MANILA — The TNT Tropang Giga are once again in the hunt for the PBA Philippine Cup championship, advancing to the Finals for the fourth consecutive conference after dispatching the Meralco Bolts in Game 5 of their semifinals series on January 15, 2026.
TNT clinched the series 4-1 with a decisive 108-95 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, powered by a balanced attack led by import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (28 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists) and local stars Calvin Oftana (22 points) and Jeth Troy Rosario (18 points). The Tropang Giga’s suffocating defense limited Meralco’s Chris Banchero to just 18 points on inefficient shooting.
Head coach Jonas Tibayan praised the team’s resilience after overcoming early-series injuries and momentum swings:
“This group has heart. We’ve been here before — three straight Finals appearances — and we know what it takes. Now we prepare for the biggest prize.”
TNT’s Historic Finals Streak
This marks TNT’s fourth consecutive Finals appearance in the Philippine Cup (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 seasons), a rare feat in PBA history. The Tropang Giga have won two of the last three titles and are hungry for a three-peat.
Semifinals Recap vs. Meralco (TNT wins 4-1)
| Game | Score | Key Performer (TNT) | Series Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TNT 98-92 | RHJ (28 pts, 12 reb) | Steal homecourt |
| 2 | Meralco 101-94 | Banchero (35 pts) | Bolts even it |
| 3 | TNT 106-99 | RHJ (30 pts, 10 reb, 8 ast) | TNT regains lead |
| 4 | TNT 112-98 | Bench mob + RHJ triple-double threat | Dominant win |
| 5 | TNT 108-95 | RHJ (28 pts, 12 reb, 8 ast) | Series clincher |
Finals Opponent
TNT awaits the winner of the other semifinal between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beermen (series tied 2-2 as of January 13). Game 5 of that series is scheduled for January 14 (7:30 p.m.).
The Philippine Cup Finals are expected to start on January 19 or 20, 2026, with TNT holding homecourt advantage if they face Ginebra (higher seed) or San Miguel (tiebreaker edge).
Here are some electrifying visuals from Game 5 — RHJ dominating the paint, TNT bench celebrating the clincher, the roaring Araneta crowd in red, and the team hoisting the trophy after the series win.
The Tropang Giga are Finals-bound again — history is within reach. Who do you think they’ll face, and can they three-peat? 🏆🔥