TNT beats Meralco, sets up PBA Finals rematch vs Ginebra

Jordan Heading celebrates after TNT beat Meralco in a close Game 6 duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO—Jordan Heading played his best game of the semifinal series and TNT closed out Meralco with a 97-94 win in Game 6 on Sunday night to set up a PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals rematch with Barangay Ginebra.

Tied at 94, Heading completed the go-ahead three-point play with 42.1 seconds left. He picked up the slack after Chris McCullough fouled out with still 3:23 left and finished with 30 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, missing just three of his 10 shots from long distance.

“We lost Game 2 then, but my message to the players after that game in the dugout was we can play this team all-Filipino,” TNT coach Chot Reyes said.

READ: PBA: Chris McCullough puts TNT on his back and closer to finals

TNT’s Jordan Heading and coach Chot Reyes march back to the #PBAFinals.

They take on rival Barangay Ginebra in a best-of-seven showdown. @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/sVwIJxhzuj

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) May 31, 2026

“That situation happened today with C-Mac fouling out, so I just reminded them that we’ve been here before.”

McCullough had 22 points and 13 rebounds before being called for his sixth foul on a charge against Meralco forward Cliff Hodge with TNT up 94-90.

The Bolts knotted the count on back-to-back baskets by Hodge with 1:48 to go before Heading won it.

READ: PBA: TNT nears finals with Game 5 win over Meralco

The Bolts had numerous chances to tie the game and even take the lead but CJ Cansino’s four-pointer just wouldn’t fall.

Patrick Gardner had 32 points and 13 rebounds for Meralco, which also drew 15 an 14 points, respectively from Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto.