Pacers reach second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals
The Indiana Pacers are headed back to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season after taking down the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-105, on Wednesday, May 14 (PH time) at the Rocket Arena. The Pacers wrapped up the best-of-seven series in five games, 4-1.
Tyrese Haliburton once again proved why he’s the engine of this Indiana squad, delivering another masterful all-around performance. The All-Star guard poured in 31 points, including 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc, while also recording six rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and one block. His offensive rhythm and composure were key in guiding the Pacers through Cleveland's defensive pressure.
Indiana also displayed impressive team balance, with all five starters scoring in double figures. Pascal Siakam continued his consistent production with 21 markers, Andrew Nembhard contributed 18, Aaron Nesmith posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Myles Turner chipped in 10 points to round out the scoring from the starting unit. The Pacers’ collective effort and unselfish play helped them overcome an early double-digit deficit.
On the other side, Donovan Mitchell did everything he could to try and keep the Cavaliers’ season alive. The All-Star guard finished with 35 points, along with nine rebounds, four steals, an assist, and a block. He was relentless on both ends of the floor, but the lack of consistent help proved costly. Evan Mobley recorded a strong outing with 24 markers and 11 boards, while Darius Garland added 11 points. De’Andre Hunter chipped in 12 off the bench, but the Cavaliers couldn’t generate enough stops or sustain their early momentum.
Cleveland came out strong, dominating the opening quarter and ending it with a 31-19 lead, giving hope for a Game 6. However, Indiana turned the tide in the second and third periods, erupting for 33 points in each frame to take control of the game. By the end of the third quarter, the Pacers held an 85-76 lead. Both teams scored 29 points apiece in the fourth, allowing Indiana to maintain their cushion and seal the deal.
With the win, the Pacers await the winner of the New York Knicks–Boston Celtics series in the East Finals. Game 5 of that matchup is set for tomorrow at 7 AM (PH time), where the Knicks hold a commanding 3-1 lead and will look to close out the series.
Indiana continues to ride a wave of momentum, with their offense clicking at the right time and their core players stepping up under pressure. If they keep this level of play, they’ll be a serious threat to reach the NBA Finals.
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The NLEX Road Warriors wrapped up their preseason on a high note, clinching the 40th Kadayawan Invitational championship with a commanding 101-84 victory over the Blackwater Bossing on Sunday night, August 26, at the University of Southern Philippines in Davao City.
It wasn’t the smoothest of starts for NLEX, which found itself down by 11 early in the game. But the tide shifted in the second quarter, where the Road Warriors erupted for a 34-12 run behind the efforts of Robert Bolick, Dominic Fajardo, Tony Semerad, and Xyrus Torres to seize a 52-36 halftime lead.
Blackwater attempted a late push, cutting the gap to 76-65 in the fourth quarter, but NLEX responded with a 12-5 counter that put the game out of reach. Semerad, who buried three triples in the payoff period, earned Finals MVP honors with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Torres topped the scoring for NLEX with 19 markers, while Bolick came close to a triple-double with eight points, six boards, and nine assists. JB Bahio and Fajardo chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively. As a team, the Road Warriors torched the net from beyond the arc, going 18-of-34, with Semerad and Torres sinking four each.
Sedrick Barefield paced Blackwater with 15 points, while Richard Escoto added 14. The Bossing, despite falling short in the finals, had an impressive run in the preliminaries, including a comeback win over NLEX, 95-90, earlier in the tournament.
The championship serves as a timely boost for NLEX heading into the new PBA season. Last year, the Road Warriors finished second in the Philippine Cup eliminations before bowing out in the quarterfinals against Rain or Shine. Deputy mentor Adonis Tierra called the shots in their last two games, steering the team to become the second straight PBA squad to lift the Kadayawan crown, following Rain or Shine’s sweep in 2024. NLEX closed the tournament with a 3-1 card, their lone loss coming at the hands of Blackwater.
In the battle for third place, Phoenix avoided a winless campaign with a convincing 101-81 rout of Converge. Raffy Verano led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay contributed 17 and 15 markers, respectively. The win marked the first for new head coach Willy Wilson, who took over during the offseason. Coincidentally, Phoenix also defeated Converge for third place in last year’s edition of the tournament.
The NLEX Road Warriors and Blackwater Bossing opened their campaigns in the 2025 Kadayawan Invitational with victories in their respective first games on Thursday, August 21, at the USEP Gym in Davao City.
In the first game, Sedrick Barefield made an immediate impact for the Bossing. The 2024 second overall pick erupted for 28 points, including six triples. Three of those came in succession in the fourth quarter, turning a slim 72-66 lead into a more comfortable 81-68 cushion.
Troy Mallillin contributed 17 points and six rebounds, while newcomer Jed Mendoza impressed in his debut with 16 points.
For the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay scored 12 points apiece in their first game under new head coach Willie Wilson, who took over from Jamike Jarin after he was moved to a team consultant role.
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