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Tag: PBA Governor’s Cup

  • Magnolia finds its groove as Jerom Lastimosa lead the charge against Phoenix 

    Magnolia finds its groove as Jerom Lastimosa lead the charge against Phoenix 

    Magnolia is finally beginning to look like a team that has found its rhythm as the Hotshots put together their game winning streak of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, turning a tight contest against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters into a statement 115-101 victory at the Ynares Center.

     

    The difference came in the fourth quarter, when Magnolia answered Phoenix’s push with a devastating 16-0 run that completely flipped the game.

     

    Phoenix had taken an 86-82 lead, but Jerom Lastimosa and KJ Buffen helped ignite Magnolia’s decisive surge, transforming a four-point deficit into a 98-86 advantage. From there, the Hotshots never gave the Fuel Masters a chance to recover.

    Lastimosa was at the center of the turnaround as the Magnolia guard delivered the best offensive performance of his career, scoring 30 points on an outstanding 11-of-14 shooting. Twelve of those points came in the final quarter, allowing the Hotshots to pull away when the game mattered most.

     

    Mark Barroca provided another major boost late, scoring 10 of his 21 points in the fourth.

     

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    Buffen was just as important throughout the night, finishing with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while Phoenix struggled once again to maintain its offensive production down the stretch.

     

    It was a familiar problem for the Fuel Masters. In their previous outing against Blackwater, Phoenix managed only 14 points in the final quarter. Against Magnolia, the same fourth-quarter struggles resurfaced at the worst possible time.

     

    BJ Johnson carried much of the Phoenix offense with 37 points, while Ricci Rivero added 16. Kenneth Tuffin and Kai Ballungay contributed 12 points each, with Gian Mamuyac finishing with 10.

     

    For Magnolia coach LA Tenorio, however, the biggest takeaway was not simply the scoring. It was how his players reacted after Phoenix mounted its challenge in the third quarter.

     

    “The guys responded after the third quarter. Usually, kapag nagkaka-run ang kalaban namin, we got deflated at natataranta. Today, they stayed positive,” offered head coach Tenorio said.

     

    That resilience became the foundation of Magnolia’s fourth-quarter explosion.

     

    Tenorio also singled out Lastimosa, praising the guard’s willingness to absorb coaching and immediately translate instructions into action.

     

    “What I like about Jerom is that he’s a listener, he’s a good student of the game. Ginagawa niya talaga yung mga sinasabi naming coaching staff, lalong-lalo na ako,” he said.

     

    Lastimosa’s breakout performance could prove particularly valuable for a Magnolia squad that is beginning to build momentum. With Buffen providing the heavy scoring load and Barroca delivering his veteran presence, the Hotshots suddenly have another reliable weapon capable of changing the game.

     

    The victory also carries added significance in the Group B standings as Magnolia improved to 4-3. 

     

    Phoenix, also now 4-3, slipped to solo second after previously sharing the lead with Rain or Shine.

     

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  • Robert Bolick compares injured DeQuan Jones to Justin Brownlee after NLEX beats TNT in OT thriller  

    Robert Bolick compares injured DeQuan Jones to Justin Brownlee after NLEX beats TNT in OT thriller  

    Robert Bolick could barely celebrate NLEX’s latest victory.

     

    The Road Warriors had just beaten TNT for the second time in as many weeks, escaping with a thrilling 118-111 overtime win Tuesday at the Ynares Center–Antipolo to improve to 7-1 in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    But for Bolick, the result was secondary after seeing DeQuan Jones go down with an apparent serious leg injury.

     

     

    Jones was stretchered off the court late in the third quarter following a collision with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, leaving NLEX without its import for the remainder of the game.

     

    And while the Road Warriors found a way to finish the job, Bolick admitted it was difficult to celebrate knowing what happened to one of the team’s biggest contributors.

     

    “Ang hirap mag celebrate, ang hirap makahanap ng import na di lang magaling, pero mabait eh.”

     

    Bolick’s next words showed just how highly NLEX values Jones.

     

    “Sya yung Justin Brownlee sa team namin.”

     

    For a player who has seen first-hand what a dominant import can mean to a PBA team, Bolick’s comparison carried plenty of weight.

     

    Jones has been at the heart of NLEX’s unbeaten run for most of the conference, providing the scoring, production and leadership that helped turn the Road Warriors into the early pace-setters in Group A.

     

    “Kaya nga kami 7-1, malaking part nun sya.”

     

    Still, NLEX showed Tuesday that it was capable of surviving without Jones.

     

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    Bolick delivered 27 points, including the Road Warriors’ final eight points in regulation. With NLEX facing elimination from the lead late in the fourth, he buried a clutch four-pointer over Rey Nambatac with 2.2 seconds left to force overtime.

     

    He then continued making plays in the extra period, picking off a Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson pass before setting up David Semerad for an open basket that gave NLEX a 118-111 lead.

     

    Ljay Gonzales also produced a career performance with 26 points and six rebounds, giving the Road Warriors another major boost when they needed it most.

     

    “Pero at the same time, kahit wala kaming import, lumaban kami.”

     

    That resilience may prove crucial moving forward.

     

    Jones finished with 23 points before suffering the injury, with early reports indicating a complete right lower-leg fracture and surgery potentially scheduled as early as Wednesday.

     

    NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag was visibly affected by the injury but praised his players for finding a way to finish the game.

     

    “My deepest prayers to DJ. More than the basketball player, it’s the person. It’s heartbreaking to see him go down, but I’m so proud of ouR guys,” Alapag said.

     

    The victory moved NLEX to 7-1 and further strengthened its grip on the top spot in Group A, but the Road Warriors could now face their biggest challenge of the conference yet.

     

    For Bolick, however, Tuesday’s game was less about another win over TNT and more about a teammate who has helped make their remarkable run possible.

     

    NLEX proved it could win without Jones.

     

    The bigger question is whether it can continue doing so if its import is forced to miss significant time.

     

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  • Magnolia seeks revenge as surging Hotshots meet Phoenix again 

    Magnolia seeks revenge as surging Hotshots meet Phoenix again 

    Magnolia has already learned what Phoenix can do.

     

    Now the Hotshots get a chance to show how much they have changed since that first meeting.

     

    The two Group B contenders collide again at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, with Magnolia looking to erase the memory of its 86-98 defeat to the Fuel Masters in the conference opener.


    Phoenix entered the rematch in a different position.

     

    The Fuel Masters remain tied with Rain or Shine at the top of Group B at 4-2, but they have stumbled in two of their last three games, falling to the Elasto Painters, 98-105, before suffering a 100-106 loss to Blackwater.

     

    Magnolia, meanwhile, has gone in the opposite direction.

     

    After losing three of its first four games, including the opening-day setback against Phoenix, the Hotshots have finally found their rhythm. They enter Wednesday’s contest riding consecutive statement victories over Barangay Ginebra, 88-73, and Meralco, 105-88.

     

    Those wins have pulled Magnolia back into the playoff picture at 3-3, tied with Blackwater for third place and just half a game ahead of Ginebra.

     

    For coach LA Tenorio, the recent turnaround has been about treating every game like a playoff game.

     

    “The past three games, we’ve been really in a playoff mentality already. I challenged the players, my team, that this kind of games, ito ang magbibigay sa amin ng chance going to the next level,” Tenorio said after the victory over Meralco.

     

    The urgency is understandable.

     

    “Two more losses could have sent us packing,” he admitted.

     

    Magnolia’s response has been encouraging for Tenorio, particularly the way his players have embraced the system.

     

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    “What I really like about my team is how they responded to that challenge. They really responded well, not only in the games, but in practice… They’re really locked in, they’re buying in the system na gusto kong iparating sa team.”

     

    That buy-in will be tested against the same Phoenix team that exposed Magnolia’s weaknesses in their first encounter.

     

    The Fuel Masters took the opener behind a sensational debut from import BJ Johnson, who exploded for 34 points and 10 rebounds. Phoenix recovered from a slow start before Johnson and Jason Perkins ignited a 7-1 fourth-quarter run that turned a 79-71 advantage into a more comfortable lead.

     

    This time, Magnolia knows exactly what it is facing.

     

    The Hotshots will have to find a way to slow Johnson while preventing Perkins from providing the same complementary production that helped Phoenix seize control late in the first meeting.

    But Phoenix also has questions of its own.

     

    After starting 4-0, the Fuel Masters have lost two of their last three games, giving Magnolia a chance to capitalize on the slight dip in momentum and climb further up the Group B standings.

    For Phoenix, Wednesday is an opportunity to prove its opening victory over Magnolia was more than just a strong start.

     

    For Magnolia, it is a chance to show that the team that walked off the court that night is no longer the same one taking the floor now.

     

    The first meeting belonged to Phoenix.

     

    This time, Magnolia wants the last word.

     

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  • Maverick Ahanmisi leads Terrafirma’s big escape, earns PBA Player of the Week

    Maverick Ahanmisi leads Terrafirma’s big escape, earns PBA Player of the Week

    Maverick Ahanmisi saved his best for the moment Terrafirma Dyip needed it most. 

     

    With the unbeaten NLEX Road Warriors threatening to hand Terrafirma another painful loss, the veteran guard helped spark a decisive late-game surge as the Dyip pulled off a 114-109 victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

     

    The win did more than end NLEX’s perfect six-game start. It breathed new life into Terrafirma’s playoff campaign, lifting the Dyip to a 3-4 record and into a share of fourth place in Group A with Converge FiberXers.

     

    Ahanmisi, helped orchestrate a 9-0 run in the final 2:07 to turn a five-point deficit into a statement victory.

     

    The veteran guard first found Geo Chiu for back-to-back assists, with a steal off Schonny Winston sandwiched between the two plays, allowing Terrafirma to erase NLEX’s advantage and tie the game at 109-all.

     

    Ahanmisi then made his impact felt on the other end as his defensive rebound created the opportunity for Brent Paraiso to bury the go-ahead basket with 1:09 remaining, putting Terrafirma in front for good.

     

    Paraiso followed with a big offensive rebound and two free throws, while Ahanmisi added a split from the line as the Dyip finally closed out a game that had been slipping away in similar situations throughout the conference.

     

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    The victory was especially satisfying after Terrafirma suffered a narrow 100-101 defeat to NLEX in Round 1.

     

    Ahanmisi finished the game with 16 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, and three steals, a stat line that reflected his influence on both ends of the floor.

     

    His performance earned him the PBA Player of the Week award for Aug. 4 to 8, beating out Magnolia’s Jerom Lastimosa, Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield, teammate Paraiso, and San Miguel’s Don Trollano for the weekly honor.

     

    “I think it’s a learning process. Credit to the team for showing character and to the coaches, they made us do a lot of situational stuff in practice and I think that helped us,” Ahanmisi said.

     

    The award also underlines how steady Ahanmisi has been throughout the Governors’ Cup. He is averaging 16 points, 6.57 rebounds, and 7.71 assists per game, giving Terrafirma a reliable veteran presence as it battles for a place in the playoffs.

     

    More importantly, his latest performance came when the Dyip needed it most. Instead of allowing another close game to slip away, Terrafirma turned its late-game execution into the difference against the conference’s previously unbeaten team.

     

    Now, Ahanmisi and the Dyip have another crucial test, as they face the Converge FiberXers on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center, with both teams carrying identical 3-4 records in Group A.

     

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  • Cameron Clark arrives as Converge makes another push to save Governors’ Cup campaign

    Cameron Clark arrives as Converge makes another push to save Governors’ Cup campaign

     

    Converge is hoping Cameron Clark can be the reset button it needs.

     

    After opening the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup with three straight wins, the FiberXers have watched their promising start unravel into four consecutive defeats, leaving them searching for a spark with the group stage entering a crucial stretch.

     

    That search brings Clark back to the PBA.

     

    The veteran import is expected to make his Converge debut against Terrafirma Dyip on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, immediately stepping into a situation where every win has become increasingly valuable.

     

    Clark replaces Jamaal Franklin, who was unable to reverse Converge’s slide during his second stint with the team.

     

    Franklin produced impressive numbers, averaging 27.3 points per game over three appearances, but Converge failed to win any of those contests. His departure highlights the FiberXers’ growing urgency to find an import who can turn individual production into team success.

     

    Clark becomes Converge’s third import of the conference — a sign of how quickly the team has been forced to adjust after its unbeaten opening run.

     

    The 33-year-old, however, does not need an introduction to the league.

     

    Clark previously played for the NLEX Road Warriors during the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup before returning with the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023 Governors’ Cup. His most recent PBA experience came with guest team Hong Kong Eastern during the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    That familiarity could prove valuable for a Converge squad that needs immediate results rather than another lengthy adjustment period.

     

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    Clark will also have little time to settle in.

     

    Converge and Terrafirma enter Tuesday’s matchup with identical 3-4 records in Group A, making the game an important opportunity for either side to move away from the crowded middle of the standings.

     

    For the FiberXers, the timing could not be more critical.

     

    With the PBA set for a lengthy break due to the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers and Asian Games, Converge has one more chance to build momentum before the competition pauses.

     

    Four straight losses have erased much of the cushion created by the team’s 3-0 start.

     

    Now, Converge is banking on a familiar face to help change the direction of its season.

     

    Clark’s arrival does not guarantee an immediate turnaround, but Tuesday’s matchup will provide the first indication of whether the veteran import can become the missing piece the FiberXers have been looking for.

     

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  • PBA moves key matchups to Antipolo after weather disruptions

    PBA moves key matchups to Antipolo after weather disruptions

     The PBA is taking no chances with its next round of action.

     

    With weather-related disruptions affecting the league’s schedule and playing conditions in recent days, the PBA has moved two important PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup games to the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

     

    The Converge-Terrafirma and TNT-NLEX matchups originally scheduled at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, August 11, will now be played at the Antipolo venue as the league looks to provide a more reliable setting for both games.

     

    The decision comes after Ninoy Aquino Stadium experienced problems during Friday’s Magnolia-Meralco matchup, which was delayed for nearly an hour after rainwater leaked inside the venue.

     

    The league also had to postpone Sunday’s doubleheader featuring Phoenix against Blackwater and Barangay Ginebra against Rain or Shine because of severe weather conditions.

     

    With the venue change now settled, attention shifts back to the standings and the teams’ playoff push.

     

    Converge enters Tuesday’s matchup with a 3-4 record and plenty to prove after dropping four straight games. The FiberXers will be looking to stop their slide against a Terrafirma side that just pulled off one of the biggest wins of the conference.

     

    The Dyip stunned previously unbeaten NLEX, 114-109, to improve to 3-4 and breathe new life into their campaign.

     

    That result also adds another layer to the Converge-Terrafirma matchup, particularly after the FiberXers escaped with a narrow 105-103 victory when the two teams first met on July 15.

     

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    Both sides now find themselves fighting for positioning as the elimination round moves deeper into the conference.

     

    The other Tuesday matchup carries an even bigger storyline.

     

    TNT Tropang 5G, currently at 3-3, gets another shot at NLEX after the Road Warriors handed the defending champions an 85-83 defeat in their first-round meeting just last week.

     

    NLEX has since seen its perfect run end, falling to Terrafirma and slipping to 6-1.

     

    For TNT, the rematch provides an opportunity to answer that narrow loss. For NLEX, it is a chance to show that the setback against the Dyip was only a temporary interruption to an otherwise dominant campaign.

     

    With both games carrying major implications in the standings, the change in venue may be the biggest difference before the ball is even tipped.

     

    The PBA will now bring the action to Antipolo, where Converge, Terrafirma, TNT, and NLEX will look to turn a turbulent week into an important step toward the playoffs.

     

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  • San Miguel seeks to build momentum as TNT, Titan fight for survival

    San Miguel seeks to build momentum as TNT, Titan fight for survival

    The pressure is beginning to look different for the teams heading to Ynares Center-Montalban as the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup enters a crucial stretch of the eliminations.

     

    San Miguel Beer is chasing stability near the top of Group A, while TNT Tropang 5G and Titan Ultra Giant Risers are fighting to keep their respective playoff hopes from slipping further away.

     

    San Miguel takes on the Macau Giant Pandas at 7:30 p.m. Friday, looking to strengthen its hold on second place and complete a sweep of the guest team.

     

    Later on Saturday, Titan Ultra and TNT meet in another high-stakes matchup, with both teams needing a victory to improve their position in the crowded Group A race.

     

    San Miguel eyes another step forward

     

    San Miguel enters its matchup with Macau carrying the confidence of a convincing bounce-back win.

     

    The Beermen dismantled Converge, 126-114, on Wednesday to improve to 5-2, responding immediately after an overtime defeat to TNT in their previous game.

     

    The victory also marked the return of coach Leo Austria to the bench after recovering from an angioplasty.

     

    San Miguel looked every bit like a team eager to regain its rhythm, putting together a dominant second half against Converge behind another monster performance from import George King.

     

    King erupted for 46 points and 14 rebounds, while Don Trollano added 27. June Mar Fajardo, meanwhile, showed that his impact goes well beyond scoring by finishing with five points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists.

     

    The Beermen will now try to carry that balance into their rematch with Macau.

     

    They already defeated the Giant Pandas, 132-126, in their first meeting on July 18, but Macau has shown enough offensive firepower to make the rematch dangerous.

     

    The Pandas are coming off a 128-132 loss to Titan Ultra and sit at 2-5, tied at the bottom of Group A.

     

    Before that defeat, Macau had managed to string together consecutive wins over Titan Ultra and Terrafirma, briefly giving itself a chance to climb the standings.

     

    A victory over San Miguel would provide an enormous boost.

     

    For the Beermen, however, the objective is more straightforward: avoid another slip and move to 6-2.

     

    With unbeaten NLEX sitting at 6-0, San Miguel cannot afford to waste another opportunity to keep pace near the top.

     

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    TNT faces another test without key players

     

    The pressure is arguably greater for TNT.

     

    The Tropang 5G are coming off another narrow loss, falling to unbeaten NLEX, 83-88, despite mounting a furious comeback from a 17-point deficit.

     

    TNT continues to operate without several key players, including Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading and Jayson Castro.

     

    Despite the depleted lineup, the Tropang 5G remain firmly in the playoff conversation at 3-3.

     

    Their next opponent, however, has plenty of reason to believe it can cause another upset.

     

    Titan Ultra already defeated TNT, 103-87, when the teams first met on July 22.

     

    The Giant Risers are also entering the contest with plenty of offensive confidence after producing franchise records in their 132-128 victory over Macau.

     

    Titan scored a franchise-best 47 points in the third quarter, 80 in the first half and 132 overall. Its bench also came through with 57 points, giving Tirrell Brown and Joshua Munzon the support they needed.

     

    But coach Rensy Bajar knows offense alone will not be enough against TNT.

    “Kailangan lang talaga namin is defense,” he said.

     

    “Constant defense, ‘yung transition defense, rebounding. Iyun lang talaga… du’n lang talaga lagi kaming natatalo.”

     

    That message could determine whether Titan can turn its offensive explosion into a genuine winning streak.

     

    The Giant Risers are 2-5 and need a victory to climb out of the Group A cellar. TNT, meanwhile, needs to reach 4-3 to strengthen its bid for one of the four playoff spots.

     

    The Tropang 5G still have enough firepower to cause problems, led by replacement import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, Rey Nambatac, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Glenn Khobuntin.

     

    But injuries have forced TNT to repeatedly find new ways to win.

     

    That makes Saturday’s matchup less about which team has the better roster on paper and more about which side can execute under pressure.

     

    For San Miguel, Friday is an opportunity to turn a bounce-back victory into sustained momentum.

    For Macau, it is a chance to shake off another defeat against one of the conference’s strongest teams.

     

    And for TNT and Titan Ultra, Saturday could be a defining night in their respective pushes to stay alive in the Group A playoff race.

     

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  • Juan GDL calls for Converge to embrace roles as FiberXers search for answers after fourth straight loss

    Juan GDL calls for Converge to embrace roles as FiberXers search for answers after fourth straight loss

    Converge entered the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup looking like one of the conference’s hottest teams. Less than a month later, the FiberXers are searching for answers after watching a promising start unravel into a four-game losing streak.

     

    Wednesday’s 126-114 defeat to San Miguel Beer dropped Converge to 3-4 in Group A, extending a slide that ironically began against the same Beermen on July 22. Since then, the FiberXers have failed to regain the momentum that fueled their 3-0 opening run.

     

    Despite the result, Juan Gomez de Liano believed the game was still within reach before San Miguel pulled away late.

     

    “I think we just kinda fold towards the end,” he told reporters after the defeat. “In the first three quarters, nandoon naman kami. We struggled a bit, having a good start in the second half. I think those are the main problems as a team.”

     

    San Miguel’s decisive 37-point third quarter ultimately proved too much for Converge to overcome, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a comfortable advantage that the FiberXers never seriously threatened.

     

    The recent skid has also exposed another troubling trend. Converge has yet to defeat a team with a .500 record or better in Group A, with its last victory coming against Macau on July 17.

     

    Rather than pointing to chemistry issues, Gomez de Liano believes the bigger challenge lies in players fully embracing the responsibilities assigned to them.

     

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    “I think for us, we just have to know our roles and accept it and work towards our roles,” he said. “We have a lot of great players that can do a lot and do damage. But then, that’s the thing, if you have a stacked lineup, you have to figure out what your role is, what’s your purpose in the team and just work towards that.”

     

    “Chemistry-wise, I don’t think we lack chemistry. Like I said, we just fell short in the end.”

     

    The former UP standout has already started making that adjustment himself. Against San Miguel, Gomez de Liano nearly produced a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists while taking on more ball-handling responsibilities.

     

    “For sure, if no one is going to adjust, I’ll be the one. That’s the way I play. I know to do whatever the team needs, and I think that’s my role here: to be that point guard we kinda lack, facilitate, make the right plays, and get my teammates going,” he said.

     

    “That’s just me being the leader of this team. I’m willing to sacrifice. That was the same situation when I was in college,” he added, recalling his stint with a talent-loaded University of the Philippines squad.

     

    With the elimination round entering its crucial stretch, Gomez de Liano remains optimistic that Converge can still reverse its fortunes before the playoff race tightens further.

     

    “We’ve been struggling. We lost four straight games. I think we just need to regroup, head back to the drawing board, take a day off tomorrow, and find ways to get into our rhythm back and win games,” he said.

     

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  • Matthew Wright leaves door open for PBA return during homecoming visit 

    Matthew Wright leaves door open for PBA return during homecoming visit 

    Matthew Wright may currently be focused on a new chapter in Japan, but the PBA still feels like home.

     

    The veteran guard made an unexpected appearance at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, giving Philippine basketball fans a glimpse of a familiar face as he stopped by the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    While many wondered if the visit hinted at an immediate comeback, Wright made it clear that his priorities remain with Strong Group Athletics and his newly signed B.League club, the Saitama Broncos. Still, he admitted that returning to the PBA is far from being off the table.

     

    The former Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters standout spent much of his visit catching up with former teammates, Gilas Pilipinas players, coaches, and friends he built relationships with during his six-year PBA career.

     

     

    “It’s good to see the guys. I have a lot of friends still in the PBA,” Wright told One Sports. “It’s good to see them playing well, doing well and catching up with their families.”

     

    “I haven’t forgot about them, I was here for six years so you develop a lot of friendships.”

     

    Rather than suiting up in the Governors’ Cup, Wright is back in the Philippines for another opportunity to wear the country’s colors as he joins Strong Group Athletics in its bid to defend the William Jones Cup title in Taiwan.

     

    The tournament also marks his first stint with the powerhouse club despite having represented the Philippines on multiple occasions in international competitions.

     

    “This is my first time playing for SGA,” says Wright. “Obviously it’s not my first time representing the Philippines but that’s always a big deal for me. That’s an easy sell no matter what.”

     

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    Wright also revealed that his participation came with the full support of the Saitama Broncos after recently signing with the B.League Division One franchise.

     

    Although he remains committed to completing his contract in Japan, the 34-year-old acknowledged that Philippine basketball continues to hold a special place in his career and personal life.

     

    “I’m under contract in Japan. I signed for a year so after that year… who knows? Anything can happen.”

     

    “PBA is never too far away from my side. It’s close to home, I have a family here, I still have property here, I have business here so it’s always a possibility to come back.”

     

    For now, Wright’s attention shifts to helping Strong Group Athletics chase a third consecutive William Jones Cup championship. But his brief homecoming served as a reminder that while his career has taken him overseas once again, the possibility of another PBA chapter remains very much alive.

     

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  • Sedrick Barefield fuels Blackwater’s revenge bid, powers Bossing past Phoenix

    Sedrick Barefield fuels Blackwater’s revenge bid, powers Bossing past Phoenix

    After ending the opening round of the PBA Governor’s Cup with a frustrating 93-102 defeat to the Fuel Masters, the Bossing made sure history would not repeat itself. 


    They turned the tables on Wednesday night, using a dominant fourth-quarter finish to pull away for a 106-100 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and breathe new life into their campaign.

     

    The win carried extra weight for Blackwater, which had dropped three straight games to close out the first round and entered the second phase of Group B competition needing a momentum-shifting performance.

     

    Sedrick Barefield made certain his second meeting with Phoenix would be remembered for different reasons.

     

    The sophomore guard, who was limited to just 10 points on 5-of-19 shooting in their previous encounter, erupted for 26 points this time. Eleven of those came in the final period as Blackwater unleashed a decisive 29-14 closing run that erased Phoenix’s hopes of completing another victory over the Bossing.

     

    “I feel like I had some of my best games against Phoenix so not having a great game against them last time kind of put a bad taste in the mouth,’’ Barefield said.

     

    His late-game takeover reflected the urgency inside the Blackwater locker room.

     

    “We knew today was important, if we lost, it would become tough for us going forward. It was do or die for us so that set the tone,” the sophomore guard said.

     

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    While Barefield delivered the finishing blows, import Kentrell Barkley provided the steady production that kept the Bossing within striking distance throughout the contest. Barkley powered Blackwater with 34 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists, while RK Ilagan chipped in 15 points and six rebounds.

     

    Head coach Pat Aquino praised Barefield’s growing influence after another clutch performance.

    “I love what Sed has been doing. He is becoming the leader of the team. He took over,” Aquino said.

     

    Phoenix, meanwhile, leaned heavily on import BJ Johnson, who exploded for a game-high 45 points in a losing effort. Ricci Rivero added 15 points, while Kai Ballungay finished with 12 as the Fuel Masters were unable to hold off Blackwater’s late surge.

     

    Despite the setback, Phoenix remained tied with Rain or Shine atop Group B with a 4-2 win-loss record.

     

    For Blackwater, the victory was more than just revenge. Improving to 3-3, the Bossing halted their three-game slide and put themselves back in the hunt as the second round gets underway.

     

    Blackwater will try to build on its renewed momentum when it takes on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday, August 9, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

     

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