By the Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — As disappointed as Clippers coach Doc Rivers was to see his team give up 80 first-half points, he now has evidence that his team can do that and still find a way to win — on the road.

Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points and the Clippers rallied to beat the recently resurgent New Orleans Pelicans 133-130 on Saturday.

“Clearly, the defense didn’t wake up for either team,” Rivers said. “It was one of those games where, at halftime, I said, ‘Guys, first team that plays any defense will win this game.’

“We played defense in the fourth,” Rivers continued. “That’s why we won.”

Lou Williams scored 14 of his 32 points during a dominant fourth quarter for Los Angeles, which outscored the Pelicans 31-20 in the final 12 minutes.

“I feel like I can make 100 in a row once I make one,” Williams said of his fourth-quarter surge. “I feel like I can make anything after that.”

Williams’ 3 with 31.6 seconds left, after Patrick Beverley had rebounded Leonard’s miss, gave the Clippers a 133-127 lead and sent numerous fans toward the exits.

“Very talented scorer — fearless, just goes out there and plays the game,” Leonard said of Williams. “He pushed us to win that game in that fourth quarter. It just gives you relief that you have somebody that also can take over.”

JJ Redick hit a quick 3 in response to Williams’ clutch basket, and after Leonard ran down the shot clock and missed from deep, New Orleans had 2.4 seconds to attempt a tying 3 that Redick missed off the back rim.

“The Pelicans can score. They’ve got a lot of talent over there,” Leonard said. “They have youth. … They play hard. So Doc just wanted us to grind out the win. He kept telling us we just got to find a way.

“And, obviously, everybody wants to play better defense,” Leonard added.

Montrezl Harrell scored 24 points for the Clippers, who trailed by 10 in the final seconds of the third quarter, but turned Brandon Ingram’s turnover into two free throws by Williams, and then opened the fourth with an 8-0 run — capped by Williams’ and JaMychal Green’s back-to-back 3s — to tie it at 110.

After shooting 58.5% (38 of 65) in the first three quarters, the Pelicans made 8 of 21 shots in the fourth as the game slipped away from them.

“Both teams kind of slowed down a little bit in the fourth quarter, but I think we probably turned the ball over a couple of times and let a rebound get away, and they just went and made baskets,” said Pelicans center Derrick Favors, who had 22 points and 11 rebounds. “It was more maybe letting like little things take us out the game.”

Lonzo Ball had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who were seeking their 11th victory in 15 games despite the recent absence of guard Jrue Holiday, who has missed seven games with an elbow injury.

Beating the contending Clippers was going to be a tall order, but Ball asserted, “I don’t believe in moral victories. I thought we should have won the game.”

Ingram had 21 points and Redick finished with 19.

The teams combined for 152 points in a fast-paced first half, during which New Orleans’ 80 points tied a franchise record.

Favors made his first seven shots and had 15 of his points in the opening 24 minutes, when the Pelicans shot 63.6%.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Rafael Nadal said passion and positivity had helped him reach an unprecedented third decade ranked world number one, after defying the ravages of injury and the critics who said his all-action game was too tough on his body.

Despite a steady stream of foot, knee, back, arm, hand and wrist injury setbacks, the 33-year-old has returned time and again to become the only player to top the rankings in three different decades.

“I can’t say I have been lucky with injuries, because I have not,” the Spaniard said on Saturday, when asked about his longevity in the game.

“But there is no secret, no? There is only about passion, about love for the game, and about being able to stay positive in the tough moments.”

Nadal’s physical, uncompromising approach is often contrasted with his great rival Roger Federer, who appears more effortless on court and — after far fewer injuries — is still going strong at 38.

But the fighting qualities that have taken Nadal to 19 Grand Slam titles on court have often been evident off it, as he was repeatedly able to recover from injury and return to the top.

“It’s true that I went through some tough situations during all my career. But I was able to always, with probably the positive attitude and with the right people around — they were the key — I was able to find a way to keep going, no?” he said.

“It’s difficult for me to imagine because for my style of game, as a lot of people said, my career should be little bit shorter. But here we are. Happy for that.

“Even for me is a big surprise to be where I am at my age.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor stopped Donald Cerrone with a head kick and punches 40 seconds into the first round at UFC 246 on Saturday night, announcing his return to mixed martial arts with his first victory since 2016.

The Irish former two-division champion returned from a three-year stretch of inactivity and outside-the-cage troubles with a performance that echoed his greatest fights during his unparalleled rise.

McGregor (22-4) floored Cerrone (36-14) only 20 seconds into the bout with a perfectly placed kick, and he mercilessly finished on the ground to the delight of a sellout crowd at T-Mobile Arena.

McGregor’s hand hadn’t been raised in victory since November 2016, when he stopped lightweight Eddie Alvarez to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two championship belts simultaneously.

With his fame and fortune multiplying, McGregor fought only his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in 2017, and he lost a one-sided UFC bout to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in late 2018.

After a year of inactivity and trouble outside the cage, McGregor vowed to return to elite form in this bout against a fellow UFC veteran and stoppage specialist. His dramatic victory over Cerrone indicated he’s on his way.

Cerrone is the winningest fighter in UFC history with 23 victories inside the octagon, a mark that reflects both his durability and commitment to an uncommonly busy schedule.

Cerrone, who also holds the UFC record with 16 stoppage wins, had fought a whopping 11 times since McGregor’s win over Alvarez, and he was in the cage for the 15th time since he lost his only UFC title shot in December 2015.

But Cerrone’s last two fights were stopped when he took too much damage, and he couldn’t block McGregor’s decisive kick or recover from the punishment on the ground.

McGregor believes he can recapture the fearsome form he showed during his meteoric rise to unprecedented MMA success.

He won 15 consecutive fights during a five-year run from low-profile shows in Dublin to the world’s biggest MMA events, stopping five straight elite UFC opponents with punches on the way up.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Dominican challenger Jeison Rosario won the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation super welterweight titles Saturday, stopping hometown hero Julian Williams in the fifth round.

Rosario landed a staggering right hand and followed with a flurry of punches before Williams fell to the canvas. He rose only to be hammered by a right uppercut and left hook before referee Benjy Esteves stopped the fight 97 seconds into round five.

Rosario was tearful as he was handed the championship belts.

“I’ve got to keep crying because I’m so emotional in this moment,” he said.

The showdown at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the first defense for Williams (27-2 with one drawn) of the 154-pound (69.9kg) crowns he took from American Jarrett Hurd by unanimous decision last May.

Rosario, in his first world title bout, improved to 20-1-1 with his 14th victory inside the distance. It was his sixth win in a row and he improved to 8-0 with a draw since his lone loss in 2017.

“When I lost my last fight I said I wasn’t going to lose again until I am world champion,” Rosario said. “And I’ve done it.”

Rosario, 24, opened a cut over the left eye of Williams, 29, with a left jab early in the second round, the gash nagging the champion throughout the fight as toe-to-toe exchanges of hard punches continued.

“It blurred my vision a little bit,” Williams said of the cut. “But that wasn’t the reason why. He was the better fighter tonight.”

In the fifth, Williams was staggered early in the round, taking a dozen blows against the ropes before falling face first to the canvas.

After Esteves allowed the fight to continue, Williams landed his powerful uppercut and Williams slumped back against the ropes, prompting Esteves to stop the fight.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t get the win but I’ll be back,” Williams told his hometown supporters, noting he had a rematch clause in the fight contract.

“We’ll see if we can get it real soon.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was still feeling the euphoria of winning another PBA championship when LA Tenorio and his long-time coach Tim Cone began to plot about their next mission.

“LA came up to me and said we better win the All-Filipino,” Cone said after Ginebra closed out Meralco 105-93 to claim the PBA Governors’ Cup crown before 17,000 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena Friday night.

The Philippine Cup, the most important tournament of every PBA season, is the only championship Ginebra has yet to claim since Cone took over and turn the crowd-favorites into one of the league’s consistent contenders.

Ginebra won all of its four titles under Cone reinforced by the beloved import Justin Brownlee, who is perhaps the new epitome of the team’s “Never Say Die” attitude.

But the title Cone described as the PBA’s “crown jewel” continues to elude Ginebra.

“You win the All-Filipino, you’re the best team. There’s no doubt about it,” said Cone. “We always have that prejudice that we have the best import and that’s why we win. But if we win the All-Filipino, it will be all about us.”

In order to get that status, Ginebra will still have to go through the juggernaut known as the San Miguel Beermen, who have dominated the Philippine Cup for the last five seasons.

SMB remains a favorite going into the next season’s first conference which starts in March.

“San Miguel has had an incredible monopoly on the All-Filipino in the last five years and it’s well-deserved. They are a special, special team,” Cone admitted. “And obviously (the rest of the teams) are trying, all of us. No matter who we are. We all want to get that All-Filipino championship.

“That’s why they call it the crown jewel of the three championships. So, needless to say, we’re gonna be motivated,” he added.

Ginebra’s closest chance at winning the Philippine Cup under Cone was in 2017 when they fell in five games to San Miguel. The Kings would lose to the Beermen in the semifinals and to the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in the quarters over the next two editions.

The addition of Stanley Pringle, however, could bring a new dynamic for Ginebra, as witnessed with his performance against Meralco in the just-concluded championship series.

A motivated Japeth Aguilar, named PBA Press Corps-Honda Finals Most Valuable Player for his all-around showing, and a solid crew of Tenorio and Scottie Thompson to name a few also gives the Kings another strong reason to believe.

“I think Stanley Pringle gives us our best chance,” said Cone. “Having Stanley now, having that constant threat on the floor’s gonna open up things for everybody else. He almost, almost plays an import-like role out there on the floor so they have to count him.

“And that’s gonna open up for everybody else, and it gives guys like Japeth and Greg the opportunity to really step up forward and be the dominant guys instead of kinda stepping back and allowing the import to do that.”

On a personal note, getting the Philippine Cup would mean a lot for Tenorio, whose five championships have come in import-laden tournaments.

He had fallen short twice. Aside from the 2017 defeat to San Miguel, Tenorio settled for a runner-up trophy as a rookie point guard of the Beermen in 2007.

Ironically, Tenorio and the Beermen lost to Ginebra in six games.

“Lahat ng championships ko with imports so iba pag All-Filipino,” said Tenorio. “But it’s not easy. Mahirap yung pinagdaanan namin ngayon, mas triple ang pagdadaanan namin.

After a stellar defensive effort that left Meralco crumbling, Tenorio feels the same mindset will be instrumental in seeing his goal become a reality.

“But I think with the way we play as a team right now, I hope madala namin ngayon sa All-Filipino. With the way we play defense, sobrang natutuwa ako. Hindi ko nakita tong team na to maglaro ng defense nang ganun. Sana madala namin yun sa All-Filipino.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor returns to the Octagon after a 15-month absence seeking — he says — to leave controversy behind him.

The Irish star takes on experienced Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas — where Wednesday’s final press conference offered a remarkable display of respect from a fighter as famed for his trash talk as his formidable left hook.

“It’s hard not to respect Donald,” McGregor said of the 36-year-old American, who boasts a record of 36 wins, 13 losses and holds the record for the number of knockouts (20) in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) — where victories are often won by submission and decision.

However, Cerrone appears to be on the wane, considering his last two losses last year to Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.

“He’s a good fighter,” McGregor said. “But I can read Donald like a children’s book. I know his moves and I know what he’s planning. I have the advantage of speed, I’m well prepared, there’s no one to touch me.”

McGregor claimed his last victory — his 21st in 25 bouts — in 2016.

Since then, McGregor has been battered into submission by arch-rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in a contest that was marred by a massive brawl at ringside and been knocked out by boxing great Floyd Mayweather in a cross-combat superfight in Vegas in 2017.

Away from the ring, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion has been charged with two assaults in the United States and, according to reports in the New York Times, remains the subject of two sexual assault investigations in Ireland.

“I’ve made mistakes,” McGregor said in the buildup to the fight. “And I have been man enough to admit them and correct them. I’m more mature and more experienced. These experiences have helped me improve as a man.

“But if you ask my family, my loved ones, they’ll tell you I’m not that different. I’m still that passionate young man looking for the moon.”

McGregor and Cerrone both weighed in at 170 pounds on Friday for their welterweight bout.

McGregor fought at welterweight previously when he went 1-1 against Nate Diaz in 2016 while Cerrone went 6-4 during a welterweight run between 2016 and 2018.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

ADELAIDE, Australia — Top-ranked Ash Barty has fine-tuned for the first tennis major of the season by winning her first title on home soil with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over No. 24-ranked Dayana Yastremska in Saturday’s Adelaide International final.

The French Open champion had reached finals in Australia before, finishing runner-up twice at the Sydney International after losses to Angelique Kerber in 2018 and to Petra Kvitova last year.

She’s now the first Australian woman to win a tour-level title at home since 2011.

Barty conceded just two points on serve during the first set, breaking the 19-year-old Yastremska’s serve in the third and seventh games.

Yastremska struggled against Barty’s backhand slice, and changes of pace and height on the ball.

Barty broke to open the second set but Yastremska rallied to win the next three games, and had two break point chances in the eighth game.

The home favorite saved both of those to level at 4-4 and then broke Yastremska’s serve in the 11th game and served out.

“This is incredible. Great start to the year,” Barty said. “I definitely feel the love out here. I love playing in Australia. I love playing at home.

“It was nice to get the ball rolling this week — I can’t wait to get started in Melbourne on Monday.”

Barty’s next match will be on Rod Laver Arena on the first night of the Australian Open against Lesia Tsurenko. Her run to the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park last year was Barty’s best run yet at her home championship. She followed that up by winning at Roland Garros for her first major title and closed the 2019 season with victory in the WTA Finals.

Yastremska, seeded No. 23, will face Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan in the first round.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Monday (The Arena, San Juan)

8:30 a.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (Junior’s)

10 a.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (Men’s)

12 noon – St. Benilde vs Letran (Women’s)

2 p.m. – EAC vs Mapua (Women’s)

3:30 p.m. – EAC vs Mapua (Men’s)

5 p.m. – EAC vs Mapua (Junior’s)

University of Perpetual Help System DALTA bounced back from an opening day loss as it downed San Sebastian College-Recoletos 29-31, 25-13, 25-20, 25-20 in the NCAA Season 95 volleyball tournament Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.

Yanca Tripoli led the Lady Altas with 17 points, including the match’s final two points, while Jhona Rosal contributed 14 points and 20 digs for Perpetual Help, which improved to 1-1.

The Lady Stags prevailed in the extended first set after setter Vea Sison clinched the set with a drop shot.

But the Lady Altas dominated the next two sets and overcame a 12-16 deficit in the fourth set. Even with the win, Perpetual Help coach Macky Cariño said they have to improve in their next games.

“Mabuti na lang, pagdating ng last part ng fourth set, medyo nag-step-up na ang senior ko na si Yanca Tripoli. At least, kahit paano, nakuha namin yung win,” said Cariño, who hopes to contend for the title again this season.

Dana Persa added 11 points and 12 digs, while converted setter Jenny Gaviola finished with eight points for the Lady Altas.

Shane Requierme scored 16 points, including two service aces, while Jamille Carreon also had two service aces to finish with 11 points for San Sebastian, which dropped to 0-2.

Meanwhile, Louie Ramirez tallied 17 points, including two blocks, while Ronniel Rosales added 10 as men’s titleholder Perpetual Help swept San Sebastian 25-18, 25-15, 25-21 for a 2-0 card.

Reigning juniors champion Perpetual Help also posted its second straight win following a 25-19, 25-19, 25-20 victory over San Sebastian with Noel Kampton leading the way with 21 points, including two service aces.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and her team left for Italy Saturday, giving her time to prepare and adjust in time for the Rome 2020 World Cup slated January 27 to 31.

Diaz, who won her first gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games the Philippines hosted, has continued training even after the biennial meet to keep her in shape for the World Cup, which is also an Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Talagang inagahan namin ang alis para makapag-training pa ako, kung may kailangang adjustment. Pero more on mental kasi physically andun na naman yun lakas ko,” said Diaz, who is scheduled to compete January 28.

The 28-year-old weightlifter from Zamboanga City left with her “Team HD” composed of Chinese mentor Kaiwen Gao, conditioning/strengthening mentor Julius Irvin Naranjo and massage therapist Belen Bañas.

A gold medalist in the 2018 Asian Games, Diaz also won the bronze medal in the 53kg category during the 2017 World Championship in Anaheim, USA and last year in the 55kg division in Pattaya, Thailand.

Diaz participated in the same 53kg category when she won the gold medal in the Asian Games in Indonesia and when she pocketed the silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

This time, she is back in the 55kg, where she is at No. 5 in the world raking in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). At the moment, Diaz has accumulated 3.632.0672 points.

Currently leading the 55kg category are Chinese weightlifters Jiang Huihua (4,667.8878), Liao Qiuyun (4,288.9622), Zhang Wanqiong (4,212.6639) and Li Yajun (4,099.0223), while at No. 6 is Muattar Nabieva of Uzbekistan (3,519.9108), Yenny Sinisterra of Colombia at No. 7 (3,432. 7232) and Kazakhstan’s Zulfiya Chinshanlo at No. 8 (3,413.5078).

The participation of Diaz in the 2020 Rome World Cup is made possible by Philippine Sports Commission, the Samahang Weightlifters ng Pilipinas, and the MVP Sports Foundation, a private group under Al Panlilio that supports Filipino athletes.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Manny Pacquiao sent Conor McGregor his best wishes from General Santos City on the eve of the MMA star’s return to the UFC.

Senator @MannyPacquiao and the legendary ⁦@KnuckleheadSean⁩ with a message for ⁦@TheNotoriousMMA⁩ and ⁦@danawhite⁩ ahead of #UFC246 #Viva pic.twitter.com/0tGPNqbJ5Z

— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 17, 2020

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

“Good luck, Conor…Do all your best,” said Pacquiao in a video posted by his right-hand man Sean Gibbons.

McGregor is facing Donald Cerrone at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, his first foray into battle in 15 months.

There have been talks the past few days about a Pacquiao-McGregor showdown in a boxing ring the past few days with Gibbons teasing the public by coming up with a faux fight poster featuring the two supposed to be slugging it out at the soon-to-be-completed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao hasn’t fought since dealing Keith Thurman his first loss in July last year.

In August 2017, McGregor lost on a stoppage to Floyd Mayweather. (Nick Giongco)

Source: Manila Bulletin