LIVE: PBA Commissioner Cup Quarterfinals Game 1 – February 5

2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Quarterfinals schedule

Game 1 – February 5, Wednesday – Smart Araneta Coliseum

• 5pm – Rain or Shine Elastopainters vs Converge FiberXers
• 7:30pm – Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings vs Meralco Bolts

PBA: Well-rested Scottie Thompson a difference maker for Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra veteran guard Scottie Thompson barely played in the Gin Kings’ last elimination game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

So when Thompson played his usual minutes in Game 1 of the quarterfinals, the former league MVP showed what he was all about leading Ginebra to a huge win over pesky Meralco at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

Thompson said that the longer rest from the squad’s last game helped him get back his stamina that was immediately put to the test in the Gin Kings’ 100-92 grindout win.

IN PHOTOS: Ginebra takes Game 1 of quarterfinals vs Meralco

PBA: Scottie Thompson leads Ginebra past Meralco and closer to semis

Barangay Ginebra banked on Scottie Thompson’s all-around play to get past Meralco, 100-92, in the opener of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-three quarterfinal series Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Thompson finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals as the Gin Kings withstood the stubborn Bolts in the second half to move closer towards a sixth straight semifinal appearance.

PBA Scores: Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings vs Meralco Bolts

• FINAL: Ginebra one-ups Meralco in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, 100-92. The Gin Kings are now a win away from advancing to the semis.
• Ginebra gets the reins back, pushes the lead to 100-92 with 2:50 left to play.
• Meralco retakes the lead over Ginebra, 82-80, with a little over 10 minutes to play.
• END OF THIRD: Ginebra 78, Meralco 76.
• Meralco trying to inch closer, cuts the lead to 69-72 with 2 minutes left before the fourth.
• Ginebra with a 61-55 lead over Meralco with under 8 minutes left in the third quarter.
• HALFTIME: Ginebra 50, Meralco 47.
• From a deadlock at 38, the Ginebra strings up a 12-2 run capped by a basket from Justin Brownlee for a 50-40 lead.
• Ginebra trying to gain some distance again from Meralco with a 48-40 lead.
• Meralco Bolts tie the game at 36 with 4:52 in the second quarter.
• Meralco slowly closing the gap, now just trails 36-31 with 6 minutes left before halftime.
• Ginebra opens a 31-20 advantage early in the second quarter.
• END OF FIRST: Ginebra 24, Meralco 17.
• Ginebra with a 6-0 recovery to take the lead, 6-4, with 9 minutes in the opening quarter.
• Meralco with a quick 4-0 start against Ginebra with a minute into Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals duel.

PBA: Rain or Shine will ‘stick to system’ in hopes of staying alive

MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine young gun Adrian Nocum kept it simple: the Elasto Painters lost to Converge because of the little things.

But Nocum believes that it will also be little things that would help them stay alive PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

PBA: Arvin Tolentino poised to take lead in Best Player race

NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino emerged as the frontrunner for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference award despite trailing San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo through the end of the eliminations.

Fajardo topped the derby with 42.0 Statistical Points, but the Beermen’s failure to make the playoffs has paved the way for Tolentino to become the favorite to win the coveted award at this point of the conference.

PBA: Justin Arana full of motivation in timely return to Converge

MANILA, Philippines—After almost a month of missing action, Justin Arana returned just at the nick of time to help Converge move one win away from reaching the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals after defeating Rain or Shine in Game 1 of the quarters.

The FiberXers zoomed past the Elasto Painters, 130-118, at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday behind the efforts of their returning big man who was sidelined last month due to a hyperextended knee.

PBA: Converge nears semifinals, beats Rain or Shine in Game 1

Converge moved on the cusp of a breakthrough semifinal appearance after capitalizing on the early loss of import Deon Thompson to beat Rain or Shine, 130-118, in the best-of-three opener of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal series Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Cheick Diallo led the charge with 35 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks while Justin Arana, rookies Jordan Heading and Justine Baltazar and Schonny Winston were also instrumental in the FiberXers getting the victory despite a 17-point deficit in the first quarter.

IN PHOTOS: Converge beats Rain or Shine in Game 1 of PBA playoffs

PBA SCORES: Rain or Shine Elastopainters vs Converge FiberXers

• FINAL: Red hot Converge moves one win closer to a semifinals spot after defeating Rain or Shine in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarters series, 130-118.

AT THE HALF:

The first QF game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Playoffs promises to be a good one as Converge barely leads Rain or Shine at the half, 64-62. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/FCXmBhaW29

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) February 5, 2025

• Converge with a 64-62 halftime lead over Rain or Shine in the opener of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-three quarterfinal series at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
• Rain or Shine holding on to a 45-35 lead over Converge midway through the second period of their best-of-three quarterfinals duel.

PBA: Cone says Ginebra win over Bolts has little relevance in playoffs

Barangay Ginebra took care of business when it last battled Meralco, a side that seemingly has started to figure out the Gin Kings in what used to be a one-sided rivalry.

Yet, coach Tim Cone believes that his charges’ 91-87 triumph over the Bolts that closed their respective Commissioner’s Cup elimination round schedules will hardly be of use when they open their best-of-three quarterfinals series on Wednesday.

“It’s hard to read off that game because the import didn’t play and Justin [Brownlee] played minimal minutes,” Cone said on the eve of their 7:30 p.m. clash at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “Both teams also played their guys off the bench for elongated minutes, so you know, it’s hard to [predict] what’s going to happen.”

PBA: Scottie Thompson making his impact for Ginebra beyond points

MANILA, Philippines—Scottie Thompson barely saw action in Ginebra’s last game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round against Meralco but that didn’t stop him from making a mark on the game.

Playing limited minutes in the Gin Kings’ 91-87 win over the Bolts, Thompson made it a point to make his voice be heard and his kicks be seen.

The former PBA MVP only played for 15 minutes due to load management but every time he took the floor, he assumed the role of floor general with his World Balance ST3 ‘Legacy’, something he wears proudly since its release.

View comments

TAGS:

For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.