The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continued on Saturday with a double-header that featured two more teams—the NorthPort Batang Pier and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters—making their debut. However, they had contrasting fates at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Here’s a recap of the action:
NorthPort Stops Terrafirma Behind Near Triple-Double from Arvin Tolentino
Arvin Tolentino flirted with a triple-double in leading the NorthPort Batang Pier to a commanding 97-75 victory over the Terrafirma Dyip for their first win in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Tolentino, the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference, fired 19 points, hauled down 8 rebounds, and dished off 12 dimes as he continued his fine play in Season 49. Will Navarro added 18 points and 10 boards off the bench as NorthPort raced out to a double-digit lead right in the first quarter and cruised to its first win in the Philippine Cup. Joshua Munzon chipped in 15, while Allyn Bulanadi and Sidney Onuwebere had 10 apiece.
Rookie CJ Catapusan and Kevin Ferrer led the way for Terrafirma with 16 and 15 markers, respectively, while Louie Sangalang and Brent Paraiso contributed 10 each. But the Dyip only got a combined four points from their veteran duo of Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo.
The scores:
NorthPort (97) – Tolentino 19, Navarro 18, Munzon 15, Bulanadi 10, Onwubere 10, Cuntapay 8, Yu 6, Nelle 6, Flores 3, Taha 2, Miranda 0, Tratter 0, Nava 0
Terrafirma (75) – Catapusan 16, Ferrer 15, Sangalang 10, Paraiso 10, Nonoy 9, Ramos 3, Melecio 3, Pringle 2, Romeo 2, Hernandez 2, Olivario 2, Zaldivar 1, Hanapi 0
Up Next:
NorthPort vs. Rain or Shine on April 16 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Terrafirma vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on April 23 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
NLEX Trounces Rain or Shine as Xyrus Torres Erupts for Career-High
Xyrus Torres exploded for a career-best game to spark the NLEX Road Warriors to a 109-95 triumph over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for their first victory in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Torres fired 28 big points on 11-for-12 shooting from the field to lead NLEX to its first win in the Philippine Cup. Robert Bolick backed up his young guard with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists as the Road Warriors bounced back from their loss versus the San Miguel Beermen. Anthony Semerad added 18, while Jayvee Mocon chipped in 12.
Caelan Tiongson, getting a surprise start at center, delivered a team-high 24 points for Rain or Shine, while Santi Santillan had 13. Jhonard Clarito chipped in 12, Adrian Nocum added 11, and Gian Mamuyac put up 10.
The scores:
NLEX (109) – Torres 28, Bolick 23, Semerad 18, Mocon 12, Bahio 8, Nieto 5, Fajardo 5, Ramirez 3, Miranda 2, Policarpio 2, Alas 2, Valdez 1
Rain or Shine (95) – Tiongson 24, Santillan 13, Clarito 12, Nocum 11, Mamuyac 10, Caracut 9, Norwood 6, Malonzo 5, Lemetti 3, Asistio 2, Datu 0
Up Next:
NLEX vx. TNT Tropang Giga on April 23 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Rain or Shine vs. NorthPort on April 16 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup Continues
The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continues later today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The first game will pit the Phoenix Fuel Masters against the Meralco Bolts, while the second game will be a clash between the Converge FiberXers and Blackwater Bossing.
