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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.”

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.

Long-promised national athletes’ dorm rising soon

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PSC chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann attends the PSA Forum. –PSA PHOTO

The Philippine Sports Commission under Richard Bachmann will finally start the long-delayed structure that will house national athletes, a project worth an estimated P100 million which will show how valued the country’s national bets are.

A seven-floor building that will include the dormitories of the athletes plus training venues inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila now has the funding, and Bachmann said that public bidding for the project is now open with the PSC hoping to have the groundbreaking in August.

“We have already made the preliminary requirements like soil testing and we hope to have the groundbreaking of the new facility in August,’’ said Bachmann.

The athletes’ living quarters have been a well-documented sorry story, and this is what Bachmann hopes to change.

The concept of building the athletes’ quarters and training venues under one roof inside the historic sports complex began during the administration of the President Benigno Aquino III over a decade ago, but never materialized.

Bachmann expressed gratitude to Sen. Pia Cayetano, who inserted the P100 million in the government sports agency’s general appropriations for this year.

The new structure, according to Bachmann, can house at least 180 national athletes.

Marcio dagger has changed complexion of series

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Marcio Lassiter is more focused on the Beermen’s title bid than he is on his chase of a cherished league record. —PBA IMAGES

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.

“We just knew if I get to my spot and just read the defense—that was all I really needed,” he told reporters on the heels of the 95-94 escape act fashioned out before a decent-sized crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“Anytime I can get a good look and see the rim, I really feel like I [can hit it]. I’ve done it a few times before so I just tried to stay poised,” he added.

Lassiter is a holdover of San Miguel’s fabled starting unit dubbed the “Death Five.” Him, Chris Ross, along with reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo are all shooting for their 11th PBA crown.

Teammate Jericho Cruz believes that winning so much in the past has sharpened Lassiter for such clutch situations.

“They’ve been here long enough. They’ve been in the league for quite a while. I bet we can no longer count the number of game-winning shots he has made,” the sparkplug guard said of Lassiter, a 13-year veteran.

CJ Perez’s equally resilient performance set the stage up for the game-winner, as the spitfire guard was also having a rough shooting by going 11-for-27 before hitting a triple of his own that allowed the Beermen to pull within one, 93-92, with 22 seconds to go.

Perez wound up with a career playoff-high 34 points, while Lassiter had six.

“[Marcio], Chris, June Mar, right? For me, as long as they’re inside, we’re confident that we could win the game,” Cruz went on. “I just hope this goes on until we become champions again.”

Unlimited height for next season’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup

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PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial during a press conference before the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 1. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—There will be some notable changes in the PBA’s rules when it comes to imports next season.

The Commissioner’s Cup will now allow unlimited height for imports, scrapping the previously imposed limit of a 6-foot-9, according to league chief Willie Marcial.

This change could pave the way for the likes of former Gilas Pilipinas player Andray Blatche and ex-NBA standout Dwight Howard to suit up for teams in the mid-season tournament.

READ: PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial: Fans are not leaving

“The board has agreed with my proposal to have unlimited height for the Commissioner’s Cup,” said Marcial before Game 1 of the PBA Finals last Wednesday, also announcing that the PBA is returning to the three-conference format: Governors’ Cup, Commissioner’s Cup then Philippine Cup.

The other import conference–the Governors’ Cup, which will usher in the new PBA season on August 8–will remain with a cap of 6-foot-6 for the reinforcements.

There will also be a whole new format for the first conference, adding more flavor to the upcoming season.

The 12 PBA teams will be divided into two pools. Teams in each pool with play in a double round-robin format while facing the other pool’s teams once in the elimination round.

READ: PBA’s problem: Translating large TV viewers into live audience

The playoffs format will have the same implications, minus the twice-to-beat advantages.

“There’ll be a new format. Governors Cup will have six and six [teams] in two groups… They’ll face their group mates twice and the other side’s teams once for a crossover. Quarterfinals will be best-of-five, semifinals will be a best-of-seven and Finals will be best-of-seven.”

“The other two conferences remain the same. Single round.”

Marcial also said he proposed the possibility of teams having two imports for the Commissioner’s Cup if the PBA successfully invites a guest team.

“There’s a proposal to maybe have two imports. It’s still a ‘maybe’ now because it will depend on whether a guest team would join, “Marcial said.

“Teams will have two imports if the team we’re talking to right now agrees to join. It’ll be a foreign team and we’re still talking.”

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.

Caitlin Clark left off USA Basketball team for Paris Olympics

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FILE–Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark ( 22) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Caitlin Clark won’t be headed to the Paris Olympics, according to a person familiar with the decision.

The person, who provided the full roster to The Associated Press, spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because no official announcement has been made.

The decision was first reported by The Athletic.

Clark does have some international experience with USA Basketball at a younger level, but she wasn’t able to make the national training camp in Cleveland after she was invited because she was leading Iowa to the Final Four. Clark finished her career as the NCAA’s Division I all-time scoring leader.

TEAM: Caitlin Clark named to Team USA training roster

Clark, now a rookie with the Indiana Fever, has drawn millions of new fans to women’s basketball in her college career and also in her young WNBA career.

While Clark won’t be headed to Paris, the U.S. is expected to take five-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi for a sixth Olympics. Taurasi will be joined by Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner.

This will be Griner’s first time playing internationally since she was detained in a Russian prison for 10 months in 2022. She said she’ll only play abroad with USA Basketball.

READ: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever hope break can help turn around season

Joining the pair will be Olympic veterans Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who helped the U.S. win the inaugural 3×3 gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, will also be on the team.

A bunch of first time Olympians will be on the team with Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kahleah Copper. All three played on the American team which won the World Cup in Australia in 2022.

The U.S. women have won every gold medal in women’s basketball since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Taurasi, who turns 42 before the Paris Games begin, will break the record for most Olympics played in the sport of basketball. Five players, including former teammate Sue Bird, have competed in five.

The U.S. team will get together to train for a few days in Phoenix in July. Then its off to London for an exhibition game against Germany before heading to France.

The Americans will play Japan, Belgium and Germany in pool play at the Olympics.

Marcio Lassiter just needed small opening for winner

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Meralco Bolts’ Marcio Lassier during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 2 against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—Just a clear look at the basket. That was all Marcio Lassiter needed to bring the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel and Meralco to a 1-1 deadlock

At the tail-end of a thrilling Game 2 between the Beermen and the Bolts, Meralco held a precarious two-point lead, 94-92, with 20 seconds to go in the fourth.

When San Miguel needed someone to pull them out of the gutter, Marcio Lassiter reminded everyone why he’s closing in on being the player with the most made three-point baskets in the PBA.

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

“Coming down, I was just thinking; if the shot’s there, just take it,” said Lassiter after the 95-94 victory for the Beermen.

“I think CJ (Perez) even told me to be ready when he (Chris Banchero) was at the free throw line. I just knew if I can get to my spot, read the defense and pump fake, I can be open. I got a good look at the basket and that’s all I really need.”

Meralco had several chances to seal the deal and take a 2-0 lead, but the game breaks cost the Bolts big time.

Banchero, who finished with 16 points, could’ve given Meralco a 3-point cushion but split the all-important freebies after Lassiter fouled him in the dying seconds of the game.

Lassiter saw that as the perfect opening—and that’s all “Super Marcio” ever really needs.

“Anytime I can get a good look and see the rim, I really feel like I can make it. A few times before, I was able to stay poised and when given an opportunity, I take it. Credit to CJ for keeping his head up and finding me in the corner.”

READ: PBA record can wait as Marcio Lassiter shoots for another title

Lassiter only finished with six points and before his game-winner, the  Gilas Pilipinas gunner struggled the field with a 1-for-7 shooting clip.

Lassiter understood the situation, saying Meralco had good things in mind by limiting the Beermen from shooting perimeter buckets.

“There’s nothing you can do to stop all of us but you can contain certain things and they wanted to contain some outside shooting today, it seems like… If there was a slither or opening, that’s when I have to be ready and take that shot,” he said.

With the series tied at one game a piece, Lassiter understands that the series is far from over, with both games in the Finals so far, having a point differential of below double digits.

Only one squad will take the 2-1 advantage this Sunday at the same venue, though, and the sharpshooter expects nothing more than another dogfight come Game 3.

“It’s too early. We know it’s going to grind out games this whole series. We can’t expect them to just roll over, they’re a good team. That’s why they’re in the Finals. They’re well-coached and we have to make adjustments.”