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Category: Basketball

  • NBA round up: Knicks draw first blood as New York past Spurs in NBA Finals opener

    NBA round up: Knicks draw first blood as New York past Spurs in NBA Finals opener

    Powered by another masterful performance from Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks opened the 2026 NBA Finals with a 103-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center, stealing home-court advantage and taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.


    The win extended the Knicks’ remarkable postseason winning streak to 12 games, a run that has transformed New York from a feel-good playoff story into a team four victories away from ending a championship drought that dates back to 1973. Before the Finals, the Knicks had already won 11 consecutive playoff games, including a sweep of Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals.

     

    Brunson once again proved why he has become the heartbeat of New York’s title push. The All-Star guard finished with 30 points, three rebounds, and two assists, repeatedly delivering in the biggest moments of the game. After a tightly contested battle through three quarters, Brunson took control in the fourth, helping the Knicks create the separation they had been searching for all night. Reports from Game 1 noted that Brunson scored 13 points in the final period and fueled a decisive late run that put the Spurs away.

     

    While Brunson supplied the finishing touch, Karl-Anthony Towns provided the balance.

     

    The veteran big man posted 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, giving New York a consistent interior presence against San Antonio’s length. OG Anunoby added 17 points and three rebounds as the Knicks continued to showcase the depth that has defined their postseason success.

     

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    Wembanyama dazzled in his NBA Finals debut, finishing with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists. Time and again, the 7-foot-4 superstar answered New York runs with highlight-reel plays, keeping San Antonio within striking distance.

     

    Stephon Castle also stepped up for the Spurs, contributing 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. But despite strong individual performances, San Antonio struggled to match New York’s execution down the stretch.

     

    The contrast became evident in the final minutes. Whenever the Spurs appeared poised to make a push, the Knicks responded with timely baskets, defensive stops, and veteran composure. New York’s playoff experience showed, while San Antonio’s young core learned another lesson about the unforgiving nature of championship basketball.

     

    The result was especially significant considering the narratives entering the series. San Antonio arrived in the Finals as the betting favorite after surviving a grueling seven-game Western Conference Finals against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, while New York entered rested and red-hot after sweeping Cleveland. Many analysts viewed Game 1 as a crucial opportunity for the Knicks to capitalize on that advantage—and they did exactly that.

     

    Now the pressure shifts to the Spurs. Historically, teams that win Game 1 of the NBA Finals have gone on to capture the championship nearly 70 percent of the time, making New York’s road victory an important early step toward its ultimate goal.

     

    For the Knicks, the formula remains simple: trust Brunson, rely on their defensive identity, and continue the momentum that has carried them through the postseason.

     

    For the Spurs, Game 2 becomes an early must-respond moment. Wembanyama showed he is capable of carrying the spotlight on basketball’s biggest stage. Now San Antonio must find enough support around its franchise star to avoid heading to New York down 0-2.

     

    The two teams will meet again in Game 2 on Saturday at 8:30 AM (Philippine Time), with the Knicks looking to tighten their grip on the series and the Spurs determined to even the Finals.

     

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  • New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs bring different paths to long-awaited NBA Finals showdown 

    New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs bring different paths to long-awaited NBA Finals showdown 

    The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are set to open the 2026 NBA Finals on Thursday (PHT), with both teams arriving at the championship round through vastly different paths but sharing the same goal of ending lengthy waits for NBA glory.


    For New York, the Finals represent the culmination of a dominant postseason run. The Knicks have not lost since falling behind 2-1 against the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round and enter the series riding an 11-game winning streak. 

     

    Their reward is a return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999—the same year they last faced the Spurs. New York is also seeking its first NBA championship since 1973, ending a 53-year title drought.

     

    The Spurs, meanwhile, arrive with unfinished business. San Antonio will look to avenge its 124-113 defeat to New York in the NBA Cup championship game last December, although the two teams split their regular-season meetings with each winning on its home floor.

     

    Knicks veteran Josh Hart said the team’s approach has remained consistent despite the stakes.

    “The attention to detail and approach is really the same because I think we truly believe we’ve been building championship habits since October,” Hart said.

     

    While New York enjoyed extra rest after cruising through the Eastern Conference Finals, San Antonio had to survive one final battle before reaching the championship round.

     

    The Spurs needed seven games to eliminate defending champion Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, capped by a 111-103 victory in the winner-take-all Game 7. The emotional series tested one of the league’s youngest teams and further highlighted the emergence of Victor Wembanyama as one of the NBA’s premier stars.

     

    “It was a feel-good win for us. It’s hard to flush that out of the back of your mind,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle said.

     

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    “We understand we can’t get complacent or satisfied with that. We still have a job. Come game time, we’ll be ready.”

     

    The Knicks enter the Finals with momentum on their side after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jalen Brunson was unanimously named Eastern Conference Finals MVP after averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists per game in the series, while Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart provided the depth that has made New York one of the postseason’s most complete teams.

     

    San Antonio’s title hopes, meanwhile, revolve around Wembanyama, whose dominant two-way play has fueled the franchise’s rapid rise back to contention. The Spurs have also received major contributions from Castle, Devin Vassell, and veteran guard De’Aaron Fox, giving the team a balanced attack capable of matching New York’s depth.

     

    With one franchise chasing its first championship in more than five decades and the other seeking its first title since 2014, Game 1 promises to set the tone for what could be one of the most compelling Finals matchups in recent memory.

     

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  • RJ Abarrientos claims Player of the Week honor ahead of the PBA Finals 

    RJ Abarrientos claims Player of the Week honor ahead of the PBA Finals 

    RJ Abbarientos earned the final PBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation of the conference after spearheading the Gin Kings’ successful semifinal closeout against Rain or Shine, highlighted by consecutive 30-point outings that propelled his team back to the championship stage.


    Abarrientos averaged 23 points, 6.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals during the week, emerging as Ginebra’s top local performer as the Kings secured a return trip to the Finals.

     

    His biggest statement came in Game 6, where he poured in 30 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in a 118-107 victory that sealed the series in six games and booked a showdown with TNT. 

     

    It came just two days after he erupted for 31 points, four rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in Ginebra’s crucial 111-104 triumph in Game 5.

     

    “You could see it. I saw it in the locker room before the game. I can see it even yesterday during our film meeting. He just had it on his face and his body language that he is going to come out and have a big game,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said.

     

    The explosive finish was a sharp response to Game 4, when Abarrientos was limited to just eight points in a 97-85 defeat after struggling to get involved offensively.

     

    Instead of fading after the setback, the sophomore guard elevated his game when Ginebra needed him most, combining for 61 points in Games 5 and 6 to help eliminate the Elasto Painters and move within four wins of his first PBA championship.

     

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    The timing of his surge could not be better for a Ginebra team seeking redemption against TNT. The upcoming Finals will mark another chapter in one of the PBA’s defining rivalries, with the Tropang 5G having won the last three championship meetings between the two franchises, including the previous Commissioner’s Cup Finals. 

     

    The series presents Abarrientos an opportunity to play a pivotal role in Ginebra’s bid to finally reverse that trend.

     

    More than the scoring, Abarrientos has shown an increasing ability to control games as a playmaker and floor leader. 

     

    Following the Game 6 victory, he emphasized that his focus extends beyond individual numbers and centers on guiding the team on the court—a responsibility that has grown alongside his role within the franchise. 

     

    That evolution has made him one of Ginebra’s most important players heading into the Finals and a key figure in the club’s pursuit of another title.

     

    The Player of the Week award, as voted upon by reporters regularly covering the PBA beat, serves as the final individual recognition of the conference before attention shifts entirely to the championship series. 

     

    Abarrientos will look to carry his strong form into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, which begin on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where Barangay Ginebra will renew its rivalry with TNT in a highly anticipated title showdown. 

     

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  • Chot Reyes sees full-circle moment as RJ Abarrientos emerges as Ginebra’s rising force

    Chot Reyes sees full-circle moment as RJ Abarrientos emerges as Ginebra’s rising force

    Years ago, RJ Abarrientos was a young guard trying to earn a spot on the Gilas Pilipinas roster. Now, he enters the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals as one of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s biggest weapons and one of the players TNT coach Chot Reyes is most concerned about stopping.


    Ahead of the championship series, Reyes reflected on Abarrientos’ remarkable growth, recalling how he pushed for the then-rising guard to be included in the Gilas Pilipinas squad for the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta.

     

    “We always believed in the talent of RJ. I think that was the time when I was coaching for the Asia Cup with Coach Nenad (Vucinic) and RJ was there. I really fought hard to make sure that he was part of the line-up,” Reyes said.

     

    The former KBL Rookie of the Year has developed into one of Ginebra’s most important players, forming a potent trio with Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson while emerging as a leading candidate for the Best Player of the Conference award.

     

    His recent performances have been among the biggest reasons behind the Kings’ return to the Finals.

     

    Facing Rain or Shine in the semifinals, Abarrientos delivered when Ginebra needed him most, scoring 30 points in Game 5 before erupting for 31 points in Game 6. His 61-point output across the last two games of the series helped power the Kings into another title showdown with TNT.

     

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    For Reyes, the scoring explosion came as no surprise.

     

    “The way he is playing now is no surprise. I really thought that we needed that kind of player in that team before. Like I said, the first time we played them was in his rookie season. Now, he has grown and matured tremendously, hitting back-to-back 30-point games, 60 points in the last two games, that’s no joke, that’s not an accident,” said Reyes.

     

    The veteran coach also joked about how much Abarrientos has matured since his early days with the national team.

     

    “Baby RJ pa lang siya noon, ngayon mamang RJ na siya,” Reyes said during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals press conference.

     

    When Ginebra and TNT met in the 2024 Governors’ Cup Finals, Abarrientos was still a rookie finding minutes behind veterans LA Tenorio and Thompson. Now, he has become a featured part of the Kings’ offense and a player capable of taking over games.

     

    That evolution makes him one of the key figures to watch in the Finals, where his production could play a major role in determining whether Ginebra captures another championship or TNT adds another title to its collection.

     

    Despite the growing attention and accolades, Abarrientos remains focused on embracing the larger responsibilities that come with his expanded role as Ginebra chases another crown against the TNT Tropang 5G on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

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  • Kai Sotto, Quentin Millora-Brown will not suit up for Gilas in FIBA Qualifiers says Tim Cone 

    Kai Sotto, Quentin Millora-Brown will not suit up for Gilas in FIBA Qualifiers says Tim Cone 

    The challenge facing Gilas Pilipinas in the next FIBA World Cup qualifying window may not be about who will play—it may be about who won’t.

     

    As the national team prepares for a daunting road trip against regional heavyweights Australia and New Zealand, Gilas is set to navigate the window without two of its most important frontcourt pieces, creating a significant void in the middle just weeks before competition resumes.

     

    National team head coach Tim Cone confirmed that both Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown will be unavailable for the upcoming assignment, stripping the Philippines of two players who were expected to anchor the team’s interior presence.

     

    “QMB is out after back surgery in Japan. And so is Kai, officially. We’re told Kai is attending the NBA Summer League, which we are happy about. We’re supporting his road to the NBA,” Gilas head coach Tim Cone told me in a Tuesday night interview.

     

    The timing leaves Gilas searching for answers at a position that has long been one of its greatest strengths. Sotto’s size, rim protection, and international experience have made him a cornerstone of the program, while Millora-Brown quickly emerged as a reliable contributor after joining the national team setup.

     

    With both unavailable, attention naturally shifts to the veterans expected to shoulder a heavier burden.

     

    One of them is June Mar Fajardo, who had initially hoped to take a step back from national team duties as he explored the possibility of undergoing surgery.

     

    Instead, circumstances have once again called on the longtime Gilas pillar.

     

    According to Cone, the nine-time PBA MVP agreed to postpone those plans and make himself available for the national team after learning of the growing personnel concerns in the frontcourt.

     

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    His decision gives Gilas a much-needed stabilizing force as it prepares for arguably its toughest assignments of the qualifying campaign.

     

    The uncertainty does not end there.

     

    TNT star Calvin Oftana also revealed on Tuesday that he is scheduled to undergo surgery on an infected toe immediately after the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra, creating another situation the coaching staff will need to monitor closely in the coming weeks.

     

    Despite the mounting injury concerns, Cone remains focused on assembling the roster that will represent the country in the next window.

     

    While declining to discuss specific replacements or potential additions, the veteran coach indicated that the official lineup will be finalized soon.

     

    “We will be announcing the 12 players for the next window in a few days.”

     

    For Gilas, the upcoming qualifiers were already expected to be a difficult test against two of the strongest programs in Oceania. Now, with key pieces sidelined and roster adjustments becoming unavoidable, the challenge has become even greater.

     

    The next few days may determine not only who fills those vacant roster spots, but also how the Philippines plans to compete without two of the biggest names in its frontcourt rotation.

     

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  • Andy Gemao’s journey goes global as Filipino prospect earns spot in prestigious adidas Eurocamp 

    Andy Gemao’s journey goes global as Filipino prospect earns spot in prestigious adidas Eurocamp 

    Andy Gemao’s basketball journey is beginning to stretch far beyond Philippine shores.

     

    Long regarded as one of the country’s most promising young guards, Gemao has earned another significant opportunity to measure himself against the world’s best after being selected to participate in the 19th adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy from June 5 to 7.

     

    More than just another international tournament, the adidas Eurocamp has become one of basketball’s premier talent showcases outside the United States. For nearly two decades, the event has served as a launching pad for future NBA players, bringing together elite prospects from Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region under one roof.

     

    For Gemao, the invitation represents the latest step in a rapid rise that has transformed him from a promising local standout into one of the most closely watched Filipino prospects of his generation.

     

    His selection came after an impressive showing at the adidas Tokyo Nations Camp earlier this year, where he competed against some of the region’s top young players. That performance further validated what many scouts and basketball observers have been saying for years — that Gemao possesses the skill set and potential to compete on bigger stages.

     

    The opportunity also highlights the growing relationship between Gemao and adidas Philippines, which signed him in 2023 as one of its youngest basketball athletes. At the time, he was viewed as a player with tremendous upside. Three years later, that investment continues to pay dividends as Gemao earns opportunities that few Filipino prospects have experienced.

     

    His stock has been climbing steadily in recent months.

     

    Just weeks before receiving his Eurocamp invitation, Gemao picked up his first NCAA Division I scholarship offer from Penn State, another major milestone that underscored the increasing international attention surrounding his development.

     

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    Now, he finds himself headed to an event where NBA dreams often begin to take shape.

     

    The adidas Eurocamp is expected to feature some of the world’s top draft-eligible prospects, NBL Next Stars, NextGen EuroLeague standouts, and emerging talents from developing basketball markets. NBA and EuroLeague scouts will closely monitor the event, while established professionals will serve as mentors throughout the camp.

     

    Among the confirmed guests are Franz Wagner, Bogdan Bogdanović, and VJ Edgecombe, giving participants rare access to players who have successfully navigated the path from international prospect to professional star.

     

    The camp will be led by veteran coaching director Bill Bayno and scouting director Gianluca Pascucci.

     

    For Gemao, the immediate goal may simply be to compete and learn. But his presence alone sends a powerful message about the growing visibility of Filipino basketball talent on the international stage.

     

    At a camp designed to identify the next generation of global stars, the Philippines will have a representative standing among them. And for Andy Gemao, another door has opened on a journey that continues to get bigger with every step.

     

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  • Juami Tiongson returns to Terrafirma as San Miguel reloads with Jerrick Ahanmisi in blockbuster trade 

    Juami Tiongson returns to Terrafirma as San Miguel reloads with Jerrick Ahanmisi in blockbuster trade 

    For Juami Tiongson, the move feels familiar.

     

    Eighteen months after San Miguel acquired him from Terrafirma as part of its pursuit of another championship, the veteran guard is heading back to the franchise where he rebuilt his career and became one of the PBA’s most productive local scorers.

     

    The PBA announced Wednesday that San Miguel has traded Tiongson and rookie Chris Miller to Terrafirma in exchange for Jerrick Ahanmisi and sophomore Paolo Hernandez, a deal that says as much about each team’s present priorities as it does about the players involved.

     

    On the surface, it is a straightforward swap of talent. Dig deeper, however, and it becomes a story of two franchises moving in opposite directions.

     

    For San Miguel, the transaction is another attempt to maximize a championship window that never seems to close.

     

    The Beermen are adding one of the conference’s most explosive local scorers in Ahanmisi, a player who emerged as Terrafirma’s primary offensive weapon during the Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    He averaged more than 21 points per game while helping the Dyip produce the best start in franchise history and remain in playoff contention deep into the conference. Ahanmisi also delivered several signature performances, including a 24-point outing against San Miguel in a crucial late-season matchup.

     

    The former Jerrick Ahanmisi arrives with an established reputation as one of the league’s premier perimeter threats. A former UAAP Mythical Team member from Adamson University, he has steadily developed into one of the PBA’s most dangerous shot creators since entering the league in 2021.

     

    Meanwhile, Hernandez gives San Miguel another young piece to develop behind its veteran core.

     

    The trade also underscores how difficult Tiongson’s transition to San Miguel ultimately became.

     

    When the Beermen acquired the former Terrafirma franchise player in late 2024, many expected him to provide additional scoring and playmaking alongside stars such as June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez. Instead, Tiongson found himself adjusting to a far different role than the one he had grown accustomed to as Terrafirma’s offensive centerpiece.

     

    After averaging 17.2 points per game before his move to San Miguel, Tiongson’s production dropped significantly as he settled into a supporting role behind an already loaded backcourt. 

     

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    During the Commissioner’s Cup, he averaged just 4.7 points and 1.9 assists while often splitting minutes with veteran floor generals.

     

    Earlier this year, Tiongson openly acknowledged the adjustment that came with joining a championship contender.

     

    He admitted missing the larger offensive role he once had but recognized that becoming part of San Miguel’s deep roster required a different approach to the game.

     

    Now, he returns to the team where he spent five seasons and enjoyed the most productive stretch of his professional career.

     

    For Terrafirma, the move is about reclaiming a proven leader while adding a player whose skill set fits a team still searching for stability. Tiongson was more than just a scorer during his previous stint with the Dyip. He evolved into an All-Star, earned recognition as one of the league’s most improved players, and became one of the few consistent bright spots during challenging seasons for the franchise.

     

    The addition of Miller also provides Terrafirma another young guard who could receive more opportunities than he was likely to find within San Miguel’s crowded rotation.

     

    Ultimately, the trade reflects a familiar PBA reality.

     

    San Miguel continues to chase championships by adding established talent ready to contribute immediately. Terrafirma, meanwhile, welcomes back a player who once carried the franchise and now gets another chance to do so.

     

    For Ahanmisi, the move represents an opportunity to compete for titles alongside one of the league’s most decorated rosters.

     

    For Tiongson, it represents something different.

     

    A return to the team where he became a star, and perhaps the place where he can once again become one.

     

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  • One wants redemption, the other wants revenge as TNT and Ginebra renew finals rivalry 

    One wants redemption, the other wants revenge as TNT and Ginebra renew finals rivalry 

    For all the familiarity surrounding TNT and Barangay Ginebra, this Finals series is being fueled by something neither team has fully satisfied.

     

    Need.

     

    The names are familiar. The stage is familiar. Even the matchup has become a recurring chapter in the modern PBA era.

     

    But as the Tropang 5G and Gin Kings collide once more in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals beginning Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, both sides arrive carrying unfinished business of their own.

     

    TNT enters the series as defending champion and a team making its fifth consecutive Finals appearance. Yet for a franchise accustomed to competing for trophies, recent memories have been less than satisfying.

     

     

    The Tropang 5G have reached the summit repeatedly, only to watch opportunities slip away in the last two conferences after falling short against San Miguel in consecutive Philippine Cup Finals.

     

    On the opposite side stands a Ginebra squad that has spent the better part of two years searching for answers against the very team standing in its way.

     

    The Gin Kings have not celebrated a championship since Season 47 and have suffered three straight Finals defeats at the hands of TNT, including last season’s Commissioner’s Cup heartbreak.

     

    That history gives this latest showdown a different feel.

     

    For Ginebra, it’s about finally turning the page.

     

    For TNT, it’s about proving last year’s championship was not the end of a run but the beginning of another.

     

    The sense of urgency is equally personal for several players.

     

    Stephen Holt has reached the Finals twice with Ginebra and twice watched TNT walk away with the trophy.

     

    “This is why we play — to win games and win championships. This is my fifth conference with the team and third finals appearance. So hopefully we can break through this moment. We definitely don’t want to take these moments for granted and hopefully we can get the job done this time,” said Holt.

     

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    Across the floor, Jordan Heading is chasing the same goal from a different direction.

     

    The TNT guard has already experienced the pain of falling short on the biggest stage and sees another opportunity to finally finish the job.

     

    “I guess there’s a chance, yeah? We’ll see,” said Heading.

     

    The hunger is shared by Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who missed TNT’s championship runs in Season 49 due to injury and returned only to endure back-to-back Finals defeats.

     

    “I hope so. I’m just excited to go out and play some good basketball. You never want to take these opportunities for granted, coming here five times. We just play our game, rely on each other, do the things that got us here and hopefully this time we come out on the winning side,” he said.

     

    While much of the rivalry remains unchanged, this chapter introduces a new centerpiece.

     

    For the first time, Justin Brownlee and Chris McCullough will oppose each other in a PBA Finals.

     

    Brownlee remains the league’s gold standard among imports, while McCullough has transformed TNT since replacing the injured Bol Bol during the semifinals.

     

    Their duel could ultimately define the series.

     

    “It’s going to be an exciting matchup. I’ve known Chris (McCullough) for a long time, he’s a very versatile player. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for our team to contain him,” said Brownlee.

     

    McCullough’s arrival has also altered the way Ginebra views TNT.

     

    According to Gin Kings coach Tim Cone, the defending champions have rediscovered the identity that made them so difficult to beat.

     

    “I think they’re a lot more integrated now in terms of everybody contributing. I thought that when Mr. Bol was there, they really had a more difficult time trying to keep everybody involved,” said Cone.

     

    “Now they’re back to playing ‘Talk and Text’ brand of basketball and I think that that’s made them better, tougher in the coming series.”

     

    That may be what makes this Finals rematch different from the previous ones.

     

    TNT is no longer chasing validation.

     

    Ginebra is no longer simply chasing another Finals appearance.

     

    One side wants redemption after recent heartbreaks. The other wants revenge for years of frustration.

     

    And beginning Wednesday night, only one of them will move closer to finally getting it. 

     

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  • Gilas Girls make statement, dominates Vietnam in U18 SEABA opener 

    Gilas Girls make statement, dominates Vietnam in U18 SEABA opener 

    The future of Philippine women’s basketball wasted little time announcing its arrival.

     

    With a roster packed with rising stars and familiar basketball bloodlines, Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 opened the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers with an emphatic 93-42 victory over Vietnam on Tuesday night at the STI-West Negros University Gym in Bacolod City.

     

    While the senior national team continues to build on its recent international successes, the next wave of talent showed it may not be long before it is ready to carry the program forward.

     

    After a competitive opening quarter, the Filipinas blew the game wide open behind a suffocating defensive display and a blistering 26-7 second-quarter run that immediately created separation.

     

    What followed was a showcase of the depth, athleticism, and defensive intensity that has become a hallmark of the country’s youth program.

     

    Gilas forced turnovers all night long, finishing with 28 steals that directly translated into 55 points off Vietnam’s miscues.

     

    Rhiane Perez led the charge with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, while Zaydhen Rosano added 15 points and eight rebounds as the Filipinas controlled both ends of the floor.

     

    The performance also highlighted the emergence of several players carrying familiar surnames.

     

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    US-trained Tiffany Reyes, daughter of former PBA player Jay-R Reyes, contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and two steals in an efficient outing.

     

    Meanwhile, Sophia Dignadice, daughter of PBA legend Yves Dignadice and already a member of the gold medal-winning Gilas Women squad in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and six steals.

     

    The victory serves as another encouraging sign for a program that has steadily expanded its talent pipeline in recent years.

     

    Although the Philippines has already secured its place in this year’s FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup after topping Division B in 2024, the SEABA qualifiers provide valuable international experience for a group expected to become future mainstays of the national team.

     

    For one night at least, the next generation looked more than ready for the challenge.

     

    Gilas Women U18 returns to action on Wednesday against Singapore as it continues its campaign on home soil.

     

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  • “If they (Rain or Shine) have me back, I’ll love to come back”: Jaylen Johnson open to Rain or Shine return following semifinal exit 

    “If they (Rain or Shine) have me back, I’ll love to come back”: Jaylen Johnson open to Rain or Shine return following semifinal exit 

    Rain or Shine’s Commissioner’s Cup campaign may have ended in disappointment, but Jaylen Johnson made it clear that his story with the Elasto Painters may not be over just yet.


    Moments after Rain or Shine bowed out of the semifinals with a 118-107 loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game 6, Johnson was already looking ahead. 

     

    While the result ended the team’s title aspirations for the conference, the import’s focus quickly shifted toward the possibility of returning and finishing what he started.

     

    Johnson delivered another all-around performance in the deciding game, posting 27 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists as Rain or Shine fought to keep its season alive. 

     

    However, Ginebra’s firepower ultimately proved too much, with Justin Brownlee leading the way with 31 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, while RJ Abarrientos added 30 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

     

    Despite the defeat, Johnson’s message was centered less on the loss and more on the pursuit of a championship that remains out of reach.

     

    “I want to win a championship. If they (Rain or Shine) have me back, I’ll love to come back,” he said.

     

    The import doubled down on that commitment, emphasizing that the semifinal exit only strengthened his motivation to return to the league.

     

    “I don’t want it to end, but I’ll be back for sure. You will see a lot more of me because I can’t leave like that,” Johnson added.

     

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    His performance throughout the conference gave Rain or Shine a dependable centerpiece on both ends of the floor, helping the team navigate injuries and roster challenges en route to another semifinal appearance. 

     

    Although the Elasto Painters fell short of advancing, Johnson’s impact left a strong impression on the franchise and its supporters.

     

    For head coach Yeng Guiao, the conference was another example of a team that continued to compete despite facing adversity. Rain or Shine reached the semifinals for the fifth time in the last six conferences, but once again found itself a few wins short of a Finals berth.

     

    “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished this conference. We made it all the way to the semifinals. We’ve lost a couple of players along the way, but we still put up a good fight against Ginebra,” he said.

     

    Guiao also acknowledged the challenge of facing a team led by Brownlee, whom he described as one of the greatest imports to play in the league. While Johnson held his own in the matchup, the veteran coach admitted that Ginebra’s star import elevated his game when it mattered most.

     

    “We’re happy about our import, JJ, but Brownlee played a different game. We gave ourselves a chance,” Guiao bared.

     

    As Ginebra moves on to face defending champion TNT Tropang 5G in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals beginning Wednesday, June 3, Rain or Shine turns its attention to the upcoming Governors’ Cup and the next phase of its roster-building process.

     

    Guiao revealed that the team has already begun evaluating its options for the import position and is working from a “short list” of candidates. 

     

    Whether Johnson ultimately returns remains to be seen, but his willingness to come back gives Rain or Shine another important decision to consider as it looks to finally break through and contend for a championship.

     

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