TNT moves to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, thanks in large part to Rey Nambatac and Jordan Heading’s late-game heroics in Game 5 of the semis against surging Meralco.
TNT needed just six seconds to flip the script on Meralco Wednesday night, Jan. 14.
Within that span, the Tropang 5G erased a five-point deficit on their way to a 99-96 win in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
Down 91-96, TNT refused to fold, with Rey Nambatac nailing a cold-blooded four, before Jordan Heading swiped the ball from the Bolts' CJ Cansino for a point-blank basket for the lead.
[RELATED STORY: TNT star RR Pogoy out for PBA semis Game 5 vs Meralco due to hamstring injury]
Calvin Oftana also did a spectacular job on the defensive end in the ensuing play, perfectly timing a block on Cansino, who exploded with a career-high 36 points.
Nambatac iced the game with a pair of free throws as the Tropang 5G marched on to the Last Dance against the winner between San Miguel and Ginebra.
“It really took our best to be able to come out victorious,” said coach Chot Reyes.
“I always preach the mantra of 'never give up,' even when were five points down. The players kept saying, ‘Kaya pa 'yan!’ So there was also a lot of positivity.”
Heading ended up earning the Player of the Game honors behind his 31 points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Nambatac backed him up with 25 markers, four boards and four assists, while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Calvin Oftana combined for 22 points and 11 rebounds.
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CJ Cansino explodes with a career-high 36 points in Game 5 of the TNT-Meralco PBA semifinal tussle. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Staring at a 76-86 deficit, Cansino tried to salvage the Bolts from the jaws of defeat by dropping 15 of his total output in the final 4:41.
His last basket was a jumper over Simon Enciso for the 95-91 lead that nearly sealed it for Meralco.
But that proved to be their final field goal.
Cansino also had five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Aaron Black backstopped him with 17 markers, seven boards and eight assists.
TNT vs. Meralco Scores:
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, Caram 0
Quarterscores: 30-20, 46-50, 75-72, 99-96
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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.