MANILA, Philippines – The Phoenix Fuel Masters and NorthPort Batang Pier will compete for honors and a higher ranking as the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup elimination round comes to an end. Even though both teams are already eliminated from the playoffs, their matchup at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, June 4, is important for their final team ranking and a chance to finish their seasons strongly.

With a 2–7 record going into the game, Phoenix leads the group of teams who are not in the playoffs, which also includes Terrafirma (1–8) and NorthPort and Blackwater (both with a 1–7). Phoenix’s victory would help them avoid the bottom rung and earn ninth place, which would be a small but significant accomplishment for the team that is rebuilding. NorthPort, on the other hand, has two games left on their schedule and can improve their record, but their first priority right now is to tie Phoenix at 2–7 and maintain their position in the hunt for ninth place.

Despite having trouble being consistent, the Fuel Masters have displayed moments of potential during the conference. On December 17, 2024, they defeated NorthPort 115-109, their most noteworthy victory of the season. Donovan Smith, a Phoenix import, had a fantastic game, scoring 32 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, dishing out four assists, and stealing four rebounds. Jason Perkins, who scored 24 points, and RJ Jazul, who contributed 14 points—including a pivotal three-pointer in the closing minutes that helped seal the victory—provided him with significant support.

Phoenix received a much-needed boost from that victory, which put an end to a run of early defeats and temporarily raised team spirits. Nevertheless, the team lost its momentum and fell further down the rankings. Even so, Phoenix still wants to end the season feeling like they’ve made progress and are stable, especially now that a number of their young players are getting important playing time.

Meanwhile, NorthPort has displayed some competitiveness of its own. For the Batang Pier, rookie Cade Flores has been a revelation, especially in their game against Phoenix on March 8 when he recorded a career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds in a 124-120 victory. NorthPort’s depth was demonstrated in that game, when their bench outscored Phoenix’s reserves 88-49. Despite staying competitive in the majority of games, NorthPort has struggled to complete games, so Flores’ rise has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging campaign.

Both Phoenix and NorthPort are anticipated to put up their best effort as they get ready for their rematch, hoping to not only move out of last place in the standings but also to start the new conference on a high note. The game gives the players one last opportunity to establish their worth and lay claim to future, more significant responsibilities.

One exceptional player at the top keeps shining as the lower-tier teams compete for pride. Chris Newsome, a guard with the Meralco Bolts, has won the PBA Press Corps–Pilipinas Live Player of the Week award for the second time in a row. This is in recognition of his continuous performance in helping his team finish strongly in the elimination phase.

Newsome put up another strong showing in Meralco’s most recent triumph, an 82-73 victory over longtime dominant Barangay Ginebra on May 31. He finished with 16 points, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 6 rebounds, and a steal. More significantly, his drive and leadership enabled the Bolts to win three in a row, ending the eliminations with a 6-5 record and gaining momentum going into the postseason.

With his consecutive Player of the Week honors, Newsome joins TNT veteran Jayson Castro as one of the select few players to do this in recent memory. Castro did the same in the semifinals of the 2022 Philippine Cup. Newsome’s consistent play has been vital for Meralco on both ends of the court, contributing to defense, scoring, and floor leadership.

As they get ready for the Basketball Champions League Asia, Newsome and the Bolts are training for competition abroad in addition to the local conference. Meralco will compete against some of the top club teams on the continent while representing the Philippines, and Newsome’s performance will be crucial to the team’s prospects of winning in the area.