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Tag: San Miguel Beermen

  • 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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  • 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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  • Momentum, Adjustments, and Urgency: Game 2 stakes rise in both PBA Philippine Cup semifinals

    Momentum, Adjustments, and Urgency: Game 2 stakes rise in both PBA Philippine Cup semifinals

    Game 1 offered a warning shot rather than a verdict, and as the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals head into Game 2, both series have shifted from feeling-out affairs to tests of urgency, composure, and adjustment.

     

    For TNT and Meralco, the opener was a study in how slim the margins can be—even on an off night. The Tropang 5G escaped with a 100–95 win despite their main shooters misfiring badly from deep. 

     

    TNT’s perimeter gunners—Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading, and Rey Nambatac—combined for just 4-of-26 from three, numbers that normally spell defeat. Instead, TNT survived by changing the math of the game, relentlessly attacking the rim and piling up 47 free-throw attempts compared to Meralco’s 12.

     

    That imbalance flipped a game Meralco once controlled. The Bolts raced to a 21-point lead behind energy, execution, and confident shooting, but couldn’t sustain it deep into the second half. Head coach Luigi Trillo didn’t sugarcoat the collapse.

     

    “That thing (tight ending) should not happen when you go up by 20. That should be a step on the throats and done game. And we didn’t do that. We allowed them to come back,” said Trillo.

    For Meralco, Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum is less about tactical tweaks and more about sustaining edge and discipline.

     

    “Maybe, we have to be a heavy-duty team. We need to go down with humility and see that to beat this team, we have to not let go of the gas pedal,” Trillo added.

     

    TNT, meanwhile, knows the Game 1 result cuts both ways. Yes, they’re up 1–0—but they also won without their offensive engines clicking. Chot Reyes made it clear that kind of start is not something they want to repeat.

     

    “We saw that with the kind of energy, execution, even their three-point shooting in the first half. They were really primed for it. We got a first-hand taste of that,” said Reyes. “So hopefully in Game 2, we are more ready to play from the start because I don’t think we can bring this kind of game to Game 2 and expect to come up with the same result.”

     

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    Across the bracket, San Miguel Beer enters Game 2 against Barangay Ginebra with a similar sense of urgency after absorbing a 99–90 loss in the opener. Rather than dwell on the defeat, coach Leo Austria framed it as a necessary jolt.

     

    “Game 2, siguradong it would be an exciting game for us,” said Austria. “Parang na-wake up call na kami and they (his Beermen) know na mahirap ma-zero-two.”

     

    Ginebra’s win was built on balance and timely contributions. RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Norbert Torres, and surprise spark Ralph Cu all made life difficult for San Miguel, even as June Mar Fajardo delivered a dominant 27-point, 23-rebound performance in just 30 minutes.

     

    The concern for San Miguel lies beyond its star center. The Beermen’s bench—league-best at 57.5 points per game entering the semis—was held to just 29, compounded by a costly 15-of-31 outing from the free-throw line. Injuries also played a role, with Don Trollano battling a sore back, Jericho Cruz dealing with a hamstring issue, and Mo Tautuaa limited by a shoulder injury.

     

    “Dapat talaga hindi ko gagamitin si Mo dahil one week siyang hindi nakapag-practice,” Austria explained. “Kinausap ko na rin siya at sinabi kong kahit depensa, rebounds tumulong siya dahil gusto namin sanang ma-preserve si June Mar.”

     

    Ginebra coach Tim Cone isn’t expecting San Miguel to stay quiet for long, especially Trollano, who entered the series averaging over 16 points per game.

     

    “Game two is going to be a completely different game,” said Cone. “He’s probably gonna come out and go 10-for-15 in the next game… June Mar had a great game and Don had an off-game tonight.”

     

    Austria echoed that belief, pointing to his team’s mindset heading into Game 2.

     

    “Kinausap ko na sila at nakikita ko naming walang nakatungo, puro upbeat. Mga excited na makabawi dahil alam nilang magiging mas mahirap sa amin pag natalo ulit.”

     

    With both semifinals now clearly defined by what went wrong—and what could go right—Game 2 looms as a pivotal swing night. For Meralco and San Miguel, it’s about proving Game 1 was an aberration. For TNT and Ginebra, it’s about showing they can respond when the counterpunch inevitably comes.

     

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  • “I still came up short”: June Mar Fajardo reflects after San Miguel fall to Barangay Ginebra

    “I still came up short”: June Mar Fajardo reflects after San Miguel fall to Barangay Ginebra

    Barangay Ginebra San Miguel drew first blood in the Philippine Cup semifinals, edging longtime rivals San Miguel Beermen 99–90 in Game 1 on Sunday, January 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The Gin Kings will be grateful for the opening victory, as San Miguel’s record nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo delivered a heroic performance. The 36-year-old finished with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and three blocks in 40 minutes, though his efforts were largely unsupported by his teammates.

     

    Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone acknowledged his team’s fortune in escaping with the win, while also praising Fajardo for his dominance on the court.

     

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    Despite the accolades, Fajardo admitted he was dissatisfied with his overall performance.

    “I still came up short, because we lost. We need to bounce back, we need to regroup,” he said after the game.

     

    One area where Fajardo struggled was at the free-throw line, missing seven of his 12 attempts. Part of the difficulty could be attributed to the defensive pressure applied by Ginebra’s big men, Japeth Aguilar and Norbert Torres. Torres, in particular, committed five fouls on Fajardo in an effort to curb his influence.

     

    “We obviously played a tag team on Fajardo with Japeth Aguilar and Norbert. They did the best they could. It’s physically daunting to guard a guy that big and strong. Both Aguilar and Torres were exhausted just guarding a single guy,” Cone said.

     

    “He is just that kind of player. Wow. He played the whole fourth quarter too, the whole 12 minutes of the fourth quarter. So amazing, man,” he added.

     

    Despite Fajardo’s heroics, Barangay Ginebra’s balanced approach and resilience carried the day, giving them a crucial 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series. Fajardo will hope to continue his strong form and get more support from his teammates when the two squads meet again in Game 2 on Wednesday, January 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • “Super sore talaga”: Norbert Torres reflects on guarding June Mar Fajardo in Game 1 of PBA semifinals

    “Super sore talaga”: Norbert Torres reflects on guarding June Mar Fajardo in Game 1 of PBA semifinals

    Barangay Ginebra San Miguel struck first in the Philippine Cup semifinals, edging long-time rivals San Miguel Beermen, 99–90, in Game 1 on Sunday, January 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The Gin Kings welcomed the opening win, especially after surviving a dominant showing from San Miguel’s record eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo. The 36-year-old center delivered a heroic all-around performance, finishing with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and three blocks in 40 minutes, but received limited support from his teammates.

     

    Tasked with helping contain Fajardo was Ginebra center Norbert Torres, who not only battled defensively but also chipped in on offense. Torres scored eight points, knocking down 2-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc, helping stretch San Miguel’s defense.

     

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    Torres admitted the physical toll of guarding Fajardo, even if only in limited stretches, noting that he resorted to fouling at times just to slow down the Beermen star.

    “Super sore talaga actually. Kasi kahit 20 minutes against June Mar, playing 20 minutes, it feels like 40 minutes. So very sore ‘yung katawan ko. Just try to get less touches for June Mar as much as possible. But that’s a hard task saying that. More of just early contact, laging contact sa kanya, and then trying as much as possible not to give him the offensive rebound,” Torres said in a media interaction.

     

    By stepping out to the perimeter, Torres was able to pull Fajardo away from the paint, opening up driving lanes for Ginebra’s guards and wings.

     

    “That’s part of the game plan as well, just to stretch him out para he is not always in the paint. Good thing, it went in the fourth quarter,” he added.

     

    Despite the Game 1 victory, Torres expects a tougher challenge ahead, anticipating adjustments from the Beermen in Game 2.

     

    “For sure, it’s just going to get harder. June Mar’s going to come out stronger, they are going to look for him more. The other guys are also going to step up as well. They are probably going to make their shots. So we have to adjust to that,” Torres concluded.

     

    Game 2 of the best-of-seven semifinal series is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, once again at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

     

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  • Tim Cone hails June Mar Fajardo, admits Barangay Ginebra were fortunate in semifinal victory

    Tim Cone hails June Mar Fajardo, admits Barangay Ginebra were fortunate in semifinal victory

    Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) powerhouse Barangay Ginebra San Miguel drew first blood in the Philippine Cup semifinals, overcoming long-time rivals San Miguel Beermen 99-90 in Game 1 on Sunday, January 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The Gin Kings will be grateful for the win, as San Miguel’s record eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo put in a heroic performance. The 36-year-old finished with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and three blocks in 40 minutes of play, but his efforts were largely unsupported by his teammates on the night.

     

    Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone acknowledged his team’s fortune in escaping with the victory while praising Fajardo for his dominance on the court.

     

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    “We are just happy we were able to pull off this one despite June Mar having a big game. Credit to June Mar, that’s how good he is, that’s how good he has been,” Cone said in the post-match press conference.

    Cone’s game plan involved pairing two of his big men—Japeth Aguilar and Norbert Torres—to contain Fajardo, a strategy that proved physically taxing for both players.

     

    “We obviously played a tag team on him with Japeth and Norbert. They did the best that they could. It’s physically daunting to guard a guy that big and that strong. Both our guys are exhausted just guarding the single guy.

     

    “He is just that kind of player. Wow. He played the fourth quarter too, the whole 12 minutes of the fourth quarter,” Cone added.

     

    Despite Fajardo’s heroics, Barangay Ginebra’s balanced approach and resilience carried them to victory, giving them a crucial 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series. Cone will be hoping that his team can maintain this form and build on their advantage when the two squads meet 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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  • PBA Philippine Cup semis set as sister teams collide 

    PBA Philippine Cup semis set as sister teams collide 

    The PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals are officially locked in, and the stage is set for a compelling mix of sister-team showdowns and classic rivalries following a dramatic close to the quarterfinal round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Meralco stamped its return to the semifinals for the first time since its 2024 title run after toppling Rain or Shine, 98–89, despite carrying a lower seed and facing a twice-to-beat disadvantage. 

    The Bolts leaned on poise and late-game execution to overcome years of playoff frustration, snapping a streak of three straight quarterfinal exits. 

     

    Chris Newsome spearheaded the breakthrough with 31 points, delivering timely baskets each time the Elasto Painters threatened. His layup halted a late Rain or Shine surge that trimmed the gap to four, before a dagger jumper with 1:13 remaining sealed the upset.

     

    “Rain or Shine, high character team. Last three conferences making the semifinals. They are doing great things there. You know that they are going to keep on coming. Just proud of the guys for the way they gutted it out,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.

     

    Chris Banchero added 21 points, while CJ Cansino chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds before fouling out. On the other side, Adrian Nocum nearly willed Rain or Shine back from an 11-point deficit, pouring in 29 points, while Gian Mamuyac finished with 20. 

     

    The loss also marked the end of Rain or Shine’s run of four straight semifinal appearances and served as the final PBA game for franchise icon Gabe Norwood.

     

    Awaiting Meralco in the next round is its sister team TNT, setting up an all-MVP Group semifinal that guarantees one of the league’s corporate rivals a spot in the finals.

     

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    On the other side of the bracket, Barangay Ginebra arranged yet another heavyweight duel with San Miguel Beer after surviving one of the most dramatic games of the conference. 

     

    Stephen Holt buried a buzzer-beating three in overtime to lift the Gin Kings past Converge, 99–98, completing a furious comeback from a six-point deficit in the final minutes of extra time. Holt’s shot sparked pandemonium at the Big Dome, remarkable for a player who had struggled all night and was just 1-of-7 before the final play.

     

    Ginebra’s escape was set up earlier when Jeremiah Gray sank three pressure-packed free throws with 3.4 seconds left in regulation, extending the contest after Converge committed a costly foul on a three-point attempt.

     

     RJ Abarrientos led the Gin Kings with 20 points, while Scottie Thompson had 13 points and eight assists before fouling out. Jayson David scored 13 before exiting with a dislocated shoulder, as Ginebra closed the game without both Thompson and Japeth Aguilar.

     

    The win booked a familiar semifinal showdown against defending champion San Miguel Beer, reviving memories of last season’s seven-game classic where LA Tenorio authored a Game 6 buzzer-beater. 

     

    With Ginebra riding momentum and San Miguel carrying championship pedigree, another chapter in one of the PBA’s most storied rivalries is set to unfold starting January 4.

     

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