Ginebra eyes sweep, semis spot vs SMB

Manila Times - Nov 2, 2026

BARANGAY Ginebra tries to finish off San Miguel Beer while Rain or Shine is out to regain lost ground as Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals resumes Tuesday, this time at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite. The Gin Kings handled the Beermen with ease in the first two games, which came as a surprise considering the way SMB has been dominating the league the last decade. But Ginebra coach Tim Cone has been in the league long enough and to know that a team like San Miguel can also spring surprises. No wonder, the Gin Kings are expected to keep their intensity high heading to their 7:30 p.m. encounter. On the other hand, Rain or Shine hopes to regain its bearing and try to recover the advantage in their 5:15 p.m. match against Converge. The Elasto Painters fell short of their rally 130-125 win last Friday, which allowed the FiberXers to level the best-of-five series at 1-1. Rain or Shine played catchup for most of Game 2,  no thanks to its turnover-plagued performance that allowed Converge to dictate the tempo. “We have to keep ourselves in the game and not try to like (dig) out of a hole every time,” ROS coach Yeng Guiao...

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LIONEL MESSI SENDS INTER MIAMI TO SECOND SPOT  

Nov 2, 2026

LIONEL MESSI SENDS INTER MIAMI TO SECOND SPOT  

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts — Lionel Messi’s late strike catapulted Inter Miami above New England and into second place with a tense 2-1 comeback victory over their MLS Eastern Conference rivals Sunday (Monday in Manila). Messi’s typically crafty effort after scurrying through three defenders in the 83rd minute was enough to secure three points, with an own goal by his teammate Ian Fray four minutes later ruled out for a marginal offside. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar also provided an improvised assist off the back of his head for German Berterame, after Daniel Gazdag had put New England in front early in the second half. Victory sent Miami a point clear of the New England Revolution with one game left, meaning a win against Charlotte on Saturday will guarantee home advantage until the Conference Finals. It also secured Miami’s spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup. “It was such an important occasion ... they’re a very tough team — really difficult — so I think it was a tremendous effort,” said Berterame. After a goalless first half, New England’s Peyton Miller slipped down the right flank to the byline in the 53rd minute. His cut-back pass was backheeled by Ilay Feingold to Gazdag, who smashed the ball home. Miami came close to equalizing soon after the hour, as Berterame followed up on a Messi effort saved by Matt Turner, only to have his shot cleared off the line by Brooklyn Raines. In the 69th minute, Telasco Segovia flicked a ball high into the box toward Messi, who was racing forward between two defenders but somehow headed it blindly off the back of his head to Berterame, who scored. Messi got on the scoresheet himself in the 83rd minute, collecting the ball just outside the D, spinning and skipping past three tackles before wrapping his left foot around the ball and sending it low into the far corner past US national team goalkeeper Turner. New England thought they had been gifted an equalizer with three minutes remaining. Fray inexplicably headed a hopeful Luca Langoni cross into his own net despite no pressure, but the New England substitute was ruled offside on video review. The Eastern Conference’s final playoff berths were also determined Sunday. Columbus Crew and Orlando City both qualified after 10th-placed New York Red Bulls lost 3-2 to runaway leaders Nashville.