established control offensively. Chris Newsome was limited to just 11 points, while CJ Cansino, one of Meralco’s reliable scorers this conference, finished with only 12 after dealing with Pogoy’s defense for most of the night. 

     

    Oddsmakers also appear to be leaning toward TNT heading into the second game of the series. According to OKBet Sportsbook, the Tropang 5G enter Game 2 as slight favorites with 1.73 odds, while Meralco is listed at 2.07 as the underdog. The over/under for the matchup has been set at 195.0, signaling expectations of another tight and physical battle between the two semifinal contenders. 

     

    Meralco now heads into Friday’s matchup facing the possibility of falling into a dangerous 0-2 hole.

     

    And unlike earlier in the conference when TNT was still trying to figure itself out, the Bolts are suddenly dealing with a Tropang 5G side that may finally be whole at exactly the right time.

     

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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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  • TNT escapes Meralco in tight finish to open semifinals with Game 1 win 

    TNT escapes Meralco in tight finish to open semifinals with Game 1 win 

    TNT Tropang 5G’s slow and uneven run through the elimination round suddenly feels like a distant memory. What once looked like a team still searching for rhythm is now beginning to resemble the version head coach Chot Reyes envisioned from the start.


    That transformation was on full display Wednesday night at the Ynares Center Antipolo, where TNT leaned on the performance of Bol Bol and the local core to escape Meralco, 94-89, and seize Game 1 of their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series.

     

    For much of the conference, TNT struggled to build continuity despite carrying arguably the most talented import in the tournament. Injuries repeatedly disrupted the Tropang 5G’s rotations, preventing the defending champions from establishing consistency during their up-and-down 6-6 elimination campaign.

     

    But in the semifinals, TNT is finally beginning to look whole. Bol Bol delivered another dominant outing, by anchoring both ends of the floor with 37 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks.

     

    After Meralco threatened to erase TNT’s cushion in the closing minute, the towering import responded with a tough layup with 56.3 seconds remaining — a basket that ultimately sealed the five-point victory and silenced the Bolts’ final rally.

     

    The Tropang 5G appeared to take control after unleashing a decisive 14-2 run midway through the fourth quarter, turning a tense contest into what briefly looked like a comfortable finish. Meralco, however, refused to fold and mounted one last push behind its relentless energy and hustle plays.

     

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    Roger Pogoy provided the much-needed offensive support with 21 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, while Jordan Heading, one of the key players sidelined at various points in the eliminations — added 16 points and two rebounds. Calvin Oftana also imposed his presence with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.

     

    Their contributions underscored what Reyes believes is finally changing for TNT.

     

    “We didn’t have a fully healthy Roger Pogoy, Jordan missed a couple of games, we missed Brandon [Ganuelas-Rosser] for a couple of games, so we couldn’t put out the lineup we wanted on a consistent basis,” Reyes said.

     

    “Fortunately, as the eliminations wound down, we got Roger back 100 percent, and what you’re seeing now are the combinations that we wanted,” he added.

     

    While TNT showcased its growing chemistry, Meralco proved it remains more than capable of turning the series into a grind.

     

    Marvin Jones paced the Bolts with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Kier Quinto continued his efficient play with 17 points on an impressive 6-of-9 shooting clip. CJ Cansino and Chris Newsome chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, keeping Meralco within striking distance until the final seconds.

     

    But beyond the numbers, Reyes emphasized that TNT’s victory came from matching Meralco’s trademark intensity.

     

    “The foundation of our game plan is to not allow Meralco to outwork us and to win the efforts stats, so diving for the loose ball, extra effort, deflection, setting good screens,” TNT head coach Reyes said.

     

    TNT now carries both momentum and confidence heading into Game 2 on Friday, May 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

     

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  • TNT faces different Meralco test as Bol Bol, Tropang 5G chase return to Finals 

    TNT faces different Meralco test as Bol Bol, Tropang 5G chase return to Finals 

    For TNT, the semifinals are starting to feel familiar. The Tropang 5G are back in the Final Four for yet another conference, once again carrying championship expectations and once again staring at Meralco on the other side of the bracket.

     

    But while TNT enters the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals as the defending champion and slight favorite, the feeling around the matchup is far from comfortable.

     

    Not after the way Meralco has evolved into one of the league’s most complete and disciplined teams.

     

    Not after the Bolts handed TNT one of its most convincing losses of the eliminations.

     

    And definitely not after the way Meralco survived its own playoff war just to get here.

     

    “Obviously, they are deserving to make the finals and they are hard to beat in a seven-game series,” acknowledged Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. “But with the way we are playing we deserve to be there, too.”

     

    That confidence did not come out of nowhere.

     

    Meralco had to grind through a tense quarterfinal series against Magnolia, eventually escaping with a 105-102 overtime win in the knockout game to punch its ticket back to the semifinals.

     

    The Bolts leaned on composure, physicality, and timely execution — the same formula they hope can finally crack TNT in a long playoff series.

     

    Across the floor stands a TNT squad that also had to survive adversity.

     

    The Tropang 5G dropped their first quarterfinal meeting against NLEX before regrouping behind Bol Manute Bol and their veteran core to complete the comeback and keep their title defense alive.

     

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    Now, the challenge becomes even steeper.

     

    TNT coach Chot Reyes admitted this version of Meralco looks far tougher than the team they disposed of in five games during the Philippine Cup semifinals last conference.

     

    “That’s a complete team. They’re playing at a very high level. If you remember in our elimination round game tinambakan kami ng Meralco, right?” Reyes said.

     

    Back in April, Meralco stunned TNT with a 110-106 victory after leading by as many as 20 points — a game that exposed just how dangerous the Bolts can be when they dictate the pace and physicality.

     

    For Reyes, that game remains an important reminder entering the series.

     

    “They have so many offensive weapons that it’s incumbent upon us to, number one, defend well and rebound. They’re also one of the more physical teams in the league and you see how teams are playing Bol,” he added.

     

    “So, we have to be able to cope with that and play through that.”

     

    That may ultimately decide the series.

     

    Because while Bol continues to draw attention as TNT’s towering centerpiece, Meralco’s ability to crowd him, pressure the locals, and turn games into physical battles could once again test the composure of the defending champions.

     

    And this time, the Bolts are no longer simply hoping to compete with TNT. They fully believe they belong beside them.

     

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  • TNT Tropang 5G finding perfect timing as Bol Bol and locals click ahead of semifinal showdown 

    TNT Tropang 5G finding perfect timing as Bol Bol and locals click ahead of semifinal showdown 

    As TNT Tropang 5G prepares for its semifinal battle against the Meralco Bolts, the timing of the team’s growing chemistry could not have come at a better moment.


    For weeks, much of the attention has naturally centered on Bol Bol — the towering 7-foot-3 import with NBA pedigree capable of taking over games offensively at any moment. But heading into the playoffs, TNT’s biggest development may not be Bol’s scoring at all. It’s the way the Tropang 5G have evolved around him.

     

    Instead of relying solely on their import to carry the offense, TNT has gradually become more balanced, with local stars finding rhythm and confidence as Bol continues to draw defensive attention.

     

    That shift was evident in TNT’s playoff performances leading into the semifinals, where the locals flourished alongside their import. Veteran guard Jayson Castro finished with 14 points, eight assists, and four rebounds in Game 1, while RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana also became reliable scoring outlets around Bol’s presence.

     

    Castro believes the biggest change has been Bol’s willingness to trust his teammates.

    “I give credit to Bol because he realized we need to play as a team and, at the same time, he has to share the ball,” Castro said.

     

    For TNT, that adjustment has transformed the offense into something far less predictable. Defenses may still focus heavily on Bol, but doing so now leaves opportunities for the rest of the roster to capitalize.

     

    “The locals also stepped up, which I think was big in supporting Bol,” he said.

     

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    The veteran playmaker feels the team is finally discovering its identity after an inconsistent elimination round.

     

    “I think we’re getting the team chemistry at the perfect time in these last few games,” he said. “In the eliminations, we may have lost a lot, but our game is coming together here in the playoffs.”

     

    That cohesion will immediately be tested against a Meralco side that already proved capable of handling TNT once this conference. The Bolts defeated the Tropang 5G, 110-106, during the eliminations after building a lead that reached 20 points.

     

    For head coach Chot Reyes, that previous meeting serves as a warning entering the semifinal series.

     

    “If you remember, in our elimination round game, Meralco beat us. They have so many offensive weapons that it’s incumbent upon us to, number one, defend well and rebound,” said the veteran mentor.

     

    “And they’re also one of the more physical teams in the league. And you see how teams are playing Bol,” he added.

     

    That physical approach is exactly why TNT’s improved offensive balance could become the deciding factor in the series. Bol’s scoring remains a constant threat, but his ability to involve teammates may ultimately determine how far the Tropang 5G can go.

     

    “The attention is almost always on Bol, so he’s been involving us in the offense. He can score anytime, but he’s sacrificed a lot to find us and make us threats as well,” he said.

     

    Now, with the semifinals set to begin Wednesday, TNT enters the series believing its most dangerous version may finally be taking shape — one where Bol Bol no longer has to do everything alone.

     

    “We have to be able to cope with that and play through that. Very well coached. We all know the quality of the coaching staff,” said Reyes.

     

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  • Calvin Oftana reveals TNT’s honest talk with Bol Bol sparked playoff turnaround 

    Calvin Oftana reveals TNT’s honest talk with Bol Bol sparked playoff turnaround 

    For most teams, playoff preparation usually revolves around scouting reports, film sessions, and tactical adjustments.

     

    For TNT Tropang 5G, it began with something far less comfortable — honesty.

     

    According to Calvin Oftana, TNT temporarily set basketball aside before its do-or-die clash against NLEX Road Warriors and instead confronted the issues that had quietly followed the defending champions throughout the conference.

     

    “Nag-usap kami as a team,” Oftana revealed after TNT’s 118-112 quarterfinal victory Saturday night at the Ynares Center.

     

    “Walang viewing, wala lahat. Instead na mag-viewing kami, nag-open forum kami kung anong problema sa amin internally.”

     

    The conversation became especially important because it did not exclude import Bol Bol — the player around whom much of TNT’s system now revolves.

     

    Rather than tiptoeing around frustrations, the Tropang 5G veterans addressed everything directly with the former NBA big man.

     

    “In-open up namin kung ano ‘yung problema namin kay Bol, ano ‘yung pananaw niya sa team, kung gusto niya ba kami sa team or gusto ba namin siya sa team, mga ganung bagay,” Oftana shared.

     

    For Oftana, what mattered most was how receptive Bol turned out to be.

     

    “Siyempre, you need to open up yourself naman sa kanya; ang maganda kay Bol, in-accept niya as a brother. Doon kami nagkasundo lahat.”

     

    The discussion eventually centered on one recurring theme: trust.

     

    TNT’s local core — led by Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Jayson Castro — wanted Bol to rely more on the players around him instead of carrying the offense alone.

     

    “Sinabi lang namin na, ‘Bol, kailangan mo ipasa rin minsan.’”

     

    “Sinabihan talaga namin! Kasi sabi nga ni Coach (Chot Reyes), ‘You need to trust these locals,’” Oftana added with a laugh.

     

    The timing of the breakthrough proved perfect.

     

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    After struggling to establish chemistry during the elimination round, TNT suddenly looked far more connected in the playoffs. Bol still delivered monster numbers with 35 points and 13 rebounds in the knockout win, but the locals thrived alongside him instead of simply orbiting around his talent.

     

    Pogoy finished with 21 points, Oftana added 20 markers of his own, while Castro continued stabilizing the offense with veteran poise.

     

    More than the statistics, however, Oftana believes TNT finally discovered the balance it had been searching for all conference long.

     

    “We started rough sa conference na ‘to and right now, we’re looking good in our own way, na nakukuha na namin ‘yung rhythm namin with Bol. And Bol is looking pretty good surrounded by us,” he said.

     

    Oftana admitted the team also feels motivated to maximize what may be a short-lived partnership with one of the most talented imports to ever enter the league.

     

    “Siyempre motivated kami; siyempre ayaw naming umalis agad si Bol na ganito lang. And kami rin naman.”

     

    Now heading into the semifinals against Meralco Bolts, TNT suddenly appears more dangerous not because its stars changed individually, but because the defending champions finally started functioning like one complete unit.

     

    “It’s up to us na mga locals na to help him up, para makayod namin ‘tong semifinals to the Finals,” Oftana said. 

     

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  • “I was outcoached by Chot”: Jong Uichico reflects on NLEX’s PBA elimination

    “I was outcoached by Chot”: Jong Uichico reflects on NLEX’s PBA elimination

    The NLEX Road Warriors saw their promising 2026 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup campaign come to a heartbreaking end on Saturday, May 16, after absorbing a 118-112 defeat to defending champions TNT Tropang Giga in the quarterfinals at the Ynares Center.

     

    Entering the playoffs armed with a coveted twice-to-beat advantage, the Road Warriors appeared to hold the upper hand against a TNT side loaded with championship pedigree and veteran firepower. However, the Tropang Giga once again leaned on the brilliance of import Bol Bol, who delivered another dominant performance with 35 points and 13 rebounds to propel TNT into the semifinal round.

     

    Despite the disappointing exit, NLEX head coach Jong Uichico acknowledged that his young squad simply ran into a more experienced and battle-tested opponent. The veteran tactician admitted that TNT’s depth, versatility, and tactical adjustments ultimately overwhelmed the Road Warriors throughout the decisive contest.

     

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    “I mean, ang admin weapon against us. Ang daming napupuntahan ng Talk ‘N Text talaga. I was outcoached by Chot Reyes trying to find those mismatches. We had no solution. Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac – lahat may counter,” Uichico said during the postgame press conference.

     

    TNT’s balanced attack repeatedly punished NLEX on both ends of the floor. Aside from Bol’s inside dominance, the Tropang Giga received crucial contributions from Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, and Rey Nambatac, whose timely scoring and defensive pressure prevented the Road Warriors from sustaining momentum.

     

    NLEX managed to threaten late in the game after trimming what was once a nearly 20-point deficit, but TNT’s composure and execution down the stretch proved decisive.

     

    “That’s why ganoon. Lamang by almost 20, humabol lang nung huli pero wala na ‘yun. Kami naman, I think we scored enough to win the game, but if the score is that way, hindi kami mananalo,” Uichico added.

    A major factor in the Road Warriors’ defeat was the subdued outing from franchise star Robert Bolick. After carrying NLEX throughout the elimination round and emerging as one of the conference’s premier performers, Bolick struggled to impose himself offensively in the do-or-die matchup, finishing with just 16 points.

     

    The output marked only a slight improvement from his 15-point effort in the first quarterfinal encounter, where foul trouble severely hampered his rhythm and playing time. Throughout the series, TNT’s defensive schemes focused heavily on limiting Bolick’s opportunities, forcing him to expend significant energy on both offense and defense.

     

    Uichico admitted the physically demanding series eventually took a toll on his star guard, who had been tasked with carrying a massive workload for the Road Warriors all conference long.

     

    “Siyempre, well, in the first game, na-foul out siya. Na-foul trouble siya and it limited his minutes. But nagiging double ‘yung trabaho niya because he has to score and defend also at the same time. Doon kami nagkaproblema. Medyo nagkayod siya sa series na ito,” Uichico continued.

     

    While the loss denied NLEX a breakthrough semifinal appearance, the conference still represented another encouraging step forward for the franchise. The Road Warriors consistently established themselves among the league’s top contenders during the elimination phase, securing top-two finishes in both the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup group stages.

     

    For Uichico, the challenge now is translating strong eliminations performances into deeper playoff runs. The longtime coach emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency and continuing to build the team’s confidence and chemistry moving forward.

     

    “There’s always something positive to look at. If we can remain consistent this way, sooner or later, makaka-advance din kami sa semis. If we are consistent in the top four, so that means there’s something. We are getting stronger, or we are doing something correct. Hopefully, if we are consistent in the top four, then makakaahon kami sa ganitong sitwasyon,” he concluded.

     

    Although their Commissioner’s Cup journey ended earlier than hoped, the Road Warriors once again demonstrated that they are steadily evolving into one of the PBA’s most competitive squads. With Bolick continuing to emerge as one of the league’s elite guards and a core gaining valuable postseason experience, NLEX remains optimistic that future conferences could finally yield the deep playoff breakthrough the franchise has long been chasing.

     

     

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