Tag: Miguel

PBA Finals Game 5 San Miguel vs Meralco

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2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals schedule (Game 5)

Smart Araneta Coliseum

7:30pm – San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts

FULL SCHEDULE HERE.

PBA Finals: Meralco, San Miguel brace for war with pivotal Game 5 up

San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—There has been a popular notion in basketball that when a best-of-seven duel is tied at 2-2, whoever wins Game 5 wins the series.

While that may have proven true for several series in the past, players from Meralco and San Miguel don’t see the same thing going down in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Just ask Chris Newsome and Chris Ross, who will be leading their respective teams in the now-virtual best-of-three series for the All-Filipino trophy. FULL STORY

PBA Finals: With tiebreaker looming, Meralco tries to dig out more points

Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Producing the best scoring game of his PBA career with 40 points provided little silver lining for Meralco’s Chris Newsome after San Miguel Beer evened things up at 2-2 in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

“It’s great that I scored 40, but the win is definitely more important,” Newsome said after the Game 4 defeat on Wednesday night.

Newsome and the Bolts have another crack at getting a third win, and closer to their first-ever PBA title, in Friday’s pivotal fifth game of the series at Smart Araneta Coliseum. FULL STORY

PBA: Terrence Romeo determined to help San Miguel despite injury

San Miguel Beermen guard Terrence Romeo suits up in PBA Finals Game 4.

San Miguel Beermen guard Terrence Romeo suits up in PBA Finals Game 4. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent commended Terrence Romeo for playing through the pain in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

In the Beermen’s 111-101 conquest of Meralco, Romeo played significant minutes despite nursing an aching calf.

Gallent said that Romeo insisted on playing for the Beermen in hopes of avoiding a 3-1 rut. FULL STORY

PBA: Chris Newsome’s career-best down the drain with Game 4 loss

Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It may have been a career night for Chris Newsome, but that was the last thing on his mind after Meralco Bolts’ ‘ Game 4 loss to San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Newsome scored a career best 40 points  only for the Bolts to lose to the Beermen and have the series pushed back to square one at 2-2.

“They made their adjustments. That’s what a playoff series is all about. They definitely came with a lot more energy today and you certainly saw it,” said Newsome. FULL STORY

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Meralco, San Miguel brace for war ahead of Game 5

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San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—There has been a popular notion in basketball that when a best-of-seven duel is tied at 2-2, whoever wins Game 5 wins the series.

While that may have proven true for several series in the past, players from Meralco and San Miguel don’t see the same thing going down in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Just ask Chris Newsome and Chris Ross, who will be leading their respective teams in the now-virtual best-of-three series for the All-Filipino trophy.

“I’ve seen a lot of crazy things in series,” said Newsome in jest after their 111-101 loss to the Beermen in Game 4 of the Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

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

“You can never count one team out because the goal is to win two now. [It] doesn’t matter how you win two. You can win the first one, lose the second and win the third or lose the first and win two straight.”

The all-important Finals Game 5 is on Friday.

Newsome and the Bolts could’ve avoided the 2-2 deadlock, but the Beermen found their footing just in time to tie their duel again.

Despite Newsome’s career-best 40 points on a waxing-hot 66 percent shooting clip, Meralco wasn’t able to tame the mammoth of a man in June Mar Fajardo.

Take the ‘Beeracle’

San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo steers his team in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo steers his team in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Fajardo, who minutes before the game was awarded as the Best Player of the Conference, proved that he deserved the plum by dropping 28 points and 13 rebounds, pushing San Miguel to knot the series at two games a piece.

Fajardo is no stranger to pressure in big moments. He was, after all, an important part of PBA history with the “Beeracle,” a moment Newsome acknowledged with the series reaching a crescendo after Game 4.

“I always refer back to the Beeracle where they had to win four straight so it’s definitely not impossible to pull it off if you don’t win that one (Game 5) but it really comes down to who plays great basketball, who hits shots and who’s more focused,” said the Gilas guard.

Moments after Newsome’s exit from the Big Dome, Chris Ross emerged out of San Miguel’s dugout.

READ: PBA Finals: Shackled June Mar Fajardo key to Meralco success

His squad took an important win, sure, but Ross wasn’t displaying much of a happy face.

Like Newsome, he too doesn’t believe that whoever wins the fifth game wins the best-of-seven clash.

“It’s first to four however you can get there, however you get it. We knew this was going to be a long series,” said a focused Ross.

“We know they’re a good team and we’re a good team as well. They’re fighting for their first chip and we’re fighting to keep the trophy,” he added.

Ross didn’t have much of an impact offensively with six points, only one out of his six tries from the field.

It is, however, in the intangibles where Ross affected the game positively for the Beermen. He dropped six assists to his teammates in the statement win, opening up opportunities when needed for San Miguel. He also snagged four steals, stunning the Meralco front on offense.

But Ross means business in the next games and he doesn’t care how long the Beermen takes to get there, as long as his squad wins their second straight PBA title.

“I really don’t care how long it goes, as long as we win. We’re ready for whatever.”

San Miguel gets back at Meralco to tie series at 2-2

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San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo steers his team in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer put the PBA Philippine Cup Finals back on level terms with a collective effort that defeated Meralco, 111-101, Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

June Mar Fajardo had 28 points and 13 rebounds on the night he was hailed the Best Player of the Conference, but there were many players who stepped up in putting the series at two games apiece.

“Credit to Meralco, not only for the way it’s defending me, but the whole team,” Fajardo said.

CJ Perez produced 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Marcio Lassiter knocked down 18 points on four threes, but among the vital reasons for San Miguel’s triumph was the decision to insert Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel.

San Miguel Beermen guard Terrence Romeo suits up in PBA Finals Game 4.

San Miguel Beermen guard Terrence Romeo suits up in PBA Finals Game 4. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Manuel scored eight points in seven minutes while Romeo had seven points. Both players saw action for the first time in the PBA Finals.

Game 5 is set Friday at the same venue, with the winner gaining a 3-2 lead and closer to ending Season 48 with a championship.

The Beermen won despite allowing Bolts leader Chris Newsome to score a career-high 40 points.

Chris Banchero, Cliff Hodge and Brandon Bates also stepped up, but the lack of supporting cast hounded Meralco, which spent the Independence Day clash trying to catch up after trailing 23-9 at the start.

Allein Maliksi, Bong Quinto and Raymond Almazan struggled from the field.

Meralco’s closest gap was two during the third, but San Miguel had every answer to the Bolts’ resistance.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 111—Fajardo 28, Perez 22, Lassiter 18, Tautuaa 9, Trollano 8, Manuel 8, Romeo 7, Ross 6, Cruz 5, Brondial 0, Teng 0.

MERALCO 101—Newsome 40, Banchero 21, Hodge 17, Maliksi 9, Quinto 6, Bates 4, Almazan 2, Rios 2, Caram 0, Torres 0.

Quarters: 29-22, 51-40, 82-74, 111-101.

Terrence Romeo determined to help San Miguel despite injury

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San Miguel Beermen guard Terrence Romeo suits up in PBA Finals Game 4. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent commended Terrence Romeo for playing through the pain in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

In the Beermen’s 111-101 conquest of Meralco, Romeo played significant minutes despite nursing an aching calf.

Gallent said that Romeo insisted on playing for the Beermen in hopes of avoiding a 3-1 rut.

“Terrence played well but I’m sure he’s not healthy yet but the kid just wants to win and help the team, that’s why he played now,” said Gallent at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

“[He’s still listed as] day-by-day. He just decided to play because he really wanted to help the team.”

In just 18 minutes of action, Romeo delivered like he wasn’t in pain with seven points, three assists and a rebound.

Still listed as day-to-day by San Miguel, Gallent said he’s just happy with how Romeo is treating the PBA Finals series even with an injury.

“I’m very happy that that’s his mentality. He talked to me yesterday and said he’ll try it and in case I bring him inside, he’ll give his 110, which he did now.”

“I told him, if there’s a chance that I can bring you inside, can you play at least a hundred percent? He did it today. Very happy that he followed the instructions.”

San Miguel teammates in collision course for PBA MVP plum

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June Mar Fajardo’s selection as the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) for the PBA Philippine Cup has officially made the MVP derby for Season 48 a two-pronged race between him and San Miguel Beer teammate CJ Perez.

Fajardo’s record 10th BPC which he claimed before Wednesday’s Game 4 of the all-Filipino title series between the Beermen and the Bolts may either put the 6-foot-10 center closer to an unprecedented eighth MVP plum and make it hard for Perez to nab the prestigious plum for the first time.

Perez was named BPC of the Commissioner’s Cup when San Miguel took down Magnolia in six games last February.

Teammates battling for the most coveted individual honor are not common cases, but have happened in past seasons.

Among them were San Miguel’s Danny Ildefonso and Danny Seigle in 2000 and 2001, with the former ending up winning the award on both occasions.

Red Bull’s Willie Miller edged out Davonn Harp in 2002 for his first of two MVP plums and Purefoods’ James Yap prevailing over two others, including fellow Chunkee Giant Kerby Raymundo in 2006. In 1997, Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codinera, best friends who anchored Purefoods’ title runs, engaged in what was then one of the closest races for the award.

Fajardo became the cinch for the BPC award after early pacesetter Robert Bolick of NLEX saw his team being swept by Meralco in the quarterfinals. Bolick’s bid fizzled out despite outstanding numbers, particularly on the offensive end.

Terrafirma rookie Stephen Holt, a key fixture in the Dyip’s dream playoff run that nearly saw themselves score an upset over the Beermen in the quarters, was another BPC contender.

Disqualified

Fajardo, the gentle giant and longtime San Miguel cornerstone, compiled 1,100 points based on statistics and votes from media and players, with Holt placing second with 651 followed by Bolick in third with 641.

Perez was named the BPC of the season’s lone import-laden tournament, partly due to Fajardo being disqualified after failing to garner at least 70 percent of San Miguel’s Commissioner’s Cup games by the end of the semifinals.

Fajardo eventually got into the top of the MVP race after the Beermen defeated the Magnolia Hotshots for the Commissioner’s Cup title, when he finally got enough games to be eligible for any individual honors.

Interestingly, Fajardo didn’t miss any action during the conference despite being bothered by a calf injury in the early goings.Perez, however, has stayed consistent in the Philippine Cup, though he wound up just fourth in the conference’s BPC tally with 503 points.

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.”

San Miguel just ‘better in the end’ says Luigi Trillo

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Coach Luigi Trillo at the Meralco Bolts’ bench during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco coach Luigi Trillo knew exactly what San Miguel Beer did right in tying the series at 2-2 in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

The Bolts lost their edge in the best-of-seven series with June Mar Fajardo giving the Beermen a strong start that Trillo and his team just couldn’t recover from in Game 4.

“We pushed the pace, we got it a bit close but obviously, they were better in the end,” said the Trillo after the 111-101 loss.

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

“They played with a lot of energy. The two-day break kind of helped them a bit. He (Gallent) had June Mar (Fajardo) going with 18 points in the first half, he really is the MVP and they really went to him.”

Fajardo was instrumental in the San Miguel win as he finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds just hours after winning his 10th Best Player of the Conference award.

The seven-time league MVP also scored 12 of his 28 in the first quarter alone.

But it wasn’t all Fajardo out there for San Miguel, with Vic Manuel and Terrence Romeo fielded by coach Joge Gallent and catching Bolts off guard.

“They have the depth, they scored 111 points, we have a lot to clean up. They all chipped in, they gave us problems with the two-big lineup with Mo and June Mar then they went small with Mo at the five. They have a lot of weapons,” Trillo said.

Romeo, who is still listed as day-to-day with a calf injury, scored seven points with three assists and a rebound for good measure in just 18 minutes of action.

Manuel had significantly fewer minutes with seven but he certainly made the most out of it with eight points and two rebounds.

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

To add to Meralco’s woes, Brandon Bates and Cliff Hodge fouled out in the fourth quarter, leaving the paint open for the Beermen and ending any chance for a comeback for the Bolts.

With the series virtually turning to be a best-of-three, Trillo said he will go back to the drawing board to see what the Bolts can do to avoid losing two straight to San Miguel Beer.

Meralco countering San Miguel depth with defense

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Meralco center Raymond Almazan has been holding it down for the Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco may be leading San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals series through three games, but the Bolts had to go through the wringer just to grab a 2-1 edge.

What makes the Beermen a tough nut to crack is their depth led by seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez.

“In all honesty, it’s hard because you’re going to stop June Mar (Fajardo) then Mo (Tautuaa) will have a good game. Then, there’s Marcio (Lassiter) outside, CJ (Perez) as a slasher. Then, they also have Don (Trollano) and Jericho (Cruz),” said Meralco center Raymond Almazan in Filipino after their 93-89 win in Game 3 on Sunday.

READ: Cliff Hodge: Winning rebound battle key for Meralco in PBA Finals

“We really have to pick our poison but I guess our defense will be the thing that’ll help us win in this series.”

Despite San Miguel’s firepower, Meralco has somehow found a way to gain the upper hand thanks to a balanced effort on both ends.

In Game 3, the Bolts had two players notching double-doubles with Almazan posting 17 points and 13 rebounds and Cliff Hodge collecting 10 points and 13 rebounds while Chris Newsome provided the heroics, scoring 26 points, including the game’s final five points.

Meralco’s defense–with Almazan as one of its anchors–has been stellar as well, holding a star-studded San Miguel crew to an average of 90 points in the first three games.

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

Even Fajardo has had a hard time against the Bolts’ frontcourt of Almazan, Brandon Bates and Hodge.

Though, it’s not been easy for Almazan as well.

“It’s really hard. I think nobody can guard June Mar for 40 minutes or a whole game. Coach told us that if we can play hard defense for forty minutes or so to tire out June Mar, that’ll be our job.”

“That’s really what we have to do to this series to have a better chance of winning.”

San Miguel veered away from brand of play in Game 3

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

MANILA, Philippines—There was nothing technical as to why San Miguel Beer lost to Meralco in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

“Coach (Jorge Gallent) told us that we didn’t play San Miguel basketball. We needed to make more extra passes. That’s what he pointed out,” said June Mar Fajardo in Filipino on Sunday after Game 3 slipped away from the Beermen’s fingertips.

True enough, San Miguel had as many turnovers as assists with 15. Those errors led to 20 turnover points for Meralco.

READ: PBA Finals: ‘Still underdogs’ Meralco Bolts keeping their guards up

The Bolts, on the other hand, played with much better flow on the offensive end with 22 assists and only 10 turnovers.

“They’ve been playing really well throughout this series. This is a long series. We’ll do everything to bounce back next game. It is what it is,” said Fajardo.

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

Fajardo finished with a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds but the seven-time MVP only went 2-of-5 from the field and turned the ball over seven times. In Game 1 where the Beermen also lost, Fajardo committed six turnovers.

“They play good defense. They have a lot of bigs and they rotate so quickly that it gets tiring. We also missed shots that we should’ve made. They had a lot of offensive rebounds. We just really have to improve.”

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