LIVE UPDATES: PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis January 28
2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis schedule (January 28)
Mall of Asia Arena
3 p.m. Magnolia Hotshots vs Phoenix Fuel Masters
6:30 p.m. San Miguel Beermen vs Ginebra Gin Kings
PBA: Tim Cone lauds ‘very deep’ San Miguel after Ginebra semis exit
Ginebra coach Tim Cone in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against San Miguel. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Multi-titled coach Tim Cone gave credit where credit is due after Ginebra was given the boot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup by San Miguel.
After the Gin Kings’ Game 3 94-91 loss to the Beermen that ended their Commissioner’s Cup reign, Cone made sure to laud the opposing side for a dominant string of games.
“They’re playing at a high level, [they’re a] tough team, they’re very deep as well. First night it was CJ (Perez), second it was (Marcio) Lassiter and he had a great night again but (Jericho) Cruz stepped up tonight. They have someone every night that can step up and enhance what (Bennie) Boatwright and June Mar (Fajardo) are doing,” said the veteran tactician.
Photos: Ginebra vs San Miguel PBA semis Game 3
Video: Ginebra import Tony Bishop after the Gin Kings’ PBA semifinals exit
WATCH: Tony Bishop responds to criticisms he’s received in his first conference as an import for Ginebra. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/wrPs4DLyUs
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
Jericho Cruz shuts down Ginebra noise to help San Miguel reach PBA Finals
San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz delivers in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Ginebra. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—In a game where the stakes are at their highest, San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz blocked out the noise.
In front of 15,126 electric fans—with the majority supporting the Gin Kings—Cruz locked in and silenced “Ginebra” chants with thunderous buckets that sucked the life out of Mall of Asia Arena.
Playing against one of the biggest fan bases in the PBA, Cruz scattered 17 points on a blistering 63 percent field goal shooting clip to help the Beermen sweep the Gin Kings and reach the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Video: Ginebra coach Tim Cone after PBA semis loss
WATCH: Coach Tim Cone tips his hat to San Miguel after being eliminated in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/RUYDQSWqsk
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
Video: San Miguel Beermen celebrate sweep of Ginebra Gin Kings
WATCH: San Miguel Beer players are in euphoria after sweeping Barangay Ginebra to reach the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/tZ2skrgK4g
ADVERTISEMENT— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
San Miguel sweeps Ginebra to book PBA Finals berth
Bennie Boatwright San Miguel Beermen celebrate booking a seat in the PBA Commissioner’s Finals, eliminating Ginebra in three games. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel kept it together down the stretch on Sunday night to weather Barangay Ginebra, 94-91, and claim the first finals berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Import Bennie Boatwright Jr. was big once again for the Beermen, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks—including the one that sealed the three-game sweep of the erstwhile defending champions at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Video: Jericho Cruz, coach Jorge Gallent after entering PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals
WATCH: San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz and coach Jorge Gallent after punching their ticket to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/UKhidJ3tYD
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
PBA semis Game 3: Ginebra Gin Kings vs San Miguel Beermen
FINAL: San Miguel Beer heads to the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals after a 94-91 win over Barangay Ginebra. The Beermen sweep the semifinal series in three games. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/LC8nEQMKqQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
A total of 15,126 fans are watching tonight’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup doubleheader at Mall of Asia Arena. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/VQ2Tn61ShK
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
WATCH: Jamie Malonzo grimaces in pain after apparently tweaking something in his left leg. He was helped off the floor. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/32DWYuW1gE
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
San Miguel Beer with a 43-42 halftime lead over Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinal series. The Beermen are eyeing a sweep of the best-of-five affair and a spot in the Finals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/sDPzvgpAd1
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) January 28, 2024
Jeron makes it a 25-20 SMB edge #PBAAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/GHdxdvrTCg
— PBA (@pbaconnect) January 28, 2024
LOOK: The crowd inside the Mall of Asia Arena for Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals between San Miguel and Ginebra.
It’s end or extend time for both squads as one win would push the Beermen to the Finals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/q05MSKxLSx
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) January 28, 2024
Barroca rues Magnolia’s ‘wake up loss’ to Phoenix in PBA semis
Mark Barocca and the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Phoenix didn’t beat Magnolia. Magnolia beat Magnolia.
That was the mindset that Mark Barroca had upon leaving the Mall of Asia Arena with after the Hotshots’ 103-85 loss at the hands of the Fuel Masters on Sunday.
With a PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals ticket on the line, Magnolia failed to close out Phoenix which extended the best-of-five series to a fourth game, much to the dismay of Barroca.
Not ready to go home yet, RJ Jazul heats up at the right time for Phoenix
Phoenix Fuel Masters’ RJ Jazul in the PBA semifinals series against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—RJ Jazul heated up at the right moment to keep Phoenix alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
After scoring just three points in the opening half where the Fuel Masters trailed big, 51-38, Jazul woke up in the latter part of the game to remind the PBA spectators why he’s the captain of Phoenix.
The sweet shooter finished with 17 points built on five triples to give the Fuel Masters another day to live for Game 4 after their 103-85 win over Magnolia.
Phoenix rallies to beat Magnolia, avoid sweep in PBA semis
Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Jayvee Mocon and Johnathan Williams in the PBA semifinals series against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Phoenix Super LPG used a blistering second half on Sunday to hack out a 103-85 win over top-ranked Magnolia in Game 3 and fan the flames of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign.
Six Fuel Masters delivered at least 13 points to come back from 21 points down and log their first victory after dropping the first two games of this best-of-five semifinal series.
Video: Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Kenneth Tuffin
"Came out and talk about Finals but not today," says rookie Kenneth Tuffin after Phoenix came back from 21 down to beat Magnolia, 103-85, preventing a sweep of their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinal series @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/VgC5Vo2uRB
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) January 28, 2024
Video: Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin and RJ Jazul
WATCH: Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin and RJ Jazul after the victory over Magnolia. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/2OKTtNd8Nz
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
PBA semis Game 3: Phoenix Fuel Masters vs Magnolia Hotshots
There will be a Game 4 after Phoenix denies Magnolia a sweep in their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinal series. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/60eoOIbKPd
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 28, 2024
Calvin Abueva has fouled out of the game with 5:27 to go after a loose ball foul on Johnathan Williams III.
Phoenix leads, 92-78, in the fourth quarter. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xkf62ir2XX
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) January 28, 2024
Magnolia leans on big start to lead Phoenix, 51-38, at the half in Game 3 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. The Hotshots are going for the sweep and advance to the Finals against either San Miguel Beer or Barangay Ginebra @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/5oW7RcBPf1
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) January 28, 2024
HALFTIME IN PASAY
A dominant Magnolia heads to the dugout after establishing a 51-38 lead over Phoenix at the half.
Are the Hotshots 24 minutes away from the Finals? @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/rtAhayrdI3
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) January 28, 2024
From Paul Lee range!!!
46-26 Magnolia lead #PBAAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/hximGDprIm
— PBA (@pbaconnect) January 28, 2024
Tyler Tio connects!
After 1
3️⃣1️⃣ Magnolia
1️⃣7️⃣ Phoenix #PBAAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/Colr1GkePt— PBA (@pbaconnect) January 28, 2024
#PBASemis Game 3!
PHOENIX (0)
Manganti
Williams
Tuffin
Perkins
JazulMAGNOLIA (2)
Bey
Tratter
Laput
Lee
JalalonStats https://t.co/nO8OdLB89a
Live on
PBA Rush
CNN Philippines
Pilipinas live app#PBAAngatAngLaban— PBA (@pbaconnect) January 28, 2024
Magnolia goes for sweep of Phoenix for first PBA Finals slot
Tyler Bay (with ball) will help provide the spark in the Hotshots’ bid to shut-out the Fuel Masters. —MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Magnolia feels the manner of how it won the first two games of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals is no reason for the Hotshots to feel that sweeping Phoenix is going to be moot and academic.
“I think we will see a different Phoenix team this time,” Paul Lee said after the Hotshots moved on the cusp of a Finals berth after recovering in the final frame to pull out an 82-78 win on Friday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Their bid to put away the Fuel Masters starts at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the same venue as they aim to get back to the big league’s grandest stage for the first time since the 2021 Philippine Cup.
PBA: San Miguel not about to take Ginebra lightly
Chris Ross ) and the rest of the Beermen guard against complacency. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
San Miguel reached for the door of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship series on Friday night following its 106-96 dismantling of Barangay Ginebra in Game 2 of the semifinals.
The Beermen will have a chance to turn the knob this Sunday, but skipper Chris Ross has been playing the game long enough to know that doing so is easier said than done.
“We know firsthand how it is to be on that side,” he told the Inquirer while shaking his head.
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