A defensive specialist delivered one of the most iconic shots in PBA history as Tito Varela’s buzzer-beater lifted Crispa over Mariwasa in the 1977 PBA First Conference semifinals.
![Chris Ross proves clutch with 19 points and key steals in SMB’s knockout win. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PBA-Images1128-400x200.jpg)
San Miguel Beer roared back from an 11-point deficit to eliminate Barangay Ginebra, setting up a massive PBA Season 49 Finals against Grand Slam-seeking TNT.
![Jordan Heading erupts for 29 points to power TNT to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PBA-Images139-400x200.jpg)
TNT is now just four wins away from a rare PBA season sweep after eliminating Rain or Shine in the Philippine Cup semifinals with a 97-89 Game 6 victory.
![LA Tenorio fires the game-winning three in Ginebra’s win over San Miguel in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PBA-Images197-400x200.jpg)
LA Tenorio turned back the clock with a vintage fourth-quarter performance, including the game-winner, to push Barangay Ginebra past San Miguel in Game 6.
![CJ Perez scores a playoff career-high to lift SMB over Ginebra [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PBA-Images334-400x200.jpg)
SMB takes 3-2 lead over Barangay Ginebra in PBA Philippine Cup semis after a 103-92 Game 5 win led by Jericho Cruz and CJ Perez.
![Gian Mamuyac leads Rain or Shine’s charge with 22 points in Game 5 [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PBA-Images1435-400x200.jpg)
Rain or Shine roared back into the PBA Philippine Cup semis with a 113-97 win over TNT, cutting the series deficit to 2-3 and forcing a Game 6.
![Jordan Heading drives strong to the hoop during his TNT career-best performance in Game 4. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PBA-Images638-400x200.jpg)
TNT shrugged off a growing injury list as Jordan Heading led a 108-92 Game 4 victory over Rain or Shine to move closer to the PBA Philippine Cup finals.
![CJ Perez attacks the lane to lead San Miguel’s scoring barrage in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PBA-Images1319-400x200.jpg)
San Miguel Beer unleashed a third-quarter storm led by Perez, Fajardo, and Brondial to dismantle Barangay Ginebra, 107-82, and tie their semifinal series.
Gilas Pilipinas will test its mettle against the Macau Black Bears on July 28 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
PBA legend Benjie Paras has been named commissioner of the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship, a new grassroots league combining structured play with analytics and tech innovation. The inaugural season begins in August 2025.