MANILA — Jordan Heading and Rey Nambatac delivered in the clutch as TNT Tropang 5G withstood a fierce Meralco fightback to pull off a tense 99-96 victory in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, sealing a return trip to the Finals.
Heading poured in 31 points while Nambatac added 25, including the decisive late-game baskets, as TNT closed out the best-of-seven series, 4-1, to book its fourth straight Finals appearance and second consecutive trip to the All-Filipino Conference championship round.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Calvin Oftana provided solid support with 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the Tropang 5G overcame a late deficit and denied the Bolts a chance to extend the series.
TNT imposed its tempo early, racing to a 30-22 lead in the opening quarter, but Meralco answered with a strong second-period surge to take a 50-46 halftime advantage.
The semifinal duel remained tight in the third quarter, with both teams trading baskets before TNT reclaimed the lead, 75-72, after back-to-back conversions by Heading and Oftana.
The Tropang 5G stretched their lead to 86-76 early in the fourth quarter, only for Meralco to mount a late rally and surge ahead, 96-91. Nambatac then ignited TNT’s closing run with a crucial four-point play, Heading followed with a basket, and Nambatac calmly sank two free throws in the final moments to ice the win.
CJ Cansino led Meralco with a career-high 36 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists, while Aaron Black finished with 17 points in a valiant but losing effort for the Bolts.
The Finals-bound TNT now awaits the winner of the other semifinal series, where San Miguel Beer moved within a win of advancing after fending off Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 115-109, in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead. The Beermen can clinch a Finals berth in Game 6 tonight at the same venue./PN
