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Meralco escapes San Miguel for 2-1 series edge

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Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome shoots during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the San Miguel Beermen.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco played splendid basketball on both ends on Sunday night for a gutsy 93-89 Game 3 victory over San Miguel and a 2-1 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven championship series.

The Bolts saw all of their starters finish in double-digit scores while clamping down on the Beermen’s top guns in yet another tightly-contested duel at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“Looking at the stats, 15 lead changes, 16 times tied. You could just see how close these games are. I thought we were OK with our execution [tonight],” said coach Luigi Trillo, whose charges aptly rebounded after narrowly losing to the defending champions, 95-94, in the previous encounter last Friday night.

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

Chris Newsome delivered 26 points, including an open corner triple and two charities late in the game that proved to be the cushion that Meralco needed to prevail.

Raymond Almazan had 17 points–his finest this series–and had 13 rebounds. Bong Quinto chipped in 16 more into the scoring effort while Chris Banchero and Cliff Hodge pumped in 10 each.

Mo Tautuaa had 19 points to lead all of the Beermen, while CJ Perez was limited to just 18 points after top-scoring with 34 in the previous meeting.

READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel survives Meralco to tie series

Game 2 hero Marcio Lassiter and reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo added 12 points each, while Don Trollano and Jeron Teng also finished in twin-digit scores.

“We won, but we’re not satisfied with our last three, four minutes,” said Trillo, who pointed out how much tidying up Meralco has to do to sustain their run in this showdown for the prestigious Jun Bernardino trophy.

Meralco will try to annex a second-straight win and put its fancied foe in a bind in Game 4 set this Wednesday, again at the Big Dome.

The Scores:

MERALCO 93 – Newsome 26, Almazan 17, Quinto 16, banchero 10, Hodge 10, Maliksi 8, Torres 2, Pascual 2, Bates 2, Rios 0, Caram 0

SAN MIGUEL 89 – Tuatuaa 19, Perez 18, Lassiter 12, Fajardo 12, Trollano 11, Teng 10, Cruz 7, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Enciso 0

Quarterscores: 28-24, 48-46, 71-70, 93-89

Rest heading into Game 4 vital for SMB, says CJ Perez

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San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the Meralco Bolts.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Unlike the first three games of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, San Miguel and Meralco will have more time to prepare and recover heading into Wednesday’s Game 4.

That’s exactly what the Beermen need, especially June Mar Fajardo, according to CJ Perez after a 93-89 loss in Game 3.

“The two days of rest will be huge for us, of course especially for June Mar,” said Perez in Filipino, referring to the seven-time MVP who had 12 points and 15 rebounds but committed seven turnovers.

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

“June Mar’s really having a hard time so rest is really needed now.”

Despite having Fajardo in tow, San Miguel struggled in the rebounding department which could be attributed to Meralco having the fresher legs.

June Mar Fajardo San Miguel Beermen Game 3 PBA Philippine Cup Finals

San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“We just need to have a lot of energy to beat Meralco. That’s where we’re losing, also in the rebounding department, they had a lot more rebounds because of their hustle,” said Perez, who was held to just 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco escapes San Miguel for 2-1 series edge

Aside from the rebounding woes, San Miguel also shot itself in the foot with missed opportunities at the free throw line, going just 23-of-35 in that area.

“The free throws were the most crucial. We missed seven late in the game and that made the difference. They also had a lot of offensive rebounds.”

James Maquilan posts KO win to retain WBC Asia Continental belt

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James Maquilan floors Jason Facularin in their bantamweight bout in the main event of Blow-by-Blow at Cuneta Astrodome.–MP Promotions/Wendell Alinea

MANILA, Philippines–James Noli Maquilan bucked off a slow start to score an electrifying 11th-round knockout of the gutsy Jason Facularin and retain his World Boxing Council Asia Continental bantamweight belt late Saturday night during Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow show at Cuneta Astrodome.

Referee Jerold Tomeldan called a halt to the scheduled 12-rounder at the 1:03 mark upon seeing one of Facularin’s cornermen go up the ring to plead that the fight be stopped immediately as the small but boisterous crowd erupted in cheers.

Representing the Penalosa Boxing Gym of Merville, Paranaque, Maquilan floored Facularin in the fifth with a classic jab-straight combo and late in the 10th round with a perfectly timed left hook.

READ: Blow-by-Blow Maquilan, Facularin fight for WBC Asia Continental title

The win boosted Maquilan’s card to 10-1 with seven knockouts while the loss dropped Facularin’s mark to 8-2 with eight knockouts.

Facularin started strong as he forced Maquilan to the ropes in the first two frames with a furious two-fisted head and body assault.

But Maquilan, known to be a slow starter, found a way to counter his foe’s aggressiveness en route to the smashing win.

READ: Blow-by-Blow: Maquilan stops Alipio for PBF bantamweight belt

Eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao could not help but rave about the fantastic showing of Maquilan and those who fought in the undercard.

“Blow-By-Blow is fully committed to help develop Filipino fighters and I will be leading the way to enable them to fulfill their dreams,” said Pacquiao.

Iga Swiatek cruises to third straight French Open title

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Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates with the trophy after winning against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini at the end of women’s singles final match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day fourteen of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on June 8, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Dunand / AFP)

Poland’s Iga Swiatek extended her French Open reign on Saturday as she thrashed Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1 in the final to win a third successive Roland Garros title.

World number one Swiatek dominated Italian 12th seed Paolini, a first-time Grand Slam finalist, needing just 68 minutes to capture a fourth crown in five years in Paris.

Swiatek has now won all five Grand Slam finals she has contested. Her other victory came at the 2022 US Open.

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

She is the fourth woman in the Open era to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen four times — after Justine Henin, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.

“It’s amazing to be here. I love this place. I wait every year to come back,” said Swiatek, who clicked into gear after saving a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round.

“I was almost out of the tournament,” she said. “I also needed to believe this one is going to be possible, it’s been a really emotional tournament.”

Swiatek becomes only the third woman to win the tournament three years running. Henin, in 2005-07, was the last to do so. Monica Seles also achieved the feat as a teenager at the start of the 1990s.

At 23, her four Roland Garros titles are the same number Rafael Nadal, the record 14-time men’s champion, had at the same age.

READ: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff sprint into French Open quarterfinal

For the 28-year-old Paolini it was a sorry conclusion, at least in singles, to an otherwise brilliant fortnight in the French capital.

The world number 15 had won a total of four matches in 16 Grand Slam appearances before advancing to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.

While she fell short of emulating compatriot Francesca Schiavone, who won the 2010 French Open, Paolini could yet finish on a winning note with her and doubles partner Sara Errani through to Sunday’s final.

“I have to say congratulations to you, Iga,” said Paolini. “I think to play you here is the toughest challenge in this sport.”

“It was tough, but it was lots of fun,” she added.

Paolini’s transformation this season into a player capable of challenging for the biggest prizes stemmed in part from quashing the mindset she needed “a miracle” to beat the best in the sport.

Yet the odds were heavily stacked against her going into the final, with Swiatek unbeaten at Roland Garros since a 2021 quarter-final loss to Maria Sakkari.

Swiatek takes charge

Riding a 20-match winning streak in Paris, and a winner of 18 straight matches this year after titles in Madrid and Rome, Swiatek quickly set about her business.

She powered an ace to hold in the opening game and had Paolini backpedaling down break point, but the Italian ground out a gutsy hold and then broke Swiatek when the Pole flayed a forehand long.

That triggered a searing riposte from Swiatek, who broke to love to get back on serve and then surged 4-2 in front after Paolini coughed up a costly double-fault.

“I got broken at the beginning, so it wasn’t maybe perfect, but I think the level was pretty high,” said Swiatek.

She had her opponent constantly scurrying around the court and the errors began to stack up for Paolini, who conceded the first set with a weak groundstroke into the net.

With Swiatek firmly in the ascendancy, Paolini looked lost for answers as the top seed oozed confidence and repeatedly took control of the rallies.

Had it not been for an astonishing recovery against Osaka in the second round, Swiatek would have suffered her earliest exit at the French Open.

Instead that fright served to ignite her title aspirations, reigning Wimbledon and US Open champions — Marketa Vondrousova and Coco Gauff — in particular powerless to stop the Swiatek offensive.

Swiatek had difficulty putting away Karolina Muchova last year when heavily fancied, but there was no such trouble 12 months on as the Pole dismantled Paolini to underline her burgeoning status as the ‘Queen of Clay’.

The three games won by Paolini were the fewest in the final here since Henin obliterated Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-2 in 2007, which also coincided with the Belgian’s fourth Roland Garros title in five years.

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.

Eleora Avanzado, Euan Ramos lead Ironkids Subic winners

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Euan Ramos and Eleora Avanzado crossing the finish line at the Choco Hero Ironkids 2024. –HANDOUT PHOTO

Eleora Avanzado and Euan Ramos showcased remarkable performances, leading their respective divisions in the premier age category of the Choco Hero Ironkids race on Saturday at Subic Bay Boardwalk.

Avanzado raced for a total time of 26:34 over the 250-meter swim, 6-kilometer bike, and 2km run event to rule the girls’ 13-14 division, edging Celinda Raagas in a close finish.

Raagas registered a total time of 26:49 to come in second in the race which served as a prelude to Sunday’s premier full-distance Ironman Philippines and the IM 70.3 Subic Bay races.

READ: Young bets take spotlight as Ironkids unfolds

Ramos, meanwhile, dominated the boys’ 13-14 division from start to finish, posting a total time of 22:37 (03:11 in the swim, 10:52 in the bike, and 06:51 in the run), outpacing Joan Marcelo, who finished with a time of 24:05. David Mora claimed third place with a time of 24:31.

This marks Ramos’ fifth victory in the Ironkids, highlighting his determination to not only become a leading triathlete but also a Youth Olympian.

“My dream is to become a Youth Olympian,” said Ramos, a student at Small World Christian School in Benguet, Baguio. “It’s a rewarding feeling to cross the finish line first again here in Subic.”

Maria Isabella Raagas ruled the girls’ 11-12 category (200m swim, 4km bike, and 1.5km run) with a time of 21:15 while Kurt Cruz led the boys’ race, timing 20:35.

In the relay competitions, Team TriClark Scania and Team NAS Kids topped the girls’ and boys’ categories, respectively, with Team SPED G and Team Olongapo Junior Trackers also securing victories.

Alas Pilipinas men finish 10th in AVC Challenge Cup

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Alas Pilipinas during a game against Thailand in the AVC Challenge Cup in Bahrain.–AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas settled for 10th place anew in the AVC Challenge Cup men’s division after falling to Thailand, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25, 20-25, on Friday evening in Bahrain. 

The Philippines placed 10th in the Challenge Cup for the second straight year as it couldn’t stop Thailand and its captain  Khonhan Amornthep, who unleashed 30 points in their game that lasted one hour and 56 minutes.

Alas skipper Marck Espejo led the charge with 16 points on a 15-of-30 attacking clip, while Jade Disquitado shone as a starting opposite spiker with 14 points.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men beat Indonesia, advance to battle for 9th

Lloyd Josafat also stepped up with nine points including two blocks. Jau Umandal and Kim Malabunga had eight and seven points, respectively. Noel Kampton made the most of his limited playing time in the fourth set with six points.

Setter Owa Retamar remained grateful to their Filipino fans in Bahrain and thousands of livestream viewers back in the Philippines for supporting them despite the 10th-place finish.

“I would like to thank all of the Filipinos, who supported us. We fell short because we had a short preparation,” said Retamar. “We will come back stronger. We’re very happy because of the support and the level of play here in Bahrain. [The teams are] good and they’re strong. That’s why they are on top.

“We need to build our communication, our pattern in blocking, and our attack,” he added.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men eliminated in AVC Challenge Cup

The Filipino Spikers equalized the game to one set apiece with Espejo ending the close second set with a cross-court kill. But Amornthep was too much in the last two sets, where he scored 20. Jenthaisong Supakorn backstopped their captain with 15 points.

The Philippines gave up 31 errors in the match as Thailand, which only had 22 miscues, took advantage of the former’s error-filled game

The Thais finished 9th after failing to defend their Challenge Cup title last year with a new champion will be crowned between semifinalists Qatar, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and South Korea.

The Sergio Veloso-coached squad had a winless Pool A after losing to World No.32 China and host Bahrain.

Alas drew from its bench players Disquitado and Nico Almendras to advance to the battle for ninth after beating the young Indonesia team in the classification round.

Kyrie Irving has rough opener after boos in Boston

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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving heads toward the bench during the first half of Game 1 of the basketball team’s NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON — Kyrie Irving dribbled the ball off his foot, and the Boston fans erupted in cheers. He lost his footing on another turnover, and the crowd went wild.

Even just bringing the ball up the court drew boos from the locals, who haven’t forgiven Irving for opting out of his Celtics contract after the 2019 playoffs. If the Mavericks point guard was hoping to quiet the Boston fans with a big game in the opener of the NBA Finals, it didn’t quite go that way.

Irving scored 12 points on 6-for-19 shooting, missing all five 3-point attempts and turning the ball over three times as Boston beat Dallas 107-89 on Thursday night. Irving had two assists, and Dallas had just nine in all; only once has a team had fewer in the NBA Finals in the last 55 years.

READ: Kyrie Irving’s reflective side front and center in run to NBA Finals

It was Irving’s 11th straight loss to the Celtics.

“It’s not the first time I’ve lost in Boston. I don’t want to continue to make it a habit,” Irving said. “They have had my number a little bit.”

An eight-time All-Star who teamed with LeBron James to help Cleveland win the 2016 NBA title, Irving has since come to be known as much for outlandish opinions as anything he did on the court.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving NBA Finals Celtics vs Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, center, and guard Luka Doncic, top left, watch from the bench as the Mavericks trail the Celtics during the second half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

He blew up his relationship with James when he left Cleveland, and then also left Boston on bad terms. Then the player who questioned whether the earth was round sidelined himself for home games in Brooklyn rather than get a COVID-19 vaccine.

But Irving has been a model teammate in Dallas, and has even admitted to some of his previous shortcomings.

Not that the Boston fans will ever let him forget it.

“Being in this environment, I’m used to it at this point,” Irving said. “Over the past few years in the playoffs here, regular season, it’s been the same thing. I thought I was going to be a little louder in here. But I’m expecting the same things. Going to Game 2, crowd trying to get me out of my element.”

Irving spent two seasons with the Celtics, missing the 2018 playoffs with an injury as Boston made it to the Eastern Conference finals. A healthy Irving the next year was supposed to set the stage for many years of long postseason runs.

But the Celtics lost in the second round the following year, and then Irving – who’d professed his love for the city – opted out of his contracts. His returns since then have been ugly: a fan threw a water bottle at him after a 2021 playoff game; a year later, he cursed at and gave the middle finger to the crowd, for which he was fined.

“It’s not the booing. It’s not the missed shots. It’s more or less just our attitude and how we approach it,” Irving said. “I haven’t had the best games offensively this playoff run. … Now it’s our turn to go through it together. And that’s what makes it exciting.”

READ: Porzingis returns, Celtics open NBA Finals with big win over Mavericks

Compared to previous visits, Thursday’s game was tame.

Irving was booed at introductions, and otherwise welcomed with a variety of vulgar chants. But most of the focus was on the game.

And that was the problem.

“I thought he had great looks that just didn’t go down,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “He had some great looks at 3. He had some great looks in the paint. That’s just part of basketball. Sometimes they go in. Sometimes they don’t. Tonight, they just didn’t go down for Kai or most of the team, and hopefully we get those same shots in Game 2 and we can be better.”

Boston opened a 29-point lead in the first half, only to see Dallas score the last seven points of the second quarter and then go on a 20-6 run early in the third. With a chance to make it a two-possession game, Dereck Lively II traveled, and then Irving did the same.

A missed 3-pointer and a pair of missed shots underneath by Irving helped Boston extend the lead back to 22 points, 86-64.

And the Mavericks were never in the game after that.

“We did cut it to eight and got the rebound and unfortunately came up with a travel,” Kidd said. “A lot of good things in that third and fourth that we can build on. That’s what we talked about after the game and that’s what we have to do.”

Ramos holds sway and breaks through

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Sean Ramos celebrates maiden pro triumph. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Using another hot front nine to open his round, Sean Ramos on Friday fired a five-under-par 67 to rule the ICTSI Lakewood Championship for his first win on the Philippine Golf Tour carved out against some of the circuit’s best and seasoned players.

Protecting a one-shot lead to start the final round, Ramos drained four of his five birdies in a six-hole span starting on No. 3, before picking up a clutch shot on No. 16 that snuffed out the challenge put up by Reymon Jaraulla for an eventual 270 tally and a two-shot win.

“I can’t put into words how I feel right now,” the 20-year-old Ramos, who had several flings with a win in this young season, said. “This victory means so much to me after coming close several times before.”

Jaraulla also had a 67, but will look back at a bogey on the 16th as his downfall, even as Antonio Lascuña closed out with a 69 to finish third three strokes behind.

Ramos’ week was made in the first nine holes of the well-manicured layout, where he shot a total of 16 total birdies without a single bogey on all four days. He was also bogey-less in the final two rounds, the only player to do so.

“I handled the pressure well and enjoyed every moment of the competition,” added Ramos, also a contender at Palos Verdes and the Philippine Masters at Villamor. “I played strategically.”

Japan’s Ozeki Kakeru fired a 68 to finish a stroke behind Lascuña, with Art Arbole returning a day-best 66 to salvage fifth, seven strokes off the champion.

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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