Meralco tied the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at 2-2, beating TNT, 101-90, last Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

CJ Cansino nailed a crucial four-pointer with 1:21 left for a 97-90 lead after trailing by just three following the absence of Meralco import Patrick Gardner due to six fouls.

Cansino’s heroics preserved the Game 4 win to get back on track after losing to TNT, 77-75, in Game 3 with the Tropang 5G playing without an import.

Gardner scored 20 points and 13 rebounds, while also shooting 3-of-6 from threes in his first game since replacing Marvin Jones before Game 4.

Cansino had 17 points after struggling all semifinals long due to a fracture in his nose that he sustained in Game 1, forcing him to wear a mask.

Chris McCullough had 24 points and nine rebounds, while RR Pogoy had 14 points for TNT.

Game 4 is set on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.