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Tag: PBA Commissioner’s Cup

  • Rain or Shine remains unbeaten as Titan Ultra gains ground in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    Rain or Shine remains unbeaten as Titan Ultra gains ground in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    Momentum defined Wednesday’s doubleheader in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, as Rain or Shine Elasto Painters preserved winning streak record while Titan Ultra Giant Risers showed signs of life in a tightly contested climb up the standings.


    In the early game, Titan Ultra leaned on a strong closing push to fend off the Blackwater Bossing, 102-98, for its second win in five outings.

     

    A commanding lead slip before Joshua Munzon took over late. The guard delivered 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists, spearheading the decisive finishing run that sealed the win.

     

    “I just wanted to push us. We were up 20 and gave up the lead and fought for the win,” Munzon said.

     

    Earl Gilmore added a dominant 21-point, 15-rebound performance, while Aris Dionisio chipped in 11 points, six boards, and three steals to steady Titan Ultra in crunch time.

     

    Blackwater, now reeling with four losses in five games, leaned on Robert Upshaw III, who finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds, but the Bossing could not complete their comeback bid.

     

    The win lifted Titan Ultra to a 2-3 record, tying idle Magnolia Hotshots in the standings and giving the squad renewed confidence heading into its next assignment against the Converge FiberXers on April 15 at the Ynares Center. Blackwater will look to halt its skid when it faces the TNT Tropang 5G on April 14 at the same venue.

     

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    In the main game, Rain or Shine once again proved why it sits atop the standings—but not without a scare. As the Elasto Painters tightened its grip on the top spot, surviving a late surge from the San Miguel Beermen to escape with a 116-112 victory and improve to a league-best 5-0. 

     

    After building control for most of the contest, the Elasto Painters had to withstand a fierce fourth-quarter rally from San Miguel. Head coach Yeng Guiao acknowledged the challenge posed by the perennial contenders.

     

    “Hindi ka talaga pwede mag-relax pag San Miguel ang kalaban mo. Nakalusot eh, tignan natin hanggang saan ang swerte,” Guiao said.

     

    Import Jaylen Johnson powered Rain or Shine with 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Adrian Nocum delivered a conference-high 21 points, including key baskets that restored order during San Miguel’s late push.

     

    Support came from Felix Lemetti and Jhonard Clarito, who provided crucial contributions on both ends to keep the Beermen at bay.

     

    San Miguel, which saw its two-game winning streak snapped, was led by Marcio Lassiter with 22 points but dropped to a 3-3 record.

     

    Rain or Shine now turns its focus to sustaining its unbeaten run when it takes on Converge on April 10 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, while San Miguel aims to bounce back against Magnolia on April 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

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  • LA Tenorio keeps Magnolia grounded ahead of ‘Manila Clasico’ game against former team Ginebra 

    LA Tenorio keeps Magnolia grounded ahead of ‘Manila Clasico’ game against former team Ginebra 

    For most teams, a Manila Clasico is the kind of game that naturally pulls attention away from everything else.

     

    The buildup is louder, the emotions are heavier, and the spotlight almost always grows bigger than the actual standings. But for LA Tenorio, Magnolia’s upcoming showdown with Barangay Ginebra is not a night to get swept up in nostalgia or noise.

     

    It is, more than anything, another chance to keep his team moving in the right direction.

     

    Now in the middle of trying to steer Magnolia out of an early hole in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Tenorio has made it clear that the Hotshots cannot afford to treat Friday like just a rivalry event. 

     

    For him, the bigger concern is still what kind of team Magnolia is becoming under his watch.

    “Manila Clasico, it’s a big game for the PBA, for the fans, but overall as a team we are really focusing on the things that we want to worry about, the things that we need to get better,” said the 41-year-old.

     

    “‘Yun ang importante sa amin.”

     

    That mindset came into sharper focus after Magnolia’s 85-70 win over Terrafirma on Tuesday, a result that gave the Hotshots their second straight victory after opening the conference with three losses.

     

    The win did not suddenly erase the flaws of Magnolia’s shaky start, but it did offer another sign that the team may finally be finding some traction. With new import Clint Chapman once again leading the way and the veterans settling in around him, the Hotshots have at least begun to look more like themselves.

     

    Still, Tenorio is not acting like the turnaround is complete. Even with the momentum of back-to-back wins, he knows Magnolia is still trying to climb out of a hole — and that the record says there is still plenty of work left to do.

     

    “We’ll be ready also not because it’s Ginebra, and Manila Clasico, but because we need to get ready because we’re still below .500 in the standings,” pointed out the former star PG as they’ve only hiked their record to 2-3.

     

    That may be the most telling part of how Tenorio is approaching this stretch. For someone whose own playing career was deeply tied to Ginebra and to many of the biggest rivalry games in the league, it would have been easy to lean into the emotional side of facing his former team again. Instead, he has chosen to frame the matchup through urgency and development.

     

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    That says a lot about where Magnolia is right now.

     

    The Hotshots are not entering Friday as a team chasing drama. They are entering it as a team trying to stabilize its campaign, level its record, and continue adjusting to the new system being introduced by a first-year head coach still shaping the group in his own image.

     

    That challenge becomes even tougher considering the opponent. Ginebra is coming off an 85-82 loss to San Miguel, a game in which the Kings let a 15-point lead slip away before falling on a late Don Trollano corner three. It was the kind of defeat that tends to sharpen the focus of Tim Cone-coached teams rather than shake them.

     

    And Tenorio knows that better than most. Having spent years under Cone and with Ginebra, he understands exactly how dangerous the Kings can become after a frustrating loss. That familiarity is not making him comfortable — if anything, it is making him more cautious.

     

    “I know Ginebra will be ready after the bad loss last game. I know Coach Tim, he’s gonna make his team ready going into Friday’s game,” he said.

     

    That is part of what makes this version of the Manila Clasico a little more layered than usual.

    On one side is a Ginebra team trying to recover quickly and get back above .500. On the other is a Magnolia squad beginning to string wins together, but still trying to define itself under a new voice on the sidelines.

     

    And somewhere in the middle of all that is Tenorio, one of the most recognizable former faces of the rivalry, now trying to lead from the other bench without letting the occasion distract from the process.

     

    That may be his biggest task right now. Because while Friday’s game will naturally come with all the energy and emotional charge that Manila Clasico always carries, Magnolia’s season will not be decided by one rivalry result alone. 

     

    What matters more is whether the Hotshots continue to grow sharper, more disciplined, and more comfortable in the way Tenorio wants them to play.

     

    That is the part he seems most locked in on. “Yes, it’s Manila Clasico, it’s big, probably bigger than any of the normal games, but I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about us, how we will play on Friday, and then after Friday. ‘Yun lang yung importante sa akin ngayon,” he said.

     

    And for Magnolia, that may be exactly the right mindset to have. Because if the Hotshots are going to turn their campaign around for real, it cannot just be about winning the loudest games. It has to be about becoming steady enough to win beyond them too.

     

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  • CJ Cansino turns TNT heartbreak into fuel as Meralco escapes with gritty win 

    CJ Cansino turns TNT heartbreak into fuel as Meralco escapes with gritty win 

    CJ Cansino and Meralco came away with more than just a win on Tuesday night. The Bolts leaned on both composure and experience to hold off TNT, 110-106, in a tense PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup showdown at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, turning what looked like a comfortable win into a hard-earned statement against their longtime rivals.

     

    Meralco appeared to be in full control for most of the game. Behind a balanced attack and steady defensive effort, the Bolts built a lead as big as 20 points and looked ready to cruise to victory before TNT came alive in the fourth quarter and made things interesting late.

     

    The Tropang 5G erupted for 35 points in the final frame and unleashed a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to just 107-105 with one minute left.

     

    That late rally forced Meralco to dig deep, and according to Cansino, the game came down to who simply wanted it more in the closing stretch.

     

    “Well yung last minute siguro para sakin, kung sino nalang gusto manalo dun e,” Cansino said after the game.

     

    For Meralco, the urgency also came from memory. The Bolts have gone through their share of painful battles against TNT, and Cansino admitted those experiences were still very much in their minds heading into this latest rivalry clash.

     

    “Alam mo nandun parin yung nangyari sa past experience namin with TNT,” he said.

    That history helped fuel Meralco in the final minutes, especially as TNT threatened to erase everything the Bolts had built.

     

    “‘Yung experience namin in the last series, grabe ang sakit, at ayaw namin maulit. Yung mga nangyari, dala namin sa game,” Cansino added.

     

    Meralco’s defense then came through when it mattered most.

     

    The Bolts forced TNT into difficult late-game possessions, including a crucial stop where they disrupted Bol Bol and prevented Jordan Heading from getting a clean lane, eventually forcing RR Pogoy into an off-balance three-point attempt that came up short.

     

    That kind of connected defense helped Meralco survive and secure its second straight win. Marvin Jones led the way for the Bolts with 29 points and 12 rebounds, providing the inside presence Meralco needed throughout the game.

     

    Cansino, who was later named Player of the Game, backed him up with 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists in another strong all-around performance.

     

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    Raymond Almazan gave Meralco a lift off the bench with 12 points and five rebounds, while Cliff Hodge chipped in 10 points before fouling out late.

     

    Chris Newsome also delivered in crunch time, sinking two clutch free throws with 14.3 seconds left to stretch the lead to 109-105 and give the Bolts enough cushion to hold off TNT’s final push.

    Bol Bol still finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds for TNT, but it was his lowest output so far this conference.

     

    After averaging 37.3 points, 16.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks through his first three games, Meralco did enough to make life more difficult for the towering import and keep him from fully taking over.

     

    Jordan Heading also tried to keep TNT alive with 21 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range, while Calvin Oftana added 10 in the losing effort.

     

    Still, the comeback fell short, snapping TNT’s two-game winning streak and dropping the Tropang 5G to 2-2 in the standings.

     

    For Cansino, Meralco’s strength comes from the way the team shares responsibility instead of relying on one player to carry the load every night.

     

    “Sa Meralco naman di namin sinasabi na ikaw yung mataas yung average, ikaw yung gagawa,” he said.

     

    That approach was clear in Tuesday’s win, as multiple players stepped up in key moments to help Meralco finish the job.

     

    Cansino added that his own mindset is simply to take the shots and opportunities that the game gives him.

     

    “Nasasaktuhan lang na ako yung nalilibre sa time na yon, yung role na yun kung sakin lang bibigay yung mga reads sa game, titira ko,” he said.

     

    In the end, Meralco did not need a perfect finish.

     

    It just needed enough composure, enough stops, and enough trust to finally come out on top in a rivalry game that tested both its nerves and memory.

     

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  • Rain or Shine faces biggest test yet against surging San Miguel

    Rain or Shine faces biggest test yet against surging San Miguel

    Rain or Shine has looked like one of the most complete teams of the early PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    Four games in, the Elasto Painters remain unbeaten, and they have done it with the kind of balance that often makes a team dangerous over the long run — enough scoring, enough pace, and enough depth to keep opponents from settling in. But Wednesday night offers something very different from what they have faced so far.

     

    This time, the test is San Miguel Beer. For Rain or Shine, the matchup is less about simply extending a winning streak and more about proving that its clean 4-0 start can hold up against one of the league’s most battle-tested and physically imposing teams. It is the kind of game that reveals whether an early run is just momentum — or something more serious.

     

    Coach Yeng Guiao is not treating the unbeaten start like proof of anything just yet. Even after a strong opening stretch that included wins over Macau, TNT, Meralco, and Blackwater, the veteran coach remains fully aware that the heavier part of the schedule is only beginning for the Elasto Painters.

     

    “Marami pa [need i-improve]. Actually, ‘yung second half ng schedule namin, ‘yun ang mas mabigat. Hindi pa talaga ito siguro yung test na makakapagsabi kung makakapasok kami ng playoffs o hindi,” Guiao said.

     

    That is exactly why the San Miguel game carries so much weight. Rain or Shine has been impressive because it has not needed to rely too heavily on one player. Import Jaylen Johnson has given the team a reliable presence with averages of 27.3 points, 14 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, but the Elasto Painters have also won because their local core has consistently shown up.

     

    That balance has been one of the team’s biggest strengths. Adrian Nocum, in particular, has emerged as one of the key engines of Rain or Shine’s attack, averaging 17 points and six assists per contest. His pace and shot creation have helped define the style the Elasto Painters want to play — fast, aggressive, and often uncomfortable for slower teams to deal with.

     

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    But San Miguel is not just any opponent.


    The Beermen are beginning to look like themselves again after winning back-to-back games since bringing in replacement import Justin Patton. The 7-foot-1 former NBA big man has quickly added size, mobility, and interior presence to a team that already knows how to punish opponents in the half-court.

     

    That makes Wednesday’s game a clash of styles as much as anything else. Rain or Shine wants movement, pace, and rhythm. San Miguel wants control, physicality, and the kind of half-court battle that can wear teams down over time. And when two teams want to play very different kinds of basketball, the game often comes down to who gets to impose their identity first.

     

    That is also where the matchup starts to feel difficult to call.

     

    Interestingly, according to the OKBet sportsbook, Rain or Shine enters as the favorite despite San Miguel’s championship pedigree and recent surge. The Elasto Painters are listed at 2.04 odds, while the Beermen are at 1.73, a sign of just how competitive and tightly projected this showdown is.

     

    That only adds another layer to the intrigue. If Rain or Shine can keep the game moving, force San Miguel’s big men to defend in space, and get enough support from its local rotation, then its unbeaten run has a real chance of surviving.

     

     But if the Beermen are allowed to slow the pace, dominate the glass, and turn the game into a bruising inside-out affair, then the matchup starts to tilt in a very different direction.

     

    That is what makes this feel like more than just another elimination-round game.This is the kind of matchup where predictions stop being about records and start becoming about habits. Which team can stay disciplined longer? Which team can force the other into discomfort? And when the game gets tight late, which identity will hold up better under pressure?

     

    Rain or Shine has earned the right to believe in its start.The Elasto Painters have been one of the conference’s most organized and energetic teams so far, and they have already shown they can beat quality opponents in different ways. 

     

    But San Miguel presents a more traditional contender’s challenge — one that tests not just execution, but physical resilience and late-game composure.

    That is why this game matters more than most. If Rain or Shine wins, it does more than improve to 5-0. 

     

    It strengthens the idea that this group may actually be ready to hold its ground against the conference’s heavyweights. If it loses, then the result may simply confirm what Guiao already knows — that the real measuring-stick games were always still ahead.

     

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  • Clint Chapman anchors Magnolia’s revival as defense fuels back-to-back wins

    Clint Chapman anchors Magnolia’s revival as defense fuels back-to-back wins

    In just two games, import Clint Chapman has helped reshape Magnolia’s identity, steering the team to its second straight win with an 85-70 victory over Terrafirma Dyip on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.


    Chapman delivered 28 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks—an all-around effort that immediately endeared him to fans. But beyond the stat sheet, it’s the shift in mentality that has stood out most.

     

    After trailing 42-40 at halftime, the Hotshots flipped the script in the second half by leaning fully into defense wherein Terrafirma was held to 70 points, matching its average but doing so under relentless pressure that made every basket a grind.

     

    “Reasoning behind our little bit of sloppy offense in the first half,” Chapman said. “But to hold the team to 70 points that’s been averaging 70 per game, that’s the kind of basketball we want to play.

     

    “(Coach LA Tenorio) told us before the game that all we have to do is to win by one point, and obviously we did more than that. But to hold a team to 70 points is something that’s gonna get us wins in this league,” added by the import.

     

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    For head coach LA Tenorio, the emphasis has been clear from the start—defense first, everything else follows.

     

    “We actually had a slow start offensively, but defensively we were on track,” Tenorio said. 

     

    “We can score anytime, but the question is, can we get a stop? That’s the challenge I always put to my players,” he added.

     

    That defensive mindset is beginning to spread across the roster. Zavier Lucero chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Rome Dela Rosa and Paul Lee provided steady support on both ends.

     

    Even Terrafirma’s top weapon, Jerrick Ahanmisi, felt the pressure. He finished with 21 points but needed 20 shots to get there, including a tough 2-of-10 clip from beyond the arc.

     

    The arrival of Chapman, who replaced Nuni Omot has not only stabilized Magnolia’s interior presence but also given the team a clear blueprint moving forward.

     

    From a 0-3 start to a budding win streak, the Hotshots suddenly look like a team rediscovering its edge at the right time.

     

    That renewed confidence will be tested immediately, with marquee matchups looming against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at the Mall of Asia Arena and San Miguel Beermen at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

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  • CJ Perez powers San Miguel’s turnaround, earns PBA Player of the Week nod

    CJ Perez powers San Miguel’s turnaround, earns PBA Player of the Week nod

    CJ Perez is starting to look like the spark San Miguel needed to steady itself after an uneven start to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    As the Beermen begin to settle into a new rhythm behind import Justin Patton, Perez has emerged as the local force helping turn close calls and corrections into actual wins — and that impact was enough to earn him the latest PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honor.

     

    The veteran swingman was recognized for the period of March 31 to April 5 after helping San Miguel put together back-to-back victories, a timely response for a team that had spent the opening stretch of the conference trying to regain its footing.

     

    And while Patton’s arrival has naturally drawn much of the attention, Perez’s role in the turnaround has been just as important.

     

    Over San Miguel’s wins against the Macau Black Knights and Barangay Ginebra, Perez averaged 23.0 points on 55-percent shooting, along with 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals — numbers that reflected not just scoring production, but his all-around involvement in the Beermen’s recovery.

     

    His biggest moment came on Easter Sunday in San Miguel’s gritty 85-82 win over Ginebra. After being held back by early foul trouble and going scoreless in the first half, Perez responded with the kind of takeover performance that reminded everyone why he remains one of the league’s most dangerous momentum players. 

     

    He scored 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter alone, helping fuel the Beermen’s comeback from 15 points down.

     

    “Nakakafrustrate siya pero nag-focus lang ako, nag-stay composed ako, nilaro ko lang laro ko sa second half at nagbunga naman. Grateful ako na nanalo kami,” Perez said.

     

    That response said plenty about where San Miguel is beginning to find its edge.

     

    The Beermen have not exactly looked dominant yet, but they have started to show signs of a team rediscovering how to close games — and Perez has been at the center of that shift, whether by scoring, defending, or making the right play late.

     

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    One of those plays ended up deciding the Ginebra game. With the score tied in the closing seconds, Perez came up with the offensive rebound and then delivered the kick-out pass that led to Don Trollano’s game-winning three-pointer, a sequence that may have summed up his recent stretch better than any stat line could.

     

    That same aggression was also there in San Miguel’s earlier 110-94 win over Macau, where Perez poured in a game-high 26 points to help the Beermen secure another much-needed result.

    Taken together, those performances made him the clear choice for the weekly citation.

     

    Perez was the unanimous selection by the scribes regularly covering the PBA beat, beating out Rain or Shine’s Andrei Caracut and NLEX standouts Schonny Winston and Kevin Alas for the award.

     

    It also marked the third time this season that Perez has claimed the weekly honor, placing him just behind Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liano, who has already collected four.

     

    More than the award itself, though, Perez’s recent run feels significant because of what it may signal for San Miguel moving forward.

     

    The Beermen made a major adjustment earlier in the conference when they brought in the 7-foot-1 Patton in place of Marcus Lee after dropping two of their first three games. That move was meant to stabilize the team, but roster changes only go so far if the core local stars do not respond with urgency.

     

    Perez has done exactly that. He has helped bridge the transition, giving San Miguel not only another scorer but also a player capable of shifting the energy of a game when the Beermen need it most.

     

    And if this stretch is any indication, San Miguel’s climb back into form may not just be about a new import. It may also be about CJ Perez starting to take over again.

     

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  • TNT, Meralco highlight Tuesday PBA doubleheader

    TNT, Meralco highlight Tuesday PBA doubleheader

    Tuesday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup doubleheader at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium offers two very different kinds of pressure.

     

    In the first game, Magnolia is trying to prove its first win was the start of something. In the main event, TNT and Meralco meet in a matchup that could say a lot about which team is ready to establish itself as a serious early contender in the conference.

     

    And right at the center of that second game is Bol Bol.

     

    The towering TNT import resumes his campaign as the Tropang 5G take on the Bolts in a clash between two teams that have already started to build momentum after contrasting starts. TNT stumbled in its conference debut, but has since looked much sharper, while Meralco has quietly put together one of the better early records in the field.

     

    For TNT, this is shaping up to be more than just another regular season outing.The Tropang 5G are chasing a third straight victory after back-to-back wins over San Miguel and NLEX, and another one here would continue the team’s climb after an opening loss to Rain or Shine briefly slowed its start. More importantly, it would give TNT another strong result against a team expected to be in the playoff mix.

     

    Bol remains the biggest reason TNT has looked increasingly dangerous. Through three games, the 7-foot-3 former NBA player has delivered exactly the kind of impact the franchise hoped for, putting up averages of 37.3 points and 16.3 rebounds while instantly changing the team’s ceiling on both ends of the floor.

     

    He has not just been productive — he has forced teams to play differently. Opponents have had to account for his size, reach, and ability to score from multiple areas, making him one of the most difficult matchup problems in the conference early on. Whether it is finishing inside, cleaning the glass, or simply altering defensive coverages, Bol has quickly become the focal point of TNT’s identity.

     

    That identity only gets bigger on Tuesday. The Tropang 5G welcome back veteran big man Kelly Williams, who has been activated into the active roster in place of Jio Jalalon. The move gives TNT another experienced frontcourt option and adds even more length and versatility to a team that is already built around size.

     

    Williams’ return could be especially valuable in a game like this.

     

    Against a physical and disciplined team such as Meralco, having another proven interior presence could help TNT not only manage its rotations better, but also maintain its edge in the paint whenever Bol goes to the bench or draws extra attention.

     

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    Meralco, though, will not be walking into the matchup unprepared. The Bolts come in with a 3-1 record and are fresh off a 118-105 win over Titan Ultra, a result that kept them in the upper part of the standings and reinforced the balance they have shown early in the conference.

     

    One of the biggest reasons for that has been the rise of CJ Cansino.

     

    After being held to just 13 points in Meralco’s loss to Rain or Shine, Cansino bounced back with 26 points in the win over Titan Ultra, once again showing that he can provide real offensive punch for the Bolts. His scoring has become an important part of Meralco’s attack, and another strong outing would go a long way in helping the team stay within striking distance of TNT.

     

    The Bolts may at least have a slight edge in familiarity. During the offseason, Meralco was the only team that got to face TNT and Bol in a tune-up game before the Commissioner’s Cup began. That experience, paired with film study from TNT’s first few games, may offer some useful clues on how to at least limit his influence.

     

    Still, knowing what Bol does and stopping it are very different things. That is what makes this game so intriguing.

     

    TNT is trying to build around overwhelming size and star power. Meralco is leaning on continuity, balance, and discipline. One side wants to impose itself physically, while the other will likely try to turn the game into a more controlled and tactical battle.

     

    Earlier in the day, Magnolia and Terrafirma will set the tone in the 5:15 p.m. opener.Magnolia enters the game with a chance to finally build some traction after a rough start to the conference. The Hotshots dropped their first three games before finally breaking through with a 121-109 win over Macau Black Knights last March 28, improving to 1-3 and staying alive in a crowded middle of the standings.

     

    That first victory also came with a major boost from new import Clinton Chapman. Replacing Nuni Omot, Chapman made an immediate impact in his debut by unloading 39 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, giving Magnolia the kind of interior production it badly needed. If he can produce anywhere close to that level again, the Hotshots will have a strong chance of putting together their first winning streak of the conference.

     

    Magnolia will also be hoping veteran guard Mark Barroca continues to regain rhythm.

     

    Barroca played his most minutes of the conference in the win over Macau and responded with eight points, six rebounds, and seven assists. 

     

    Those are not eye-popping numbers, but they are exactly the kind of stabilizing contributions Magnolia needs from one of its most trusted leaders.

     

    Terrafirma, meanwhile, comes in looking to respond after its own momentum took a hit. The Dyip opened the conference with three straight wins before absorbing a 133-105 beating from Phoenix Super LPG, a result that exposed some of the sloppiness that had been masked during their hot start.

     

    Turnovers were a major problem in that loss. Terrafirma committed 17 errors, which Phoenix turned into 22 points, and that kind of carelessness could again become costly against a Magnolia side that will likely try to dictate pace and capitalize on mistakes.

     

    The Dyip will also need a much stronger showing from import Mubashar Ali. Ali had looked explosive to begin his PBA stint, averaging 33 points over his first few games, but he cooled off significantly against Phoenix, finishing with just nine points on 4-of-13 shooting. If Terrafirma is to get back on track, it will likely need him to rediscover the scoring punch that fueled its early run.

     

    By the end of the night, both games should offer a clearer picture of where these teams stand. Magnolia is trying to turn one win into momentum. Terrafirma is trying to prove one loss was just a stumble. Meralco wants to keep pace near the top. TNT wants to keep growing into one of the most dangerous teams in the field.

     

    And with Bol Bol back in the spotlight, the second game may end up carrying the loudest message of all.

     

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  • TNT turns to Kelly Williams as veteran returns to Tropang 5G lineup 

    TNT turns to Kelly Williams as veteran returns to Tropang 5G lineup 

    TNT’s latest roster move says a lot about where the team believes it can gain an edge this conference.

     

    With size becoming an even bigger part of its identity, the Tropang 5G brought back veteran big man Kelly Williams to their active 15-man roster ahead of Tuesday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup matchup against Meralco, a move that further reinforces the frontcourt-heavy direction the team has started to lean into.

     

    Williams takes the place of Jio Jalalon, who was moved to the Unrestricted Free Agent list with rights to salary, as TNT continues to fine-tune its rotation while building momentum in the early stretch of the conference.

     

    On paper, it is a simple personnel swap.

     

    But in context, it also reflects how TNT is shaping itself around matchups, physicality, and depth — particularly with the towering presence of 7-foot-3 import Bol Bol already altering the look of its frontline.

     

    By activating the 6-foot-7 Williams, TNT adds another experienced and dependable interior piece to support that structure, giving the Tropang 5G more flexibility in how they manage minutes, size, and defensive cover against bigger opponents.

     

    For Williams, the activation marks his first appearance this conference after last seeing action in Game 6 of TNT’s Philippine Cup Finals series against San Miguel.

     

    The veteran had previously been placed under the UFAWR2S list while he was still in the United States, a procedural move that allowed TNT to create room for the arrival of mid-season recruit Justin Chua.

     

    That arrangement, however, was never expected to signal a real separation.

     

    As has been the case with other TNT players temporarily placed under the same list, Williams and the franchise reportedly maintain a gentleman’s agreement that he would not entertain other offers and would remain aligned with the team once circumstances allowed for his return.

     

    Now back in the country after arriving from the US last week, Williams re-enters a TNT squad that appears to be gradually finding its rhythm after an uneven start.

     

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    The Tropang 5G dropped their conference opener against Rain or Shine, but have since responded with back-to-back wins over San Miguel and NLEX, restoring some early momentum heading into a matchup that could further solidify their footing in the standings.

     

    That recent run has come while TNT continues to re-establish balance in its roster following the return of long-time captain Jayson Castro, who is back in action after missing an entire season due to a patellar tendon tear.

     

    Castro’s return has naturally shifted the backcourt equation, and that likely played a role in Jalalon’s limited involvement this conference.

     

    In the two games he suited up for TNT, the veteran guard averaged just seven minutes per outing, suggesting that consistent playing time may have been harder to come by in a guard rotation that has once again become more crowded.

     

    Williams’ addition, by contrast, gives TNT something it appears more eager to prioritize at this point of the conference: veteran size, defensive stability, and another proven body capable of helping anchor the paint.

     

    That could become particularly useful as the team continues to explore how best to maximize Bol Bol’s presence while maintaining balance across both ends of the floor.

     

    Against Meralco, the move may not immediately dominate the box score.

     

    But it could reveal more about the kind of team TNT wants to become this conference — one that is not just talented, but built to overwhelm with length, experience, and lineup versatility.

    And with Kelly Williams back in uniform, that vision just got a little bigger.

     

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  • Justin Patton shines under pressure, carries San Miguel to gritty win over Ginebra

    Justin Patton shines under pressure, carries San Miguel to gritty win over Ginebra

    Easter Sunday clash between the San Miguel Beermen and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was never just about standings in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup—it became a personal proving ground.

     

    Justin Patton made sure his answer was loud enough. In only his second game since taking over import duties, Patton delivered 19 points and 17 rebounds, anchoring San Miguel to a narrow 85-82 victory.

     

    But his biggest contribution went beyond the stat sheet—he took on the responsibility of guarding one of the league’s most feared players, Justin Brownlee.

     

    “I want to guard him. It’s a challenge. I’m out here, 7,000 miles away from home. I didn’t come here for no reason. I want to challenge myself. I want to be great every single day I wake up,” Patton said.

     

    “They say he is the better Justin so I want to see. I see that he had a good game today but we came with the ‘W.’ That’s all that matters,” the former NBA player added.

     

    Brownlee, as expected, delivered his usual game. He poured in 31 points, including a late surge in the fourth quarter that nearly turned the tide. Yet, the night exposed rare cracks—missed free throws in crunch time and limited presence on the boards, finishing with just three rebounds.

     

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    San Miguel head coach Leo Austria revealed that Patton’s defensive assignment wasn’t originally set in stone.

     

    “Actually, before the game, Justin Patton asked us if he can guard Brownlee but we were hesitant because we know Brownlee is really good whenever his guard is bigger than him. He can shoot from the perimeter, he can outrun him, he can drive, and that’s what happened,” Austria said.

     

    “But that’s not our only game plan. We also have a smaller guy. At the start, it was [Marcio] Lassiter and they took advantage of it. The next was Justin Patton, Mo Tautuaa, and Cahilig especially in the second quarter. We were able to limit his production at that time, but still, Brownlee is Brownlee. He was able to score 31 but the good thing was he wasn’t able to get rebounds. He only got three,’’ he added.

     

    For San Miguel, the victory was as much about identity as it was about execution. Still adjusting after an import switch, the Beermen showed they can win gritty and defensive battles.

     

    Now sitting at 3-2, they continue their climb up the standings, with momentum slowly building.

    “Every game presents a new challenge. You’ve got Justin Brownlee. We are a team that fight and we figure it out and that’s what we did today,” said Patton.

     

    Meanwhile, Ginebra is left to regroup after a loss that felt within reach. Despite Brownlee’s heroics, the big man couldn’t close, highlighting the fine margins that separate contenders in this stage of the conference.

     

    San Miguel looks to carry its surge into its next assignment against Rain or Shine on April 8 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, while Ginebra faces Magnolia on April 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

     

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  • Cady Lalanne sees Luka Dončić-like impact in Robert Bolick as NLEX finds its rhythm

    Cady Lalanne sees Luka Dončić-like impact in Robert Bolick as NLEX finds its rhythm

    Cady Lalanne praised Robert Bolick’s all-around brilliance after NLEX’s 120-102 win over Phoenix, where both stars powered the Road Warriors with dominant performances.

     

    For Cady Lalanne, Robert Bolick’s influence on NLEX goes well beyond putting points on the board.

     

    On a team still carving out its identity in the conference, Bolick has emerged as the player who can organize everything — whether it is scoring, creating for others, or controlling the tempo when the game starts to open up.

     

    That is why Lalanne did not hesitate when asked to describe what his teammate brings to the floor. “Robert is one of those guys he’s like Luka,” Lalanne said.

     

    “He can get to the basket, hit a jump shot, knock down a three, make plays, get assists, whatever you need.”

     

    Bolick delivered exactly that kind of all-around command in NLEX’s 120-102 win over Phoenix, finishing with 22 points, five rebounds, and 14 assists in another masterful outing for the Road Warriors.

     

    He dictated the flow of the game from start to finish, constantly putting pressure on the Fuel Masters’ defense while creating opportunities for teammates and keeping the offense in rhythm.

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    Lalanne was just as instrumental in the victory, imposing his will inside and giving Phoenix problems throughout the contest. The veteran big man finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds, forming a punishing one-two punch with Bolick that proved too much for the Fuel Masters to contain.

     

    Together, the pair gave NLEX the kind of balance that can be difficult to defend — one controlling the perimeter and the other owning the paint.

     

    Rather than leaning on one isolated scoring run, the Road Warriors were able to stretch Phoenix in different ways, with Bolick acting as both the initiator and the stabilizer while Lalanne anchored the attack closer to the basket.

     

    For Lalanne, though, the win reflected more than just what he and Bolick were able to do.

     

    “Kevin Alas played great… Everybody contributed. It was a great team game,” he said.

     

    That may be what makes the Road Warriors more dangerous as the conference progresses.

    Bolick remains the engine, but NLEX is beginning to show that it has enough pieces around him to sustain strong performances. Lalanne gives the team a reliable interior force, Alas continues to provide steady support, and the rest of the roster is starting to settle into roles that make the group more complete.

     

    Phoenix, meanwhile, found its brightest spark in Ricci Rivero, who led the Fuel Masters with 20 points and five rebounds in the loss.

     

    Still, NLEX’s collective rhythm and firepower proved too much to overcome. If that kind of balance continues, the Road Warriors may be building more than just momentum.

     

    They may be shaping into one of the more dangerous teams in the conference — especially with Bolick continuing to prove he can impact the game in virtually every area, and Lalanne providing the dominant presence to match.

     

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