The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Converge FiberXers are set for a thrilling do-or-die showdown in Game 3 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal series. With both teams securing a win each, Sunday’s decisive match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo will determine who advances to the semifinals. A Battle of Adjustments Rain or Shine forced the rubber match with a crucial 114-104 victory in Game 2, bouncing back from a tough 118-130 loss in the series opener. Head coach Yeng Guiao credited the win to defensive adjustments, particularly in protecting the paint and securing rebounds—an area they…
Author: x411
High-Stakes Battle for Final Four Berth The Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Meralco Bolts are set for a do-or-die showdown in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams will leave everything on the court in their fight for a semifinal ticket against top-seeded NorthPort. Game 3 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, serving as the latest chapter in their heated rivalry. Ginebra took the first game with a 100-92 win, but Meralco bounced back with a 108-104 victory, forcing a decisive third game. Intensity and Emotions Running High…
Converge is on the verge of making history with its first-ever PBA semifinal appearance as it faces Rain or Shine in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday. Breaking the Quarterfinal Curse After six failed attempts to advance past the quarterfinals since acquiring the Alaska Milk franchise, the FiberXers are determined to break through. Holding a 1-0 lead in the series, they look to secure their spot in the Last Four with another strong performance against the Elasto Painters. Game 1 Recap: Key Moments In the opening match, Converge leveraged its No. 3 seed…
Ginebra Leads Series, Eyes Semifinals Barangay Ginebra is just one win away from securing a semifinal spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after a 100-92 victory over Meralco in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series. Assistant coach Richard del Rosario anticipates a tough battle as they face a familiar playoff rival, warning that the series could still go to three games. Meralco Poses a Challenge Despite Ginebra’s win, Meralco proved to be a formidable opponent. Their import, Akil Mitchell, who had recently recovered from a back injury, played a crucial role with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.…
Converge FiberXers moved one step closer to a historic semifinals appearance in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after a dominant 130-118 victory over Rain or Shine at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. The team showcased its superior inside game, led by a stellar performance from import Cheick Diallo, to secure a crucial Game 1 win in their best-of-three quarterfinal series. Dominant Inside Game Leads Converge to Victory Cheick Diallo was unstoppable, delivering 35 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks, while frontcourt teammates Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar provided strong support. Arana contributed 22 points and eight rebounds off the bench,…
The TNT Tropang Giga will face No. 7 Eastern in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. Despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage, the team must remain vigilant and perform at their best. Key Challenges and Team Preparedness Coach Chot Reyes’ Message: Reyes emphasizes that regardless of the advantage (twice-to-beat or best-of-three), Eastern is a formidable opponent. He urges his players to be fully prepared and to recall past performances, including an 84-105 loss to a foreign team. Recent Performance Concerns: The team is still dealing with the aftermath of their recent championship win in the Governors’ Cup, followed by a 95-100 loss…
The highly anticipated PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal clash between NorthPort Batang Pier and Magnolia Hotshots is set to unfold at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday. With contrasting strengths—NorthPort’s explosive offense against Magnolia’s stifling defense—the matchup promises intense action as both teams fight for a semifinal spot. NorthPort’s Offensive Firepower NorthPort enters the game as the top seed after an impressive 12-game elimination round, securing a win-once advantage against eighth-ranked Magnolia. The team heavily relies on its high-scoring trio: Kadeem Jack – 31.67 PPG Arvin Tolentino – 23.0 PPG Joshua Munzon – 18.42 PPG With an average of 109.67…
Mitchell’s Return: A Game Changer? After nursing a back injury, Akil Mitchell is set to return for Meralco Bolts in their crucial quarterfinal clash against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. However, questions remain about his game readiness as he steps back onto the court. Meralco’s Struggles Without Mitchell With Mitchell sidelined, the Bolts struggled in their last two elimination round games, losing to Ginebra (87-91) and Magnolia (92-129). Their troubles continued in the EASL, suffering a heavy 71-89 defeat against the Ryukyu Golden Kings. Despite an earlier 7-3 record with Mitchell, Meralco’s late slip cost them a potential…
FiberXers Brace for Tough Playoff Battle Against E-Painters High-Stakes Playoff Clash Converge and Rain or Shine are set to face off in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Despite being the higher seed, the No. 3 FiberXers are preparing for a hard-fought best-of-three series against the No. 6 Elasto Painters. Acting Converge coach Franco Atienza acknowledges that past achievements in the eliminations no longer matter, as playoff intensity brings out a higher level of competition. Mutual Respect Between Coaches Atienza recognizes the tactical brilliance of Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, noting that the E-Painters remain…
A Battle for the Final Quarterfinal Spot After narrowly escaping outright elimination, the Magnolia Hotshots and NLEX Road Warriors are set for a high-stakes showdown on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo. The winner of this do-or-die match will secure the last quarterfinals berth and face the twice-to-beat top seed, NorthPort, in the next round. Momentum and Determination on Both Sides Both teams have displayed remarkable resilience, winning three consecutive elimination games to stay in contention. Now, they are determined to extend their streak and claim the final playoff spot alongside NorthPort, TNT, Converge, Meralco,…