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| Jordan Heading clinched the PBA Philippine Cup semis for TNT. PBA Images |
MANILA—Jordan Heading literally had the last laugh over CJ Cansino as TNT booked a return to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals with a 99-96 win against Meralco in Game 5 of the semifinals on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
With the shotclock turned off following a Rey Nambatac four that kept the Tropang 5G in the game, Heading stripped the ball from Cansino and scored an easy layup to give them the lead back, 97-96, with 15.1 seconds to play.
Despite the costly error, the Bolts decided to bank on Cansino again for the potential game-winner, but Calvin Oftana blocked his layup attempt, and Nambatac grabbed the crucial rebound, leading to two free throws from him.
Cansino tried to save the day again for Meralco, but he badly missed a four-point attempt, and Toto Jose failed to launch a three-pointer in time.
Heading finished with 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals for TNT, which enters a PBA championship series for the fourth straight time and 20th overall.
Nambatac added 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists off the bench.
Cansino's career-high 36 points on 12-of-20 field goals, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals went down the drain as Meralco bowed out of contention in the conference the team last ruled in 2024.
The Scores:
TNT 99 – Heading 31, Nambatac 25, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Oftana 10, Erram 6, Enciso 5, Galinato 4, Jalalon 4, Williams 2, Ferrer 0, Khobuntin 0, Aurin 0
MERALCO 96 – Cansino 36, Black 17, Rios 9, Banchero 8, Quinto 7, Jose 6, Hodge 6, Bates 4, Comia 3, Reyson 0, Almazan 0, Camarm 0
QUARTERS: 30-20, 46-50, 75-72, 99-96
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