PBA: SMB hopes to clinch a quarterfinals spot depends on other teams
A day after suffering a setback and nightmarish 97-115 loss to TNT Tropang Giga that pushed San Miguel Beermen to their seventh loss in 12 matches.
The SMB is now on the verge of elimination in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup last Sunday, January 26 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Now their wait has just begun for them, and the elimination round assignment is over and done, the defending PBA Commissioner's Cup champion will now watch and see with keen interest the last two playing dates from the sidelines and see how things turn out for their campaign.
With that, the Beermen have to pray and hope that NLEX and Magnolia drop their remaining games against Hong Kong Eastern on Wednesday and Meralco on Friday, respectively, to catch the last trip headed for the quarterfinals.
After all, both the Road Warriors and the Hotshots sit at the eighth spot with identical 5-6 win-loss records.
A loss by both teams will give the Beermen a chance to contend for the No. 8 spot against the Road Warriors.
"We're going to see what happens. There's a chance, but it might be slim. But still, there's a chance. We'll see how those results play," said veteran gunner Marcio Lassiter. "
The Beermen’s campaign in the midseason of this tournament had been very shaky.
According to Lasiter, there's definitely a lesson learned in this shaky and struggling campaign of their team.
"It's been an up and down conference. But you know, we can't dwell on it too long. We still have to figure out in the hunt for the last spot and see how the games go along," he added.
Meanwhile, the last time that San Miguel failed to advance in the playoffs came in the 2015 Commissioner's Cup.
Prior to the start of the season, they figured in a blockbuster trade, sending veterans Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel to Terrafirma in exchange for Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig.
Similar news
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).