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Tag: PBA Philippine Cup

  • PBA Finals: TNT Tropang 5G vs. San Miguel Beermen — Game 1 Preview, Predictions & Betting Odds

    PBA Finals: TNT Tropang 5G vs. San Miguel Beermen — Game 1 Preview, Predictions & Betting Odds

    After another dramatic playoff run through the semis, the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals are set to tip off with TNT Tropang 5G going head-to-head with the San Miguel Beermen in what promises to be a compelling rematch of one of the league’s modern all-Filipino classics.

     

    Preview

     

    These are two of the league’s most consistent big-stage teams. TNT enters this series riding a blend of offensive firepower and resilient comeback performances — highlighted by their Game 5 win that kept their Grand Slam hopes alive last season — and their ability to stretch the floor with elite perimeter shooting that ranked among the league’s best during the Philippine Cup slate.

     

    TNT’s spacing and conversion from beyond the arc (leading the conference in makes and efficiency) remains a core strength they’ll lean on to counter San Miguel’s interior focus.

     

    San Miguel’s blueprint is more traditional but effective. The Beermen consistently lead the league in scoring close to the basket and use their size, physicality, and elite post presence to dictate pace. June Mar Fajardo — coming off a shoulder issue but steadily trending toward full effectiveness — anchors San Miguel’s paint dominance, while the team’s defense ranks among the better units at limiting three-point efficiency. 

     

    San Miguel also has CJ Perez who is known to get into solo scoring runs, previously scoring 41 points in the Game 6 win against Ginebra, expect the TNT defense to try and limit his scoring. 

     

    Both teams come in battle-tested: San Miguel closed out a tough semifinal against Barangay Ginebra, leaning on veteran execution and depth in clutch moments, while TNT overcame adversity to reach the finals despite injuries and rotation challenges down the stretch.

     

    TNT’s backcourt depth is a storyline to watch. With RR Pogoy who is the third best scorer of the team sidelined early during the semifinals due to hamstring woes, TNT’s guard rotation is thinner, placing additional scoring burdens on players such as Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading. San Miguel, meanwhile, has managed its own health concerns but retains a more established rotation built around Fajardo and high-usage wings.

     

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    Matchup 

    • TNT’s perimeter attack vs. San Miguel’s three-point defense: TNT’s league-leading three-point volume and accuracy will test San Miguel’s ability to close out on shooters — a tactical chess match that could define Game 1.

       

    • Fajardo’s impact inside: Controlling the interior is key, and Fajardo’s presence draws double teams that create open looks for shooters like Marcio Lassiter and Jericho Cruz.

       

    • Health and depth: With key TNT guards injured, bench contributions and rotations will matter more than ever in this early Finals game.

       

    Sportsbook Odds 

    Moneyline

    • San Miguel Beermen: ~1.64

       

    • TNT Tropang 5G: ~2.20

       

    Point Spread

    • San Miguel Beermen –3 (~1.87)

       

    • TNT Tropang 5G +3 (~1.97)

       

    Total (Over/Under)

    • Over 196 (~1.90)

       

    • Under 196 (~1.92)

       

    Prediction

     

    San Miguel Beermen

    San Miguel’s balanced attack, playoff discipline, and interior strength give them a slight edge to take control early in this series. Expect them to impose their pace inside and make TNT work for quality looks — especially if Memphis Fajardo plays with more comfort than in the semifinals.

     

    Best Bet

     

    San Miguel Beermen –3

    San Miguel’s mix of experience and inside dominance is more likely to produce a clean win in Game 1, especially with TNT managing key absences.

     

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  • June Mar Fajardo cements icon status with seventh SMC-PSA Mr. Basketball award

    June Mar Fajardo cements icon status with seventh SMC-PSA Mr. Basketball award

    In an era where greatness is often measured by fleeting peaks, June Mar Fajardo has made longevity his loudest statement.

     

    The most dominant force in Philippine basketball today will once again take center stage at the San Miguel Corporation–Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night on February 16 at the Diamond Hotel Manila, joining the country’s top volleyball stars as one of the evening’s major honorees.

     

    For Fajardo, the recognition is familiar—but no less significant. The 35-year-old San Miguel cornerstone will be honored for the seventh time, a testament to a career that continues to redefine sustained excellence in local basketball.

     

    Season 49 of the PBA served as yet another reminder of why the 6-foot-11 center remains the league’s gold standard.

     

    Fajardo etched his name deeper into the record books by securing an unprecedented ninth Most Valuable Player award, leading the Beermen to their 11th Philippine Cup championship at the expense of TNT—once again denying the Tropang Giga a coveted Grand Slam.

     

    Even as new stars emerge, Fajardo’s impact has not waned. During the most recent Philippine Cup eliminations, he posted averages of 16.5 points, 16.6 rebounds—best in the league—and 4.4 assists per game, while becoming the first local player to record three straight 20-point, 20-rebound outings.

     

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    His influence extends beyond the PBA hardwood. A Gilas Pilipinas mainstay since 2014, Fajardo remains the team’s anchor in international play. 

     

    He suited up for the national squad in the FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia and the opening window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, where his steady presence helped power the Philippines to a 2–0 start.

     

    In that qualifying window, Fajardo averaged 7.5 points and 6.5 rebounds as the team’s starting center—numbers that may not scream dominance but underscore his enduring value as a stabilizing force against Asia’s best.

     

    As the PSA once again honors him, Fajardo’s career continues to stand as proof that true greatness isn’t just about peak moments—but about showing up, year after year, and still being the standard everyone else is measured against.

     

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  • CJ Perez shatters multiple PBA records in unforgettable Game 6 explosion

    CJ Perez shatters multiple PBA records in unforgettable Game 6 explosion

    In a sport where momentum is a living, breathing thing, CJ Perez didn’t just seize it—he owned it.

    The San Miguel Beer guard didn’t wait for the game to warm up. 

     

    From the moment his first shots swished through the net, Perez seemed to realize he was about to produce something special. What followed was a performance that didn’t just win a semifinal series—it rewrote the record books.

     

    On Friday, January 16, Perez turned the opening quarter into a highlight reel, delivering a historic explosion that propelled the Beermen into the PBA Philippine Cup finals with a 101-88 Game 6 victory over Barangay Ginebra at the Araneta Coliseum.

     

    A three-time scoring champion, Perez went on a scoring rampage that began with 30 points in the first quarter alone. He shot a flawless 12-of-12 in that period and finished with a career-high 41 points, becoming the main reason San Miguel is headed for a rematch with TNT in the All-Filipino finals.

     

    But it wasn’t just the volume of his scoring that stood out—it was how quickly he turned the quarter into a milestone-making moment.

     

    Perez’s blazing start produced multiple PBA records, including:

    • Most points scored in an opening quarter (local or import) 
    • Most points scored in a playoff quarter 
    • Most field goals made in a quarter without a miss 

    Those feats were confirmed by league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.

     

    Perez’s 30-point quarter also tied him with Bong Alvarez for second-most points scored in a quarter by a local, trailing only Allan Caidic’s legendary 39-point quarter from 1991.

     

    The comparison isn’t accidental—Perez’s scoring outburst felt like a flashback to his Terrafirma days, when he produced a career-high 39 points in a single game back in 2019.

     

    “It was the same feeling. It felt like I was not going to miss. I’m so happy to have this kind of game for San Miguel,” Perez said. 

     

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    His opening sequence was an unstoppable blend of aggression and precision. Perez began with three straight layups, then stepped back and nailed three consecutive triples, including a daring four-point attempt that sailed over RJ Abarrientos’ outstretched hand and sank cleanly.

     

    The quarter ended with Perez finishing the period with a double-pump layup over Norbert Torres—capping a stretch in which he outscored the entire Ginebra lineup. San Miguel surged to a 39-15 lead, a cushion that proved too large for the Gin Kings to erase.

     

    Perez might have scored even more had foul trouble not interrupted his rhythm. He picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter and spent much of the period on the bench, but coach Leo Austria still made it clear just how much he trusted his star.

     

    “If he did not get into foul trouble, I would have played him the entire game. That is how I trust my players,” Austria said. “If they’re playing well, they will stay inside.”

     

    Even with June Mar Fajardo limited to just four points due to shoulder issues, Perez made sure the Beermen’s engine kept running. Don Trollano provided a strong supporting role with 23 points, but Perez’s night was the defining story.

     

    For Ginebra, Scottie Thompson fought hard with 24 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to stop Perez’s unforgettable opening quarter.

     

    Now, as San Miguel prepares for a second straight finals rematch with TNT beginning Wednesday, January 21, Perez is hoping the momentum from this historic night can carry over.

     

    “We were able to breathe a little, but it will be another stressful series for sure,” Perez said.

    And if the first quarter of Game 6 is any indication, the rest of the series could be a stage for Perez to produce even more unforgettable moments.

     

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  • San Miguel braces for fired-up TNT as old Finals rivalry takes center stage again

    San Miguel braces for fired-up TNT as old Finals rivalry takes center stage again

    History looms large as San Miguel Beer and TNT Tropang 5G find themselves back on a familiar collision course, with pride, payback, and unfinished business shaping the narrative of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.

     

    Fresh off a convincing 101–88 closeout of Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the semifinals, the Beermen know the next challenge won’t simply be about talent or tactics. For head coach Leo Austria, the danger lies in the motivation TNT brings into yet another championship showdown.

     

    “I think they are thinking how to get back at us,” Austria said after the win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    That sense of looming retaliation is rooted in recent memory. Just a season ago, San Miguel denied TNT the Philippine Cup crown in six games, a defeat that also crushed the MVP Group flagship’s bid for a rare Grand Slam. It was a familiar wound for TNT, echoing a painful chapter from 2011 when a Petron Blaze-led San Miguel side — powered by Arwind Santos — once again spoiled the Tropang Texters’ championship dreams.

     

    Now, with both franchises once more standing at the sport’s biggest stage, the rivalry carries added emotional weight.

     

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    San Miguel earned the rematch by putting away the league’s most popular team, thanks largely to CJ Perez’s explosive 41-point outing — a career-high performance that underlined the Beermen’s ability to find firepower from unexpected places.

     

    Yet despite the momentum, Austria is far from complacent. The veteran coach is keenly aware of TNT’s championship pedigree and the confidence that comes from sustained success.

     

    “Alam naman natin how hard it is to defeat TNT, especially with their experience in the last three conferences. They were in the Finals,” he said.

     

    What gives Austria reassurance heading into the best-of-seven series, which tips off Wednesday, is the identity his team has quietly built. With June Mar Fajardo nursing shoulder concerns, the spotlight has shifted toward San Miguel’s supporting cast — and they have responded.

     

    Don Trollano, Jeron Teng, and Mo Tautua’a have all delivered timely contributions, turning depth into a defining advantage rather than a contingency plan.

     

    “That’s very important for any team. If you noticed every game namin, yung won games namin, iba’t iba ‘yung nagiging Best Player of the Game,” Austria explained.

     

    “That’s a sign na ang bench ay kailangang-kailangan. Talagang nagpe-perform sila eh, to the point na yung trust ko sa kanila, nae-enjoy nila,” he added.

     

    “It’s a sign for them to be confident and inspired sa ginagawa namin.”

     

    As the Finals stage is set once more, San Miguel prepares not just for TNT’s schemes, but for a rival fueled by memory and motivation. For fans, it’s another chapter in a rivalry defined by heartbreak, dominance, and the thin line separating revenge from repeat.

     

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  • Troy Rosario battles groin injury ahead of must-win Game 6 vs San Miguel

    Troy Rosario battles groin injury ahead of must-win Game 6 vs San Miguel

    With the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals hanging in the balance, Troy Rosario finds himself at a crossroads between grit and caution. 

     

    The Barangay Ginebra forward, nursing a pulled groin, is weighing whether he can take the floor in Game 6 against San Miguel — a must-win contest for the Gin Kings as they fight to extend the series.

     

    Coach Tim Cone remains uncertain about Rosario’s availability, describing him as a game-time decision after an MRI scheduled for Thursday will determine the extent of the injury.

     

    “He’s having an MRI to find out the extent of his tear,” Cone said. “Game time decision for tomorrow (Friday).”

     

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    The 33-year-old veteran suffered the injury early in Game 5, a contest that saw him limited to just 11 minutes of play, producing a single point and rebound. Rosario made a brief return at the start of the third quarter, but the coaching staff ultimately decided to pull him back to avoid further risk.

    Despite the setback, Rosario has been an important contributor this season, averaging 8.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. 

     

    His potential presence in Game 6 carries more than just numbers — it represents a blend of leadership, experience, and the toughness Ginebra may need to force a deciding Game 7.

     

    For Rosario, the choice is more than physical. It’s about whether his body can withstand the intensity of an elimination battle while carrying the hopes of a franchise that cannot afford another loss. With the Gin Kings facing their moment of truth, fans will be watching closely to see if their stalwart forward can answer the call.

     

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  • PBA Semifinals: Barangay Ginebra vs San Miguel Beermen — Game 6 Preview, Predictions & Betting Odds

    PBA Semifinals: Barangay Ginebra vs San Miguel Beermen — Game 6 Preview, Predictions & Betting Odds

    After five tightly contested games, the classic rivalry between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer has once again delivered the drama expected of two of the PBA’s most decorated franchises.

     

    San Miguel enters Game 6 holding a 3–2 series lead, putting the defending champions within striking distance of another Philippine Cup Finals appearance. The Beermen seized control of the series with a gritty Game 5 win, surviving a furious late rally by Ginebra that tested their composure down the stretch. That victory underscored what has separated San Miguel so far — depth, execution in crunch time, and the calming presence of veterans who have been through this stage countless times.

     

    At the center of it all is June Mar Fajardo, who has gradually imposed his will inside as the series has progressed despite dealing with shoulder issues. His ability to command double teams has opened up scoring lanes for CJ Perez, whose slashing has kept Ginebra’s defense honest, and Marcio Lassiter, who finally found his rhythm from the perimeter in Game 5. Chris Ross remains the series’ quiet disruptor, setting the defensive tone and consistently forcing Ginebra into tough late-clock situations.

     

    Ginebra, however, has shown throughout the series that it is never truly out of a game. The Gin Kings clawed back from double-digit deficits multiple times, most notably in Game 5 when they cut an 12-point gap down to two in the final seconds. Scottie Thompson has been the heartbeat of the Kings, stuffing the stat sheet while igniting fast breaks through hustle plays. RJ Abarrientos has provided timely shot-making, while Japeth Aguilar and Stephen Holt have delivered stretches of scoring that kept Ginebra within striking distance.

     

    Still, inconsistency has haunted Ginebra. Extended scoring droughts, missed free throws, and late-game turnovers have swung momentum back to San Miguel at critical moments. If the Gin Kings are to force a decisive Game 7, they will need a full 48-minute effort — sharper defensive rotations, better rebounding against Fajardo and Mo Tautua, and cleaner execution when the pressure peaks.

     

    For San Miguel, the challenge is avoiding complacency. Closeout games often bring a different kind of pressure, especially against a Ginebra squad that thrives on chaos and emotional swings. Expect head coach Leo Austria to emphasize ball security and disciplined shot selection, knowing that one strong early run could deflate Ginebra’s hopes.

     

    With legacies, pride, and a Finals berth on the line, Game 6 shapes up as another bruising chapter in a rivalry that rarely disappoints.

     

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    Sportsbook Odds (from online betting markets):

    • Moneyline: San Miguel Beermen ~ 1.71, Barangay Ginebra ~ 2.02

       

    • Point Spread: San Miguel Beermen –2.5 (~1.85), Barangay Ginebra +2.5 (~1.79)

       

    • Total (Over/Under): 189.5 points (~Over 1.80 / Under 1.83)

       

    Prediction:

    San Miguel Beermen

    San Miguel’s experience and depth give them a slight edge in closing out the series at home, especially after they weathered Ginebra’s surge in Game 5.

     

    Best Bet:

    San Miguel Beermen –2.5

    Lean:

    Over 189.5

     

    With both teams capable of putting up points in bursts — and Ginebra needing urgency to stay alive — the total could be a compelling play.

     

     

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  • Missed call draws swift response as PBA suspends ref after Game 5 controversy

    Missed call draws swift response as PBA suspends ref after Game 5 controversy

    The final seconds of TNT’s dramatic Game 5 escape against Meralco didn’t just decide a series—they also triggered swift accountability from the league.

     

    Less than 24 hours after the Tropang 5G sealed a 99–96 victory in the Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals, the PBA Commissioner’s Office announced disciplinary action against referee Jeff Tantay, citing a missed call that could have altered the outcome of the contest.

     

    Tantay has been suspended after failing to whistle a foul on Calvin Oftana during a critical defensive sequence against CJ Cansino with roughly 8.4 seconds remaining. 

     

    At the time, Meralco was pressing for a potential go-ahead basket, and the no-call came during a shot attempt that would have sent the Bolts to the line had it been ruled a foul.

     

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    Following a postgame review, the league’s technical committee determined that contact was significant enough to warrant a whistle. Tantay, who was positioned along the baseline, did not make the call—an omission that immediately became a focal point as TNT closed out the game moments later.

     

    While the league acted quickly in issuing the suspension, the length of the penalty remains under discussion. The Commissioner’s Office is still weighing whether Tantay will be sidelined for the remainder of the conference or face a shorter suspension, underscoring the seriousness with which the PBA is treating the lapse.

     

    The decision reflects the league’s ongoing effort to reinforce officiating standards, particularly in high-stakes playoff moments where a single possession can define an entire series. Though the ruling does not change the result of Game 5—or Meralco’s elimination—it sends a clear message that missed calls in crucial moments will not go unchecked.

     

    As the Philippine Cup moves closer to crowning a champion, the incident serves as a reminder that in playoff basketball, accountability extends beyond the players on the floor.

     

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  • Painful lessons fuel CJ Cansino after career-high game turns into loss 

    Painful lessons fuel CJ Cansino after career-high game turns into loss 

    Meralco guard CJ Cansino had just authored the best scoring night of his young PBA career, yet the numbers offered little comfort after the Bolts’ 99–96 Game 5 loss to TNT, a defeat that ended both their semifinal run and Cansino’s first taste of postseason spotlight.

     

    He scored 36 points on an efficient 60-percent clip, a breakout performance that placed him squarely in the center of the moment. But basketball’s cruel timing meant that his misses came when they mattered most, and Meralco’s season slipped away in the final seconds.

     

    “Sobrang regret din. Andun na, e,” said the 26-year-old, still processing how close the Bolts came to extending the series.

     

    The night could have easily ended differently—and Meralco might not have even been in position to steal the win without Cansino’s fourth-quarter explosion. 

     

    He poured in 17 points in the final period, igniting a 20–5 run that erased a double-digit deficit and gave the Bolts a 95–91 lead with just 27 seconds remaining.

     

    For a moment, it looked like a coronation.

     

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    Instead, TNT leaned on its playoff pedigree. Rey Nambatac and Jordan Heading delivered under pressure, flipping the script with clutch execution to secure the Tropang 5G’s first Finals berth of the season-opening conference.

     

    The final possessions told the harshest story. Cansino lost the ball on a steal by Heading that led to the go-ahead basket. Moments later, Calvin Oftana blocked his attempt, and on Meralco’s last chance, a forced four-point try failed to connect.

     

    Cansino didn’t shy away from the responsibility.

     

    “Mabigat pero sobrang teaching moments sa akin ito. Laking opportunity na binigay sa akin na matuto ako sa ganitong bagay,” said Meralco’s first-round pick from the Season 49 draft.

     

    For all the regret, there was also clarity. This was Cansino’s first 30-point game in the PBA, achieved on the biggest stage of his career so far, in his first-ever semifinals appearance. The moment exposed both his ceiling—and the work still ahead.

     

    “Hindi man namin nakuha yung panalo, pero on the good side, the positive side, sobrang laking itinuro sa akin ng semis na ito.”

     

    It was a loss that stung deeply, but also one that redefined him. For CJ Cansino, the blood and heartbreak of Game 5 may end up marking the beginning of something bigger rather than the end of a season.

     

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  • PBA Semis: San Miguel takes Game 5, TNT punches finals ticket after twin semifinal thrillers 

    PBA Semis: San Miguel takes Game 5, TNT punches finals ticket after twin semifinal thrillers 

    The PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals delivered a night of tension, momentum swings, and championship-level poise—one series edging closer to its conclusion, the other ending in dramatic fashion.

     

    At the SMART Araneta Coliseum, San Miguel Beer moved within one win of the Finals, holding off a furious Barangay Ginebra rally for a 115–109 victory in Game 5 to seize a 3–2 edge in their best-of-seven series.

     

    For much of the night, the Beermen appeared in control, building what looked like a comfortable 111–99 lead late in the fourth quarter. But Ginebra refused to fold. A stepback triple by RJ Abarrientos with 13.4 seconds left sliced the margin to just two, turning what seemed like a settled game into a pressure cooker.

     

    The tension peaked moments later when CJ Perez missed both free throws, opening the door wider for a potential collapse. San Miguel survived the scare through hustle and experience. An offensive rebound kept possession alive, and June Mar Fajardo calmly knocked down two free throws to restore breathing room at 113–109 with 8.3 seconds remaining.

     

    On the next sequence, Chris Ross and the Beermen defense sniffed out a play designed for Abarrientos, forcing a crucial turnover. Marcio Lassiter then iced the game at the line with 1.1 seconds left, sealing a win defined as much by composure as talent.

     

    Fajardo led San Miguel with 21 points and 11 rebounds, continuing to assert himself despite lingering shoulder issues. Perez added 20 points, while Mo Tautuaa provided an unexpected spark with 18 points and nine rebounds.

     

    Lassiter chipped in 16 points, his best showing of the series, and Don Trollano added 13 as five Beermen finished in double figures. Ross filled the gaps with nine points, eight assists, and timely defensive plays.

     

    Ginebra’s comeback fell short, but not without a fight. Scottie Thompson posted 20 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Abarrientos tallied 18 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. Stephen Holt and Japeth Aguilar added 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the Kings showed the resilience that has defined their postseason identity.

     

    San Miguel now gets a chance to close out the series in Game 6 on Friday, January 16, once again at the Big Dome.

     

     

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    Earlier in the evening, the semifinals produced a finish just as dramatic—but with finality.

     

    TNT booked its fourth straight Philippine Cup Finals appearance, stunning Meralco with a 99–96 escape in Game 5 to wrap up the series, 4–1, through a breathtaking late-game surge powered by Jordan Heading and Rey Nambatac.

     

    Down 96–91 with only 27.7 seconds remaining, TNT looked finished. Nambatac had other plans. He buried a clutch four-point shot, then moments later, Heading jumped a passing lane, stole the ball from CJ Cansino, and finished a go-ahead layup that flipped the game on its head.

     

    Two more free throws by Nambatac and missed opportunities by Meralco on the other end completed the collapse, sending the Tropang 5G back to the Finals.

     

    Heading delivered a masterclass with 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting, along with three steals, including the decisive takeaway. Nambatac added 25 points, shooting efficiently and providing the composure TNT needed when the season was on the line.

     

    The comeback spoiled a career night from Cansino, who poured in 36 points and nearly dragged Meralco to victory. But his two late misses and a turnover in the final possessions proved costly after the Bolts had surged ahead behind a 20–5 run that turned an 86–76 deficit into a 95–91 lead.

     

    TNT’s path to the Finals was anything but straightforward. After racing to a 19–4 start, the Tropang 5G found themselves trailing 50–46 at halftime, then staring at elimination late before flipping the script in stunning fashion.

     

    The win sends TNT back to the Philippine Cup Finals after falling to San Miguel in last season’s championship series—setting the stage for a potential rematch, should the Beermen finish the job.

     

    With one Finals berth secured and another hanging in the balance, the PBA semifinals once again proved why the road to the title is rarely straightforward—and never short on drama.

     

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  • Chris Newsome stays in the fight as Meralco faces do-or-die without star guard 

    Chris Newsome stays in the fight as Meralco faces do-or-die without star guard 

    Chris Newsome’s jersey never touched the floor in Game 4, but his voice never left the huddle.

     

    Sidelined by an MCL injury, the Meralco star was forced to watch as the Bolts absorbed a 102–83 loss to TNT in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. Yet even in street clothes, Newsome remained deeply involved, turning the bench into his temporary command post as Meralco tried to navigate life without one of its emotional and tactical anchors.

     

    “He’s still here. In spirit, huddles, he always talks to us. He tells us what to do. While he’s physically not on the court, he still talks to us for us to play well,” Brandon Bates said at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.

     

    That presence mattered, even as the result didn’t go Meralco’s way.

     

    With Newsome unavailable, the Bolts leaned on balance scoring. Chris Banchero led the way with 19 points, CJ Cansino followed with 17, and Cliff Hodge matched that output while adding eight rebounds. The effort, however, wasn’t enough to stop TNT from taking a commanding 3–1 series lead.

     

     

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    “Obviously, when you lose one of your main guys, it’s always going to be difficult but you have to have that next man up mentality.” 

     

    For Raymond Almazan, Newsome’s value extends far beyond what shows up on the stat sheet.

     

    “He’s our leader, not just on the court but off it as well,” Almazan said. “These things happen, so somebody has to step up. We’re down 3-1, but this series isn’t over yet. We still believe we can push it to Game 7.”

     

    Almazan finished with seven points and seven rebounds, a modest line that reflected a team still searching for answers while refusing to fold.

     

    Now facing elimination, Meralco turns its focus to Game 5 on Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum. Whether or not Newsome can return remains uncertain, but one thing is already clear: even sidelined, he remains central to how the Bolts fight to keep their season alive.

     

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