Ginebra sweeps Meralco to book first ticket to the Final Four
Barangay Ginebra swept rival Meralco Bolts, 113-106, in their best-of-five quarter finals series last night, September 30, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to get the first ticket to the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semi final round.
Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings in scoring by producing 23 points including two booming four-pointers that started their ‘never-say-die’ comeback after being down as much as 12 points.
Stephen Holt, who was named Best Player of the Game, together with RJ Abarrientos and Maverick Ahanmsi helped Brownlee in their fightback as they also delivered from the two rainbow countries.
Holt had a total of 19 markers which include a triple that gave the Gin Kings their largest lead at 105-98 with 2:36 left in the game.
Abarrientos produced 17 points, while Ahanmisi contributed the same numbers including three 3-pointers.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said that he was shocked that they have defeated the Bolts in three straight games, “First of all, I’m totally shocked that we were able to beat them in three straight games. And each game came with a play here or play there would have changed the whole complexion of the game.”
"Credit just goes to the guys for really reaching deep. They really locked in the second half and so it was amazing to see them really reach deep from within themselves to pull this game out," he added.
Allen Durham paced Meralco with 38 points and 13 rebounds, while four of his teammates also produced double-digit scoring.
The Gin Kings now await the winner of the SMB-Converge series on whom they will face in a best-of-seven semi final showdown.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 113 - Brownlee 23, Holt 19, J.Aguilar 19, Abarrientos 17, Ahanmisi 17, Thompson 16, Devance 2, Cu 0, R.Aguilar 0, Pessumal 0.
MERALCO 106 - Durham 38, Quinto 19, Newsome 14, Banchero 10, Hodge 10, Caram 7, Bates 4, Rios 2, Mendoza 2, Pascual 0.
Quarter Scores: 28-27, 47-56, 83-72, 113-106.
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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).