TNT Tropang 5G’s Chris McCullough during a game vs Meralco Bolts within the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Chris McCullough made good on his promise once he found his rhythm, delivering on Friday to place TNT on the point of one other PBA Finals appearance.
“I just needed to get my legs underneath me,” McCullough said after erupting for 42 points within the Tropang 5G’s 103-95 victory over the Meralco Bolts and a 3-2 lead of their Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series.
READ: PBA: Chris McCullough finally finds groove for TNT in pivotal win
McCullough shot 16-of-28 from the sphere and knocked down several key baskets within the fourth quarter despite the defensive efforts of the Bolts, particularly Javee Mocon. It was a stark contrast to Game 4, when the previous San Miguel Beer import was still attempting to shake off the rust.
He went just 7-of-22 from the sphere and scored 24 points in TNT’s 101-90 loss to Meralco two nights earlier.
After that game, McCullough acknowledged his struggles but warned that “once I get going, it’ll be scary.”
“I had two weeks off from playing basketball,” he said. “So I’m just glad to be back, glad to be playing.”
TNT moved inside one win of securing a fifth straight Finals appearance, a feat McCullough and company can achieve on Sunday on the Ynares Center in Antipolo. But TNT’s substitute for Bol Bol knows the Bolts still have a say within the series.
Chris McCullough (right) —MARLO CUETO
“The job isn’t finished. We want another,” McCullough said after a performance that also included 11 rebounds.
It was greater than just the McCullough show, as TNT once more received major contributions from its local stars, particularly Jordan Heading and RR Pogoy.
Heading scored 22 points and hit five straight markers that helped TNT create separation from Meralco, extending the result in 103-93 with lower than two minutes remaining. He also dished out six assists.
Pogoy continued his strong series, ending with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
“Our key coming into this game was our defensive game plan and ensuring we got good shots,” TNT coach Chot Reyes said. “Because within the last game, we had so many turnovers and gave up 26 points off them. You’ll be able to’t defend a turnover. That’s very hard.
“So for us, to assist our defense, we needed to ensure that that we got good shots. Which means taking shots and never throwing the ball away or turning it over.”
TNT committed 15 turnovers in Game 4 but reduced that number to 11 in Game 5, limiting Meralco to simply 11 points off those mistakes.
Import Patrick Gardner finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Bolts, but picked up his fifth foul early within the fourth quarter with Meralco trailing, 88-83, and lower than seven minutes remaining.
That was when McCullough began to take over.
His back to back three pointers with 5:22 left gave TNT a 94-85 advantage and helped spark the decisive run that moved the Tropang 5G inside a victory of the Finals. INQ