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GMA Network
5 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
6 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
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
PBA: Youthful Rain or Shine reloads with addition of veteran Stanley Pringle
Rain or Shine has injected a veteran guard into its youthful core, signing Stanley Pringle as the Elasto Painters look to break their title slump come next PBA Season 50. Rain or Shine announced Pringle's arrival on Tuesday with the former top overall pick and four-time PBA champion inking a two-year deal with the franchise. The 38-year-old guard previously suited up for Terrafirma following a five-year stint with Barangay Ginebra. Pringle now joins a youth-laden Rain or Shine bannered by Adrian Nocum, Gian Mamuyac, Anton Asistio, Andrei Caracut, Keith Datu, and Santi Santillan, who all played crucial roles in Rain or Shine's fourth semifinals appearance in a row. Rain or Shine's most recent semis stint saw them falling to perennial tormentor TNT during their Season 49 Philippine Cup playoffs duel, where the Elasto Painters bowed out of contention following a Game 6 loss. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
CJ Perez dedicates PBA Philippine Cup Finals stint to young dreamers
San Miguel's PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals run means more than basketball for CJ Perez. The flashy guard said he's dedicating his and his Beermen's return to the championship round to young basketball aspirants especially those who struggle to chase opportunities in Manila because of a lack of resources, like he once did. "Dine-dedicate ko 'tong finals na 'to para sa mga batang nangangarap kagaya ko, 'yung mga galing probinsya na mga takot pumunta dito sa Maynila kasi natatakot silang walang matirhan or hindi sila makuha," Perez said during the finals press conference on Friday. "'Yun 'yung isang inspiration ko na may mga players from other provinces na walang budget pumunta dito, hindi nila alam kung paano sila maguumpisa, 'yun 'yung isang inspiration ko." "I dedicate these finals to the kids who dream like me, those from the provinces that are scared to come here to Manila because they are scared that they won't have a place to live or that they wouldn't earn a spot... That's one of my inspirations, the players from other provinces who don't have the budget to come here, they don't know where to even start, that's one of my inspirations.] Perez is marching on to his fourth PBA finals and chasing a potential third title with the franchise. The former NCAA MVP first tasted a finals appearance back in the 2022 Philippine Cup, when the Beermen went all the way winning the title against, incidentally, TNT. In Season 48, they made the finals twice but had contrasting results after ruling the Commissioner's Cup against Magnolia and bowing to Meralco in the Philippine Cup finals that allowed the Bolts to capture their breakthrough crown in history. It was a tough ride for San Miguel in the ongoing Season 49 as they failed to make the Governors' Cup finals before missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years in the Commissioner's Cup. But behind Perez and other core members of the Beermen, San Miguel is now back in familiar territory as they take on the Tropang 5G in the Philippine Cup finals. And just being on this big stage is already an honor for Perez, as he hopes to inspire the younger generation in their pursuit of a basketball dream. "Being in the finals and playing basketball, 'yung nilalaro mo 'yung mahal mo, it's an honor," the 31-year-old Perez said. [Being in the finals and playing basketball, playing the game you love, it's an honor.] —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
02-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Gilas Pilipinas to play Macau Black Bears in tuneup match ahead of FIBA Asia Cup
Gilas Pilipinas will get to test its mettle before flying to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the FIBA Asia Cup as the national team is set to face the Macau Black Bears in a friendly game on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The tuneup game will serve as Gilas' last match before taking on several powerhouse teams in the continental tilt. 'Playing tuneup games before Gilas dives into the FIBA Asia Cup will only help the team out,' said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio. 'While the team gets good competition, it's also an opportunity for our Gilas fans to band together and send their team off before they fly out to Saudi Arabia. It's a short preparation window as many of our players saw action in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup, which was another reason why the SBP wanted Gilas to have a tuneup game here.' Led by head coach Garrett Kelly, the Black Bears have wealthy experiences playing in the international stage, competing in East Asia Super League and in The Asian Tournament. Its core is bannered by locals from Macau, mixed heritage players, and imports. Against them, Gilas head coach Tim Cone is expected to field a full-force lineup to further gear up for the Asia Cup. 'They beat the Chinese national team. They are really strong. They've got good imports. It could be a very interesting friendly for us,' Cone said of Macau's 83-78 win last July. Gilas is grouped with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq in the Asia Cup slated from August 5 to 17. —Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
