Philippines, 17 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


This war can be won on steel nerves


PhilBoxing.com


THERE are two more games left in the PBA Governors Cup Finals, but Coach Tim Cone cannot be blamed for saying he looks forward to playing only one more match.

In fact, the final score of Game 5?85--74?was a lot wider than how the game, terribly fierce and tough, was played.

On the whole, it was not an ordinary game, but more of honest-to-goodness very crucial combat.

**

Of course, Game 5 could?ve gone either way, until Meralco allowed itself to be distressed and distracted in the last two minutes.

Coach Cone slammed his chair and inflicted harm on the innocent floor in the third quarter, the violence resulting from an uncharacteristic stand by two inside defenders who got glued on the floor, thereby allowing Meralco powerman Allen Durham to score unopposed off a big rebound.

In fairness to the Ginebra mentor, the floor slam appeared to have worked wonders, thus readily putting everybody in war mode.

**

This would not be the case with Meralco.

Coach Normal Black stood up and momentarily left the bench, his arms spread-eagled, to seek justice from only Commissioner Chito Narvasa knows where.

Sorry, but the Meralco team would never be the same again after that distraction.

There indeed were loose calls, but it would be unfair to suspect the title series could be decided by the referees.

**

Majority of fans we talked to were one in saying there were several times that officiating had been unkind to the Meralco side on Sunday.

But what readily stood out in that make-or-break Game 5 was the valor and tenacity of seasoned spitfire LA Tenorio.

Tenorio, playing with severe elbow injury, repeatedly brought the necessary fire that helped wear out opponents in the stretch.

**

Take that breathtaking clash when Tenorio sagged and stood in the path of an overpowering opponent. He was predictably slapped with a block, and appeared hurt as he picked himself from the floor. The Meralco foul-shooter flubbed both free shots.
While Tenorio was doing his thing, Reynel Hugnatan suddenly turned dumb from the perimeter. The veteran warrior also committed a couple of stepping violations, while allowing an unopposed basket as he stood like a statue while his man slipped by.

Blame it on fatigue or distraction. Coach Black and his men cannot afford to lose grip again.

Wednesday night?s match is a no-tomorrow war for Meralco. Coach Black knows this could be won on steel nerves.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.