- NLEX Road Warriors and Magnolia Hotshots, owners of twice-to-beat advantages, hope to wrap up their semifinals entry on their first try as the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals open on Wednesday.
SCHEDULE: 2025 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals
June 18, Wednesday – Philsports Arena
- 5pm – NLEX Road Warriors vs Rain or Shine Elastopainters
- 7:30pm – Magnolia Hotshots vs TNT Tropang 5G
IN PHOTOS: Magnolia Hotshots vs TNT Tropang 5G
PBA: Refusing to go home, Roger Pogoy delivers for TNT in do-or-die
TNT Tropang 5G’s RR Pogoy during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Roger Pogoy had one thing in mind in TNT’s PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals match against Magnolia at Philsports Arena on Wednesday night.
Aside from keeping Tropang 5G’s grand slam bid alive, Pogoy also had his refusal to go home in mind, which ultimately propelled him and the squad to an 89-88 win over the second-seeded Hotshots.
“My mindset coming into this game was really just about me not wanting to lose. I don’t want to go on a vacation yet,” said a pumped-up Pogoy.
PBA: TNT’s Grand Slam bid stays on track after escaping Magnolia
TNT Tropang 5G’s RR Pogoy during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
TNT kept its Grand Slam dreams alive with a big comeback that led to an 89-88 victory over Magnolia on Wednesday that forced a rubber match in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal duel at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Kelly Williams hit the eventual winner by splitting his two freethrows that broke the tie with six seconds left before the Tropang 5G prevented Zavier Lucero from converting a last-second jumper and denied the Hotshots their first chance at a semifinals berth.
RR Pogoy scored 30 points while Williams and the returning Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser knocked down a pair of threes during the latter part as TNT extended the showdown to a knockout game on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
LIVE UPDATES: Magnolia Hotshots vs TNT Tropang 5G
‘DI SADYA, ‘DI SADYA 😅
Calvin Oftana jokes around with William Navarro after the game between TNT and Magnolia.
Oftana was whistled for a flagrant foul penalty one on Navarro in the tail-end of the third quarter. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/o6eb5GVkKS
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
Pogoy talks about how motivated TNT was before their bout with Magnolia. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/hyNBdgkJ2d
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
Chot Reyes talks about his technical foul in the second quarter vs. Magnolia. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/n3BVicVTu9
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
TNT’s Roger Pogoy and coach Chot Reyes after staying alive in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/7gaU1jLURA
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
- TNT’s Grand Slam dreams are still after an 89-88 win over Magnolia, forcing their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals to a rubber match.
- Paul Lee sinks a four-pointer to tie the game at 88-all with 37.4 to go in the he fourth.
- PARTY FOR THREE. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams sink back-to-back triples for TNT to give Tropang 5G the lead, 86-81, with 2:25 to go.
- We’re tied. TNT and Magnolia are stuck on a stalemate at 71-all with 6:27 to go in the fourth.
- END OF THIRD: Magnolia still leads TNT, 65-61, entering the payoff period. 12 minutes remaining to determine if TNT’s grand slam bid will remain alive or not.
😬😬😬
Coach Chot Reyes is not happy with the calls in the second quarter.
He was whistled for a technical foul for this resentment to a call. Magnolia up over TNT, 44-37, at the half. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/72hh4SNvIW
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
Y’ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE. 🐐
Asi Taulava and Jayson Castro chat before NLEX and TNT’s quarterfinals match. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/D3I8ddOZlZ
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
- Physical ballgame here in the second quarter as Peter Alfaro was whistled for a flagrant foul on Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser’s layup attempt. Magnolia still leads, 25-23, with 9:04 to go in the first half.
PART 2 OF QUARTERS ACTION
TNT and Magnolia face off to cap off Wednesday’s double-header with high stakes in place.
If Magnolia wins, they march on to the semis. If TNT wins, their grand slam hopes stay alive. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UUaZzhFJBd
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
PBA: Robert Bolick goes cold, stays mum after NLEX quarterfinal loss
NLEX Road Warriors’ star Robert Bolick during the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals game against Rain or Shine Elastopainters. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—To say that Robert Bolick was disappointed after NLEX’s loss to Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals would be an understatement.
On Wednesday, the Road Warriors dropped what could’ve been an outright ticket to the semifinals after faltering to the Elasto Painters, 92-89.
Bolick, visibly frustrated, was the first to exit the NLEX dugout and declined to speak with reporters.
PBA: Yeng Guiao lights fire under ‘buwis-buhay’ Jhonard Clarito
Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Jhonard Clarito during a PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals game against NLEX Road Warriors. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–It’s one thing to say you’ll leave it all on the court, and another to actually do it.
On Wednesday at Philsports Arena, Jhonard Clarito did just that to keep Rain or Shine alive in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
The Elasto Painters defeated NLEX, 92-89, to force a do-or-die game for a semifinals berth—thanks largely to Clarito’s relentless hustle.
It’s no surprise, though, that Clarito found his motivation in one of coach Yeng Guiao’s fiery sermons.
PBA: Rain or Shine lives another day, fights off NLEX
Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito during a PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals game against NLEX Road Warriors. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Rain or Shine refused to wilt under NLEX’s big fightback and came away with a 92-89 victory that forced their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal showdown to a rubber match on Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Hardworking Jhonard Clarito played huge in the fourth quarter and produced 20 points and 21 rebounds in a performance that carried the Elasto Painters past the twice-to-beat Road Warriors.
Last season’s Most Improved Player had 14 points and 13 rebounds in the fourth as Rain or Shine bounced back after wasting a 16-point second quarter deficit and trailing by eight early in the same period.
LIVE UPDATES: NLEX (twice to beat) vs Rain or Shine
Rain or Shine’s Jhonard Clarito and coach Yeng Guiao after the win vs. NLEX. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/e69npj3GKc
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
Robert Bolick immediately leaves the Philsports Arena after NLEX’s loss to Rain or Shine. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Z1c91twCrS
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
FINAL: Rain or Shine forces a do-or-die with NLEX for a semifinals spot after gutting out a 92-89 victory. PBA Philippine Cup quaterfinals
- THEY’RE STILL SHINING. FINAL: Rain or Shine forces a do-or-die with NLEX for a semifinals spot after gutting out a 92-89 victory.
- Ice. Cold. Clarito. Jhonard Clarito coolly sinks two free throws to keep Rain or Shine ahead, 92-89. NLEX ball with 10.2 to go.
- Nocs! Adrian Nocum tips in a miss for Rain or Shine to extend their lead to five, 90-85, with 1:43 left.
- We’re approaching clutch city in Pasig. A fourth quarter showdown sees Rain or Shine ahead over NLEX, 86-83, with 3:01 to go.
- END OF THIRD: NLEX leads Rain or Shine, 73-69, entering the fourth.
- Don’t look now! A huge third quarter surge puts NLEX ahead Rain or Shine, 63-60, with 3:44 to go in the third frame.
- AT THE HALF: Rain or Shine leads NLEX after two quarters, 47-37. Should the Elasto Painters keep their lead for 24 more minutes then they’d force a do-or-die with the Road Warriors on Saturday for a semis spot.
- Rain or Shine is keeping its semis hopes alive so far, leading NLEX, 40-26, with 3:21 left in the first half.
MARQUEE MATCHUP ⭐️
Robert Bolick leads the twice-to-beat NLEX vs. Adrian Nocum and Rain or Shine in the first quarterfinals match of the Philippine Cup Playoffs. | @MeloFuertesINQ
· Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/D0RsABrvtm pic.twitter.com/bzIMvwVKoG
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 18, 2025
The early birds! 🫡
The PBA Philippine Cup Quarterfinals tips off at 5 pm here at Philsports Arena in Pasig and players from Rain or Shine and NLEX are already getting their shots up before game time. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/5MxgU4wXzm
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 18, 2025
PBA: Magnolia eyes end of TNT Grand Slam chase
William Navarro (front) is slowly finding his footing in the Magno- lia rotation. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
TNT’s bid for a Grand Slam boils down to one game, when the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals tips off on Wednesday in a doubleheader that could resolve even more storylines at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Magnolia owns the first shot at stopping TNT’s chase of the triple crown when the two teams collide at 7:30 p.m.—and even if the Tropang 5G survive that duel, the Hotshots will gain yet another crack at ousting their foes because of their twice-to-beat bonus.
“We have to face whatever’s in front of us,” said TNT star Calvin Oftana, talking about the long trek his team now has to take to accomplish that rare feat of sweeping all three PBA crowns in a season. “At least we’re in the quarterfinals and we still have a chance.”
PBA quarterfinals too close, even with twice-to-beat edge
Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar dunks during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Converge in San Fernando, Pampanga.–PBA IMAGES
The PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals pairings look too close to call—and a little playoff protection might offer very little comfort.
Top seed San Miguel Beer battles No. 8 Meralco, the defending champion it lost to last season. No. 2 NLEX takes on dangerous No. 7 Rain or Shine. No. 3 Magnolia takes on Grand Slam-seeking TNT. And No. 4 Barangay Ginebra tests fired-up No. 5 Converge.
Playoff action begins on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City with the NLEX-Rain or Shine contest at 5 p.m., followed by the Magnolia-TNT tussle at 7:30 p.m. Those pairings were sealed only after the final elimination playdate late Sunday evening.