The PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup revived fan excitement during the elimination round, drawing strong television ratings and crowd attendance in a series of thrilling games and dramatic finishes.
Towering imports such as TNT’s 7-foot-2 Manute Bol and Blackwater’s Robert Upshaw grabbed attention with their dominant presence inside the paint.
However, it was the clutch moments that defined the conference.
As the semi-finals continue, fans can look back at these three game-winning shots from the eliminations as crucial, shaping moments of an exciting midseason tournament.
Tyler Tio vs Bol Bol
Taking the top spot is Tyler Tio, whose clutch three-pointer lifted Phoenix past TNT Tropang 5G in one of the biggest upsets of the elimination round.
Played on Labor Day at the PhilSports Arena, the match-up featured free admission as part of the PBA’s tribute to Filipino workers.
Fans were rewarded with a thrilling finish as Tio drilled the game-winning triple with eight seconds left, giving the Fuel Masters a stunning 100-97 victory.
Tio’s late heroics spoiled a dominant 30-point, 20-rebound outing from TNT import Bol Bol, while Ricci Rivero powered Phoenix with a game-high double-double of 31 points and 11 rebounds.
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From Bolick to Gonzales
Robert Bolick has long been recognised as one of the PBA’s premier scorers.
He is a player capable of erupting offensively, but is often criticised for holding onto the ball too much.
However, NLEX’s 104-101 overtime win over Meralco last April 17 at the Ynares Center in Montalban highlighted a more unselfish side of the veteran guard.
After Jason Brickman buried a game-tying three-pointer to knot the score at 101-all in the closing seconds of overtime, the Road Warriors turned to Bolick for the final possession.
Instead of forcing a contested shot, Bolick found rookie Ljay Gonzales open in the corner.
Despite missing his first four attempts from deep, Gonzales calmly drained the game-winning triple, sealing the victory and delivering the biggest shot of his young PBA career.
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Manila Clasico
When Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra meet in a Manila Clasico showdown, drama is almost always guaranteed.
That was once again the case last April 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena, where the Gin Kings escaped with a thrilling 91-89 victory over the Hotshots.
Magnolia erased a 15-point deficit and tied the game at 89-all after Mark Barroca calmly knocked down three free throws with 8.2 seconds remaining.
But Ginebra answered immediately.
Scottie Thompson found RJ Abarrientos on the break, and the young guard sliced past Magnolia import Clint Chapman for the go-ahead layup that ultimately sealed the win.
The Gin Kings then forced a turnover on Magnolia’s final possession to complete another memorable chapter in the league’s most celebrated rivalry.
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