PLAYING in his first year in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), GlobalPort Batang Pier rookie Von Pessumal said he is very excited over the opportunity given him. He, however, recognizes that building a steady PBA career is a process, which is why he is submitting to it every step of the way.

Selected by the port masters in a special draft for Gilas Pilipinas cadet members, the sweet-shooting Ateneo star shared that he is settling well in the local pro league, in part because of the style of play in the PBA and the role he is given in GlobalPort.

DESPERATE times call for desperate measures.

Meralco showed its survival skills as it staved off elimination, upsetting Rain or Shine, 82-72, in a dominant win to snap its six-game losing streak and stayed alive in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup last night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Three starters led the charge for the Bolts, with Chris Newsome grabbing a game-high 19 points, four rebounds and six assists, while Cliff Hodge had a monster double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds and Jonathan Uyloan also had a splendid game of 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.

THE Star Hotshots did themselves a favor yesterday by beating the Blackwater Elite, 111-95, in a key PBA Philippine Cup match at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City that had a lot of playoff implications.

By emerging triumphant, the Hotshot improved to 5-4, throwing them back in the quarterfinal picture of the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament while dropping the Elite to 5-6 with their playoff chances in doubt.

LOOKING to further promote its brand and showcase the kind of institution it is, AMA Education System (AMAES) has made a conscious effort to try out various activities and explore partnerships, including joining the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League), which officials said has been an “effective” venture for them.

STANDING on the fringes of the playoff picture in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, the Star Hotshots look to strengthen their quarterfinal bid as they take on the Blackwater Elite today in a key ball game at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Set as the curtain-raiser at 4:15 p.m., the Hotshots (4-4), currently ninth in the standings and are outside looking in for a spot in the next round of the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament, try to pad their record and throw themselves back in the mix of possible playoff qualifiers against Blackwater (5-5), itself out to fortify its hold of a quarters seat in its final elimination round game.

TWO more games with big implications in the race to the quarterfinals are set to take place in the resumption of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

The Blackwater Elite (5-4) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (4-4), teams in the middle of the pack, try to avoid possible elimination and enhance their chances of securing a berth in the quarterfinals when they battle at 7 p.m.

THE Alaska Aces padded their push for a top eight spot in the elimination round of the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday with a 107-91 victory over the Mahindra Floodbuster in a key match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Needing to win to keep in step with the pack racing to avoid being lumped in the bottom four teams that will be eliminated at the end of the classification phase, the Aces delivered accordingly, banking on their depth and experience when pushed to the wall by the resilient Floodbuster.

Though it will take time for him to make his debut in a Meralco jersey, Chris Lutz is elated with his new start.

Joining the Bolts on Monday after being dropped to the unrestricted free agent pool by San Miguel, the 31-year-old swingman is excited on the prospects of rebooting his professional career.