TNT takes 2-1 lead in squeaker over NLEX to move a win away from semis
Glenn Khobuntin fired a perfect 5-of-5 from the three point territory and finished with 17 points to lead TNT Tropang Giga to their 109-91 victory against NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday night, September 29, in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals at the Ynares Center, Antipolo.
The Tropang Giga's dominant win made them closer to entering the Final Four if they take another victory on Tuesday, October 1, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The defending champions also showed their suffocating defense by limiting the production of DeQuan Jones, who scored his lowest output with the Road Warriors.
TNT's import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played his usual game by producing another double-double. He scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, together with eight assists to pace the team.
Calvin Oftana contributed 18 markers on 3-of-7 from downtown, while Rey Nambatac added 17 points, six boards, and four dimes. Kelly Williams also added 11 for the Tropang Giga.
Meanwhile, Robbie Herndon took over for NLEX with 17 points and five assists to cover up for the struggling Jones, who only scored 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field.
Road Warriors top gunner Robert Bolick was also limited to 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting, though he dished off 10 assists.
The scores:
TNT 109 – Hollis-Jefferson 27, Oftana 18, Nambatac 17, Khobuntin 17, Williams 11, Pogoy 8, Castro 6, Erram 4, Aurin 1, Heruela 0, Ebona 0, Payawal 0, Galinato 0.
NLEX 91 – Herndon 17, Jones 16, Bolick 12, Policarpio 11, Anthony 9, Valdez 6, Torres 5, Mocon 4, Semerad 3, Rodger 3, Amer 2, Nieto 2, Nermal 1, Miranda 0.
Quarters: 32-21; 51-40; 89-68; 109-91.
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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).