One more win to go for the Tropang Giga
The best is yet to come for the TNT Tropang Giga, because it’s one more win to go from repeating as champions of the PBA Governors’ Cup, after dominating Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday night, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, 99-72, in Game 5 of their best-of-seven Finals series.
Barangay Ginebra were shocked with the masterful performance on defense and offense by the TNT, which now have a 3-2 lead in the series. Coach Chot Reyes said that they just didn't panic and went back to their main strength in terms of their defense.
"I think that the most important thing was for us not to panic and keep our heads around us so that we could make good decisions. I think that's number one," said Reyes.
"Number two was just our focus on our strength all-tournament-long, and that was our defense," he added.
The Tropang Giga recovered from their back-to-back loss during Games 3 and 4 of the series, and now they have a chance to wrap it up in Game 6 this Friday, also at the Big Dome or perhaps in Game 7 if necessary on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
TNT boosted to a 23-point lead at the half highlighted by a 30-13 second quarter surge.
Also, coach Reyes looked past Kelly Williams’ struggles and started the veteran big man for the first time in the Finals. Williams scored the first seven points in Game 5 for the defending champions and finished with 11 points and 3 rebounds to help TNT get the pivotal win.
“Kelly’s contribution to us is his defensive ability and his energy. He does a lot for us defensively that’s very important in our scheme of things. We hope he can sustain it some more for the rest of the series,” said Reyes.
“All I can say is, it’s the team, it’s the coach, it’s coach Chot. They know I’ve been struggling on and off the court. They just really rallied around me. They basically told me they believe in me and that gave me a lot of confidence and fuel to make sure I come in and focus and do whatever the team needs me to do to get a win,” said Williams.
The scores:
TNT 99 – Hollis-Jefferson 16, Pogoy 16, Oftana 15, Williams 11, Castro 10, Nambatac 7, Erram 7, Exciminiano 6, Khobuntin 4, Heruela 3, Galinato 2, Aurin 2, Payawal 0, Ebona 0, Varilla 0.
Barangay Ginebra 72 – Tenorio 13, Thompson 13, Holt 10, Brownlee 8, Abarrientos 7, J. Aguilar 6, R. Aguilar 5, Cu 5, Pessumal 4, Ahanmisi 1, Adamos 0, Pinto 0.
Quarters: 26-20; 56-33; 79-48; 99-72.
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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).