NorthPort dismantles Magnolia to take solo lead in team standings
NorthPort won their first three assignments in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup to take the solo spot on top of the team standings.
The Batang Pier overcame the Magnolia Hotshots, 107-103, on Wednesday, December 4 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to get their third straight win.
Joshua Munzon led their defensive unit to strike any Magnolia's attempt to steal the victory from them.
Munzon scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help them win, but his game-high five steals highlighted his contributions.
"If we defend at a high level, I think we'll give ourselves a good chance to win more games," said Munzon.
NorthPort stole the ball 15 times and forced the Hotshots to commit 24 turnovers. The Batang Pier also registered seven blocks.
Import Kareem Jack was also solid, producing 30 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Arvin Tolentino also played a key role in their success as he logged 27 points, four rebounds, one steal and a block.
NorthPort also relied on the running game as they had a 22-6 advantage in fastbreak points.
On the other hand, rookie Jerom Lastimosa took over the spot of the injured Paul Lee and played his breakout game wearing Magnolia jersey.
Lastimosa produced 27 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in a losing cause.
Rome Dela Rosa, Mark Barroca, and Aris Dionisio help their prized rookie with 16, 14, and 13, respectively.
The Hotshots did not get much from their hulking import Ricardo Ratliffe who's suffering from a nagging shoulder.
Ratliffe only had 10 markers and 13 boards - far from the usual numbers that he can produce in a game.
NorthPort will try to protect their clean slate on Sunday, December 8, against the TNT Tropang Giga at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Magnolia will be back on the court on December 11, also against TNT at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 107 – Jack 30, Tolentino 27, Munzon 25, Yu 9, Nelle 5, Navarro 4, Flores 4, Onwubere 3, Bulanadi 0, Tratter 0, Miranda 0, Cuntapay 0.
MAGNOLIA 103 – Lastimosa 27, Dela Rosa 16, Barroca 14, Dionisio 13, Ratliffe 10, Eriobu 7, Sangalang 6, Lucero 4, Ahanmisi 3, Abueva 3, Mendoza 0.
Quarter Scores: 28-31; 59-52; 77-78; 107-103.
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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).