![Calvin Oftana attacks the basket during TNT’s fourth-quarter surge against Meralco. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PBA-IMAGES440-400x200.jpg)
A second-half defensive overhaul fueled TNT Tropang 5G’s stunning comeback from 21 points down as it defeated the Meralco Bolts, 100-95, in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
![Kobe Bryant watching Manny Pacquiao’s sparring session at Wild Card Boxing Club in 2011. [photo credit: Chris Farina of Top Rank | Tempo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot_495-400x200.png)
In November 2011, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made a rare visit to Manny Pacquiao’s Wild Card Boxing Club workout, highlighting a unique crossover between basketball and boxing.
![Chris Newsome attacks the lane during Meralco’s clinching win in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES738-400x200.jpg)
Seventh-seeded Meralco finished a rare comeback from a twice-to-win hole, outlasting Rain or Shine to clinch the final semifinal seat in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
![One shot. One moment. Stephen Holt delivers as Ginebra books a semifinal showdown with San Miguel. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES231-400x200.jpg)
Stephen Holt delivered the biggest shot of the night, drilling a buzzer-beating three in overtime to send Barangay Ginebra past Converge and into the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
![Jordan Heading and the Tropang 5G secure their spot in the semis with a big win. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES165-400x200.jpg)
TNT Tropang 5G defeated Magnolia Hotshots 118-109 Saturday to secure a PBA Philippine Cup semifinal slot, aiming for a fourth consecutive finals appearance.
![Meralco showed poise under pressure to neutralize the twice-to-beat advantage and force a decider. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES163-400x200.jpg)
Meralco leaned on a blistering first half to overpower Rain or Shine and erase the Elasto Painters’ win-once edge in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. The victory sends the matchup to a deciding Game 3 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
![Coach Yeng Guiao gives instructions during a tight PBA Philippine Cup game. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES1525-400x200.jpg)
Rain or Shine puts its twice-to-beat advantage on the line against Meralco as both teams collide in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at Araneta.
![Kevin Durant directs the Rockets’ offense against the Lakers. [Houston Rockets Instagram]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot_486-400x200.png)
Houston never trailed on Christmas night, riding a balanced scoring attack to a decisive victory over Los Angeles as the Lakers’ holiday woes continued.
![RJ Abarrientos during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals game. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES1734-400x200.jpg)
RJ Abarrientos lit up Christmas night with a career-high 35 points off the bench as Barangay Ginebra crushed Converge to keep its PBA Philippine Cup semifinals hopes alive.
![June Mar Fajardo muscles through traffic as SMB storms into the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES162-400x200.jpg)
San Miguel Beer stormed back after halftime as June Mar Fajardo and Don Trollano powered the defending champions into the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals with a Christmas night win over NLEX.