The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup semis got underway on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena with the Grand Slam-seeking TNT Tropang 5G going up against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel taking on the San Miguel Beermen. Here’s what happened:
Tropang 5G Survive Rain or Shine as RR Pogoy Delivers Two-Way Masterclass
RR Pogoy put on an offensive and defensive masterclass to power the TNT Tropang 5G to a 98-91 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to take a 1-0 lead in their semis bracket.
The veteran Pogoy fired 13 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter to help the Tropang 5G weather everyone of Rain or Shine’s spirited rallies, including one where they got to within 73-72. He also hounded the high-flying Adrian Nocum to a quiet 13 points that saw him start 1-for-7 from the field.
While Pogoy led the way, other Tropang 5G stepped up big time as well, notably Poy Erram, who finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who put up 13 points and 10 rebounds. The two big men were also at the forefront of the Tropang 5G’s searing third quarter, when they outscored Rain or Shine 22-17 to enter the fourth at the driver’s seat.
Andrei Caracut led Rain or Shine with 16 points and led one final, frantic rally that saw the Elasto Painters cut down an 88-79 lead to 94-91. But steady free throw shooting from Calvin Oftana and a Yeng Guiao technical in the endgame snuffed of any chance of a Rain or Shine triumph.
The scores:
TNT (98) – Pogoy 28, Erram 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Enciso 12, Oftana 12, Heading 11, Khobuntin 6, Williams 0, Galinato 0, Aurin 0, Vosotros 0
Rain or Shine (91) – Caracut 16, Clarito 14, Nocum 13, Tiongson 12, Norwood 12, Mamuyac 6, Malonzo 6, Santillan 5, Porter 4, Datu 3, Asistio 0
Ginebra Ekes Out Close Win vs. San Miguel with Big Comeback
Just as it looked like Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will get run out of the gym, that familiar never-say-die spirit kicked in to push the crowd darlings to a 73-71 victory over nemesis San Miguel Beermen.
Things looked bleak for Ginebra in the second quarter, when San Miguel went on a 14-0 run to build a 43-25 advantage. But Team NSD, led by Scottie Thompson and seldom-used reserves Raymond Aguilar and Jeremiah Gray, charged back, cutting that 18-point deficit to 43-37 before settling for a 45-37 score going to intermission.
The two teams then went toe-to-toe in the second half, with neither giving an in what turned out to be a battle of attrition and a defensive struggle between two usually high-scoring squads. Ginebra then made their move down the stretch, unleashing a game-sealing 12-2 salvo that turned a 69-61 deficit to a 73-71 win.
Part of that searing run was a Stephen Holt three—his first made shot of the game—that finally gave Ginebra the lead, 70-69. San Miguel retook the lead, 71-70, on a CJay Perez scoop shot, but Ginebra went back ahead on two freebies from Troy Rosario. One final defensive stand sealed Game 1 for the crowd darlings.
Japeth Aguilar led the way for Ginebra with 18 points and 9 rebounds, while Thompson finished with 16 markers and 8 boards. Rosario had 7 point only but hit the marginal free throws and got a crucial offensive rebound in the final 5 seconds–one of his 9 offensive boards. Perez led all scorers with 21 points, while Juami Tiongson and Jericho Cruz each had 12. June Mar Fajardo, who was hounded by what appeared to be a right calf injury, still put up 6 points and 19 rebounds.
The scores:
Ginebra (73) – J. Aguilar 18, Thompson 16, Malonzo 14, Rosario 7, R. Aguilar 6, Holt 4, Abarrientos 2, Pinto 2, Gray 2, Adamos 2, Ahanmisi 0, David 0
San Miguel (71) –Perez 21, Tiongson 12, Cruz 12, Trollano 9, Fajardo 6, Ross 5, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Brondial 0, Tautuaa 0, Calma 0
2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup Semis Continue
The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup semis will continue on Friday with Game 2 of the TNT-Rain or Shine and Ginebra-San Miguel series. The games will be played at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, with Ginebra taking on the Beermen in the first game, followed by the Tropang 5G going up against the Elasto Painters in the main game.
