By the Associated Press

It could be a Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis rematch in the All-Star Game.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has passed Dallas’ Luka Doncic for the overall and Western Conference lead in fan voting for the Feb. 16 game in Chicago, with about a week and a half left in the race. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the runaway leader in the Eastern Conference voting.

The game’s captains — James and Antetokounmpo held the jobs last year — will be the All-Star starters who receive the most fan votes from his conference. James also was a captain the first time the format was used in 2018, then going up against a team picked by Golden State’s Stephen Curry.

Team LeBron beat Team Giannis last year, 178-164. Team LeBron also won the inaugural edition of this All-Star setup, topping Team Stephen 148-145 in the 2018 game.

James’ lead over Doncic was 82,001 votes, the NBA said on Thursday when releasing the second balloting update.

James leads the West frontcourt voting with 3,359,871, ahead of his Lakers teammate Anthony Davis (3,124,446) and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard.

Doncic leads West guards with 3,277,870 votes, with Houston’s James Harden second with 2,167,269 votes.

In the East, Antetokounmpo has nearly twice as many votes as anyone else. He sits atop the East frontcourt balloting with 3,259,383 votes — well ahead of Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (1,784,211) and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam (1,730,763).

Atlanta’s Trae Young (1,389,628) leads the voting among East guards, just ahead of Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving (1,351,997) and Boston’s Kemba Walker (1,331,577).

Other notables from the first week of fan voting, which began on Christmas Day: Boston’s Tacko Fall remains sixth in the East frontcourt balloting, Golden State’s Stephen Curry remains fourth in the West guard vote so far despite being sidelined by injury, and Portland’s Carmelo Anthony is still holding the No. 8 spot in the West frontcourt race.

Fan voting continues through Jan. 20. The starters for the game — three frontcourt, two guards per team — will be determined through a system that gives fans 50% of the vote, players 25% and a media panel the remaining 25%.

Starters and the two player captains who will draft teams will be announced on Jan. 23. The reserves, who are selected by NBA coaches, will be revealed on Jan. 30.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

DETROIT — Kevin Love made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 37.9 seconds left in overtime and the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 115-112 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.

On a tumultuous day for the Cleveland organization, the Cavaliers rallied from a 13-point third-quarter deficit and outlasted Detroit at the end. Tristan Thompson had 35 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Cleveland coach John Beilein said earlier Thursday that he’d apologized for his comments during a film session the previous day. ESPN.com, citing unidentified sources, reported that Beilein suggested during a Wednesday film session his players were no longer playing “like a bunch of thugs.” Beilein said he meant to say “slugs” in reference to the team’s effort level.

With the score tied at 110, Love got open in the left corner and connected from long range to put the Cavaliers ahead to stay. Thompson got free for a dunk with 16.7 seconds remaining to push the lead to five.

Detroit had one last chance after forcing a turnover, but Derrick Rose missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Rose also missed a jumper at the end of regulation that could have won it.

Andre Drummond had 28 points and 23 rebounds for Detroit. The Pistons are without star forward Blake Griffin, who had surgery on his left knee.

The Cavaliers rallied from their double-digit deficit and took a brief lead at 91-90 in the fourth. Detroit answered with nine straight points, but Cleveland battled back again, and it was tied at 102 at the end of regulation.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points, Gorgui Dieng had 12 points and 10 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Portland Trail Blazers 116-102 on Thursday night.

Minnesota smothered the Trail Blazers all night. The Timberwolves held Portland to 13 points on 6-of-22 shooting in the second quarter, the fewest points the Blazers have scored in a quarter this year.

Damian Lillard led Portland with 20 points and eight of the team’s 13 assists. CJ McCollum and Hassan Whiteside each added 15 points.

Minnesota was without star big man Karl-Anthony Towns for the 12th straight game with a left knee sprain. Towns has been listed as questionable throughout the duration of his injury and hasn’t played since Dec. 13.

The Timberwolves took control with a big run to start the second quarter. Led by Keita Bates-Diop and Wiggins, Minnesota used a 20-4 run to turn an eight-point deficit into a 46-38 lead.

The Wolves’ lead grew to as much as 27 in the third, allowing coach Ryan Saunders to play his backups for the entire fourth quarter.

Minnesota entered Thursday’s game with the best defensive rating in the league since Dec. 26 and was holding opponents to an average of 103.6 points. That defense was on display against Portland in the second quarter.

The Wolves had four steals — two by Robert Covington — and turned four Portland turnovers into eight points during the dominant second quarter. Minnesota outscored the Blazers 31-13 in the second to take a 59-47 lead.

Minnesota put up 41 points in the third quarter as the Timberwolves went on cruise control. Wiggins scored nine of his 23 points in the third.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA  — Brett Brown gathered his team in the locker room to ring the postgame victory bell when the 76ers coach noticed a familiar face on general manager Elton Brand’s phone. There was Joel Embiid on FaceTime, calling in from New York where he’s set to have surgery Friday to repair a torn ligament. Embiid had to like the view — a Sixers team that gutted out a win hours after learning the All-Star center was out indefinitely.

“We’re going to miss Joel for however long it is,” guard Ben Simmons said, “but tonight was a good start.”

Josh Richardson scored 29 points, Simmons had 19 and Philadelphia won without Embiid, beating the Boston Celtics 109-98 on Thursday night.

Embiid will have surgery for a torn ligament in a finger in his left hand and will be evaluated in one to two weeks.

Embiid, averaging 23.4 points and 12.3 rebounds in 31 games this season, tore the radial collateral ligament in the ring finger Monday night in a victory over Oklahoma City.

“I’m putting a blow torch, a bullet, many bullets into what we used to do,” Brown said. “Really. It doesn’t fit. So it’s on me to make it fit. We don’t have Joel Embiid. So when I say, ‘blow torch and bullet,’ I mean it.”

Mike Scott slid into the starting rotation, along with Al Horford, Tobias Harris, Richardson and Simmons. Simmons, an All-Star point guard, played center at times and drew a charge on Enes Kanter with 1:45 left in the first quarter.

“I’ve always been curious of what that could look like,” Brown said. “I thought he was good. I don’t know what the numbers bear out but it’s something we tried. I have wanted to try Ben at five, we did, and I suspect we’ll see it again.”

With Embiid out indefinitely, even the deep reserves are going to have to contribute to keep them afloat until he returns. That included Furkan Korkmaz, who buried a 3 late in the fourth that stretched the Sixers’ lead to 91-87.

Horford, who left Boston in the offseason to sign a four-year deal with Philadelphia, converted a three-point play for a seven-point lead. The Celtics pulled within two, but the Sixers used a 9-0 run to put the game away and improve to 18-2 at home.

“It’s two big sports cities that really get behind their teams, so you appreciate that,” Richardson said. “I feel like everybody’s almost ready to fight about that game when it comes up.”

The Celtics had their own injury scare when Kemba Walker, ejected for the first time in his nine-year NBA career a night earlier, sprained his left thumb. Walker ran into Scott and instantly clutched his hand late in the second quarter. Walker, who scored 26 points on 10-for-20 shooting, tried to shake it off but left for the locker room shortly before the Celtics took a 55-48 lead into halftime.

Walker, wearing a wrap in the locker room, said he jammed his thumb and didn’t think he would need additional tests.

“When he first went down, we were worried about ligaments,” coach Brad Stevens said. “Right now, in a lot of ways, it feels like we dodged a bullet.”

Walker looked fine when he returned to the lineup. Jayson Tatum and Walker hit back-to-back 3s to tie the game at 69-all in the third and wipe out a hole caused by the Sixers’ 11-0 run to start the half.

“We just have to close out games better,” Walker said. “You can’t win ’em all, obviously. But we’ve got to be better.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Friday

(The Arena, San Juan)

11 a.m – Opening Ceremony
12 noon – Arellano vs Lyceum (Womens)
2 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs St. Benilde (Womens)
4 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs St. Benilde (Mens)

Season host Arellano University and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA start their respective title retention bids in the women’s and men’s categories of the 95th NCAA volleyball Friday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Chiefs are eyeing a fourth straight title in the women’s side, while the Altas hope to extend their dominance for the third consecutive year and 13th overall in the men’s division.

Arellano takes on Lyceum of the Philippines University at 12 noon after the 11 a.m. opening ceremony.

Last year’s losing finalist Perpetual Help and College of Saint Benilde cross paths in the other women’s match at 2 p.m.

Regine Arocha, last year’s Finals MVP, together with reigning MVP Necole Ebuen, setter Sarah Verutiao, Princess Bello, Carla Donato, Alyana San Gregorio and libero Faye Flores are solid picks to continue Arellano’s dynasty.

Since 2015, the Lady Chiefs have won four of the last five titles.

Cherilyn Sindayen and Bien Juanillo have already completed their playing eligibility, but LPU still has materials to contend for a breakthrough semifinals stint with holdovers Ciamelle Wanta, Monica Sevilla and Alexandra Rafael leading the charge.

The Lady Altas lost their top scorer Cindy Imbo to graduation, but Las Piñas-based team still have Yanca Tripoli, Shyra Umandal, Jenny Gaviola, Hannah Suico and Alyssa Sangalang to carry the fight.

Matet Pablo, Klarisa Abriam and veteran playmaker Jewel Lai will banner the Lady Blazers along with Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit, Mycah Go and Diane Ventura.

St. Benilde was the best NCAA team in the PVL Collegiate Conference, finishing fourth and is looking good to regain the crown it won in 2016.

Meantime, Perpetual Help opens its campaign in the men’s tournament against the St. Benilde Blazers at 4 p.m.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Friday

(Quezon Convention Center, Lucena City)

7 p.m. — Meralco vs Ginebra

(Ginebra leads series 1-0)

The advantage is on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as far as the Meralco Bolts are concerned as the series shifts to Lucena City Friday night for Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

Buoyed by its gut-wrenching 91-87 win in the series opener Tuesday, Ginebra goes for a 2-0 lead in the 7 p.m. match set at the friendly confines of the Quezon Convention Center.

For Bolts coach Norman Black, being 160 kilometers away has given Ginebra the edge.

“That’s always an advantage for Ginebra,” said Black. “You go anywhere in the country and normally the fans will follow them.

“The advantage of being in Araneta Coliseum for us is the fact that we can probably get 4,000 or 5,000 fans in the gym, even though they’ll have the other 12,000, 13,000. But when you go to the province, that’s little bit more difficult. It’s hard to bring your fans from Metro Manila. So, we’ll see,” he added.

Ginebra holds a 3-1 record in out-of-town games this conference and is 2-0 whenever it visits Lucena for a Finals game.

The two victories came in Game 2 of the 2016-17 Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beer and Game 1 of the 2017 Governors’ Cup Finals against the same Meralco squad.

Despite its good batting average in the province, Ginebra coach Tim Cone sees advantages and disadvantages.

“It’s always tough,” he said. “The travel and the conditions are always difficult. But there’s a real sense of togetherness when you go out-of-town because you’re on the road together and you’re in the hotel together and there’s extra preparation that goes on.”

Cone, however, remains cautious that another down-the-wire game looms after having to fight off a 10-point third quarter deficit to steal Game 1 from Meralco.

“I think it’s gonna be a ping-pong affair, and it’s gonna go back-and-forth,” Cone said. “(Winning) one game allows you to believe in your gameplan, so you’re not gonna make too many adjustments to it.

“When you lose Game 1, you kinda have to rethink your gameplan, so you’re gonna have to make adjustment.”

The two teams left the metropolis early Thursday for an expected four-hour bus ride to Lucena. Both were expected to hold practices once they settle in.

Hoping to continue their good form are import Justin Brownlee, who dropped 38 points and locals LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar, who keyed Ginebra’s Game 1 rally.

Better showings from Stanley Pringle, Greg Slaughter and Scottie Thompson and another integral showing from Joe Devance may help the Kings move two wins shy of a third title in the last four stagings of the third conference.

For Meralco, getting point guard Baser Amer in his groove could give them the chance to draw level in order to add more support for import Allen Durham, Raymond Almazan and Chris Newsome.

Better shooting is among the things Meralco is also aiming after going 7-of-32 from three-point country.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Ronnie Magsanoc has been named head coach of Gilas Pilipinas men’s team for the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Thursday.

Magsanoc steered Philippines to capture the gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games last month with PBA cagers Chris Newsome of the Meralco Bolts, Jason Perkins of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Mo Tautuaa of the San Miguel Beermen and Columbian Dyip’s CJ Perez.

Prior to the SEA Games, Magsanoc also had coaching stints in three different FIBA events: 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Philippines; 2018 FIBA 3×3 Challenger in Shanghai, China; and 2018 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Xi An, China.

Twenty countries, with four Pools of five teams each, are expected to join in the 3×3 OQT which kicks off on March 18 to 22 in New Delhi, India.

Bracketed with the Philippines in Pool C are Slovenia, France, Qatar and Dominican Republic.

Each Pool has a single round robin with the top two squads advancing to the quarterfinals.

Knockout games will be played in the quarters and semis with the top three teams joining host Japan, China, Russia and Serbia.

Magsanoc was appointed on the same day Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 league named its 10-player pool for the said OQT.

Selected were Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol, the country’s top two players, former PBA players Dylan Ababou and Karl Dehesa, Santi Santillan, Chris de Chavez, Gab Banal, Jaypee Belencion, Leo de Vera and Ryan Monteclaro.

However, the official roster has yet to be announced.  It will be interesting to see how the dynamics will be, given that Magsanoc and the players are on opposing sides of the 3×3 circle.

It was the Chooks league that accounted for majority of the points the Philippines gained in order to secure the OQT slot.

According to FIBA rules, four of six players must come from the Top 10 ranked list of their respective countries. (With reports from Jonas Terrado)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Kelly Nabong’s controversial stint with the San Miguel Beermen ended Thursday after the bruising forward was shipped back to NorthPort, almost two months after taking part in a fight with teammates during practice.

The Beermen decided to part ways with Nabong in exchange for the lanky Russell Escoto, who was acquired by the Batang Pier from the Columbian Dyip last August.

The deal was approved by the PBA Commissioner’s Office on Thursday.

Nabong leaves SMB more than a year after being traded from NorthPort, then known as GlobalPort, in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup.

His tenure ended on a sour note after figuring in a heated exchange that also involved then-import Dez Wells, Arwind Santos and Ronald Tubid.

San Miguel management eventually banned Nabong, Santos and Tubid indefinitely, playing a major role in the team’s quarterfinal exit in the Governors’ Cup.

A fresh start with the Batang Pier could be a chance for Nabong to redeem himself.

Nabong averaged 13.5 points and 11.0 rebounds for the Batang Pier in the 2018 Philippine Cup, bouncing back after he was suspended by Meralco due to a verbal altercation with then-assistant coach Jimmy Alapag during the 2017 Governors’ Cup semifinals.

He played six games for the Batang Pier in the Commissioner’s Cup before getting traded to the Beermen in exchange for Gabby Espinas and a future draft pick.

Source: Manila Bulletin

The historical Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC) is expected to welcome several events in its newly-refurbished facility this 2020.

“We are very optimistic. There are a lot of events lined up in our calendar and we are excited to host them here inside this historical coliseum,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

Last year, the coliseum was finally back in the spotlight after its major makeover in July when the majority of the facilities in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex were renovated as part of the agency’s masterplan.

In the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games hosted by the country last November 30 to December 11, five out of 56 sports were played at the 93-year-old complex.

One of those was gymnastics which held its competitions at the leveled-up Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The 6,100 seating indoor arena used to be the main sporting hub for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and PBA games in the past.

The PSC expects to house these tournaments once again after the venue’s renovation.

This January, the PSC will celebrate its 30th year and as another milestone unfolds in the agency’s story, the highest local sports body plan to organize a simple, yet meaningful celebration inside the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“This is a milestone for PSC. As we celebrate our 30th year, we want it to be inside the Rizal Coliseum which has seen many significant events in Philippine Sports,” said Ramirez.

Aside from the PSC’s 30th anniversary, the agency is also considering to hold both the Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games this year in the RMSC and its another complex in Pasig City, the Philsports Complex. If this pushes through, it will be the first time that Batang Pinoy is held in Manila in its 12 editions.

The fourth enshrinement of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame is being considered to be staged in the said coliseum. The event will honor another batch of Filipino sports greats on November 27.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Select track and field bets who stood out in the 30th Southeast Asian Games have been given assurance by the Philippine Sports Commission of its all-out support in their respective buildup for the Tokyo Olympics.

Philippine Track and Field Association head Philip Ella Juico on Wednesday met with PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, who promised that the government funding arm would take good care of pole vaulters EJ Obiena and Natalie Uy, sprinter-hurdler Eric Cray, runner Kristina Knott, marathoner Christine Hallasgo and shot putter Willie Morrison.

Obiena qualified for Tokyo after a landmark win in Italy late last year while the rest are working to join him.

Juico said that while focus this year would be on Tokyo, the PSC’s support will run until 2021 as Obiena and company make a defense of their respective SEAG crowns.

Athletics bagged a total of 11 gold medals in the 2019 SEAG and both Juico and Ramirez agreed that it would be a heartbreaker if the Philippines doesn’t capitalize on the momentum.

“If we finish way behind in the next SEAG (in 2021 in Vietnam), everyone’s gonna say that our win in 2019 was just a fluke,” said Juico.

“We can’t afford to place way below again (in 2021) just like after we won the overall title in 2005 (when the Philippines fell to sixth in 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima),” said Juico.

Source: Manila Bulletin