MANILA – Hong Kong Eastern overcame Terrafirma Dyip’s gritty stand to score a 134-110 victory in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Down 78-79 with over two minutes left in the third quarter, HK Eastern went on a 10-0 blast behind Ka Hin Marco Leung, Siu Wing Chan, and Hao Zhu to take an 88-79 lead.
HK Eastern continued their run in the fourth quarter with conversions from Kobey Lam, Hayden Blankley, Ramon Cao, and Hao as the lead reached its largest at 28 points at 129-101.
Cao led the way for HK Eastern with 23 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with seven rebounds and one assist as they improved to a 7-3 record.
“Like what I said in the pre-game, Terrafirma is not playing basketball after all,” said HK Eastern head coach Mensur Bajramovic after the game. “I just told my players to stay focused, and we were able to get this win.”
Brandone Edwards paced the Dyip with 26 points and 17 rebounds, Aljun Melecio added 17 markers, while Stanley Pringle, Mark Sangalang, and Kevin Ferrer had 16, 13, and 12, respectively, as they fell to 0-11 mark.
On Thursday night, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots survived a late uprising by Phoenix Fuel Masters for a 110-104 victory and return to their winning ways this conference.
Leading by 11 points at 105-94 with over three minutes left, the Hotshots saw their lead trimmed to 102-106 courtesy of Kai Ballungay and Donovan Smith, but the Hotshots increased it back to 108-102 on two free throws by Zavier Lucero.
The Fuel Masters made their last push at 104-108 on a basket by Jason Perkins before they had a chance to tie the score but Ballunggay missed on a late outside shot. Hotshots’ Andy Mark Barroca sealed the win on two free throws.
Lucero led the way for the Hotshots with 25 points, Barroca and Ricardo Ratliffe added 22 markers apiece, while Peter Alfaro chipped in 14 points as they improved to a 4-6 record. The Fuel Masters dropped to 3-6./PN
