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Category: Basketball

  • Scottie Thompson turns grit into gold, claims third Finals MVP after Ginebra’s Championship run 

    Scottie Thompson turns grit into gold, claims third Finals MVP after Ginebra’s Championship run 

    Scottie Thompson did not dominate the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals with eye-popping scoring totals or flashy stat lines every night. Instead, he did it the way he has built his entire career — by showing up, fighting through pain, and making winning plays when they mattered most.

     

    On a night when Barangay Ginebra completed its championship mission, Thompson’s fingerprints were all over the deciding Game 7 victory.

     

    Battling a nagging hamstring injury that limited him throughout the series, the veteran guard produced one of his most complete performances of the conference, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to help the Gin Kings defeat TNT, 88-76, before a record crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    The performance not only secured another title for Ginebra but also earned Thompson the Ramon Fernandez Finals MVP award, his third Finals MVP recognition after previous triumphs in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup and the 2021 Governors’ Cup.

     

    What made this latest honor stand out was the adversity surrounding it.

     

    Unlike previous championship runs where Thompson entered the Finals at full strength, this time he had to manage an injury while matching up against a deep and determined TNT squad in a series that stretched the distance.

     

    Rather than forcing the issue, Thompson focused on impacting the game in every possible way — rebounding, facilitating, defending, and providing leadership for a Ginebra team that leaned heavily on its veterans throughout the seven-game battle.

     

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    By the end of the series, his all-around contributions proved impossible to ignore.

     

    Thompson averaged 10.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals across the Finals, numbers that reflected his versatility and importance to the champions.

     

    The one-time league MVP admitted afterward that the recognition came as a surprise.

     

    “It was an unexpected” one.

     

    His consistency throughout the series helped him edge out teammates Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos in the voting conducted by the PBA Press Corps for the award named after four-time MVP and league legend Ramon Fernandez.

     

    For Thompson, however, the trophy may be less about individual accomplishment and more about validation.

     

    In a Finals defined by pressure, injuries, and momentum swings, he once again proved why he remains one of the most trusted players in the league — not because he demands the spotlight, but because he finds a way to deliver when the championship is on the line.

     

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  • Mike Phillips emerges as Gilas option amid frontcourt shakeup for FIBA Qualifiers 

    Mike Phillips emerges as Gilas option amid frontcourt shakeup for FIBA Qualifiers 

    Gilas Pilipinas may have found an unexpected answer to one of its biggest concerns heading into the next phase of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

     

    As injuries, surgeries, and overseas commitments continue to thin the national team’s frontcourt depth, Mike Phillips has quietly stepped into the picture, joining the Gilas pool for the crucial July window, according to sources.

     

    The development comes at a time when size has become a growing concern for the national team. Reports indicate that Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown are both expected to miss the upcoming road assignments against New Zealand and Australia, while Calvin Oftana has already ruled himself out due to a scheduled toe surgery.

     

    That situation has created an opening for Phillips, whose combination of energy, rebounding, and defensive versatility could provide an alternative option for the coaching staff.

     

    Rather than arriving as a last-minute replacement, the former La Salle standout has already begun participating in team workouts despite head coach Tim Cone remaining focused on Barangay Ginebra’s ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals campaign.

     

    The call-up also marks a significant milestone in Phillips’ national team journey.

     

    For years, questions surrounding his eligibility complicated discussions about his future with Gilas. That uncertainty largely disappeared in February when FIBA officially classified him as a local player, clearing the path for potential inclusion in future international competitions.

     

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    Now, with Gilas navigating roster challenges, the timing of that ruling could prove valuable.

     

    While many associate Phillips with his successful UAAP career—highlighted by a Finals MVP performance in Season 89—he is no stranger to representing the country. He previously suited up for the Philippines during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, giving him a taste of international competition.

     

    His latest opportunity, however, comes under different circumstances.

     

    Instead of being viewed as a prospect for the future, Phillips is being considered as a possible solution for the present as Gilas prepares for two difficult away games against traditional regional powers.

     

    Currently seeing action with San Juan in the MPBL, Phillips now finds himself back in the national team conversation at a moment when every available big body matters.

     

    With the July qualifiers approaching and Gilas still managing roster availability issues, Phillips’ inclusion offers the national team another layer of flexibility—and perhaps another opportunity for him to prove he belongs on the international stage.

     

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  • Ateneo players recall Aurora incident as Jared Bahay, Andrew Bongo, and Ian Espinosa share testimonies 

    Ateneo players recall Aurora incident as Jared Bahay, Andrew Bongo, and Ian Espinosa share testimonies 

    For the first time, surviving members of the Ateneo de Manila University Men’s Basketball Team publicly detailed their experience during the Aurora team-building incident that claimed the lives of teammates Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

     

    Jared Bahay, Ian Espinosa, and Andrew Bongo shared their accounts during a town hall event at the Ateneo campus, recounting how a team activity near the shoreline turned into an emergency situation on June 8.

     

    Bahay said the players entered the activity without their mobile phones after the devices were collected the night before, leaving the team with no way to track time as the camp continued.

     

    Before the activity, the players recalled that former head coach Tab Baldwin asked who among them did not know how to swim. Bahay said Divine Adili was among those who could not swim, while Baterbonia knew how to swim.

     

    The activity involved players jogging in the water near the shoreline as coaches supervised from the beach. However, the conditions changed when stronger waves began pushing the players away from the shore.

     

    “The waves came and we didn’t know that we were being pulled farther out,” Bahay recalled.

    The players said they were later told to move toward shallower waters, but the current made returning difficult.

     

    Espinosa, who was near the front of the group, said he initially did not realize the danger behind him as several teammates began struggling in the water.

     

    “While we were swimming back to the shallow part, we noticed that we were not moving anymore,” Bahay said.

     

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    As the situation worsened, the players tried to assist each other. Espinosa turned back after noticing teammates in trouble and found Kyle Gamber calling for help.

     

    Bahay also recalled facing difficulties himself when his foot cramped while trying to swim back, forcing him to rely on another teammate’s assistance.

     

    When some players finally reached the shore, they realized several teammates were still missing. Bahay described the panic among the group, remembering Kiefer Alas in distress and EJ Kapihe repeatedly saying, “Divine’s gone, bro. Divine’s gone.”

     

    “I thought EJ didn’t see Divine, but in this scenario he already saw Divine floating and he didn’t know how to swim at all,” Bahay said.

     

    According to Bahay, Kapihe attempted to help Adili and bring him back to safety, but Adili was already unconscious.

     

    After understanding the seriousness of the situation, Bahay immediately informed Baldwin, who then looked for assistance.

     

    “Everybody panicked because they didn’t know who was missing,” Bahay said.

     

    Espinosa also shared his memory of seeing Baterbonia during the incident, saying his teammate was swimming breaststroke and calling out.

     

    “Nakita ko si Rene sa likod na (nag-breaststroke at sumisigaw), tapos sinabihan ko na tumalon ka lang,” Espinosa said.

     

    Bahay later recalled that Baterbonia was found floating with purple lips, prompting the coaching staff to perform CPR.

     

    The players said the speed of events left them struggling to understand what was happening. After reaching the shore, some teammates returned to the water area to search for those who had not made it back.

     

    After the incident, 18 players gathered at a swimming pool area where Coach Jon Jacinto Jr. informed them of what happened and allowed them to contact their families.

     

    The players also said Baldwin returned about an hour later after accompanying Adili and Baterbonia to the hospital.

     

    The accounts from Bahay, Bongo, and Espinosa followed the earlier discussion of teammates Kieffer Alas and Sam Reyes during a Let’s Talk podcast with journalist Pia Hontiveros.

     

    The testimonies provided a deeper look into the tragedy as the Ateneo community continues to mourn the loss of two student-athletes. 

     

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  • NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes move to Nike 

    NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes move to Nike 

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise to the top of the NBA has now carried him to one of basketball’s biggest stages off the court.

     

    After six years as the centerpiece of Converse Basketball, the reigning back-to-back MVP is making a significant leap within the sneaker world, officially joining Nike as the brand’s newest signature athlete.

     

    The move marks a new chapter for Gilgeous-Alexander, whose partnership with Converse helped elevate both his profile and the brand’s basketball division. As one of the company’s most prominent athletes, he headlined campaigns, became the face of its modern basketball identity, and launched his first signature shoe, the SHAI 001.

     

    Now, with his star continuing to soar after consecutive MVP-caliber seasons, Nike has decided to bring him into its flagship basketball lineup.

     

    The signing reflects Nike’s long-term vision as it prepares for the next generation of superstars to take over the spotlight. With veterans like LeBron James and Kevin Durant entering the latter stages of their careers, the company is positioning Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama among the faces expected to lead its basketball future.

     

    The transition also feels like a natural progression. Converse operates under the Nike umbrella, allowing Gilgeous-Alexander to remain within the same corporate family while stepping onto a much larger platform.

     

    Nike expressed excitement over the addition of one of basketball’s fastest-rising global stars.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Nike Basketball signature family. Coming after back-to-back MVP seasons, we are excited to build on Shai’s incredible impact with Converse as one of the most creative leaders in the game,”

     

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    For Nike, the appeal is obvious.

     

    Over the last two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander has transformed from All-Star guard into one of the league’s defining players. His combination of production, style, marketability, and international appeal has made him one of basketball’s most recognizable figures.

     

    The move also signals how much his profile has grown beyond Oklahoma City. Once viewed as a promising young talent, Gilgeous-Alexander is now being positioned alongside the sport’s biggest commercial stars, with Nike betting that his influence can extend well beyond the hardwood.

     

    As the MVP continues building his legacy on the floor, his latest career move suggests he is now entering an entirely different tier off it as well—one where championships, awards, and signature sneakers all carry equal weight.

     

    For Nike, the future just got a lot more Canadian, a lot more stylish, and a lot more centered around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

     

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  • “It’s Like Going Through Two Deaths”: Ateneo players reveal death threats after tragedy 

    “It’s Like Going Through Two Deaths”: Ateneo players reveal death threats after tragedy 

    As Ateneo continues to grieve the loss of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, some members of the Blue Eagles are now facing another difficult challenge away from the basketball court.

     

    Highly touted rookie Kieffer Alas revealed that he and several teammates have been receiving death threats and hostile messages on social media following the fatal drowning incident that claimed the lives of Baterbonia and Adili during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8.

     

    Beyond the grief of losing two teammates, Alas said the players have also been forced to deal with online accusations and speculation linking them to the tragedy.

     

    “There have been comments blaming us and saying we were jealous. It’s painful because we were there, and we lost them too,” Alas shared during an appearance on the Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros podcast.

     

    The 19-year-old guard described the experience as another layer of trauma for a team still trying to process what happened.

     

    “It’s like going through two deaths. The first one is losing our two teammates, and now being criticized for their deaths. We lost them; we’ve witnessed it happen. Then, I don’t know every social media person or anybody, they’re just putting the blame on us.”

     

    “I just turned 19. It’s just hard. I didn’t think I would be experiencing this.”

     

    Second-year Blue Eagle Sam Reyes echoed the sentiment, saying the online attacks have only made an already painful situation even harder for the team.

     

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    “It’s just hard, the comments that they’re saying that we’re just jealous that we did it because we’re jealous. It’s just killing us because we’re there and we lost two of our brothers. It’s really painful to survive what happened but it’s also killing us at the same time.”

     

    The emergence of rumors and unverified claims in the days following the tragedy has fueled much of the online backlash directed at the players.

     

    Alas admitted that the lack of available information early in the investigation may have contributed to the spread of speculation on social media. He and Reyes also addressed several circulating claims, denying allegations that players were wearing ankle weights or weight belts during the activity and dismissing suggestions that initiation rites were involved.

     

    While the public continues to search for answers, the players say they are trying to cope with both the emotional weight of losing teammates and the scrutiny that followed.

     

    The incident remains under investigation by multiple agencies, including the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Ateneo de Manila University, and the UAAP. As inquiries continue, the Ateneo players hope the facts surrounding the tragedy will eventually provide clarity and put an end to the speculation that has added to their grief.

     

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  • Cebu becomes the new stage for Women’s 3×3 as international field arrives for Cebu Hustle debut 

    Cebu becomes the new stage for Women’s 3×3 as international field arrives for Cebu Hustle debut 

    For years, Cebu has been known as one of the country’s strongest basketball communities.

     

    This weekend, however, the spotlight shifts from the traditional five-on-five game to the fast-paced world of 3×3 basketball as the city welcomes an international cast of women’s teams for the first-ever Cebu Hustle 3×3 at SM Seaside City.

     

    The tournament marks another step in the continued growth of women’s basketball in the Philippines, bringing together 12 squads from six different countries while giving Cebu-based players a rare opportunity to compete against established regional programs on home soil.

     

    Rather than simply hosting another basketball event, Cebu becomes a meeting point for rising local talent and experienced international competitors, all chasing a championship in a format that continues to gain popularity worldwide.

     

    “We thank Cebu for embracing our tournament. Ever since we started conceptualizing this event, we’ve had nothing but support from Cebu and it humbles us so much,” said tournament director Peachy Cheng-Medina.

     

    “Cebu is a basketball-crazy city so it’s just the right time for us to present women’s 3×3 basketball here in Cebu.”

     

    The local contingent will feature familiar names and emerging prospects eager to test themselves against international opposition.

     

    Among the hometown entries are Move Liloan and UP Cebu, two squads expected to draw strong local support throughout the weekend.

     

    Move Liloan will be led by Kath Jumapao alongside Kristel Pitogo, Lyssa Lubiano, and Sharlene Owatan, while UP Cebu fields a youthful lineup bannered by Althea Degamo, Maxim Magbanua, Jessha Banquil, and Lourien Navarro.

     

    For many Cebu basketball followers, the tournament offers a unique opportunity to measure local talent against some of the strongest women’s 3×3 programs in the region.

     

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    “We finally have an international level 3×3 competition coming to town and I’m very excited as a Cebuano fan to see how our top talents compete against I can say the best teams in the region,” said SBP Zone 8 director Popoy Navarro.

     

    Beyond the competition itself, organizers hope the event serves as a showcase for women’s basketball and inspires the next generation of athletes.

     

    “This event is more than just a competition. It is a celebration of the talent, determination, and passion of our women athletes,” added Dr. Rhoel Dejano, Cebu Provincial Sports Commission chairman.

     

    The Philippine challenge will also include Gilas Pilipinas Women U23 3×3, Uratex Dream, Pilipinas Aguilas, and TOL Patriots.

     

    Awaiting them is a formidable international field led by Japanese clubs Maurice Lacroix and Shinjuku Givers 3×3, alongside Thailand’s Shoot It Dragons and CT Tigers, Malaysia’s EST Jersey, and Singapore’s Jumpshot.

     

    Pool play begins Saturday at 12 noon, with teams divided into four groups of three. The top performers will then advance to Sunday’s knockout rounds, where the inaugural Cebu Hustle champion will be crowned.

     

    For Cebu, the tournament represents more than a weekend of basketball. It is an opportunity to establish itself as a destination for high-level women’s 3×3 competition while giving local fans a front-row seat to the sport’s continued rise across Asia.

     

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  • Kieffer Alas recounts near-death experience, denies initiation claims in Ateneo team-building incident

    Kieffer Alas recounts near-death experience, denies initiation claims in Ateneo team-building incident

    Ateneo de Manila University guard Kieffer Alas has defended the university’s basketball program and team management following the tragic deaths of Blue Eagles student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Clert Baterbonia during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

     

    The incident, which occurred on Monday, June 8, has sent shockwaves through Philippine collegiate sports, prompting widespread grief from teammates, coaches, alumni, sports officials, and basketball organizations. What was meant to be a bonding exercise ahead of another UAAP campaign ended in tragedy, as two young athletes with promising futures were lost.

     

    According to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3), initial reports showed that Adili and Baterbonia were swimming when they were caught by strong currents and swept into deeper waters. Rescue efforts were immediately conducted, but both were later declared dead. Authorities have since launched a full investigation into the incident and have urged the public to refrain from speculation while fact-finding continues.

     

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    Alas, along with teammate Sam Reyes, appeared on The Pod Network’s “Let’s Talk with Pia Hontiveros,” where he addressed online speculation suggesting that the activity was an initiation rite for rookies, firmly rejecting those claims.

     

    “No, not at all. It just hurts how people perceive it that way. I know my veterans wouldn’t even think of that. Nothing, they wouldn’t do that to me or in any other rookies. It’s hard to see it online,” Alas said.

     

    The young guard also clarified that then-head coach Tab Baldwin intended the activity strictly as a team-building exercise, part of a long-standing program designed to strengthen camaraderie and mental toughness within the Ateneo program known as the “Blue Eagle Band of Brothers” (BEBOB). He added that players were briefed beforehand about safety concerns, including the presence of strong and unpredictable currents.

    “Coach Tab was saying that the team-building was for us to get closer and to build that mental toughness. To get us closer, like brotherhood. We had a pretty long discussion about it. They warned us about the uneven sand. You can randomly go back down and up and up, so swim vertically to the shore when there’s a rip current,” he added.

     

    Alas also opened up about the harrowing experience he endured during the incident, admitting he reached a point where he believed he would not survive.

     

    “My head wasn’t clear because I didn’t know what to do. It felt like I was underwater for more than 20 seconds. I felt like giving up. I was really giving up. I was ready to accept that I might die. It felt like forever. Before I finally touched the ocean floor, time just seemed to keep stretching on. Then I finally felt the ocean floor,” he said.

     

    The 19-year-old rookie added that he does not know how to swim and relied heavily on instinct and presence of mind to survive the situation.

     

    “I jumped po and gasped for air, but the others were already far away from me. I was screaming for help. Malcolm Tyler went a bit closer to me and just kept screaming in my ear while saving Ian Espinosa. It’s like you were floating and it worked for a bit but it just kept bringing me further from the shore. So I tried doing a thing that I would lie flat whenever a wave came. Then when the wave passed, since I didn’t know how to swim, I would dog-paddle. I just kept repeating that because I had been in the water for so long,” Alas continued.

     

    As the Ateneo community continues to mourn, tributes have poured in from across Philippine sports, honoring not only the players’ athletic promise but also the lives they lived beyond the court.

     

    For Ateneo, the UAAP community, and Philippine basketball as a whole, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of life’s fragility—even for young athletes on the verge of promising careers.

    Though their journeys were cut short far too soon, Adili and Baterbonia leave behind a lasting impact on teammates, coaches, friends, and loved ones that will endure long after the final buzzer.

     

     

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  • John Amores takes step toward PBA comeback with Titan Ultra tryout 

    John Amores takes step toward PBA comeback with Titan Ultra tryout 

    John Amores’ basketball journey has taken place far from the bright lights of professional arenas.

    The former Jose Rizal University standout spent his days attending psychological and psychiatric consultations, participating in community outreach activities, and fulfilling the requirements laid out by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) following the revocation of his professional license.


    Now, the possibility of a return to professional basketball is beginning to take shape.

    Amores recently took a significant step toward that goal when he joined the practice sessions of Titan Ultra Giant Risers, the franchise that inherited his PBA rights following its acquisition of NorthPort.

     

    “Unang araw ng ensayo kasama ang Titan Ultra Giant Risers,” Amores posted on social media on Tuesday.

     

    Titan Ultra head coach Rensy Bajar confirmed the 6-foot-2 guard’s presence during team activities.

     

    “Andito siya ngayon nagta-tryout,” Bajar said.

     

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    The development immediately raised questions about Amores’ eligibility to play, given that his license was revoked following his involvement in a shooting incident in Laguna during his sophomore season with NorthPort.

     

    According to GAB chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, however, Amores has already cleared the administrative requirements necessary for reinstatement.

     

    “He just needs to provide proof of a standing offer from a PBA team, then we can release his license. He has been cleared for reinstatement following his acquittal in the cases, but with specific conditions,” Rivera said.

     

    The road to this point has been anything but ordinary. As part of his reintegration process, Amores completed extensive community service programs in Laguna. 

     

    He likewise spent time visiting orphanages, including the Child Protection Unit in Barangay Jasaan, Sta. Cruz, where outreach activities became a regular part of his rehabilitation program.

     

    The PBA suspension and the revocation of his GAB license effectively put his basketball career on hold. At the same time, Amores faced legal challenges stemming from the Laguna incident, including attempted murder charges.

     

    According to Amores, those legal cases have since been resolved, removing another major obstacle in his effort to resume his professional career.

     

    With the administrative hurdles largely cleared and a return to organized basketball now within reach, Amores finds himself at a crossroads.

     

     The next chapter of his career will depend not only on securing a roster spot but also on proving that the lessons learned during years away from the game can translate into a meaningful second chance on the court.

     

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  • “We’ve Been Here Before”: Chot Reyes, TNT embrace another winner-take-all Finals battle 

    “We’ve Been Here Before”: Chot Reyes, TNT embrace another winner-take-all Finals battle 

    TNT entered Game 6 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals with a simple message: the series would require a full 96-minute effort to overcome Barangay Ginebra.

     

    The number was written on a whiteboard inside the Tropang 5G dugout before Sunday’s game, representing the combined duration of Games 6 and 7 should TNT force a deciding match.

     

    After securing a 98-90 victory and tying the series at 3-3, TNT is now halfway through that goal and will look to complete the job in Game 7 on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    “If we really focus on playing defense, then we can stop this team,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “In our board (before Game 6), we put 96 minutes. We put the No. 96 encircled with a heart. We said let’s play the best 96 minutes of our lives.”

     

    “And now, all we’ve done is get through the first half, and find a way to get ready for the second half on Wednesday,” said Reyes.

     

    The Tropang 5G are familiar with this situation after also defeating Ginebra in a seven-game Commissioner’s Cup Finals series last season. TNT won the last two games of that championship matchup, including an overtime victory in Game 7.

     

    Reyes said the team has maintained the same mindset throughout the current series.

     

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    “We talked about it from the start. We are here for the long game. And now, we are in long game territory. We are just grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to try one more time,” said Reyes.

     

    TNT bounced back from a difficult Game 5 loss, where Ginebra escaped with a 100-95 overtime win behind Justin Brownlee’s 54-point performance.

     

    Despite the setback, Reyes reminded his players that they had previously been in similar situations.

     

    “Obviously, we were pretty down in the dugout but I reminded them in the dugout, we’ve been here before. We know how to do this. And my only message is to clear your minds, clear your hearts, and put their best foot forward,” said Reyes.

     

    “Whatever happens, happens. But like I said, we are prepared for 96 minutes. Now, there’s another 48 to be played,” Reyes added.

     

    Game 7 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a large crowd expected as TNT and Ginebra battle for the Commissioner’s Cup championship.

     

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  • NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs became the most-watched in 28 years, breaking viewership records

    NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs became the most-watched in 28 years, breaking viewership records

    The 2025-26 NBA Finals may have concluded in just five games, but the championship series between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs proved to be one of the league’s most captivating Finals matchups in recent memory.

     

    Despite the Knicks securing the Larry O’Brien Trophy with a 4-1 series victory, the competitiveness of the games, star power on display, and historic stakes surrounding both franchises helped drive television viewership to heights not seen in nearly three decades.

     

    According to an ESPN press release, the Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals averaged approximately 20.6 million viewers across the five-game series, making it the most-watched NBA Finals since 1998, when Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their sixth championship. The impressive figure underscores the widespread interest generated by two iconic franchises returning to the league’s biggest stage.

     

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    The series’ audience represented a remarkable increase from the previous season’s Finals, which featured the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. That matchup averaged approximately 10.3 million viewers, meaning the Knicks-Spurs showdown attracted nearly double the audience and reignited national interest in the NBA’s championship round.

     

    While the final series score suggested a relatively comfortable triumph for New York, the games themselves were highly competitive and featured several dramatic moments. The Spurs repeatedly challenged the eventual champions, while the Knicks showcased the resilience and star-driven play that carried them throughout their title run.

    Viewership continued to build as the series progressed, culminating in a massive audience for the championship-clinching Game 5 at the Frost Bank Center on Sunday, June 14 (Philippine Standard Time). The game drew an average audience of 24.5 million viewers, becoming one of the most-watched NBA Finals contests of the modern era.

     

    Even more impressive was the sustained interest throughout the latter stages of the series. Games 3, 4, and 5 each surpassed the 20-million-viewer mark, the first time an NBA Finals had achieved that feat since the historic 2016 Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. That seven-game classic remains one of the benchmark championship series in league history, making the Knicks-Spurs Finals’ viewership achievement even more noteworthy.

     

    ESPN also reported that Game 5 peaked at 33 million viewers as fans tuned in to witness a potentially historic moment for the Knicks franchise. New York entered the series carrying decades of championship frustration, having endured one of the longest title droughts among the NBA’s marquee organizations. The victory sparked celebrations across New York and marked a defining moment for a franchise that had spent years trying to return to championship relevance.

     

    Leading the charge for the Knicks was superstar guard Jalen Brunson, whose exceptional Finals performance cemented his place among the franchise’s modern legends. Brunson averaged 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game throughout the series, consistently delivering in crucial moments and serving as the focal point of New York’s offense.

     

    His outstanding production earned him the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award, recognizing his role as the driving force behind the Knicks’ championship run. Brunson’s scoring efficiency, leadership, and ability to elevate his game on the biggest stage proved instrumental in helping New York secure its long-awaited title.

     

    The record-breaking television numbers, combined with Brunson’s stellar performances and the resurgence of one of basketball’s most storied franchises, made the 2025-26 NBA Finals a landmark event for the league. While the series lasted only five games, its impact on the NBA landscape—and its success in capturing the attention of basketball fans worldwide—will be remembered as one of the defining storylines of the season.

     

     

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