Castro and Oftana shine as TNT holds off Rain or Shine in Game 1
Jayson Castro turned back the clock as the TNT Tropang Giga claimed an 88-84 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, February 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 38-year-old Castro was lethal from beyond the arc, hitting six of his seven three-point attempts to finish with a team-high 24 points.
Like Castro, Gilas Pilipinas forward Calvin Oftana also excelled from long range, scoring 22 markers on 6-of-8 shooting from three-point territory, helping TNT pull off the win despite a poor shooting night from star import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Hollis-Jefferson finished with 23 points but struggled with his shooting, making just 8-of-27 field goal attempts and missing all seven of his three-point efforts.
“Rondae shot really poorly, he didn’t even hit 30% of his shots, so it was important that other guys stepped up,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes. “Rain or Shine did a really good job defending Rondae, and when that happens, we need to go to our counters.”
“Jayson and Calvin provided that firepower off the bench. It was a tough game for us, but we managed to win even with our import struggling offensively,” he added.
Rain or Shine led by as much as nine points early in the second quarter, 37-28, but Oftana sparked the turnaround for TNT, scoring 12 of his 22 points to give the Tropang Giga a 51-47 lead at halftime.
The second half was a close contest, and with the game tied at 81 with under five minutes remaining, TNT went on a 6-1 run, with baskets from RR Pogoy, Castro, and Hollis-Jefferson.
Rain or Shine came within one point after Andrei Caracut’s two free throws with 1:59 left, making it 84-87. However, that was the last time they scored as TNT’s defense forced four consecutive turnovers in the closing moments.
Deon Thompson led Rain or Shine with a game-high 29 markers and 16 rebounds but also committed a game-high seven turnovers. Adrian Nocum was the only other Elasto Painter in double figures, contributing 18 points.
The Scores:
TNT 88 – Castro 24, Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 22, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 4, Aurin 2, Erram 2, Williams 2, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Galinato 0
RAIN OR SHINE 84 – Thompson 29, Nocum 18, Datu 9, Santillan 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 4, Caracut 3, Tiongson 3, Lemetti 3, Asistio 3, Norwood 0
Quarter Scores: 22-28, 51-47, 74-70, 88-84
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).