UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Approaches Elimination Round Climax with Final Four Spots in Sight

The UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball competition is intensifying as it enters the last three game days of the elimination round. National University (NU) and the University of the Philippines (UP) have already clinched their spots in the Final Four and earned twice-to-beat advantages. Meanwhile, other teams are still battling to claim the remaining two positions for the semifinals. As of November 19, the standings are as follows: - NU: 11 wins, 2 losses (Twice-to-beat) - UP: 10 wins, 3 losses (Twice-to-beat) - University of Santo Tomas (UST): 7-5 - De La Salle University (DLSU): 6-6 - Adamson University: 6-7 - Far Eastern University (FEU): 5-7 - Ateneo de Manila University: 5-7 - University of the East (UE): 0-13 In recent matchups, Adamson narrowly defeated La Salle 61-60, with Matt Erolon leading Adamson’s scoring with 18 points, followed by Cedrick Manzano’s 15 and Monty Montebon’s 10. La Salle’s top contributors were Vhoris Marasigan with 15 points and EJ Gollena with 10. Meanwhile, UP edged Ateneo 79-75 in a closely contested game. Gerry Abad and Francis Nnoruka spearheaded UP’s offense with 18 and 17 points respectively. Ateneo’s Jared Bahay led his team with 21 points, supported by Kymani Ladi’s 17 and Shawn Tuano’s 10. The remaining schedule features critical games that will determine which teams advance: - Adamson will face Ateneo - Ateneo has matches against Adamson and La Salle - La Salle will take on UP and Ateneo - FEU plays UE and UST - NU faces UST - UE meets FEU - UP goes against La Salle - UST competes versus NU and FEU With stakes high during the final elimination round games, the race for the last two Final Four berths promises intense competition among the middle-tier teams. Fans await these decisive clashes that will shape the postseason lineup.

La Salle Secures Crucial Victory Over Defending Champions to Boost Final Four Hopes

In a thrilling encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, La Salle delivered a resilient performance to overcome reigning champions UP with an 87-82 comeback win in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball. Despite trailing by as much as 16 points, the Green Archers executed a pivotal 9-0 run in the final four minutes to secure the victory, halting a damaging three-game losing streak that threatened their playoff aspirations. The win pushes La Salle to a 7-6 record, placing them firmly in fourth place and keeping their fate in their own hands amidst a tight race involving Adamson (6-7), Far Eastern University (6-7), and Ateneo (5-7). This game also marked the return of Mason Amos, who had been sidelined with an MCL injury earlier in the tournament. UP suffered their first defeat in the second round, concluding their campaign at 10-4, while National University leads the standings at 11-2, virtually securing the top seed. Meanwhile, Far Eastern University kept their Final Four hopes alive after a hard-fought 84-77 win over the University of the East. The Tamaraws established a comfortable lead of up to 16 points but had to withstand a late rally by the Red Warriors, who remain winless at 0-14 after their second consecutive loss.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to 14th Straight Win Over Mavericks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a standout performance, scoring 33 points in just three quarters to guide the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 132-111 home victory against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. This win marked the Thunder’s 14th consecutive victory and their 22nd in 23 games to commence the season. Gilgeous-Alexander exhibited remarkable efficiency, shooting 10-of-12 from the field while contributing six assists and five rebounds. The reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) was especially impactful in the third quarter, where he scored 16 points as the Thunder decisively pulled away. The Mavericks’ bid to extend their winning streak to four games was halted. Jaden Hardy led Dallas off the bench with 23 points, including 12 in the third quarter. Naji Marshall added 18 points, and Cooper Flagg chipped in 16. Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault made a strategic adjustment by starting Jalen Williams to shadow Dallas’s Anthony Davis. Williams effectively contained Davis, holding the star big man scoreless through three quarters. Davis finished with only two points on 1-of-9 shooting. The Thunder closed the first half on a strong note, scoring on their last 10 possessions and mounting a 20-8 run to establish a 15-point halftime lead. They built on that momentum in the third quarter, opening with a 23-7 surge that extended their advantage to 31 points. Though the Mavericks responded with an 11-point run during the third quarter, they could not narrow the deficit beyond 20 points. A tense moment occurred midway through the third when Davis injured his left knee following a collision with Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren. After briefly exiting, Davis returned for the fourth quarter, but the contest was well out of reach by then. Davis’s offensive struggles persisted into the fourth quarter, as he missed his first eight shots and two free throws before finally scoring on a layup four minutes into the period. He exited the game shortly after. Jalen Williams and Holmgren each contributed 15 points for the Thunder, who shot an impressive 56% from the field. Oklahoma City dominated the paint, outscoring Dallas 62-38, and capitalized on turnovers by generating 18 points off 12 Mavericks miscues while committing only six turnovers themselves. The Thunder achieved this victory despite missing key players Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Joe, underscoring the depth and resilience of the squad as they continue to impress early in the NBA season.

Rockets Rally in Fourth Quarter to Edge Clippers 115-113

The Houston Rockets mounted a decisive fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 115-113 on Thursday. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson led the charge, playing pivotal roles down the stretch to secure the win. Sengun delivered an impressive all-around performance with 22 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and four steals. He sank two crucial post baskets in the final moments to help close out the game. Thompson nearly recorded a triple-double, posting 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, including a key three-point play with just 17.2 seconds remaining that broke a 110-110 deadlock. Coming into the fourth quarter trailing 82-80, Thompson accounted for 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists as the Rockets reversed their deficit. Despite a chaotic ending marked by fouls and missed free throws, Houston managed to secure their sixth win in eight outings. Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds but was called for an offensive foul immediately after Thompson’s go-ahead three-point play. Clippers’ center Ivica Zubac converted only one of two free throws afterward. Other critical moments included Kawhi Leonard's offensive foul late in the closing seconds. Following this, Aaron Holiday made one of two free throws, and after another turnover by Los Angeles, Sengun added a free throw with 6.5 seconds to go, sealing the victory. Leonard was electric on both ends of the floor, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. Zubac was dominant inside, pouring in 33 points on an efficient 13-of-14 shooting clip, along with seven rebounds. James Harden helped keep the Rockets in contention by nailing a three-pointer with 37.1 seconds remaining to tie the game at 110. The Clippers’ bench provided solid support, with Holiday and Reed Sheppard combining for 23 points on 50% shooting from beyond the arc. However, Houston’s rebounding advantage, outrebounding Los Angeles 51-28 and forcing a plus-15 difference in shot attempts, ultimately proved decisive. Early mistakes by the Clippers handed Houston a quick lead, but Los Angeles responded with timely contributions from Leonard, who hit consecutive three-pointers, and Harden, who converted a three-point play to bring his team back within one point with just over seven minutes left in the game. The teams exchanged runs throughout the first half. The Clippers led 29-29 after the first quarter, but Houston surged ahead with a 9-0 run early in the second. Los Angeles managed to regain momentum with a 10-2 spurt and took a 54-51 lead at halftime, powered by Zubac's dunks, layups, and free throws. His layup with just over a minute remaining in the half marked the Clippers’ first lead of the contest. This hard-fought victory extends Houston’s recent strong form while marking the Clippers’ eighth loss in their last nine games.

Brandon Ingram Leads Raptors to 111-105 Victory Over Bucks in Absence of Key Players

Brandon Ingram spearheaded the Toronto Raptors’ offense with 29 points as they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 111-105 on the road, despite the Bucks missing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma. This victory marked Toronto’s second straight win, ending a previous four-game losing streak. Scottie Barnes also contributed significantly, posting 24 points and 11 rebounds. For Milwaukee, Bobby Portis came off the bench to lead with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Kevin Porter Jr. added 22 points and 13 assists. Myles Turner contributed 21 points. The defeat was Milwaukee’s second in a row, continuing a difficult stretch with 12 losses in their last 15 games. Toronto established an early lead, extending it to double digits midway through the first quarter by connecting on five of eight three-point attempts. The Bucks stayed competitive, with Turner scoring 15 points and Portis 12 by halftime, trimming the Raptors’ lead to 57-53. Milwaukee briefly took the lead in the third quarter, but Toronto responded with an 8-0 run to reclaim control, entering the final period ahead 83-76. The Bucks remained close with an 8-2 run in the fourth quarter, narrowing the deficit to three points, but were unable to secure key stops in the closing moments. The Raptors shot an efficient 50% from the field, outpaced Milwaukee 19-4 in fast-break points, and dominated inside the paint, scoring 44 points compared to Milwaukee’s 28. With the win, Toronto improved to 2-1 against Eastern Conference rivals Milwaukee this season. The two teams are scheduled to meet again on February 22.

Bustamante and Reyes Fall Short in WNT Legends Matches; Bustamante Sets Up Final Clash with Strickland

On January 22, 2026, the WNT Legends tournament at Gateway Mall 2 in Cubao, Quezon City witnessed tough setbacks for Filipino billiards icons Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante. Reyes was handed a 6-11 defeat by American maestro Earl "The Pearl" Strickland, while Bustamante suffered a narrow 10-11 loss to German veteran Ralf "The Kaiser" Souquet. Bustamante appeared in control early, building an 8-2 lead against Souquet. However, a series of unforced errors allowed the German star to stage a remarkable comeback. Despite Bustamante reaching the hill first at 10-7, Souquet rallied to claim three consecutive racks and level the score at 10-10. In a tense deciding frame, Souquet maintained his focus post-break to clinch the match 11-10. Although Bustamante was defeated, he advanced to the finals due to a higher total rack count, finishing with 21 racks won compared to Reyes' 17. The tournament format stipulates that the highest-ranked Filipino contender will confront the top foreign player for the championship, while the lower-ranked Filipino faces the lower-ranked foreign player for third place. Consequently, Bustamante is set to challenge Strickland for the WNT Legends title, while Reyes will contend with Souquet in the third-place playoff. Both Filipino legends remain central figures in this highly competitive cue sports event.

Bacolod Triumphs in OBL Sinulog Cup 2026 Under-18 Basketball Tournament

The Bacolod team secured the championship in the Online Basketball League (OBL) Sinulog Cup 2026 for the 18-under division after a hard-fought 64–57 victory over the Ormoc squad. The final match took place at the Cebu Eastern College gym on Saturday, January 17. Ruyton Celis of Bacolod was recognized as the tournament's Most Valuable Player, highlighting his significant contribution to the team's success. The Sinulog Cup featured six teams and began its competition on Wednesday, January 14. In addition to Celis, the Mythical Five lineup included James Subayno and Joshua Sicsic from Ormoc, Andre Hucalinas from Bacolod, and Kenneth Fuller from Cebu. The annual tournament is organized by former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Mark Anthony Tallo alongside coach Rodmark del Rosario, continuing their commitment to nurturing young basketball talent.

June Mar Fajardo Donates Auction Proceeds to Disaster Relief, Leads PBA Conference Awards

Before the close of 2025, San Miguel Beer star June Mar Fajardo generously donated the proceeds from auctioning his first Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) MVP trophy to the Alagang Kapatid Foundations Inc. The auctioned trophy was purchased for P160,000 by social media influencer Jayson "Boss Toyo" Luzadas. The funds raised will support relief efforts for victims of natural calamities in Fajardo’s hometown of Cebu as well as other affected regions across the country. This charitable act underscores Fajardo’s commitment to giving back to the community. On the court, the 6-foot-10 center continues to dominate as he pursues a record-extending 13th Best Player of the Conference award in the ongoing Philippine Cup. Fajardo currently leads with an impressive average of 45.4 statistical points (SP), underpinned by league-leading averages of 17.4 points, 15.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. Following Fajardo, Titan Ultra’s Calvin Abueva ranks second with 41.2 SPs while leading the conference in scoring at 23.6 points per game. Close behind are rookie Juan Gómez de Liaño of Converge and Justine Baltazar of FiberX, each tallying 37.2 SPs. Magnolia’s Zav Lucero, who tops the tournament in blocks with 2.0 per game, holds fifth place with 33.8 SPs. He narrowly surpasses Giant Risers’ Joshua Munzon, who has 33.6 SPs. Rounding out the top ten are Beerman’s CJ Perez (32.92 SPs), TNT’s Calvin Oftana (32.91 SPs), Converge’s Justin Arana (32.6 SPs), and Meralco’s CJ Cansino (31.2 SPs).

Carlos Yulo and Alex Eala Lead Contenders for 2025 PSA Athlete of the Year

MANILA, Philippines — Gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo and rising tennis star Alex Eala have emerged as frontrunners for the prestigious 2025 Athlete of the Year award at the upcoming Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night. Yulo, 25, continued to solidify his status as one of the world’s elite gymnasts following his remarkable double gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, he clinched the gold in the vault event and secured a bronze in the floor exercise. He also dominated at the Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Jecheon, Korea, where he won the floor exercise title alongside three bronze medals in other events. Meanwhile, 20-year-old tennis prodigy Alex Eala made history by becoming the first Filipina to break into the WTA Top 50 rankings after a memorable run to the Miami Open semifinals. Her breakthrough year was capped with a WTA 125 title victory in Mexico and a landmark tennis gold medal for the Philippines at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, the country’s first in 26 years. Their outstanding accomplishments have elevated Philippine sports on the global stage, placing both athletes among the leading candidates for the PSA’s Athlete of the Year honors, to be awarded at the gala on February 2 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Other notable contenders include golfer Miguel Tabuena, who won the International Series Philippines tournament featuring international stars; pool champion Chezka Centeno, the reigning WPA Women’s 10-Ball world champion; and swimmer Kayla Sanchez, the most decorated Filipino athlete at the 33rd SEA Games with a total of eight medals. In addition to the Athlete of the Year, the PSA will also present the President’s Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Executive of the Year, and National Sports Association of the Year honors. Major awards, special citations, the Tony Siddayao Awards, and the Milo Junior Athletes of the Year will also be given during the event. The PSA Awards Night remains the country’s premier annual recognition of sports excellence, bringing together the nation’s top athletes, coaches, and sports officials.

PBA Honors Gilas Pilipinas for Successful SEA Games Title Defense

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) paid tribute to Gilas Pilipinas during the halftime of the Philippine Cup quarterfinals between TNT and Magnolia at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The national basketball team was warmly received by fans as they were honored for successfully defending the country’s men’s basketball title at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok. Head coach Norman Black led a resilient, hastily assembled roster through an undefeated campaign, culminating in a hard-fought 70–64 triumph over host Thailand in the gold medal match. Players Robert Bolick, Thirdy Ravena, Von Pessumal, Jamie Malonzo, Abu Tratter, Veejay Pre, Justin Chua, and Poy Erram were present to accept the accolades, while teammates Dalph Panopio, Matthew Wright, Ray Parks Jr., Cedric Manzano, and Allen Liwag were acknowledged in absentia. The recognition ceremony was spearheaded by PBA Board chairman Ricky Vargas, commissioner Willie Marcial, and Magnolia team governor Jason Webb, who formally congratulated the squad at center court. Coach Black was supported by a skilled coaching and support staff, including assistants Sandy Arespacochaga, Bacon Austria, and Andre Santos; team management led by Yvette Ruiz, Jonvic Remulla, and assistant team manager Ryan Gregorio; video coordinator Sandro Soriano; trainer Diego Lozano; physical therapist Greg Razon; and staff members Rolly Arguelles and JM Manlasa. Despite challenges posed by last-minute eligibility rule changes implemented by the host country, the team successfully adapted and secured the Philippines’ 20th men’s basketball gold at the SEA Games since their debut in 1977. This victory further cements the nation’s longstanding basketball supremacy in the region. Commissioner Marcial also announced plans for the league to honor other Filipino medalists from the biennial SEA Games during upcoming Season 50 events. The Philippines concluded the Games with an overall medal count of 50 golds, 73 silvers, and 154 bronzes, ranking sixth in the general standings, with Gilas Pilipinas’ success standing out as a significant highlight.