PBA: TNT completes quarterfinals upset vs. top-seeded NLEX to enter semis 

TNT conquered NLEX's twice-to-beat advantage by eking out a 118-112 victory in their do-or-die quarterfinal clash in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

Tropang 5G pulled away in the second half, sending the top-seeded and twice-to-beat Road Warriors packing and setting up a semifinals showdown with Meralco as their title defense bid stayed alive.

Bol Bol battled through three early fouls to finish with 35 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal while also getting ample support from the locals, with RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana contributing 21 and 20 points, respectively.

"The key was finally getting the lineup that we wanted on the floor. These were the only games that Roger [Pogoy] has started because remember, he was coming off an injury. Then when he was healthy enough, he was under minutes restriction," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.

"So we couldn't really start him. And then towards the middle of the elimination, Brandon went down with an injury as well."

TNT looked nothing like the lowest-seeded team in the playoffs.

Bol, who was saddled with three fouls in the first half, still managed to put together 19 points in the first two quarters to help the defending champions erect a 64-54 lead at the break.

TNT then just pulled away in the third with the help of local crew of Oftana, Pogoy, and Jayon Castro, whose massive four-pointer and a tough layup allowed the Tropang 5G to seize a comfortable 101-84 cushion before heading to the payoff period.

NLEX tried to mount a fightback behind import Cady Lalanne and Schonny Winston with the latter knocking down a four-pointer of his own to cut the deficit to 101-112.

Things then got chippy between Bol and Anthony Semerad as both players were assessed technical fouls in the final three minutes.

TNT, however, got the better of it with Castro drilling the layup before issuing the pass that led to a Bol jumper to seal the victory.

With the loss, NLEX blew a twice-to-beat advantage for the third time. In 2019, the Road Warriors lost to NorthPort in the Governors' Cup quarterfinals despite holding the playoff incentive. They met the same fate in 2025, losing to Rain or Shine in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Still, NLEX made a gallant stand with Lalanne erupting for a career-high 46 points together with 15 rebounds, three assists, and two steals while Winston chipped in 24 markers and five boards.

Scores:

TNT 118 – Bol 35, Pogoy 21, Oftana 20, Castro 14, Khobuntin 9, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Heading 6, Nambatac 5, Galinato 0, Williams 0.

NLEX 112 – Lalanne 46, Winston 24, Bolick 16, Semerad 9, Bahio 7, Racal 3, Ramirez 3, Torres 3, Gonzales 1, Rodger 0, Alas 0.

Quarters: 36-30, 64-54, 101-84, 112-108.

—JKC, GMA News