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Advocates Philippines
TNT Leans On Defense, Takes Game 1 Over Meralco In Semis Opener
Photo credit: PBA
TNT Tropang 5G opened their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal campaign with a 94-89 victory over the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, relying heavily on their defensive discipline to seize early control of the series.
Head coach Chot Reyes stressed a team-wide defensive effort heading into the matchup, focusing on containing Meralco import Marvin Jones and limiting the Bolts’ overall offensive rhythm.
Jones still finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, but TNT’s collective defense made him work for every basket. He shot just 9-of-24 from the field and was also forced into two turnovers as the Tropang 5G consistently disrupted his positioning in the paint.
TNT also tightened its defense on Meralco’s perimeter options, holding Chris Newsome to 11 points while limiting CJ Cansino to 12, preventing the Bolts from finding consistent scoring support.
With the win, TNT takes a 1-0 series lead and shifts its focus to Game 2 on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena, where Meralco is expected to make adjustments in what remains a tightly contested semifinal series.
Head coach Chot Reyes stressed a team-wide defensive effort heading into the matchup, focusing on containing Meralco import Marvin Jones and limiting the Bolts’ overall offensive rhythm.
Jones still finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, but TNT’s collective defense made him work for every basket. He shot just 9-of-24 from the field and was also forced into two turnovers as the Tropang 5G consistently disrupted his positioning in the paint.
TNT also tightened its defense on Meralco’s perimeter options, holding Chris Newsome to 11 points while limiting CJ Cansino to 12, preventing the Bolts from finding consistent scoring support.
With the win, TNT takes a 1-0 series lead and shifts its focus to Game 2 on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena, where Meralco is expected to make adjustments in what remains a tightly contested semifinal series.
May 20, 2026
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