As the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) moves deeper into the Philippine Cup semifinals this July 2025, several key players across the league are battling injuries—some minor, others season-ending. These setbacks have disrupted team momentum, altered playoff rotations, and forced coaches to dig deeper into their bench units. For title contenders like TNT Tropang Giga, Rain or Shine, and Barangay Ginebra, staying healthy has become just as important as winning games.

Perhaps the most impactful injury story of the season remains the absence of TNT veteran Jayson Castro, who tore his patellar tendon during the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals in March. The long-time team captain and floor general is out for the remainder of the season and is expected to miss at least 10–12 months. Without his leadership and court vision, TNT has had to adjust its backcourt strategy, relying more heavily on younger guards and mid-season additions.

Adding to TNT’s challenges is the recent hamstring injury suffered by RR Pogoy during Game 2 of their semifinal series against Rain or Shine. Pogoy, known for his clutch shooting and perimeter defense, had already put up 11 points before exiting the game. His availability moving forward remains uncertain, and his absence could seriously impact TNT’s scoring depth.

Jordan Heading, a recent trade acquisition from Converge, has also been dealing with recurring back spasms. Although he returned to action in June and played well in limited minutes, he remains on restricted playing time as a precaution. His ability to stay healthy could be critical for TNT as they push toward the Philippine Cup Finals.

Unfortunately for Rain or Shine, they’ve had their own injury woes. Promising guard Felix Lemetti fractured his left hand during a recent practice and has been ruled out for the rest of the conference. Lemetti’s absence not only reduces the team’s depth but also forces younger players to step up in critical moments of the postseason. The Elasto Painters are already battling one of the league’s top teams, and losing a solid two-way contributor mid-series adds to their uphill climb.

On the other side of the playoff picture, Barangay Ginebra has received some positive news. Import and Gilas Pilipinas standout Justin Brownlee, who tore a ligament in his right thumb earlier this year, has reportedly made a strong recovery. Coach Tim Cone confirmed in June that Brownlee has regained full range of motion and is expected to be back in full action by late July, just in time for national team training.

These injuries have changed the trajectory of the PBA’s 2025 season. While championship hopes are still alive for teams like TNT and Rain or Shine, staying healthy has become a serious concern. With major contributors like Castro, Pogoy, Lemetti, and Heading all affected, the outcome of the playoffs could come down to which team can stay physically intact and which role players can rise in the face of adversity.