Photo Courtesy: PBA
Calvin Oftana and Zavier Lucero lead their respective teams to victory.
TNT reclaims momentum, Magnolia makes statement in Antipolo
On Sunday, May 4, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Rizal, the TNT Tropang 5G finally found their groove after dropping their first three outings, while the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued to dominate the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, capturing their fifth straight victory.
TNT’s 89-84 upset over the San Miguel Beermen was less about precision and more about pride.
“We're a different team now,” admitted TNT head coach Chot Reyes, acknowledging the absence of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson—due to the All-Filipino format—and team leader Jayson Castro, who remains out with an injury. “We said, ‘Let’s write our own story.’ This win is just the first chapter.”
Calvin Oftana led the charge with 23 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, delivering both the numbers and the intangibles.
“We’re happy with the start, but we know the job’s not done,” said Victolero.
In the second game, Magnolia flexed its depth and dominance, steamrolling Terrafirma, 127-94, to remain the only unbeaten team at 5-0.
Zavier Lucero once again led the Hotshots with 17 points and nine rebounds.
The new system employed by head coach Chito Victolero continues to pay dividends. He utilized all 15 players, each contributing at least three points in the win.
“We’re happy with the start, but we know the job’s not done,” said Victolero, whose team is clearly playing with a renewed sense of urgency after lackluster performances in the season’s earlier conferences.
In the second quarter, Magnolia ambushed Terrafirma with a stunning 27-2 run that turned a close game into a blowout, exposing Terrafirma’s struggles on the glass and in transition. The Hotshots out-rebounded the Dyip 66-27 and limited them to just four field goals in that period. The statistical gaps were telling: +30 in inside points, +22 in second-chance scoring, and a +10 advantage in turnover conversions.
Meanwhile, TNT’s victory was a product of grit rather than dominance. Despite squandering an 11-point lead, they held firm in the clutch. Simon Enciso, a former Beerman, hit three triples—including a dagger late in the fourth—while RR Pogoy and Rey Nambatac delivered timely buckets.
Enciso’s performance—efficient and error-free—symbolized TNT’s renewed discipline: not flashy, but effective.
San Miguel leaned on CJ Perez’s 26 points and a double-double from June Mar Fajardo, but a lack of consistent support and defensive lapses down the stretch proved costly.
Terrafirma, now at 1-4, was once again undone by poor execution and a weak interior presence. Despite solid showings from Louie Sangalang (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Stanley Pringle (17 points), they couldn’t match Magnolia’s tempo and cohesion.
In the bigger picture, Magnolia’s ascent reflects a team finally aligning execution with expectation, while TNT’s breakthrough may serve as a pivotal moment—not just in the standings, but in rediscovering their identity.
In a league where momentum is fleeting and reputations are forged in the crucible of conference play, both wins meant more than just numbers. For one team, it was confirmation. For the other, it was resurrection.
The Scores:
1st Game:
MAGNOLIA 127 - Lucero 17, Lee 13, Ahanmisi 11, Eriobu 11, Laput 9, Abueva 8, Lastimosa 8, Sangalang 8, Dela Rosa 8, Balanza 8, Barroca 7, Alfaro 6, Escoto 6, Reavis 4, Dionisio 3.
TERRAFIRMA 94 - Sangalang 19, Pringle 17, Ferrer 17, Olivario 8, Melecio 7, Ramos 7, Hernandez 6, Catapusan 6, Nonoy 4, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 0.
Quarter Scores: 27-25, 65-37, 91-63, 127-94.
2nd Game:
TNT 89 - Oftana 23, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 14, Enciso 13, Williams 12, Khobuntin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Razon 0, Aurin 0.
SAN MIGUEL 84 - Perez 26, Fajardo 21, Tiongson 15, Lassiter 14, Cruz 6, Brondial 2, Tautuaa 0, Teng 0, Ross 0, Trollano 0, Rosales 0, Cahilig 0.
Quarter Scores: 26-26, 44-39, 71-62, 89-84.
News
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is pushing a landmark plan to open government-run golf courses to children aged 15 and below—completely free of charge.
Initiated by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, the proposal would give youth access to select courses, including Camp John Hay in Baguio and Intramuros Golf Club in Manila, starting at noon daily, seven days a week.
The plan, now with the Office of the President, awaits approval as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. consults with golf industry stakeholders.
While some military-run courses may resist concerns about income and congestion, Gregorio believes the long-term benefits for grassroots golf outweigh the drawbacks. “If we want golf to grow, we have to let more Filipino kids touch a golf club—not just the ones who can afford it,” he said.
With golf’s high costs limiting access, the PSC hopes the initiative will spark broader participation, open doors to scholarships, and develop future champions from all backgrounds.
The Philippine women’s softball team—the Blu Girls—are eyeing nothing less than gold as they prepare to defend their title at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand.
After softball’s two-edition absence from the SEA Games, head coach Ana Santiago said the team’s hunger for victory remains undiminished. “Nothing less than gold ang goal natin,” Santiago declared, recalling the Blu Girls’ last gold win at home in 2019.
A dominant force since 1979, the Blu Girls have collected 11 SEA Games golds and are returning as favorites. Team captain Charlotte Sales and power hitter Roma Cruz, both SEA Games debutantes, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness, especially after a productive training camp in Taiwan.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung training camp namin. Nakatulong sa teamwork, communication, and ‘yung samahan,” Sales shared.
Cruz, who smashed five homers at the Asian Cup in China last July, is determined to prove herself on the SEA Games stage. “Gusto ko ipakita na kaya ko makipagsabayan,” she said.
While the Blu Girls topped Indonesia for gold in 2019, Santiago sees Singapore as this year’s biggest threat, citing their extensive preparations in Australia, Japan, and Taiwan.
The Philippines opens against Singapore on December 15, then faces Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia before the gold medal game on December 20.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president John Henry Lhuillier’s marching order is clear: go for double gold in both women’s and men’s softball. “That’s the goal,” Santiago affirmed.
Cambodia has withdrawn from eight sports in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand due to security concerns amid ongoing border tensions, an Olympic official confirmed last November 27.
The decision comes after intermittent military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand throughout the year, including a deadly July outbreak that left over 40 people dead.
Despite a US-brokered truce, diplomatic strains remain.
The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) informed the Southeast Asian Games Federation that it would skip events such as football, petanque, wrestling, judo, and karate, citing “significant security concerns” for its athletes and officials.
NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun emphasized that the move was strictly about safety, reducing the delegation from 333 to 150 athletes competing in 13 sports.
The pullout is aimed at making monitoring easier amid heightened tensions over overlapping claims to ancient temples along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The Philippines will field its largest-ever delegation for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, sending 1,600 athletes, coaches, and officials to compete in 50 sports at the biennial meet during the 33rd 2025 send-off at Rizal Memorial Coliseum held last November 28.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the decision to send a record-sized team was rooted in prioritizing exposure and athlete development over immediate results
“When you send a delegation, they learn. When you send a big delegation, they gain confidence and experience,” Gregorio said. “We want our athletes’ mindset and skills to toughen up so they can compete at the Asian Games and the Olympics.”
The 2025 SEA Games will feature 574 medal events, three demonstration sports—air sports, flying disc, and tug of war—and MMA as a value-added sport.
Gregorio emphasized that investing in athletes’ experience now lays the groundwork for future success. “We’re giving our athletes the exposure they need to compete better in the future,” he said.
The Philippines will target podium finishes in medal-rich sports including basketball, esports, boxing, weightlifting, jiu-jitsu, and athletics when the SEA Games open on December 9.
In a heartfelt send-off, the senate committee on sports, Senator Bong Go, reminded the country’s national athletes of the immense pride and hope they bring as they head into international competitions.
“Always remember, you carry not just your name, but the spirit of every Filipino,” Go said. “When you win, the whole nation wins with you. No matter the result, you already carry the pride and admiration of the Filipino people.”
Reassuring the athletes of his unwavering support, the official added, “My office is always open for you. If you need anything—whether a solution or a problem—just come to my office.”
As the delegation prepared to embark on their journey, he encouraged them to fight with determination and honor the country. “Fight with all your heart. Bring home the bacon. The honor you bring to the country—you will carry it for the rest of your life. It is engraved in the history of the Philippines.”
He closed by urging the team to give their best, stay united, and make every Filipino proud: “Show the world how strong and united Filipinos can be.”
