- San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang 5G look to wrap up their respective PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals series and punch a ticket to the Finals.
- Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, meanwhile, look to fight another day and force a deciding Game 7.
July 6, Sunday – Smart Araneta Coliseum
- 5pm – Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings vs San Miguel Beermen
- 7:30pm – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs TNT Tropang 5G
San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 5 against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
In last season’s PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Jericho Cruz gave San Miguel Beer’s second unit a fresh identity—one built on disruptive energy. Cruz and his bench mob called themselves the “Martilyo (hammer) Gang,” pounding opponents into submission with their trademark relentlessness.
But after a championship slipped through their hands—Meralco snatched the title in six games—and a flurry of trades scattered key reserves, the famed second unit fell quiet. For nearly a year, the gang’s reputation as the Beermen’s secret weapon faded into something resembling nostalgia.
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Troy Rosario during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 5 against San Miguel Beermen.
MANILA, Philippines–With Ginebra’s conference on the line, Troy Rosario knows he has to dig deeper to help the Gin Kings in their most important game of the PBA Philippine Cup.
Rosario had one of his better games of the conference on Friday night at Araneta Coliseum, but San Miguel was still able to push Ginebra to the brink of an exit in the semifinals with a 103-92 win Friday night.
“This will be our most important game of the conference. One loss and we’re out. All bets are off,” said Rosario as Ginebra looks to force a deciding Game 7.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao during the PBA Philippine CUp semifinals Game 5 against TNT Tropang 5G. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao couldn’t help but joke about Chot Reyes’ absence in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
On Saturday at Araneta Coliseum, the Elasto Painters took advantage of a depleted TNT side, cruising to a 113-97 win to stay alive in the series.
Reyes was serving a one-game suspension after picking up his fifth technical foul of the conference in Game 4.
Roger Pogoy during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine.- MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—TNT star Roger Pogoy remained uncertain on his status heading into a crucial Game 6 against Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Sunday.
Pogoy has been dealing with a hamstring injury and last played in Game 2 of the semis, where the sharpshooting swingman left the game early in the second quarter and did not return.
Roger Pogoy bares that he’s still listed as “day-to-day” for TNT and is doubtful to play the Tropang 5G’s possible closeout game this Sunday vs. Rain or Shine. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/umUzEmp7ej
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) July 5, 2025
“Secret,” said Pogoy in jest to reporters when asked about his Game 6 availability. “We’ll wait for our doctor’s [approval] because I’m already doing strengthening now. I’m resting and strengthening.”
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