Meralco registers second win of the conference in an "All-Filipino" battle against RoS
The Meralco Bolts defeated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 121-111, in their virtually All-Filipino battle on Sunday night, December 1, at the Ynares Center, in Antipolo.
Chris Newsome put up a game-high 25 points, to go along with five rebounds, an assist, and a block to suffice the absence of Meralco import Akil Mitchell, who left the game just 11 seconds off the opening period because of a broken nose after being hit inadvertently by Keith Datu's elbow.
Despite losing Mitchel early, the Bolts managed to secure their second straight victory of the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
Meralco now joined Northport Batang Pier and guest team Hong Kong Eastern at the top of the standings with 2-0 slate after their physical match-up last night where 61 fouls combined were called.
Bong Quinto was named Best Player of the Game as he delivered 20 markers, shooting 50 percent from the field and nailing 10 of his 12 free throws. He also grabbed four boards.
Veterans Raymond Alamazan and Cliff Hodge registered double-double numbers. The former Letran standout produced 12 points and 16 rebounds, while Hodge got 11 markers and 11 boards.
Three more players scored in double digits for the Bolts. Jansen Rios, Norbert Torres, and Anjo Caram put up 16, 13, and 10 respectively.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine also played without an import since their reinforcement Deon Thompson is still waiting for his papers to be cleared before he can finally suit up for the Elasto Painters.
Aside from Thompson, RoS also missed the services of Gian Mamuyac, who's out indefinitely after suffering a fractured right hand in a tune-up game against NorthPort last week.
Datu led the Elasto Painters in scoring with 17 points. He also added four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks to his numbers.
Jhonard Clarito registered a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, together with two assists, two steals, and a block in a losing effort.
Other RoS players who scored in double digits were Adrian Nocum (15), Leonard Santillan (14), Caelan Tiongson (12), and Andrei Carucat (12) who also dished off a game-high eight assists.
The Elasto Painters will try to bounce back against the Hong Kong Eastern on Wednesday, December 4, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, while the Bolts will be gunning for their third straight victory on Friday, December 6, also at NAS.
The Scores:
Meralco 121 - Newsome 25, Quinto 20, Rios 16, Torres 13, Almazan 12, Hodge 11, Caram 10, Black 9, Pascual 2, Jose 2, Pasaol 1, Mitchell 0.
Rain or Shine 111 - Datu 17, Nocum 15, Santillan 14, Clarito 13, Tiongson 12, Caracut 11, Lemetti 9, Belga 6, Norwood 5, Malonzo 5, Ildefonso 2, Demusis 2.
Quarter Scores: 33-25, 52-49, 89-81, 121-111.
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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).