Latest news with #PBASeason49PhilippineCup
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Sport
- 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
28-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Calvin Oftana doubtful for Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA Asia Cup
Calvin Oftana's health status puts his availability for Gilas Pilipinas in doubt ahead of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. National team head coach Tim Cone revealed on Monday that Oftana is uncertain to suit up after the sharpshooter sustained injuries during TNT's finals series against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. Oftana hurt both of his ankles in the grueling finals clash as the Tropang 5G eventually fell to the Beermen in six games. "We're not sure about Calvin. The medical reports are that he might be out a little bit longer," Cone said following Gilas' 103-98 win over the Macau Black Bears in a friendly encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. "We were given a medical report from his camp so we're not sure if he's going to be available for the whole tournament." Cone, though, isn't worried about the manpower shortage with his trusted wards in Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos ready to step in whenever necessary. "We're gonna try to address that today or tomorrow and we got Troy and RJ in the wings to step in if necessary," Cone added. Cone also added that June Mar Fajardo, who sat out the send-off showdown against Macau, will take another three-day off before rejoining physical activities once they land in Jeddah, where they will figure in another friendly game against Jordan before the Asia Cup proper. "But June Mar, we expect him to start practicing when we land in Jeddah," Cone shared. "He changes the game for us, we have to play a different way with June Mar on the floor and that's the only concern because we haven't had practice time with him. We'll see what's going on with him." —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Poy Erram reveals ACL injury
Poy Erram bared that he has sustained an ACL injury, just days after his TNT fell to San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals last Friday. Erram revealed the development on Sunday as the seasoned big man is expected to be sidelined for some time, leaving the TNT frontcourt with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams. "With a heavy heart, I share that I've suffered an ACL injury. It's painful, it's frustrating, and I have every reason to be mad," Erram said in a heartfelt post. The 36-year-old Erram hurt his ankle in Game 2, where he still managed to finish with six points, three assists, and two rebounds. He then missed the entire Game 3, but would return in Game 4 and contribute six markers and four boards in almost 19 minutes of action. Erram, though, did not make it again in the next two games as TNT fell short in its grand slam bid with the Beermen closing out the series with a 107-96 Game 6 triumph. Despite the setback, Erram is optimistic that he can still make a comeback. "But I also know that God has a greater plan for setback will only make me stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually.I trust that this journey will bring me even closer to Him," he added. "To all the fans: Thank you for your unwavering support. Your love means more than words can express. This is not the end. Just a new chapter in the story He's writing for me." —Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
PBA: Game 1 loss sparked San Miguel finals fightback vs. TNT
Stung by a heartbreaking loss in Game 1, San Miguel flipped the script against TNT to move to within a win of ruling the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. The Beermen were able to erase a 24-point deficit in the series opener, but an offensive basketball interference call on a Mo Tautuaa dunk attempt spoiled their comeback bid as TNT eked out a 99-96 victory to draw first blood. But since dropping Game 1, San Miguel strung together three consecutive wins to move to the brink of the title. In doing so, they also come closer to ending TNT's Grand Slam hopes. "The biggest impact is our first game — it fuels our grit. You can see naman sa mga players na on their eyes, makikita mo 'yung fire. They want to win," San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said. [The biggest impact is our first game — it fuels our grit. You can see it in the players, in their eyes, you can see the fire. They want to win.] Jericho Cruz echoed Austria sentiments, though he stressed that they have already moved on from that controversial Game 1 affair. Instead, they just regrouped and played as one in the succeeding games. The veteran shooting guard stepped up in Game 4, erupting for 23 points on 5-of-7 shooting from downtown to help the Beermen pull away late en route to a 105-91 romp on Sunday. "Sayang 'yung pagkatalo namin no'n kasi akala namin we have a chance to win the game, ayun nga lang na-minus 'yung points at natalo kami pero tapos na 'yun e. Naka-move on na kami do'n," Cruz shared. "Tulad ng sinasabi ni coach, paglaro namin talagang put in your head na parang every game is your last game. Kaya ako, specifically sinasabihan ni Boss Al, na laruin ko lang 'yung laro ko. Let it be." [It was too bad, that loss of ours because we thought we had a chance to win the game. And there, the points were subtracted and we lost the game. But that's in the past. We've moved on from that… Like coach said, when we play, put in your head that every game is your last game. For me specifically, Boss Al said to just play my game. Let it be.] Cruz's display also proved the depth of San Miguel as the likes of Don Trollano, Jeron Teng, Juami Tiongson, and Rodney Brondial giving the Beermen a huge lift against an injury-riddled TNT. Aside from Cruz's game-high output, Trollano chipped in 11 points in Game 4 while also grabbing six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. "Stepping up lang naman 'yung ginagawa ko. Kumbaga kung panget 'yung or 'di masyadong nilalaro ng first group, nandito kami ni Don to step up sa second group," Cruz added. "'Yun lang 'yung ginagawa namin. Binibigyan din namin sila ng motivation. Gusto ko rin mag-thank you kay coach dahil sa tiwala na binibigay niya sa akin, hanggang ngayon meron pa rin." [What I'm doing is just stepping up. If for example, the first group didn't play so well, Don and I are here to step up with the second group… That's all we're doing. We're giving them motivation. I also want to say thank you to coach because of the trust he gives me. Until now, he continues to give it.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Jojo Lastimosa on SMB's Jericho Cruz after heated Game 4: 'He was showboating'
Emotions ran high in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals between TNT and San Miguel, and Tropang 5G manager Jojo Lastimosa didn't hold back when addressing San Miguel guard Jericho Cruz's on-court behavior. Lastimosa called out Cruz for what he described as 'showboating' during the heated matchup, which saw San Miguel eking out a 105-91 win to move up 3-1 in the series. The loss dealt a major blow to TNT's Grand Slam hopes, as they now need to win three straight games to clinch their third title of the season READ MORE | Jericho Cruz, CJ Perez heat up late as San Miguel nears return to PBA Philippine Cup throne "Lahat naman tayo naglalaro ng basketball. He was showboating," an irate Lastimosa told reporters on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. "The guy has problems, I know he has problems [at] dinadala niya na lang sa court. Wala munang kaibigan dito. He's just acting up. He's just like a little boy." [We all play basketball. He was showboating… The guy has problems. I know he has problems and he's bringing it onto the court. Let's set friendships aside first. He's just acting up. He's just like a little boy.] Cruz — who unleashed 15 of his 23 points in a fourth quarter surge — was animated all game long as he led San Miguel to within one win of the title. Cruz, though, was surprised by the remarks from Lastimosa, especially given the history between them. Cruz and Lastimosa were both with NLEX in the past. "Wala naman akong ginagawang masama e tsaka patapos na 'yung laro, syempre tumatalon ako kasi masaya ako kasi panalo kami e. Hindi naman showboating 'yun," Cruz said. "Hindi ko nga alam 'yun, ang alam ko nga si Chris Ross 'yung inaaway nila at hindi ako. Ako, wala talaga akong alam. Kilala ko naman 'yan, kilala ako niyan kaya nagulat ako nu'ng sinabi niya na ako." [I didn't do anything bad and the game was ending, of course I was jumping because I was happy that we won. That's not showboating… I didn't even know that, I know they were going at Chris Ross, not me. I didn't know anything. I know him, he knows me, so I was surprised that he said it was me.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
