Romwel Anzures

TNT Tropang 5G star Jordan Heading in action against Meralco Bolts bigman Reymar Jose in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals. Photo from PBA Images.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768391039583IMG_9671.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>TNT Tropang 5G star Jordan Heading in action against Meralco Bolts bigman Reymar Jose in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals. Photo from PBA Images.</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — The TNT Tropang 5G broke the Meralco Bolts&#x27; hearts to book their ticket to the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.Chot Reyes&#x27; wards fended off a late rally to eliminate Meralco via a 99-96 Game 5 semifinals victory on Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.Jordan Heading led the Tropang 5G with 31 points, including the eventual game-winning basket, while Rey Nambatac delivered an equally impressive showing with 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists.&quot;As for our win tonight, I always preach the mantra of: &#x27;Never give up,&#x27;&quot; said TNT head coach Reyes, whose team erased a five-point deficit in the final 27 seconds. &quot;Even if we were down, the players were saying: &#x27;Kaya pa &#x27;yan.&#x27;&quot;&quot;It really took our best to come out victorious. It was a combination of not giving up, great inputs, and great coaching from our staff,&quot; Reyes added, as TNT advanced to its fourth straight PBA Finals appearance.TNT&#x27;s resilience was on full display after watching its 86-76 fourth-quarter lead turn into a 91-96 deficit.Nambatac drained a four-pointer with 21 seconds left to pull TNT within one, before Heading capitalized on a steal off CJ Cansino and converted the go-ahead basket to put the Tropang 5G back on top, 97-96.Cansino still had chances to extend his heroics in the closing moments, but his attempts came up short. Nambatac then sealed the win from the free-throw line with six seconds remaining, extending TNT&#x27;s lead to three before sealing the win.TNT now awaits the winner of the other semifinals series between the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. As of press time, the two powerhouses remain deadlocked at 2-2 in their best-of-seven showdown.On the other hand, the loss not only ended Meralco&#x27;s title bid. It also spoiled Cansino&#x27;s career night, as the sophomore guard finished with 36 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.Aaron Black added 17 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, but it was not enough for the Bolts, who saw forward Jansen Rios exit early due to an apparent right knee injury.Meralco was likewise without Chris Newsome, who continues to recover from an MCL sprain.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>TNT 99 – Heading 31, Nambatac 25, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Oftana 10, Erram 6, Enciso 5, Galinato 4, Jalalon 4, Williams 2, Ferrer 0, Khobuntin 0, Aurin 0.Meralco 96 – Cansino 36, Black 17, Rios 9, Banchero 8, Quinto 7, Jose 6, Hodge 6, Bates 4, Comia 3, Reyson 0, Almazan 0, Camarm 0.Quarterscores: 30-20, 46-50, 75-72, 99-96.<div style="line-height:1.5"> </div>

The TNT Tropang 5G dealt the Meralco Bolts heartbreak to advance to the #PBA50 Philippine Cup Finals.

The TNT Tropang 5G dealt the Meralco Bolts heartbreak to advance to the #PBA50 Philippine Cup Finals.

PBA: TNT deals Meralco heartbreaking loss, punches All-Filipino Finals ticket

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PBA: TNT deals Meralco heartbreaking loss, punches All-Filipino Finals ticket

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 14, 2026 07:49 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 14, 2026 09:40 PM PHT

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Basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

ABSSports

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PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup

PBA 50

PBA 50 Philippine Cup Semifinals

Meralco Bolts

CJ Cansino

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