PBA: Bol Bol, TNT knock out top seed NLEX to reach semifinals

TNT Tropang 5G’s Bol Bol during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO–TNT became the lone team to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage after eliminating top-seeded NLEX, 118-112, in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at Ynares Sports Center here.

The Tropang 5G arranged a best-of-seven semifinal showdown with Meralco, which earlier edged Magnolia in overtime, 105-102.

“The key was finally getting the lineups we wanted on the floor,” coach Chot Reyes said. “I think that was big in our turnaround. They did a lot for this team.”

NLEX trailed by just one early in the second quarter, 39-38, before TNT unleashed an 11-2 run to build a 50-40 cushion at the 6:57 mark.

WATCH: TNT’s Roger Pogoy and coach Chot Reyes after beating NLEX and advancing to the semifinals. #PBA50 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/44utGgWMfY

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 16, 2026

The Road Warriors later cut the deficit to four, 55-51, behind a triple from Brandon Ramirez, but TNT answered with a 9-3 closing run to take a 64-54 lead at halftime.

By the end of the third quarter, TNT had stretched the lead to 101-84.

TNT Tropang 5G’s Roger Pogoy during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES

Bol Bol dominated anew for the Tropang 5G with a monster double-double of 35 points and 13 rebounds. The local pair of Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana finished with 21 and 20 points, respectively.

“I think this momentum started because when we had an ugly elimination, we all talked as a team. We asked each other if we really wanted to win and it just started from there,” said Pogoy.

For NLEX, Cady Lalanne finished with 46 points and 15 rebounds, while Schonny Winston added 24 points.

Robert Bolick chipped in 16 points and six assists in the loss.