Bong Quinto earns PBA Player of the Week honors
Meralco’s Bong Quinto has been named the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period of November 27 to December 1.
Quinto became one of the key factors why the Bolts paraded a 2-0 start in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. He stepped up despite having a persistent knee injury and a string of absences within Meralco’s roster.
“My mindset is to help the team as much as I can,” said Quinto.
Quinto averaged 17.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists for the midseason conference which saw the Bolts prevail over the Phoenix Fuel Masters and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
In a thrilling 111-109 victory over Phoenix at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last November 29, Quinto led Meralco by delivering 14 markers, while also pulling down five boards, and dishing out five dimes.
Two days later at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, he recorded 20 points, four rebounds, and provided four assists in a 121-111 victory over Rain or Shine as import Akil Mitchell had to leave early because of a broken nose.
Fellow Bolts Chris Newsome and NorthPort Batang Pier’s Arvin Tolentino were also given strong consideration by members of the media who frequently covered the PBA beat.
Quinto has embraced his new role regardless of his nagging right knee as Meralco started the second conference without key players like Chris Banchero, Allein Maliksi, Brandon Bates, and rookie CJ Cansino.
“The first few games will dictate our conference,” the former Colegio de San Juan de Letran product said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs, and we’ll see what happens next.”
Meralco will look to log their third win against Terrafirma Dyip on Friday, December 6, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) announced on Wednesday, April 2, the final 10 names completing its 50 Greatest Players list, as the league prepares to celebrate its 50th Founding Anniversary on April 9.
Joining the prestigious list are Nelson Asaytono, Jeffrey Cariaso, Rene “Bong” Hawkins Jr., June Mar Fajardo, Abraham Columbus “Abe” King Jr., Daniel Charles “Danny” Seigle, Earl Scottie Thompson, Arnulfo “Arnie” Tuadles, Manuel “Manny” Victorino, and Elpidio “Yoyoy” Villamin.
The PBA first honored its 25 Greatest Players in 2000 as part of its 25th anniversary. The inaugural list featured:
- William “Bogs” Adornado
- Freddie Hubalde
- Robert “Sonny” Jaworski Sr.
- Fortunato “Atoy” Co
- Philip Cezar
- Ramon Fernandez
- Alberto “Abet” Guidaben
- Ricardo Brown
- Allan Caidic
- Venancio “Benjie” Paras
- Alvin Patrimonio
- Renato “Ato” Agustin
- Vergel Meneses
- Johnny Abarrientos
- Kenneth Duremdes
- Francis Arnaiz
- Bernard “Bernie” Fabiosa
- Danilo “Danny” Florencio
- Lim Eng Beng
- Isabelo “Jojo” Lastimosa
- Avelino “Samboy” Lim
- Jerry Codiñera
- Manuel “Manny” Paner
- Ronnie Magsanoc
- Hector Calma
TNT extended the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals to a decisive Game 7 after securing a hard-fought 87-83 victory over Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday night, March 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga bounced back from their Game 5 struggles—where tensions flared between Poy Erram and head coach Chot Reyes—by delivering a composed and determined performance in front of 17,654 fans, the largest PBA crowd in two seasons.
Erram, who was at the center of controversy in the previous game, stepped up when it mattered the most.
The Ateneo de Manila product poured in 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, knocking down crucial baskets, including a three-pointer and a reverse layup, during a pivotal 9-0 run that gave TNT its biggest lead of the night at 72-62. He also calmly sank key free throws in the final minutes to fend off Ginebra’s late surge.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led TNT’s charge with a stellar all-around performance, posting a game-high 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Despite missing two crucial free throws earlier, he redeemed himself by calmly sinking a pair of charities with six seconds left, securing the win as Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson misfired on a desperate four-point attempt.
Rey Nambatac also played a key role, contributing 23 markers, including a crucial four-pointer that put TNT ahead at the end of the third quarter, 63-62—a lead they never relinquished. He also registered five boards and three deflections to earn Best Player of the Game.
Calvin Oftana was also instrumental in the win as he chipped in 14 points, drilling four three-pointers.
On the other side, Justin Brownlee paced Ginebra with 22 markers, seven boards, four dimes, and two rejections but struggled with ball security, committing a game-high seven turnovers.
Thompson managed 12 points but shot 4-of-11, while RJ Abarrientos, returning to action, added 12 markers on 5-of-7 shooting.
The PBA last saw a Game 7 championship showdown in the 2022-2023 Commissioner’s Cup when Ginebra defeated the Bay Area Dragons before a record crowd of 54,589 at the Philippine Arena.
With the best-of-seven series now tied at 3-3, TNT and Ginebra will battle for the championship in a high-stakes Game 7 showdown on Friday, March 28, at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
TNT 87 – Hollis-Jefferson 29, Nambatac 23, Oftana 14, Erram 14, Khobuntin 4, Pogoy 3, Heruela 0, Aurin 0, Williams 0.
GINEBRA 83 – Brownlee 22, Thompson 12, Abarrientos 12, Holt 11, J. Aguilar 11, Malonzo 6, Rosario 6, Ahanmisi 3.
Quarter Scores: 22-22; 38-42; 63-62; 87-83.
Barangay Ginebra inched closer to another PBA championship after a hard-fought 73-66 win over TNT in Game 5 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night, March 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee took charge in the final minutes, scoring the Gin Kings’ last 12 points while their teammates locked down the Tropang Giga defensively.
With under four minutes remaining and Ginebra trailing by one, Thompson hit a crucial jumper to give his team a 67-66 edge. From there, star import Brownlee took over, extending the lead and sealing the pivotal 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven series.
“Honestly, we think we all knew from our side that Justin was struggling with his hand a bit more today than the last game and so everybody had to step up,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
“And even though Justin made big shots down the stretch, it was the inspiration of Scottie that turned the tide for us. We didn’t play a good first half. The first half was like in second gear. We knew at halftime we had to step it up to a higher gear to have a chance,” he added.
TNT struggled to respond, failing to convert a single field goal after Rey Nambatac’s free throws at the 4:25 mark.
Despite late attempts from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Glen Khobuntin, and RR Pogoy following an RJ Abarrientos turnover with 25.2 seconds left, the Tropang Giga couldn’t capitalize, allowing Ginebra to escape with the win.
Brownlee, despite dealing with a right thumb injury, led Ginebra with 18 points on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting, adding 14 rebounds and five assists.
Thompson led the local unit with a double-double output of 16 markers, 10 boards, and five dimes, while Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 11 apiece.
On the other hand, RHJ paced TNT with 19 points but struggled with his efficiency, making just seven of 26 attempts from the field. Nambatac also recorded 19 markers built on three triples.
Calvin Oftana, Kim Aurin, and Pogoy each scored eight points, but their efforts weren’t enough to regain control of the series after holding a 2-1 lead earlier.
With the 3-2 series lead, Ginebra now has the chance to close out the finals and capture the championship on Wednesday, March 26, at the same venue in Quezon City.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 73 – Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, J.Aguilar 11, Ahanmisi 11, Rosario 6, Malonzo 6, Holt 3, Abarrientos 2, Tenorio 0
TNT 66 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Oftana 8, Pogoy 8, Aurin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Williams 0, Exciminiano 0, Khobuntin 0
Quarter Scores: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66