DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite. – Fittingly, Game 3 looked like a blockbuster Sunday night showdown pitting two heavyweights.

Close to two hours before tip-off, diehard fans lined up outside the venue amid the sweltering heat in this highly urbanized city with lots of them wearing jerseys that had their cage idols’ surnames printed on them.

Showing better poise in a dogfight’s endgame, Ginebra turned back San Miguel Beer 99-94 and wrested a 2-1 lead in their best-of-7 semifinals duel in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the City of Dasmariñas Arena here.

Former MVP Scottie Thompson threw an errant pass that landed straight at the hands of veteran teammate Joe Devance with 5:07 remaining, but the latter was at the scorer’s table, waiting for a dead ball situation.

Thompson redeemed himself from there with a pair of offensive and defensive rebounds–the last paving the way for a Justin Brownlee layup that gave the Kings a 97-90 cushion with 20 seconds to go and spelled the big difference as Ginebra held its ground for the big win.

Kings coach Tim Cone pointed to his charges’ stingy defense that proved to be one of the keys in rebounding from a 131-125 overtime loss to the Beermen in the second tiff last Friday.

Ginebra will try to push SMB on the brink in the fourth match of the race-to-4 series on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We defended so much better tonight. We played ‘playoffs defense’ tonight and I thought that was really the key,” Cone said. “We had some uncertain moments in the third quarter after we came out from the halftime break.

“Thanks to Justin, we recovered. Thanks to this guy again down the stretch we were able to win it. We just played better defense tonight. That’s what I thought,” he added.

Brownlee fell a board shy of a double-double with 30 points, nine caroms, five assists and five blocks for the Kings while Japeth Aguilar chipped in 22 markers, eight rebounds and three dimes.

Maverick Ahanmisi and Stephen Holt also had 15 and 11 points, respectively for Ginebra.

The Kings led by as much as 52-41 on an Aguilar basket with 2:11 to play in the second quarter before they hung on for a 54-45 edge at the half.

Propped up by Beermen import EJ Anosike 14 points in the third, SMB battled back and grabbed a 76-72 advantage heading into the final stanza.

A Marcio Lassiter four-pointer pulled the Beermen to within 94-97 in the final 16 ticks, but Ahanmisi canned two free throws that sealed the deal for Ginebra.

Anosike carried the fight for SMB with 32 points and 10 rebounds while CJ Perez added 13 and four.

Lassiter also got 12 markers but reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo was held to just 12 points although he hauled down 14 boards.

The Kings’ multitude of supporters went home proudly waving their flags and the “Brownlee,” “Thompson,” and “Aguilar” jerseys until the end, at least for last night.

ATENEO rookie center Kristian Porter and prized freshman Jared Bahay formed a formidable tandem to frustrate National University last night.

With Porter and Bahay showing the way, the Blue Eagles edged the Bulldogs 70-68 to get back on track in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-5 Porter rose to the occasion–soaring for a crucial block on Jake Figueroa’s driving layup with 12.5 seconds left before teammate Ian Espinosa hugged the leather.

Espinosa was fouled by Jolo Manansala, but split his free throws that left the door ajar for the Bulldogs.

Manansala banged in a three-pointer that made it a 68-70 game with 5.1 ticks to go. Espinosa then muffed two of his freebies.

With a chance to steal the victory, NU went to Manansala anew who fired a trey but the ball bounced off the rim.

Porter wisely tapped the ball outside as time expired, much to the delight of Ateneo’s bench, including coach Tab Baldwin.

“It was enough, you know. It was enough to get us over the finish line and very, very satisfying. I know for the players that it’s been a tough first half of the season. They’ve stuck together. I’ve got to give them credit for that because,” Baldwin said. “I think I’ve tried to put a lot of pressure on them because I know that there’s so much we’re going to take out of this season, particularly these young guys like this.

“The pressure is on whether you’re getting results or not to get better and we were better tonight for sure. We stuck more to what we were trying to do in the game plan,” he added.

Bahay backed up Porter with 12 markers, six boards and five assists while Chris Koon had 10 and eight as the Eagles atoned for a 68-78 loss to the Bulldogs last Oct. 5 and improved to 2-6 in one of their most trying campaigns in recent memory.

NU slipped to 2-6.

Ateneo raced to an early 32-19 lead before the Eagles settled for a 35-31 buffer at the half. They still held a 50-45 edge going into the fourth canto.

Figueroa carried the fight for the Bulldogs with 15 points and 10 caroms while Manansala got 12 and seven.

It’s a step in the right direction for Ateneo in its bid to turn its fortunes around in the second half of the cage wars.nc

JUST when the drama appeared to be over, coach Topex Robinson of defending champion La Salle broke the ice on allegations he spat at University of the Philippines guard Reyland Torres.

“Iyong huhusgahan ninyo po ako nang hindi ninyo muna kinuha iyong totoong story, siyempre po masakit din para sa akin. But nakikiusap lang po ako sana na huwag na po tayong maglabas or magbatuhan ng accusation because we are playing this game of basketball and we just want to enjoy it,” Robinson said.

“I want to thank my ‘friends’ from the media. I know that you have to do things because you need to do things because of your job.

“The social media people that need to have likes and need to have followers and have to do things that hindi man lang ako kinuhanan ng statement and made those stories, I want to thank you,” he added.

Robinson spoke after the Green Archers got back at the UE Red Warriors 77-68 last Saturday in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament.

Stern warnings were issued against Robinson and Torres for the incident that happened in the two teams’ highly emotional tiff last Oct. 6.

“After a thorough investigation into the events that transpired during the game between De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines last Sunday, October 6, 2024, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ Basketball Commissioner’s Office has issued stern warnings to DLSU Head Coach Michael Christopher ‘Topex’ Robinson and UP student-athlete Reyland Torres for their unsportsmanlike conduct,” the league said in a statement last Saturday.

“The investigation has revealed that both individuals displayed behaviors that do not reflect the values of sportsmanship upheld by the UAAP and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Specifically, it was found that Mr. Torres passed in very close proximity to coach Robinson twice. Coach Robinson, in turn, responded with language unbecoming of a coach. Both coach Robinson and Mr. Torres are hereby warned that any future violations of the UAAP’s tournament guidelines will result in stricter penalties.

“Additionally, allegations that Mr. Torres used profane language, and that coach Robinson spat at Mr. Torres could not be conclusively proven based on testimonies and available evidence during the investigation.”

Robinson thanked his supporters, especially the La Salle community, for standing up for him.

“But I also want to thank my real friends in the media that respected my space, respected my silence, and didn’t come out with any story that’s not one-sided. I know who you are, and I’ll be forever grateful for you guys,” Robinson said. “I’m just so fortunate that I have my Lasallian family, the team, the management, and all the people that came up to me and tried to support me because tao rin po ako.”

Robinson called out Tricia Endozo-Villanueva, a UP supporter, whom he claimed had thrown false accusations and humiliated him in front of his family.

“Iyong sumigaw sa akin doon sa MOA, si Mrs. Villanueva. Iyong ipinahiya ninyo po ako sa harap ng pamilya ko, sa harap ng tao na inakusahan ninyo po ako. Kaya ko po kayo hindi masagot dahil hindi po talaga ako ang gumawa noon,” Robinson said.

“But sana po kapag nagkita tayo, mayon din po kayo sanang lakas ng loob na magsabi sa akin na mali po iyong inakusa ninyo sa akin.”

Holding back tears, Robinson posed why his not-so rosy beginnings were likened by his detractors to being a bad person.

“Iyong mga tumawag po sa akin ng squatter, maraming salamat din po sa inyo dahil talaga po namang naghirap ako at kung ano man po iyong naramdaman o iyong na-achieve ko ngayon, dahil po pinagsikapan ko. Ang tanong ko lang po: kapag po ba squatter, masamang tao? Kasi po tinawag po akong squatter. So, hindi ko po alam kung saan nanggaling iyon,” Robinson said. “Pero kapag squatter po ba, masamang tao na iyon? Hindi ba po ang squatter, hindi naman po nila ginustong maghirap sila pero nagsikap sila, nag-aral sila, nakakuha sila ng scholarship, at ngayon nagkaroon sila ng maayos na buhay, at ginamit nila iyong kahirapan nila para maging maayos iyong buhay nila para sa pamilya nila.

“Hindi ko po alam kung bakit po ang squatter sinasabihan ng masama. Iyan po iyong hindi ko lang alam.”

Robinson also asked people to stop the hate on Torres and said he has forgiven his bashers.

“Para po akusahan niyo ako na masamang tao, pinapatawad ko po kayo,” he said. “I will always live by what we always pray at La Salle. ‘I will continue to do all my actions for the love of You. Amen.’”

This dramatic episode in the cage wars is now behind the people involved–hopefully and what fans expect from here onwards are battles on the court.

THE PBA lowered the boom on controversial NorthPort forward John Amores last Friday, but armchair pundits are convinced the pro league should have imposed a heavier sanction.

Amores was suspended for the entire mid-season Commissioner’s Cup without pay after getting involved in a shooting incident in Lumban, Laguna last month.

“In coordination with the management of NorthPort, the Commissioner has decided that John Amores will be suspended from all his games in the next conference (Commissioner’s Cup) of the PBA’s 49th season,” PBA legal counsel Atty. Ogie Narvasa said.

Magnolia star Calvin Abueva was suspended for 16 months in 2019 for a clothesline tackle on former TNT import Terrence Jones and a verbal altercation with Maika Rivera, the former girlfriend of Bobby Ray Parks Jr.

Abueva was then playing for Phoenix.

Former San Miguel Beer import Renaldo Balkman was initially banned for life in Asia’s pioneering pro league in 2013 after he strangled teammate Arwind Santos in their game against the now defunct Alaska franchise in 2013.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial lifted Balkman’s ban in 2018.

Narvasa, the son of former Chief Justice Andres, said the ban was due to Amores seeing action in an unsanctioned league.

“We’re not penalizing him for his criminal act. Bahala ang husgado doon,” Narvasa said. “Ito, (he’s being punished for) violations of PBA rules.”

The PBA said it will not condone Amores’ actions.

“Quarreling with other players in a pick-up game, engaging in a challenge to a fight, chasing after his protagonist with a handgun, and then shooting his gun are not consistent with the standard of behavior and image that the PBA wishes to project to its fans, particularly to its young followers,” the league said in a statement.

“The potential for young people to see Amores’ conduct as acceptable is disturbing, and this the PBA will not permit.”

The 6-foot-2 Amores will not be allowed to sit on the Batang Pier bench or watch the games in the venue.

But he can still join NorthPort in its daily practices and training, with minimal allowance.

For Amores to suit up anew in the PBA, “he must without delay submit to counseling to address his anger and violent tendencies, and clearance to play must be obtained from his counsellor,” according to Narvasa.

“Isolating him from his normal environment will not be helpful and healthy for his rehabilitation. He must learn to deal with his issues under as normal circumstances as possible,” the PBA said.

“It is under normal settings, including the challenges and stress they create, where he can fully exercise tolerance and restraint. In any case, he will be subjected to stiffer penalties and restrictions should his violent tendencies erupt during team activities.”

Amores allegedly chased and shot the victim, identified as Lee Calcada, at around 6:10 p.m. last Sept. 25 after they got into an altercation in a basketball game.

The game reportedly had a P4,000 bet.

CCTV footage of the incident that went viral showed Amores getting off a motorcycle driven by his younger brother with a gun and firing shots at the victim who, fortunately, was not hurt.

The same report said Amores and Calcada were playing in a hoops duel at Barangay Salac when they got into a heated altercation.

The former Jose Rizal University player challenged Calcada to a fight.

Calcada reportedly followed Amores at Barangay Maytalang Uno where he was shot by Amores.

Amores later surrendered and posted bail along with his brother John Red, but he is also still being probed by the PBA and the Games and Amusements Board.

Marcial likened the case to a father who takes a misbehaving child to task.

“Parang anak natin itong mga players. Kapag may anak tayo pinaparusahan natin, pero hindi natin pinapabayaan,” he said.

Amores is not likely off the hook and the waiting game if he will be banished for life in the PBA goes on.

DEFENDING champion TNT and Ginebra headed home from the PhilSports Arena in Pasig last Wednesday night armed with crucial headway in their respective playoff battles.

Both the Tropang Giga and the Kings know the battle is far from over, their foes expected to show up with guns blazing in the second match.

“I’m sure they’re gonna be ready to beat us in Game 2. I mean, that’s just the way when two really good teams battle each other,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said, referring to SMB which the Kings mangled 122-105 in their Last Four opener. “No one dominates for any length of time. They dominated us in one game and we half-dominated them tonight.

“At this point, it’s their turn (to win in Game 2). Hopefully, we can do something to prevent that,” he added.

Whether the Kings can frustrate the Beermen will be known today when they clash anew in Game 2 of their best-of-7 semifinals duel in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The tiff is set at 7:30 p.m., with Ginebra raring to gain a 2-0 lead in their race-to-4 showdown.

Ditto with TNT which faces Rain or Shine at 5 o’clock after scoring a 90-81 win in their first collision.

Cone’s ploy of limiting reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo to just 16 points, although he did grab 16 rebounds the last time out, worked wonders.

“June Mar is not gonna be guarded by just one guy. It’s a whole team, truly a team effort,” Cone said. “Good news was, they weren’t hitting their shots like they always do and so we took advantage of that a little bit, defensively.”

Kings resident import Justin Brownlee will team up with former MVP Scottie Thompson, veteran Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, Maverick Ahanmisi, and prized rookie RJ Abarrientos in their bid for back-to-back wins.

The likes of Fajardo, reinforcement EJ Anosike, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross are hard-pressed to show the way for a weary SMB quintet.

“We have to be able to limit Rain or Shine. They’re No. 2 in the league in scoring, No. 1 in field goal percentage, in fast break points, and a lot of offensive stats. On the other hand, we’re No. 1 in the league in a lot of defensive stats,” Tropang Giga tactician Chot Reyes said. “So, it’s going to be a battle of contrasts, and for us to win, we have to limit their production.

“I guess that’s the best way to describe the defense. Like Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) said, just everyone pitching in, but it really starts with that defensive mentality.”

Hollis-Jefferson, the reigning best import, will be counted upon by TNT to deliver along with Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, JP Erram, and veteran Jason Castro with big man Kelly Williams doubtful due to a calf injury.

More production is also needed from Painters import Aaron Fuller and locals Andrei Caracut, Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, Adrian Nocum, Leonard Santillan, and Gian Mamuyac.

For sure, a 2-0 lead is not safe–but it will give TNT and Ginebra more comfortable breathing room.

DEFENDING champion TNT, led by coach Chot Reyes and reigning best import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, looked calm, composed, and undeterred when they headed to their dugout trailing 39-43 at the half.

They knew they could get the job done against Rain or Shine last Wednesday night.

“We were down by four (at the half), but I felt the pace was in our favor,” Reyes said. “We missed a few lay-ups, we made some mistakes, turnovers that led to their fastbreak points, that’s why they had a four-point lead.

“But by and large, we were very happy with the pace of the game and how the game was going at halftime even when we were down four.

“All I said at halftime is we have them where we want them, so relax and go into the second half and execute what we practice,” he added.

True enough, the Tropang Giga fashioned a 90-81 victory over the Elasto Painters in Game 1 of their best-of-7 semifinals showdown in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

For Hollis-Jefferson, who starred for TNT with a near triple-double of 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, Rain or Shine pushed him to the limit.

“I don’t think it was easy. They really had a good game plan. I turned the ball over the most, I think, this conference. Part of it was being off seven days, washing off that rust,” Hollis-Jefferson said.

“Part of it was that they played really hard. They played physical. They challenged me.”

Roger Pogoy added 16 markers and six boards while former Painter Rey Namtabac had 14 for the Tropang Giga. Calvin Oftana also chimed in 11 points and 10 caroms as TNT did an encore to a 125-106 whipping of NLEX in the fourth game of their quarterfinal series last Oct. 1.

Rain or Shine went into the game armed with a close out 113-103 victory over Magnolia last Saturday.

The Tropang Giga lost veteran big man Kelly Williams in the first quarter due to a calf injury in what was a dampener to their rather blazing Last Four opener.

“Unfortunately, when he (Williams) missed that wide-open lay-up? He tweaked something on his (left) calf muscle. We hope it’s nothing serious, but he couldn’t put any weight on it. I think the left calf muscle, he couldn’t put any weight on it, and you know that Kelly is our primary import defender,” Reyes said. “We need a lot from him. So, we’re praying it’s something that he can recover from. It was Kelly who said that he felt something, so when our physical therapist examined it, that’s the initial diagnosis.

“Of course, they’re going to do an ultrasound or whatever to get a better understanding of what’s really going on. That’s the reason we sat him out. He really felt something in his calf from the start, so we had to replace him.”

 The Painters now need to regroup to avoid a big 0-2 hole in Game 2 set today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

ADAMSON University coach Nash Racela pondered what could have been if the Soaring Falcons managed to win a game or two of their four losses in the first round of the 87th UAAP basketball tournament.

With a 3-4 mark, Adamson wound up fifth. But Racela remained unfazed, convinced his wards could turn their fortunes around in the second round.

“We wanted to be at No. 4, siyempre, I think that’s the target of all the teams. We didn’t get it but the good thing about it is moving forward, going to the second round, you’re just a game behind the No. 4 team,” Racela said. “Two games behind UE, anything is still possible. Of course, you just wanted to be in a better position sana.

“But things happen. Maybe we’re not yet ready to be in that position. We need to make our adjustments. Hopefully, we will correct that in time,” he added.

Adamson gets a shot at a fresh start when it tangles with lowly Far Eastern University tomorrow, Saturday, as the second half of the cage wars get going at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The game is set at 4 p.m., with defending champion La Salle seeking to avenge its first-round defeat to red-hot University of the East in the nightcap at 6.

Racela’s squad absorbed a sorry 62-63 setback to the Red Warriors on a Wello Lingolingo buzzer-beating jumper last Sunday.

With the likes of Matthew Montebon, Matt Erolon, Cedrick Manzano and Royce Mantua showing the way, Racela expects better games from the San Marcelino-based five.

“Hopefully, mas maganda naman ang record namin sa second round. Again, looking at the bright side, we lost four games but a lot of those were really close games. Even the wins that we had, medyo close,” Racela said.

“Ibig sabihin, the message really is, every game we have a chance. We put ourselves in a good position to compete and try to get wins.”

Adamson trounced the Tamaraws 59-47 when they first met last Sept. 8.

Carrying a 1-6 slate, FEU will lean on Jorick Bautista, Gambian Mo Konateh, and rookies Veejay Pre, Janrey Pasaol, and Jedric Daa.

Racela will use UE’s surprising surge in the opening round as motivation.

“The first round, we just got three (wins), hopefully, we get more in the second-round para magkaroon naman kami ng tsansa,” he said. “UE was able to do that, they became our inspiration. Sa second round sana mala-UE rin iyong performance namin.”

FORMER MVP Scottie Thompson of Ginebra soared for an offensive rebound off an RJ Abarrientos missed three-pointer and scored on a putback, sparking a thundering roar from the team’s ardent supporters who came in droves last night.

And the player that Thompson beat for the board and basket? No less than reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer.

Bolstered by fresher legs against a seemingly tired foe, the Kings mowed down the Beermen 122-105 in Game 1 of their best-of-7 semifinals duel in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The 6-foot-1 Thompson’s bucket against the 6-foot-10 Fajardo pushed Ginebra’s lead to 116-98 with 3:16 remaining in the face of SMB’s last-ditch effort to battle back.

Not against the Kings who had the luxury of a nine-day respite after finishing off the Meralco Bolts via a 3-0 sweep in the quarterfinals capped by a 113-106 victory in the third game last Sept. 30.

In stark contrast, the Beermen needed five matches to oust the Converge FiberXers in the Last Eight that ended in a 109-105 decision just last Sunday.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone said his charges showed up bent on taking advantage of SMB’s taxing schedule.

“It’s really hard for them at this point to prepare and practice because they are tired and exhausted. Honestly, we’re not gonna feel sorry for them. It’s not our job to feel sorry for them,” Cone said. “We’re gonna take advantage of every little thing that we can. If they’re gonna be tired, we’re gonna try to take advantage of that.

“They’re just too good to feel sorry for them. It’s like you don’t feel sorry for us because we have Jaime (Malonzo), Miah (Gray), and Issac Go not in our line-up (because of injuries). Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for us. You just gonna go with what you have,” he added.

Kings star import Justin Brownlee boomed in five four-pointers and three triples to wind up with a game-high 33 points, on top of eight rebounds and five assists, while Stephen Holt uncorked 30 markers, eight markers and four dimes.

Abarrientos added 13 points and five feeds while Thompson had 10 markers, six caroms and 10 assists as Ginebra gained the early 1-0 headway in the race-to-4 series.

Game 2 is set tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Cone’s charges only led by five (63-58) at the halfway mark.

Then Brownlee sizzled for 20 points in the third canto that powered the Kings to a 97-78 spread going into the fourth period.

A Thompson conversion gave Ginebra its biggest lead at 102-78 with 11:08 to go that the Kings managed to hold onto even as the Beermen tried to battle back on a Fajardo layup that made it a 98-112 game in the last 4:28.

Reinforcement EJ Anosike carried the fight for SMB with 27 points and eight boards while Marcio Lassiter had 18 markers.

Fajardo had 16 and 16 while CJ Perez got 13 points and four rebounds for the Beermen.

COACH Topex Robinson’s dirty — pun intended — antic last Sunday night may deal a big blow to defending champion La Salle’s title-retention bid that is so far looking good in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament.

The league is set to hand down its verdict on University of the Philippines guard Reyland Torres’ allegations that Robinson spat at him during the teams’ highly emotional duel at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The UAAP Board of Managing Directors held its regular meeting last Tuesday and tackled Torres’ allegation.

Although no complaints have been formally filed so far, the UAAP technical committee will now review all incidents during games as a standard operating procedure.

Torres claimed Robinson spat at his right shoulder, but the La Salle camp said the UP player provoked the incident by talking trash while passing by in front of their bench twice, leading to Robinson yelling at him.

There was also a heated altercation at the 2:54 mark of the third quarter that involved La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario and UP counterpart Tom Chua before cooler heads prevailed.

Nazario said the incident showed the protagonists simply did not want to lose.

“Siyempre, emotions were really high at that point,” Nazario said. “I don’t really know honestly what transpired, I’m just there to protect my coaches as well.

“When everyone was standing up, I wanted to stand up, I wanted to be united with them. Emotions, nadala lang naman tayo lahat. I think it was pacified well. It’s part of the game.”

Robinson, meanwhile, remained tightlipped.

One thing is certain: Robinson will be suspended if found guilty but the Taft-based five must move forward, according to Nazario.

“We still have a lot to work on, a lot to learn kasi kung masa-satisfy na kami dito, that would be our downfall. So, I think what’s best is these guys will be able to recover and practice na ulit,” he said. “Iyon naman talaga ang gusto namin. Just like what KQ (Kevin Quiambao) said also, we enjoyed the day, enjoyed the win. But tomorrow’s another day.”