Allein Maliksi finds his mark at a perfect time

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Meralco Bolts’ Allein Maliksi in during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—In a game where the Meralco Bolts needed not to be gun-shy, veteran shooter Allein Maliksi proved the perfect man for the job.

Riding Maliksi’s hot hands, the Bolts broke a deadlock in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals and moved just a win away from getting the franchise’s first league title.

Maliksi became the bearer of bad news for San Miguel as he finished with 22 points and five rebounds in only 26 minutes of action.

READ: Meralco on brink of first PBA title after Game 5 win over San Miguel

After figuring in a string of cold shooting slumps in the Finals, Maliksi became “more assetive” on offense in hopes of lightening the load for his fellow Bolts.

“I was asking plays for myself,” said Maliksi at Araneta Coliseum on Friday after their 92-88 win over the Beermen in Game 5.

“I was more assertive in calling plays for myself. I want to always be involved. I just continued to find my touches because I really needed to step up because they (Bolts) already did. It was my turn [tonight].”

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 5 San Miguel vs Meralco

In the veteran gunslinger’s stellar night, Maliksi registered an efficient 58 percent field goal shooting clip, sinking 10 of his 17 tries from the field.

No performance is perfect, however, and even Maliksi knows that to be true.

He lamented how San Miguel was always just a step behind in such a crucial game in the best-of-seven clash.

Thankfully, he and the Bolts had composure in their arsenal which avoided any hopes of a Beermen rally in the dying seconds of the game.

“For me, it was just our composure,” Maliksi said.  “We needed to answer on defense. That was our focus. All of us have to be on our toes on defense. On the offense, we’re packed. We have no problem.”



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The Bolts look to close out the series and make history on Sunday at the same venue at 6:15 pm.

Kiefer Ravena signs with Yokohama B-Corsairs

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Kiefer Ravena is now a free agent in the Japan B.League after his contract with the Shiga Lakes expired at the end of the season.–B.LEAGUE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Yokohama B-Corsairs will continue to have Filipino blood injected into its lineup in the upcoming 2024-25 Japan B.League season.

But no, it’s not in the form of Kai Sotto.

This time, it will be Kiefer Ravena, who recently left the Shiga Lakes in the middle of the offseason frenzy.

Just a few weeks after the announcement that the older Ravena was leaving the Lakes after a successful stint in the B2 division, the Ateneo product officially committed with the B-Corsairs.

READ: B.League: Kiefer Ravena a free agent after Shiga contract expires

“I am very excited to be playing for the Yokohama B-Corsairs. This will be a new chapter in my career and I hope to bring my experience and competitive spirit to the team,” Ravena said.

“I can’t wait to meet the fans, play with them, and compete for a championship.”

Ravena,  who posted norms of 10.51 points, 4.0 assists and 2.59 rebounds a night last season, was with Shiga in its highs and lows.

He was there when the Lakes were relegated to B2 a few seasons back and when Shiga returned to the B1 division while also winning the B2 title in the process.

Before the new B.League season, Ravena will be suiting up for Philippine side Strong Group in the 43rd William Jones Cup happening next month.

Yokohama finished with a 24-36 record last season.



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Meralco needs to ‘play with poise’ to close out San Miguel

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Meralco Bolts in Game 5 of the PBA philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Playing with poise will be of utmost importance for Meralco as it tries to close out San Miguel in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday.

According to Chris Banchero, the Bolts will have to play their own brand of basketball if they want to avoid a do-or-die Game 7 against the mighty Beermen.

And Meralco locked in.

There were zero celebrations in the Meralco locker room Friday night despite moving just one win away from their first-ever PBA title.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 5 San Miguel vs Meralco

“This goes without saying, we know how good their team is. We have to play with a lot of poise heading into this next game, be determined and work hard,” said Banchero on Friday after their thrilling 92-88 win over San Miguel.

“We know they’ll come out and give it their all and we’ll do the same. We know we’re in no position to do anything because we haven’t done anything.”

Banchero did his job for Meralco to get the 3-2 lead after scoring 12 with four rebounds.

READ: Meralco on brink of first PBA title after Game 5 win over San Miguel

Banchero is also aware that the Beermen are well-capable of mounting a comeback blitz over them.

After all, this is the same team that accomplished the “Beeracle,” winning a title after being down 0-3 in a best-of-seven series with the now-defunct Alaska in the 2016 Philippine Cup.

“They’re going to come out as hard as they can just like they did tonight and we have to play Meralco basketball, play good defense and give it our all.”



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“Sometimes, some guys are going to get hot and other nights we’ll have balanced scoring. We just have to make sure that regardless of what we’re doing on the offense, we’re doing our job on defense.”

June Mar Fajardo knows San Miguel will bounce back

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June Mar Fajardo and the San Miguel Beermen in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Down but not out.

That’s exactly how June Mar Fajardo sees San Miguel Beermen and their chances in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals after going down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series against Meralco.

The Beermen are now just a win away from letting the All-Filipino crown slip, but Fajardo believes his team has what it takes to drag the duel into a deciding Game 7.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 5 San Miguel vs Meralco

“We still have a chance. We’ll bounce back. This is a long series,” said Fajardo in Filipino after their 92-88 loss to the Bolts in Game 5 on Friday.

“We’ll work hard on that next game because we want to get the championship [again]. We won’t just give it that easily… We’ll have to play San Miguel basketball.”

Fajardo played like his usual self with a monster double-double of 38 points and 18 rebounds, showing another reason why he was hailed as the Philippine Cup’s Best Player a few days ago.

READ: Meralco on brink of first PBA title after Game 5 win over San Miguel

The other Beermen, though, had some struggles with the guard tandem of CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter ice cold in the crucial loss.

Lassiter finished with six points, missing eight of his 11 tries from. Whole Perez had 17, he had quite the difficulty getting there shooting just four of his 16 attempts.

PBA Finals San Miguel

San Miguel Beermen bench. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

But while having San Miguel’s lethal shooters frozen posed a problem, nothing was more detrimental to San Miguel than seeing their assists count drop.

“[We had the] same problems in our previous losses,” said Fajardo.

“Our assists were low and that’s why we lost. That’s what coach (Jorge Gallent) told us. We almost had great shots too but we just couldn’t get them to go,” added the seven-time league MVP.



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San Miguel just has one day to try to recover with  Game 6 set for Sunday, also at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Chris Newsome career-best down the drain with Game 4 loss

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Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—It may have been a career night for Chris Newsome, but that was the last thing on his mind after Meralco Bolts’ ‘ Game 4 loss to San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Newsome scored a career best 40 points  only for the Bolts to lose to the Beermen and have the series pushed back to square one at 2-2.

“They made their adjustments. That’s what a playoff series is all about. They definitely came with a lot more energy today and you certainly saw it,” said Newsome.

“111? That’s definitely more than we’re used to giving up so for us it’s back to the drawing board and get back to playing Meralco basketball.”

READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel gets back at Meralco to tie series at 2-2

The final count is the largest scoring output for both squads, putting Meralco’s defensive prowess to shame.

Other than 40 points, Newsome also snagged six rebounds and four assists but it still wasn’t enough to give the Bolts the commanding 3-1 lead.

Instead of celebrating his new career milestone, Newsome chose to look ahead to Game 5 where the Bolts can take the pivotal 3-2 lead.

“It’s a best-of-three now l it’s going to come down to who’s playing the best  basketball at the right time. It’’s a tough loss for us today but that’s why we got the win in the last game, to have that advantage. We’re back to square one. It’s back to square one.”

“It’s going to be a grind out for the rest of the series.”

Meralco and San Miguel go at it again on Friday to see who gets the commanding 3-2 lead.



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Meralco on brink of first PBA title with 3-2 lead over San Miguel

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Meralco Bolts’ Cliff Hodge, Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 5 San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco played with renewed zest in the payoff frame and then kept it together in the final moments on Friday night to slip past San Miguel, 92-88, and move to the doorstep of a maiden PBA Philippine Cup championship.

Allein Maliksi led the scoring charge at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, as Chris Newsome applied the finishing touches in the Game 5 triumph that put the Bolts ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven championship duel.

“Both teams are always ready. I don’t think anybody’s gonna have their guard down. Every game has been close, but that last game though, we didn’t do our job. Today was a struggle and it could’ve gone the other way, but we’re now looking at the next game,” head coach Luigi Trillo said in the post-game presser.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco, San Miguel brace for war with pivotal Game 5 up

“We cannot be too down on ourselves and we cannot be too high on ourselves, and these guys knew that. They were brave today. I have faith in the guys, they are a resilient bunch,” he went on as his crew rebounded from a decisive Game 4 beating last Wednesday.

Maliksi finished with 22 points off the bench, while Newsome delivered just as many–with 18 points coming in the second half of the victory.

Meralco Bolts' Allein Maliksi tries to slip past the defense of San Miguel Beermen's Chris Ross during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals

Meralco Bolts’ Allein Maliksi tries to slip past the defense of San Miguel Beermen’s Chris Ross during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“We just wanted to stay in the moment. Today, I challenged myself. We’ve read articles (about our struggles) so, I told Bong (Quinto), Raymond (Almazan) that we step up,” Maliksi said.

And that’s what Meralco did. Almazan and Quinto tossed in 14 and 8 points as the Bolts limited San Miguel to yet a sub-90 point performance–a trend that has done wonders for the Bolts this finale.

Fajardo had 38 points that went with 18 rebounds. CJ Perez added 17 but was the only other San Miguel player to chip in a double-digit score.

Meralco can wrap this series up this Sunday at the same venue.

“We want to win one to gain respect. And that’s what’s on our mind for this Sunday,” said Trillo.

The Scores:

MERALCO 92 – Maliksi 22, Newsome 22, Almazan 14, Banchero 12, Quinto 8, Bates 6, Hodge 6, Caram 2, Rios 0, Torres 0, Pascual 0

SAN MIGUEL 88 – Fajardo 38, Perez 17, Lassiter 6, Romeo 6, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 5, Trollano 5, Ross 3, Manuel 2,



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QUARTERS: 24-25, 47-46, 69-70, 92-88

Kevin Quiambao, Kent Pastrana banner collegiate Mythical teams

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UST’s Kent Pastrana and La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao. –INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao and UST’s Kent Pastrana banner the two Mythical Teams to be honored in the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night on Monday evening at Discovery Suites Manila in Ortigas, Pasig.

The 5-foot-7 Pastrana powered the Golden Tigresses to their first basketball title in 17 years to headline the first-ever Women’s Basketball Mythical Team in the annual collegiate rites also backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

She proved a steady force on the offensive end as the ace guard led the Growling Tigresses in ending the seven-year dynasty of the NU Lady Bulldogs in three thrilling games in the finals.

READ: Kevin Quiambao reiterates commitment to La Salle

Pastrana was also named the UAAP Season 86 Player of the Year for Team Events by the league on top of making it to the UAAP Season 86 Mythical Five.

For the CPC’s historic award, Pastrana will be joined by her teammate and Season 86 Finals MVP Tantoy Ferrer, FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Josee Kaputu, Rookie of the Year in UP Fighting Maroons’ Favour Onoh, and Season MVP in Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa.

Quiambao, for his part, clinched a golden double by becoming the UAAP Season MVP and Finals MVP to undisputedly lead the Mythical Team in the men’s side featuring the best ballers from the UAAP Season 86 and NCAA Season 99.

The 6-foot-7 forward led the Green Archers to a dry spell-busting championship against the UP Fighting Maroons, also in three games, to take the Green Archers to their first title since 2016.

Mapua’s Clint Escamis, the NCAA Season 99 Rookie of the Year-MVP, UP’s Malick Diouf, Lyceum’s Enoch Valdez, and former San Beda Red Lion Jacob Cortez complete the CPC Men’s Basketball Mythical Team.



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Alas Pilipinas girls cop bronze medal in Thailand U18 tournament

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FILE–Alas Pilipinas girls during a game in the Princess Cup Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas Girls captured a historic bronze medal in the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship after sweeping Australia, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20, in the battle for third on Thursday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

The national youth team turned to Kimberly Rubin and Harlyn Serneche anew to beat the Australians for the second time this tournament and earn its best finish in its second appearance in the regional meet.

Alas, under rookie Japanese coach Taka Minowa, surpassed the previous fourth place of the former national youth team, led by Princess Cup Best Libero Kath Arado in 2016.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls lose chance to reach final of Thailand tilt

The 2016 youth team fell to to Indonesia, 12-25, 21-25, 17-25, in the bronze medal match but Arado proved to be the silver lining of the tournament after earning a spot on the mythical team.

In the u-18 team’s revival, Minowa, also Akari’s coach in the PVL, and his wards won four of their six games, bouncing back from a crucial 22-25, 18-25, 19-25 loss to Indonesia on Wednesday.

The nationals dominated the opening set but needed to fight back from a 13-16 deficit in the second as the Aussies committed three consecutive attack errors before Serneche drilled an attack and Lianne Penuliar nailed an ace for a 19-16 lead.

READ: Alas Pilipinas podium finish ushers in new era for PH volleyball

Australia trimmed it down to 22-21 but Serneche and Ashley Macalinao put on the finishing touches of the second for a two-set lead.

Alas broke a tie at 19-all after back-to-back miscues from Australia before Rosie Alchin stopped the bleeding, 21-20. Maile Salang’s big block and miscommunication from the Aussies allowed the Filipinos to pull away with a 23-20 lead, as Rubin sealed the bronze with back-to-back kills.

Interestingly, Alas women’s team, led by Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino, earned bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup last month after beating Australia.

The national youth team got a morale booster from its bronze finish before heading to the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship starting on Sunday at the same venue.



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Thailand and Indonesia will clash for the Princess Cup supremacy later in the day.

Standout coaches to be feted by Collegiate Press Corps

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UST Growling Tigresses coach Haydee Ong. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) will honor seven of the best coaches, led by mentors in volleyball and women’s basketball for the first time when it stages its annual Awards Night at Discovery Suites Manila on Monday

The CPC added five more recipients for the prestigious Coach of the Year Awards following the UAAP Season 86 and NCAA Season 99 to join the group’s list of staple recognitions headlined by mentors from men’s basketball.

Haydee Ong of the University of Santo Tomas will be hailed as the UAAP Women’s Basketball COTY after steering the Growling Tigresses to their first UAAP title in 16 years, ending the seven-peat reign of no less than the National University Lady Bulldogs.

READ: How Haydee Ong transformed UST Tigresses into becoming NU’s downfall

The CPC will also honor the stellar rise of volleyball coaches in both collegiate leagues for the first time in the grand ceremony.

Over at the UAAP, NU’s coach Dante Alinsunurin will be named the Men’s Volleyball COTY for winning a dynastic four-peat with the Bulldogs following a sweep of the UST Golden Spikers in the finals.

Norman Miguel, for his part, will take home the UAAP Women’s Volleyball COTY plum for bringing the Lady Bulldogs back to the promised land after missing out on the championship last year at the hands of La Salle. Miguel pushed NU back to the crown in dominant fashion, sweeping the Golden Tigresses in the process.

The NCAA had no shortage of coaching greatness as well with Sammy Acaylar of Perpetual Help winning the NCAA Men’s Volleyball COTY. Acaylar showed his mettle in the coaching post after pushing the Altas to 11-0 sweep all the way to the NCAA Season 99 crown for their fourth straight title.

Jerry Yee, on the other hand, will be the NCAA Women’s Volleyball COTY for authoring the College of St. Benilde’s three-peat, highlighted by 40-and-counting wins in a row.

In the traditional side of the awards, Topex Robinson will be feted with the UAAP Men’s Basketball COTY after steering La Salle to the Season 86 title at the expense of the University of the Philippines to snap a seven-year drought.

Yuri Escueta, meanwhile, will be the NCAA Men’s Basketball COTY after guiding San Beda to the Season 99 chip against all odds. Escueta and the Red Lions made the unthinkable by winning the whole tourney despite being the underdogs as the third seed, especially against Mapua in the finale.



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PBA Finals Game 5 San Miguel vs Meralco

On: By: admin


2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals schedule (Game 5)

Smart Araneta Coliseum

7:30pm – San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts

FULL SCHEDULE HERE.

PBA Finals: Meralco, San Miguel brace for war with pivotal Game 5 up

San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—There has been a popular notion in basketball that when a best-of-seven duel is tied at 2-2, whoever wins Game 5 wins the series.

While that may have proven true for several series in the past, players from Meralco and San Miguel don’t see the same thing going down in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Just ask Chris Newsome and Chris Ross, who will be leading their respective teams in the now-virtual best-of-three series for the All-Filipino trophy. FULL STORY

PBA Finals: With tiebreaker looming, Meralco tries to dig out more points

Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Producing the best scoring game of his PBA career with 40 points provided little silver lining for Meralco’s Chris Newsome after San Miguel Beer evened things up at 2-2 in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

“It’s great that I scored 40, but the win is definitely more important,” Newsome said after the Game 4 defeat on Wednesday night.

Newsome and the Bolts have another crack at getting a third win, and closer to their first-ever PBA title, in Friday’s pivotal fifth game of the series at Smart Araneta Coliseum. FULL STORY

PBA: Terrence Romeo determined to help San Miguel despite injury

San Miguel Beermen guard Terrence Romeo suits up in PBA Finals Game 4.

San Miguel Beermen guard Terrence Romeo suits up in PBA Finals Game 4. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent commended Terrence Romeo for playing through the pain in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

In the Beermen’s 111-101 conquest of Meralco, Romeo played significant minutes despite nursing an aching calf.

Gallent said that Romeo insisted on playing for the Beermen in hopes of avoiding a 3-1 rut. FULL STORY

PBA: Chris Newsome’s career-best down the drain with Game 4 loss

Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It may have been a career night for Chris Newsome, but that was the last thing on his mind after Meralco Bolts’ ‘ Game 4 loss to San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Newsome scored a career best 40 points  only for the Bolts to lose to the Beermen and have the series pushed back to square one at 2-2.

“They made their adjustments. That’s what a playoff series is all about. They definitely came with a lot more energy today and you certainly saw it,” said Newsome. FULL STORY



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