By the Associated Press

NEW YORK — Spencer Dinwiddie scored 26 points and had a career-high 14 assists as the Brooklyn Nets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 117-113 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night.

Rodions Kurucs scored 19 points and Taurean Prince added 17 for Brooklyn.

Jarrett Allen finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for his team-high 17th double-double of the season.

Jimmy Butler scored 33 points and Bam Adebayo added 22 for the Heat.

Miami’s Duncan Robinson missed a 3-pointer from the corner with 5.7 seconds left.

The Nets came up with several clutch plays down the stretch.

Caris LeVert hit a step-back 3-pointer to give Brooklyn a 112-111 lead with 1:09 remaining and Prince hit a floater in the lane that extended the lead to 114-111 with 25.9 seconds left.

Butler hit back-to-back jumpers and a layup to give Miami a 109-100 lead with 5:09 remaining, but Brooklyn responded with a pair of 3s by Dinwiddie and LeVert to cut the deficit to three with 3:37 left.

The Nets turned up the defensive intensity in the third quarter and held Miami to 20 points in the period, which ended in an 89-all tie.

Miami led 69-57 at the half. Butler led all scorers with 19 points. Brooklyn attempted three free throws in the first half and relied on perimeter jumpers.

Miami shot a blistering 65% from the field in the first quarter and Butler scored 13 points as the Heat took a 42-32 lead.

Kurucs made a season-high three 3-pointers in the first quarter for Brooklyn.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

CHICAGO — Myles Turner set season highs with 27 points and 14 rebounds, and the short-handed Indiana Pacers withstood a huge effort by Zach LaVine to beat the Chicago Bulls 116-105 on Friday night.

The Pacers overcame 43 points by LaVine and escaped with the victory after Chicago rallied from 16 down to cut the deficit to four in the closing minutes.

T.J. Warren scored 17 for Indiana after being fined $25,000 by the NBA for an altercation with Miami’s Jimmy Butler on Wednesday night.

The Pacers picked up their second win in three games even though they were missing two of their top players, with Malcolm Brogdon out with strep throat and Domantas Sabonis nursing a sore left knee.

LaVine finished six points shy of his career high set at Charlotte in November. Coby White scored 23, but the Bulls lost their sixth straight — their worst skid since a 10-game slide in December and January last season.

The Pacers led by seven early in the fourth quarter when the Holiday brothers scored eight straight. Justin Holiday wrapped two 3-pointers around a basket by brother Aaron to make it 94-79 with 7:29 left.

It was 99-83 midway through the fourth before Chicago came storming back, cutting it to 103-99 on a 3 by Lauri Markkanen with just over three minutes remaining.

Justin Holiday answered with a 3 of his own, and the Pacers hung on from there.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Trae Young entered Friday night’s game against the Washington Wizards as the NBA’s fourth leading scorer, averaging 29.2 points per game. In the Atlanta Hawks’ last game, Young had a triple-double with 42 points in a loss to the Houston Rockets.

The Wizards knew they had to contain Young, and they pulled it off, limiting him to 19 points. Young missed all seven of his 3-point attempts in Washington’s 111-101 win over Atlanta.

Gary Payton II drew the assignment to guard Young, and he watched plenty of tape of Young’s terrific game Wednesday night. Payton signed with the injury-riddled Wizards on Dec. 23 and has started eight of his 10 games.

“Most of his shots come from 3s,” Payton said. “That’s how he gets going. We just tried to limit his 3s and make him take deep 3s. That’s what we did.”

Young has to carry much of the offensive burden for the Hawks (8-31), who have the worst record in the NBA, and lost for the 14th time in 16 games.

“Gary’s a really good defender,” Young said. “He’s obviously known for his defense. A lot of shots were self-inflicted. I couldn’t knock down shots. There were some shots that I had, and I had wide open layups that I just didn’t make.”

While Washington shot just 37.5%, they did some other things right. They grabbed 57 rebounds, including a season-high 19 offensive boards, and committed just nine turnovers, with only one in the final quarter.

The Wizards trailed 93-90 midway in the fourth quarter and outscored the Hawks 21-8 to secure the win.

Jordan McRae scored 29 points but shot just 10 for 26 and had a career-high eight rebounds and six assists. Troy Brown Jr. added 18 and 10 rebounds.

Atlanta (8-31), which has the worst record in the NBA, lost for the 14th time in 16 games. Trae Young, who had 42 points in a defeat to Houston on Wednesday, led the Hawks with 19 points.

John Collins had his second straight double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds for Atlanta, and Alex Len had 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Sunday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
6:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Meralco
(Series tied 1-1)

LUCENA CITY — Meralco regained its shooting touch behind contributions from unlikely sources to defeat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 104-102 Friday night and tie the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at 1-1 in this city.

The Bolts used the three-point arc to not only build a big lead but recover from a Ginebra comeback in the third quarter to even the series before a jampacked crowd at the Quezon Convention Center here.

Three nights after going a dismal 7-of-32, Meralco made 16 threes to set a franchise record for most in a Finals game with John Pinto launching the early onslaught with four in the first quarter.

Forward Nico Salva and center Bryan Faundo, rarely used throughout the conference, hit one each late to make it 82-76 Meralco at the end of the third, after Ginebra got back from a 63-46 halftime deficit to tie the count at 70-all.

Backup point guard Anjo Caram also had one in the fourth before chief playmaker Baser Amer launched a pair of long toms in the final minutes that made it 101-91 for the Bolts, 2:13 remaining in the fourth.

“This is all about trying to even the series, get it 1-1,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. whose team will head to Game 3 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with renewed confidence after losing the opener 91-87 three nights ago.

“We know we have to go back on Sunday and play in Manila, and we’re not gonna have very much rest so this is a big win for us. We cannot afford to go 0-2,” he added.

Pinto scored all of his 12 points in the first quarter that saw Meralco bucking a 13-6 deficit at the start to lead 36-21.

Salva had nine points, including two open jumpers moments after being inserted for the first time with 9:14 to go in the third. He, Amer and Faundo hit four threes in the final two minutes as the Bolts got the lead back 82-86 entering the fourth.

Caram’s three over nine minutes remaining put the Bolts ahead 85-77, before relinquishing point guard duties to Amer, whose a pair of threes virtually seal the deal for Meralco.

Ginebra did make the final score respectable with some late threes from Justin Brownlee and LA Tenorio, but it was all too late.

The performances of Pinto, Salva, Caram and Faundo keyed Meralco’s 29 bench points that gave import Allen Durham the much-needed support.
Durham had 21 points, 18 rebounds and six assists, but had to work for his baskets against a box-and-one defense Black pointed out.

Amer and Newsome scored 17 points each, with the latter adding seven assists.

Brownlee scored 35 points but shot 10-of-26 from the field. Despite the numbers, Ginebra failed to give its hardworking import the offensive support in the first half that led to the deficit.

Stanley Pringle caught fire in the third, scoring 10 of his 23 points, with Japeth Aguilar and Tenorio combining for 14 in the same period. But their efforts went to waste as Meralco was able to restore control until the final buzzer.

The scores:

MERALCO 104 — Durham 21, Amer 17, Newsome 17, Almazan 15, Pinto 12, Salva 9, Caram 5, Quinto 5, Faundo 3, Hodge 0, Hugnatan 0, Maliksi 0.

GINEBRA 102 — Brownlee 35, Pringle 23, Aguilar 18, Tenorio 10, Slaughter 6, Thompson 4, Caguioa 4, Mariano 2, Devance 0, Caperal 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Quarters: 36-21; 63-46; 82-76; 104-102.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

LUCENA CITY — Recurring foot problems are not about to keep Joe Devance from trying to make an impact in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

Devance could eventually play a crucial role in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s chance of winning a third title in the last four editions of the season-ending tournament after logging 25 minutes in Tuesday’s 91-87 win over Meralco.

It was the longest exposure for Devance in a conference that saw him miss the first nine games of the Governors’ Cup eliminations and three more in the semifinals after undergoing surgery on his right foot before the conference started.

Devance, 38 years old next month, has been dealing with foot injuries since 2017, when he had surgery after the Kings beat Meralco in the Governors’ Cup Finals due to a plantar fasciitis on his left foot.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone remains firm his long-time player will be able to get his niche as the series progresses.

“Throughout the whole conference, he’s been in-and-out of the lineup, came off a major surgery, but he added the size that we needed,” said Cone.

Devance spent most of his time on the court defending Meralco’s Allen Durham in the post while dishing out two assists on the offensive end.

“I think the more he plays, the better rhythm he’ll have,” said Cone. “I think he struggled a little bit offensively, but he’s such a smart, intelligent defender and he’s a smart, intelligent offensive player as well.

“He’s not gonna play out of his character, he’s not gonna do things that he knows he can’t do. He’s gonna stay with his skillset offensively, and he’s gonna be a really smart, intelligent defender.”

Devance is eyeing his ninth PBA championship, all under Cone. But it could be the most fulfilling given the rash of injuries he has dealt with.

He could get closer to that goal at press time with Ginebra seeking a 2-0 lead over Meralco at the Quezon Convention Center here.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Chairman Butch Ramirez of the Philippine Sports Commission believes the early appointment of chief of mission to the 31st Southeast Asian Games will help the country in its bid to sustain the momentum gained in winning the overall crown of the 30th edition.

Following its showing in the 2019 SEAG, the Philippines cannot afford to falter when Hanoi, Vietnam, gets to host the biennial sportsfest, says the PSC chief.

“That’s something we don’t want to happen especially after winning the overall (title),” said Ramirez, who was also the SEAG CDM.

“I’d like to see that the CDM for 2021 be named so we can immediately set everything in motion,” he said.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is the entity that has the authority to name a CDM and Ramirez says the PSC will be right behind to support whoever gets the post.

In another development, Ramirez said he will personally be monitoring the progress of athletes with genuine chances of making it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

An estimated 15-20 athletes are going to make the Olympic grade and Ramirez insists that the PSC, the funding arm of the government, is running on high-octane.

“Naka-turbo tayo in supporting our athletes bound for Tokyo,” said Ramirez.

So far, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo have gained Tokyo slots.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Monday (The Arena, San Juan)

8:30 a.m. – Arellano vs EAC (Junior’s)

10 a.m. – Arellano vs EAC (Men’s)

12 noon – Arellano vs EAC (Women’s)

2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Mapua (Women’s)

3:30 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Mapua (Men’s)

5 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Mapua (Junior’s)

Defending champion Arellano University needed to dig deep to overcome Lyceum of the Philippines University 27-25, 25-20, 25-20 at the start of NCAA Season 95 volleyball Friday at The Arena in San Juan.

Regine Anne Rocha, one of the team’s graduating players, led the Lady Chiefs with 18 kills, while Carla Armaina Juanich added 12 points on five kills and seven blocks and Alyana San Gregorio six points.

Rocha delivered the final two points for Arellano in the first set, which went back-and-forth with Lyceum taking a 21-19 advantage.

Arellano coach Obet Javier, who is aiming for a fourth straight title, said the team is still in the adjustment stage.

“Nangigil kami, buti na lang nag-deliver pa din yung mga bata,” said Javier. “Kami naman, gawin lang ang dapat (to win). Now we’re still evaluating the performance of the team.”

Alexandra Rafael led the Lady Pirates with 12 points on 11 kills.

In the men’s division earlier, the Arellano Chiefs started their own campaign with a masterful straight sets victory over the Lyceum Pirates 25-22, 25-14, 25-22.

Jesrael Liberato led Arellano with 15 points 10 kills and three blocks with two service aces, while Joshua Esguerra made 13 digs, and Edmark Meneses contributed 11 excellent sets.

In the junior’s division, the Junior Chiefs opened their own bid with a thrilling five setter against the Baby Pirates 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, 20-25, 15-12.

Angelo Lagando led Arellano with 23 points on 21 kills and two service aces with 11 digs, while Ervin Patrick Osabel added 17 points.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, sidelined more than a month by a right shoulder injury, returned to full practice on Thursday and said he hopes to see NBA action soon.

“We just see where we end up in the next few days,” Irving told reporters. “Realistically, we will re-evaluate tomorrow. See how I feel tomorrow. Then go Saturday — probably another practice.”

Irving, who signed with Brooklyn in July, has played in just 11 games for the Nets, averaging 28.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

He said he believed his shoulder trouble began with overuse and gradually got worse.

He hasn’t played since November 14, but said a meticulous rehabilitation program had been boosted by a cortisone injection he received on December 24.

On Saturday, Irving said he wasn’t sure how effective the shot would be, and he hadn’t ruled out surgery, but on Thursday he seemed more hopeful that an operation would be avoided.

“It gave me a great stepping stone to work my way to getting back on the floor,” he said.

“Hopefully I get some game reps in addition to practice probably in the next week or so,” Irving added. “It could be less than that, but I’ll give myself a week.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid needs more surgery, this time for a torn ligament in a finger in his left hand, the latest setback in the injury-riddled career of the Philadelphia 76ers’ All-Star center.

Embiid, averaging 23.4 points and 12.3 rebounds in 31 games this season, will have surgery Friday and will be evaluated in one to two weeks.

He has never played more than 64 games in a season and won’t again this season after he was hurt Monday night in a victory over Oklahoma City. Embiid injured the radial collateral ligament in the ring finger in the first half, a grotesque injury that made teammate Ben Simmons say “I nearly threw up” when he saw the finger.

Embiid’s finger overlapped his pinkie to the point that it seemed he had his fingers crossed. He played most of the game with his finger taped and said he “couldn’t go up with two hands.”

“There were a couple of times I could have grabbed with both hands but I just couldn’t. I just kept tapping it,” Embiid said Monday.

The Sixers had braced for the worst, though they were certainly used to playing without their 7-foot big man. He was hindered by illness and knee injuries during last season’s playoff run, and the Sixers worked this season to balance his minutes with the proper amount of rest. They usually go as far in the postseason as Embiid can take them — a small sigh of relief he was hurt before the All-Star break and not headed into the postseason.

Mike Scott slid into the starting rotation for Thursday’s game against Boston, along with Al Horford, Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson and Simmons.

“All of a sudden, we’re different,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said. “We’re just different. I look at this as an opportunity.

Nobody’s crying. This is not a ‘woe is me’ moment, not for me, at all. And not for my players. We’ll take what we have, and what we have, I love.”

The 25-year-old Embiid has struggled with injuries ever since he was drafted with the No. 3 pick of the 2014 draft.

He missed his first two seasons with foot injuries and hasn’t played more than 64 games in any of the last three. He suffered a broken bone around his left eye and missed games in the 2018 playoffs.

The Sixers signed Embiid, a native of Cameroon, to a $148 million, five-year extension that kicked in at the start of the 2018-19 season.

He didn’t pick up a basketball until he was a teenager, when a friend informed him that very few 7-footers succeed in soccer.

A few months later, Embiid was lured to a basketball camp in the capital of Yaounde run by NBA veteran Luc Mbah a Moute, one of just two players from Cameroon to have played in the NBA.

Mbah a Moute persuaded Embiid’s parents to let him move 6,000 miles to Florida, and helped enroll him at Montverde Academy, one of the best high school programs in the country. He played just 28 games in his lone season at Kansas before he left for the NBA.

“How does he get his health where he’s back and feeling cocky and comfortable and ready to go where he’s healthy, not just for this playoffs but for many playoffs,” Brown asked. “I care for Joel and his future. What’s best for him and his future.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The Foton Tornadoes will be flaunting a new name in this year’s Philippine Superliga season as part of a fresh start in their title campaign.

Now called the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, a series of Chinese-made vehicles, the change hopes to bolster a new beginning for the squad composed of veteran and rising stars.

“We’re fiercer, strong and more competitive this year,” said Chery Tiggo coach Aaron Velez in Wednesday’s press briefing.

Part of the change is the acquisition of Mylene Paat from Cignal and Jasmine Nabor from PLDT to strengthen their already loaded lineup.

Paat is a member of the national team that competed in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games while Nabor is a former National University standout.

The new recruits will join sisters Eya and EJ Laure, as well as Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.

The Santiago sisters, however, will play after their contracts end in May.

Jaja currently plays for Ageo Medics in a Japanese club league while Santiago-Manabat is under contract with Kurobe AquaFairies also in Japan.

“Hopefully, if all things go as planned, Jaja and Dindin will join us this May,” Velez said.

Other members of the team are Shaya Adorador, Rachel Austero, Laizah Ann Bendong, Marian Buitre, Joy Dacoron, Justine Dorog, Ria Duremdes, Elaine Kasilag, Arriane Layug, Jannine Navarro, Maika Ortiz, Jen Reyes and Gyzelle Sy.

Carrying Foton’s name, the team last won the title in the 2016 Grand Prix. They finished fourth in last year’s Invitational and All-Filipino Conferences, and seventh out of eight squads in the Grand Prix.

Source: Manila Bulletin