Magnolia targets second straight win vs Converge
Both Magnolia and Converge are aiming to get their second win in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup when they face each other on Sunday, December 1, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Hotshots want to follow-up their 118-110 victory against the Blackwater Bossing last Wednesday, November 28, to have a 2-0 slate and have a share of the lead in the team standings.
Meanwhile, the FiberXers plan to get back on track after suffering a 106-117 loss in the hands of the guest team Hong Kong Eastern last Friday night, November 29, to have a 1-1 win-loss record.
According to Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero, the loss of Converge makes their opponent more dangerous especially since they are a young team.
"They are a dangerous team for us kasi ano 'yan, mga bata, eh," Victolero said.
"The way they played last night, very aggressive. Kumbaga 'yung sistema nila parang run-and-gun, eh. So I think we need to be more sharp on our execution sa depensa," added the 49-year-old mentor.
"Plus, we need to be more aggressive sa rebounds, especially 'yung import nila maraming nakukuhang offensive rebounds. And then their young guys, (Alec) Stockton, (Schonny) Winston, (Jordan) Heading, (Justin) Arana, very aggressive," Victolero explained.
"So I think it would also be a test nu'ng transition defense namin. 'Yung opensa naman namin, we need to keep executing lang para hindi kami matakbuhan. Naghihintay kasi sila ng transition points, fastbreak points."
The Hotshots might have a bigger advantage if Calvin Abueva is going to play as he can cope up with the running game of Converge but he will not be suiting up for Magnolia because of the neck injury he sustained in their last game.
"He's a big factor, pero there are other guys who can step up naman," said Victolero of Abueva. "The energy na ibinibigay ni Calvin, plus the fact na 'yung rebounding niya, hustle, 'yun 'yung mga ma-mi-miss namin. Pero I told the other guys na they need to step up, especially those na ka-posisyon niya."
Besides the local unit of the FiberXers, another weapon that the Hotshots need to silence is Converge import Cheick Diallo who scored 43 points and grabbed nine rebounds in their recent loss.
However, the one-time Coach of the Year believes that the Hotshots can overcome the obstacles they are facing specially that they have their ever-reliable reinforcement Ricardo Ratfliffe who answered the goal in their conference-opener with his 30 points and 18 rebounds.
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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).