Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Author: Dorothy Del Rosario

  • SGA pledges support as Alas Pilipinas rebuild roster ahead of AVC Women’s Cup

    SGA pledges support as Alas Pilipinas rebuild roster ahead of AVC Women’s Cup

    A major reset is underway for Alas Pilipinas Women as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation begins reshaping its national team program ahead of the AVC Women’s Cup scheduled from June 6 to 14 in Candon City.

     

    PNVF president Tonyboy Liao confirmed that the federation is rebuilding the roster after losing several key players from its previous core, forcing the program to rethink its composition just weeks before the continental tournament.

     

    At the same time, support is coming in from the private sector, with Frank Lao and his Strong Group Athletics pledging a major commitment to the national program. 

     

    This includes players and coaching staff from Farm Fresh Foxies and ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, as well as collegiate programs in UAAP and NCAA such as University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, College of Saint Benilde, and Letran.

     

    SGA is also set to shoulder the salaries of its players and coaches who will join the national pool, a move Liao sees as crucial in strengthening the long-term pipeline for Philippine volleyball.

     

    “It’s good that he’s willing to help (Philippine) volleyball. We have to start preparing for the 2029 World Championship, especially since his teams have a lot of young players with great potential. They may still be raw right now, but by that time, they’ll already be fully matured,” Liao said.

     

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    As part of the long-term buildup, Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee have also committed their first two PVL Draft rounds to the Alas program, aligning their development path with the national team’s 2029 FIVB World Championship plans.

     

    However, challenges remain on the immediate horizon. Newly-appointed head coach Tai Bundit is currently sidelined after an accident in Thailand, forcing the federation to tap his coaching staff to temporarily lead the team.

     

    An interim head coach is expected to be chosen from a pool that includes Sherwin Meneses, Shaq Delos Santos, Geuel Asia, Krung Arbasto, JP Yude, and Benson Bocboc, as internal discussions continue.

     

    Liao is also monitoring the availability of key La Salle standouts Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido, who are fresh off a dominant 16-0 UAAP Season 88 run.

     

    The rebuilding comes after a decorated stretch for the previous Alas core, which delivered back-to-back historic runs in the AVC Women’s Cup—winning bronze in 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and reaching the finals in 2025 before falling to powerhouse Vietnam.

     

    That same core also collected four consecutive SEA V.League bronze medals, although a podium finish at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand remained elusive.

     

    Now, with a new pool forming and leadership still in transition, the program is entering a crucial rebuilding phase that will define its next competitive cycle.

     

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  • Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo sees future of Philippine weightlifting in record-breaking junior champion Albert Delos Santos 

    Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo sees future of Philippine weightlifting in record-breaking junior champion Albert Delos Santos 

    Long before Albert Ian Delos Santos emerged as a world junior champion, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo already believed he could become one of the faces of Philippine weightlifting’s future.


    Now, after the 19-year-old delivered a gold medal and another world junior record at the IWF Junior World Championships, Diaz-Naranjo’s belief appears to be turning into reality.

     

    The young Filipino lifter stunned the international field after clearing 187kg in the clean and jerk event, breaking his own junior world record and securing the gold medal in a breakthrough moment for Philippine weightlifting.

     

    For Diaz-Naranjo, the victory represented more than another medal for the country. It was a glimpse of what could be the next era of Filipino excellence in the sport she once carried to historic heights at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

     

    The Olympic champion has closely followed Delos Santos’ rise over the past few years. During the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, where the Zamboanga City native won silver in the men’s 71kg division and established a junior world record of 186kg, Diaz-Naranjo was already among those proudly supporting him from the sidelines.

     

    At that same tournament, she openly described Delos Santos as the future of Philippine weightlifting.

     

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    Earlier this month, Diaz-Naranjo traveled to Egypt as part of the IWF Athlete Commission, but even while carrying official duties, she made time to personally support the young Filipino standout during the competition.

     

    It became an emotional experience for the 35-year-old Olympian, especially since her husband and longtime coach, Julius Naranjo, also serves as one of Delos Santos’ mentors alongside his mother, Diwa.

     

    “I was there and siyempre sobrang saya ako as a gold medalist. Tapos makita ko na, wow, in person na nakita ko na si Ian nag-break ng record ng world junior,” Diaz-Naranjo said.

     

    Diaz-Naranjo expressed pride in the achievement, noting that winning medals at the youth and junior levels was tough during their time, making it even more meaningful that Delos Santos has now established a record of his own.

     

    “Kasi kahit natapos na, matatapos this year ang pagiging junior niya, pero iniwan niya yung record ng Pilipinas doon. Pangalan niya at sa kasama din ng picture ng tatay niya, nakakaiyak at nakakaproud siya,” Diaz-Naranjo added.

     

    For Delos Santos, the support from the Naranjo couple remains surreal. Like many young Filipino athletes, he grew up inspired by Diaz-Naranjo’s historic Olympic triumph, which forever changed the landscape of Philippine sports.

     

    But while Delos Santos has already conquered the junior stage, Diaz-Naranjo believes the bigger challenge is only beginning.

     

    The Olympic gold medalist said she hopes to eventually see the rising star compete at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, though she stressed that consistent support will be crucial in helping him qualify.

     

    With records already falling at just 19 years old, Delos Santos is beginning to carry not only medals for the Philippines, but also the expectations of a new Olympic generation.

     

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  • Chot Reyes praises Jayson Castro as he enters 10K-point club in TNT win over NLEX

    Chot Reyes praises Jayson Castro as he enters 10K-point club in TNT win over NLEX

    For nearly two decades, Jayson Castro has been the steady force behind TNT’s identity—and on Wednesday night, he added another historic chapter to that legacy.


    The veteran guard finally broke into the exclusive 10,000-point club as TNT Tropang 5G pulled off a hard-fought 96–93 win over the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Season 50 quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    The milestone came in the third quarter, when Castro sank the first of two free throws at the 3:25 mark, with the second tying the game at 67-all—setting the stage for TNT’s eventual surge and last lead change of the contest.

     

    At nearly 40 years old, Castro became the second-oldest player to reach the scoring milestone, behind Arwind Santos, doing it in his 17th season with TNT.

     

    His journey, however, is deeply tied to TNT’s long-term gamble on him.

     

    “That’s a recognition that’s long coming. I’m very proud of his journey, kasi kung maalala niyo, we made a really big, risky move when we traded a guy by the name of Jay Washington. When I got to Talk ‘N Text, basically he was our best player,” TNT coach Chot Reyes said

     

    “But we made that move to be able to be in a position to draft Jayson Castro,” he added. “Who would’ve known he would be in that elite club of ten thousand points?”

     

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    Drafted third overall in 2008—via a pick originally acquired from Air21—Castro would go on to become one of the most decorated guards in league history, collecting 10 PBA titles, three Finals MVPs, five Best Player of the Conference awards, and five Mythical First Team selections, while also starring for Gilas Pilipinas.

     

    For Castro, however, the milestone carried a deeper meaning beyond numbers, especially after battling injury setbacks last conference.

     

    “Di ko rin ma-imagine na makakapag perform pa ako ng ganito,” Castro said.

     

    His achievement also came in a crucial moment, as TNT survived a do-or-die clash against the top-seeded Road Warriors to stay alive in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    The defending champions now prepare for a rematch on Saturday, May 16, at the Ynares Center Antipolo, with another knockout battle looming.

     

    Even beyond the milestone, Castro’s presence continues to define TNT’s identity as a calm stabilizer in high-pressure moments. 

     

     

    His leadership on the floor, especially in late-game situations remains one of the team’s biggest assets, setting the tone for younger teammates and reinforcing TNT’s reputation as a perennial contender in the league. 

     

     

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  • Cavaliers survive overtime thriller vs Pistons in Game 5 to take East semifinals lead 

    Cavaliers survive overtime thriller vs Pistons in Game 5 to take East semifinals lead 

    The Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Detroit Pistons, 117–113 in overtime, in a dramatic Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to move within one win of the conference finals.


    Cleveland Cavaliers finally broke through in a tense road battle at Little Caesars Arena, where the game needed an extra period after both teams traded big runs and clutch shot-making late in regulation. 


    Cleveland held firm in overtime behind key stops and timely baskets to escape with a crucial 3–2 series lead.

     

    The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither side able to pull away in the fourth quarter. 

     

    Detroit had multiple chances to seal the win in regulation, but missed opportunities down the stretch opened the door for Cleveland to force overtime.

     

    James Harden led the Cavaliers with 30 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, delivering in key moments as Cleveland leaned heavily on his shot creation in the half court. 

     

    The Cavaliers also received a major spark from their supporting cast, helping stabilize the offense during Detroit’s late surge.

     

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    On the other side, Detroit Pistons were powered by a superstar performance from Cade Cunningham, who finished with 39 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. 

     

    Cunningham controlled stretches of the game and repeatedly kept Detroit in front during critical possessions, especially in the fourth quarter.

     

    Detroit had momentum late in regulation after building multiple small leads, but Cleveland’s defense tightened in the closing minutes, forcing difficult looks and turnovers that allowed them to survive and extend the game.

     

    In overtime, the Cavaliers executed more efficiently on both ends of the floor. Harden continued to dictate tempo, while Cleveland’s defense limited Detroit’s second-chance opportunities, ultimately flipping the game in their favor.

     

    Despite Cunningham’s standout performance, the Pistons were left to regroup after letting a late opportunity slip away on their home floor. 

     

    The loss puts them in a must-win situation heading into Game 6 as Cleveland now stands one victory away from advancing.

     

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  • Tai Bundit to miss AVC Women’s Cup after Thailand accident, forcing Alas Pilipinas to scramble for interim coach 

    Tai Bundit to miss AVC Women’s Cup after Thailand accident, forcing Alas Pilipinas to scramble for interim coach 

    Alas Pilipinas Women has suddenly dealt another major challenge, as the newly-appointed head coach Tai Bundit will be unable to guide the Philippines in the upcoming AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup after suffering a foot injury in a scooter accident in Bangkok, Thailand.


    The accident, which required surgery, sidelines Bundit for the next two to three months and left the Philippine National Volleyball Federation scrambling to reorganize its coaching setup just weeks before the continental tournament scheduled from June 6 to 14 in Candon City.

     

    “So ‘yung nangyari kay coach Tai, na-aksidente nga very sad to say na he will be out 2-3 months. So definitely, he will be out for the AVC Women’s Cup. So, ang balik niya SEA V.League,” PNVF president Tonyboy Liao said.


    Instead of making his anticipated debut on home soil, Bundit’s return to Philippine volleyball will now have to wait until the 6th SEA V.League in July.

     

    The timing could not have been tougher for Alas Women, which is already undergoing a major transition after several core players from the previous national team pool declined invitations to return.

     

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    With Bundit out, the federation has turned its attention toward finding an interim tactician from within the current coaching group to oversee training camp and handle the AVC campaign.


    “I already talked with the coaches among yourselves, plan out sino ang pwedeng maging head coach sa inyo for the meantime to run the training,” Liao added.

     

    Among those being considered are former national coach Shaq Delos Santos, multi-time PVL champion tactician Sherwin Meneses, Adamson high school champion coach JP Yude, and La Salle statistics coach Benson Bocboc.

     

    Liao said the coaches themselves are expected to decide internally who will temporarily steer the national squad.

     

    “Ipa-plan out muna sino ang pwedeng maging head coach sa inyo for the meantime to run the training. I will be talking with them later and see,” he said.

     

    Bundit’s return to the Philippines had generated excitement after his successful runs with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and Creamline Cool Smashers, where he established himself as one of the most respected foreign tacticians in local volleyball.

     

    Now, however, Alas Pilipinas Women enters the AVC Women’s Cup facing uncertainty both on the sidelines and within the roster itself.

     

    Despite the setback, preparations are still expected to continue as the national team hopes to stabilize its program in time for a busy international calendar ahead.

     

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  • “We’ll take this win, but no time to celebrate”: LA Tenorio on staying focused after overcoming Meralco’s twice-to-beat edge

    “We’ll take this win, but no time to celebrate”: LA Tenorio on staying focused after overcoming Meralco’s twice-to-beat edge

    The season is still alive for the Magnolia Hotshots — but for head coach LA Tenorio, the job is far from finished.


    Magnolia completed another comeback act against the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday night, escaping with a 95-89 victory at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to erase Meralco’s twice-to-beat advantage in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

     

    After beating the Bolts twice within four days, the Hotshots forced a sudden-death showdown set for Saturday, May 16.

     

    Import Clint Chapman delivered when Magnolia needed him most, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Jerom Lastimosa backed him up with 17 points as the top-scoring local for the Hotshots.

     

    Magnolia looked headed for a comfortable finish after building a lead that stretched to 19 points, but Meralco stormed back late and even grabbed the advantage inside the final five minutes.

    The turning point came with the score tied at 84.

     

    Chapman buried a clutch three-pointer to swing momentum back to Magnolia before setting up Zavier Lucero for a crucial layup that pushed the lead to 89-86 with 1:56 left.

     

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    Lastimosa later had a chance to seal the game from the line but missed two free throws with 22 seconds remaining. 

     

    The rookie, however, made up for it immediately by securing the offensive rebound, drawing another foul, and calmly sinking two free throws to stretch the lead to 93-88 in the final 17 seconds.

     

    “I have to give credit to the players for responding to my challenges,” Tenorio said.

     

    “But again, we haven’t achieved anything with this win. We just extended our lives (but) we’ll take this. We’ll take this win, but no time to celebrate,” he added.

     

    While Magnolia thrived under pressure, Meralco struggled to get steady production from import Marvin Jones, who finished with just 16 points on an off shooting night. 

     

    Chris Newsome carried the Bolts with a game-high 23 points, but it was not enough to stop Magnolia’s fightback.

     

    Now, with momentum suddenly shifting, the Hotshots head into the do-or-die clash believing their season still has more to give.

     

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  • Nikita Shulchenko holds firm on final climb to clinch 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon title

    Nikita Shulchenko holds firm on final climb to clinch 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon title

    The 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon ended with a climb to Camp John Hay, but the overall result had already been largely shaped long before the final ascent began. 

     

    Russian rider Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE Cycle arrived at Stage 14 carrying a commanding 3:50 lead in the general classification, a buffer built since he first claimed the yellow jersey back in Stage 3—and one that ultimately proved unbreakable.

     

    Stage 14 itself belonged to Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven, who crossed the line in 4:26:42 after launching a late surge on the brutal Loakan Road climb. 


    Huby briefly threatened to rewrite the script when he broke away in the final kilometers and trimmed Shulchenko’s advantage, but the deficit entering the day was simply too wide to erase.

     

    Shulchenko responded with controlled resilience rather than panic, finishing second in the stage just behind Huby to secure the overall victory with a total time of 41:11:10. 

     

    The LCW UAE rider earned P1 million together with the title, relying on a cautious approach throughout the 173.9-kilometer finale from Lingayen to Baguio that focused on conserving energy rather than taking risks, allowing him to keep the yellow jersey securely until the finish. 

     

    Behind the leading duel, Filipino rider Ronnilan Quita delivered a strong performance, finishing third on the stage with a +00:02:58 gap, highlighting a competitive push from the local contingent in one of the race’s most demanding legs.

     

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    Huby, who finished second overall at 1:34 behind Shulchenko, remained reflective after his final-stage win, capturing both the intensity and exhaustion of the race’s closing battle.

     

    “I’m happy to win the last stage, but I’m just tired to win the yellow jersey. I’m sure it was possible, but I know that I was tired to go faster. I did my best,” Huby said. 

     

    Further down the standings, Shulchenko’s teammate Yousef Ibraheim Alrefai finished 6:45 back, while MPT Drivehub’s Nash Lim emerged as the top Filipino overall at fourth place, 9:13 behind.

     

    In the team classification, 7-Eleven secured the title and the P2 million cash prize with a total time of 162:25:49, while Go For Gold and LCW UAE trailed by 18:27 and 19:39 respectively, highlighting 7-Eleven’s control throughout the 14-stage race. 

     

    The depth of the field was evident in the tightly packed top 10, featuring consistent performances from 7-Eleven, Malaysian National Team, Seoul City Team, and Go for Gold riders.

     

    Shulchenko’s steady defense of yellow secured him the individual crown, while 7-Eleven’s collective strength earned them the team classification title with a cumulative time of 162:25:49, reinforcing their dominance across the 14-stage war of endurance that stretched from Batangas to the Cordilleras.

     

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  • Team Liquid PH turns week 7 into statement run, locks upper bracket spot in MPL PH Season 17 

    Team Liquid PH turns week 7 into statement run, locks upper bracket spot in MPL PH Season 17 

    In Week 7, the defending champions, Team Liquid PH reminded the entire league why they remain the gold standard of consistency, coordination, and late-season dominance.


    Team Liquid PH is back on their sweep era as they pulled off consecutive 2-0 victories over Smart Omega and TNC Pro Team, securing both the top spot and an upper bracket advantage heading into the MPL Philippines Season 17 playoffs.

     

    At the center of the resurgence were Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno and Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, whose chemistry and veteran composure became the foundation of Team Liquid’s commanding week. 

     

    While KarlTzy dictated the pace with explosive carry performances, Jaypee quietly anchored the squad through disciplined setups and near-flawless team fight execution.

     

    The victories pushed TLPH to a league-best 12-1 record, making them the first team to officially secure an upper bracket berth this season.

     

    Their Week 7 campaign began with a convincing 2-0 sweep over Smart Omega, ending Omega’s four-match winning streak and immediately sending a message to the rest of the league that Team Liquid had fully regained its championship rhythm.

     

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    In Game 1, KarlTzy’s Harley completely took over the map, finishing with a perfect 6-0-7 KDA to give Team Liquid an early series edge. 

     

    His rotations and pickoffs consistently disrupted Omega’s attempts to stabilize the game, allowing the Cavalry to dictate every major objective.

     

    Smart Omega attempted to respond in Game 2, but Team Liquid remained composed throughout the contest. 

     

    Jaypee emerged as the stabilizing force for the defending champions, earning MVP honors behind a spotless 0-0-13 KDA alongside a massive 93% kill participation rate that highlighted his influence in nearly every successful engagement.

     

    TLPH carried the same intensity into their series against TNC Pro Team last Sunday, sweeping another opponent and handing TNC its fourth loss of the season.

     

    Game 1 quickly turned into a showcase for KarlTzy, whose Suyou delivered one of the most explosive moments of the week after securing a triple kill during the final base siege. The jungler ended the game with a dominant 13-1-2 KDA performance to secure MVP honors once again.

     

    The defending champions refused to slow down in Game 2 as KarlTzy shifted to Guinevere and continued his rampage, ending the match with an immaculate 9-0-4 KDA to complete another clean sweep.

     

    Because of his exceptional Week 7 performance, KarlTzy secured the Player of the Week award after producing a staggering combined 34-3-20 KDA across both series. 

     

    He also earned a place in the Team of the Week while Team Liquid PH topped multiple team statistics including Gold Per Minute, Average Kills, and Damage Per Minute.

     

    In Week 8, Team Liquid PH will face one final test before the MPL Philippines Season 17 playoffs begin as they take on current third-seeded ONIC Philippines on May 17 Sunday.

     

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  • Victor Wembanyama powers Spurs past Timberwolves 

    Victor Wembanyama powers Spurs past Timberwolves 

    San Antonio Spurs kept their hopes alive after dominating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 126-97, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals to take a 3-2 series lead.


    Leading the charge for San Antonio was rising superstar Victor Wembanyama, who delivered another monster performance with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. 

     

    The 7-foot-4 French phenom controlled both ends of the floor, anchoring the Spurs’ defense while consistently punishing Minnesota inside the paint.

     

    The Spurs established control early behind their aggressive defense and fast-paced offense, eventually pulling away with a dominant second-half showing that left the Timberwolves struggling to keep pace.

     

    Despite the lopsided defeat, Ayo Dosunmu continued to fight for Minnesota, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in an all-around effort. 

     

    Dosunmu tried to spark a comeback for the Timberwolves, but San Antonio’s balanced attack and defensive intensity proved too much to overcome.

     

    With the win, the Spurs now move one step closer to the Western Conference Finals as they grab a crucial 3-2 advantage in the series.

     

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    San Antonio also received key contributions from the supporting cast, with De’Aaron Fox adding 18 points while Keldon Johnson provided a huge spark off the bench with 21 markers. 

     

    The Spurs responded strongly after Wembanyama’s controversial Game 4 ejection, using a huge third-quarter run to completely swing momentum back in their favor and silence Minnesota’s comeback attempt.

     

    Minnesota briefly erased a double-digit deficit after tying the game at 61 in the third quarter, but the Spurs answered with a decisive 30-12 burst to regain full control. 

     

    Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 20 points, while Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels chipped in 17 each, but the Wolves struggled to contain San Antonio’s relentless offense and interior defense led by Wembanyama.

     

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  • Tim Cone believes TNT can still reach PBA Finals despite struggling elimination round finish 

    Tim Cone believes TNT can still reach PBA Finals despite struggling elimination round finish 

    The TNT Tropang 5G’s title defense hangs in the balance after they entered the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs at the 8th seed, an unusual position for a talent-loaded squad reinforced by Bol Bol.


    But not everyone is ready to count out TNT just yet, including head coach Tim Cone of rival Barangay Ginebra.

     

    The Tropang 5G closed out the elimination round with a 93-86 loss to Cone’s Gin Kings, finishing in eighth place with a 6-6 record and entering the playoffs as the lowest seed and putting their title repeat bid in serious jeopardy as they will face twice-to-beat NLEX in the quarterfinals.

     

    But Cone believes TNT can still turn things around despite their shaky campaign so far, stressing that the Tropang 5G remains a dangerous threat to any opponent in the playoffs.

     

    “I think they probably got a match-up that they like against NLEX. That’s going to be an interesting series. Talk ‘N Text can turn it around in a heartbeat and find themselves in the finals easily. That’s a team that everybody’s eyes are on,” the veteran Ginebra coach said. 

     

    One of the things that has Cone believing that TNT can flip the switch anytime is the presence of Bol. The 7-foot-3 import and former NBA player is the conference’s highest-scoring import, currently averaging 38.64 points, 15.09 rebounds and 1.55 assists in 12 games.

     

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    On Sunday, Bol proved exactly why he is such a matchup problem in his first clash with Ginebra and its star import Justin Brownlee, a three-time Best Import and six-time PBA champion. 

     

    Bol erupted for 33 points alongside 10 rebounds, five blocks, and three assists in a dominant all-around performance. Beyond the competition, Cone said it is an honor to see a talent like Bol showcase his skills in the PBA.

     

    What makes TNT’s playoff journey even more intriguing is how unfamiliar this road has become for a franchise long associated with consistency and deep postseason runs. 

     

    Instead of entering the quarterfinals with momentum and security, the Tropang 5G now carry the pressure of surviving every game while leaning heavily on Bol’s brilliance to spark a late surge. Yet that underdog role may quietly work in TNT’s favor. 

     

    With expectations lowered after their uneven 6-6 campaign and a tough 93-86 defeat to Ginebra, the defending champions suddenly become a far more unpredictable team — one capable of turning every playoff game into a high-risk shootout behind Bol’s 33-point explosion and the championship experience still embedded within the roster.

     

    The 8th seed is set to face the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

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