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  • “That’s on Me”: Chot Reyes owns up as TNT escapes Meralco in Game 1 of PBA semifinals

    “That’s on Me”: Chot Reyes owns up as TNT escapes Meralco in Game 1 of PBA semifinals

    TNT Tropang Giga seized the early upper hand in their best-of-seven semifinal series after escaping with a hard-earned 100-95 victory over the Meralco Bolts in Game 1 on Sunday, January 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The win, however, did not come easily for the Tropang Giga, who had to overcome a disastrous opening half that saw them trailing by as many as 21 points. Meralco dominated the first two quarters behind crisp ball movement and stifling defense, racing to a commanding 52-31 lead at halftime and appearing well in control of the series opener.

     

    TNT head coach Chot Reyes did not shy away from taking responsibility for his team’s sluggish start, admitting that their initial game plan failed to slow down the Bolts.

     

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    “That’s on me. We prepared a game plan that were picked apart. The players were simply following and executing the defensive game plan we prepared, and Meralco picked it apart,” Reyes said after the game.

     

    Facing a steep deficit, Reyes emphasized the importance of regrouping and making timely adjustments during the break.

    “We had to make sure that we made the right adjustments at halftime. I think ‘yon ang nangyari,” he added.

     

    Those adjustments proved decisive. TNT came out of the locker room with renewed energy and urgency, clamping down defensively while finding their rhythm on offense. Roger Pogoy and Rey Nambatac spearheaded the turnaround in the third quarter, combining for 18 points as the Tropang Giga outscored the Bolts 28-13 in the period. The dominant run erased much of Meralco’s lead and swung the momentum firmly in TNT’s favor heading into the final frame.

     

    Calvin Oftana then took over in the closing minutes, delivering a composed and confident performance befitting a star. The versatile forward finished with a game-high 28 points, including two crucial free throws that pushed TNT ahead 98-95 with just 21.1 seconds remaining. Oftana’s steady presence on both ends of the floor helped stabilize the Tropang Giga as Meralco attempted to mount a late comeback.

     

    Nambatac provided valuable support with 17 points, while Pogoy chipped in 16. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser made his presence felt inside, contributing 14 points and key defensive stops that helped limit Meralco’s options down the stretch.

     

    Despite the loss, the Bolts showed why they are a formidable playoff opponent, controlling much of the first half and forcing TNT to dig deep. However, their offensive struggles in the third quarter ultimately proved costly, allowing the Tropang Giga to dictate the tempo for the remainder of the contest.

     

    With the victory, TNT takes a crucial 1-0 lead in the semifinals, but Reyes remains focused on the lessons learned from the near-miss.

     

    After securing the series opener, Reyes will be hoping that his team avoids another slow start and builds on their strong second-half performance when the two squads clash again in Game 2 on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • Ginebra outlasts San Miguel, TNT rallies past Meralco to seize early edge in Philippine Cup semifinals

    Ginebra outlasts San Miguel, TNT rallies past Meralco to seize early edge in Philippine Cup semifinals

    Depth and decisiveness defined the opening night of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals, as Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang 5G seized early control of their respective best-of-seven series at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Ginebra drew its edge from unlikely sources, leaning heavily on its second unit to blunt San Miguel Beer’s firepower and snap the Beermen’s 10-game winning streak with a 99-90 victory.

     

    What began as a tight, physical contest tilted sharply in the fourth quarter, when Ralph Cu and Norbert Torres flipped the script. The frontcourt duo buried four straight triples to turn a slim deficit into an 84-81 advantage, swinging momentum firmly toward the crowd favorites.

     

    From there, RJ Abarrientos and the regular rotation closed the door, with Ginebra’s bench answering the call of coach Tim Cone in emphatic fashion.

     

    Abarrientos led all Gin Kings with 23 points, four rebounds, and seven assists, while Cu and Torres combined for 21 points, accounting for half of the team’s 12 three-pointers.Along with Jayson David’s 10 markers, Ginebra’s reserves piled up 54 points—production that ultimately neutralized a monster night from June Mar Fajardo.

     

    The nine-time MVP delivered a dominant 27-point, 23-rebound performance, complete with three assists, a steal, and a block, but it wasn’t enough to keep San Miguel from falling behind 0-1. 

     

    Scottie Thompson added 22 points for Ginebra, with Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, and Stephen Holt chipping in timely contributions. For the Beermen, CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter scored 18 and 12, respectively, as the defending champions struggled from deep, hitting just 5-of-25 from long range.

     

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    Earlier in the evening, TNT authored a comeback of its own, riding Calvin Oftana’s late-game brilliance to escape Meralco, 100-95, and draw first blood in their semifinal duel. 

     

    Down by as many as 21, the Tropang 5G refused to fold, steadily chipping away until the game reached a tense deadlock late in the fourth.

     

    Oftana delivered the turning point—a three-point play with 2:57 remaining that broke a 91-all tie and shifted control to TNT for good. 

     

    Moments later, he found Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser cutting to the basket to stretch the lead, before calmly sealing the win at the free-throw line. 

     

    Oftana finished with 28 points on efficient shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists, anchoring TNT’s rally.

     

    Rey Nambatac and Roger Pogoy provided secondary scoring with 17 and 16 points, respectively, while Ganuelas-Rosser posted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

     

    Meralco stayed within striking distance behind Chris Banchero’s 16 points and CJ Cansino’s 14, but the Bolts’ final push fizzled when a contested three in the closing seconds missed its mark—an ending reminiscent of their earlier-season collapse against the same opponent.

     

    With both series now underway, the semifinals head into Game 2 on Wednesday at the Big Dome, where Ginebra and TNT will look to press their advantage, while San Miguel and Meralco aim to reset the narrative in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested march toward the Finals.

     

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  • Terrafirma set to sign Geo Chiu to max rookie deal

    Terrafirma set to sign Geo Chiu to max rookie deal

    The Terrafirma Dyip have secured a three-year maximum contract with Geo Chiu, the top overall pick from the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft.

     

    Spin.PH first reported that the deal is a “done deal” and that Chiu’s formal signing and presentation will take place within the next few days.

     

    Chiu represents the Dyip’s most significant investment in recent years. 

     

    Selected No. 1 overall in the draft after a standout amateur and semi-professional run, Chiu brings much-needed size and length to a Terrafirma roster that recently finished with a 1-10 win-loss record in the Philippine Cup.

     

    Before entering the PBA, Chiu had an eclectic basketball journey that included playing collegiately for Ateneo de Manila University and stints overseas, including time in Japan’s B.League Division 2 and with the Taiwan Mustangs. 

     

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    His experience against international competition and his physical tools helped elevate his stock leading up to draft night.

     

    Terrafirma’s decision to commit to a maximum deal signals confidence in Chiu’s potential to develop into a franchise cornerstone. While some analysts and fans have questioned whether the big man is worthy of No. 1 billing based on his statistical production, his combination of size, mobility, and basketball IQ are seen as a strong foundation to build around.

     

    The three-year contract aligns Chiu with Terrafirma through the early stages of the Dyip’s rebuilding efforts.

     

    As part of his transition to the PBA, Chiu will be expected to compete immediately for minutes in Terrafirma’s frontcourt rotation. The Dyip have historically lacked size and interior presence, and Chiu’s arrival offers a rare opportunity to compete physically against bigger frontlines in the league

     

    Terrafirma head coach and management have yet to outline their full plans for Chiu’s development, but early indications suggest they are prepared to provide him with meaningful playing time and a clear role as part of the club’s long-term vision.

     

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  • Chris Newsome sees an MVP path for Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum

    Chris Newsome sees an MVP path for Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum

    What stood out to Chris Newsome in Meralco’s hard-fought quarterfinal clash against Rain or Shine wasn’t just the final score—it was the presence of a young guard who played with no hesitation, no fear, and plenty of promise.

     

    Adrian Nocum’s emergence in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup did not go unnoticed, especially by one of the league’s most respected backcourt leaders. 

     

    After seeing the Mapua product up close in their knockout encounter, Newsome offered rare praise that went beyond surface-level admiration, pointing instead to Nocum’s long-term potential as a franchise cornerstone.

     

    “He’s definitely a stud, man. He’s a hooper for sure,” Newsome said. “I think one thing that Adrian is going to have to figure out is how to lead his team, and that’s just going to come with a matter of time. Talent-wise, the basketball skill, everything is all there already.”

     

    Nocum backed up those words with production throughout the conference. The Rain or Shine guard averaged 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while delivering his best outing when it mattered most—dropping a season-high 29 points in a do-or-die game against Meralco on December 29. 

     

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    Even in defeat, his willingness to take responsibility and push the pace reflected a player eager to shoulder a bigger role.

     

    For Newsome, the next phase of Nocum’s growth has less to do with scoring and more to do with command. Leadership, he believes, is the final piece that could elevate the young guard from rising star to elite status in the league.

     

    “Once he becomes a really good leader for his team, he’s going to be unstoppable and can potentially be an MVP someday,” Newsome said.

     

    Coming from a veteran who has navigated pressure-packed playoff battles and international stages, the endorsement carries weight. 

     

    And if Nocum continues to marry his scoring instincts with leadership maturity, Rain or Shine may already have its future leader in place.

     

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  • Tim Cone: Ginebra ready to run It back against San Miguel

    Tim Cone: Ginebra ready to run It back against San Miguel

    For Barangay Ginebra, the road to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals has been anything but smooth—and that may be exactly why the Gin Kings feel dangerous heading into another collision with San Miguel. 

     

    After clawing their way out of the brink with a dramatic 99–98 overtime escape against Converge, Ginebra now finds itself staring at a familiar foe, one that ended its All-Filipino campaign a season ago.

     

    The semifinal pairing, set to begin January 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, revives one of the league’s most intense modern rivalries. Last season’s seven-game war still lingers in memory, highlighted by LA Tenorio’s iconic Game 6 dagger before San Miguel ultimately closed the door in the decider. 

     

    That history has not been lost on Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, who sees the rematch as both a challenge and an opportunity.

     

    “We know them, they know us,” said Cone.

     

    “We took them to seven games the last time, so we’ll see if we can flip the script this time around. That’s what we’ll try to do this time, flip the script.”

     

    Momentum, however, is no longer exclusive to the Gin Kings. San Miguel enters the semifinals riding a 10-game winning streak, a remarkable turnaround after opening the conference with back-to-back losses.

     

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    That surge included an 83–81 win over Ginebra during their lone elimination-round meeting in Dubai, as well as a composed 101–94 quarterfinal victory over NLEX powered by a dominant 20-point, 20-rebound showing from June Mar Fajardo.

     

    “The Beermen are on a 10-game winning streak after starting the conference with a 0-2 record,” added Cone.

     

    Ginebra, though, has quietly built its own rhythm. The overtime triumph against Converge capped a seven-game winning run, featuring two do-or-die victories against the twice-to-beat FiberXers—wins that reinforced the team’s resilience under pressure. For Cone, the Gin Kings’ path to the semifinals has only sharpened their edge.

     

    “We know it’s going to be tough,” according to Cone.

     

    “We don’t play until after the New Year. So we have to think about it, focus on it, and put a game plan all together.”

     

    “The fact that we came from dead to the semifinals, we’re ecstatic about that.”

     

    As the calendar turns and the stakes rise, Ginebra’s latest showdown with San Miguel feels less like a sequel and more like a test of evolution—two powerhouse teams, both peaking at the right time, with history waiting to be rewritten.

     

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