Key Matchup and Player Spotlight Akil Mitchell is expected to deliver another standout performance as he leads the injury-depleted Meralco Bolts against Phoenix in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The game, set for Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, marks Meralco’s opening match in the tournament. Mitchell, a 6’9” American-Panamanian import, showcased his capabilities earlier this month with a 33-point, 22-rebound game against Busan KCC Egis in the EASL. Meralco’s Injury Challenges Meralco enters the game missing several key players due to injuries: Out: Allein Maliksi (knee), CJ Cansino (sprain), Brandon Bates, Chris Banchero, and Jolo Mendoza (hamstring). Day-to-day: Bong Quinto.…
Author: x411
Key Players and Matchup Ricardo Ratliffe and George King headline the anticipated Magnolia-Blackwater game in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. The match, set for Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, pits two standout returning imports. Ratliffe, a dominant force in the paint, returns to the league after a seven-year hiatus, while King, known for his scoring versatility, impressed as Blackwater’s reinforcement in the Governors’ Cup. Tournament Context and Other Imports This matchup highlights two of the five returning imports in the conference, alongside Justin Brownlee (Barangay Ginebra), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (TNT), and Cameron Clark (Hong Kong Eastern). San Miguel Beer’s…
Hong Kong Eastern made an impressive debut in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, defeating Phoenix Super LPG 102-87 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. The visiting team, led by PBA veteran Cameron Clark, showed confidence and control on foreign soil, emulating the successful debut of the Bay Area Dragons in the same tournament in 2022. Game Highlights First Half: Cameron Clark led the charge with 19 of his 25 points scored in the first half. Phoenix, powered by import Donovan Smith and Jayson Perkins, kept pace and narrowed Eastern’s early double-digit lead (27-14) to just four points (49-45) at halftime. Second…
Converge’s Dominant Performance Converge FiberXers opened their PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign with a commanding 116-87 victory over Terrafirma Dyip at the PhilSports Arena. The FiberXers took control early and never looked back, showcasing an all-around team performance. Key contributors included import Cheick Diallo, who tallied 25 points and 16 rebounds, and a strong supporting cast led by Justin Arana, Bryan Santos, Mike Nieto, Jordan Heading, Alec Stockton, and Schonny Winston. Statistical Dominance Converge excelled in both shooting and rebounding: Field goals: 43-of-83 (51.8%) Three-pointers: 14-of-32 (43.8%) Rebounds: 70-35 advantage over Terrafirma Coach Franco Atienza praised his team’s performance, emphasizing the…
Gilas Pilipinas secured their fourth consecutive win in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, defeating Hong Kong 93-54 at the Mall of Asia Arena. This victory earned them a spot in the tournament proper, to be held in Saudi Arabia next year. The game was witnessed by a crowd of 11,086. Key Highlights of the Match Early Advantage: Big men June Mar Fajardo and Kai Sotto dominated the early stages, establishing control with their size advantage. Third-Quarter Surge: Gilas pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Hong Kong 22-8, building a commanding 67-43 lead entering the final period. Balanced Contributions: Carl…
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jayson Castro couldn’t contain their elation as the final buzzer sounded, signaling a victorious end to Game 6. Their jubilant roars were drowned out by the deafening cheers of the crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with their teammates sharing in the celebration. But the impact of their performances in a high-stakes game was undeniable. In a dramatic fourth-quarter rally, the Tropang Giga pulled ahead to defeat Barangay Ginebra, 95-85, clinching the PBA Season 48 Governors’ Cup title on Friday, November 8. Although they had to battle back from a double-digit deficit in the second half—sparked by…
In a commanding display of strength, TNT bounced back from a tough series slump, trouncing Barangay Ginebra 99-72 in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, November 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Tropang Giga reestablished their defensive identity, suffocating the Kings’ offense and pushing their lead to 3-2 in the best-of-seven finals. TNT’s defense was a standout, holding Ginebra to their lowest point total in the series, particularly excelling in the second and third quarters where they restricted Ginebra to just 13 and 15 points, respectively. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was once again a dominant force,…
Justin Brownlee delivered a spectacular performance, scoring a career-high 34 points to lead Barangay Ginebra to a commanding 106-92 victory over TNT, leveling the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup Finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. Brownlee’s offensive brilliance powered Ginebra to a crucial win in the best-of-seven series, which now stands tied at 2-2. The performance thrilled a crowd of 16,783, though it came just a day after he narrowly missed out on the Best Import award, which was claimed by TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. This victory gave the Gin Kings a much-needed boost, reigniting their championship hopes after they…
Despite visibly limping and showing signs of exhaustion, Justin Brownlee dug deep into his reserves and delivered crucial plays in the final moments to lead Barangay Ginebra to an 84-71 victory over TNT Tropang Giga in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals on Friday, Nov. 1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Brownlee, who had struggled throughout the Finals, came alive when it mattered most. With just over six minutes remaining, he hit his first three-pointer of the series, sparking a game-changing 16-3 run that brought Ginebra closer to closing the series gap at 1-2. As the…
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson put on an electrifying display in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals, showing unwavering endurance as he played all 48 minutes without showing any signs of fatigue. His spirited demeanor was evident, even grinning during a late timeout, reflecting his confidence and energy. There were plenty of reasons for his upbeat attitude. TNT Tropang Giga secured a strong 2-0 advantage over Barangay Ginebra with a commanding 96-84 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, October 30. This win brings TNT closer to retaining their championship title, thanks to Hollis-Jefferson’s heroic play. Hollis-Jefferson’s all-around…