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  • This Week’s Sports Fixtures: NBA, PBA Semis & Alex Eala’s Kooyong Classic Schedule

    This Week’s Sports Fixtures: NBA, PBA Semis & Alex Eala’s Kooyong Classic Schedule

    Fans of basketball and tennis are in for a jam-packed week as January heats up with key matchups across the NBA, the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, and the international tennis circuit. From high-stakes semifinals featuring TNT, Meralco, San Miguel, and Ginebra, to NBA teams battling for playoff positioning, and Alex Eala representing the Philippines at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, there’s no shortage of action. Here’s a complete schedule to keep you on top of all the games and matches happening from January 13–18, 2026.

     

     

    🎾 Alex Eala – Kooyong Classic (Melbourne, Australia)

    January 13–15, 2026

    • January 13–15 – Alex Eala – Kooyong Classic, Melbourne, Australia

    🏀 NBA Schedule – January 13–18, 2026

    Tuesday, January 13, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Jazz @ Cavaliers 
    • 8:30 AM – Celtics @ Pacers 
    • 8:30 AM – 76ers @ Raptors 
    • 9:30 AM – Nets @ Mavericks 
    • 11:00 AM – Lakers @ Kings 
    • 11:30 AM – Hornets @ Clippers 

    Wednesday, January 14, 2026

    • 8:30 AM – Suns @ Heat 
    • 9:00 AM – Bulls @ Rockets 
    • 9:00 AM – Timberwolves @ Bucks 
    • 9:00 AM – Nuggets @ Pelicans 
    • 9:00 AM – Spurs @ Thunder 
    • 11:30 AM – Hawks @ Lakers 
    • 12:00 PM – Trail Blazers @ Warriors 

    Thursday, January 15, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Raptors @ Pacers 
    • 8:00 AM – Cavaliers @ 76ers 
    • 9:00 AM – Jazz @ Bulls 
    • 9:00 AM – Nets @ Pelicans 
    • 10:30 AM – Nuggets @ Mavericks 
    • 11:00 AM – Knicks @ Kings 
    • 11:30 AM – Wizards @ Clippers 

    Friday, January 16, 2026

    • 3:00 AM – Grizzlies @ Magic (NBA Berlin Game) 
    • 8:00 AM – Suns @ Pistons 
    • 8:30 AM – Celtics @ Heat 
    • 9:00 AM – Thunder @ Rockets 
    • 9:00 AM – Bucks @ Spurs 
    • 9:30 AM – Jazz @ Mavericks 
    • 11:00 AM – Knicks @ Warriors 
    • 11:30 AM – Hawks @ Trail Blazers 
    • 10:00 AM – Hornets @ Lakers 

    Saturday, January 17, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Pelicans @ Pacers 
    • 8:00 AM – Cavaliers @ 76ers 
    • 8:30 AM – Bulls @ Nets 
    • 10:30 AM – Clippers @ Raptors 
    • 11:00 AM – Timberwolves @ Rockets 
    • 11:00 AM – Wizards @ Kings 

    Sunday, January 18, 2026

    • 6:00 AM – Jazz @ Mavericks 
    • 8:30 AM – Celtics @ Hawks 
    • 8:30 AM – Pacers @ Pistons 
    • 8:30 AM – Suns @ Knicks 
    • 9:00 AM – Thunder @ Heat 
    • 9:00 AM – Timberwolves @ Spurs 
    • 9:30 AM – Hornets @ Warriors 
    • 10:00 AM – Wizards @ Nuggets 
    • 11:00 AM – Lakers @ Trail Blazers

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    🏀 PBA Philippine Cup – Semifinals (Best-of-7)

    Series Standings

    • SF1: San Miguel Beermen 2–2 Barangay Ginebra 
    • SF2: TNT Tropang Giga 3–1 Meralco Bolts 

    Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Smart Araneta Coliseum

    • 5:15 PM – TNT Tropang Giga vs Meralco Bolts (Game 5)
    • 7:30 PM – San Miguel Beermen vs Barangay Ginebra (Game 5)

    Friday, January 16, 2026 – Ynares Center, Antipolo

    • 5:15 PM – San Miguel Beermen vs Barangay Ginebra (Game 6)
    • 7:30 PM – TNT Tropang Giga vs Meralco Bolts (Game 6 – if necessary)

    Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Smart Araneta Coliseum

    • 5:15 PM – TNT Tropang Giga vs Meralco Bolts (Game 7 – if necessary)
    • 7:30 PM – San Miguel Beermen vs Barangay Ginebra (Game 7 – if necessary)

       

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  • “Just try to stay aggressive”: Poy Erram happy to contribute as TNT take a 3-1 lead over Meralco

    “Just try to stay aggressive”: Poy Erram happy to contribute as TNT take a 3-1 lead over Meralco

    The TNT Tropang Giga moved one win away from securing a spot in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals after dismantling the Meralco Bolts, 102-83, in Game 4 on Sunday, January 11, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The victory gave TNT a commanding 3–1 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series.

     

    Poy Erram delivered his strongest performance of the conference, anchoring TNT’s dominance with 27 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting, while also tallying nine rebounds and two assists. Jordan Heading and Calvin Oftana provided additional firepower with 15 and 14 points, respectively, helping the Tropang Giga seize control early and never look back.

     

    For Erram, the standout performance marked a meaningful return to form following the knee injury that sidelined him in 2025. Now 36, the veteran center said he simply focused on staying aggressive.

     

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    “Nangyari na lang siya. Ako, I just tried to stay aggressive. Luckily, na-shoot yung mga tira ko. Grabe rin yung tiwala sa akin ng teammates ko, and I just stayed ready,” Erram said in the post match press conference.

    Despite recovering, Erram has seen limited action this conference, averaging just 6.2 minutes per game while playing behind Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, and Henry Galinato in the team’s rotation.

     

    Still, the former Gilas Pilipinas big man remains committed to contributing in whatever way he can, especially with TNT missing key players Roger Pogoy (hamstring), Kelly Williams (illness), and Rey Nambatac (ankle).

     

    “Kahit limited yung minuto ko, I make it a point na pinapanood ko yung film, then sinisigaw ko yung plays ng kalaban para alam ng teammates ko kung ano yung tinatakbo nila. Wala namang conscious effort, and not necessarily sa offense, but on defense,” he added.

     

    Head coach Chot Reyes praised Erram’s professionalism and readiness despite inconsistent playing time.

     

    “I just keep telling him: ‘Ready ka lang.’ Whether he plays or not at all, we just tell him to stay ready. He also puts in the work during practice, so moments like this are exactly what it’s for,” Reyes said.

     

    TNT now aims to close out the series in Game 5, set for Wednesday, January 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • PBA Semifinals: Scottie Thompson’s 35-point triple-double lifts Ginebra, Poy Erram powers TNT closer to Finals

    PBA Semifinals: Scottie Thompson’s 35-point triple-double lifts Ginebra, Poy Erram powers TNT closer to Finals

    Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena felt less like a routine semifinal slate and more like a referendum on belief, balance, and timing.

     

    On one end of the floor, Scottie Thompson authored a performance that instantly etched itself into PBA lore. On the other hand, a long-overdue breakout from Poy Erram reshaped another series entirely. By night’s end, both Barangay Ginebra and TNT had rewritten the momentum of their respective matchups in emphatic fashion.

     

    Ginebra’s 105-91 comeback win over San Miguel was not merely about survival—it was about perspective. Down by as many as 14 early, the Kings leaned on their emotional compass, and Thompson responded with the most complete game of his career.

     

    The former MVP poured in a career-high 35 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 11 assists, steering Ginebra back from the brink and knotting the series at 2-2. 

     

    The triple-double placed him in rare air, a feat last achieved by Ronnie Magsanoc during the 1990 All-Filipino Conference, per league statistics.More than the numbers, it was the timing that defined Thompson’s night. 

     

    His nine points during a decisive 12-3 run flipped a fragile one-point San Miguel edge into a commanding Ginebra cushion midway through the fourth. From there, the Kings never looked back.

     

    Yet this was not a one-man rescue. Japeth Aguilar’s steady 14 points and six rebounds stabilized the interior, while Norbert Torres’ trio of triples—including the shot that finally pushed Ginebra ahead for good—punctured San Miguel’s resistance. 

     

    Jayson David and RJ Abarrientos added pace and polish, and the Kings’ 34 assists reflected a team rediscovering its identity at precisely the right moment.

     

    For San Miguel, CJ Perez’s 22 points and Chris Ross’ 20 kept them competitive, but the Beermen struggled to generate consistent offense beyond their guards. June Mar Fajardo, limited by both defensive pressure and sore shoulders, endured another rare single-digit scoring night, though his 20 rebounds underscored his continued influence in other areas.

     

    With the series reset, Game 5 now looms as a referendum on which version of each team is real.

     

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    If Thompson’s game was about legacy, Poy Erram’s was about timing.

     

    Entering Game 4 averaging just two points for the conference, Erram erupted for 27 points on near-perfect efficiency as TNT dismantled Meralco, 102-83, to seize a commanding 3-1 series lead. He scored 21 in the first half alone, immediately setting the tone for a bounce-back performance after TNT’s previous stumble.

     

    Even with Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading struggling to find rhythm, the Tropang 5G thrived on collective execution. Their role players filled the gaps, their defense suffocated Meralco’s options, and their early control never truly wavered.

     

    The win was made more impressive—and complicated—by injuries on both sides. TNT lost Roger Pogoy early to a hamstring injury, while Rey Nambatac remained limited. Meralco, meanwhile, had to cope without Chris Newsome, sidelined by an MCL sprain, a void that proved too large to overcome despite Chris Banchero’s 19-point effort.

     

    By the end of the night, two narratives were clear: Ginebra had rediscovered its heartbeat through Thompson’s brilliance, and TNT had found an unexpected pillar in Erram at the most crucial moment.

     

    In a semifinal round increasingly shaped by depth, durability, and decisive bursts, Sunday served as a reminder that championships are often swung not by who is expected to deliver—but by who does when it matters most. 

     

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  • “Proud ako kasi magiging legend ako”: Ranidel de Ocampo on TNT retiring his No. 33 jersey

    “Proud ako kasi magiging legend ako”: Ranidel de Ocampo on TNT retiring his No. 33 jersey

    Former TNT star Ranidel de Ocampo has firmly cemented his legacy as one of the franchise’s greatest players and is set to be recognized as a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend.

     

    The TNT Tropang Giga recently announced that they will retire De Ocampo’s No. 33 jersey in his honor. The ceremony is scheduled to take place during halftime of the Philippine Cup semifinal Game 3 between TNT and the Meralco Bolts on Friday, January 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Currently serving as an assistant coach under Chot Reyes for TNT, De Ocampo expressed his pride in receiving such a rare recognition.

     

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    “Siyempre very proud ako kasi bihira lang naman ‘yung mabibigyan ng ganitong kumbaga recognition. At ito pang dati kong team na Talk ‘N Text, nilaruan ko Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, ‘yun ‘yung ire-retire na jersey,” he said in a media interaction.

     

    “Proud ako kasi kumbaga magiging legend ako. Masarap din ‘pag natatawag kang legend. ‘Yun nga, PBA legend. At the same time, kumbaga parang nagbunga ‘yung pinaghirapan mo,” he added.

    At 44 years old, De Ocampo becomes only the third TNT player to have his jersey retired, joining PBA legends Jimmy Alapag (No. 3) and Harvey Carey (No. 4). He also took a moment to acknowledge the people who contributed to his success.

     

    “Kasama ko doon ang sa pag-asenso ko, sa pagiging successful ng career ko, ang pamilya ko, ang mga magulang ko, ang mga kapatid ko. Pati mother ko, ayan. At siyempre ang solid sa TNT fans, saka ‘yung team RDO exclusive. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila. Kasama ko sila hanggang nga ngayon na hindi na ako naglalaro, nandiyan parin sila sumusuporta,” he said.

     

    De Ocampo’s career in the PBA began when he was selected fourth overall by FedEx/Air21 Express in the 2004 draft. He joined TNT in 2008 and played with the franchise until 2017. During his time with the Tropang Giga, he won six PBA championships, was named a two-time PBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP), earned the PBA Best Player of the Conference award in the 2014 Governors’ Cup, and received nine PBA All-Star nominations.

     

    Reflecting on his career highlights, De Ocampo singled out his first championship as particularly memorable.

     

    “‘Yung first championship ko, ‘yun ding year na ‘yun, ‘yung conference na ‘yun. So ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-memorable sa akin. ‘Yung very, very first championship kasama ko ‘yung kapatid ko si kuya Yancy,” he recalled.

     

    With the retirement of his No. 33 jersey, TNT will not only honor De Ocampo’s on-court achievements but also celebrate his enduring influence on the franchise, both as a player and a mentor. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of TNT players, ensuring that Ranidel de Ocampo remains a true icon of Philippine basketball.

     

     

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  • SMB keeps Bennie Boatwright in sight as Commissioner’s Cup plans hinge on KBL fate

    SMB keeps Bennie Boatwright in sight as Commissioner’s Cup plans hinge on KBL fate

    Even with Bennie Boatwright already plying his trade in South Korea, San Miguel Beer has not crossed the door on a possible reunion for the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    The Beermen remain firmly interested in the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player candidate, viewing him as their top import option for the midseason tournament that tips off on March 11—provided circumstances allow. Team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed that Boatwright’s name continues to sit at the top of San Miguel’s wish list, though his availability remains the biggest question mark.

     

    “Yes, nasa listahan namin siya,” Abanilla said. “Pero depende sa sitwasyon niya. Kung mag-a-advance yung team niya. So it really depends.”

     

    Boatwright recently signed with Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in the Korean Basketball League, a move that caught San Miguel slightly off guard. The Pegasus are currently tied at the bottom of the standings with a 9-20 record alongside the Seoul Samsung Thunders, and while their playoff hopes are slim, the KBL season runs until April—overlapping with the PBA’s import conference.

     

    Abanilla revealed that communication between the two sides never stopped, especially after Boatwright parted ways with the Taipei Fubon Braves in the P. League+.

     

    “The last time I communicated with him, tinanong niya lang sa akin kung ano yung schedule ng Commissioner’s Cup,” Abanilla said.

     

    “Right after lumabas (news about the Fubon Braves), nag-text na ako agad sa kanya, and then he asked for it (Commissioner’s Cup schedule).”

     

    That line of communication, however, was quickly overtaken by events. Just days later, Boatwright committed to a KBL stint.

     

    “Nagulat na lang kami na pumirma na siya sa Korea,” Abanilla said while speaking from the sidelines of the Philippine Cup semifinals between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra.

     

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    From San Miguel’s perspective, the move appears less about opportunity and more about rhythm. Abanilla believes Boatwright may have chosen Korea to stay game-ready following recovery from an Achilles injury.

     

    “I was thinking na baka ayaw niya lang mabakante, gusto niya tuloy-tuloy lang,” he said. “Well, he’s already healed, pero yung time niya, siguro gusto niyang makuha pa, and he could only get that from playing.”

     

    Still, Abanilla admitted that an earlier return to San Miguel would have been ideal. The Commissioner’s Cup window would have allowed Boatwright to reacclimate to the Beermen’s system—one he already mastered en route to the 2023–24 Commissioner’s Cup title.

     

    “This is the best chance to bring him early, get acclimatized, and be re-acquainted with the San Miguel system again. Kaso naging ganun ang desisyon niya,” Abanilla said.

     

    Now, the situation hinges on how far Daegu KOGAS goes. A late-season surge or playoff qualification could complicate any potential release, forcing San Miguel to balance patience with practicality.

     

    “Ang dilemma ngayon, kung mag-advance (yung team),” Abanilla said. “Siyempre kailangan rin ng mga coaches to decide on something. Hindi naman pwedeng, ‘O baka libre na siya ngayon, kunin na natin.’”

     

    “Kung libre siya, edi OK.”

     

    Until then, San Miguel waits—keeping Boatwright firmly on the radar as they prepare for the Commissioner’s Cup, aware that timing may ultimately decide whether a familiar import returns or the Beermen are forced to look elsewhere. 

     

     

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  •  “We are down, but we are definitely not out”: Chris Newsome urges Bolts to stay confident

     “We are down, but we are definitely not out”: Chris Newsome urges Bolts to stay confident

    The Meralco Bolts’ struggles in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals continued on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, as they fell to the TNT Tropang Giga, 109-92, in Game 2.

     

    Jordan Heading and Calvin Oftana spearheaded TNT’s dominant performance, combining for 50 points and putting added pressure on Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo to make significant adjustments heading into the rest of the best-of-seven series.

     

    Despite back-to-back defeats, Bolts captain Chris Newsome remains steadfast, urging his teammates to maintain a resilient “down but not out” mindset.

     

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    “I mean, it’s always tough, especially after a loss like that, where we didn’t have a chance in that game. You know they kept the lead. They kept us spread there. A very difficult position to be in. The morale of the team is down right now, but we are definitely not out,” Newsome said in a media interaction.

     

    “The one thing I wanted the guys to continue to embrace is the belief that we can continue to win and we continue to play good basketball. And these last two games don’t define who we are as a program and who we are as individuals. And we really have to play this series all the way out,” he added.

    The 35-year-old guard emphasized that Meralco’s veterans continue to remind the younger players that the series is far from over.

     

    “I think that’s the biggest takeaway for us is that they have to win four. We can’t let these two losses affect our morale and our team spirit. So that’s the main thing, taking that experience from our veterans and the ones that have been in multiple series before. A lot of us have been to game sevens. In a series, anything can happen,” Newsome continued.

     

    Meralco’s Game 2 effort was further hampered by Newsome’s early exit after dislocating his left pinky finger, limiting his availability and removing the Bolts’ most influential on-court presence.

     

    “I dislocated my left pinky. It was a clean dislocation. Our team physician popped it back in place, taped it up, and I just went out there and continued to play. Me having to take an early exit didn’t really help. You know I wanted to be out there to help the team start. But I think that’s where you have to show the capabilities of the team, regardless of who’s in the game, they have to be able to perform, they have to be able to execute the game plan.

     

    “It’s just unfortunate what happened to me earlier in the game. But I was able to get it back together and try my best to help the team win despite the injury I sustained,” Newsome concluded.

     

    With the Bolts now facing a crucial juncture in the semifinals, Newsome hopes the team can regroup and respond when the series resumes with Game 3 on Friday, January 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • Tim Cone blasts Barangay Ginebra’s bench after Game 2 loss to San Miguel

    Tim Cone blasts Barangay Ginebra’s bench after Game 2 loss to San Miguel

    San Miguel Beermen mounted a furious second-half rally to take Game 2 of their best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinal series, defeating long-time rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 93–84, on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The victory allowed the Beermen to tie the series at 1–1 and regain momentum after dropping the opener.

     

    Jeron Teng, a former University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) standout, emerged as the unexpected spark for San Miguel. Coming off the bench, Teng delivered 13 points—12 of which came in the pivotal fourth quarter—igniting a comeback that stunned the Ginebra crowd. Teng’s aggressiveness down the stretch proved critical as he attacked the rim, absorbed contact, and made timely baskets when San Miguel needed them most.

     

    Don Trollano also rebounded from a quiet Game 1 performance, adding 12 key points and stabilizing the Beermen offense during crucial stretches. San Miguel’s improved bench production proved to be one of the biggest storylines of the night, flipping the script from the series opener.

     

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    Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone did not mince words when discussing the defeat, expressing frustration over the dip in contributions from his second unit. In Game 1, Ginebra’s bench outscored San Miguel’s reserves 54–29 in their 99–90 victory. But in Game 2, the tables turned. San Miguel’s bench exploded for 44 points, while Ginebra managed only 37—an imbalance Cone pointed to as the decisive factor.

    “We didn’t do things well tonight. We have to figure it out and see if we can come out better,” Cone said during the postgame media availability. “Our bench did not play well tonight. Nobody from our bench played well tonight.”

     

    Cone acknowledged the inconsistency that often comes with relying heavily on reserve players but remained hopeful that adjustments could be made.

     

    “That’s kind of typical with benches and guys coming off it. They will be great one night and maybe not on the second night. Hopefully, we can come back and compete better in the third game,” he added.

     

    The defeat highlighted areas of concern for Ginebra, particularly on defense and ball movement in the second half. The team struggled to contain San Miguel’s drives and allowed too many second-chance opportunities, while their own offense stagnated late in the game. 

     

    Meanwhile, the Beermen will look to build on their improved execution and energy. With Teng stepping up and the bench firing, head coach Jorge Gallent now has added confidence in his team’s depth as the series intensifies.

     

    With the semifinals now tied at 1–1, both squads head into Game 3 with renewed urgency. The crucial third meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where momentum—and potentially the direction of the series—will be up for grabs.

     

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  • Luigi Trillo takes the blame after Meralco falls to a 0-2 deficit against TNT in the PBA semifinals

    Luigi Trillo takes the blame after Meralco falls to a 0-2 deficit against TNT in the PBA semifinals

    The Meralco Bolts’ struggles in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals continued on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, as they absorbed a 109-92 defeat to the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 2.

     

    Jordan Heading and Calvin Oftana powered TNT’s victory, combining for 50 points and leaving Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo with major adjustments to consider. Trillo took full responsibility for the loss, acknowledging that the Tropang Giga outclassed his team across the board.

     

    “We didn’t play well today, obviously. They hit a lot of their threes. I just felt that their intensity was on another level, that’s why they are Talk ‘N Text. They are hitting every shot. They were on point. Their defense was bar none. Oftana played like he is Calvin Oftana, the best forward right now. And Jordan Heading played well. Hats off to Talk ‘N Text. They outplayed us today in every quarter. More than anything, that’s on me first,” Trillo said in the postmatch press conference.

     

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    Meralco’s shooting woes underscored their off-night, connecting on just one three-pointer and finishing with a 41.7 percent field-goal clip. The Bolts did earn more opportunities from the line—35 free throws compared to TNT’s 11—but failed to capitalize on the advantage in momentum and energy.

     

    “We only had 14 fouls. We had a lot of free throws. It’s funny, we complained about the free throws. We had a lot of free throws but our energy was not here whatsoever,” Trillo added.

    The coach also noted the impact of playing without team consultant Nenad Vučinić, whose presence on the sidelines typically influences Meralco’s execution. Vučinić is currently in New Zealand for his daughter’s wedding and is expected to miss Game 3 as well.

     

    “Yeah I think when a coach is in his flow. And obviously, he has the pulse of the team and we are winning, that’s very hard. When somebody comes in, it’s different. But you know, I will take this one. It’s on me.

     

    “He will be back soon. The next couple of games he will still be there. We will see, he has some family things to attend to,” Trillo continued.

     

    Despite falling into a 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven series, Trillo remains optimistic that Meralco can regroup and respond.

     

    “At this point, there’s still a lot of games to be played. Just moving forward, we need to play better. Just from the start, when you give 29, 28, 25, and 27 points in four quarters, we don’t deserve to win. That’s not our calling card.

     

    “No excuses here. We need to be better. We have to see the video. If we are gonna even have a chance, we are going to need to up everything that we are doing. Because right now we don’t look like a well-oiled machine,” he said.

     

    Meralco will aim to stay alive in the series when the semifinals resume with Game 3 on Friday, January 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • PBA Semis: TNT tightens grip, SMB strikes back to even series

    PBA Semis: TNT tightens grip, SMB strikes back to even series

    The PBA Philippine Cup semifinals began to show clearer contours on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with TNT asserting control in one series while San Miguel Beer answered back in the other.

     

    This time, there was no need for late drama from the Tropang 5G. After surviving a 21-point hole in Game 1, TNT flipped the script in Game 2 and delivered a commanding 109–92 win over Meralco to seize a 2–0 edge in their best-of-seven showdown. 

     

    From the opening minutes, the Tropa dictated pace, found rhythm on both ends, and steadily widened the gap—pulling away decisively in the third quarter to move within two wins of the Finals.

     

    Calvin Oftana once again set the tone, pouring in 26 points and seven rebounds as TNT’s steady engine. He was far from alone. Jordan Heading added 24, highlighted by a four-point bomb, while the supporting cast overwhelmed the Bolts with balance and depth. 

     

    Kelly Williams and Roger Pogoy chipped in 12 apiece—Pogoy draining all his points from long range—while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser contributed 11 points and six boards.

     

     In all, 12 different Tropang 5G players made their way into the scoring column, a testament to TNT’s collective rhythm after a grinding series opener.

     

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    If TNT took control in one bracket, San Miguel Beer made sure its own series didn’t slip away. The Beermen regrouped from their opening loss and leaned on timely contributions across the board to outlast Barangay Ginebra, 93–84, evening their semifinal duel at one game apiece.

     

    After struggling to find help in Game 1, San Miguel’s support crew came alive when it mattered most. Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz sparked a pivotal third-quarter push, before Jeron Teng seized the spotlight in the final frame. 

     

    Teng delivered a massive lift off the bench, finishing with 13 points—12 of them coming in the fourth quarter—along with five rebounds and three assists.

     

    The former La Salle standout was central to a decisive 13–5 run that turned a one-point edge into a commanding 80–71 cushion midway through the fourth, allowing the Beermen to wrest control and never look back. Trollano and Cruz finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively, easing the burden on San Miguel’s stars.

     

    June Mar Fajardo continued his dominant stretch regardless, posting 21 points and 23 rebounds for his third straight 20-20 outing, while CJ Perez added 11 points and five boards. This time, though, the Beermen’s victory hinged on balance rather than survival.

     

    On the other side, Ginebra leaned heavily on Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos, who scored 18 points each, with Norbert Torres adding 10. The rest of the Kings’ offense struggled to find consistency, including Ralph Cu, who was limited to just three points after his Game 1 breakout.

     

    With TNT holding a commanding lead and San Miguel restoring parity, the semifinals now head into a crucial stretch. Game 3 of both best-of-seven series is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Big Dome, where momentum—and perhaps separation—will again be up for grabs.

     

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  • PBA pause reshapes Season 50 as eliminated teams face an unusual midyear hiatus

    PBA pause reshapes Season 50 as eliminated teams face an unusual midyear hiatus

    For nearly half the PBA, the end of the Philippine Cup has not brought the usual quick reset into the next conference. Instead, it has opened the door to what feels like an offseason unfolding right in the middle of the calendar year.

     

    Eight teams that fell short of the semifinals are now staring at a break of more than two months before competitive play resumes with the Commissioner’s Cup on March 11. In a league long accustomed to tight turnarounds between conferences, the pause is striking—an interruption shaped less by league preference and more by the demands of the national team and a milestone season schedule.

     

    Clubs that managed to reach the quarterfinals—Converge, Rain or Shine, Magnolia, and NLEX—at least stretched their Philippine Cup runs into the final days of 2025. Rain or Shine was the last to bow out, absorbing a 98–89 defeat to Meralco in a knockout game for the final semifinal berth. For others, the wait began much earlier.

     

    The extended downtime is largely the product of two calendar anchors: the second window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers and the PBA’s 50th Season All-Star weekend. 

     

    With the opening conference projected to wrap up by early February—assuming both the semifinals and finals go the distance—attention immediately shifts to Gilas Pilipinas.

     

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    National team head coach Tim Cone has requested a runway of at least 10 days to two weeks for full-team training before Gilas resumes its World Cup qualifying campaign on Feb. 26 and March 1. The Filipinos, currently tied with Australia atop Group A at 2–0, will face New Zealand first before a highly anticipated rematch with the Boomers. Both games are set at the Mall of Asia Arena, underscoring how central the national team has become to the league’s scheduling priorities.

     

    Once that window closes, the PBA caravan heads north. Just five days after the qualifiers, the entire league will converge in Candon, Ilocos Sur, for the All-Star weekend scheduled from March 6 to 8. The showcase returns after a one-year absence, having been called off last season due to what the league cited as a “security concern” surrounding its original Davao staging.

     

    For teams that didn’t even reach the quarterfinals—NorthPort, Phoenix, Blackwater, and Terrafirma—the pause is even more pronounced. Phoenix, in particular, has endured the longest layoff, last suiting up on Dec. 14 in a 127–119 loss to NorthPort. By the time the Commissioner’s Cup tips off, the Fuel Masters will have gone nearly three months without a game.

     

    Historically, the PBA has prided itself on momentum, often rolling into the next conference just a week after the previous one ends. Season 50, however, is rewriting that rhythm. With FIBA World Cup qualifiers stretching deep into the year and the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan—where Gilas Pilipinas enters as defending champion—looming in September, the golden season is on track to become the longest in league history.

     

    Launched on Oct. 5, Season 50 is expected to conclude only in December, a full year-long journey that blurs the traditional lines between conferences, breaks, and international duty. Even the next major milestone—the Season 51 Draft—has been pushed far down the road, tentatively set for Jan. 3 or Jan. 10, 2027.

     

    For now, the Philippine Cup’s early exits are left to wait, train, and recalibrate, navigating a rare lull that reflects how much the modern PBA season now revolves around a bigger picture beyond the league itself.

     

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