Tag: Finals

PBA Finals: Vic Manuel ‘happy, nervous’ in timely return for San Miguel

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San Miguel Beermen big man Vic Manuel during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 4 vs Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—It’s been a long time since he last saw action, but Vic Manuel returned at the most opportune time for San Miguel Beermen.

Manuel has been in and out of the injured list for quite some time, but San Miguel Jorge Gallent believed that the “Muscle Man” was ready for action in the grandest stage in the PBA Philippine Cup.

“I’m very happy, but at the same time a bit nervous,” Manuel told Inquirer Sports in Filipino after the Beermen’s 111-101 win in Game 4 on Wednesday.

“I was gone for a while and my first game back is in the Finals. I just prepared myself because they told me to get ready yesterday in case I might be used. I told them I was always ready.

READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel gets back at Meralco to tie series at 2-2

“They also told me that no matter how many minutes would be given to me, just give everything that I could do to help the team.”

Manuel did the most out of his seven minutes on the court, immediately showing his impact for San Miguel Beer despite a long lay-off.

And he certainly showed why he was the recipient of the 2018 Quality Minutes award as he finished with eight points and two rebounds, missing only one shot out of four tries.

It was a glimpse of the dominant side of Manuel before his run with the Beermen was hampered by several lingering injuries.

READ: Bad news for San Miguel foes: Vic Manuel nears full recovery

Last year, he suffered a left leg injury which had kept him out of action for the majority of the Governors’ Cup.

That injury would continue to keep Manuel out of action in this year’s Commissioner’s Cup before he managed to check in more in the ongoing Philippine Cup.

“I’ve been dealing with this [leg injury] since last year. It’s been a long time since I played an actual game because all we did was a walkthrough in practice and  we didn’t play 5-on-5, and before we got to the Finals, I got sick so at least I got a little rest.”

All of Manuel’s setbacks were just fuel for his gradual comeback on the playing court and Gallent is certainly taking notice of it.

“I’m really happy with Vic. Even if he had limited minutes, he really helped us a lot. His quality minutes were really great and he helped the team in today’s victory,” said Gallent.

“He’s just getting his breath back and it’s coming back because he’s doing extra work in practice. He wants his timing back and I’m sure it’s going to come back, I just hope it’s soon,” the veteran tactician added.

Should Manuel’s minutes in the Finals increase or decrease in the now-virtual best-of-three series, one thing is for sure: he will give his best as someone who’s already been in the grandest stage before.

“I’m already a veteran when it comes the Finals and the PBA so whatever challenge is given to me, I’m ready. No matter how many minutes they give me, I’ll give my best.”

Celtics control NBA Finals despite Jayson Tatum’s shooting woes

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) questions a call during Game 2 of the NBA Basketball Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

DALLAS — There have been two versions of Jayson Tatum so far in these NBA Finals.

Version One is shooting a dismal 12 for 38 from the field, just 31.6%, the worst percentage by far of any starter in the series between his Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. Version Two is second in the finals in total rebounds, leads the series in assists and, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, is currently favored to win the NBA Finals MVP award.

Add them up, and the Celtics seem completely satisfied what they’re seeing from Tatum, as usual. The Celtics have a 2-0 lead in the finals going into Game 3 in Dallas on Wednesday night, meaning the NBA’s best team all season is halfway to an 18th championship.

READ: NBA Finals: Porzingis has rare leg injury, uncertain for Game 3

“I understand that I do need to be more efficient,” Tatum said Tuesday. “I do need to shoot the ball better, I would not disagree with anybody on that. But I’m not letting it bother me. I’m still trying to find ways to impact the game and dominate the game in other areas.”

Getting too deep into Tatum’s numbers in this series — or even when adding the 2022 NBA Finals to the totals — isn’t a great idea, simply because of the sample size. He’s been in a total of eight finals games. It’s not enough to draw conclusions.

That said, while the shooting is almost shockingly bad — no player in the last 60 years, with as many shot attempts as Tatum has all-time in NBA Finals play, has shot worse than his .354 clip — he’s on pace to do something historic. If his averages of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8.5 assists hold up through the rest of the series, he’d be the second player to finish a finals with those numbers.

The other is LeBron James, who did it four times.

“Criticism is the ultimate beauty,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “It’s a sign of ultimate respect. It’s just a beautiful thing. I really love the way Jayson has handled that. It’s just a testament to who he is.”

READ: NBA Finals: Celtics hold off Mavericks for 2-0 lead

It is good news for the Mavericks that they’ve done well on Tatum through two games.

The bad news, of course, is that it hasn’t mattered much. Tatum fills up the box score in other ways, and the Celtics won both games at home to open the series.

“I think he’s one of the best players in the world,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “You’re trying to just make it tough. That’s all you can do, is hopefully guard the first move, guard the second move, guard the third move and contest. Guys are doing that at a high rate, trying to make it tough on him.”

Shooting-wise, these two games in the finals represent the worst two-game span of Tatum’s season. He was barely better in games against Denver and Houston in mid-January, shooting 31.7% in those.

The next game after that little stretch saw Tatum score 39 points. The Mavericks should know that one well; it was against them. So, they’re likely pretty certain that Tatum’s shooting won’t stay cold for long.

“Over time you learn how to deal with all the extra noise and attention, whether it’s positive or not so positive,” Tatum said. “You know, I’m a fair, smart person. I know when I’m doing things at a high level. I know when I need to do certain things better. So I’m not, like, oblivious to what’s going on. At the same time, just keeping the main thing the main thing and focusing on trying to win the next game. That’s what’s most important at this time.”

Irving channeling 2016 as Mavs plot NBA Finals rally

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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)

DALLAS – Kyrie Irving is drawing from the experience of Cleveland’s 2016 NBA Finals comeback as he attempts to help dig the Dallas Mavericks out of an 0-2 hole against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
The Mavericks host their first game of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, desperate for victory after dropping the opening two road games of the best-of-seven series in Boston last week.
For Irving, the situation is eerily familiar to his experience with the Cavaliers eight years ago, when Cleveland went 2-0 down to the dominant Golden State Warriors before rallying and eventually winning the series 4-3 with victory in game seven.
Irving, who famously shot the game-winning three-pointer in the series decider against the Warriors in 2016, sees parallels between his past and present.
“It took a lot of will to win in 2016,” Irving said.
“We had time to fail together. We had time to go through our trials together. We lost in 2015.
“A lot of guys came back in 2016 and we won. So there was an inner motivation there. We also knew who we were going against, how well they played.”
Instead of being daunted by the challenge posed by the top-seeded Celtics, Irving wants his teammates to view their situation as “an opportunity to respond.”
“That’s all you can ask for in a basketball season,” he said.
“If you asked me in September or October, would I want a chance to be down 0-2 and having a chance to respond in Game 3 or be out of the playoffs, I think I would choose the former. It’s as simple as that.
“We’re the only teams left. This is about chess. That’s all it is.”
If the Mavericks are to haul themselves off the canvas, Irving knows he will need a more productive game after misfiring so far.
In games one and two against Boston, Irving scored a mere 28 points and was 13-of-37 from the floor, and 0-of-8 from three-point range.
“First thing is just accepting that I haven’t played well or up to my standards, as well as I would have liked,” Irving said.
Irving also believes that the scorelines from the first two games of the series don’t do Dallas justice.
“The margin of their victories hasn’t really displayed the full story in terms of the Celtics beating us,” Irving said.
“We just have to continue to lean in on each other, especially when it gets tough out there. We’re going against a great team.
“We know what we’re in for. But now we have to raise it to an even higher level, and it starts with me.”
Dallas coach Jason Kidd, meanwhile, hopes the home support can emulate the raucous atmosphere he experienced as a player in 2011 as a member of the Mavericks last championship-winning team.
“This is an incredible atmosphere,” Kidd said. “To win that championship in 2011, the city is incredible. They love their Mavs.
“To win it then and now to be here in 2024 is special because you don’t really get an opportunity to do that.
“I understand the opportunity that I have to be the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. It’s a dream come true.
“But we’re trying right now to figure out how to win one game, and that’s the next one tomorrow night.”

PBA Finals: Shackled June Mar Fajardo key to Meralco success

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June Mar Fajardo–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

June Mar Fajardo found himself in a bind on Sunday night, his on-court struggles among the things that doomed San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup’s championship series.

“That’s just the way it is,” he told reporters in Filipino on the heels of a 93-89 loss to the Meralco Bolts at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “Credit to them, they’ve played great throughout this series.”

Easily the heart and soul of the vaunted club, Fajardo was shackled to just 12 points and was limited to his season-low five field-goal attempts.

The reigning MVP, who is on pace to win his 10th Best Player of the Conference award, also accounted for seven of the team’s 15 turnovers as the Beermen slid to a 2-1 hole.

“Their defense is great. They’ve got plenty of bigs, and they are quick with their rotations so it’s been tiring [for me],” Fajardo said of the opposition, who has the likes of Raymond Almazan, rookie Brandon Bates, Norbert Torres and even Kyle Pascual taking turns in defending the most dominant player in the league.

CJ Perez, the other steady presence for San Miguel in this All-Filipino derby, wasn’t too keen on pinning it all on his star teammate’s woes.

“It’s just the free throws,” he said in a separate chat. “Those were the most crucial. We missed seven in the last [minutes], and that was the story.”

Five of those muffed freebies, following a 75-all deadlock in the payoff frame, were from Perez. And those were just as critical in San Miguel’s defeat, the spitfire guard insists.

A closer examination of the Game 3 stats sheet, however, showed that San Miguel lost in both the rebounds and assists race. The Beermen only had 50 boards against the Bolts’ 57, and 15 assists versus Meralco’s 22.

‘Improve our energy’

Fajardo, Perez, and co. were also behind the challengers in points in the paint (36-32), second-chance points (22-11), and error conversions (20-13).

“We really need to improve our energy to beat Meralco. We’re losing in rebounds—offensive rebounds. And their hustle [plays],” said Perez.

The crafty guard, however, is confident that those issues can be addressed in the two-day lull heading into Wednesday’s Game 4 at the same venue.“It’s going to be crucial as we don’t want to be crushed (with a big deficit),” he said of the return match.

“The two days will be big for our rest. And of course, June Mar since he’s really having a hard time. He needs rest. And of course, we need to adjust whatever that is we need to adjust,” Perez added.

If anything, Perez and Fajardo can take comfort in the fact that San Miguel has yet to lose back-to-back games this tournament. The Beermen suffered that only once this season when they stumbled against NorthPort and then Magnolia in the previous Commissioner’s Cup which they eventually ruled.

It will be truly interesting to see how the decorated San Miguel side recoups against a Meralco crew hell-bent on making the most out of their first-ever Philippine Cup finals. INQ

UP finds needed push from previous Finals defeats

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FILE–UP Fighting Maroons’ CJ Cansino . –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Losing only a few members from its core, University of the Philippines (UP) still looks like the formidable crew that fought in the last three championship series of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

But the Fighting Maroons had only reached the throne once in those Finals appearances after folding to Ateneo two years ago and against La Salle in Season 86.

“Coming short the last two seasons—that’s where we are coming from. We’re not gonna lie about that,” assistant coach Christian Luanzon said on Sunday after UP ousted Far Eastern University with an 89-77 victory in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup knockout semifinals.

The Maroons, also the defending champions of this preseason tilt, have been dominating the competition made up of squads from both UAAP and NCAA and are currently in an eight-game winning streak.

‘Everyday grind’

Guard CJ Cansino and former Most Valuable Player big man Malick Diouf exhausted their playing years while Luis Pablo and Cyril Gonzales transferred, but UP still has the services of mainstays such as JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano and reigning Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez as well as a bunch of recruits.

But from its experience in those last two seasons, UP is not getting complacent with how it is playing so far especially with last season’s tormentor La Salle meeting them once again in the Finals.

Despite squandering a 24-point lead, the Green Archers survived the late-game efforts of Letran, 91-87, in the other semifinal pairing to advance to the championship with sophomore forward Jonnel Policarpio’s 19 points.

“We know that it’s not going to be easy to [reach the top] but there’s a process to that and it starts with our everyday grind during practices and building our habits and chemistry,” Luanzon said.

“[We are honing] the culture that we want and the standard that not only coach [Goldwin Monteverde] wants but the standard that the players put on themselves as a team,” he added.

That standard can be seen through powerful forward Lopez, who delivered a 22-point performance from eight-of-12 field goals apart from seven rebounds. Graduating guard Cagulangan led his crew with 13 points, nine assists, five rebounds and four steals.

“This is our team so the standard that we uphold in practice and games should fully be translated inside the court, that’s the most important thing,” Luanzon said. INQ

NBA Finals 2024 Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, fends off Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving during the second half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals 2024 on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks dispute the Larry O’Brien Trophy in a best-of-seven NBA Finals series.

The Celtics, who finished with the best record this NBA season, hold the home-court advantage in the series against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, who are back in the Finals for the first time since 2011.

Boston reached the NBA Finals after sweeping Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference while the Mavericks disposed of Minnesota Timberwolves in five games over at the West.

Winning rebound battle key for Meralco in PBA Finals

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Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the San Miguel Beermen.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco has been doing almost everything right in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals so far.

The Bolts on Sunday regained the upper hand in their best-of-seven series with the San Miguel Beermen after a pulsating win in Game 3 and while it was Chris Newsome’s late 3-pointer that propelled them to victory, winning the rebounding battle was another reason why they’re halfway there to a breakthrough championship.

“It’s definitely a focus of interest for us. We know that if we can dominate the rebounding, we’ll have a great shot at winning the game,” explained Hodge after Meralco’s 93-89 squeaker over San Miguel.

READ: PBA Finals: Chris Newsome, Meralco deliver own dagger in Game 3

“All the bigs have to guard June Mar (Fajardo) and try to slow him down. I mean he’s the best, the GOAT of the PBA and it’s a hard job for them to slow him down and they gotta box him out so I’m just trying to get as many rebounds as I can.”

Hodge came up big for the Bolts anew, notching a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, six of which on the offensive end.

Raymond Almazan also held it down for Meralco in the shaded area, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out in the final minute.

READ: PBA Finals: Rest vital for SMB heading into Game 4, says CJ Perez

With Hodge and Almazan making their presence felt, the Bolts out-rebounded the Beermen, 57-50, which had been the case for the first three games of the finals.

Meralco had 22 offensive rebounds overall that led to 22 second-chance points.

Hodge, though, is fully aware that the battle is still far from over.

“We’ll definitely watch the viewing. I honestly don’t think we played that great of a game. [We] had a lot of mistakes defensively.”

“[We’ll] just clean up our game plan and clean up all our mistakes and focus on the next game. That’s about it.”

PBA Finals Game 3 San Miguel vs Meralco

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2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals schedule (Game 3)

Smart Araneta Coliseum

6:15 p.m. – San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts

FULL SCHEDULE HERE.

San Miguel Beermen swingman Marcio Lassiter celebrates with his teammates late in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the Meralco Bolts.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Frosty for most of Friday night, San Miguel Beer marksman Marcio Lassiter came through in the final moments of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, bailing the much-fancied Beermen out from what would have been a 0-2 hole against hard-fighting Meralco.

Despite a 1-for-7 shooting going into that final play, Lassiter hit a step-back triple from the left wing with 13.2 seconds remaining to give the Beermen the lead. It turned out to be the basket the defending champions needed to ultimately level the best-of-seven championship series to a game apiece.

Chris Newsome CJ Perez San Miguel Beermen Meralco Bolts PBA Finals

San Miguel Beer’s CJ Perez tries to score against Meralco’s Chris Newsome in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

As much as Cliff Hodge described the heartbreaking loss Meralco absorbed in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup as “just one game,” there’s also a reason for the Bolts to pity themselves for the missed chance of getting another win over San Miguel Beer.

“We should have won that. We had them on the ropes,” Hodge said before acknowledging the way the Beermen were able to pull off an escape act, 95-94, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Beermen square PBA Finals with gutsy Bolts after Game 2 thriller

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Composure will be crucial for CJ Perez from this point of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals series that went back to square one following San Miguel Beer’s Game 2 escape act Friday night.

“I have to sustain my composure, especially in the endgame,” Perez told the Inquirer shortly after the Beermen avoided a dreaded 0-2 hole by rallying from four points down with 27 seconds to go for a 95-94 victory over the Meralco Bolts at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Perez’s three-pointer set up that unbelievable comeback as San Miguel took advantage of a split from Chris Banchero from the foul line, with Marcio Lassiter knocking down the go-ahead triple for the eventual scoreline.

San Miguel bounced back from dropping the series opener, 93-86, two nights prior where Perez endured foul trouble and disappointment towards some of the calls.

He was once again in early foul trouble, but wound up with a playoff-high 34 points this time, capped by a triple of his own with 22 seconds left that made the comeback possible.

“As a player, we can’t see everything with regards to the calls. So for us, we have to adjust and avoid complaining too much,” said Perez, who after Game 1 didn’t hide his disappointment towards calls that “shouldn’t be called in the Finals.”

Critical miss

The Finals Most Valuable Player when San Miguel captured the Commissioner’s Cup title last February was also glad to atone for an earlier missed three with Meralco holding on to a 90-89 lead.

That miss led to Banchero’s three-pointer that extended the Bolts’ advantage to 93-89, and it appeared that the Bolts were just one stop away from going two-up on the tournament favorites.

But Perez was glad to make good on his second chance.

“Our coaches really trust me to make shots,” Perez said. “If I miss those, it’s okay. If I make it, good for me.”

Lassiter scored with 13 seconds left following Banchero’s trip to the line, putting him closer to Allan Caidic and career leader Jimmy Alapag on the all-time list.

At this point, that triple could create a shift in the complexion of the championship tussle, with Game 3 set Sunday at the same venue.

Banchero had a chance to put Meralco ahead. He had a good look driving into the lane, but couldn’t convert on a layup that would have put the Bolts back in front and saved them from a gut-wrenching defeat.

Cliff Hodge produced 25 points for the Bolts, who once again drew worthy performances from almost everyone inserted on the floor.

June Mar Fajardo had 17 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks after another difficult battle against rookie Brandon Bates and the Meralco frontline.

Chris Newsome had 14 points for the Bolts, who led by eight points at one point.

PBA Finals Game 2 San Miguel vs Meralco

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2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals schedule (Game 2)

Smart Araneta Coliseum

7:30pm – Meralco Bolts vs San Miguel Beermen

FULL SCHEDULE HERE.

PBA Finals: Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

Meralco Bolts coach Luigi Trillo in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It’s just one game. At least that’s how Meralco wants to look at the Game 2 heartbreak to San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

The Bolts fumbled their chance for a momentous 2-0 lead after a last-second shot by Marcio Lassiter, absorbing a stinging 95-94 loss to San Miguel on Wednesday.

But despite the heartbreaking loss, Cliff Hodge kept a positive mentality as they get a chance to rebound not 48 hours later for Game 3. FULL STORY

PBA Finals: Jericho Cruz says fan involved his family in trash talk

San Miguel Beermen's Jericho Cruz in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Jericho Cruz found himself in a screaming match with a fan in the middle of San Miguel’s Game 2 win over Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

At around the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Cruz figured in a physical contact play with the Bolts’ Chris Newsome which saw the former drop to the floor. FULL STORY

VIDEO: Jericho Cruz on spat with fan in Finals Game 2

Jericho Cruz explains what happened in the fourth quarter when he exchanged words with a spectator, who was soon escorted out of Game 2.

PBA Finals: CJ Perez turns frustrations into 34-point explosion

San Miguel Beermen's CJ Perez during Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Forget the past and focus on the present. That was the central game plan for CJ Perez in San Miguel’s Game 2 win over Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

In the Beermen’s 95-94 victory over the Bolts at Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Perez let his frustrations from Game 1 go to focus on an all-important second game in the best-of-seven series. FULL STORY

VIDEO: San Miguel CJ Perez, Jorge Gallent on Game 2

San Miguel’s CJ Perez and coach Jorge Gallent talk about their thrilling Game 2 win over Meralco in the PBA Finals.

PBA Finals: San Miguel survives Meralco in thriller to tie series at 1-1

San Miguel Beermen's CJ Perez during Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

San Miguel played with steely nerves down the stretch to survive plucky Meralco, 95-94, leveling the championship series of the PBA Philippine Cup to a game apiece.

The Beermen rode the hot hand of CJ Perez all of Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, to keep the Bolts within striking range before turning to Marcio Lassiter in the crunch for a step-back triple with 13 ticks left to seal the club’s escape act.

“A very good shot by CJ to bring the lead down to one and then another good shot from Marcio to give us this victory today. So, kudos to the two of them,” said head coach Jorge Gallent. FULL STORY

LIVE UPDATES: San Miguel vs Meralco Finals Game 2

Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel Beermen and Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel’s Don Trollano, Meralco’s Chris Banchero warm up for Game 2

Chris Banchero scattered 18 points in Meralco’s Game 1 win over San Miguel in the #PBAFinals. Can he and the Bolts pull off another dub tonight

San Miguel’s Don Trollano is ready for action. And he got the Kobe 8 “Venice Beach” on foot, too.

Scenes before Game 2 of PBA Finals

Here are some of the moments before Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between Meralco and San Miguel Beer tips off at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Bolts will look to take a 2-0 lead over the Beermen in the 7:30 p.m. contest.

PBA Finals: San Miguel looks to regain ‘united’ identity

San Migiuel Beermen's CJ Perez during Game 1 of the PBA Philippine CUp Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Migiuel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

CJ Perez insists that rust wasn’t the main reason why Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals didn’t go San Miguel Beer’s way.

“Hindi lang talaga kami naglaro ng buo. Hindi yun yung San Miguel basketball (We just didn’t play as a unit, and that’s not the San Miguel way),” Perez said as the Beermen hope to atone for a 93-86 loss when the two teams meet again on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Another defeat in the 7:30 p.m. matchup will put the Beermen in a dangerous spot amid an all-Filipino campaign they have dominated, and the Bolts closer to their long chase for a first PBA championship. FULL STORY

PBA Finals: Brandon Bates not letting the spotlight get to him

Meralco Bolts' Brandon Bates against San Miguel defenders in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Meralco Bolts’ Brandon Bates against San Miguel defenders in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco’s Brandon Bates has been earning praise and attention as of late with his organic uprising in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Now in the Finals of the all-Filipino tournament, Bates is still being heavily talked about but he doesn’t want the attention and the limelight to get into his head.

“Firstly, I really appreciate all the support. All the fans that have popped up online to support me. I really, really appreciate it but you can’t let it get to your head,” said an ecstatic Bates with Inquirer Sports after their Game 1 win over San Miguel at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. FULL STORY

PBA Finals: Chris Newsome gets ‘full-circle’ moment in KD 4 ‘Galaxy’

Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome during the PBA Finals Game 1 against San Miguel Beermen

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during the PBA Finals Game 1 against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome had a full-circle moment in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

And that moment was encapsulated in his game-worn shoes in the form of the Nike KD IV “Galaxy.”

“It definitely is a full-circle moment for me to actually have the opportunity to pick these up and then wear them in the Finals. I definitely feel like it’s a full circle moment,” said Newsome with Inquirer Sports after their 93-86 win over San Miguel at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. FULL STORY

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