_2025_06_13_21_53_23.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Magnolia squeaks past TNT, secures twice-to-beat bonus
Playoff-bound Magnolia squeaked past TNT, 88-83, to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Zav Lucero led the Hotshots with 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, while Will Navarro and Mark Barroca had 13 and 11 points, respectively.
RR Pogoy, meanwhile, had 18 points, while Calvin Oftana had 15 points for the Tropang 5G.
With the victory, the Hotshots bounced back after back-to-back losses and ended the elimination round with an 8-3 record, while TNT dropped to 6-5.
Scores:
Magnolia 88 – Lucero 24, Navarro 13, Barroca 11, Sangalang 9, Dela Rosa 7, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Lastimosa 6, Reavis 4, Laput 0, Alfaro 0.
TNT 83 – Oftana 18, Pogoy 15, Erram 12, Heading 12, Williams 10, Khobuntin 7, Aurin 7, Galinato 2, Enciso 0, Variila 0, Vosotros 0, Heruela 0.
Quarters: 21-23, 49-43, 69-66, 88-83.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Calvin Oftana a game-time decision in Gilas Pilipinas' KO match vs. Saudi Arabia
Gilas Pilipinas could have a manpower shortage in its knockout game against host Saudi Arabia in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup with Calvin Oftana a game-time decision due to an ankle injury. National team head coach Tim Cone said Oftana's availability will be decided on the fly for their qualification game, set for 12 a.m. Tuesday at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Oftana was visibly in pain with 3:19 left in their game against Iraq last Saturday after he hurt his right ankle while going for a rebound and entangling with big man Ihab Al-Zuhairi near the free throw line. The TNT sharpshooter never returned to the court since being helped to the bench, finishing with three points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in their 66-57 victory. "[He is a] game-time decision," Cone told GMA News Online in a short message. The ankle injury was the same one he sustained during Tropang 5G's grueling finals series against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup just a couple of weeks ago. In fact, the 29-year-old gunner was already doubtful for the Asia Cup as he sat out their friendly game against the Macau Black Bears last July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. ?With Oftana's status uncertain, Gilas will lean more on Justin Brownlee alongside other usual suspects Dwight Ramos, Scottie Thompson, AJ Edu, and June Mar Fajardo as they shoot for a QF spot. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- GMA Network
Will Navarro leaves Magnolia to play for Busan KCC Egis in KBL
Will Navarro is ending his short stay at Magnolia in the PBA to play for the Busan KCC Egis in the upcoming season of the Korean Basketball League (KBL). The club announced Navarro's signing on Tuesday as the versatile forward marked the end of an almost three-month stint with the Hotshots, who acquired him in a trade for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a future draft pick to NorthPort last May. ?"William Navarro is a new player in KCC Egis! We ask for lots of support and encouragement to William Navarro, who is making a new start at KCC Egis," the club said in an Instagram post. The transfer marks the realization of Navarro's dream to play abroad. Back in 2022, Navarro was set on suiting up for Seoul Samsung in KBL, but was not cleared due to an existing live contract with Gilas Pilipinas at the time. ?Navarro focused on his mother league, NorthPort, where he would lead the team alongside the core led by Cade Flores, Joshua Munzon, Evan Nelle, Fran Yu, and Sidney Onwubere, before his recent trade to Magnolia. In his short stay with Magnolia, Navarro helped the squad rack up eight wins against three losses to book one of the four twice-to-beat bonuses in the quarterfinals. The Hotshots, though, lost twice to TNT to bow out of contention. Magnolia recently named LA Tenorio as its new head coach. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
_2025_05_30_22_04_08.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
04-08-2025
- GMA Network
Meralco Bolts to represent PBA anew in expanded EASL
PBA Philippine Cup. May 30, 2025. Chris Newsome (11) of the Meralco Bolts against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. (Photo: PBA Media) The Meralco Bolts have been named the sole representative of the PBA in the 2025-2026 East Asia Super League (EASL), marking the third straight time the franchise will suit up in the regional club tournament. Meralco made its EASL debut in 2023 alongside another PBA bet in TNT. That edition saw the Bolts rack up one win against five losses to bow out of the Final Four run. The club returned last year and collected two wins against the Macau Black Bears and Busan KCC Egis, but suffered three straight defeats, including a heartbreaking double overtime loss to the New Taipei Kings, in the next games to end its campaign. With Meralco's participation now sealed, the EASL 12-team cast has been completed. The Bolts are drawn in Group B together with the Black Bear as well as last edition's Final Four teams in Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Ryukyu Golden Kings as EASL now features 12 teams from 10 last edition. Group A consists of Hong Kong Eastern, Seoul SK Knights, Taipei Fubon Braves, and Utsonomiya Brex while Group C has Alvark Tokyo, Changwon LG Sakers, New Taipei Kings, and Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos. EASL tips off on October 8 as the league introduces a new format with the top two teams in each group advancing to a Round of 6. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
