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The NLEX Road Warriors and Blackwater Bossing opened their campaigns in the 2025 Kadayawan Invitational Tournament with victories on Thursday, August 21, at the USEP Gym in Davao City.

In the first game, Sedrick Barefield powered Blackwater to a 94-81 triumph over the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

The 2024 second overall draft pick finished with 28 points built on six three-pointers, including three straight that stretched their 72-66 lead to a commanding 81-68 advantage.

Aside from Barefield, Jed Mendoza made an impressive debut with the Bossing, scoring 16 markers, while Troy Mallillin added 17 points and six rebounds.

On the other side, Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay led Phoenix with 12 points apiece in the Fuel Masters’ first game under new head coach Willie Wilson, who took over from Jamike Jarin after he was elevated to team consultant.

The stage is set for a wide-open race as the maiden Pilipinas United 3x3 League (PUL) tips off this weekend at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Twelve men’s teams and eight women’s squads will battle for supremacy in this new halfcourt basketball showcase.

“Passion fuels every drive, every shot, every hustle, while purpose brings us together to push Philippine basketball to greater heights,” said PUL commissioner Eric Altamirano.

Local men’s teams include David Licauco’s Taho Story A, powerhouse Half Court Group (Hoopjeep), Sidney Onwubere’s YouGuard, and David Carlos’ Activate Sports, along with AMG Physical Therapy Clinic, Smile 360 Dental Clinic, Solaris, and Taho Story B. They will take on an international field featuring Ninja Airs and SBB from Japan, Dame Dolla from Vietnam, and Kuala Lumpur from Malaysia.

The men’s champion will earn a USD 5,000 prize and a ticket to the FIBA 3x3 Kaohsiung Challenger in October, while the top local team secures a spot in the FIBA 3x3 Manila Challenger in September.

In the women’s division, two-time UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa leads Gilas Pilipinas Women U23, joined by Uratex Dream and Pilipinas Aguilas.

International contenders include Japan’s Maurice Lacroix, Malaysia’s Harimau Black and Yellow, Vietnam’s Hanoi 3x3 By Amigos, and Singapore’s Jumpshot—all vying for the USD 3,000 cash prize.

Fans can catch the action live on PusoP.com and on Solar Sports via Digital Free TV Channel 21 in Mega Manila, Cablelink Channel 58, Sky Cable Channel 70 in NCR, and over 200 Pay TV operators nationwide.

A major transition is underway for Gilas Pilipinas as veteran big man Japeth Aguilar nears the end of his storied international career, making way for the arrival of Quentin Millora-Brown.

Head coach Tim Cone confirmed that Millora-Brown—a 6-foot-10 former US NCAA Division I player with a brief stint at the University of the Philippines—has been officially cleared by FIBA to represent the Philippines as a local, after a successful appeal by his legal team. This means he joins Gilas without affecting the naturalized player quota, fulfilling his long-held dream of donning the national colors.

Millora-Brown’s addition bolsters an emerging frontline that now includes AJ Edu (6’10”) and Kai Sotto (7'3”), alongside veteran June Mar Fajardo (6'10”). Cone expressed excitement about the future, envisioning a formidable trio of Millora-Brown, Sotto, and Edu anchoring Gilas for years to come.

Japeth Aguilar, 38, has answered the call for the national team since 2009 and was coaxed out of retirement for the latest campaign after Kai Sotto’s injury.

“Japeth is a warrior. He’s stepped up for the country time and time again,” Cone said, expressing admiration for the veteran’s dedication.

With Millora-Brown’s skillset and basketball IQ, Cone believes he will seamlessly fit into Gilas’ triangle offense, the same system Cone runs at Barangay Ginebra. “He’ll fit well within our triangle system and will enjoy playing that role,” Cone noted.

As Aguilar’s era winds down, Gilas Pilipinas enters a new chapter—led by a young, athletic frontcourt trio ready to carry the nation’s basketball hopes onto the international stage.

The East Asia Super League (EASL) returns on October 8, 2025, with the season tip-off taking place in two venues—one in Taipei and the other in Tokyo.

At the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, fans will be treated to a doubleheader. The first matchup features the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex against the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves.

Utsunomiya will be spearheaded by veteran star Makoto Hiejima, while the Braves will rely on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.

Australia claimed the gold for the third straight time in the FIBA Asia Cup after surviving a nail-biting finish against China, 90-89, on Monday morning, August 18 (PH time), at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Boomers, who have been undefeated in the tournament since joining the Asia Cup in 2017, once again proved their resilience on the biggest stage. But before clinching their third consecutive crown, the Australians had to claw back from a double-digit deficit as they trailed by as many as 15 points through the first three quarters.

Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign ended in the quarterfinals as Australia showcased its world-class talent, cruising to an 84-60 win on Wednesday night, August 13.

The Boomers came out firing, draining seven three-pointers in the opening quarter—including three from Jaylin Galloway—to take a commanding 29-12 lead. 

From there, the two-time defending champions maintained control, never allowing Gilas to mount a sustained comeback.

Despite the early deficit, Gilas fought valiantly with Dwight Ramos and Kevin Quiambao leading multiple rallies. However, each surge was quickly answered by Australia’s potent offense, which mixed deadly perimeter shooting with strong inside play.

“We made too many mistakes. Australia is one of the top teams in the world. If we want to compete with them, we need to be sharper in execution and preparation. But I think it will come in time,” Ramos admitted. 

The loss marked the end of a gritty run for Gilas, who reached the quarterfinals despite injuries, chemistry challenges, and inconsistency.

Still undefeated, world No. 7 Australia advanced to the semifinals and will face the winner of Iran versus Chinese Taipei. The game also marked the first official meeting between the Philippines and Australia since their infamous 2018 brawl, with both sides showing cooler heads this time.

With this experience, Gilas gains valuable lessons and a clearer sense of what it takes to compete with Asia’s best—especially as they prepare for another showdown with Australia in the upcoming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Gilas Pilipinas head coach, Tim Cone gave some insights after the game and realized that their opponent is very superior in terms of athleticism and length, although they were trying to keep the pace slower, but they (Gilas) didn’t have the discipline to stick to that game plan. 

"The Australian athleticism and length, even though you see it on video, you realize that they are superior. We just had a hard time staying in front of them and challenging their threes, so they got up their shots quickly." We were trying to keep it at a slower pace, but we didn't have the discipline to do that," Cone stated.

"We really liked our time together. I like the way we play, I like the togetherness, they are all easy to coach, but I didn't like our performance tonight. I didn't think we stepped up as much as we wanted to," he added.

After a rollercoaster ride through the group stage, Gilas Pilipinas finds itself facing one of the biggest challenges of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup: a quarterfinal clash with powerhouse Australia.

Gilas' path to this do-or-die matchup was anything but smooth. Early losses to Chinese-Taipei and New Zealand pushed the team into a tough bracket. That left them with no choice but to face the tournament’s top seed far earlier than hoped.

But if there’s one thing head coach Tim Cone has learned, it’s that this team knows how to rise when it matters most.

“Australia is pretty much the No. 1 seed in the tournament, and for us to beat them it would be an upset,”  Cone admitted.

“But beating Iraq, and the way we won over Saudi Arabia, has given us some momentum. Hopefully, we can carry that into the Australia game.” he added.

That thrilling 95–88 overtime victory against Saudi Arabia — punctuated by a clutch game-tying three from Justin Brownlee with 3.7 seconds left — kept Gilas' hopes alive. Kevin Quiambao also made a strong case for a permanent spot in the rotation. He scored 17 points and hit two big threes in extra time.

Australia, winners of the last two Asia Cup tournaments (2017, 2022), have yet to drop a game in the continental competition. They swept Group A with dominant wins over South Korea, Lebanon, and Qatar. The team was powered by the stellar play of Jaylin Galloway (18 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.3 SPG).

Gilas knows what’s at stake — and who stands in their way.

“Losing the first two games of the tournament got us here. But we figured that if we’re going to do something special, we have to go through Australia at some point. And now that it’s here in front of us, we’re gonna do our best to get at them. We didn’t expect to play them this early,” Cone stated.

This quarterfinal isn’t just a battle for a semifinal berth — it’s also the first meeting between Gilas and Australia since the infamous bench-clearing brawl in 2018 at the Philippine Arena during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

That incident drew global attention and led to heavy sanctions for both teams, leaving a dark mark on their history. But both federations have since moved forward.

“That was in the past. We understand that and we have learned from that. We just play basketball and that’s what we have to focus on.” said SBP President Al Panlilio.

Panlilio also noted that relations between the SBP and Basketball Australia have since improved, with the Aussies even expressing excitement over hosting Gilas later this year in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Gilas enters Wednesday’s 7 PM (Philippine time) showdown as heavy underdogs, but if there’s one thing this team has shown, it’s their ability to thrive under pressure. With momentum on their side, Gilas is determined to shock the world. 

A hard-fought 2025 MPBL Season matchup at Batangas City Coliseum turned troubling after a violent incident on Monday night, August 11.

Gensan’s Michole Sorela threw a punch at Mindoro’s Jonas Tibayan at the 7:34 mark, knocking him unconscious. Tibayan suffered a broken jaw, a busted lip, and a fractured shoulder after hitting the floor hard, and had to be stretchered out.

According to Mindoro Tamaraws team owner Pola Mayor Ina Raymundo, Tibayan will be transferred to a Manila hospital for further evaluation.

Meanwhile, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) also handed Michole Solera of the Gensan Warriors a lifetime ban and a ₱200,000 fine following a disqualifying foul that left Jonas Tibayan of the Mindoro Tamaraws hospitalized.

This strong sanction comes as the league reaffirms its stance on player safety and sportsmanship on the court.

"We condemn the incident, and the MPBL won't tolerate such actions. It compromises the player's safety and taints the league's image.

"I've seen the worst (in basketball) and this is one of them. The league has the full authority to impose sanctions on this deplorable behavior," said MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.

Despite the incident, Bam Gamalinda paced Mindoro with 21 points and Wendell Comboy added 16, helping the Tamaraws secure the win.

We wish Jonas Tibayan a full and speedy recovery.

Gilas Pilipinas officially earned a spot in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after escaping host country Saudi Arabia in overtime, 95-88, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12, Manila Time).

Justin Brownlee produced another miracle as he drained the contested triple to force OT and finished with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds for Gilas, setting up a date with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13. 

With 3.7 seconds remaining, Brownlee tied the score to 79-all before Kevin Quiambao sank a pair of triples in the extra frame to complete a 17-point performance, including three dimes, and three deflections. 

Defending champion De La Salle University is headed back to the finals after overpowering host Japan University Select Team, 88-75, in the 2025 World University Basketball Series (WUBS) Final Four on Sunday, August 10, at the Yoyogi National Gym in Tokyo.

The Green Archers broke the game open with a decisive 22-7 run in the second quarter, turning a slim 19-17 lead into a commanding 41-24 halftime advantage. Despite a stronger second-half push from the Japanese squad, La Salle held firm to secure its second straight WUBS championship appearance.

La Salle, the UAAP Season 87 runner-up, will face either Korea University or Nippon Sport Science University in Monday’s title game. 

Last year, the Archers claimed the title over Korea University, 101-86, led by Kevin Quiambao, who now plays in the Korean Basketball League. This time, Mike Phillips anchored La Salle’s charge, building on his strong quarterfinal performance against National Chengchi University of Chinese Taipei.

Supporting Phillips were Mason Amos, Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Luis Pablo, Earl Abadam, and Vhoris Marasigan.

Meanwhile, UAAP champion UP exited early, falling 75-71 to Korea University in the first round and 96-77 to Australia’s University of Sydney in the battle for fifth place.

The WUBS is an annual knockout tournament featuring eight collegiate champion teams from across Asia.

Gilas Pilipinas put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell to New Zealand, 94-86, early Friday morning (Manila time) at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Justin Brownlee led the charge with 37 points, but a missed free throw in the final minute and a late-game surge by the Tall Blacks dashed the Nationals’ hopes of a comeback. Gilas erased an 18-point deficit and closed the gap to three, 85-82, with under four minutes remaining, but crucial turnovers and clutch plays by Taylor Britt sealed the win for New Zealand.

Dwight Ramos contributed 19 points, while June Mar Fajardo chipped in 11 points and four rebounds. Jordan Ngatai paced New Zealand with 22 points—19 coming in a hot-shooting first half.

Despite back-to-back losses, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone remains optimistic as the team faces a do-or-die game in the 31st FIBA Asia Cup.

After suffering their second straight defeat—this time to New Zealand—Cone acknowledged the tough situation the team is in, one few could have predicted. 

Gilas must now win against Iraq on Saturday to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive, as both teams are winless so far. Iraq also dropped their second game to Chinese Taipei, 87-60.

“We’re disappointed, but the tournament is not over for us. We have a big game against Iraq coming up and we’ll see if we can get into the next round,” Cone said. 

A loss to Iraq would mean an early exit for world No. 34 Gilas Pilipinas, but Cone remains confident. 

“We just need to keep battling, keep our heads up, and move forward. We can’t dwell on these last two losses—there’s still more to do, and we’ll be ready for our next game,” he stressed.

Gilas drops to 0-2 in group play but still has a chance to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive with a must-win game against Iraq on Saturday at 4 p.m. (Manila time).

Gilas Pilipinas will try to bounce back from its opening loss to Chinese Taipei in the 31st FIBA Asia Cup, currently being held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Philippines faces the New Zealand Tall Blacks on Thursday at 11:00 p.m. (Manila time), hoping to move on from a disappointing 95-87 defeat a night earlier.

It will be a tough assignment for the world No. 34-ranked squad as it takes on the 22nd-ranked New Zealand in a must-win battle to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, welcomed the Masters Pinoy Pilipinas 45-Up Basketball Team to the Senate last Monday, August 4, following their gold medal victory at the 2025 World Masters Games in Taiwan.

Known for his unwavering support for Filipino athletes, Senator Go personally congratulated the team for bringing pride and honor to the country.

He recognized team officials—Team Manager Reynaldo Punongbayan, Assistant Manager Dick Victor Carmona, Head Coach Arlene Rodriguez, and Assistant Coaches Dann Michael Caneba, Albert Valbuena, and Diego Padua—as well as the players, including Justice Midas Marquez, Gilbert Malabanan, Roger Yap, Estong Ballesteros, Oliver Agapito, Rendell dela Rea, Romel David, Guiness Nabung, Milo Bonifacio, Edwin Manabat, Ricky Ricafuente, Arvin Aguila, Paul Reguera, and Marlon Basco.

The senator’s interaction with the athletes was warm and sincere, as he shared anecdotes and checked on their well-being.

“Congratulations to our Pilipinas 45-Up Basketball Team for winning the 2025 World Masters Games in Taiwan. Victories like this bring national pride that money can’t buy. You carry the honor of our country—thank you for your dedication,” Go said.

Gilas Pilipinas suffered a tough defeat in their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup opener, falling to Chinese Taipei, 95–87, on Wednesday morning, August 6 (Manila time), at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The loss leaves the Philippines with a 0–1 record in Group D, matching Iraq, while Chinese Taipei and New Zealand both hold early wins in the group standings.

Justin Brownlee led Gilas with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists but fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, hampering the team’s comeback hopes. Kevin Quiambao provided a spark off the bench with 17 points (3-of-6 from three), four rebounds, and two assists, while Dwight Ramos and Scottie Thompson chipped in 16 points each.

A slow start proved costly for the Nationals, as poor defense and turnovers allowed Chinese Taipei to rack up 27 points in the opening period and forced Gilas to play catch-up throughout.

“Obviously, we didn’t play a very good game. We were outcoached, and it was a disappointing one on my part,” said Gilas Coach Tim Cone.

Gilas trimmed a 17-point deficit to within two possessions several times in the second half, but Chinese Taipei’s hot shooting—especially from Ying-Chun Chen, who poured in 34 points and six three-pointers—kept the Philippines at bay. Brownlee’s early exit with over four minutes left only added to the team’s woes.

The Philippines struggled with fouls, committing 26 and sending Taiwan to the line for 35 free throws (making 27, 77.1%). Despite a 48–24 rebounding edge, Gilas couldn’t capitalize.

With a quick turnaround, the team now shifts focus to its next game against New Zealand on Thursday, August 7, at 11:00 p.m.

Cone emphasized: “There is only one thing we can do at this point, and that is move on. We’ve got New Zealand coming in two days, so we gotta get ready for them.”

The Scores:

Chinese Taipei 95 – Chen Y.C. 34, Gilbeck 16, R. Hinton 14, Lin 14, Gadiaga 5, A. Hinton 4, Tseng 4, Ma 3, Hu 1, Liu 0, Gao 0, Chen K.C. 0.

Gilas Pilipinas 87 – Brownlee 19, Quiambao 17, Thompson 16, Ramos 16, Edu 8, Oftana 6, Newsome 3, Fajardo 2, Perez 0, Aguilar 0, Tamayo 0.

William Navarro’s long-awaited overseas stint is finally underway.

The versatile 6-foot-6 forward has officially signed with the Busan KCC Egis, the Korean Basketball League (KBL) club announced on Tuesday, sealing a dream move years in the making.

Aspiring to play in Asia’s first-ever pay-for-play league? Now’s your chance! The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has officially opened applications for the 2025 Rookie Draft, ahead of its milestone 50th season tipping off on October 5, 2025.

Application forms are now available at the PBA office, and hopefuls have three weeks—from August 4 to 29—to submit their requirements and earn the right to be part of the draft proceedings on September 7.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is exploring the possibility of forming a Gilas Pilipinas lineup that blends PBA pros and top collegiate talent for the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, slated from December 9 to 20.

With the PBA’s 50th season Philippine Cup deep in the elimination round by then, the PBA Board of Governors has approved the release of only a limited number of players for the SEA Games campaign.

Veteran coach and Meralco consultant Norman Black is being tapped to lead the squad, pending a formal confirmation from the SBP. 

Black, who last coached a gold-winning SEA Games in 2011, confirmed his willingness to take on the task.

After an impressive showing against Gilas Pilipinas, the Macau Black Bears are aiming to join the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as a guest team.

Fresh from their competitive Gilas send-off game, the Black Bears have formally expressed interest in participating as a guest squad for one or two conferences in the PBA’s upcoming 50th season. 

In a letter to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, Black Bears president of basketball operations Lukas Peng emphasized their commitment to building a highly competitive, professionally managed team that will proudly represent Macau and its vibrant Filipino community, while expanding the PBA’s reach in Greater China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Commissioner Marcial responded positively, confirming that discussions will soon begin to explore the partnership. He also met with Black Bears general manager Kevin Connelly, who is responsible for team operations and is the brother of NBA Minnesota Timberwolves president Tim Connelly.

As part of their proposal, Peng requested special consideration for player eligibility, asking the PBA to allow players from China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to register as locals under a "Greater China Rule." He also cited precedent from the Bay Area Dragons, who fielded players of documented Chinese heritage as locals, and inquired about the eligibility of Filipino and EASL-registered players to play as locals for the Black Bears.

While no formal agreement has been reached yet, the potential entry of the Macau Black Bears—a familiar name in the ASEAN Basketball League—could be a major step in the PBA’s push for greater international relevance. If approved, the Black Bears would follow the path of the Bay Area Dragons, who became the PBA’s first foreign guest team in nearly two decades and reached the 2022–23 Commissioner’s Cup finals.

The Meralco Bolts will serve as the sole Philippine representative in the upcoming 2025-26 East Asia Super League (EASL) season, as confirmed by league officials on Thursday, July 31.

With the PBA’s 50th season packed with games, the league opted to field only one team instead of the usual two. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial explained the decision, citing scheduling difficultIes.

As the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) celebrates its landmark 50th season starting on October 5, 2025, the league is preparing to take its brand of basketball to a wider audience. One of its key initiatives is to stage more games outside the country, giving overseas fans the chance to experience the excitement of the PBA firsthand.

In a board meeting held yesterday, July 30, the PBA board of governors approved the staging of official games in Dubai on October 25 and in Bahrain on December 15 and 17. These matches are expected to draw a large crowd of Filipino fans in the Middle East and showcase the league’s competitive action abroad.

The league isn’t stopping there. According to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, the PBA is already in the process of finalizing deals to bring games to Abu Dhabi, Doha (Qatar), Saudi Arabia, and even as far as New York. “We want to share the PBA experience with Filipinos and basketball fans around the world,” said Marcial.