![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.
![Stephen Holt powers through the defense during Ginebra’s win over Titan Ultra. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES348-400x200.jpg)
Barangay Ginebra survived a late scare from Titan Ultra to close the eliminations with a win and secure the No. 5 spot in the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
![Calvin Oftana attacks the defense as TNT pulls away in the second half. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES222-400x200.jpg)
TNT leaned on a third-quarter surge to beat Magnolia and secure a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
PUMA played a visible role in UAAP Season 88, backing the UP Fighting Maroons’ Finals push and elevating elite collegiate players through the Hoops Squad program.
![Heart-stopping finish as Bolick seals the win and sparks celebrations at center court [POC Media Pool]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_2950-400x200.jpeg)
Gilas Pilipinas came from behind to defeat host Thailand 70-64, capturing the men’s basketball gold for the second consecutive SEA Games.
![Don Trollano attacks the basket as San Miguel dominates Meralco. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES1042-400x200.jpg)
San Miguel secured the top spot in the PBA Philippine Cup after a 113-104 win over Meralco, earning a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
![Calvin Oftana leads TNT Tropang Giga past Blackwater 113-96, putting the team closer to a top-four finish in the PBA Philippine Cup. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBA-IMAGES1327-400x200.jpg)
Calvin Oftana scored 25 points as TNT cruised to a 113-96 win over Blackwater Friday, inching closer to securing the No. 3 seed in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
![Gilas Pilipinas Women celebrate their 73-70 win at Nimibutr Stadium. [POC Media Pool]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_2921-400x200.jpeg)
Gilas Pilipinas Women leaned on late-game defense and poise to outlast host Thailand and reclaim the gold medal in women’s basketball at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok.