The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continued on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with a double-header that featured three contenders for the crown: the San Miguel Beermen, TNT Tropang 5G, and Meralco Bolts. Here’s a recap of the action:
San Miguel Waylays Phoenix as Don Trollano Steps Up Big
Don Trollano atoned for his miserable showing the last time around to power the San Miguel Beermen to a 111-92 demolition of the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Trollano fired a conference-high 21 markers, including 10 in San Miguel’s searing second quarter that saw it extended a slim first quarter lead to a 64-46 cushion going into intermission. CJay Perez topscored for the Beermen with 26 points on top of 5 boards and 4 dimes, while June Mar Fajardo finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists. San Miguel’s bench scored 46 points, 40 more than the 6 it scored in the Beermen’s loss to the TNT Tropang 5G.
Kai Ballungay carried the fight for Phoenix with 23 points, followed by the 16 markers of Ken Tuffin and the 15 points and 9 boards of Jason Perkins.
With the win, San Miguel improved to 4-2, while Phoenix dropped to 2-4.
The scores:
San Miguel (111) – Perez 26, Trollano 21, Fajardo 20, Lassiter 11, Brondial 8, Tautuaa 7, Teng 6, Cruz 5, Ross 4, Calma 3, Teng 2, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0, Tiongson 0
Phoenix (92) – Ballungay 23, Tuffin 16, Perkins 15, Tio 8, Daves 8, Manganti 5, Rivero 5, Camacho 4, Verano 4, Jazul 3, Garcia 1, Alejandro 0, Cullar 0, Soyud 0, Ular 0
Up Next:
San Miguel vs. Terrafirma Dyip on May 18 (Ynares Center – Montalbal)
Phoenix vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on May 16 (PhilSports Arena)
TNT Shuts Off Meralco with Torrid Three-Point Shooting
RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana spearheaded the TNT Tropang 5G to a 101-84 triumph over the Meralco Bolts to climb to 3-3 after starting the conference with three straight defeats.
Pogoy and Oftana combined for 62 points—34 for the former and 28 for the latter—as each hit five triples. Overall, TNT shot 16-for-32 from the arc as it showed the kind of firepower it is capable of dishing out. Rey Nambatac added 13, while Poy Erram chipped in 10.
Cliff Hodge’s 23 points led the way for the Bolts, who were actually ahead, 72-69, going to the fourth quarter. Chris Newsome fired 18, Aaron Black scattered 15, and Raymond Almazan had 12 in a losing effort. With the loss, Meralco now drops to 3-4, just a game ahead of Phoenix for the magic eight.
The scores:
TNT (101) – Pogoy 34, Oftana 28, Nambatac 13, Erram 10, Khobuntin 6, Williams 6, Enciso 4, Heruela 0, Varilla 0, Aurin 0
Meralco (84) – Hodge 23, Newsome 18, Black 15, Almazan 12, Quinto 11, Banchero 3, Cansino 2, Bates 0, Jose 0, Maguliano 0, Rios 0
Up Next:
TNT vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on May 21 (Ynares Center – Antipolo)
Meralco vs. Magnolia Chicken Timplados on May 14 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup Continues
The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continues on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. In the first game, the NLEX Road Warriors will look to continue their hot streak when they take on the Terrafirma Dyip, who have lost five straight. In the second game, Meralco will try to bounce back as it faces the unbeaten Magnolia Hotshots.
