Latest news with #All-Filipino
GMA Network
19 hours ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Cheers! San Miguel's Tiongson, Cahilig, Rosales, Calma celebrate first PBA title
It took them a while, but finally, they can call themselves PBA champions. Last Friday, Juami Tiongson, Andreas Cahilig, Kris Rosales, and JM Calma relished their first title as the San Miguel Beermen defeated TNT in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals. Tiongson, Cahilig, and Rosales have been in the PBA for quite a while. Tiongson was drafted in 2014, while Rosales made his PBA debut in 2016. Cahilig, meanwhile, entered the league in 2017. "It means more to me. Obviously, with everything I went through in my career. Baka nung nag-start ang career ko, nawala ako sa PBA," Tiongson said. "I made it back and glory to God, and hopefully, win more championships," he added. ? Cahilig, who was also Tiongson's teammate back in Terrafirma, echoed the same sentiment. "It feels very good, I'm very happy. It's been a hard couple of years but it finally paid out," he said. Although Cahilig was able to play in two games only because of his hyperextended knee, the Filipino-Swedish big man said he is now more motivated after winning his first title. "I'm very hungry to play in the finals again," he added. Andreas Cahilig also won his first title @gmasportsph — JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) July 25, 2025 Rosales, meanwhile, won his first title against his former team TNT. "It's been like 10 years, four or five teams, so this one means a lot to me," Rosales said. "This is one of my goals in my career and I'm able to achieve it with San Miguel." "There's a lot of stuff that I did behind the scenes to get to this point and for me to get this, it really means a lot," Rosales said, especially after revealing he almost retired during the pandemic. "It's really dear to my heart and hopefully I can get some more." ? Kris Rosales, also a first time champion @gmasportsph — JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) July 25, 2025 Calma, while relatively new in the league being drafted in 2022, said this is the first trophy in his career. "Unang-una, sobrang saya, di mo ma-express 'yung feeling, sobrang sarap," the former San Sebastian big man said. "First time ko rin mag-champion sa career ko. Thank you sa San Miguel, binigyan ako ng opportunity para mag-champion." ? San Sebastian product JM Calma wins his first ever PBA title @gmasportsph — JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) July 25, 2025 This is San Miguel's 30th overall title in the PBA and 11th All-Filipino trophy. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Fajardo, Perez, Oftana gear up for Gilas Pilipinas as FIBA Asia Cup nears
There is no time off for June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Calvin Oftana as the veterans join Gilas Pilipinas shortly after a grueling PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals series between San Miguel and TNT. Fajardo and Perez of the Beermen and Tropang 5G sniper Oftana are shifting their full attention to national team duties with Gilas Pilipinas' 2025 FIBA Asia Cup preparations already underway. The trio is coming off an exhausting All-Filipino finals duel. Fajardo and Perez both played crucial roles in the Beermen's title run, which allowed the franchise to capture its 30th overall title and 11th in the All-Filipino edition. The Beermen also completed their redemption arc following a rare playoff absence in the Commissioner's Cup. Oftana was also huge for an injury-hit TNT, which missed key players Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac, Poy Erram, and Simon Enciso due to different injuries. Still, Perez and Oftana are not thinking about the fatigue as they look to bolster Gilas Pilipinas in the continental tournament. "'Di mo maiisip 'yung pagod pag nanalo ka eh. Pag nanalo ka talagang kahit na may susunod na game, excited ka. Excited ka kasi para bayan, syempre matagal-tagal na rin tayong naglalaro para sa Gilas so I'm always excited para sa bayan," Perez, who posted 24 points, six assists, and three rebounds in the title-clinching Game 6, said. "Minsan-minsan lang ito mangyari sa buhay kaya sinusulit ko na talaga hangga't tinatawag pa talaga ako. I'm grateful and honored na i-represeng 'yung country." Sharing the same sentiment, Oftana said he's embracing the once-in-a-lifetime chance to wear the flag on such a grand stage "Mga gano'ng opportunity kasi once in a lifetime lang 'yun e. It's from the bosses and coach Tim din, and we need to serve our country din. Para sa bayan," the sharp shooter said. "I have to rest din kasi sabi nga nila, katawan namin 'yung puhunan namin." Fajardo, Oftana, and Perez will rejoin a Gilas crew that already started its training led by head coach Tim Cone alongside other staple players like Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Chris Newsome, Japeth Aguilar, and Kevin Quiambao. Gilas will take on Chinese Taipei on August 6 before slugging it out against New Zealand and Iraq on August 7 and 9, respectively. Before the Asia Cup showcase, Gilas will get a taste of high-level competition as it takes on the Macau Black Bears in a friendly game on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
From college teammates to foes in the pros, Jeron Teng and Almond Vosotros are both just proud of each other
From shared beginnings at De La Salle University, Jeron Teng and Almond Vosotros have carved their own respective paths as professionals in the sport of basketball. Both part of the 2013 championship team of the green-and-white squad in the UAAP, it was Vosotros who first turned pro in 2015 while Teng followed suit two years after. But while Teng has had a relatively stable career, playing for Alaska and Converge before eventually landing in San Miguel in 2023, Vosotoros brought his talents to different clubs and different leagues before he found his nice in the 3x3 competitions, particularly with TNT. And when TNT needed some backcourt help for its PBA squad, they turned to the 3x3 specialist Vosotros and he's made the most of the opportunity. Despite their different journeys, the two former teammates found themselves sharing the court once again in the PBA Philippine Cup finals of the league's 48th season, this time as opponents vying for the championship. In the end, it was Teng who emerged victorious for the second title of his career. "I'm super happy because this time it's the All-Filipino. Last time, my first championship was with an import so it's more meaningful na All-Filipino," Teng told GMA News Online. During the finals, he had his moments in helping San Miguel get past TNT and even scored 10 points in Game 2 of the series. "My goal is [that] each conference, I try to improve and I try to help the team more and more so I'm staying patient and at the same time I'm also learning and improving," he added. Vosotros, meanwhile, has been a valuable spark off the bench for TNT. He had actually parted ways with the squad back in April but the Tropang 5G called him up for another tour of duty. And he just proved they made the right decision. In the finals, Vosotros had averages of 10.25 points per game. "Sobrang thankful ako kay Coach Chot [Reyes] kasi honestly since na-draft ako ng 2015, ngayon lang ako nabigyan ng consistent minutes, tapos sa finals pa," Vosotros told reporters. [I'm so thankful to Coach Chot because honestly since I was drafted in 2015, this was the first time I received consistent minute, and it's in the finals no less.] His old teammate had nothing but good words for Vosotros. "I'm just so proud of Almond, he played well the whole series," Teng said. "He was my teammate in college and 'di ako nagugulat sa anong kaya niya dahil he has shown that to me since we were in college. He's a hooper." [He was my teammate in college and I'm not surprised by what he can do because he has shown that to me since we were in college. He's a hooper.] Vosotros, meanwhile, was also proud of his fellow Green Archer. "Lumapit siya sa'kin kasi sabi niya 'Congrats bro ang galing mo.' Sabi ko 'No, congrats sa'yo kasi kayo nanalo ang champion. I'm so proud of you.'" [He came to me and he said 'Congrats bro, you played so well.' I said 'No, congrats to you because you won, you are the champion. I'm so proud of you.'] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
'Unexpected' Finals MVP award just a bonus for Jericho Cruz
PBA Philippine Cup. July 25, 2025. Jericho Cruz (39) of the San Miguel Beermen against Calvin Oftana of the TNT Tropang 5G. (Photo: PBA Media) San Miguel's Jericho Cruz has been one of the names usually heard over the course of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals series. His name has been involved in a post-game fuss back in Game 3 of the finals where he was allegedly 'showboating' in which he denied. But more than that, Cruz has been one of the consistent players for the Beermen for the finals series as he finished with 13.83 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.33 assists per game to help San Miguel win the All-Filipino crown. With his strong showing in the series, Cruz was named as the Most Valuable Player of the finals which is the first in his career. For him, it was an unexpected one and was just cherry on top of the championship. "Yung championship na 'to, sobrang sarap kasi kakabalik lang ni Coach Leo [Austria]. Nanalo rin ako ng award which is bonus lang naman. 'Di ko maisip, 'di ko maipinta ang words na dapat sabihin ko ngayon," Cruz said in the post-game conference. "'Di ko in-expect pero binigay sa akin kaya maraming salamat," he said in a separate interview. He also clarified that there is no bad blood with him and TNT officials such as manager Jojo Lastimosa. "Shoutout pa rin sa Talk 'N Text kasi hard fought series. Shout out din kay Coach Jolas, alam niya naman na mahal ko 'yan, and Coach Chot [Reyes]... At the end of the day, it's just basketball. Tapos na 'yun, move on na and prepare for the next conference," he said. After a grueling series, Cruz is also expected to join Guam in the FIBA Asia Cup. However, he revealed having some knee issues and will still determine if he will join the tournament. "Pag-isipan ko in the next two days if papahinga ako or tutuloy ako," he said. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
5 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
San Miguel reclaims PBA Philippine Cup crown, ends TNT's Grand Slam bid
PBA Philippine Cup. July 25, 2025. June Mar Fajardo of the San Miguel Beermen against the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 6 of the finals. (Photo: PBA Media) The San Miguel Beermen are once again kings of the PBA Philippine Cup. San Miguel reclaimed the All-Filipino crown after dispatching TNT in Game 6 of the finals, 107-96, on Friday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. The victory also officially ended TNT's bid for a Grand Slam season. The Beermen led 52-47 at the half before eventually pulling away in the second half as they outscored the Tropang 5G, 34-20. In the said quarter alone, June Mar Fajardo scored 10 points, while Jericho Cruz drilled two from beyond the arc to build on his nine points in the said frame. San Miguel then continued to hold off the Tropang 5G en route to the title. The Beermen last won the All-Filipino crown in 2022 as they fell to the Meralco Bolts in the 2024 season. This is also San Miguel's 30th overall title in the PBA. —GMA Integrated News
