The quarterfinals of the 2024 PBA Governors' Cup kicked off and saw higher seeded teams in TNT, Rain or Shine, and San Miguel all take care of business in their first games. While Ginebra drew first blood against Group B's second seed Meralco, the only lower seed team to do so.
What made the quarterfinals even more exciting was the introduction of the new best-of-five series format. With teams meeting for the first time in the conference, the extended series added a layer of strategy, allowing for adjustments and increased intensity with each game.
With Game 1s in the books, it's time to dig into the action and uncover how these teams set the tone -- and what twists and turns we can anticipate as the series unfolds.
Ginebra outpaces Meralco
You can always count on Ginebra and Meralco matchups to deliver high drama, and this game was no exception. Ginebra led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, only for Meralco to storm back and briefly take the lead early in the final period. Both teams traded blows down to the wire, but Ginebra, the crowd favorites, ultimately prevailed.
What made this victory particularly intriguing was Ginebra's approach. They embraced a pace-and-space style, a departure from their usual grind-it-out, defense-heavy identity from previous conferences. By spreading the floor and pushing the tempo, they kept Meralco off-balance, creating open looks and transition opportunities.
Though the fastbreak numbers didn't show a wide gap, Ginebra's offensive execution was crisp and efficient. Scottie Thompson deserves much of the credit, with his purposeful drives, cuts, and playmaking. He finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists, providing crucial support for Justin Brownlee. And yes, Brownlee once again became the main tormentor of Meralco, as he flirted with a triple-double, tallying 29 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists, proving instrumental in their win.
TNT banks on RHJ, stifling defense in the second half
TNT's league-leading defense didn't look like itself in the first half against NLEX. Despite holding their opponent to just 49 points, their defensive execution seemed off, allowing too many paint touches that led to open perimeter shots. However, elite teams like TNT aren't top seeds for nothing. They proved that in the second half with an impressive fightback led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. His energy on both ends of the floor sparked a turnaround, demonstrating exactly why TNT remains one of the toughest teams to beat. They tightened up defensively, limited NLEX's opportunities, and turned a shaky start into a dominant finish, reminding everyone why they're a true title contender.
A whopping 29-4 advantage by TNT on points off turnovers -- from a 25-8 turnover disparity -- spelled the difference in a big third quarter. Another adjustment for head coach Chot Reyes and his staff was to have Hollis-Jefferson attack downhill in the pick-and-roll (PnR) in their patented Horns sets, either as the roller or the ball-handler. He ended up with a stat line of 45 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals on 52% field goal percentage.
Rain or Shine withstands Magnolia's tough fight
Game 1 between these two teams showcased exactly why playoff basketball is thrilling. Magnolia stepped out of their comfort zone by matching Rain or Shine's fast pace throughout the game. They capitalized on Rain or Shine's costly transition errors, kept the game close and even built a 100-91 lead with six minutes remaining. But this is where Rain or Shine's resilience, praised by head coach Yeng Guiao, shone through.
"A team with weaker stuff would have folded during that time," Guiao said. "It's a testament to the character of the guys."
Despite digging themselves into a deep hole and struggling from beyond the arc -- hitting just 19.2% from 3 -- Rain or Shine found another way to win. They dominated the paint and outscored Magnolia 70-42 in the shaded area. Leading the charge was important Aaron Fuller, who delivered a stellar performance with 24 points and 20 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Magnolia's path to winning this series was clear: hitting perimeter shots. In the fourth quarter, Jerrick Ahanmisi caught fire, draining three crucial 4-pointers to give Magnolia a cushion heading into the final moments of the game. However, some adjustments need to be made by head coach Chito Victolero, particularly with his substitution patterns - balancing trust in both players who have performed well and his dependable veterans. Magnolia hopes they've found the right formula heading into Game 2, as they introduce a new import, Jabari Bird.
Fajardo leads San Miguel to stave off Converge's late surge
The battle of the big men took center stage in Game 1, with June Mar Fajardo once again asserting his dominance. The 8-time MVP delivered a familiar, stellar performance, posting 25 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks. Converge's own big man, Justin Arana, put up a good show with 20 points and six rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome San Miguel's firepower. The Beermen had a scare in the final three minutes when Converge trimmed a 13-point lead to just a single possession with 14 seconds left, but San Miguel held on to secure the win.
San Miguel also debuted their new import, EJ Anosike, who contributed 28 points and 11 rebounds. While his box score looked solid, there's still room for improvement as he committed six turnovers and shot just 29.2% from the field. Both teams have plenty to sharpen heading into the next games. Converge's top local scorer, Alec Stockton, managed only five points on seven shot attempts. CJ Perez had an uncharacteristic night for San Miguel as well, scoring just 11 points on 38.5% shooting -- well below his third-best average in the eliminations. As the series progresses, both teams will be looking for more consistent performances from their key players.