Hey, hoop heads! Glad you're here to catch up on today's action-packed games. We've got a mix of buzzer-beaters, blowouts, and comeback stories in the PBA Playoffs. Can you feel the excitement? Because I sure can.
First up, the San Miguel Beermen faced off against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. These teams are legendary with decades of intense rivalry behind them. Today, Ginebra took it up a notch, winning 102-95. If you've been following, you know Ginebra's coach Tim Cone has 24 PBA championships under his belt. That man's a walking trophy magnet. The Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo, the 6-time MVP, racked up an impressive 24 points and 13 boards, yet it wasn’t enough to stave off Ginebra’s relentless offense.
Next, let’s talk about the TNT Tropang Giga, who took on the Magnolia Hotshots. Magnolia’s defensive efficiency ranked in the upper quartile of the league all season, but today they just couldn’t keep up with TNT’s offensive juggernaut. TNT clinched the game 110-97. Jayson Castro, playing like he's 25 years old again, scored a season-high 29 points. And let's not forget their ace shooter, Roger Pogoy, who sunk 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. When you shoot 67% from three, you're practically unbeatable.
Over to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and NorthPort Batang Pier game. This one was intense. NorthPort won in a nail-biter, 88-87. Robert Bolick sank a clutch three-pointer with just 8.7 seconds left on the clock. We’re talking about a guy averaging 22.7 points per game this season. The Elasto Painters could have taken the game, but their leading scorer Rey Nambatac committed a costly turnover in the final seconds. This is playoff basketball—every possession counts.
For the curious minds wondering how Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters did, they matched up against the Alaska Aces. Alaska defeated Phoenix 105-100, continuing their fairytale run this season. Do you remember when Alaska won the championship in 1996 with “The Last Dance” styled sweep? That’s the kind of nostalgia today’s victory brings. The Aces’ star player Jeron Teng dropped 25 points and facilitated the offense seamlessly, tallying 8 assists. On the Phoenix side, Matthew Wright couldn’t be contained and posted 30 points, yet his efforts went in vain.
If you're looking for updates on Meralco Bolts, sorry to say they had a tough one today. They lost to the NLEX Road Warriors 90-81. NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena showcased why he’s nicknamed "The Phenom," operating at full throttle and contributing 20 points along with 9 assists. Chris Newsome of Meralco tried to rally his team with his 18-point performance, but the Bolts really struggled with their field goal percentage, shooting just 38% overall. You can't win games on such inefficient shooting.
And lastly, fans of the Blackwater Bossing might be a little disappointed, too. They went up against the Terrafirma Dyip and lost 95-88. Terrafirma’s rookie sensation, Roosevelt Adams, went ballistic with 28 points, showing why he’s a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. Blackwater, on the other hand, is in a rebuilding phase and it showed tonight. Their defense was porous, allowing Terrafirma to shoot over 50% from the field.
What was most surprising about today’s slate of games? The sheer number of three-pointers made. Teams combined for a total of 75 successful three-pointers across six games. That’s a lot of long-range fireworks. Maybe it's the evolution of the game or just the players' incredible shooting practices, but seeing that many shots from downtown is jaw-dropping.
Everyone's got their eyes on the next rounds. For a sneak peek into how these playoffs might turn out, remember to tongits apps. This insider access gets you more of the latest, the play-by-play, and so much more. Keep the energy hyped, folks! Basketball is life, and this playoff season is only getting hotter.