Tag: Meralco

Meralco, San Miguel break PBA Finals tie

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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.

“It’s a championship team and they made the big plays when they needed to.”

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. for either of the Bolts and the Beermen to move two wins shy of lifting the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy.

But despite having to settle for a 1-1 tie after two games of the best-of-seven championship series instead of being two-up on the tournament favorites going into Sunday’s Game 3 at the same venue, Hodge and the Bolts have reasons to be confident.

Triples from CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter—the latter hitting the eventual winner—coupled with a split by Chris Banchero from the foul line and a missed layup down the stretch enabled San Miguel to escape, even after seeing Meralco have control for much of the second half.

Redemption game

Meralco’s defense has been stifling, most of the stops made resulting in baskets on the other end.

“I’m pretty confident in the way we’re playing right now,” said Hodge, who scored 25 points apart from his usual gung ho style on defense. “I feel like if we stick to the game plan, then we have a chance of winning every game.”

Redemption will likely be the battle cry the Bolts will carry once they return to the Big Dome floor, particularly Banchero, whose misses were bitter pills to swallow.

How they’ll respond is what coach Luigi Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic were working on Saturday, and Meralco hopes to figure this out despite the quick turnaround.

“These are [the] type of games that you got to move on [from],” said Trillo. “At the same time, we also have to see the video and what kind of breakdowns occurred in Game 2.

“With that being said, we didn’t play that well,” added Trillo, whose team had to overcome early deficits and countless San Miguel responses in Game 2.

As disappointing as it was for the Bolts not to get the job done as they left the Big Dome on Friday, there’s still plenty of things to fight for.

And most importantly, still in a good position to achieve their ultimate mission of winning the franchise’s first PBA title.

“We want to win every game. But in a Finals series, no one sweeps the other team,” said Hodge.

Injured Aaron Black doing what he can to help Meralco

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Meralco Bolts’ Aaron Black helps with shootaround ahead of Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—It’s tough to watch your team on the sidelines without being able to help physically and that’s exactly what Aaron Black is feeling with Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Still, Black is doing what he can to help the Bolts, who are currently stuck in a 1-1 stalemate with San Miguel in the best-of-seven series.

While not exactly a veteran of the team, Black, who suffered an ACL injury in the elimination round, is still being vocal in helping out the squad due to his appearance in the grandest stage before.

“For me, I’m still one of the younger guys on the team but being here in the Finals before, I’m able to give some guys who haven’t been here before some advice on what we can do better or what they can expect as we go through the series,” said Black with Inquirer Sports during halftime of Game 2 at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

“I guess I just try to do my best to do whatever I can to encourage the guys to play their best.”

The Bolts ended up losing in a heartbreaker at the hands of San Miguel, 95-94, courtesy of a Marcio Lassiter game-winning triple.

Despite the loss, though, Meralco has shown it has the tools to beat the reigning kings of the all-Filipino conference.

That is, however, no reason for the Bolts to think that they “have done anything,” according to Black.

“We understand we haven’t done anything yet but we’re happy to get our first step in the door. At the same time, we’re trying to keep doing what we do well and work on things that we aren’t doing well.”

Black won’t be able to return for Meralco in the series, but things are looking up for one of the Bolts’ floor generals.

The Ateneo product revealed that he’s set for a return next season, which is happening in less than three months.

“I should be back by the next conference, hopefully. I have another check-up at the start of July. Right now I’ve been working out, I feel better, I feel a lot better actually so hopefully by the next conference, I’ll be good,” assured Black.

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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Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

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Meralco Bolts' Cliff Hodge in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen PBA Finals

Meralco Bolts’ Cliff Hodge 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.

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

“Honestly, it’s just one game. We should’ve won that but that’s a championship team. They came out and made the big plays when they needed to. I’m pretty confident with the way that we’re playing right now,” said Hodge, who had his 25-point, nine-rebound stat line wasted.

“It’s going to be a long series. We’ll forget about this loss and now that we all came out and played hard, we’ll be ready for Sunday.”

Even coach Luigi Trillo doubled down on the “it’s just one game” mindset.

After all, Trillo never thought they would sweep a juggernaut team like the Beermen’s despite drawing first blood in the best-of-seven series.

Instead, the one-time PBA champion coach focused on how Meralco has been making San Miguel look like a beatable team.

“I look at it as we’re not going to sweep San Miguel, right? So every game you want to bring your A game, you want to fight and have fewer breakdowns,” said Trillo.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco still ‘absolutely’ has not cracked San Miguel code

“I thought we played good enough but we could’ve won this game and go up 2-0 but there’re really things like that. It’s really going to hurt,” he added.

Trillo also emphasized that the Bolts will heavily prepare for another war come Sunday.

“We’ll respond, we’ll do it on Sunday, we’ll watch the film and we’ll be clinical rather than be critical at this point to clean up our mistakes.”

Game 3 rolls on this Sunday at 6 pm, still at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

San Miguel survives Meralco in thriller to tie series

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SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

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.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 2 San Miguel vs Meralco

“Sobrang crucial talaga ng Game 2, so binigay naming ang 110 percent naming. ‘Di siya perfect but I know makaka-adjust pa kami in the next games naming,” added Perez, who finished with a playoff career-high 34 points that went with five rebounds and five steals.

June Mar Fajardo chipped in 17 points while Don Trollano and Mo Tautuaa 12 and 10, respectively, as the powerhouse squad–installed as the favorite in this best-of-seven series–avoided sliding into a 0-2 deficit.

San Miguel’s high-wire escape laid waste to the heroics of Cliff Hodge and Chris Banchero. The former had a season-best 25 points spiked with nine rebounds, while the latter delivered 16 points, including a trey with 27 seconds remaining that seemingly took the fight out of the Beermen.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco still ‘absolutely’ has not cracked San Miguel code

Perez, who later in the post-game chat said that he was not going to let his shooting percentage get in the way of his efforts, hit a three to pave the way for Lassiter’s eventual game-winner. He was 12-for-28 from the field in the equalizing Game 2.

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

The two clubs will break the series tie this Sunday at the same venue.

PBA Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 95 – Perez 34, Fajardo 17, Trollano 12, Tautuaa 10, Cruz 7, Lassiter 6, Ross 5, Brondial 2, Teng 2, Enciso 0

MERALCO 94 – Hodge 25, Banchero 16, Newsome 14, Quinto 9, Maliksi 8, Rios 6, Bates 6, Torres 5, Caram 3, Pascual 2, Almazan 0, Jose 0

Quarterscores: 21-22, 49-48, 69-73, 95-94.