Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

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.

Jericho Cruz says fan involved his family in trash talk


SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

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.

On his way up to his feet, he was seen pointing at a fan while having a conversation with a referee.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 2 San Miguel vs Meralco

What triggered Cruz was being on the receiving end of derogatory remarks from a fan, who was allegedly hurling insults about his family.

“As a player, it’s okay for me to be cursed at, but he included my family with the way he said it,” said Cruz after their 95-94 win over Meralco.

“For me, it’s okay to be cursed at by fans. This is our job. It’s okay with me, it’s nothing personal as long as they don’t involve my parents, mother, kids or wife. That’s different. If it’s just [about]  me, no problem. I can take the heat.”

The Araneta security personnel were swift to act, with the fan getting escorted out of the building after a timeout was called by San Miguel.

READ: PBA: Love him or hate him, Jericho Cruz is all about winning

“I’m happy that they [security] responded right away… Just don’t involve my parents or my kid, it’s okay with me. ‘Di ko [sana] isusumbong ‘yon (I wasn’t going to bother with it),” said Cruz, who finished with seven points and two rebounds.

It was not the first time in recent history that a player figured in an altercation with a fan due to family members being included in trash talk.

Last year in the Governors’ Cup Finals between TNT and Ginebra, Tropang Giga big man Poy Erram turned irate when a fan hurled insults at his mother during Game 3 of the series.

As for Cruz, he said he had quickly moved on from the altercation and is focused on the next task as the Beermen try to get ahead in the PBA Finals series for the first time on Sunday.

CJ Perez turns frustrations into 34-point explosion


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

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.

“I told myself that I won’t mind it [last game] because it was my mistake also. If they reviewed the tape in Game 1, I think it was my fault. I got fouls pretty early,” said Perez in Filipino.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 2 San Miguel vs Meralco

“I just addressed it in Game 2.”

In the opener of the PBA Finals series, Perez figured in several complaints with game officials for his early foul trouble.

This time, the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Game certainly locked in and brought the series back to square one with both teams tied at one win apiece.

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

Perez exploded with a game-high 34 points with five assists, five steals and four rebounds to match, including crucial shots down the line of a neck-and-neck game.

“CJ’s always been like that for the past two to three seasons. When we needed baskets, we weren’t hesitant to go to him or Marcio,” explained coach Jorge Gallent.

“We’re not hesitant to let him shoot the ball, especially coming in crunch time,” added the veteran tactician.

Perez and the Beermen look to take the one-up on Game 3 of the series happening this Sunday, still emanating live at the Big Dome.

San Miguel survives Meralco in thriller to tie series


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.

Jasmine Paolini surprises herself by reaching final


Jasmine Paolini  French Open Tennis

Italy’s Jasmine Paolini reacts during her semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Thursday, June 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

PARIS — Jasmine Paolini is struggling to believe she’s into her first Grand Slam final.

Paolini, who had never previously been past the fourth round at a major tournament, continued her run at the French Open by beating Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-1 in Thursday’s semifinals.

“It’s a great feeling to be in a Grand Slam final,” the 28-year-old Italian said. “I don’t know. It seems something impossible, you know, but it’s true.”

She faces two-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in Saturday’s final, the day before the men’s final.

READ: Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff to reach French Open final

And an Italian double is still a possibility because Jannik Sinner can reach the men’s final if he gets past Carlos Alcaraz on Friday. Win or lose, the Australian Open champion Sinner will have the No. 1 ranking on Monday.

“It’s unbelievable to see Jannik when he was 15 years old say that his dream was to be No. 1,” Paolini said. “For me it’s something different. I never dreamed to be in a Grand Slam final, and I’m here. I’m so happy.”

Paolini was far more clinical than the 17-year-old Andreeva, winning four of six break points while Andreeva was 0-6. Andreeva appeared tearful after going 4-1 down in the second set.

“I could have played better,” she said. “I had a lot of mistakes.”

Andreeva missed three break points in the fifth game of the first set on Court Philippe Chatrier. Instead of pulling back to 3-2, she trailed 4-1 and her confidence seemed to wane.

Missing a shot at deuce in the sixth game of the second set, she remonstrated with her racket.

Paoloni broke Andreeva to love in the next game, winning on her first match point with a forehand winner at the net.

She smiled broadly, clenched her fists, then praised the crowd — in two languages.

“Grazie mille, ragazzi (Thanks, guys),” Paolini said, before adding “Merci beaucoup a toute la France (Thanks a lot to all of France).”

The 23-year-old Swiatek remains on course for a fifth major, including four at Roland Garros.

Iga Swiatek French Open Tennis

Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates winning her semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament against Coco Gauff of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Thursday, June 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

After saving a match point against the former No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the second round, she won 6-2, 6-4 against Coco Gauff on Friday to extend her winning streak in Paris to 20 matches.

Swiatek has 21 career singles titles, compared to two for Paolini. Paolini’s career record at the French Open before this year was 3-5; Swiatek’s career Roland Garros record after eliminating Gauff is 34-2.

“Iga is unbelievable player,” Paolini said. “So young, but so many achievements and Grand Slams.”

Andreeva, meanwhile, leaves Roland Garros with something she worked hard to get: a photo with three-time major winner Andy Murray.

“It was a nice moment in the beginning of the tournament because I had a gift. I had, like, retro camera,” she explained. “I made a list with who I want to take a picture. Of course, Andy, he was first on the list.”

But she was reluctant to approach him.

“He was warming up, he was eating. So I was, like, ‘Well, next time, next time.’ Then on that day I saw him just talking to his team. I was, like, ‘Well, he’s busy, no, no, no,’” Andreeva continued. “My coach was, like, ‘No, you go, you do it, and after we forget about it.’ So she kind of pushed me to him. Well, finally, I had a picture with him.”

Maquilan, Faculiran fight for WBC Asia Continental title


Maquilan Facularin Blow-by-Blow

Noli James Maquilan (left) and Jason Facularin show their readiness in time for their bantamweight title clash during Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome. Photo from MP Promotions/Wendell Alinea

MANILA, Philippines–Rising Filipino bantamweights Noli James Maquilan and Jason Facularin clash for the WBC Asia Continental title in the main event of Blow-by-Blow on Saturday at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Both fighters are off to a strong start in their pro careers.

Maquilan, representing the Penalosa Boxing Gym of Better Living-Paranaque, sports a 9-1 record with six knockouts.

READ: Blow-by-Blow: Unbeaten Albert Francisco wins PH Youth belt

Facularin, who fights out of the Ring Master Boxing Gym of Davao City, meanwhile, is 8-1 with all of his wins coming inside the distance.

The bout headlines a 13-fight card, which begins at 2 p.m.

Blow-By-Blow, shown on ONE Sports channel every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., was revived by no less than Pacquiao himself in November 2022 as a way of lending a hand to Filipino boxers.

READ: Fast-rising Eman Bacosa impresses in Blow-by-Blow

“As I have pledged before, Blow-By-Blow will be used a platform for the showcase of topnotch Filipino ring talent,” Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division legend, said as the weekly boxing show fulfills its commitment to Philippine boxing.

“Remember that I also started as a nobody like many of our dear Filipino boxers,” Pacquiao, Blow-By-Blow’s most outstanding product said.