Author Archives: markthatmike

By Waylon Galvez Although the PBA has ordered a stop to all practice sessions, NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao is not prohibiting his players from doing individual workouts. NLEX Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao (PBA Images) In fact, Guiao said the franchise’s FCL gym in Quezon City is open to all players to sweat itContinue reading “PBA: ‘It’s boring, but safety’s important’ — NLEX coach Yeng Guiao”

By Jenny Ortuoste The Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) announced on Sunday that horse races will commence on April 18 and 19 “subject to the lifting of the NCR (National Capital Region) community quarantine.” Prosperity (11), ridden by jockey Mark Angelo Alvarez, bursts into the finish line against the fading bunch to win the P2.5-M PhilracomContinue reading “Horse racing: They’ll be off…and running!”

By Nick Giongco Fil-Japanese bonebreaker Kiyomi Watanabe’s inclusion in the Tokyo Olympics is almost a done deal. Judo chief Dave Carter said the International Judo Federation (IJF) has “decided to cut off our qualifications systems to until the Düsseldorf Grand Slam held third week of February.” (MB File Photo) Judo chief Dave Carter said theContinue reading “Judoka Kiyomi Watanabe has foot inside 2020 Tokyo Olympics”

By Nick Giongco There is a plan for the April 25 three-title belt bantamweight clash in Las Vegas between Filipino John Riel Casimero and Japanese Naoya Inoue to be held behind closed doors owing to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. John Riel Casimero is scheduled to fight Japanese Naoya Inoue on April 25. The two wereContinue reading “Casimero-Inoue clash to be held behind closed doors?”

By Agence France-Presse Doubts are growing in Japan about the Tokyo Olympics, with growing opposition to holding them as scheduled and some urging officials not to risk lives by pressing ahead during the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. A man wearing a face mask walks in the tunnel of a metro station with posters of Miraitowa, theContinue reading “‘Don’t sacrifice lives’: doubts grow in Japan over Tokyo Olympics”

By Waylon Galvez A classic case of Asian xenophobia, brought about in likelihood by the widespread COVID-19, appeared to have been in full display in a weightlifting Olympic qualifier in South America. Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said the IWF already confirmed that Diaz can participate, but apparently, organizers of the event disallowedContinue reading “Hidilyn Diaz, Asians barred from Cali competition”

By Agence France-Presse A range of sports stars and other celebrities have taken part in a World Health Organization social media campaign to show proper hand-washing practices in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched the #SafeHands campaign on Friday, showing off his own hand-washing prowess, and has challenged aContinue reading “Sport stars flock to do WHO ‘safehands challenge’ as COVID-19 fears mount”

By Agence France-Presse NBA referee Courtney Kirkland has been cleared by doctors to depart Sacramento after coronavirus test results returned negative, ESPN reported Sunday. Referee, Courtney Kirkland looks on during the game between the Utah Jazz and the Toronto Raptors on March 9, 2020 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE viaContinue reading “NBA: Referee Courtney Kirkland tests negative for COVID-19 — report”

By Reuters Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, whose coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnosis last Wednesday was the first domino that effectively shut down American sports, regrets not having taken the threat more seriously, he said in a social media post on Sunday. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks the ball during the first half against theContinue reading “NBA: Jazz center Rudy Gobert sorry for not taking COVID-19 threat ‘more seriously’”

By Field Level Media-Reuters The NBA’s season — on hold due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic — could be suspended for at least three months, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday night. General view of Staples Center. The NBA has suspended activity due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY Sports) PerContinue reading “NBA hiatus could be 3-plus months — report”