From PBA legend and TNT assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa’s postgame cringefest, to Damian Lillard returning to his OG NBA home, check out Ballers PH’s latest Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down! Read on!

👍 Thumbs Up – Bradley Beal always gets what he wants

Somehow, some way, Bradley Beal keeps winning. The Phoenix Suns just bought out the final two years of his monstrous contract – $110 million left on the deal – and while he gave back $14 million, let’s be real: he’s still walking away with a massive bag. And now, with money no longer an issue, Beal gets to do what most players only dream of – choose his next team on his terms. Naturally, he lands with the LA Clippers alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Say what you want about his on-court impact, but Beal keeps outsmarting front offices like it’s a hobby.

👍 Thumbs Up – Damian Lillard’s Portland homecoming

Two months after tearing his Achilles and getting released by the Bucks, Damian Lillard made a decision straight from the heart – he’s going back to Portland. Yes, he’ll likely miss all of 2025–26 while rehabbing, but the return to Rip City just feels right. He’s happy, he’s healing, and he’s home. There were other suitors, sure, but Dame chose loyalty and familiarity over chasing rings. Who knows – maybe the Blazers surprise everyone and build something special around their franchise icon one more time.

đź‘Ť Thumbs Up – Don Trollano proving he’s dangerously underrated

Lost in the shuffle of the San Miguel Beermen’s star-studded roster is Don Trollano, a certified bucket who just reminded everyone why he deserves more shine. After SMB dropped Game 1 of the Philippine Cup Finals on a controversial basket-interference call, Trollano stepped up when they needed it most. He dropped 22 points off the bench in Game 2, sparking the Beermen to a crucial win to tie the series. He may not have the spotlight, but Trollano keeps proving he’s a weapon teams can’t afford to ignore.

👎 Thumbs Down – The Philippine Cup Game 1 Debacle

Game 1 of the Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel and Talk N’ Text ended not with basketball brilliance, but with a head-scratching officiating mess. With 56 seconds left, Mo Tautuaa appeared to throw down a go-ahead dunk that put SMB up 98–97, until replays showed he lost the ball mid-air and pulled the rim down before it dropped in. A borderline basket interference call, sure, maybe, but the bigger problem? The refs couldn’t review it because there was no dead-ball situation until just four seconds remained. By then, the basket was overturned, TNT gained possession, and SMB was forced to foul. Final score: TNT 99, SMB 96.

It was a tough call either way, especially since similar plays in both the PBA and NBA often go unwhistled. But in the finals, in crunch time, this can’t be how things are handled. What if the game ended with no stoppage at all? Would the committee have retroactively flipped the result? These are the questions no league should leave unanswered.

đź‘Ž Thumbs Down – Jolas being a sore loser

TNT assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa had himself a rough post-Game 4 stretch, but not for the reasons you’d hope. Instead of focusing on adjustments or praising effort, he took to the media to rant about Jericho Cruz, calling him a “showboater” with “issues” and even referring to him as a “little boy” for celebrating in front of their bench. The irony? Jolas sounded more immature than the guy he was criticizing. Then came the weird on-cam moment where he barked at Chris Ross to go away while Ross was simply consoling a TNT player. Whether it’s frustration or pride, the whole thing screamed “sore loser.”

đź‘Ž Thumbs Down – Terrafirma is staying on

After rumors of disbanding, Terrafirma Dyip will return for its 12th PBA season. Let’s get one thing clear: Terrafirma is not a serious PBA franchise. Period. They are there as a filler, or, as fans rightfully call them, a “farm team.” They can’t pay players so they just trade them away, and it’s truly hilarious how everyone in the PBA has to zip their lips every time.

I yearn for a day where teams like Terrafirma is gone from the league.