A commanding early surge was not enough to carry the Meralco Bolts through Game 1 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series, as head coach Luigi Trillo pointed to defensive lapses and mounting foul trouble that allowed the TNT Tropang 5G to claw their way back into contention.
Meralco burst out of the gates with intensity and pace, opening up a 21-point advantage behind crisp ball movement and the hot shooting of CJ Cansino. But Trillo stressed that the early cushion never gave his team a sense of security, knowing TNT’s ability to pressure the defense and attack mismatches over extended stretches.
As the game wore on, that pressure began to show. The Bolts’ offense stalled, while their defensive rotations broke down under constant drives. Compounding the problem was a steady stream of whistles that disrupted Meralco’s rhythm and sent TNT repeatedly to the free-throw line.
Trillo cited the foul situation as a turning point. Brandon Bates eventually fouled out, while Reymar Jose and Cliff Hodge both picked up four fouls. Starting center Raymond Almazan was also limited after collecting three personals, forcing Meralco to juggle its rotations at critical moments.
The numbers reflected the shift. TNT attempted 47 free throws in the game, with 17 coming in the third quarter alone. That period proved decisive, as the Tropang Giga outscored the Bolts 28–13 to erase much of the deficit and swing the momentum.
Cansino, who sparked Meralco’s early run with 13 first-half points, was held to just one point over the final two quarters as TNT tightened its coverage. Veterans Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome tried to steady the offense in the second half, combining for 22 points, but the Bolts struggled to regain their early flow.
Despite the setback, Trillo remained confident in his team’s defensive foundation, emphasizing experience and familiarity with high-stakes situations. Still, he acknowledged that individual effort alone would not be enough against a team as aggressive as TNT.
Meralco now turns its focus to Game 2, with Trillo underscoring the need for collective discipline on defense and smarter containment to avoid foul trouble. For the Bolts, the challenge is clear: sustain intensity, defend as a unit, and prevent another promising start from slipping away.