Chot Reyes hopes TNT will avoid another poor start in Game 2 of the PBA semifinals

TNT Tropang Giga seized the early upper hand in their best-of-seven semifinal duel, pulling off a hard-earned 100-95 comeback victory over the Meralco Bolts in Game 1 on Sunday, January 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The win, however, was anything but smooth. TNT had to claw back from a disastrous first half that saw the team fall behind by as many as 21 points. Meralco controlled the opening quarters with crisp ball movement and suffocating defense, building a commanding 52-31 advantage at halftime and appearing firmly in charge of the series opener.

Tropang Giga head coach Chot Reyes took responsibility for the sluggish start but expressed confidence that his squad would open stronger in Game 2.

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“Hopefully in Game 2, we are more ready to play from the start. I don’t think we can bring this kind of game again and expect to come up with the same result. We have to definitely be better in Game 2,” Reyes said in the prematch press conference.

“THAT’S ON ME”

TNT Tropang 5G head coach Chot Reyes took responsibility for the team’s slow start against the Meralco Bolts, where they trailed by as much as 21 points.

TNT went on to win the game, 100-95, taking the 1-0 lead in the semifinals series. pic.twitter.com/j2cPW97YSu

— Paige Javier (@PaigeJavier) January 4, 2026

Reyes’ halftime adjustments paid dividends as TNT stormed out of the locker room with renewed energy and urgency. The Tropang Giga tightened up defensively and found their rhythm on offense, with Roger Pogoy and Rey Nambatac igniting the rally. The duo combined for 18 points in the pivotal third quarter, where TNT outscored Meralco 28-13 to erase most of the deficit and shift momentum heading into the final period.

Calvin Oftana then delivered a poised, star-caliber finish. The versatile forward tallied a game-high 28 points, capping his performance with two clutch free throws that extended TNT’s lead to 98-95 with just 21.1 seconds left. Oftana’s steadiness on both ends helped fend off Meralco’s late-game push.

Despite securing the crucial 1-0 lead, Reyes remained cautious of the Bolts’ competitiveness moving forward.

“We told them, put yourselves in the position of Meralco. Put yourselves in their shoes. They are chomping at the bit to get back at us. You saw that with the kind of energy, execution and even their three-point shooting in the first half. They were really primed for the win. We got a first-hand taste of that,” he noted.

With Game 2 set for Wednesday, January 7, also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Reyes hopes the Tropang Giga can avoid another slow start and build on their strong second-half showing to tighten their grip on the series.

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