Three teams with top four aspirations—TNT Tropang 5G, NLEX Road Warriors, and Magnolia Hotshots—were in action on Friday as the 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continued with a double-header at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Here is a recap of what happened:
TNT Dominates Blackwater, Inches Closer to Top Four Slot
The TNT Tropang 5G are looking ready for that Grand Slam push. Losers of three straight to start the conference, the Tropa have now won six consecutive times, the latest being a 108-82 demolition of the Blackwater Bossing.
Offseason addition Simon Enciso led the way for the Tropang 5G with 19 points on five triples—including two in a big 18-6 run in the second quarter that turned a 36-34 lead to a 54-40 cushion. The Tropa never looked back, pulling away for good thanks to their red-hot three-point shooting.
Kelly Williams backstopped Enciso with 15 points on a trio of triples, while Calvin Oftana dropped 14 points also on a troika of treys. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Poy Erram, and Kim Aurin each scored at least 10 off the TNT bench.
Sedrick Barefield and Christian David, Blackwater’s two bright spots this conference, had 13 apiece for the Bossing, who have lost six straight and dropped to 1-8.
The scores:
TNT (108) – Enciso 19, K.Williams 15, Oftana 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Erram 11, Aurin 10, Pogoy 9, Khobuntin 6, Vosotros 6, Nieto 4, Ebona 2, Heruala 0, Varilla 0
Blackwater (82) – David 13, Barefield 13, Mallilin 9, Ayonayon 9, Ilagan 8, Tratter 6, Chua 6, Caperal 5, Andrade 3, Mitchell 2, Guinto 2, Escoto 2, Corteza 2, Jopia 2, Casio 0
Up Next:
TNT vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on June 8 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
Blackwater vs. Phoenix Fuel Masters on June 11 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
NLEX Shocks Magnolia, Clinches Top 4 Spot
The NLEX Road Warriors came back from as much as a 19-point deficit in the first half to stun the Magnolia Hotshots, 107-99, and clinch a top four slot and the twice-to-beat advantage that comes with it.
Robert Bolick, Xyrus Torres, and Brandon Ramirez led the Road Warriors’ furious fight back, conniving to help NLEX outscore Magnolia 65-38 in the middle two quarters after falling behind 32-15 at the end of one.
Bolick went off for 25 points—including 19 in the second half—on top of 9 rebounds and 5 assists in another all-around effort for NLEX. Torres fired 22, including 12 in the first six minutes of the final quarter to keep the Hotshots at bay. Ramirez added 18 on four triples, while Jonel Policarpio and Javee Mocon chipped in 12 and 10, respectively, for the now league-leading Road Warriors.
Zavier Lucero topscored for Magnolia with 23 points to go along his 12 rebounds, while Ian Sangalang had 21. Jerom Lastimosa and Paul Lee added 17 and 16, respectively, for the skidding Hotshots, who have now lost three of their last four games after starting the conference with six straight wins.
The scores:
NLEX (107) – Bolick 25, Torres 22, Ramirez 18, Policarpio 12, Mocon 10, Alas 9, Bahio 5, Valdez 4, Nieto 2, Semerad 0, Miranda 0, Herndon 0
Magnolia (99) – Lucero 23, Sangalang 21, Lastimosa 17, Lee 16, Ahanmisi 8, Alfaro 4, Dionisio 4, Barroca 2, Navarro 2, Laput 2, Dela Rosa 0
Up Next:
NLEX vs. NorthPort Batang Pier on June 11 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
Magnolia vs. TNT on June 13 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup Continues
The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continues on Saturday when the PBA takes it act down south at the Cagayan de Oro Convention Center. The sole game will be between the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and San Miguel Beermen, and both are gunning for their own spots in the top four.
