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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Dubai clash between SMB, Ginebra highlights rare PBA triple-header

Dubai clash between SMB, Ginebra highlights rare PBA triple-header

Published Oct 25, 2025 11:27 am

At A Glance

  • It is a battle royale in Dubai as perennial contenders San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra figure in a marquee duel that will provide the highlight to a rare PBA triple-header with a separate twin bill set at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Oct. 26.
It is a battle royale in Dubai as perennial contenders San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra figure in a marquee duel that will provide the highlight to a rare PBA triple-header with a separate twin bill set at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Oct. 26.
As part of the league’s golden anniversary celebration, the PBA is making its way back to Dubai for the first time in six years with a colossal duel between the Beermen and the Kings giving the treat to Filipino overseas workers UAE and nearby Middle East countries.
Tip-off of the clash is at 10 p.m. (Manila time) which will come after the first two games in Antipolo featuring a showdown between Rain or Shine and Titan Ultra in the first offering and a clash between Meralco and NLEX in the second game.
The Elasto Painters are looking to make it two wins in a row against the slumping Giant Risers in the 5:15 p.m. duel while the Bolts seek their fourth straight victory against a Road Warriors side looking to build own win streak at 7:30 p.m.
Over in Dubai, SMB head coach Leo Austria is hoping to ride the momentum of the team’s first win at the expense of ROS, 111-93, after opening its title defense with two consecutive setbacks.
"We can't afford to lose again and be at 0-3. It will be a disaster going to Dubai. With the win, it gives us a lot of confidence. May baon kami papuntang Dubai,” the amiable SMB mentor said ahead of the overseas clash.
Still, Austria remained wary of the crowd darling Ginebra, which is expected to attract a lot of its Filipino die-hard fans in Dubai. For one, the Kings should also be raring to bounce back after dropping a tough 89-75 loss to Meralco.
It was a game where Ginebra led by as many as 16 points in the second half for everything to only fall apart in the final frame.
“We have to prepare hard because Ginebra lost in its last game. But they played really well against TNT, and that's the kind of game they want to have," added Austria.
Meanwhile, the Elasto Painters are eyeing a share of the top spot with the TNT Tropang 5G (3-1) when they take on the Giant Risers who are looking to snap a two-game slide.
ROS is coming off a 110-100 victory over Blackwater just a day ago while Titan Ultra absorbed a 130-92 drubbing at the hands of TNT.
The Bolts, on the other hand, despite coming off a loss in its East Asia Super League debut, are looking to improve to a 4-2 record against the Road Warriors who welcomed Robert Bolick back in style after picking up their second win with an 87-81 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
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