HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Finals Game 1 San Miguel vs Meralco

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

San Migiuel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo during Game 1 of the PBA Philippine CUp Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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

Chris Newsome and the Meralco Bolts repeat over the San Miguel Beermen to get a 1-0 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Banchero tries to slip past San Miguel’s CJ Perez in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 1. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

PBA: June Mar Fajardo on pace for tenth Best Player award

San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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

PBA IMAGES

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

Chris Newsome and Chris Ross set for battle in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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

San Miguel Beermen’s Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz during a PBA game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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

Meralco Bolts’ Cliff Hodge during the PBA Finals press conference.–PBA IMAGES

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

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