Mark Nonoy paces Terrafirma to carve out stunning upset for TNT
Mark Nonoy displayed potential with an exceptional outing as Terrafirma took down the TNT Tropang Giga, 117-108, to conclude its PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup campaign on Wednesday, January 22, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Nonoy fired a season-high 33 points, including two four-pointers bridging the third and fourth quarters. He also tallied four rebounds, four assists, and a steal that allowed the Terrafirma to chalk up a win and avoid an empty-handed exit.
The 24-year-old La Salle product was all smiles as he was able to share the floor with one of his childhood heroes. Motivated by his encounter with Jayson Castro, the left-handed guard made 5 of 6 three-pointers and 10 of 13 field goals.
"I was inspired by Kuya Jayson because it was our first time playing against each other. Since my childhood, I've been watching him," said Nonoy.
“He is one of the PBA players I’m inspired by. I was confident because I wanted to challenge him,” he added.
Import Brandon Edwards backstopped Nonoy’s efforts with 19 markers, 12 boards, and six dimes, Louie Sangalang contributed 16 points and four rebounds, while Aljun Melecio supplied 10 markers.
On the other hand, disappointment was evident in TNT reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as he made his way to the dugout with a few seconds remaining in the game.
RHJ finished with a game-high 41 points, scattering 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and four blocks on the stat sheets, but his all-around effort went down the drain as TNT slid to 6-3 for fifth place.
Calvin Oftana led the local crew with 17 markers, while Rey Nambatac and Castro delivered 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the loss.
The Scores:
TERRAFIRMA 117 – Nonoy 33, Edwards 19, Sangalang 16, Carino 10, Melecio 10, Ferrer 9, Pringle 8, Manuel 6, Hernandez 4, Catapusan 2, Hanapi 0.
TNT 108 – Hollis-Jefferson 41, Oftana 17, Nambatac 12, Castro 11, Pogoy 9, Galinato 5, Erram 5, Razon 4, Khobuntin 2, Aurin 2, Payawal 0, Williams 0, Varilla 0.
Quarter Scores: 25-28, 61-50, 99-70, 117-108.
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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).