TNT still hold of Group A lead thru RHJ’s impeccable effort
TNT solidified their hold as the top team in Group A of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup after defeating Magnolia in the second round of eliminations with an 84-82 decision on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the Tropang Giga with his monstrous performance. He produced 29 points alongside his career-high 25 rebounds.
It was a bounce-back game for RHJ as he missed a double-double performance for the first time in his PBA career. In their last game against Meralco he still produced 22 points and nine assists, one shy away of his usual double-figures in either boards or dimes.
Hollis-Jefferson said he came to the game prepared and made an effort to step-up as TNT was shorthanded in personnel as Rey Nambatac and Kim Aurin were out due to injuries.
“That comes down to effort,” said Rondae.
“Seeing a lot of guys, I played against dudes like Kenneth Faried, he is the name the stands out, Jared Sullinger, those dudes are resilient on the glass. And it just came from effort, wanting to get the rebounds. Knowing that a lot of shots would be taken, with that comes a lot of misses, trying to secure the rebound, that’s just my goal.”
The Season 48 Governors’ Cup best import also showed his defensive prowess as he registered four blocks in his name and helped the Tropang Giga their fifth straight victory. The biggest was the block against Zav Lucero with 2:27 left in the fourth period.
“I’m tired but that’s part of giving your all, being resilient, leaving it on the court, wanting to win, having that will. You might be tired, and need to take a play-off. But we really need a basket or we really need a stop,” said RHJ.
“That one block, I was gassed but we needed that block. All that (fatigue) goes behind you when you are in the moment. Now I can go eat and go to sleep now,” he added.
The game was a tight duel as neither team got a double digit lead. TNT’s largest lead was the 82-75 count off Hollis-Jefferson’s four straight points, while the biggest gap that Magnolia produced was at 51-44.
RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana churned out 19 and 10 points, respectively to back-up their hard-working import.
Magnolia still managed to have a toe-to-toe match against their rival even though they lost Mark Barroca with more than three minutes remaining in the game as he suffered a nose injury when Kelly Williams elbows inadvertently hit him.
Barroca produced 10 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one steal against two turnovers before the freak accident happened.
Shabazz Muhammad produced good numbers in his second game with the Hotshots but not enough to bring them to victory. The Magnolia import had 30 points and 17 rebounds.
Paul Lee, Jerrick Ahanmisi and Zavier Lucero added 13, 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
The scores:
TNT 84 – Hollis-Jefferson 29, Pogoy 19, Oftana 10, Castro 9, Williams 9, Khobuntin 4, Heruela 3, 1, Exciminiano 0, Vosotros 0, Varilla 0.
Magnolia 82 – Muhammad 30, Lee 13, Ahanmisi 12, Barroca 10, Lucero 10, Dela Rosa 2, Abueva 2, Laput 2, Dionisio 1, Mendoza 0, Sangalang 0.
Quarters: 18-19; 40-36; 60-64; 84-82.
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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).