Top-seeded and number two teams San Miguel Beer and TNT are leading their semifinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Philippine Basketball Association
Coach Norman Black returned for Meralco but SMB still leads the series, 2-1. San Miguel Beer leads Meralco in their best-of-7 semifinals series in PBA Philippine Cup, 2-1. In Game 1, CJ Perez (25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals) and Rodney Brondial (20 points, 11 rebounds) led the Beermen to a wire-to-wire 121-97 victory against the Bolts. In Game 2, the Bolts tied the series to 1-1 after bouncing back with a 99-88 win behind Cliff Hodge’s 17-point and 14-rebound performance. The Beermen escaped the Bolts in Game 3, 96-91. CJ Perez scored game-high 26 points with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals while June Mar Fajardo dominated inside after finishing 21 points—on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and 11-of-16 from the free-throw line—with 16 rebounds.
📷: PBA Official Website
TNT leads 2-1 in a tight series against Magnolia. TNT is in the front seat after three games against Magnolia in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series, 2-1. In Game 1, Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy scored 26 and 23 respectively to lead the Tropang Giga to a 108-96 victory. Magnolia weathered TNT’s comeback attempt and Williams’ 28-point explosion in Game 2, 92-88. Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang combined for Hotshots’ 42 points and 13 rebounds. In Game 3, Jayson Castro made the go-ahead three to lift Tropang Giga to a 93-92 win over Hotshots. He had 16 points and 6 assists off the bench while Poy Erram added 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Miscellaneous
PNVF replaced NU as PH’s representative. The Philippine National Volleyball Federation decided to pull the best local team in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference as the country’s representative in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women. PNVF released the National University’s 12 student-athletes and coaching staff from the national training program.
Kiefer Ravena decided to stay in Japan. Kiefer Ravena is set to play for Shiga in the next few years after signing a new contract with the Japan B.League team. He averaged 13.2 points and 5.8 assists in his first year with the team, although they finished the season with a 14-43 win-loss record. The former Ateneo de Manila University star will serve a four-year soft ban in the PBA as he enters his second year playing overseas.
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- Due to knee injury recovery, reigning UAAP MVP Ange Kouame remains doubtful to play for Ateneo de Manila University in the upcoming World University Basketball Series.