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Many may be surprised to learn that Lewis Alfred Tenorio has been placed on Barangay Ginebra's unrestricted free agent list, with rights to salary. In his place, Jayson David has been reactivated to the Gin Kings' active roster.

This decision came just a day before Ginebra’s matchup with the NorthPort Batang Pier on Wednesday, April 30, at the Philsports Arena, following a tough 93-104 defeat to the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.

Tenorio's playing time has been limited this season, particularly after Ginebra secured the services of RJ Abarrientos during the draft.

The four-time Finals MVP saw limited action during Ginebra’s recent Commissioner's Cup Finals series, where the team fell to TNT in a hard-fought best-of-seven series that even stretched into overtime.

As we kick off our Player Profile series highlighting the pioneers and icons of Philippine basketball, we begin with a name synonymous with scoring brilliance and resilience—William “Bogs” Adornado.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots captured their fourth straight victory in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup after dominating the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 118-99, on Friday, April 26, in Zamboanga.

Hometown hero Mark Barroca delivered his best performance of the conference so far, thrilling his fellow Chabacanos with 16 points (7/14 FGs), six rebounds, five assists, and one steal.

Peter Alfaro, another proud Zamboanga native, chipped in six markers and two boards while helping orchestrate the Hotshots’ offense.

Before tip-off, Barroca—who celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday, his first in Zamboanga in 20 years—expressed gratitude to his kababayans, joined by Alfaro and Phoenix’s RR Garcia in thanking the home crowd.

The Pilipinas Aguilas captured the Women's Maharlika Basketball League (WMPBL) championship against the UST Growling Tigresses, concluding the league's inaugural tournament yesterday, April 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The WMPBL has successfully staged its first-ever tournament this season, and now, it’s time to turn professional—offering hope to all Filipinas who aspire to pursue a career in basketball beyond college and national team opportunities.

This is now clear proof that the league is ready to take the next step in the world of women’s basketball.

Basketball is a sport loved by many Filipinos, and this league is now ready to give Filipina athletes a true career path in the sport they are passionate about.

In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, WMPBL Commissioner Haydee Ong expressed her excitement and officially announced the league’s upcoming transition to professional status.

“We went to GAB (Games and Amusements Board) to formally declare that the WMPBL will launch its pro league this coming June. Of course, I’m one of the happiest that it’s finally pushing through. But of course, we still have a lot to do to make the league sustainable,” said Ong.

Commissioner Ong also emphasized that she hopes the league will remain stable. She is committed to ensuring the league evolves for the better, aiming to provide lasting opportunities for both present and future generations of women’s basketball players to showcase their talents.

“Our league needs to become stable first, and the team criteria are very important—who we allow to join the first regular season of the WMPBL. So we will thoroughly scrutinize everything to make the league even better. This is a great opportunity for the present and future generations of women’s ballers,” Ong added.

The Pilipinas Aguilas captured the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) championship after dismantling the UST Growling Tigresses in a thrilling do-or-die Game 3 Finals, 54-45, on Wednesday night, April 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Lexi Pana led the charge for the Aguilas in the deciding game, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals. She was named the first-ever WMPBL Finals MVP.

Speaking about their title-clinching performance, Pana said:

“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. Chack (Cabinbin) does a really good job being a point guard—I mean, she’s arguably the best in the Philippines. It’s really nice playing with her, and also just how my teammates focused on defense. We got the stops we needed. So, a lot of credit goes to them, not just to what I can do.”

Mar Prado was also instrumental in the victory, contributing 16 markers on 7-of-13 shooting, grabbing 12 boards, while tallying three steals and three blocks. Cheska Apag had her best performance of the series, finishing with 13 points—including three triples—along with four rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

It’s only fitting that on Wednesday, April 16, two of the most storied franchises in Philippine basketball will collide in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, as the league continues to celebrate its golden anniversary.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen will square off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a battle for early supremacy. Both unbeaten, both hungry, both aiming to seize their third win—and with it, the solo lead in the standings.

These two titans began their campaigns with convincing victories last April 5 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. San Miguel dispatched the NLEX Road Warriors, 98–89, while Magnolia cruised past the Blackwater Bossing, 106–84.

On April 9, during the league’s anniversary celebration, both squads stayed perfect. The Hotshots used their signature defense to defeat the Converge FiberXers, 83–71, while the Beermen triumphed over the Meralco Bolts in a retro-themed showdown at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum, 110–98.

For nearly three decades, Ricky Ricafuente has had the privilege of participating in international basketball competitions. With extensive expertise on the international stage, he shares his insights into what it takes to succeed in global basketball and how his experience can contribute to his team’s performance.

One of the key lessons he has learned over the years is that success in international basketball requires more than just raw talent. While speed, sharp shooting, and agility are essential, discipline and execution are equally important. 

According to Ricafuente, international basketball requires sharp decision-making, seamless passing, and precise shooting—skills he is eager to share with his teammates.

"Perhaps the most valuable contribution I can offer is helping the team execute the plays when Coach Arlene [Rodriguez] teaches something new," he shared in an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph.

The final 10 players added to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Greatest list were officially announced on Wednesday, April 2.

Nelson Asaytono, long expected to be part of earlier announcements for the Top 25 and Top 40 lists, has finally secured his place among the PBA’s greatest. He leads the latest batch of players included in this prestigious group.

Joining Asaytono in the final 10 are: Jeffrey Cariaso, Rene “Bong” Hawkins Jr., June Mar Fajardo, Abraham Columbus “Abe” King Jr., Daniel Charles “Danny” Seigle, Earl Scottie Thompson, Arnulfo “Arnie” Tuadles, Manuel “Manny” Victorino, and Elpidio “Yoyoy” Villamin.

 After clinching the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup title on Friday, March 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the TNT Tropang Giga now set their sights on the franchise’s first-ever grand slam.

TNT sealed the hard-fought seven-game series in dramatic fashion, with the final showdown extending into overtime. The victory was powered by the relentless efforts of import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Finals MVP Rey Nambatac.

Hollis-Jefferson led the charge with 25 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block—maintaining his unbeaten record in three PBA Finals appearances.

Nambatac, meanwhile, delivered when it mattered most, dropping 22 markers on four three-pointers, grabbing two boards, and dishing out four dimes to cap off his stellar series performance.

Hurling every insult imaginable from fans and netizens following a series of setbacks in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Poy Erram responded with a performance that pushed the series to where it should be—the ‘winner takes all’ Game 7 on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Erram had his own big moments, especially last night, curiously after his verbal spat with coach Chot Reyes in the previous game. He scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, complementing his hustle plays with crucial contributions—none bigger than a ball tap that allowed TNT to retain possession following missed free throws by their import.

Erram’s effort on both ends provided support for the standout performances of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Rey Nambatac as TNT played spoiler, securing an 87-83 win that denied Barangay Ginebra an early championship celebration.

The 35-year-old Cagayan de Oro native was also instrumental in building TNT’s lead, which began when Nambatac drained a four-point play at the end of the third quarter to put TNT ahead, 63-62. Erram then added 10 points in the fourth, including a crucial corner three-pointer that extended the Tropang Giga’s lead to 70-62.

After the game, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle center was pulled aside for an on-court interview, where initial boos from the crowd were eventually drowned out by cheers from TNT fans.

"Now I’m seeking help. I can’t just say, ‘Oh, I’m a man, I don’t need help.’ I do need help," said Erram.

He opened up about the off-court struggles he has been facing during the PBA Finals, admitting that they have affected his performance throughout the series.

"I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—I’ve been a distraction to the team. Some might say I’m just making excuses, but since my father passed away, I’ve been in a tough place. So I’m seeking help, not just for the team, but also for my family and my job," Erram added.

Now, Erram acknowledges the need to address the personal struggles that have contributed to his emotional outbursts—outbursts that have drawn both concern and criticism, depending on the perspective of observers.

In Game 5, much of the audience witnessed Erram engage in a heated argument with Reyes, who was frustrated with the big man’s reaction to a miscue during a timeout huddle.

Meanwhile, in TNT’s Game 2 loss, Erram was seen kicking team equipment on his way back to the locker room, venting his frustration at MOA Arena.

TNT head coach Chot Reyes has since advised Erram to block out distractions and keep his focus on the game.

"We just told him to focus and shut off the noise," said Reyes.

The two best words in sports—Game 7—will happen in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday, March 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was made possible when the TNT Tropang Giga forced it after defeating Barangay Ginebra in Game 6, 87-83, on Wednesday night, March 26, in front of 17,654 fans.

In Game 5, the rare minutes given to Gin Kings veteran LA Tenorio inspired Ginebra to take a 3-2 series lead. But last night, it was TNT’s injured leader, Jayson Castro, who motivated his team.

Read: https://scoreline.ph/news/tenorio-inspires-ginebra-tnt-misses-castro-pba-finals

Renowned for his sharpshooting from beyond the arc, Rendell Dela Rea aims to fuel Masters Pinoy Pilipinas Basketball's campaign in the upcoming World Masters Tournament, set for May 17-30 in Taiwan.

In an exclusive interview with Scoreline.ph, Dela Rea shared on what he can bring to the table when this Philippine team composed of 45 years old and above basketball players face the battle in Taipei.

The sharpshooter out of Jose Rizal University (JRU) emphasized the team’s steady improvement as they familiarize themselves with Coach Arlene Rodriguez’s system.

“Our camaraderie and teamwork are strengthening every day. We encourage each other and embrace our roles. We’re like brothers here—that’s our team’s advantage,” Dela Rea said in Filipino.

“These practices are crucial. When we step onto the court in Taiwan, we need to be fully prepared. It would be tough to compete without proper preparation,” he added.

Barangay Ginebra secured a 73-66 victory over TNT in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night, March 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Scottie Thompson was named Best Player of the Game after delivering an all-around performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. His relentless hustle on both ends of the floor—something that doesn’t always show up in the stat sheets—was key to Ginebra’s success.

Justin Brownlee was also impressive. Despite dealing with a dislocated thumb and scoring only two points in the first half, the Gin Kings' import still managed to finish with 18 markers, 14 boards, five dimes, and one deflection.

Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 11 points apiece to support Thompson and Brownlee, while Stephen Holt played a tremendous defensive role against Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Although Hollis-Jefferson managed to score 19 points, he struggled with efficiency, shooting just 7-of-26 from the field.