PBA: TNT forces do-or-die game after escaping NLEX in quarterfinals

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Quarterfinals

TNT Tropang 5G’s Bol Bol during a game against NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—TNT neutralized NLEX’s twice-to-beat advantage after escaping with a 96-93 win to open the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The eighth-seeded Tropang 5G forced a do-or-die game against the Road Warriors, seeded top in the playoffs, on Saturday at Ynares Sports Center.

Coach Chot Reyes heaved a huge sigh of relief, not just because of the win, but because he finally saw his locals complement Bol Bol’s game.

“As long as we can get that help around (Bol) Bol then we give ourselves better chances of winning,” Reyes said.

TNT Tropang 5G’s Roger Pogoy during a game against NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

TNT held a 91-84 lead midway through the fourth quarter before NLEX answered with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 93-all despite Robert Bolick being foul trouble. The Road Warriors star eventually fouled out with 15 points, four assists and three rebounds.

Bol split his free throws with 1:08 remaining, but it was all the cushion Tropang 5G needed to hold on until the end.

NLEX had multiple opportunities to tie or win the game, including a four-pointer from LJ Gonzales and a jumper from Schonny Winston, but both missed.

Bol finished with another double-double for TNTof 34 points and 14 rebounds. The troika of Oftana, Pogoy and Castro finished with 19, 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Cady Lalanne finished with a double-double of his own in the NLEX loss with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Young guns Xyrus Torres and Gonzales also scattered 14 and 13 points.