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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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  • “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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  •  “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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  • 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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  • TNT signs stable San Beda big man Joe Celzo

    TNT signs stable San Beda big man Joe Celzo

    The TNT Tropang 5G have officially added rookie forward Joe Celzo to their active roster as the team continues to fortify its frontcourt options for the rest of the league’s 50th season.

     

    Celzo, a 6-foot-4 power forward and the most recent draft selection of TNT in the fourth round (No. 46 overall) of the PBA Season 50 Draft, has arrived in camp and is already participating in team practices and scrimmages under the supervision of TNT’s coaching staff. 

     

    According to TNT deputy coach Yuri Escueta, who also coached Celzo during his collegiate career with the San Beda Red Lions, the rookie has agreed to terms and is now under contract with the franchise. 

     

    Celzo’s signing comes as TNT looks to strengthen its interior rotation and provide additional versatility in its frontcourt mix, a unit that has faced inconsistency at times during the Philippine Cup. 

     

    The Tropang 5G currently sit among the playoff contenders, and management hopes that having more bodies to contribute will pay dividends over the course of a demanding campaign. 

     

    However, Celzo was not included in TNT’s 15-man lineup for the Philippine Cup playoffs after arriving just beyond the deadline for roster submission.

     

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    Escueta said the timing simply did not allow TNT to adjust its submitted roster, but the team remains optimistic the young forward will be eligible for action in the next conference. 

     

    Even with the exclusion from the playoff roster, Celzo has been practicing with the team throughout the ongoing series and has already seen limited action in tune-up scenarios, including during game warmups and intra-squad work. 

     

    TNT defeated the Meralco Bolts, 100–95, in the quarterfinals opener after rallying from a big early deficit

     

    The San Beda product joins a growing list of Red Lions alumni now navigating the ranks of the PBA. 

     

    Celzo’s former teammates, Yukien Andrada and Bryan Sajonia, were also selected in the recent draft, with Andrada going in the first round to Magnolia Hotshots and Sajonia taken in the fourth by Northport/Titan Ultra.

     

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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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  • 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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