Latest news with #Beermen
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Poy Erram reveals ACL injury
Poy Erram bared that he has sustained an ACL injury, just days after his TNT fell to San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals last Friday. Erram revealed the development on Sunday as the seasoned big man is expected to be sidelined for some time, leaving the TNT frontcourt with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams. "With a heavy heart, I share that I've suffered an ACL injury. It's painful, it's frustrating, and I have every reason to be mad," Erram said in a heartfelt post. The 36-year-old Erram hurt his ankle in Game 2, where he still managed to finish with six points, three assists, and two rebounds. He then missed the entire Game 3, but would return in Game 4 and contribute six markers and four boards in almost 19 minutes of action. Erram, though, did not make it again in the next two games as TNT fell short in its grand slam bid with the Beermen closing out the series with a 107-96 Game 6 triumph. Despite the setback, Erram is optimistic that he can still make a comeback. "But I also know that God has a greater plan for setback will only make me stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually.I trust that this journey will bring me even closer to Him," he added. "To all the fans: Thank you for your unwavering support. Your love means more than words can express. This is not the end. Just a new chapter in the story He's writing for me." —Bea Micaller/JKC, 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
PBA: Chot Reyes says TNT has nothing to be ashamed of even as Grand Slam quest falls short
The TNT Tropang 5G's Grand Slam hopes may have slipped away, but for head coach Chot Reyes, the journey was nothing short of commendable. The multi-titled tactician praised his players for enduring a grueling PBA season, one that saw them capture the Governors' Cup and Commissioner's Cup before falling short in the season-ending Philippine Cup against San Miguel. "So, so proud of this team. I think our chairman MVP put it best, he said, 'Our heads bowed in sorrow but not in shame,'' Reyes said following their 107-96 loss in Game 6 on Friday. "I told the players hindi biro yung ginawa natin na nagtatlong finals tayo and we won two of them. There's absolutely no bitterness in my heart. Like we said, time for the players to rest, 75 games is no joke in one year." [I told the players what we did was no joke, making three finals and we won two of them. There's absolutely no bitterness in my heart. Like we said, time for the players to rest, 75 games is no joke in one year.] It has been a difficult campaign for TNT with a string of injuries ultimately derailing their Grand Slam bid. They first lost the backcourt tandem of Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac before another guard in Simon Enciso and veteran big man Poy Erram also joined the injury list, leaving TNT with a thin lineup heading into the finals. Still, they kept up with the Beermen, drawing first blood with a slim 99-96 win in Game 1. They, however, lost the next three games before mounting a huge fight in Game 5 to extend their life and drag San Miguel to a Game 6. But San Miguel proved too much for the undermanned Tropang 5G, as the Beermen made sure to close out the series and deny TNT any chance at a comeback. Reyes, though, stressed there were no regrets despite missing out on the historic Grand Slam. "I have absolutely no regrets. Like I said, when we started the series, I never coached for the Grand Slam. I'd rather almost have it than not get there. Okay na sa akin 'yun, palagi akong muntik muntik, okay na sa akin 'yun," he added. "I'm sure there are 10 other coaches in the league who would be in my position. Okay na sa'kin yun, pamuntik muntik, at least umaabot ako doon. I'll take that pain anytime." [I have absolutely no regrets. Like I said, when we started the series, I never coached for the Grand Slam. I'd rather almost have it than not get there. That's okay with me, always coming close, that's okay with me… I'm sure there are 10 other coaches in the league who would be in my position. That's okay with me, coming close. At least, I reached that point. I'll take that pain anytime.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
6 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
San Miguel still optimistic despite Game 5 loss
PBA Philippine Cup. July 23, 2025. June Mar Fajardo of the San Miguel Beermen against Kelly Williams of the TNT Tropang 5G. (Photo: PBA Media) The San Miguel Beermen vowed to bounce back despite falling short of closing out the series against TNT in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals. San Miguel lost to TNT, 86-78, which extended the best-of-seven series to Game 6. "Sobrang flat ng start namin, dami naming lapses," 12-time Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo said. "Up pa rin naman kami sa series so positive lang kami," he added as the Beermen hold a 3-2 lead. For Jericho Cruz, however, TNT seemed to be the hungrier team as the Tropang 5G went all out against the Beermen. "Pinakakulang namin 'yung effort talaga kasi 'yung effort namin, walang-wala sa effort nila. Kumbaga 'yung effort namin to the highest level. Kami parang up and down, up and down," Cruz said. Fajardo, meanwhile, said TNT should not be taken lightly, especially with their Grand Slam hopes still alive. "Hindi mo basta babalewalain 'yung TNT. Champion team 'yan, back-to-back champion, 'di mo talaga sila puwede maliitin. Kailangan talaga ilabas namin ang 100% sa games." Game 6 of the series will be played on Friday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
PBA: Game 1 loss sparked San Miguel finals fightback vs. TNT
Stung by a heartbreaking loss in Game 1, San Miguel flipped the script against TNT to move to within a win of ruling the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. The Beermen were able to erase a 24-point deficit in the series opener, but an offensive basketball interference call on a Mo Tautuaa dunk attempt spoiled their comeback bid as TNT eked out a 99-96 victory to draw first blood. But since dropping Game 1, San Miguel strung together three consecutive wins to move to the brink of the title. In doing so, they also come closer to ending TNT's Grand Slam hopes. "The biggest impact is our first game — it fuels our grit. You can see naman sa mga players na on their eyes, makikita mo 'yung fire. They want to win," San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said. [The biggest impact is our first game — it fuels our grit. You can see it in the players, in their eyes, you can see the fire. They want to win.] Jericho Cruz echoed Austria sentiments, though he stressed that they have already moved on from that controversial Game 1 affair. Instead, they just regrouped and played as one in the succeeding games. The veteran shooting guard stepped up in Game 4, erupting for 23 points on 5-of-7 shooting from downtown to help the Beermen pull away late en route to a 105-91 romp on Sunday. "Sayang 'yung pagkatalo namin no'n kasi akala namin we have a chance to win the game, ayun nga lang na-minus 'yung points at natalo kami pero tapos na 'yun e. Naka-move on na kami do'n," Cruz shared. "Tulad ng sinasabi ni coach, paglaro namin talagang put in your head na parang every game is your last game. Kaya ako, specifically sinasabihan ni Boss Al, na laruin ko lang 'yung laro ko. Let it be." [It was too bad, that loss of ours because we thought we had a chance to win the game. And there, the points were subtracted and we lost the game. But that's in the past. We've moved on from that… Like coach said, when we play, put in your head that every game is your last game. For me specifically, Boss Al said to just play my game. Let it be.] Cruz's display also proved the depth of San Miguel as the likes of Don Trollano, Jeron Teng, Juami Tiongson, and Rodney Brondial giving the Beermen a huge lift against an injury-riddled TNT. Aside from Cruz's game-high output, Trollano chipped in 11 points in Game 4 while also grabbing six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. "Stepping up lang naman 'yung ginagawa ko. Kumbaga kung panget 'yung or 'di masyadong nilalaro ng first group, nandito kami ni Don to step up sa second group," Cruz added. "'Yun lang 'yung ginagawa namin. Binibigyan din namin sila ng motivation. Gusto ko rin mag-thank you kay coach dahil sa tiwala na binibigay niya sa akin, hanggang ngayon meron pa rin." [What I'm doing is just stepping up. If for example, the first group didn't play so well, Don and I are here to step up with the second group… That's all we're doing. We're giving them motivation. I also want to say thank you to coach because of the trust he gives me. Until now, he continues to give it.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
