2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals schedule (Game 1)
Smart Araneta Coliseum
7:30pm – San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts
FULL SCHEDULE HERE.
PBA: Meralco showing–not San Miguel rust–led to Game 1 loss, says June Mar
MANILA, Philippines—June Mar Fajardo knows for just it was rust that cost them Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the hands of Meralco.
It was the Bolts’ jolting first half start that took the Beermen by surprise.
After San Miguel’s 93-86 loss to Meralco at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Fajardo credited the Bolts’ performance in the opening parts of the game, which they had kept up until the end. FULL STORY
PBA Finals: Meralco still ‘absolutely’ has not cracked San Miguel code
MANILA, Philippines—Only one squad has defeated San Miguel Beer twice in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
After its elimination round victory, Meralco repeated over the Beermen this time to take Game 1 of the Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. FULL STORY
PBA Finals: Meralco clamps down on San Miguel to take Game 1
Defense was Meralco’s calling card in repeating over San Miguel Beer, 93-86, Wednesday to set the tone in the best-of-seven series for the championship of the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome topscored with 18 points apiece, but there were plenty of heroes for the Bolts, who after a seesaw battle eventually pulled away from the Beermen in the fourth quarter. FULL STORY
LIVE UPDATES: San Miguel vs Meralco Finals Game 1
Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel Beermen and Meralco Bolts.
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo and Chris Newsome after taking the 1-0 lead. #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports https://t.co/4nrwSkOZXS pic.twitter.com/kIb1w3otLD
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 5, 2024
FINAL: Meralco secures the opening salvo of the PBA Philippine Cup title series with a 93-86 victory over San Miguel. pic.twitter.com/TT0ID2HJMT
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 5, 2024
FIRST BLOOD DRAWN ⚡️
Meralco exits the court with smiles after taking Game 1 of the #PBAFinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/kqqgkte4Io
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 5, 2024
MERALCO MEANS BUSINESS RIGHT NOW! ⚡️⚡️⚡️
The Bolts extend their lead over San Miguel by 10, 93-83, with 1:35 seconds to go in the fourth quarter in Game 1. #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/r1U1gbij6V
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 5, 2024
San Miguel Beer goes into the fourth quarter ahead of Meralco, 72-70 #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) June 5, 2024
We are watching some INSANE defense from Brandon Bates. He’s making June Mar work for buckets right now.
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 5, 2024
San Miguel Beer with a 51-44 halftime lead over Meralco in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum @INQUIRERSports
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) June 5, 2024
San Miguel Beer with a 20-19 lead over Meralco after the first quarter #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) June 5, 2024
Remember when Chris Newsome said he’d pull out something retro in the #PBAFinals?
He meant that, for sure. He’s rocking the Nike KD IV “Galaxy” in Game 1! 👀🌌 @INQUIRERSports
READ MORE: https://t.co/bsnssvZub4 pic.twitter.com/VWkNXChCkF
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 5, 2024
Scenes before the PBA Finals Game 1
Some scenes before Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel Beer and Meralco gets underway at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Some scenes before Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel Beer and Meralco gets underway at Smart Araneta Coliseum @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/f2q5UO7Dtb
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) June 5, 2024
Remember when Chris Newsome said he’d pull out something retro in the #PBAFinals?
He meant that, for sure. He’s rocking the Nike KD IV “Galaxy” in Game 1! 👀🌌 @INQUIRERSports
READ MORE: https://t.co/bsnssvZub4 pic.twitter.com/VWkNXChCkF
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 5, 2024
Stage is set for the PBA Philippine Cup Finals
ALL OF THE LIGHTS 🚨🚨🚨 Scenes inside Araneta Coliseum just an hour and thirty before Game 1 of the PBA Finals between Meralco and San Miguel.
ALL OF THE LIGHTS 🚨🚨🚨
Scenes inside Araneta Coliseum just an hour and thirty before Game 1 of the #PBAFinals between Meralco and San Miguel. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/KM3n5zcg6P
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 5, 2024
Beermen warm up for Game 1
The San Miguel Beermen take the tunnel to do some last-minute preparations before Game 1 of the PBA Finals.
WARMING UP… 🍻
The San Miguel Beermen take the tunnel to do some last-minute preparations before Game 1 of the #PBAFinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/JEhikSAux5
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 5, 2024
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial on upcoming changes this season
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial holding a press conference before the start of the Philippine Cup Finals.
Marcial bares plans for the 49th season which starts on Aug. 8:
-PBA teams to still play in EASL
-Unlimited height for Commissioner's Cup
-A foreign team could play in the Commissioner's Cup
-Possibility of two imports in Comm's Cup if foreign team joins
-Davao to host All-Star https://t.co/qWUDqEu6mY— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) June 5, 2024
PBA: June Mar Fajardo on pace for tenth Best Player award
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo is currently atop the leaderboards for the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference award.
At the end of the all-Filipino conference’s tournament semifinals, the league-best seven-time MVP took the lead while also leading his squad to the PBA Finals. FULL STORY
San Miguel opens quest for PBA title No. 30
With 29 crowns overall, San Miguel has a veritable chokehold of the Philippine Basketball Association’s championship tally that will last for years, with the Beermen’s closest pursuer only having 15 and won’t be around for a shot at the next one.
So count on this edition of the Beermen to make the most out of the chance to widen the gap, especially when they are only four more wins away from delivering the franchise’s landmark 30th trophy while defending their Philippine Cup reign. FULL STORY
PBA Finals also a chance to up sneaker game for Ross, Newsome
There are a lot of interesting match-ups and storylines that will figure in the upcoming 2024 PBA Philippine Cup between the Meralco Bolts and the San Miguel Beermen.
Include the sneaker game in the equation.
San Miguel guard Chris Ross, known to showcase head-turning shoes including a Kobe 6 and Off-White custom a few months ago, is certain to show off his signature kicks in the Jordan line for the grandest stage in the conference. FULL STORY
PBA Finals: San Miguel’s ‘Martilyo Gang’ ready for more vs Meralco
MANILA, Philippines—Last conference in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz revealed there’s a certain theme in the Beermen’s bench en route to the import-laden championship run.
This time in the Philippine Cup Finals, Don Trollano knows the same thing will continue as the franchise guns for its 30th PBA championship.
The “Martilyo Gang” is well and alive and the Bolts will have quite the problem trying to figure out the “Death 15’s” sub-group. FULL STORY
PBA: Brandon Bates’ emergence comes timely for Cliff Hodge, Meralco
MANILA, Philippines—Veteran forward Cliff Hodge couldn’t be more proud seeing the progression of Meralco rookie Brandon Bates.
After a slow start to his young PBA career, Bates has found his niche with the Bolts when it mattered most and his emergence was one of the reasons why his team is in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
“It just helps me because I can take a few minutes of rest. I need that. I’m getting old,” said the 36-year-old Hodge, who is in his 11th season in the league. FULL STORY