Tropang 5G stay alive, force Game 6 with gutsy Game 5 win
The TNT Tropang 5G refused to go down quietly as they kept their Grand Slam aspirations alive with a crucial 86-78 victory over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday night, July 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With their backs against the wall and the championship on the line, the Tropang 5G came out firing, displaying urgency and hunger from the opening tip. TNT quickly established control behind a strong first-quarter performance, jumping to a 27-20 lead. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser spearheaded the early assault, dropping 14 of his 18 points in the opening frame. The athletic big man also tallied five rebounds, one assist, three steals, and a game-high five blocks in a dominant all-around showing.
It was a total team effort from TNT, with several players stepping up to deliver in the do-or-die game. The ageless Kelly Williams showed flashes of his former MVP form, finishing with 14 markers, seven boards, and two assists. Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading provided steady contributions with 13 points apiece, while RR Pogoy and Almond Vosotros chipped in 11 markers each. Vosotros, in particular, delivered clutch baskets and energy plays that turned the tide in TNT’s favor, earning recognition as the x-factor of the night.
The Beermen, who were aiming to close out the series and clinch their 30th PBA title, found themselves playing catch-up for most of the contest. Jericho Cruz once again led San Miguel with a game-high 20 points and four rebounds, continuing his string of strong performances in the finals.
Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo tried to rally the Beermen back, scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively. Fajardo, the 12-time Best Player of the Conference, also anchored the paint, but San Miguel struggled to find consistency on both ends, especially in crunch time when TNT’s defense clamped down.
Despite several attempts to mount a comeback, the Beermen were unable to overtake the Tropang 5G, who displayed poise, hustle, and defensive tenacity to protect their lead until the final buzzer.
The win breathes new life into TNT’s grand slam bid—having already captured the Commissioner’s Cup and the Governors’ Cup earlier this season. A win in this Philippine Cup would secure the franchise’s first-ever Grand Slam and only the sixth in PBA history.
Game 6 is now set for Friday, July 25, at 7:30 PM at the Philsports Arena, with the momentum slightly shifting in favor of TNT. Another win would push the series to a thrilling Game 7, while a San Miguel victory would seal yet another championship for the storied franchise.
One thing is certain: with the stakes higher than ever, Game 6 promises fireworks as two of the league’s powerhouses battle it out for PBA supremacy.
The scores:
TNT 86 – Ganuelas-Rosser 18, Williams 14, Oftana 13, Heading 13, Vosotros 11, Pogoy 11, Aurin 4, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0.
SMB 78 – Cruz 20, Lassiter 15, Fajardo 13, Tautuaa 9, Trollano 8, Ross 6, Perez 5, Rosales 2, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Tiongson 0.
Quarter Scores: 27-20; 41-31; 59-53; 86-78.
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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).