CJ Perez powers San Miguel to get back on the winning track
CJ Perez put up 23 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and four steals to lead the San Miguel Beermen get back on the winning track as they beat the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 85-78, on Sunday night, January 12, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The crucial win ended a two-game slump for San Miguel as they stayed in the hunt for a playoff spot in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup and still have a chance to defend the title that they got last season.
Perez was backed-up by Beermen’s import Jabari Narcis, who tallied 18 markers and grabbed 23 boards, while eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo had 13 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
The other two starters, Juami Tiongson and Marcio Lassiter added 13 and 8, respectively, to help SMB improve to 4-4, ahead of NLEX and Phoenix, who both have 3-5 win-loss records.
Jericho Cruz sparked San Miguel’s bench with 10 markers, highlighted by a rare five-point play and a crucial steal in the end game.
"We considered this game as most crucial for us as Magnolia is one our rivals for the Top 8. A loss will slide us to the Bottom 5 but a win will get us to the Top 8," said Beermen head coach Leo Austria.
"This win will be a good morale booster for us, giving us more confidence going to our next game against Meralco (on Saturday in Candon)," he added.
On the other hand, Magnolia fell down to 3-6 in team standings and is now on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention.
Ricardo Ratliffe paced the Hotshots in the losing cause with 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Mark Barroca added 13 markers and six dimes, in a night where he hit a milestone of playing his 600th consecutive game in the pro league.
Magnolia will be back in action on Thursday, January 16, against the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the Philsports Arena, while San Miguel will face the Meralco Bolts on Saturday, January 18, at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 85 - Perez 23, Narcis 18, Tiongson 13, Fajardo 13, Cruz 10, Lassiter 8, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Trollano 0, Cahilig 0.
MAGNOLIA 78 - Ratliffe 24, Barroca 13, Lucero 9, Lastimosa 9, Sangalang 6, Dela Rosa 4, Abueva 4, Alfaro 4, Ahanmisi 3, Balanza 2, Dionisio 0, Laput 0.
Quarter Scores: 20-17, 40-29, 60-60, 85-78.
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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).