PBA: Rain or Shine survives Hotshots in an intense finish
Rain or Shine survived and continued their winning streak to three after defeating Magnolia, 102-100, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup last Wednesday night, December 18, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The Elasto Painters improved their standings to 3-1 and sent the Hotshots to their fourth straight loss, putting them to a 1-4 win-loss record.
RoS Import Deon Thompson led the way, hitting 18 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and three steals, while Santi Santillan had 17 points, and Andrei Caracut had 15 points, three assists and two rebounds.
“For most of the first half and third quarter, we had the game under control, actually. It’s just that the momentum we had lost towards the end of the third quarter went to them,” said coach Yeng Guiao.
Guiao was also referring to the 13-point lead they built, 79-66, at 3:56 of the third period that Magnolia erased to take a 98-86 advantage in the fourth quarter. But the Elasto Painters went on a 12-2 run to regain the lead at 102-100 with 3:26 left.
“The good thing about this (win) is that it was great when we came back. We got it back. Usually, if you were in our old team, when you collapse like that, you can’t come back,” said Guiao.
Meanwhile, Hotshots’ import Ricardo Ratliffe picked up his sixth and final foul at 2:46 left and coach Chito Victolero’s team couldn’t score again.
Paul Lee was forced to pass the ball to rookie Jerom Lastimosa who missed a four-point shot attempt at the final buzzer. Ratliffe’s 27 markers were wasted, while Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca 21 and 18 points, respectively.
Magnolia will next face the NLEX Road Warriors on Friday, December 20, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, while the Elasto Painters will again try to steal another win against the winless Terrafirma Dyip on Sunday, December 22, in the same venue.
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 102 - Thompson 18, Santillan 17, Caracut 15, Tiongson 11, Nocum 10, Belga 7, Calrito 6, Datu 6, Lemetti 5, Malonzo 4, Asistio 2, Ildefonso 1.
MAGNOLIA 100 - Ratliffe 27, Sangalang 21, Barroca 18, Lucero 11, Abueva 8, Lee 4, Dionisio 4, Ahanmisi 4, Dela Rosa 2, Lastimosa 1, Laput 0.
Quarter Scores: 31-23, 50-47, 81-78, 102-100.
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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).