Talk n Text used an aggressive first half to crush a hapless GlobalPort, 128-114, for a first win at the 2018 Honda PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Jayson Castro led TNT's charge with 21 points and 10 assists, while Roger Pogoy added 20 points and seven boards.
Import Jeremy Tyler had a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds in his PBA debut. “It’s nice the PBA is allowing this physicality, but if it gets to a point where players hurt each other, then we should question that,” TNT coach Nash Racela said. After all, the game was marred by altercations between Jessie Saitanan and Malcolm White, Jeremy Tyler and Mo Tautuaa, and Joseph Gabayni and Roger Pogoy among others. Terrence Romeo, who was traded to TNT from the Batang Pier with Yousef Taha for Tautuaa and future picks, finished with 11 points, highlighted by 6 straight points in the 4th quarter that gave the KaTropa a 115-110 lead, on a 4-of-13 clip. Jericho Cruz added 16 points and 5 rebounds while Tyler chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds in the win.