Sports
McCullough puts TNT on his back and closer to Finals
TNT Tropang 5G’s Chris McCullough during a game vs Meralco Bolts in 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 put TNT on the brink of another PBA Finals appearance.
“I just needed to get my legs underneath me,” McCullough said after erupting for 42 points in the Tropang 5G’s 103-95 victory over the Meralco Bolts and a 3-2 lead in 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 field and knocked down several key baskets in the fourth quarter despite the defensive efforts of the Bolts, particularly Javee Mocon. It was a stark contrast to Game 4, when the former San Miguel Beer import was still trying to shake off the rust.
He went just 7-of-22 from the field 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 happy to be back, happy to be playing.”
TNT moved within one win of securing a fifth straight Finals appearance, a feat McCullough and company can achieve on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. But TNT’s replacement for Bol Bol knows the Bolts still have a say in the series.
Chris McCullough (right) —MARLO CUETO
“The job isn’t finished. We need one more,” McCullough said after a performance that also included 11 rebounds.
It was more than just the McCullough show, as TNT once again 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 lead to 103-93 with less than two minutes remaining. He also dished out six assists.
Pogoy continued his strong series, finishing with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
“Our key coming into this game was our defensive game plan and making sure we got good shots,” TNT coach Chot Reyes said. “Because in the last game, we had so many turnovers and gave up 26 points off them. You can’t defend a turnover. That’s very hard.
“So for us, to help our defense, we had to make sure that we got good shots. That means taking shots and not 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 just 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 in the fourth quarter with Meralco trailing, 88-83, and less than seven minutes remaining.
That was when McCullough began to take over.
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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 within a victory of the Finals. INQ
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