PBA: Jordan Heading logs career-high as TNT advances to QF

Jordan Heading produced a career-high performance on offense as TNT drubbed NLEX, 119-100, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Saturday, Dec. 13.

Quiet in the opening quarter, the Fil-Australian began hitting his mark in the second period and refused to slow down from there on his way to 32 big points.

“I’m just trying to take the game as it comes to me,” said Heading.

He also had five rebounds, four assists and a steal as the Tropang 5G advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3 record.

TNT now shares the third spot with fellow quarters-bound Magnolia and Converge.

The Tropang 5G was in control almost the entire way, breaking the game wide open in the fourth where they led by as many as 23, 104-81.

[ALSO READ: GILAS SCHEDULE | Philippine basketball at SEA Games 2025]

Erram-less TNT bests Bolick-less NLEX

Also coming up big for TNT as it snapped a two-game slide was Calvin Oftana, who fired three triples and finished with 19 points and five rebounds.

Rey Nambatac wound up with 15 markers, while Glenn Khobuntin added 11 points, five boards and two assists.

“We’re just trying to get our rhythm going in the playoffs and make sure to play the game the right way,” Heading said.

[ALSO READ: Cone welcomes new FIBA rule raising passport age, but lets SBP handle matter]

Meanwhile, the Road Warriors looked like they could endure the absence of Robert Bolick as they showed some fight in the third.

Bolick will play for Gilas Pilipinas in the Southeast Asian Games 2025 in Thailand.

But NLEX, instead, lost its way.

Without Bolick, Kevin Alas took the leadership mantle and scored 13 points on top of four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

JB Bahio also wound up with 13 points, and six rebounds, while Javee Mocon added 12 markers, but they just could not capitalize on the absence of TNT big man Poy Erram.

Like Bolick, Erram is also fulfilling his national team duties.

[RELATED STORY: Poy Erram shores up Gilas Pilipinas frontline in SEA Games 2025]

TNT vs. NLEX Scores:

TNT 119 - Heading 32, Oftana 19, Nambatac 15, Khobuntin 11, Williams 9, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Ferrer 7, Aurin 6, Jalalon 5, Nieto 5, Enciso 2, Hill 0, Galinato 0.

NLEX 100 - Bahio 13, Alas 13, Mocon 12, Herndon 11, Nieto 9, Fajardo 8, Policarpio 7, Torres 6, Valdez 6, Ramirez 5, Rodger 4, Amer 4, Onwubere 2.

Quarterscores: 26-20, 56-49, 86-72, 119-100.

—

Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.

He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.