By Waylon Galvez

Like other national sports associations, the lockdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the local and international programs of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

SBP president Al Panlilio said Monday the most important consideration now, however, is to ‘flatten the curve’ before thinking of resuming with the various sports tournaments.

He said the health of the players is the primary concern of the federation once international events resume, including FIBA-sanctioned qualifying events that were halted due to the pandemic.

“Our main priority is the safety of the players – no ifs and buts,” said Panlilio in an interview with the Manila Bulletin. “If we can’t guarantee that (safety), we will not participate.”

“As you know, the Olympics has already been canceled.”

The 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo has been postpone to July 2021.

Two Gilas Pilipinas matches in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers have been canceled last month.

The Filipinos were supposed to play Thailand in the first window last Feb. 20 and Indonesia on Feb. 23.

The organizers have not yet released new dates for those two games.

The tournament also serves as the team’s preparation for the 2023 World Cup, which the country is co-hosting with Indonesia and Japan.

Because of the pandemic, Panlilio said anything that has something to do with preparation has been on a wait-and-see situation.

“We don’t have a choice but to get ready (once everything is back to normal),” Panlilio said. “But everyone is affected (at the moment).”

Aside from the tournaments here and abroad, different activities of the SBP have also been halted including basketball clinics for coaches and referees in various places in the province.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Life goes on for Filipino chess players while most sporting events are in a standstill in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) continues with its programs by holding online chess tournaments since the government imposed Enhanced Community Quarantine three weeks ago.

The aim is to give the players an alternative to stay sharp since on-the-board tournaments are postponed or cancelled due to the global health crisis.

The NCFP has organized the first Philippine National Bullet Chess Championship being done at the lichess.org online chess application where more than P200,000 total cash prize are at stake in the 10-leg tournament.

The tournament is done every Saturday, with last weekend’s third leg drawing more than 447 titled and untitled players including those based abroad.

mong titled players competing are Grandmasters Mark Paragua, Joey Antonio, Banjo Barcenilla, Darwin Laylo; International Masters Daniel Quizon, Paulo Bersamina, Jan Emmanuel Garcia; FIDE Masters Sander Severino and Alekhine Nouri, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna and WIM Bernadette Galas to name a few.

Different chess organizations around the country are following suit by holding their own tournaments, including women’s tournaments.

Now, there are at least two to three online chess tournaments that Filipino players can participate in every day, ranging from bullet, blitz to Fischer-Random events.

Most tournaments are being held on bullet events where players are challenged at fast time control to prevent computer assistance while teaching pattern recognition, which is important in the sport.

Seeing the large response from the chess community, NCFP executive director Cliburn Orbe said they will try to maintain the online program going even after the lockdown is lifted.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Kyle Walker is facing disciplinary action from Manchester City after reportedly breaking coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown conditions by hosting a “sex party” even though he has advised people to stay at home.

The England defender, 29 has apologized after the Sun newspaper reported that he invited two call girls to his flat on Tuesday.

On Wednesday Walker posted on social media, urging the public to follow government guidelines on social distancing.

Britain reported 621 more deaths from COVID-19 as of 1600 GMT on Saturday, taking the total toll to 4,934.

“I want to apologize to my family, friends, football club, supporters and the public for letting them down,” Walker said in a statement.

“There are heroes out there making a vital difference to society at the moment and I have been keen to help support and highlight their amazing sacrifices and life-saving work over the past week.”

Walker is the second high-profile Premier League player to have been caught flouting the government’s guidelines after Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.

The Villa captain went to a party last weekend and was pictured next to a road in slippers, just hours after he posted a video urging fans to stay safe at home on social media.

Grealish apologized and was fined and disciplined by Villa.

Football is on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak and City will now look into Walker’s conduct.

A club statement said: “Our staff and players have been working to support the incredible efforts of the NHS (National Health Service) and other key workers in fighting the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus in any way we can. Kyle’s actions in this matter have directly contravened these efforts.

“We are disappointed to hear the allegations, note Kyle’s swift statement and apology, and will be conducting an internal disciplinary procedure in the coming days.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

As the coronavirus (COVID-19)  brings the international sports calendar to a grinding halt, AFP Sport looks at three long-standing habits which could change forever once competition resumes.

Saliva to take shine off swing bowling

It’s been a tried and trusted friend to fast bowlers throughout the history of cricket.

But the days of applying saliva to one side of the ball to encourage swing could be over in the aftermath of COVID-19.

“As a bowler I think it would be pretty tough going if we couldn’t shine the ball in a Test match,” said Australia quick Pat Cummins.

“If it’s at that stage and we’re that worried about the spread, I’m not sure we’d be playing sport.”

Towels in tennis – no touching

Tennis players throwing towels, dripping with sweat and blood and probably a tear or two, at ball boys and girls, has often left fans sympathizing for the youngsters.

Moves by officials to tackle the issue took on greater urgency in March when the coronavirus was taking a global grip.

Behind closed doors in Miki, ball boys and girls on duty at the Davis Cup tie between Japan and Ecuador wore gloves.

Baskets, meanwhile, were made available for players to deposit their towels.

Back in 2018, the ATP introduced towel racks at some events on a trial basis, but not everyone was overjoyed.

“I think having the towel whenever you need it, it’s very helpful. It’s one thing less that you have to think about,” said Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas when he was playing at the NextGen Finals in Milan.

“I think it’s the job of the ball kids to provide towels and balls for the players.”

Let’s not shake on it

Pre-match handshakes were abandoned in top football leagues just before the sports shutdown.

Premier League leaders Liverpool also banned the used of mascots while Southampton warned against players signing autographs and stopped them posing for selfies.

Away from football, the NBA urged players to opt for the fist bump rather than the long-standing high-five.

“I ain’t high-fiving nobody for the rest of my life after this,” NBA superstar LeBron James told the “Road Trippin’ Podcast”.

“No more high-fiving. After this corona shit? Wait ’til you see me and my teammates’ handshakes after this shit.”

Basketball stars were also told not to take items such as balls or teams shirts to autograph.

US women’s football star Megan Rapinoe says edicts to ban handshakes or even high-fives may be counter-productive anyway.

“We’re going to be sweating all over each other all game, so it sort of defeats the purpose of not doing a handshake,” she told the New York Times in March.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

After an opening night Friday in which the closest games were decided by 16 points, the NBA 2K Players Tournament provided a much more competitive day Sunday, as eight players concluded Round 1 play.

The best game of the day — and the first round — was between No. 4 seed Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and No. 13 seed Rui Hachimura of the Washington Wizards.

After three teams won with the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, Hachimura went with the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James, while Mitchell countered with the Brooklyn Nets — whose lineup included the injured Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

With his Lakers up two and 4.9 seconds to play, Hachimura went to the line with Danny Green and a chance to put the game away. Instead, Green made the first free throw but missed the second, giving Mitchell’s Nets one shot at sending the game to overtime. But Spencer Dinwiddie’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was off target, and Hachimura escaped with a 74-71 win.

He will next play Phoenix’s Devin Booker, who topped 12th-seeded Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets 85-75 in the tournament’s 5-12 matchup. Booker used the Bucks while Porter was on the Lakers.

The other two games were more like Friday night’s blowouts, starting with the day’s first game. Eighth-seeded Montrezl Harrell, playing as his own Los Angeles Clippers, blew past No. 9 seed Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers 73-51. Sabonis was also playing as his own team.

In the day’s final game, No. 6 seed Andre Drummond of the Cleveland Cavaliers blew out No. 11 seed and current free agent DeMarcus Cousins 101-49. Like the Mitchell-Hachimura game, the Lakers got the better of the Nets in that one.

The quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday night on ESPN2, and the semifinals and final will air April 11 on ESPN. The champion will get $100,000 to donate to the coronavirus-relief charity of his choice.

All games are available live on the NBA or NBA 2K Twitter, Twitch, YouTube and Facebook channels.

Quarterfinal matchups

–No. 16 Derrick Jones Jr. vs. No. 8 Montrezl Harrell

–No. 5 Devin Booker vs. No. 13 Rui Hachimura

–No. 6 Andre Drummond vs. No. 14 Patrick Beverly

–No. 2 Trae Young vs. No. 10 DeAndre Ayton

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and members of the Board of Governors plan this week to discuss the fate of the Philippine Cup and other league-related activities currently on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

League officials are set to talk through video conference options the league can take in light of the pandemic that forced the national government to put Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine.

Marcial is already eyeing the resumption of games in June, even as if there’s still no end in sight with regards to the global pandemic.

“Ang nakikita kong pinaka-maagang balik ng PBA ay June. Kasi even if the country is able to flatten the COVID-19 curve in April or May, I have to give our teams a month of practices before we resume play,” Marcial said, as quoted in an article posted by the PBA’s official website.

“Chairman Ricky Vargas (of TNT KaTropa) has called a video conference. The board will assess the situation and will make a thorough study kung ano ang magandang gawin,” he added.

Plenty of options are being pondered, including the likelihood that the current season will be reduced to a two-conference calendar instead of the traditional three conferences.

The PBA’s opened its 45th season last March 8 with a game between defending Philippine Cup champion San Miguel and Magnolia but the league suspended the games days later as the virus continued to spread around the country.

The same article also mentioned that the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup is in jeopardy of being cancelled since 11 of the 12 participating teams are school-based.

Only three playdates were held before the league decided to suspend the games.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Every single day just before sunrise in Libon, Albay, world boxing champion Pedro Taduran gets up from bed and heads outdoors.

The pint-sized fighter, however, isn’t out for a jog at 5 a.m., the preferred time of day favored by many boxers getting ready for a fight.

Instead of lacing on a pair of lightweight sneakers, Dri-Fit pullovers and jogger pants, Taduran slips into rubber sandals, a simple hoodie and working trousers.

Taduran, you see, is temporarily leaving boxing for a new job: Farming.

Unable to return to training owing to the Luzon-wide lockdown, Taduran is tending a family-owned one hectare rice field with his father, Pedro Sr.

After fieldwork, Taduran sometimes joins his old man in making machetes in their makeshift shop at home for sale in the town market.

“Mahirap po dahil hindi natin alam kung kailan babalik ang boksing. Dumadami pa ang kaso ng COVID-19,” said Taduran, the reigning International Boxing Federation minimumweight titlist with a pro record of 14-2-1 with 11 KOs.

Only last February, the southpaw Taduran traveled to Nuevo Leon in Mexico and defended the IBF 105-lb crown for the first time.

Taduran, 23, managed to keep the championship after his fight with crowd-favorite Daniel Valladares was declared a draw following a slugfest.

Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic, Taduran was preparing to get back to training camp. His manager Art Monis had revealed about plans of bringing him back to the ring in June.

But it doesn’t look as though the June fight would take place what with all events – sporting and non-sporting – getting postponed or even cancelled one after the other.

With boxing taking a long break, Taduran is likely to get used to getting up early not to work out, but to tend the fields, in the coming weeks or even months, utilizing the very same hands originally intended to inflict cuts and bruises on opponents.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

President Donald Trump said Saturday he believed US sports leagues hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic would resume “sooner rather than later” but declined to set a timetable for their return.

On a conference call with the commissioners of the major professional sports leagues, Trump told National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell he believed the season would kick off as scheduled in September.

US sports have been upended by the coronavirus, with the NBA, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and National Hockey League all halting or suspending their respective seasons last month as the pandemic erupted.

“I want fans back in the arenas…whenever we’re ready,” Trump told reporters at a White House briefing on Saturday.

“As soon as we can obviously. I can’t tell you a date but I think it’s going to be sooner rather than later.”

Major League Baseball and NBA officials are reportedly studying plans to play games without spectators at neutral venues to minimise the risks of infection associated with crowded arenas.

Trump, however, spoke optimistically of fans eventually being let back into stadiums.

“We’re not going to have separation for the rest of our times on the planet,” Trump said.

“We need it for this period of time. But eventually people are going to be able to occupy those seats next to each other. I’m not committing to it. It would be great if we could.”

The NFL has so far made no plans to alter the start of its 2020-2021 season, with pre-season games usually starting in August.

However, California Governor Gavin Newsom was sceptical of the possibility of sports resuming in August or September.

Speaking at his daily briefing, Newsom warned of a possible resurgence in infections if sport returned to soon.

Asked about the possibility of fans heading to stadiums in September, Newsom said: “I’m not anticipating that happening in this state.”

“We’ve all seen the headlines in the last couple of days in Asia where they were opening up certain up businesses and now they’re starting to roll back those openings because there’s some spread, a boomerang,” Newsom said.

“One has to be very cautious not to over-promise. I have a lot of friends that work in Major League Baseball and the NFL and basketball who have been asking me. I would move very cautiously.

“I’m not here to second guess anybody, but I am here to say this: our decision on that basis, at least here in the state of California will be determined by the facts, by the health experts and our capacity to bend the curve.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

The NBA, the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets are collaborating with China’s consul general Huang Ping to donate one million surgical masks to the New York City area, governor Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday.

Cuomo announced the news on Twitter, saying, “New York thanks you. We are beyond grateful for this gift of critically needed (personal protective equipment).”

The masks will go to the city’s essential workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Nets owner Joe Tsai and his wife, Clara Wu Tsai, have also donated 1,000 ventilators, which are expected to be delivered Saturday from China. Cuomo said Thursday the city was less than a week away from running out of ventilators.

Tsai is the co-founder and executive vice chairman of the Alibaba Group, which previously donated a million masks and half a million tests to New York.

According to ESPN, the NBA, WNBA and their players have combined to donate $50 million toward coronavirus-related relief efforts.

New York reported a record one-day increase (10,841) in confirmed cases of COVID-19 from Friday to Saturday. Friday was also the deadliest day (630 deaths) in the state to this point.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

A staple of driveways everywhere, a H-O-R-S-E competition among top NBA players could be coming to national television in the near future, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday.

The NBA and ESPN are finalizing the details, with each player possibility participating from their own home gym, as person-to-person interaction is limited during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a typical game of two or more players, if a competitor makes a shot, the competitor to follow has to make the identical shot or earn a letter in the word “horse.” A player is eliminated when their collection of missed shots spell “horse.”

Renewed interest in the game was sparked in 1993, when Larry Bird and Michael Jordan played a game of H-O-R-S-E during a McDonald’s commercial created for the Super Bowl.

In 2009, the NBA introduced a version of the game during All-Star Weekend festivities, although it was called G-E-I-C-O. It lasted two years and Kevin Durant, then of the Oklahoma City Thunder, won both times. The Phoenix Suns’ Paul Westphal also won an NBA-sanctioned game of H-O-R-S-E during the 1977-78 season.

The league has been creative during the suspension of the season due to the pandemic. It began a players-only NBA 2K Tournament on Friday, with the top-seeded Durant falling to 16th seed Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat in the opener.

Source: Manila Bulletin