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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Rain or Shine turns chaos into confidence, steals Game 1 from Ginebra 

    Rain or Shine turns chaos into confidence, steals Game 1 from Ginebra 

    Rain or Shine did not beat Barangay Ginebra by trying to outshine the league’s brightest stars.

     

    Instead, the Elasto Painters beat them by surviving every punch, embracing every messy moment, and refusing to blink when the game started tilting toward chaos.

     

    That was exactly the kind of battle coach Yeng Guiao wanted.

     

    Against a Ginebra squad loaded with firepower, backed by a roaring crowd, and anchored by Justin Brownlee and several Gilas Pilipinas standouts, Rain or Shine found a way to turn a tense fourth quarter into a statement-opening win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

     

    The Elasto Painters escaped with a gritty 115-111 victory Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, stealing Game 1 of the best-of-seven series and immediately shifting pressure to the heavily favored Gin Kings.

     

    For Guiao, the result perfectly reflected the identity his team has embraced all conference long.

     

    “I’m really proud of the guys because what we do is show up and compete. Show up and compete,” he said after the game.

     

    Rain or Shine spent most of the night clawing its way through momentum swings against a Ginebra side that looked poised to pull away after building a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.

     

    But unlike many teams that have folded against the Kings in big playoff moments, the Elasto Painters stayed composed and slowly dragged the game back into their preferred kind of fight — frantic, physical, unpredictable.

     

    Adrian Nocum delivered the biggest swing of the night after drawing a foul on Brownlee and calmly knocking down two free throws for a 108-107 lead with 1:56 remaining.

     

    From there, Rain or Shine leaned on hustle plays and defensive grit.

     

    Jhonard Clarito and Gian Mamuyac delivered timely baskets to stretch the advantage before Clarito iced the game with two more free throws in the final 16.1 seconds.

     

    Still, Ginebra nearly escaped.

     

    Scottie Thompson, despite playing through a visibly swollen forehead, buried a booming four-pointer to cut the deficit to two and ignite the crowd one final time.

     

    But Rain or Shine answered with one last defensive stand, forcing RJ Abarrientos into a difficult final possession that never materialized into a clean look from deep.

     

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    For a team that entered the series carrying the underdog label, the Elasto Painters looked completely comfortable in the pressure.

     

    “To play a team like Ginebra, [with a] GOAT import, GOAT coach, half of the Gilas team, the probable Best Player of the Conference in their team,” Guiao said, referring to Brownlee, coach Tim Cone and RJ Abarrientos.

     

    “And who are we? We just told the team to just put up a fight and see how far we can go. At least, we were able to get Game 1. We got lucky once, let’s see how many times we can get lucky. Let’s see.”

     

    But this no longer feels like simple luck.

     

    Rain or Shine has now beaten San Miguel Beer and drawn first blood against Ginebra in consecutive playoff rounds — two franchises that have long represented the league’s measuring stick in big games.

     

    Import Jaylen Johnson once again provided stability, while Clarito’s energy and Mamuyac’s timely contributions highlighted the depth that continues to fuel the Elasto Painters’ playoff run.

     

    More importantly, Rain or Shine once again showed it can stay mentally steady against teams loaded with stars.

     

    Game 2 now shifts to the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, where the Elasto Painters expect an even tougher response from Ginebra.

     

    But after surviving one of the league’s biggest playoff stages, Rain or Shine suddenly looks far more dangerous than just another underdog story.

     

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  • From Alas roommates to Capital1 teammates: Bella Belen and Vanie Gandler’s friendship comes full circle 

    From Alas roommates to Capital1 teammates: Bella Belen and Vanie Gandler’s friendship comes full circle 

    Before Capital1 assembled what now looks like one of the most dangerous duos in the PVL, Bella Belen had already started planting the seeds — not in a boardroom, but in casual conversations with a friend.

     

    Long before Vanie Gandler officially joined the Solar Spikers, Belen was already half-jokingly trying to recruit her.

     

    “Minsan nga, before pa, niloloko ko na siya na bigyan niya ng chance si Capital1 if ever na maisipan niyang lumipat ng team,” Belen said.

     

    At the time, it sounded like playful banter between national teammates.Now, it feels strangely prophetic.

     

    The newly formed Belen-Gandler pairing at Capital1 did not begin with free agency headlines or blockbuster PVL moves. Their connection actually started quietly inside the Alas Pilipinas program, where two stars from rival schools unexpectedly found comfort in each other’s company.

     

    For Belen, it was a friendship she never anticipated developing.

     

    “‘Yung closeness namin ni Ate Vanie is very unexpected for me since hindi naman kami nag-abot. I mean, nag-abot kami [ilang] season lang sa college. Magkaiba kami na magkaiba. Magkaiba kami ng personalities,” Belen shared.

     

    They came from different volleyball worlds.

     

    Belen built her name as National University’s relentless centerpiece and eventual collegiate icon. Gandler, meanwhile, carved her own path at Ateneo before blossoming into one of the PVL’s premier scorers and eventually an MVP.

     

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    On paper, they were simply two elite outside hitters representing the same flag. But national team duty has a way of speeding up relationships.

     

    Between overseas trips, long training camps, and countless hours spent together during Alas Pilipinas assignments, the two gradually developed a friendship that stretched beyond volleyball itself. At times, they even became roommates during international competitions — moments that allowed their bond to deepen away from the pressure of matches and expectations.

     

    What began as small talk eventually became genuine closeness. “I’m very happy na nagkaroon ako ng bagong friends, na dumating si Ate Vanie. Everytime, kapag outside volleyball, nagchi-chikahan kami and all,” Belen said.

     

    That familiarity now gives Capital1 something far more valuable than just star power.

     

    The Solar Spikers are not simply bringing together two MVP-level talents. They are adding players who already understand each other beyond the court — personalities, habits, energy, even silence.

     

    And after years of building chemistry in the national team setup, the transition to becoming club teammates suddenly feels less like a new partnership and more like the continuation of an old one.

     

    Earlier this month, fans already got a glimpse of that dynamic when Belen, Gandler, and Erika Santos briefly played together for Team Heart during the PVL All-Star festivities.

     

    Soon, it becomes official business. For Capital1, Gandler’s arrival signals another massive leap toward contention. But for Belen, the move carries a more personal meaning.

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez, Myla Pablo, Trisha Tubu banner retooled Alas Pilipinas pool for AVC Women’s Cup 

    Alyssa Valdez, Myla Pablo, Trisha Tubu banner retooled Alas Pilipinas pool for AVC Women’s Cup 

    When the original core of Alas Pilipinas Women slowly began thinning out ahead of the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup, the national team found itself turning toward a different kind of solution.

     

    Not just younger players. But proven survivors.

     

    Leading that retooled pool are three names from different generations of Philippine volleyball — Alyssa Valdez, Myla Pablo, and Trisha Tubu — players who arrive carrying completely different journeys, yet now share the same responsibility of stabilizing a national team suddenly in transition.

     

    For Valdez, the return marks another chapter in a national team career that has already spanned nearly two decades.

     

    The longtime Creamline star once again answered the call after several former Alas mainstays withdrew from the continental tournament set from June 6 to 14 at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.

     

    Despite years of mileage, injuries, and countless international appearances, Valdez remains one of the country’s most recognizable volleyball figures and among the few players in the pool with extensive national team experience dating back to 2008.

     

    Alongside her comes Pablo, another veteran scorer whose return adds even more stability to the squad.

     

    The former Pocari Sweat star continues to command respect as one of the PVL’s battle-tested veterans, bringing leadership and offensive firepower to a team currently searching for continuity amid major roster changes.

     

    But perhaps the most intriguing inclusion is Tubu.

     

    Unlike Valdez and Pablo, the Farm Fresh Foxies standout enters the national pool carrying the momentum of a breakthrough conference.

     

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    Tubu emerged as one of the PVL’s biggest revelations after leading Farm Fresh to a semifinal appearance in the previous conference while finishing as the league’s second-best scorer.

     

    Her explosive rise transformed her from a promising wing spiker into one of the most dangerous local scorers in the professional ranks — making her inclusion one of the most significant additions to the revamped Alas setup.

     

    The national pool also received support from several PVL clubs willing to release players for international duty.

     

    Pablo’s club, Nxled Chameleons, agreed to lend a player to the national team for the first time, while Strong Group Athletics cleared players under its umbrella to participate in the program.

     

    Also joining the pool are Creamline libero Kyla Atienza, Nxled’s Julyana Tolentino, and Farm Fresh contributors Frances Xynia Molina.

     

    Several collegiate standouts were likewise tapped, including Tin Ubaldo, Clarisse Loresco, Jazlyn Ellarina, Lhoriz Tudao, Niña Ytang, Natalie Estreller, and Lara Mae Silva.

     

    Four players from NU Lady Bulldogs were also included in the training pool.

     

    But as Alas Pilipinas prepares for another turbulent international campaign, much of the attention now falls on the trio tasked to steady the program — the veteran leadership of Valdez and Pablo, and the rising confidence of Tubu.

     

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  • Andrei Caracut nabs PBA Player of the Week after powering Rain or Shine past SMB 

    Andrei Caracut nabs PBA Player of the Week after powering Rain or Shine past SMB 

    Andrei Caracut was often viewed as another reliable piece in Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ deep rotation.

     

    Against San Miguel Beermen, he became the closer.

     

    With Rain or Shine trying to protect its lead against the defending Philippine Cup champions in a pressure-packed quarterfinal showdown, it was Caracut who stepped forward and delivered the shots that finally broke the Beermen’s resistance.

     

    The former La Salle standout exploded for 29 points built around six three-pointers and a rare four-point play, powering the Elasto Painters to a statement 113-104 victory at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

     

    More importantly, the win finally pushed Rain or Shine back into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals after falling short in the previous Philippine Cup.

     

    And when San Miguel began threatening another trademark comeback after erasing much of a 12-point deficit, Caracut answered every challenge.

    The 28-year-old poured in 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, repeatedly halting the Beermen’s momentum and restoring control whenever the game started tilting dangerously close.

     

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    BUFFED UP DREI

    Andrei Caracut bags home the PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week for May 13 to 16 following his breakout game in the quarterfinals against the San Miguel Beermen after hitting 29 points, six rebounds, and five assists to enter the semifinals. #PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/FIjS0qF75O

    — One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) May 19, 2026

    That performance ultimately earned Caracut the unanimous selection as the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for May 13 to 16.

     

    He edged out fellow semifinal heroes including RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana of TNT Tropang 5G, as well as Chris Newsome of Meralco Bolts.

     

    But for Caracut, the outburst was less about individual brilliance and more about matching the effort of the teammates around him.

     

    “Inspired lang ako kasi syempre yung nagtatrabaho yung mga teammates ko, nakikita ko sila kung paano sila magtrabaho. Nakaka-inspire na ipanalo ‘yung game,” Caracut said.

     

    The timing of his breakout could not have been bigger for Rain or Shine.

    For much of the conference, the Elasto Painters built their identity around depth, pace, and collective effort rather than relying on a single star. Against a powerhouse like San Miguel, however, they needed someone willing to take over late.

     

    Caracut answered that call — and in the process, delivered one of the biggest playoff performances of his career.


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  • Erika Santos embraces fresh start with Capital1 after emotional Cignal exit 

    Erika Santos embraces fresh start with Capital1 after emotional Cignal exit 

    For a while, Erika Santos thought she had finally found where she belonged.

     

    After years of searching for stability and growth in the Premier Volleyball League, Santos’ move to Cignal last year felt like the perfect fit. It was with the HD Spikers where she evolved from a promising scorer into one of the league’s fastest-rising stars — a player trusted in the biggest moments and eventually recognized as one of the faces of the franchise.

     

    Then suddenly, it ended. Just days removed from helping Cignal reach the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals, Santos found herself needing to process a reality she never really expected: the team that helped shape her breakout was stepping away from the league.

     

    Now, she begins all over again. This time with Capital1 Solar Spikers.

     

    “Honestly, it wasn’t an easy decision because I really had to process everything that happened,” Santos said.

     

    “It wasn’t a small decision because I had already become attached to my teammates and to the system we had, so starting a new journey again is definitely challenging. But we’re here with Capital1.”

     

    The timing of Cignal’s leave of absence made the transition even more emotional.

     

    Santos had just completed the best stretch of her professional career, emerging as the league’s first-ever PVL On Tour MVP while establishing herself as one of the top opposite hitters in the country. Alongside Vanie Gandler, she helped power Cignal to its breakthrough All-Filipino Finals appearance and became one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons.

     

    Instead of building on that momentum with the same team, Santos suddenly had to start from scratch once more.

     

    But if there is one thing making the adjustment easier, it is familiarity.

     

    Not only does she remain teammates with Gandler, she now joins forces with reigning rookie sensation Bella Belen and veteran setter Jaja Maraguinot in what could become one of the most intriguing rebuilds in the PVL.

     

    For Santos, however, the focus is not on headlines or expectations.

     

    It is about helping transform Capital1 from an emerging club into a legitimate contender.

     

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    “There are a lot of expectations and adjustments along the way. It won’t be easy, so we’ll really work hard. Vanie, Jaja (Maraguinot), and I will help Capital1 in any way we can so we can reach our goals and become a strong contender,” said Santos.

     

    “The experience and momentum we’re bringing into this new team are also a big factor. The awards are just bonuses. What’s more important is sharing the experience and lessons that Vanie and I gained with this team.”

     

    That shared experience may become Capital1’s biggest advantage.

     

    Gandler and Santos already understand each other’s tendencies on the floor after carrying much of Cignal’s offense throughout the previous conference. Their chemistry was built through pressure-packed matches, deep playoff runs, and the responsibility of leading a contender.

     

    Now, they hope to bring that same connection into a completely different environment.

     

    “I’m also thankful because Vanie is still here. During the past conferences, we really had each other’s backs and shared the responsibilities together,” she said.

     

    “That’s a huge thing because of the chemistry we already built inside and outside the court. We have open communication, and no matter what happens, I know we can always talk to each other properly.”

     

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  • SBP turns to Japanese league champion Burke Toews to lead Gilas Women’s next era 

    SBP turns to Japanese league champion Burke Toews to lead Gilas Women’s next era 

    For the first time in more than a decade, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is handing the future of Gilas Pilipinas Women to a completely new voice.

     

    And it is a voice shaped far away from Philippine basketball.

     

    After months of quietly searching overseas for the right fit, the SBP officially named Burke Toews as the new head coach of the national women’s team, signaling the federation’s intent to push the program toward a more international direction.

     

    Toews arrives with a résumé built in Japan — one of Asia’s strongest basketball systems — where he spent the last decade establishing himself as one of the winningest coaches in the women’s professional game.

     

    The Canadian mentor recently wrapped up a highly successful run with the Fujitsu Red Wave, steering the club to back-to-back league championships in 2024 and 2025 while also capturing consecutive All-Japan titles.

     

    More importantly, his success was not built overnight.

     

    Across 10 seasons with Fujitsu, Toews transformed the Red Wave into a consistent title contender, leading the team to five finals appearances while earning three Coach of the Year awards along the way.

     

    Long before that, he also guided the Hyogo Storks to a JBL2 championship in 2013.

    Now, the challenge becomes entirely different.

     

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    Toews takes over a Gilas Women program entering a transition period after the end of the long tenure of Pat Aquino, who spent 12 years helping elevate the national team into a respected force in Southeast Asia.

     

    Under Aquino, Gilas Women produced some of the biggest milestones in program history, including a breakthrough appearance in the Women’s World Cup qualifiers in France and multiple strong finishes in regional competitions.

     

    But with Aquino now moving to the PBA as head coach of Blackwater Bossing, the federation chose to reset the direction of the program rather than simply continue the old system.

     

    According to the SBP, Toews emerged as the choice after an extensive global search involving more than a dozen applicants from different countries.

     

    The hiring also reflects the federation’s growing admiration for Japan’s basketball development model — a system known for discipline, player movement, and long-term continuity.

     

    Now, the responsibility of translating that success to the Philippine setup belongs to Toews.

     

    And with Gilas Women already coming off some of the biggest breakthroughs in its history, expectations may arrive much faster than the usual rebuilding process.

     

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  • TNT faces different Meralco test as Bol Bol, Tropang 5G chase return to Finals 

    TNT faces different Meralco test as Bol Bol, Tropang 5G chase return to Finals 

    For TNT, the semifinals are starting to feel familiar. The Tropang 5G are back in the Final Four for yet another conference, once again carrying championship expectations and once again staring at Meralco on the other side of the bracket.

     

    But while TNT enters the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals as the defending champion and slight favorite, the feeling around the matchup is far from comfortable.

     

    Not after the way Meralco has evolved into one of the league’s most complete and disciplined teams.

     

    Not after the Bolts handed TNT one of its most convincing losses of the eliminations.

     

    And definitely not after the way Meralco survived its own playoff war just to get here.

     

    “Obviously, they are deserving to make the finals and they are hard to beat in a seven-game series,” acknowledged Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. “But with the way we are playing we deserve to be there, too.”

     

    That confidence did not come out of nowhere.

     

    Meralco had to grind through a tense quarterfinal series against Magnolia, eventually escaping with a 105-102 overtime win in the knockout game to punch its ticket back to the semifinals.

     

    The Bolts leaned on composure, physicality, and timely execution — the same formula they hope can finally crack TNT in a long playoff series.

     

    Across the floor stands a TNT squad that also had to survive adversity.

     

    The Tropang 5G dropped their first quarterfinal meeting against NLEX before regrouping behind Bol Manute Bol and their veteran core to complete the comeback and keep their title defense alive.

     

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    Now, the challenge becomes even steeper.

     

    TNT coach Chot Reyes admitted this version of Meralco looks far tougher than the team they disposed of in five games during the Philippine Cup semifinals last conference.

     

    “That’s a complete team. They’re playing at a very high level. If you remember in our elimination round game tinambakan kami ng Meralco, right?” Reyes said.

     

    Back in April, Meralco stunned TNT with a 110-106 victory after leading by as many as 20 points — a game that exposed just how dangerous the Bolts can be when they dictate the pace and physicality.

     

    For Reyes, that game remains an important reminder entering the series.

     

    “They have so many offensive weapons that it’s incumbent upon us to, number one, defend well and rebound. They’re also one of the more physical teams in the league and you see how teams are playing Bol,” he added.

     

    “So, we have to be able to cope with that and play through that.”

     

    That may ultimately decide the series.

     

    Because while Bol continues to draw attention as TNT’s towering centerpiece, Meralco’s ability to crowd him, pressure the locals, and turn games into physical battles could once again test the composure of the defending champions.

     

    And this time, the Bolts are no longer simply hoping to compete with TNT. They fully believe they belong beside them.

     

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  • Erika Santos weighs first-ever Alas Pilipinas Women stint amid rising PVL stock  

    Erika Santos weighs first-ever Alas Pilipinas Women stint amid rising PVL stock  

    Everything seems to be moving fast now for Erika Santos. Not too long ago, she was still trying to establish herself as a reliable scorer in the Premier Volleyball League.

     

    Now, she suddenly finds herself standing at the center of two major transitions at once — a new club team and a possible national team breakthrough.

     

    After emerging as one of the biggest revelations of the past PVL season, Santos has officially earned a place in the new Alas Pilipinas Women pool, signaling how quickly her stock has risen within Philippine volleyball circles.

     

    The invitation comes shortly after Santos delivered the best stretch of her young career.

     

    The former Cignal HD Spikers standout helped power the franchise to a runner-up finish in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference, while also building on the momentum she created after winning the 2025 PVL On Tour Most Valuable Player award.

     

    For many players, a national team invitation would immediately become an automatic yes.

    For Santos, however, the decision appears more complicated.

     

    “I’m honored to be part of the pool. It feels different when you’re representing the Philippines,” Santos said in an interview. 

     

    Still, despite appreciating the opportunity, the rising opposite spiker admitted she has not fully decided whether she is ready to commit to the program.

     

    “Right now, I’m 50/50,” she said.

     

    That hesitation reflects the current reality surrounding the national team setup.The Alas women’s program is entering another transition period following the departure — temporary or otherwise — of several key veterans from the recent Southeast Asian Games squad.

     

    Longtime team captain Jia De Guzman is among the major names who have stepped away, while several other established players also remain unavailable.

     

    With the program searching for fresh faces to help stabilize the next cycle, Santos suddenly becomes one of the emerging names capable of filling part of that vacuum. 

     

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    And in many ways, her timing could not be more symbolic, Santos is no longer simply viewed as a promising scorer.

     

    She is now being asked whether she is ready to become part of the next generation expected to carry the national team forward.

     

    At the same time, her professional career is also entering a brand-new chapter.

     

    Following Cignal HD Spikers’ leave of absence from the league, Santos recently transferred to the Capital1 Solar Spikers, where she will join fellow stars Vanie Gandler and Bella Belen in what is quickly becoming one of the league’s most intriguing new cores.

     

    “Leaving Cignal is emotional, but this is an exciting new beginning. I’m ready to help Capital1 reach its goals,” she shared.

     

    For Santos, the coming months may ultimately define the direction of her career.

    One path centers on adjusting to a new PVL environment and continuing her rise as one of the league’s breakout stars.

     

    The other could lead to her first opportunity wearing the Philippine colors on the international stage. 

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas faces even tougher Australia men’s national basketball team test with new additions joining Boomers

    Gilas Pilipinas faces even tougher Australia men’s national basketball team test with new additions joining Boomers

    Just when Gilas Pilipinas thought the challenge against Australia could not get any steeper, the Boomers added another star to the equation.

     

    And not just any star.

     

    Australia is set to unleash Bryce Cotton for the first time during the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers — giving the already-loaded Boomers roster one of the most accomplished players in National Basketball League history.

     

    Cotton is expected to make his long-awaited debut for the Australians on July 3 against Guam before potentially facing Gilas three days later at the RAC Arena.

     

    For the Philippines, the timing could hardly be tougher.

     

    Australia already dominated Gilas, 93-66, during the previous qualifying window last March at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    Now, the world No. 6 Boomers are adding a player widely viewed as one of the greatest imports — and eventually naturalized players — the NBL has ever seen.

     

     

    The 33-year-old Cotton officially became eligible to represent Australia after securing his citizenship late in 2025, with Basketball Australia formally confirming his inclusion in the national team setup earlier this week.

     

    For Cotton, the call-up represents more than simply another basketball milestone.

     

    “Representing the Australian men’s national basketball team for the first time is something I don’t take lightly,” the six-foot guard said in a statement posted on the National Basketball League official website.

     

    “Coming from where I come from, this opportunity means a lot to me and my family. Australia has embraced me from day one, and I’m grateful for the chance to wear the green and gold alongside a great group of guys,” he added.

     

    “I’m excited, motivated, and ready to give everything I have for the country.”

     

    Cotton enters the national team carrying a résumé few players in Australian basketball can rival.

     

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    The former Providence College standout is already a three-time NBL champion and six-time league MVP — achievements that cemented his place as arguably the modern face of the league.

     

    Even at 33, he remains one of the most explosive scorers in the region.

     

    Fresh off the 2025-26 season with the Adelaide 36ers, Cotton averaged 25.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.6 assists, once again proving why opposing defenses continue to revolve around slowing him down.

     

    Now, those scoring bursts and shot-creation abilities become another problem Gilas must prepare for.

     

    Beyond the talent itself, Cotton’s arrival also highlights Australia’s growing depth entering the road toward the 2027 World Cup.

     

    The Boomers are no longer relying solely on NBA-caliber names and established international veterans.

     

    They are now supplementing that core with dominant NBL stars who already understand the physicality, pace, and demands of FIBA basketball.

     

    For Gilas, the July showdown in Perth suddenly carries an even larger challenge.

     

    Australia was already one of the world’s deepest basketball programs.

     

    With Cotton now officially in the fold, the Boomers may have just become even more dangerous.

     

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  • Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters reignite heated rivalry in PBA semis 

    Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters reignite heated rivalry in PBA semis 

    For years, playoff meetings between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have rarely been simple basketball series.

     

    They usually turn into wars of endurance.

     

    Loose balls become scrums. Possessions become physical battles. Momentum swings often feel emotional rather than tactical.

     

    Now, after several years apart in the postseason, the rivalry finally returns to center stage.

     

    Ginebra and Rain or Shine are set to clash in a highly anticipated best-of-seven semifinal showdown in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, beginning Wednesday night at the Ynares Center.

     

    It marks their first playoff meeting since the 2020 Philippine Cup and their first semifinal collision since 2018 — a reminder of just how long both franchises have traveled separate paths before arriving back at the same crossroads.

     

    For Ginebra, this latest semifinal appearance feels almost routine at this point.

     

    The Gin Kings are now heading into their eighth straight Final Four appearance, further cementing the consistency of the Tim Cone era.

     

    But this particular journey hardly looked smooth early on.

     

    Ginebra stumbled to a 2-2 start that briefly raised questions about chemistry and rhythm before the team gradually transformed into one of the league’s hottest squads.

     

    By the end of eliminations, the Gin Kings had won seven of their last eight games to secure a 9-3 record and the No. 2 seed.

     

    That momentum carried straight into the quarterfinals.

     

    Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, Ginebra dismantled the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 112-81, in a game that barely stayed competitive beyond halftime.

     

    Justin Brownlee once again orchestrated the attack with 24 points before exiting in the third quarter because of a hamstring issue — a development that now hovers over the series as perhaps its biggest uncertainty.

     

    While Ginebra arrives carrying playoff pedigree, Rain or Shine enters with something slightly different: unfinished business.

     

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    The Elasto Painters spent most of the conference looking like the league’s most dangerous surprise.

     

    Behind their relentless pace and deep rotation, Rain or Shine opened the tournament with a franchise-best 7-0 start and briefly looked untouchable atop the standings.

     

    Though the team cooled off late and dropped three of its final five elimination games, the bigger statement came when the playoffs finally arrived.

     

    Matched against the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen, Rain or Shine faced a familiar postseason nightmare.

     

    Instead of folding, however, the Elasto Painters delivered one of the franchise’s biggest playoff wins in years.

     

    Andrei Caracut exploded for a conference-high 29 points, while imports Jaylen Johnson and Caelan Tiongson added 23 each to eliminate San Miguel and finally end years of playoff frustration against the Beermen.

     

    The breakthrough carried historical weight.

     

    It marked Rain or Shine’s first postseason series victory over San Miguel since the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup — the same conference where the Elasto Painters eventually captured the championship.

     

    Now, another opportunity sits in front of them.

     

    Rain or Shine is back in the semifinals for the fifth time in the last six conferences and is chasing its first Finals appearance since that memorable 2016 title run.

     

    On paper, the matchup feels balanced.

     

    Ginebra owns the experience, championship pedigree, and perhaps the biggest playoff star in Brownlee.

     

    Rain or Shine counters with youth, speed, depth, and the hunger of a team trying to complete its long climb back into championship contention.

     

    But history suggests this series may ultimately come down to something else entirely. When Ginebra and Rain or Shine meet in the playoffs, talent usually matters.

     

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