The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continued on Friday with three teams vying for the top four and twice-to-beat slots in action—Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, NLEX Road Warriors, Converge FiberXers—along with a team trying to stay alive in the Blackwater Bossing. Here’s what went down:
NLEX Squeaks by Converge for Sixth Straight Win
Robert Bolick and Xyrus Torres connived to power the NLEX Road Warriors to a 88-83 triumph over the Converge FiberXers for their sixth straight victory after an opening-day loss.
Bolick finished with 19 points and 10 assists and had a crucial five-point cluster down the stretch to help NLEX overcome the FiberXers’ stiff challenge. Torres added 18 markers, while Jayvee Mocon and Anthony Semerad chipped in 10 apiece for the Road Warriors, who built as much as a 76-58 lead in the third. Converge clawed back late and came within 83-80 before Bolick sprang to life and scored five consecutive to restore order.
Justine Baltazar led the way for Converge with another double-double as he finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Alec Stockton added 17, while Schonny Winston scattered 16 for the FiberXers, who dropped to 5-4, just ahead of the Meralco Bolts for seventh place.
The scores:
NLEX (88) – Bolick 19, Torres 18, Mocon 10, Semerad 10, Bahio 9, Ramirez 8, Fajardo 6, Alas 5, Herndon 3, Nieto 0
Converge (83) – Baltazar 21, Stockton 17, Winston 16, Arana 12, Garcia 9, Delos Santos 3, Suerte 3, Corpuz 2, Nermal 0, Caralipio 0, Racal 0, R. Santos 0, B. Santos 0
Up Next:
NLEX vs. Meralco on May 25 (PhilSports Arena)
Converge vs. Terrafirma Dyip on May 28 (PhilSports Arena)
Ginebra Escapes Blackwater Thanks to Japeth Aguilar
Japeth Aguilar fired 22 points, 6 boards, and the game-winner to stake Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to a 101-99 triumph over the Blackwater Bossing.
It was a close match throughout as the Bossing put up an inspired effort, never letting Ginebra zoom ahead and having an answer to the crowd darlings’ every run—including Troy Mallilin’s game-tying triple that knotted things up at 99 with time down to less than 20 seconds. That set up Ginebra’s final play, with Thompson driving left and dishing out to a wide-open Aguilar for the game-winning corner jumper.
Thompson’s game-winning dime was his 10th of the game to go along his 18 points—8 of which came in an early third quarter blitz that gave Ginebra a 54-45 lead. Troy Rosario added 18, while Jamie Malonzo came away with 15 markers, 14 boards, and 5 assists.
Sedrick Barefield led all scorers with 32, while RK Ilagan exploded for 24—including 10 in the tail-end of the third. Christian David chipped in 15 and Mallilin finished with 9.
With the win, Ginebra climbed to 5-2 and solidified its push for the top four. Blackwater, in contrast, dropped to 1-6 and is in danger of being eliminated already.
The scores:
Ginebra (101) – J.Aguilar 22, Thompson 18, Rosario 18, Malonzo 15, Holt 13, Abarrientos 8, Adamos 4, David 3, Gray 0
Blackwater (99) – Barefield 32, Ilagan 24, David 15, Mallilin 9, Escoto 8, Casio 3, Jopia 2, Guinto 2, Tratter 2, Chua 2, Andrade 0, Mitchell 0
Up Next:
Ginebra vs. Meralco on May 30 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Blackwater vs. San Miguel Beermen on May 25 (PhilSports Arena)
2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup Continues on the Road
The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continues on Saturday with an out-of-town offering to the people of Ilocos Sur. The Magnolia Hotshots, tied with NLEX for the top spot in the standings, will go up against a struggling NorthPort Batang Pier that are playing without their superstar forward, Arvin Tolentino.
