The TNT Tropang 5G are now knocking on the door of the championship finals after a decisive victory over the Meralco Bolts this past Sunday. The team secured a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven semifinal series for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Commanding Performance Seals Crucial Win
In the main game held at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 11, 2026, TNT delivered a masterclass, defeating Meralco with a final score of 102-83. This crucial Game 4 win puts them just one victory away from advancing to the finals of the prestigious all-Filipino conference.
The triumph was especially impressive considering the Tropang 5G faced significant adversity early in the contest. Star guard Roger Pogoy, one of the team's most reliable players, suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and was unable to return to the game.
Poy Erram Steps Up as Hero
With Pogoy sidelined, veteran big man Poy Erram rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion. Erram unleashed a dominant performance, spearheading the TNT offense and defense to lead his team to victory. He finished the game as the top scorer, pouring in a game-high 27 points to fill the void left by his injured teammate.
Erram's inside presence and timely baskets were instrumental in breaking the game open and maintaining TNT's advantage throughout the second half. His leadership on the court ensured the team did not falter after losing a key contributor.
Thompson Makes History in Gin Kings' Win
In the other semifinal pairing, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings kept their series alive with a powerful showing against the San Miguel Beermen. Ginebra evened their own series at 2-2 after a 105-91 victory in Game 4.
The story of the game was Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson, who authored a historic performance. Thompson recorded a phenomenal triple-double, notching a career-high 35 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
This monumental stat line made Thompson the first player since the early 1990s to record a triple-double that included 30 points or more, etching his name into the PBA history books.
With both series heating up, the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals promise more high-stakes basketball action as TNT looks to close out their series and Ginebra aims to take the lead in theirs.
