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Powcast Media Team •

Five Months Without PBA Basketball? The Sacrifice for Gilas and Why the League Cannot Afford to Disappear

The PBA is making a major sacrifice to support Gilas Pilipinas, but could the extended break end up hurting the very league that helps keep Philippine basketball alive? The Philippine Basketball Association is facing an interesting dilemma. On one hand, it wants to give Gilas Pilipinas the best possible opportunity to succeed internationally. On the other, the league must protect its own players, teams, sponsors and, most importantly, its fans. With the PBA reportedly targeting March 7, 2027, for the opening of Season 51, some teams could face approximately four to five months without official competition, depending on when their current campaign ends. That's a very long time for a professional basketball league, especially one that has been working hard to regain its popularity and attract a younger generation of fans. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all for supporting Gilas Pilipinas. When the Philippines competes internationally, we all want our national team to succeed. Bu... ... See more

Powcast Media Team •

GINEBRA WAS UP 2–0. NOW SMB IS ONE WIN AWAY FROM A REVERSE SWEEP

Did Ginebra let this series slip, or did San Miguel finally figure them out? Jordan Murphy scored 29 and 33 in the first two games, and Ginebra hit 16 threes in a 126–99 Game 2 blowout. Mukhang tapos na, ’di ba? Then June Mar Fajardo went 7-for-7 to help SMB survive Game 3, 101–98. In Game 4, Ginebra was up 17 in the third quarter with a chance to close the series. San Miguel answered with a 22–0 run . George King dropped 35 , Chris Ross added 20 points and five steals , and suddenly we’re going to Game 5. Now parehong nakasandal sa pader. Can Ginebra get Murphy going again and protect the ball when SMB turns up the pressure? Or will San Miguel’s veterans control the closing minutes for a third straight game? One game. Winner faces TNT. GINEBRA or SMB? Drop your pick and tell me who you trust with the ball in the last two minutes. 👇 ... See more

Powcast Media Team •

Ginebra’s Game 1 Win: Defense Deserves the Credit, Not “8 vs. 5” Talk | Video

Ginebra earned its 104–95 victory over San Miguel in their Governors’ Cup quarterfinal opener, with Jordan Murphy and Scottie Thompson leading the way. In Powcast’s analysis, dismissing the result as “8 vs. 5” takes credit away from Ginebra’s defensive execution. The Gin Kings disrupted SMB’s offense and delivered the contributions they needed. But one win doesn’t settle the series. Pow still favors San Miguel, with the Beermen needing to involve June Mar Fajardo more and get stronger support from their guards. Ginebra has the early edge—SMB’s response will be the next big test. ... See more

Powcast Media Team •

Ginebra vs. SMB: 5 Things the Gin Kings Must Do to Win the Series | Video

I’m a Ginebra supporter. My pick to win this series is San Miguel Beer. Looking at the Beermen’s scoring options and Ginebra’s uneven campaign, I see SMB as the more complete team entering this matchup. That is my assessment, even if the Ginebra fan in me wants a different outcome. San Miguel finished the eliminations at 9–3 , while Ginebra secured its playoff place at 5–5 . Their best-of-five Governors’ Cup quarterfinal begins October 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum . First to three wins advances. www.pba.ph Ginebra has a path to winning this series. These are the five things I believe must happen. 1. Jordan Murphy must deliver something close to his best game The responsibility falls heavily on Jordan Murphy, and we have already seen what he can provide. In his debut against Rain or Shine, he produced 30 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks . www.pba.ph In my video, I called for a perfect or near-perfect game from Murphy. That is a high standard, but ... ... See more

Powcast Media Team •

JUNE MAR FAJARDO JUST FIVE POINTS AWAY FROM PBA HISTORY!

June Mar Fajardo is approaching another historic achievement after leading the San Miguel Beermen to a dominant 135-105 victory over Terrafirma. Fajardo finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds, putting him just five points away from joining the PBA's exclusive 10,000-point club. Import George King delivered another explosive performance with 44 points, five rebounds and five assists. San Miguel improved to 8-3, remaining second in Group A behind NLEX. Interestingly, Fajardo had an opportunity to reach the milestone but preferred to give playing time to his seldom-used teammates. Powcast reaction: June Mar is already one of the greatest PBA players ever. Does reaching 10,000 points further strengthen his GOAT argument? ... See more

Pow Salud •

No Longer Invited: Macau "Saling Pusa"—I Mean Giant Pandas! But Why Is the PBA Also at Fault?

According to an article by SPIN.ph writer Gerry Ramos, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has indicated that the Macau Giant Pandas are unlikely to be invited back to the league. Before I continue with my editorial, let me give full credit to Ramos for the report. I've met him several times at different events, but he never seems interested in talking to me or even making eye contact. Snobbish? Maybe. Hmm, intriga! Anyway, back to the topic. It seems the commissioner has finally had enough after game after game of embarrassing performances by the Macau Giant Pandas, who might as well have been called the Macau Saling Pusa , because at times, they looked like juniors trying to compete in the big league. I've been to Macau, and it's a beautiful, highly competitive place. Its casinos and hotels are world-class, with some considered among the best in the world. But the basketball team they brought to the Philippines? Well, that's a completely different story. Team Macau in the... ... See more

Powcast Media Team •

Powcast Basketball Daily: Luka Returns Strong as Sixers Lose Hukporti and NLEX Turns to Burton

Luka Dončić has made an encouraging return for the Lakers, while Philadelphia has confirmed a serious injury to new center Ariel Hukporti. Today’s updates also cover NLEX’s import transition, Jayson Tatum’s fresh outlook and another injury setback for the Clippers. 1. Luka Scores 21 in His Return as Carr Makes an Immediate Impression Luka Dončić returned to organized game action with 21 points in 16 minutes as the Lakers beat Sacramento 127 to 103 in their preseason opener. Fresh reporting on his postgame comments says he felt good physically after spending months recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain, having last played on April 2. He also recorded three assists, two rebounds and two steals, although five turnovers showed there is still rhythm to recover. Rookie Cameron Carr supplied another encouraging development with 19 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 23 minutes. Carr made seven of 13 shots, including three of seven from beyond the arc, and acknowledge... ... See more

Powcast Media Team •

October 7 Resumption: Ninoy Aquino Stadium Welcomes Back the Governors' Cup

The long-awaited restart date is finally set for local basketball diehards. After pausing on August 15 for Gilas and the Asian Games, the PBA Governors' Cup elimination round officially swings back into action on Wednesday, October 7, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate. The league revealed a blockbuster opening doubleheader: the NLEX Road Warriors take on the Macau Giant Pandas at 5:15 PM, followed by Terrafirma Dyip locking horns with defending champion TNT Tropang 5G at 7:30 PM. The break allowed several banged-up veterans to recover, but teams must now navigate a condensed calendar to wrap up the elimination round by mid-November. The top four seeds from Groups A and B will advance to crossover best-of-five quarterfinal matchups. League Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that ticket demand is surging as fans prepare for the stretch run toward the December Finals. ... See more

Pow Salud •

Powcaster Homer Sayson 1-ON-1 WITH SEDRICK BAREFIELD on Free Agency

by. Homer D. Sayson| Powcast Sports CHICAGO - With his contract set to expire in 17 days, Blackwater star Sedrick Barefield spoke to Homer Sayson of Powcast Sports via text message on Sunday. Here’s what the No.2 overall pick of the 2024 Season 49 PBA Rookie Draft had to say. POWCAST: After two years at Blackwater, do you feel it’s time to move on? BAREFIELD ; “First off, I’m grateful to Blackwater for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to compete in the PBA. Right now, I’m focused on letting the business side play out. “Whatever happens I’ll continue to be a professional and give everything I have.” POWCAST: To varying degrees, teams have shown interest in you. How flattering has all this attention been? BAREFIELD: “It’s definitely humbling. As a player you work hadd everyday hooing your game earns respect around the league. I’m thankful for any team that sees value in what I can bring, but I’m staying focused on the process and letting my agent handl... ... See more

Pow Salud •

Powcast Import Rankings: The Best Commissioner’s Cup Imports — And Bol Bol’s Surprising Rank

Powcast Ranking the Best Import 50th Season of the Commisioners Cup Powcast Import Rankings: Best Reinforcements in the Commissioner’s Cup — Where Does Bol Bol Land? This Commissioner’s Cup import crop is an absolute goldmine for serious hoops content, featuring a fascinating mix of established PBA royalty, high-ceiling NBA unicorns, and gritty international journeymen trying to prove themselves on one of Asia’s toughest basketball stages. Breaking down this list requires looking beyond raw statistics. The key question is always the same: how well will their skills translate to the highly physical, fast-paced, guard-heavy style of Philippine basketball? Here is the Powcast Import Rankings , counting down the imports entering the conference based purely on pedigree, résumé, and on-paper dominance. Sam Deguara Photo courtesy of EASL 14. Sam Deguara (7'6) Macau Black Bears At 7-foot-6 , Sam Deguara easily holds the distinction of being the tallest import in the conference. The ... ... See more

Pow Salud •

Lakas ng Internet! Why Converge is one of the favorites

Converge FiberXers Every morning when I wake up, I turn on my laptop, read the news, watch YouTube videos, write and upload vlogs, and most of the time I never really have an issue. As you can see from the clarity of my uploads and live shows, everything runs smoothly. Do you want to know why? Malakas ang Converge internet ko, and today it just got even stronger! This is not a paid advertisement for Converge Internet, but I wouldn’t mind getting one. Independent teams and independent sports media should stick together, right? Transitioning to the Converge FiberXers the PBA team . Last season they almost beat my Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team. Arguably they could have won that series, but they didn’t. This team has been good since they entered the Philippine Basketball Association , but the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup could be their breakthrough conference. I just hope it’s not all hype. They already boast young talents that include Justine Baltazar , who should have been inclu... ... See more

Pow Salud •

The Curious Case of Greg Slaughter: Why the PBA Should Allow His Return

The demand for height in the PBA has always been high. Since Filipino players aren't naturally tall, seeing a seven-footer with decent skills should, in theory, be a "no-brainer" for any team. Yet, for Greg Slaughter, that hasn't been the case. According to league insiders and anonymous reports from Spin.ph, penned by staff who, for some reason, keep their identities hidden despite the "hot" nature of the topic, there is more to the story. Greg is now 37 years old. While critics argue he is "slow and old," his career statistics tell a different story. Back in the 2015-2016 season, he averaged a dominant 19 points and 11 rebounds. Even during his last stint with NorthPort, he put up a solid 14 points and 9 rebounds. So, what happened? As an outside observer, his continued absence from the league defies logic. The Titan’s Potential Return Thanks to recent reports from Spin.ph, there is finally news to discuss. It appears that Titan Ultra has secured ... ... See more

Powcast Media Team •

When the League Grew Taller: Can Ginebra and Justine Bronlee Still Stand?

Maybe the smallest import on paper—but still the greatest import the PBA has ever seen. Justine Brownlee—Gilas’ national import and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s resident warrior has long been the gold standard in the Philippine Basketball Association. Championships. Iconic moments. Unmatched trust in big games. Brownlee didn’t just play the role he defined it. But this PBA Commissioner's Cup signals a seismic shift. With the height limit gone, the league has gone big, literally. Imports now tower at 7’0”, even 7’3”. Size is no longer a luxury; it’s the new currency. And that reality raises an uncomfortable question in Barangay Ginebra country. Can Ginebra—built on heart, pace, and Brownlee brilliance still compete in a land of giants? Can Justin’s all-around greatness offset sheer length and rim dominance night after night? Or are we witnessing the closing chapter of an era, one where Ginebra must finally choose to go big, even if it means moving on from the face of th... ... See more

Pow Salud •

MPBL Offering Millions? Shocking Salary Figures That Could Shake the PBA!

MPBL’s Big Salary Offers: If True, Is the PBA in Trouble? Let me begin by acknowledging the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the oldest professional basketball league in Asia, as still the leading local professional league in the Philippines—for now. However, how long this will remain the case is uncertain, given its internal issues and recent reports that could shake the league’s stability. According to a well-known but sometimes controversial figure, Snow Badua, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), backed by Manny Pacquiao, and some of its teams are now offering substantial salaries to attract top-tier players. If true, this could spell trouble for the PBA. Basketball is a Profession—Money Matters While players often say they compete for championships and to showcase their skills, in modern sports, financial security plays a crucial role in decision-making. This reality is why we see players moving to different teams, going abroad or even going to different... ... See more

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PBA Feed

Five Months Without PBA Basketball? The Sacrifice for Gilas and Why the League Cannot Afford to Disappear

GINEBRA WAS UP 2–0. NOW SMB IS ONE WIN AWAY FROM A REVERSE SWEEP

Ginebra’s Game 1 Win: Defense Deserves the Credit, Not “8 vs. 5” Talk | Video

Ginebra vs. SMB: 5 Things the Gin Kings Must Do to Win the Series | Video

JUNE MAR FAJARDO JUST FIVE POINTS AWAY FROM PBA HISTORY!

No Longer Invited: Macau "Saling Pusa"—I Mean Giant Pandas! But Why Is the PBA Also at Fault?

Powcast Basketball Daily: Luka Returns Strong as Sixers Lose Hukporti and NLEX Turns to Burton

October 7 Resumption: Ninoy Aquino Stadium Welcomes Back the Governors' Cup

Powcaster Homer Sayson 1-ON-1 WITH SEDRICK BAREFIELD on Free Agency

Powcast Import Rankings: The Best Commissioner’s Cup Imports — And Bol Bol’s Surprising Rank

Lakas ng Internet! Why Converge is one of the favorites

The Curious Case of Greg Slaughter: Why the PBA Should Allow His Return

When the League Grew Taller: Can Ginebra and Justine Bronlee Still Stand?

MPBL Offering Millions? Shocking Salary Figures That Could Shake the PBA!

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