PBA Press Corps

Home
PBA Press Corps

The official page of the Philippine Basketball Association Press Corps

08/06/2024

The group stage of the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH saw two buzzer-beating threes from Games and Amusements Board's Justine Macasero and Sports5-Draper's Joseph Reyes.

07/06/2024

Guest team Philippine Sports Commission takes down shorthanded Ginebra Boys in their exhibition match in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH

05/06/2024

𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁

TerraPort and MagBeerPagRain posted contrasting victories in the final two playdates of the eliminations to join the Ginebra Boys in completing the semifinal cast of the 2024 PBA Press Corps Raffy Japa Cup basketball tournament.

Mico Cabungan’s go-ahead basket in the dying seconds allowed TerraPort to escape past the organizing PBA Press Corps, 62-61, Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and emerge the top team in Group A of the event presented by Burlington Socks PH with a 3-1 record.

MagBeerPagRain, likewise, defeated the PBA scribes, this time with a 91-46 decision anchored by Aldo Panlilio’s triple-double Tuesday at the Manila Bulletin Gym to go second in the same group with a similar 3-1 record.

Ginebra claimed the other semis slot in Group B by forfeiture over TV5 Engineering for a similar 3-1 win-loss slate, behind the MVP Sports Foundation, the only unbeaten team in group play.

MVPSF, playing with just six men, leaned on another three-point barrage from Allan Apura to edge past the Melecio Doquilo-led Games and Amusements Board, 95-85, also at the Bulletin court.

Apura and MVPSF will have their hands full in the semifinals against MagBeerPagRain while TerraPort faces Ginebra in the other pairing, the winners advancing to a one-game championship of the meet backed by Rain or Shine, LGR, Gatorade, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the PBA.

TerraPort survived the Press Corps’ comeback from a double-digit deficit, with Cabungan converting a shot using the glass to counter Cedelf Tupas’ basket off a turnover. The Press Corps had a chance to win, but AJ Bolando missed from point blank on the ensuing play.

John Paul Clerigo scored 22 points for the winning Batang Dyip, who played for the second straight minus their injured star Sydney Talabis.

Panlilio came through with 21 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists to power the combined team of selection from San Miguel Beer, Magnolia and Rain or Shine even without hulking center Ethan Casares.

Casares dominated for MagBeerPagRain in its previous game, taking down PBA BTS, 84-67. The defeat denied the team composed of the league's table officials and staff a spot in the semis with a 2-2 slate.

Apura dropped 36 points on 10 triples, including some late in the ballgame that prevented MVPSF from falling the upset axe of GAB, which saw Doquilo produce a tournament-high 44 points with 17 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.

Doquilo also starred with 26 points in GAB’s 85-55 rout of TV5 Engineering a few days prior at Ninoy Aquino as the government regulator for professional sports posted its lone win in four games.

Guest team Philippine Sports Commission finally made its debut by splitting two games of its exhibition series.

PSC fell to Apura and MVPSF, 100-96, at Ninoy Aquino but bounced back to defeat shorthanded Ginebra Boys, 92-64, Tuesday with Jhay-Ar Nasal posting 27 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

05/06/2024

Calm before the start of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals!

03/06/2024

Ethan Casares imposes his will in the paint to lead MagBeerPagRain past PBA BTS, 84-67, in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

03/06/2024

𝗣𝗕𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗣𝗦-𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢, 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢 𝗕𝗢𝗟𝗧𝗦
(𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟵-𝟯𝟭)

In order to finally turn the dream of a first-ever PBA championship into reality, Meralco is looking at Chris Banchero to continue what he has done for most of the Philippine Cup campaign.

Banchero’s performance in the decisive win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 7 of their semifinal series typified why the veteran guard has been getting plenty of trust in doing his thing.

“I’ve been getting more opportunities this conference and I’ve been able to capitalize on that,” said Banchero, who got the nod as the Pba Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period of May 29 to 31.

He is the last player for the season to be recognized for the weekly honor given by reporters from broadsheet, tabloid, and online covering the PBA beat, especially after putting up 24 points in Meralco’s 78-69 victory over Ginebra at FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas.

The win, also supported by rookie Brandon Bates and Chris Newsome, who the scribes also considered for the honor, allowed Meralco to finally beat Ginebra in a best-of-seven series while arranging a title showdown with San Miguel Beer.

Meralco advanced despite going down 3-2 in the semis, avoiding elimination with a Game 6 win at Smart Araneta Coliseum despite Banchero only having nine points on 4-of-14 shooting and bothered by an injured finger, but added nine rebounds and eight assists.

He made 10 of 24 shots in Game 7, including four threes, with six rebounds to emerge as among the heroes of the Bolts’ triumph.

Coach Luigi Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic’s confidence in Banchero has led to perhaps his best run of form since joining Meralco.

The Bolts signed Banchero in early 2022 after becoming an unrestricted free agent.

“They have a lot of belief in me to make plays, to make plays for the team, and to be a leader for the team,” he said.

03/06/2024

Games and Amusements, led by Melecio Doquilo, bucks slow start to beat TV5 Engineering, 85-55, and claim its first win in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH.

03/06/2024

MVP Sports Foundation claims first semifinals berth in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH following its Group B triumph over Sports5-Draper at Jump Recreational Center in New Manila, Quezon City.

03/06/2024

Some of the best plays from Ginebra Boys' rout of Games and Amusements Board in Group B of the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH at Jump Recreational Center in New Manila, Quezon City.

30/05/2024

MVPSF's Allan Apura, Awesome Cignal's Kedz Domenden, and Ginebra Boys' Manuel Caseñas came through for their respective clubs in the May 29 triple-header of the Pba Press Corps Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH.

30/05/2024

𝐌𝐕𝐏𝐒𝐅 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐡; 𝐆𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚, 𝐂𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡

MVP Sports Foundation clinched the first semifinal berth in the 2024 PBA Press Corps Raffy Japa Cup basketball tournament Wednesday at the Jump Recreational Center in New Manila, Quezon City by streaking to its third straight win at the expense of Sports5 Draper, 78-70.

Tournament-leading scorer & TNT support staff member Allan Apura waxed hot anew, firing 27 points built around seven triples while adding four rebounds, two steals, and an assist to lead MVPSF which improved to 3-0, still best in Group B of the tournament which is being presented by Burlington Socks PH.

MVPSF, which also got 20 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and four assists from Sandro Soriano’s tournament debut, actually became the only remaining undefeated team in the tourney that is also sponsored by Rain or Shine, LGR, Gatorade, the Philippine Sports Commission and the PBA, as the organizing Pba Press Corps lost to an undermanned Awesome Cignal squad in a 65-53 upset, the Scribes dropping to a 1-1 card for third place in Group A even as Awesome Cignal, playing only with seven personnel, wrapped up its campaign with its only win in four games led by Kedz Domenden’s 20 points, six steals, three rebounds and two steals with Norma Santiago contributing 16.

The Scribes were bannered by Cedelf Tupas’ 16 points, five assists, and two rebounds while Jonas Terrado had 13 points which came with 18 rebounds.

In the first game, the Ginebra Boys of head coach Rey Baron stayed on track for the second and last semifinal berth in Group B with a tournament-best output in a 91-71 rout of Games and Amusements Board as four players scored in double figures led by the 24 of Manuel Caseñas who also had nine rebounds, five steals and an assist while Richard Marcos, still recovering from a left hamstring injury, ably backed him up with 17 markers.

Going down the drain for GAB which dropped to 0-2 was the game-high 30 points of Melecio Doquilo, his second 30-point game in as many outings.

Games resume Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with a quadruple bill that begins at 6 pm between GAB and TV5 Engineering, both teams eyeing their first wins in the tournament; PBA BTS and Terraport looking to secure the two semifinal berths against MagBeerPagRain and PBAPC, respectively; and MVPSF going up against guest team Philippine Sports Commission which is making its first appearance in the tourney.

The scores:

FIRST GAME

Ginebra Boys 91 -- Casenas 24, Marcos 17, Repecio 15, Ang 12, Lipae 6, Trillana 5, Mendoza 4, Hugo 3, Atienza 3, Baron 2.

GAB 71 -- Doquilo 30, Macasero 13, Ornopia 11, Campanero 6, Manalo 5, Linga 4, Hennesy 2, Bujawe 0, Kutat 0, Albon 0, Pe 0.

Quarterscores: 24-15, 46-32, 64-53, 91-71.

SECOND GAME

Awesome Cignal 65 -- Domenden 20, Santiago 16, Ambrosio 12, Cabrera 7, Romanes 5, Escueta 5, Encarnacion 0.

PBAPC 53 -- Tupas 16, J. Terrado 13, Andaya 10, R. Terrado 6, Dioquino 3, Villanueva 3, J. Ramos 2, Agcaoili 0, Ulanday 0, Dalupang 0, Magallon 0.

Quarterscores: 26-11, 32-26, 46-33, 65-53.

THIRD GAME

MVPSF 78 -- Apura 27, Soriano 20, Delicano 17, Arguelles 8, Santiago 4, Zabala 2, Fernandez 0, Bartolome 0.

Sports5 Draper 70 -- M. Villar 23, J. Reyes 15, C. Villar 13, Sulit 10, N. Earnshaw 5, Bautista 4, Estrada 0, Agustin 0, Purugganan 0, Marjon 0.

Quarterscores: 26-18, 44-33, 62-49, 78-70.

29/05/2024

𝗣𝗕𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗣𝗦-𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
𝗗𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗢, 𝗦𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗜𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗡
(𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟲)

In Don Trollano, San Miguel Beer has got an added weapon capable not only of complementing the big guns but also taking over, if need be.

This was in full display when he scored a pair of 20-point outings in sparking the defending champion Beermen to a 4-0 sweep of Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal series with victories in Games 3 and 4.

As Alpha Beerman June Mar Fajardo was held to a “low” 11 markers and 11 rebounds in the third match in Dasmarinas, Trollano shifted to high gear offensively, going 9-of-15 from the floor, while grabbing 11 boards and issuing four assists to help SMB get on the hill with a 117-107 romp.

“Rain or Shine did a good job defending June Mar. For me, iniisip ko lang na I need to step up and andun lang siguro ako sa perfect place and perfect time,” said the 32-year-old former Adamson standout.

Trollano equaled his Game 3 scoring output in the next match back in Metro Manila and highlighted his heroics with nine straight points early in the fourth that fuelled SMB’s fiery comeback from as many as 19 en route to a 107-100 clincher.

The 6-foot-3 Trollano dropped 13 in the 32-13 closing barrage that enabled the Beermen to finish off ROS and get a shot at a repeat title in the centerpiece conference.

“Just be aggressive, iyun lang ang iniisip ko kapag nasa loob ako,” said the small-forward/shooting guard who has definitely earned his place in SMB's loaded roster.

With his brilliant performance in the last two matches, Trollano (20 points per game on 62 percent field goal, 9.5 boards and 2.0 dimes) was adjudged the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period May 22 to 26.

Trollano was selected by the men and women covering the PBA beat as the week’s best over the likes of his more illustrious teammates, Fajardo himself and CJ Perez, and Barangay Ginebra workhorse Christian Standhardinger, who led the Gin Kings to a 3-2 lead against Meralco in their side of the Final Four.

🖼️ Daryl Gonzales & Denison Dalupang

27/05/2024

Aldo Panlilio and Ethan Casares put MagBeerPagRain on the win column in Group A of the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH with its rout of Awesome Cignal at Palm Coast Marina Sports Complex

27/05/2024

Ginebra Boys barge into the win column in Group B of the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH following an all-around performance from Manuel Casenas and Josh del Rosario’s dagger three at Palm Coast Marina Sports Complex

27/05/2024

Jhune Adachi and Ronald Urbano lead PBA BTS’ win over erstwhile unbeaten TerraPort in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH at Palm Coast Marina Sports Complex

26/05/2024

𝗣𝗕𝗔 𝗕𝗧𝗦 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀, 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻

PBA BTS handed erstwhile undefeated TerraPort its first defeat while the Ginebra Boys and the MagBeerPagRain selection finally broke into the win column with victories against separate opponents at the resumption of the 2024 PBA Press Corps Raffy Japa Cup basketball tournament Friday at the Palm Coast Marina Sports Complex.

Led by Jhune Adachi’s 24 points and Ronald Urbano’s 23, the PBA’s team of blue boys, table officials and statisticians defeated the Batang Dyip, 67-58, for a second straight win, and improved to a 2-1 record for a tie with their victims at second place in Group A of the tournament presented by Burlington Socks PH.

Idle Pba Press Corps leads the same group with a 1-0 slate.

In the other games of the meet also backed by Rain or Shine, LGR, Gatorade, the Philippine Sports Commission and the PBA, the Magnolia-San Miguel Beer-Rain or Shine support staff coalition routed Awesome Cignal, 72-50, for its first win in two games in Group A, while the Ginebra Boys survived erstwhile undefeated Sports5 Draper, 55-47, to also improve at an even 1-1 record in Group B.

MagBeerPagRain was led by the dominating performances of twin towers Aldo Panlilio and Ethan Casares, physical therapists of the Beermen and the Elasto Painters in the PBA respectively, with the former finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two shotblocks, and the latter tallying 14 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two shotblocks.

Going down the drain for Awesome Cignal was Kedz Domenden’s 24 points which came with 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Manuel Casenas led the Ginebra Boys with 13 points, while adding five rebounds, three steals, two assists, and a shotblock, but it was Josh del Rosario who had a crucial triple and Richard Marcos adding two free throws in the final 30 seconds of the game that preserved the win after the Merv Villar-led Sports5 Draper had come to within 50-47 with under a minute remaining in the game.

Adachi added 10 rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while Urbano nearly matched those numbers with nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal for PBA BTS even as Terraport was led by Jun Tenerife’s 16 points and eight rebounds.

Not helping the Batang Dyip’s cause was top player Sydney Talabis, the Best Player of the Game in their first two wins, succumbing to a left hamstring injury in the second period and failing to return to the game.

The scores:

FIRST GAME

PBA BTS (67) -- Adachi 24, Urbano 23, Espiritu 12, Delos Reyes 4, Dulo 4, Redona 0, Luzon 0, Bautista 0.

TerraPort (58) -- Tenerife 16, Tiamzon 11, Cabungan 10, Caliwag 6, Tagana 6, Talabis 4, Avenido 3, Clerigo 2, Espiritu 0, Fraynes 0.

Quarterscores: 17-13; 39-28; 56-40; 67-58.

SECOND GAME

Ginebra Boys (55) -- Casenas 13, Del Rosario 11, Marcos 10, Barron 5, Ang 5, Kang 4, Lipae 3, Mendoza 2, Repecio 2, Partosa 0, Calilan 0, Hugo 0, Atienza 0, Trillana 0.

Sports5 Draper (47) -- Villar 13, Aban 12, J. Reyes 7, Sulit 7, N. Earnshaw 6, Bautista 2 Agustin 0, Estrada 0.

Quarterscores: 12-12; 29-16; 43-24; 55-47.

THIRD GAME

MagBerPagRain (72) -- Panlilio 21, Casares 14, Vivo 11, Bacason 8, Tabasin 7, Mendoza 4, Henares 4, Carlos 3, Montemayor 0, Conejos 0, Cortez 0.

Awesome Cignal (50) -- Domenden 24, Romares 7, Ambrosio 7, Santiago 6, Cadiente 4, Reed 2, Perez 0, Pelea 0, Villegas 0, Imbuido 0, Montemayor 0.

Quarterscores: 21-10; 36-23; 52-36, 72-50.

23/05/2024

MVP Sports Foundation shares the lead in Group B of the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH behind the heroics of Allan Apura, who came through with a three-pointer to take an overtime win over Ginebra Boys on opening day.

22/05/2024

𝗣𝗕𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗣𝗦-𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗝𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗢, 𝗦𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗜𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗡
(𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱-𝟭𝟵)

UNDOUBTEDLY, June Mar Fajardo is the biggest reason why San Miguel is closing in on another finals appearance.

The seven-time PBA MVP averaged 23.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks in the Beermen’s three playoff wins that included two victories in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup semifinals.

San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent said there is an effort to turn to Fajardo at this stretch of the tournament, being the strength of the Beermen offense. The good thing about Fajardo as well is, aside from his scoring, he doesn’t hesitate to also give up the ball to an open teammate.

“We have to take advantage of what we have. We have June Mar so we have to take advantage of him and we have to evolve through him. He is doing great making his teammates better,” said Gallent.

Fajardo’s performance earned him the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period May 15-19. Fajardo earned the nod of reporters from broadsheet, tabloid, and online covering the PBA beat, beating the likes of Meralco’s Chris Newsome, and Barangay Ginebra’s Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger.

“Hinahanap kasi ako ng mga teammates ko. Sinabihan din ako ni coach na kailangan ko piliin ‘yung opensa. Hinahanap ako ng teammates ko, kailangan ko mag-produce,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo opened the week by guiding San Miguel to a semifinal berth, finishing with 25 points and 22 rebounds in the Beermen’s 110-91 win over Terrafirma in their knockout quarterfinal clash.

Domination has been the word that can be described in Fajardo’s play in the semifinals, averaging 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in the 101-98 and 106-89 wins of San Miguel over Rain or Shine in the best-of-seven semifinal series.

The bulk of the points of Fajardo came in the third quarter of Games 1 and 2 and it was there where the Beermen were able to pull away from the Elasto Painters.

“Ang feeling ko, no one can stop him inside the paint. That’s what we did in the third quarter,” said Gallent.

GRAPHICS: Denison Dalupang
PHOTO: PBA IMAGES/DARYL GONZALES

19/05/2024

Terraport takes the solo lead in Group A after taking down MagBeer behind another splendid showing from Sydney Talabis in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH

18/05/2024

Highlights of Sports5-Draper's victory over Games and Amusements Board behind Player of the Game Joseph Reyes and timely threes from Chiqui Reyes in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH.

15/05/2024

𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚 𝐂𝐮𝐩: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝟓 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬

TERRAPORT went 8-for-8 from the free throw in the final 66 seconds, for an 80-76 win, spoiling MagBeer’s debut in the PBA Press Corps Raffy Japa Cup basketball tournament Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

In the other game of the tournament presented by Burlington Sportswear, Sports5 Draper notched a second win in as many games by surviving debuting Games and Amusements Board 78-72 for a share of the lead with MVP Sports Foundation in Group B.

Also improving to a 2-0 record for the solo lead in Group A of the tournament which is also supported by Rain or Shine, the Philippine Sports Commission, LGR, Gatorade and the PBA, the combined Terrafirma and NorthPort support staff and management selection were led by Batang Pier physical therapist Sydney Talabis who finished with 22 points and 19 rebounds while adding five assists, three steals and a shotblock.

John Caliwag and Mico Cabungan added 19 and 18 points, respectively, for Terraport inclusive of four charities from the latter in that final 1:06.

Going down the drain for the combined Magnolia-San Miguel Beer support staff selection was big man Aldo Panlilio’s 30 points, 15 rebounds, two steals, one assist and one shotblock and John Tabasin’s 29 markers which he added with five rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Led by Joseph Reyes’ game-long brilliance to the tune of 33 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals, Sports5 Draper squandered leads of as much as 17 in the opening period before Chiqui Reyes erupted for 16 points built around five triples in the fourth quarter to stave off GAB which rallied and leveled twice in the endgame.

GAB’s gallant losing stand was led by Melecio Doquilo’s 32 points which came with 14 rebounds, two assists and a steal.

The scores:

First Game

Sports5 Draper (78) -- J. Reyes 33, C. Reyes 16, Villar 10, N. Earnshaw 9, Sulit 8, Agustin 2, Aban 0, Bautista 0, K. Earnshaw 0, Chio 0.

GAB (72) -- Doquilo 32, Maglente 13, Manalo 10, Macasero 5, Hennesy 4, Ornopia 4, Linga 2, Rojo 2, Villafuerte 0, Kutat 0, Eusebio 0, Melodillar 0, Fortes 0, Albon 0, Mapile 0, Campanero 0.

Quarterscores: 23-8, 36-31, 52-49, 78-72.

Second Game

TerraPort (80) -- Talabis 22, Caliwag 19, Cabungan 18, Tenerife 16, Uy 3, Avenido 2, Espiritu 0, Frayres 0, Tiamson 0.

MagBeer (76) -- Panlilio 30, Tabasin 29, Bacason 7, Rosales 6, Carlos 2, Cortez 2, Tenorio 0, Salvador 0, Daganato 0, Vilbar 0, Conejos 0.

Quarterscores: 13-17, 37-31, 56-53, 80-76.

14/05/2024

𝗣𝗕𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗣𝗦-𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
𝗝𝗨𝗔𝗠𝗜 𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗦𝗢𝗡, 𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗠𝗔 𝗗𝗬𝗜𝗣
(𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟴-𝟭𝟮)

JUAMI Tiongson and the unheralded Terrafirma Dyip were not just content of having ended their long PBA playoff drought.

And thanks to Tiongson’s heroics, among many, the Dyip could do the unthinkable if they pull off one anew against the mighty San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

“We got nothing to lose and everything to gain,” said Tiongson, who for his performance the past two do-or-die games got him the nod as the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period of May 8 to 12.

Tiongson averaged 29.5 points on a 54-percent shooting clip with 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists during that stretch which started when the Dyip prevailed over the NorthPort Batang Pier in a playoff for the No. 8 seed in the quarters.

He scored 30 points in the 104-96 elimination of the Batang Pier last May 8 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, handing the Dyip their first playoff appearance since the 2016 Governors’ Cup, a drought spanning 16 conferences.

But Terrafirma was undeterred with the intense atmosphere of the playoffs, bucking a slow start to stun the talented San Miguel side, 106-95, three days later at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, with Tiongson hitting 29 points.

The Ateneo product, who was once relegated in the PBA D-League before slowly emerging as one of the league’s top scorers after his PBA return in 2017, had plenty of help as well.

Rookie Stephen Holt was also considered for the award by scribes covering the PBA beat for his many roles as a scorer, facilitator and defender in both games, while Isaac Go and Javi Gomez de Liano turned in big games as well for coach Johnedel Cardel’s squad.

Their refusal to just roll over and let the Beermen take a quick route to the semis has also made fans root for the Dyip and their underdog story.

“We’re very happy na at least nakaka-attract kami ng mga fans na ginaganahan na panoorin kami,” said Tiongson. “Now that we have Stephen Holt, Javi, Isaac playing big, Kemark (Carino) playing big time and Kuya Aldrech (Ramos) and Eric Camson being the veterans that they are, the pieces are slowly coming together.”

GRAPHICS: Denison Dalupang

PHOTO: PBA IMAGES/DARYL GONZALES

12/05/2024

𝗔𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝗩𝗣𝗦𝗙 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗽

ALLAN Apura was hot as the scorching sun, firing a tournament-best 41 points built around seven triples as MVP Sports Foundation streaked to its second straight win against TV5 Engineering, 76-52, while PBA BTS registered its first win in two games with a 56-40 rout of Awesome Cignal at the resumption of the PBA Press Corps Raffy Japa Cup basketball tournament Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Apura, fellow TNT utility staff Rolly Arguelles and NLEX support staff member JR Delicano combined for 18 points in the first period, outscoring the entire TV5 engineering crew (8) by themselves during that stretch en route to the one-sided game of the tournament presented by Burlington Socks PH and sponsored by Rain or Shine, LGR, Gatorode, the PBA, and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Trained and honed by TNT sharpshooter RR Pogoy, Apura was even better this time compared to his 31-point output when MVPSF defeated the Ginebra Boys in overtime 60-58 on tournament-opening day last May 5.

TV5 Engineering was bannered by Edwin Lim’s 12 points, all in the final quarter, in the loss to MVPSF.

The PBA BTS squad of ballboys, table officials and statisticians were led by Jhune Adachi’s all-around numbers of ten points, four rebounds, three steals, three shotblocks and two assists, while Ronald Urbano topscored with his 11 points which he added with five rebounds and two assists in the win over the Awesome Cignal.

Lohen Ambrosio’s 13 points, seven of them in the fourth quarter, led Awesome Cignal which dropped to a 0-2 record.

The top two teams after the single round-robin eliminations in each group will advance to the crossover semifinals which will be a knockout game. Semis winners figure in another KO game for the title.

The scores:

FIRST GAME

MVPSF 76 -- Apura 41, Arguelles 14, Delicano 7, Santiago 6, Bartolome 4, Lopez 4, Fernandez 0, Zabala 0.

TV5 Engineering 52 -- Lim 14, Collantes 11, Rodriguez 6, Ceniza 6, Balo 5, Sarmiento 4, Diego 4, Abad 2, Seludo 0, Paduit 0, Budamo 0.

Quarterscores: 20-8, 37-17, 55-30, 76-52

SECOND GAME

PBA BTS 56 -- Urbano 11, Adachi 10, Delos Reyes 7, Sevilla 5, Yap 5, Espiritu 4, Redona 4, Arl Miguel 3, Olga 2, Luzon 2, Cruz 2, Arn Miguel 1, Bayais 0. P. Santos 0, E. Santos, Cabarles 0.

Awesome Cignal 40 -- Ambrocio 13, Encarnacion 7, Domenden 6, Montemayor 5, Cadiente 3, Campomanes 2, Romares 2, Santiago 2, Villegas 1, Cabrera 0, Pelea 0, Polira 0, Malenab 0.

Quarterscores: 8-11, 25-18, 37-31, 56-41.

09/05/2024

Relive Karlo Sacamos left-handed shot to cap the PBA Press Corps’ high-wire escape from BTS in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH.

🎥 Gillian Franceska

08/05/2024

𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗧𝗦

Spin.ph’s Karlo Sacamos scored underneath with a second left off a Cedelf Tupas assist to lead the PBA Press Corps’ pulsating 64-63 win over PBA BTS in the main game of the PBAPC Raffy Japa Cup basketball tournament Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Sacamos, who had 11 of his 15 points in the final period, bannered the Scribes’ comeback from a 60-49 deficit with 4:48 remaining for a rousing debut in the tournament presented by Burlington Socks PH and sponsored by Rain or Shine, Gatorade, the Philippine Sports Commission, the PBA and LGR.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Jonas Terrado also dominated the paint in the PBA Press Corps’ come-from-behind win, finishing with a game-high 18 points which came with 14 rebounds, four steals, three assists and two shotblocks.

PBA BTS, a team composed of the Commissioner’s Office’s “Blue Boys,” table officials and statisticians, were led by Arloune Miguel and Jhune Adachi who tallied 16 points apiece.

In other games, Nic Earnshaw had 11 points, six rebounds and two assists while Merv Villar had 11 and Jansen Aban and Joseph Reyes 10 apiece as Sports5 Draper survived a furious fourth quarter comeback by the Eugene Rodriguez-led TV5 Engineering in a 63-56 win while Batang Pier physical therapist Sydney Talabis starred in TerraPort’s easy 61-48 win over Awesome Cignal.

Talabis came up with 20 points which he added with seven rebounds, three steals, three shotblocks and two assists to lead the combined Terrafirma and NorthPort squad in the win.

Cignal Awesome was led by Kedz Domenden’s 26 points, nine rebounds and two assists while Rodriguez’s 15 points was tops for TV5 Engineering.

The scores:

First Game

Sports5 Draper 63 - Earnshaw 11, Villar 11, Reyes 10, Aban 10, Gonzaga 6, Bautista 6, Estrada 4, Sulit 3, Purugganan 2, Agustin 0, Javier 0.

TV Engg 56 - Rodriguez 15, Abad 7, Miraflor 6, Budomo 5, Seludo 4, Balo 4, R.Ceniza 3, De Leon 3, Sarmiento 2, Lim 2, Culantes 2, Paduit 2, Diego 1, C.Ceniza 0, Debros 0.

Quarterscores: 12-6, 22-24, 41-39, 63-56.

Second Game

TerraPort 61- Talabis 20, Tiamson 14, Clerigo 8, Caliwag 8, Tenerife 6, Fraynes 3, Balmes 2, Tagaña 0, Espiritu 0, Avenido 0.

Awesome Cignal 48 - Domenden 26, Ambosito 11,Encarnacion 4, Romanes 2, Cabrera 2, Santiago 2, Villegas 1, Cadiente 0, Pelea 0, Escueta 0, Perez 0, Poliran 0, Dalisay 0, Montemayor 0, Gio 0, Enriquez 0, Cabrera 0.

Quarterscores: 19-4, 33-15, 50-28, 61-48.

Third Game

PBA Press Corps 64 - J. Terrado 18, Sacamos 15, Tupas 12, Dioquino 8, Ulanday 7, Ballesteros 4, Fuertes 0, Bacnis 0, Dalupang 0.

PBA BTS 63 - Adachi 16, Arl Miguel 16, Urbano 11, Espiritu 9, Redoña 6, Arn Miguel 3, Bayais 2, Delos Reyes 0, Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 15-17, 35-38, 47-46, 64-63.

08/05/2024

Some snaps on the humble opening day of the returning PBA Press Corps-Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH.

The games resume today at the Malate, Manila, venue.

07/05/2024

𝗣𝗕𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗣𝗦-𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗙 𝗛𝗢𝗗𝗚𝗘, 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢 𝗕𝗢𝗟𝗧𝗦
(𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭-𝟱)

THROUGHOUT his career, Meralco Bolts’ Cliff Hodge has been known for his hard-nosed defense and tireless effort to collar rebounds and win 50-50 balls.

But in one crucial road gig in Batangas City, Hodge showcased one facet of his game that's been mostly overlooked – his ability to score buckets.

Against a then-unbeaten San Miguel Beer side and its formidable frontline anchored on June Mar Fajardo, the Meralco workhorse punched in 20 points on a 9-of-13 clip while hauling down 13 rebounds and swatting away two shots to score a 95-92 upset and clinch a berth in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.

Hodge’s strong performance on both ends hugely helped the Bolts to a massive 95-92 reversal that not only pulled the plug on SMB’s 11-0 bid but more importantly, ensured Meralco’s entry to the quarterfinals without hassle at 6-5.

Had they lost, Hodge and Co. might even have to go through a rubber match for the eighth and last slot to the playoffs instead of sitting comfortably as the No. 4 seed as they do now.

The Herculean effort of the 6-foot-4 dynamo against the mighty Beermen earned him recognition as the Pba Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period May 1 to 5.

Hodge was selected by the men and women covering the PBA beat as the week’s best over the likes of Meralco teammate Allein Maliksi and Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga.

Hodge’s strong performance on both ends pulled the plug on San Miguel’s bid for an 11-game sweep of the eliminations.

Likewise it ensured Meralco’s entry to the quarterfinals without hassle with its 6-5 record.

Had they lost, Hodge and Co. might have to go through a rubber match for the eighth and last slot to the playoffs instead of sitting comfortably as the No. 3 seed as they do now.

🖼️ Daryl Gonzales & Denison Dalupang

Address

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when PBA Press Corps posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

The group stage of the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH saw two buzzer-beating threes from Games and Amusements Board's Justine Macasero and Sports5-Draper's Joseph Reyes.

Guest team Philippine Sports Commission takes down shorthanded Ginebra Boys in their exhibition match in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH

MagBeerPagRain defeats PBA BTS

Ethan Casares imposes his will in the paint to lead MagBeerPagRain past PBA BTS, 84-67, in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

GAB picks up first win

Games and Amusements, led by Melecio Doquilo, bucks slow start to beat TV5 Engineering, 85-55, and claim its first win in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH.

Some of the best plays from Ginebra Boys' rout of Games and Amusements Board in Group B of the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH at Jump Recreational Center in New Manila, Quezon City.

PBA PC Raffy Japa Cup - Post Game Interviews - May 29

Ginebra Boys prevail over Sports5

BTS ends TerraPort’s unbeaten run

Jhune Adachi and Ronald Urbano lead PBA BTS’ win over erstwhile unbeaten TerraPort in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH at Palm Coast Marina Sports Complex

MagBeerPagRain gets first win

Allan Apura delivers for MVP Sports Foundation on opening day

Terraport takes the solo lead in Group A after taking down MagBeer behind another splendid showing from Sydney Talabis in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH

Relive Karlo Sacamos left-handed shot to cap the PBA Press Corps’ high-wire escape from BTS in the Raffy Japa Cup presented by Burlington Socks PH. 🎥 Gillian Franceska

Shortcuts

Address
Alerts
Videos
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Country:

City:

08/06/2024

07/06/2024

05/06/2024

05/06/2024

03/06/2024

03/06/2024

03/06/2024

03/06/2024

03/06/2024

30/05/2024

30/05/2024

29/05/2024

27/05/2024

27/05/2024

27/05/2024

26/05/2024

23/05/2024

22/05/2024

19/05/2024

18/05/2024

15/05/2024

14/05/2024

12/05/2024

09/05/2024

08/05/2024

08/05/2024

07/05/2024

Address

Website

Alerts

Videos

MagBeerPagRain defeats PBA BTS

GAB picks up first win

PBA PC Raffy Japa Cup - Post Game Interviews - May 29

Ginebra Boys prevail over Sports5

BTS ends TerraPort’s unbeaten run

MagBeerPagRain gets first win

Allan Apura delivers for MVP Sports Foundation on opening day

Shortcuts

Share