Action in the 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday featured just one team—Rain or Shine Elasto Painters—that will make the playoffs as the three others—Terrafirma Dyip, Phoenix Fuel Masters, and NorthPort Batang Pier—have already been eliminated. Here’s a recap of the games at the PhilSports Arena:
Rain or Shine Holds Off Terrafirma to Stay in Top Four Hunt
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters withstood a gutsy stand by the Terrafirma Dyip to notch a 95-84 victory—their sixth as against three losses.
Jhonard Clarito and Andrei Caracut led the way for Rain or Shine with 12 and 11 points, respectively. They also connived in a telling 7-0 blitz that turned a slim 83-80 lead down the stretch to a 90-80 cushion with 1:40 remaining. Leonard Santillan, Francis Escandor, and Anton Asistio chipped in 10 apiece to help the Elasto Painters hold off the hard-fighting Dyip.
Louie Sangalang, who has been having a breakout conference for Terrafirma, led all scorers with 22. Stanley Pringle added 18 to become the 100th and latest member of the PBA’s 5,000-point club.
The scores:
Rain or Shine (94) – Clarito 12, Caracut 11, Santillan 10, Escandor 10, Asistio 10, Mamuyac 9, Datu 8, Nocum 7, Ildefonso 7, Tiongson 3, Norwood 3, Porter 2, Malonzo 2
Terrafirma (85) – Sangalang 22, Pringle 18, Nonoy 10, Hernandez 8, Ramos 7, Catapusan 7, Melecio 5, Paraiso 5, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 0, Olivario 0
Up Next:
Rain or Shine vs. San Miguel Beermen on June 6 (Cagayan de Oro City Convention Center)
Terrafirma vs. Blackwater Bossing on June 8 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
Phoenix Fights Off NorthPort in Calvin Abueva Debut
An inspired Phoenix Fuel Masters put up a gallant fight in beating the NorthPort Batang Pier, 118-107, amid one of their own—JC Cullar—grieving the loss of a father.
Jason Perkins typified Phoenix’s inspired effort with a team-high 26 points, followed by Kai Balunggay chipping in 17 and Ken Tuffin and Ricci Rivero each pouring in 14. Cullar, whom the team allowed to leave in the wake of his father’s passing, stayed and played, finishing with 4 points and 4 assists.
Joshua Munzon led the way for NorthPort with a game-high 32 points. Calvin Abueva, acquired from the Magnolia Hotshots a couple of weeks ago, made his debut for the Batang Pier and finished with 18 points and 7 rebounds.
The scores:
Phoenix (118) – Perkins 26, Ballungay 17, Tuffin 14, Rivero 14, Jazul 10, Tio 9, Verano 8, Garcia 5, Soyud 4, Cullar 4, Manganti 3, Camacho 2, Ular 2, Daves 0, Alejandro 0
NorthPort (107) – Munzon 32, Abueva 18, Cuntapay 15, Flores 9, Bulanadi 8, Jalalon 7, Nava 7, Balanza 4, Taha 3, Kwekuteye 2, Yu 2, Onwubere 0, Nelle 0
Up Next:
Phoenix vs. Blackwater on June 13 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
NorthPort vs. NLEX Road Warriors on June 11 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup Continues
The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continues on Friday with three teams fighting for the top four—TNT Tropang 5G, Magnolia Hotshots, and NLEX Road Warriors—all in action. In the first game, TNT will stake their five-game winning run versus the Blackwater Bossing. In the second game, Magnolia will try to bounce back from their loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel when they take on NLEX.
