The PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals are officially locked in, and the stage is set for a compelling mix of sister-team showdowns and classic rivalries following a dramatic close to the quarterfinal round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco stamped its return to the semifinals for the first time since its 2024 title run after toppling Rain or Shine, 98–89, despite carrying a lower seed and facing a twice-to-beat disadvantage.
The Bolts leaned on poise and late-game execution to overcome years of playoff frustration, snapping a streak of three straight quarterfinal exits.
Chris Newsome spearheaded the breakthrough with 31 points, delivering timely baskets each time the Elasto Painters threatened. His layup halted a late Rain or Shine surge that trimmed the gap to four, before a dagger jumper with 1:13 remaining sealed the upset.
“Rain or Shine, high character team. Last three conferences making the semifinals. They are doing great things there. You know that they are going to keep on coming. Just proud of the guys for the way they gutted it out,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
Chris Banchero added 21 points, while CJ Cansino chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds before fouling out. On the other side, Adrian Nocum nearly willed Rain or Shine back from an 11-point deficit, pouring in 29 points, while Gian Mamuyac finished with 20.
The loss also marked the end of Rain or Shine’s run of four straight semifinal appearances and served as the final PBA game for franchise icon Gabe Norwood.
Awaiting Meralco in the next round is its sister team TNT, setting up an all-MVP Group semifinal that guarantees one of the league’s corporate rivals a spot in the finals.
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On the other side of the bracket, Barangay Ginebra arranged yet another heavyweight duel with San Miguel Beer after surviving one of the most dramatic games of the conference.
Stephen Holt buried a buzzer-beating three in overtime to lift the Gin Kings past Converge, 99–98, completing a furious comeback from a six-point deficit in the final minutes of extra time. Holt’s shot sparked pandemonium at the Big Dome, remarkable for a player who had struggled all night and was just 1-of-7 before the final play.
Ginebra’s escape was set up earlier when Jeremiah Gray sank three pressure-packed free throws with 3.4 seconds left in regulation, extending the contest after Converge committed a costly foul on a three-point attempt.
RJ Abarrientos led the Gin Kings with 20 points, while Scottie Thompson had 13 points and eight assists before fouling out. Jayson David scored 13 before exiting with a dislocated shoulder, as Ginebra closed the game without both Thompson and Japeth Aguilar.
The win booked a familiar semifinal showdown against defending champion San Miguel Beer, reviving memories of last season’s seven-game classic where LA Tenorio authored a Game 6 buzzer-beater.
With Ginebra riding momentum and San Miguel carrying championship pedigree, another chapter in one of the PBA’s most storied rivalries is set to unfold starting January 4.
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