NLEX seals top-seed after OT win vs Titan Ultra; Magnolia overcomes Bol, TNT

NLEX Road Warriors and Magnolia Hotshots proved their mettle and bolstered their respective playoff pushes once again, as the Road Warriors stymied a vicious Titan Ultra squad in an overtime triumph and Magnolia neutralized Bol Bol’s eruption to dispatch TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA 2026 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, May 5.

Closing the elimination round with the top seed, NLEX showcased its dominance and surged with a strong push during overtime to topple the Titan Ultra Giant Risers via a thrilling 123–112 win.

The triumph now concluded the blue-clad cagers’ regular season bid with a 10–2 win-loss standing, locking in the first seed after sustaining their winning ways with a four-game win streak going into the playoffs.

Titan Ultra mostly maintained the upper hand during regulation, gaining a huge nine-point gap at the half at 59–50, which held the lead until the payoff period.

NLEX flipped the script via Cady Lalanne and Schonny Winston’s fired clutch shots to regain the advantage at 107–104, though the Giant Risers were able to force an extra period thanks to a Jerrick Balanza jumper and an Earl Gilmore freebie.

The Road Warriors then demonstrated their superiority as the top seed in the final stretch.

NLEX showcased their suffocating artillery, controlling overtime with a crucial 6–0 blitzkrieg to eventually seal the deal.

Robert Bolick paced the squad with a triple-double of 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, with Lalanne hacking out a 29-point, 20-rebound performance to boost NLEX.

Gilmore produced 25 markers and 18 boards of his own for Titan Ultra, but it was not enough to secure the win.

Magnolia’s crucial win vs TNT

Though Bol Bol erupted for a game-high 53 points, the Magnolia Hotshots refused to fold as they shrugged off the import’s explosion and outlasted TNT Tropang 5G in a 106–94 triumph.

Relying on Clint Chapman’s masterclass, the white-and-yellow ballers rode off to a strong 35–15 lead, sustaining the gap in the first half via a 59–40 cushion.

However, TNT turned the tide and erupted in the second half, relying on Bol’s shooting antics to trim the lead to single digits.

Despite this, Chapman, along with Magnolia’s suffocating defense, held off Bol’s individual effort and shut down TNT in the final period to extinguish Tropang 5G’s surge.

Hotshots’ Chapman, who is extra motivated with his family watching the match, spearheaded the team with a Herculean 42-point, 14-rebound performance.

 Bol’s 53-marker, 13-board blast enabled TNT to keep themselves at striking distance but was unable to close the gap.

 Improving to a 6–5 standing, Magnolia strengthened their playoff position with the sixth seed.

Both NLEX and Magnolia vie to continue flaunting their golden form heading into the playoffs, as the Road Warriors await the eighth seed in the quarterfinals and the Hotshots heading into a crucial matchup against the Meralco Bolts.

Titan Ultra and TNT aim to bounce back after absorbing tough losses, with the Tropang 5G facing Barangay Ginebra, while the Giant Risers are set to lock horns against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.