2025 PBA Governor's Cup

[Mr. Magkaisa]

Many fans were happy last night when coach LA made a 3 points, he might not be in Ginebra now but  im pretty sure that GIN fans were celebrating.

He is the 7th playing coach in the PBA.

- The great Robert Jaworski GINEBRA
- Norman Black (Import/Coach) SMB
- Bobby Ray Parks (Import/Coach) SHELL
- Mon Fernandez  - PUREFOODS
- Allan Caidic GINEBRA
- Manny Pacquioa KIA/MAHINDRA
- The Iron Man LA Tenorio MAGNOLIA

[Finestream]

Very important game 1 as for both teams while on the second game there will be a no bearing game for the Titan and a very  important win for the GSM
Placing in the standing with 7-4 record is very important and if TNT wins they will be 8-3

I honestly thought Ginebra would lose because the Titans were comfortably leading by double digits at halftime. It was only in the 3rd quarter that Ginebra started to come back, and that momentum carried into the 4th. I can’t really remember all the details since I was just checking my phone on and off at the time. I also wasn’t paying that much attention anymore because I already won my bet, I had the Titans on the over.

so when is the start of the QF?

[Fredomago]

Many fans were happy last night when coach LA made a 3 points, he might not be in Ginebra now but  im pretty sure that GIN fans were celebrating.

He is the 7th playing coach in the PBA.

- The great Robert Jaworski GINEBRA
- Norman Black (Import/Coach) SMB
- Bobby Ray Parks (Import/Coach) SHELL
- Mon Fernandez  - PUREFOODS
- Allan Caidic GINEBRA
- Manny Pacquioa KIA/MAHINDRA
- The Iron Man LA Tenorio MAGNOLIA

Yeah, for sure those fans since Alaska days till now that he's coaching and playing for Magnolia they are all happy seeing him playing again, still got that leadership but playing against younger generation and with that solid squad from coach Chot it's a tough but enjoyable knowing that he's still willing and ready when situation calls him to suit and play, let see if what will be the fate of his team, if he'll be pushing this kind of set up till next season or he'll focus either being a player or a coach.

[bisdak40]

so when is the start of the QF?

As per PBA website, QF games will start tomorrow, Christmas Day with Converge playing against the crowd favorite Ginebra. This is an interesting game since Ginebra is on a do-or-die situation as Converge get the twice-to-beat advantage. I don't know if Converge could show composure as this is an acid test on their franchise, facing the crowd darling Ginebra in a fan-filled arena.

[Sanitough]

As per PBA website, QF games will start tomorrow, Christmas Day with Converge playing against the crowd favorite Ginebra. This is an interesting game since Ginebra is on a do-or-die situation as Converge get the twice-to-beat advantage. I don't know if Converge could show composure as this is an acid test on their franchise, facing the crowd darling Ginebra in a fan-filled arena.

NLEX will be up against SMB here, and SMB clearly has the twice-to-beat advantage. That’s why it’s really important for Bolick to play. The last time he was out, their ball movement was awful. They were struggling just to create open shots.

With Bolick on the floor, it’s a different story. He’s a master at controlling the offense and moving the ball.
At least with him, NLEX has a real chance to compete and possibly upset a giant like SMB.

as for the current line.

SMB -8.5
Ginebra -3.5

[bisdak40]

NLEX will be up against SMB here, and SMB clearly has the twice-to-beat advantage. That’s why it’s really important for Bolick to play. The last time he was out, their ball movement was awful. They were struggling just to create open shots.

With Bolick on the floor, it’s a different story. He’s a master at controlling the offense and moving the ball.
At least with him, NLEX has a real chance to compete and possibly upset a giant like SMB.

as for the current line.

SMB -8.5
Ginebra -3.5

I’ve already placed my bets: SMB -9.5 @1.85 and Ginebra -3.5 @0.87. I agree that Robert Bolick will be the key reason NLEX can compete with the Beermen, but I believe playoff Chris Ross will do everything he can to lock him down all night. As for the second game, it’s a classic battle of youth versus experience. I expect Converge to buckle under the pressure, so I’m backing Ginebra to stay alive and avoid an early vacation.

Merry Christmas guys, hope you are having a good day with your family.

[Ziskinberg]

The game already started and NLEX is actually competing well so far. But we all know how SMB is, they only need one good quarter to make a big run and carry that momentum the rest of the way. And yeah, that’s exactly what’s happening now.

SMB came out strong in the 3rd and they’re already up by double digits.

So it makes sense why the spread was high, looks like they’re likely going to win and cover it.

[Sanitough]

So it makes sense why the spread was high, looks like they’re likely going to win and cover it.

It really comes down to consistency, and SMB clearly has that right now. NLEX doesn’t, especially at this point where their shots just aren’t falling anymore. Against a team as big as SMB, their best chance is solid ball movement and good outside shooting. But sadly, we’re not seeing that at all.

Final score 101-94 ( smb did not cover)

[Distinctin]

Final score 101-94 ( smb did not cover)

Looks like all the games today are low scoring. This second game ended the first half with only 83 total points, and Converge is up by just one.
They’re responding well to Ginebra’s suffocating defense.

This feels like a do-or-die game, so it makes sense that it’s turning into a very defensive battle. That said, the second half is usually where Ginebra adjusts well. If I were to bet live, I’d probably take Ginebra to win the second half. And BTW, the total is now at 179.5, it was 192.5 before tip-off.

[Fredomago]

So it makes sense why the spread was high, looks like they’re likely going to win and cover it.

It really comes down to consistency, and SMB clearly has that right now. NLEX doesn’t, especially at this point where their shots just aren’t falling anymore. Against a team as big as SMB, their best chance is solid ball movement and good outside shooting. But sadly, we’re not seeing that at all.

Final score 101-94 ( smb did not cover)

They are being eliminated and similar to what you said the only possible way for them to extend their chances is by doing good ball movement to find a better shot and make them fall, but sad to say it's not doing well and SMB again will move forward, that's solid performance from Berto ain't enough to carry the team to push for another game, though it's still a good game trying to catch up.

[Distinctin]

, that's solid performance from Berto ain't enough to carry the team to push for another game, though it's still a good game trying to catch up.

He almost got a triple-double, but his team just isn’t that good, mainly because JMF keeps punishing them in the paint. Up to now, we’re not even seeing prime JMF yet, and still nobody can really slow him down inside. That’s why this SMB team is scary. They’re a real threat and could easily win another championship.

In the second game, Ginebra did a great job defensively. They held Converge to under 90 points, the defense was clearly there. Abarrientos buried them with his hot shooting, and Thompson finished it off with a triple-double. That game was pretty much controlled by Ginebra from there.

[Russlenat]

In the second game, Ginebra did a great job defensively. They held Converge to under 90 points, the defense was clearly there. Abarrientos buried them with his hot shooting, and Thompson finished it off with a triple-double. That game was pretty much controlled by Ginebra from there.

This Ginebra vs SMB semi already feels like a PBA Finals. It’s a best-of-7 anyway, so we’re definitely getting more games since both teams are capable of beating each other. That said, I still like SMB here. Their lineup is just too solid. Even their second unit looks like a first unit on other teams.

Having JMF alone already makes them hard to beat. On top of that, they can throw different defenders at Abarrientos, which I think will make it hard for him to consistently put up 20+ points.

By the way, the quarterfinals resume tomorrow.

[1] ROS vs Meralco
[2] MAG vs TNT

[mirakal]

By the way, the quarterfinals resume tomorrow.

[1] ROS vs Meralco
[2] MAG vs TNT

Betting lines are up now.

ROS -1.5 vs Meralco, and Magnolia +4.5 vs TNT.

Interesting lines. I know ROS has been playing really impressive basketball this season, but I usually like backing teams that are more defensive. ROS is winning mostly because of their offense, so if Meralco can limit their outside shooting, I think Meralco can beat them. Plus, Meralco is in a twice-to-beat disadvantage here, so I expect them to play 100% just to survive.

For the second game, I don’t really get why Magnolia is +4.5.
TNT must be getting a lot of respect from the books, this one I’ll probably just watch first and look for a live bet.

[bisdak40]

This Ginebra vs SMB semi already feels like a PBA Finals. It’s a best-of-7 anyway, so we’re definitely getting more games since both teams are capable of beating each other. That said, I still like SMB here. Their lineup is just too solid. Even their second unit looks like a first unit on other teams.

Having JMF alone already makes them hard to beat. On top of that, they can throw different defenders at Abarrientos, which I think will make it hard for him to consistently put up 20+ points.

Not over yet for Converge as they have the twice to beat advantage, who knows they might avenge their loss on Christmas day and defeat Barangay Ginebra in a do-or-die battle on Monday i think. That game, Justine Arana was hardly a factor for Converge as he was in foul trouble and also Ginebra put on a very good defense of the ace point guard of Converge, Juan Gomez De Liano. They have to adjust in the next game if they want to be in the semis against SMB.

[IsraelK]

I believe we have a lot of gamblers in the forum who loves Philippines Basketball particularly PBA, that's why I'm bringing this outside the local.

Let's discuss the current events, news, and the games here. You may also share you bets here if you want to help fellow gamblers to win or ask some opinion from our fellow gamblers here.

The PBA has a short conference only but they also have short break, so if we are betting often in this games, we can easily familiarize the teams since there are only few teams compared to the NBA.

Hopefully we can make a good and helpful discussion in this thread.

Good idea bringing this up outside the local section. There are definitely a lot of PBA followers here, especially bettors who appreciate how familiar you can get with the teams in a short conference.

I like the point about fewer teams—lineups, imports, and coaching tendencies are much easier to track compared to leagues like the NBA. That makes discussion and shared insights actually useful for betting, not just noise. Hopefully this thread turns into a solid place for game breakdowns, injury news, and smart takes rather than blind picks.

[Fredomago]

He almost got a triple-double, but his team just isn’t that good, mainly because JMF keeps punishing them in the paint. Up to now, we’re not even seeing prime JMF yet, and still nobody can really slow him down inside. That’s why this SMB team is scary. They’re a real threat and could easily win another championship.

True, JMF is still the dominating force inside and once his teammate recognize the advantage it's going to be an easy take from him, like what you said Berto got almost triple double but even how hard he's gonna play to try winning he can't fully carry the entire team against super team like SMB, they've got what it needed to win especially once JMF push his game if he played harder he is unstoppable inside.

In the second game, Ginebra did a great job defensively. They held Converge to under 90 points, the defense was clearly there. Abarrientos buried them with his hot shooting, and Thompson finished it off with a triple-double. That game was pretty much controlled by Ginebra from there.

Yeah, RJ shows up his career high with that kind of shooting performances it's really compensate his teammates as defense respect him so well and surely another open man will be left to take the shot.

[Russlenat]

Not over yet for Converge as they have the twice to beat advantage,...

I think you’re right. There’s another game coming up and I already saw the line, Ginebra at -3.5. I still expect the same outcome, I’ll take Ginebra again. Converge is young and I don’t think they can outplay the experience and coaching style of Tim Cone in a game like this.

By the way, ROS is also in a twice-to-beat situation. They got blown out by Meralco earlier.

And in the second game right now, Magnolia is starting to heat up after struggling in the first quarter, made 32 point in the 3rd. ^{( my under 92.5 looks in trouble)}

[Fredomago]

And in the second game right now, Magnolia is starting to heat up after struggling in the first quarter, made 32 point in the 3rd. ^{( my under 92.5 looks in trouble)}

TNT managed to move forward after beating Mags in their twice to beat advantage series, unlike with ROS and Converge the Tropang giga will now have their early rest to wait for their next assignment, both SMB and TNT will advance while ROS and Meralco will have their do-or-die game together with Gin kings and Converge, another sets of games that for sure fans will love to watchout and bettors will need to analyze and predict if who's going to advance and take that seats for the next round.

[Mr. Magkaisa]

Later tonight, Ginebra Gin Kings will play again against Converge Fiber, Who will win this Knock-out game and advance to semi Finals?
I am betting for COnverge tonight with +3.5. SMB is waiting for their opponent the the semis.

Ginebra -3.5 @ 1.91

[Japinat]

Later tonight, Ginebra Gin Kings will play again against Converge Fiber, Who will win this Knock-out game and advance to semi Finals?
I am betting for COnverge tonight with +3.5. SMB is waiting for their opponent the the semis.

Ginebra -3.5 @ 1.91

Wait bro, you’re confusing me.
You said you’re betting on Converge, but then you mentioned Ginebra at the end. Which team are you actually backing?

As for me, I’ve been pretty unlucky the past few days. My NBA bets haven’t been hitting, even yesterday I lost on the Magnolia vs TNT total.

I think I’ll sit this one out for now, but who knows, I might still get tempted during live betting lol.