By WAYLON GALVEZ

Almost a month ago, Gilas Pilipinas successfully defended the Southeast Asian Games title for the 14th straight time in front of a hometown crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Behind the successful run of the national team was the partnership of two basketball officials – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio and San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua who worked together to form a competitive squad.

The basketball partnership inevitably led to an off-court friendship between the two top executives.

This coming Tuesday, however, when Barangay Ginebra and Meralco kick off the seven-game finals for the PBA Governors’ Cup, the two buddies will be on opposite sides of the court, helping plot the other team’s defeat.

“We’re friends but we are also competitors. It’s nothing personal,” said Panlilio, the Bolts governor. “These are two competing teams, and we always want to compete with the best.”

Panlilio added: “Our relationship goes beyond the PBA. Parehas naming gusto makatulong sa sports.”

Chua, who considers Panlilio one of his closest associates in the PBA board, said that while war may rage during the series, he knows they’ll be laughing at each other at the end of the finals.

“Kami tinginan lang kami, alam na namin… baka mag-inuman pa kami (after the Finals). Malalim pinagsamahan namin,” said Chua, the Ginebra governor.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

 

As much as they are hungry to finally beat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, the Meralco Bolts still don’t see the matchup as a rivalry.

“Normally a rivalry means both teams are winning and they’ve won both championship series,” Bolts coach Norman Black said during Saturday’s press conference at Sambokojin restaurant in Eastwood Libis.

“So, in that sense, it’s not so much a rivalry.”

The Bolts are facing Ginebra for the third time for the biggest prize of the season-ending conference.

While their two previous meetings have drawn the interest of fans, Black isn’t going to say that it is already a legitimate rivalry.

“There’s still a lot of interest,” he said. “I think we set a record for most people to attend a PBA game the last time we play them in a championship series, so a lot of people do come and watch when we play Ginebra.

“But I think we have to beat them a few more times before you can actually call it a rivalry.”

Meralco has fallen in the two previous title showdowns with Ginebra, the first in heartbreaking fashion in 2016 with Justin Brownlee sealing it with a buzzer-beating three off Allen Durham.

The Bolts were able to push the 2017 meeting to a deciding seventh game in front of 54,086 fans at the Philippine Arena. But Ginebra, with eventual series Most Valuable Player LA Tenorio leading the way, emerged victorious anew 101-95.

But even the two disappointments couldn’t make Durham feel carried away at agreeing to such notion.

“I mean, we got to win. We got to win,” said Durham. “We can’t get caught up with the rivalry or what we gonna call it, this and that. I mean, bottom line is they beat us twice. They beat us twice. So now, we gotta get back in there and try to get a win. So, that’s what we’re really focused on.”

Ginebra coach Tim Cone, on the other hand, said he’ll leave it up to observers to see if there’s such a case.

“I just think that we’ve been at each other’s throats for a while, but that usually turns into a rivalry,” Cone said. “But I think that’s defined more by the press and by the fans. They are the ones who decide whether this is a rivalry or not.

“Of course, we’re gonna be rivals no matter what because we’re both pursuing the same thing. Even if this is the first series we’re playing in, we will be rivals.

“But if it turns into a rivalry, I think that’s really dictated by the fans’ interest and how the press picks it up.”

Cone would later kind of contradict Black on what fuels both of them.

“For me personally, it’s certain,” said Cone. “Norman and I are friends, but I always felt that we’ve been big rivals. Even if we don’t play each other every time, we’re still rivals.

“And we both like to win and both our teams like to win, and that usually means that there’s a rivalry going on.”

It will be the fifth Finals meeting between the two American coaches, with Cone having won all four previous duels.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Were it not for the problems faced by the San Miguel Beermen with their explosive import Dez Wells, it would have been a different story in this season’s PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

Alfrancis Chua, San Miguel Corporation sports director and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel governor, said Wells’ exit took its toll on the Beermen as the coveted Grand Slam eluded them once again.

And Ginebra got the better of San Miguel.

“Nagkaproblema sa import e. Kung ‘yung import siguro si Wells pa rin, ibang usapan ‘yon dahil magaling yung import.” Chua told the Manila Bulletin Saturday during the PBA Governors’ Cup pre-Finals press conference at Sambo Kojin in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City.

“Kaso nagkaproblema ‘yung import [at] ‘yun ang nangyari.”

Wells, posting at least 30 or 40 points in the first four games, suffered an ankle injury as ensuing events followed and doomed the team.

Beermen Kelly Nabong, Arwind Santos, Ronald Tubid and Wells figured in a fight during practice and SMB had no choice but to send the import home while the three locals were suspended indefinitely.

In the quarterfinals, Ginebra delivered the final blow with a 100-97 victory over San Miguel as the Beermen kissed their Grand Slam bid goodbye.

History actually repeated itself since it was also Ginebra which denied SMB a Grand Slam in 2017.

“Maybe talagang hindi para sa kanila or hindi naka-prepare nang maayos. Sayang for the Grand Slam,” Chua said. “Lahat naman gustong mag-Grand Slam pero again, to get the Grand Slam, you can’t take it lightly. Kailangan talagang makapag-prepare, kailangang handang- handa ‘yung team mo.”

Chua believes  Ginebra emerged as the ‘better prepared’ team and was hungrier for another title.

That said, Chua excused himself from further talks about SMB’s failed Grand Slam bid, shifting to the current situation instead as Ginebra faces the Meralco Bolts for the third straight time in the season-ending conference starting Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The two teams will heat up the brewing ‘rivalry’ and Chua expects no less than a ‘very good’ Final series.

“It’s gonna be a very good series, for sure. Gigil ‘yung kabila, itong kabila gigil din. Yung kabila (Meralco) gusto talunin [ang Ginebra] kasi 2-0 [sa Finals].

“Pero ‘yung Ginebra naman hindi nila pwedeng i-take lightly kasi iba na ‘yung lineup nung dalawa kesa dati. Mas malakas sila ngayon so para sa ‘kin it’s not about ‘2-0.’ Back to 0-0 ‘to,” Chua said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Sunday
(The Arena, San Juan)
7:30 p.m. — Alab Pilipinas vs Wolf Warriors

Streaking San Miguel Alab Pilipinas eyes another victory over the Macau Wolf Warriors in the resumption of its ASEAN Basketball League campaign at The Arena in San Juan.

Alab shoots for its fifth consecutive win and a share of the lead with Thailand’s Mono Vampire in their second meeting of the season with the Wolf Warriors set at 7:30 p.m.

Coach Jimmy Alapag’s team enters the new year on a roll after surviving the Formosa Dreamers 100-99 last Dec. 22 in Changhua, Taiwan.

The Philippine side has not lost since falling to Mono 111-76 last Nov. 17 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Alapag and Alab’s streak began 10 days later by defeating the Wolf Warriors in overtime 114-110 in Foshan, China, with Fil-Australian Jordan Heading and Khalif Wyatt playing the starring role.

Sam Deguara, the 7-foot-5 center from Malta, is expected to provide the inside presence like he did in his first three games against the Singapore Slingers, Mono and Formosa.

Deguara is averaging 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks this season.

Fil-Am playmaker Jason Brickman will again aim live up to his numbers of 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and a team-high 9.8 assists even as import Nick King seeks to maintain his productive numbers of 18.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Being in the championship isn’t new to Meralco Bolts center Raymond Almazan. But he still feels giddy at the thought of facing Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals starting on Tuesday.

Almazan feels “blessed” to be able to match up against a team he had been looking up to since he was a kid.

“It’s a dream come true for me na makalaban ang Ginebra sa finals kasi hindi naman lahat ng tumatanda, nagkakaroon ng ganoong opportunity. Sobrang excited and blessed lang ako,” the 6-foot-8 power forward/center said.

Almazan remembers the vibrant energy inside their house whenever Ginebra plays on television.

“Bata pa lang ako, nagkakagulo na sa bahay namin kapag galing akong school. Tinatanong ko, ‘Anong pinapanuod nyo?’ Naglalaro pala sa finals Ginebra,” the former Letran Knights standout said.

“Ever since nung bata talaga ako, Ginebra fan ako, kaya complete dream come true na makalaban yung alam naman nating idol ng lahat na team.”

Although he has championship experience with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2016 Commissioners’ Cup, Almazan feels like a first-timer since most of his teammates have clashed with Ginebra more than once.

“Yung intensity, hindi ko pa alam yung feeling eh. Alam naman nating sobrang dami ng fans nila, mga 70 percent siguro sa kanila,” he said.

Asked what he can contribute, Almazan said he’ll do his best on the team’s defense while trusting in coach Norman Black’s game plan.

“It will go down sa strategy talaga. Sasandal lang kami dun sa game plan ni coach, pero siempre mag-focus ako sa mako-contribute ko lalo sa depensa,” he said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Japeth Aguilar sees no distinct advantage between his team and Meralco in their third PBA Governors’ Cup Finals duel which starts Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Tingin ko yung series namin is talagang magiging grindout game,” Aguilar said. “Yung matchup talagang magka-cancel out, kung baga it all boils down to who’s gonna be the better team.”

Aguilar and the Kings are eyeing to beat the Bolts for the third time in as many championship duels, but are expecting their rivals to be as hungry as before.

He also believes that Meralco is a carbon-copy of Ginebra with its knack to make everyone involved.

“Being here with coach Tim (Cone), ano talaga very team-oriented kami and yun din ang strength ng kabilang team. Kailangan lang talaga maging handa against them,” he said.

The athletic big man and teammate Greg Slaughter will be tasked to battle Meralco center Raymond Almazan, who is expected to give Ginebra trouble in the paint.

Aguilar said that Almazan has put into action the optimism he expressed during their time with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup in China.

“Natatandaan ko pa sa kanya noon na lagi niyang sinasabi sa amin na grabe daw talaga paghahanda nila, even before the Governors’ Cup and magiging maganda yung conference nila,” said Aguilar.

“Tapos yun nga, lumabas naman so I feel like talagang na-incorporate ni Raymond yung system ni coach Norman (Black). Tapos, madami siyang na-fill na wala sa Meralco dati kaya lalo silang magiging formidable team dahil sa kanya,” he added.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

With an intact core, a new recruit in Stanley Pringle and a mentor that owns the record for most PBA titles, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – and not Meralco – is the favorite going to the Governors’ Cup Finals series that starts next week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Several of Meralco players gave their take regarding the finals showdown after Ginebra’s veteran guard LA Tenorio said they are the ‘underdogs’ since the Bolts have added three key players in veterans Allein Maliksi, Raymond Almazan and rookie Bong Quinto.

“Kami pa din yung underdog,” said Meralco guard Baser Amer. “Sila matagal na magkaka-sama and madaming championship. Tapos yung tatlo namin, halos bago naga-adjust pa sa sistema.”

Amer, however, said that though the three are relatively new to the team, he mentioned the hard work they have put this conference to be able to contribute as Meralco clinched a final spot for the third time in four Governors’ Cup.

Just like in the early playoff rounds, particularly in the semifinals against TNT KaTropa, the three are expected to play big in the best-of-seven finals series against Ginebra, which downed Meralco twice for title in this same conference back in 2016 and 2017.

Chris Newsome said the three provide what the Bolts lacked in previous seasons, a rebounder and shot blocker in 6-foot-9 Almazan, a shooter in Maliksi, and additional threat at the guard spot in Quinto.

“With those guys, they changed the dynamics of the team compared the last few years that allows AD (import Allen Durham) to be a little more free, not to play so much defense on the inside,” said Newsome.

“This is us having flexibility, it allows us to kind of play inside out or outside in, we can switch it up in different ways. That makes us difficult for us to guard. With what we have now, in a sense, we’re a little bit better the last two times,” added the former Rookie of the Year.

Still, for Newsome, Ginebra is the favorite.

“Stan’s a big addition for them. I definitely feel like, they can say that they’re the underdogs. But when we go out there, we all know that the crowd is always going to be behind them,” said Newsome.

“They got the championship experience, the chemistry, the coaching… everything’s there. As far as I’m concerned, I feel like we’re the underdogs ‘coz we’re down 0-2 in the finals match up against them.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Meralco’s Allein Maliksi will look to put his championship experience to good use in the upcoming PBA Governors’ Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Maliksi, acquired from the Blackwater Elite midway in the eliminations, is eyeing his first title since 2014 when he was part of the San Mig Super Coffee squad that completed the league’s fifth Grand Slam.

“It’s a different feeling na makapanalo ng championship,” Maliksi said. “Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam and lahat ng hard work mo at sacrifice mo, masusulit talaga pag napanalo mo yung championship.”

He was an instrumental part of coach Tim Cone’s Mixers squad that was led by James Yap, Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis, PJ Simon, then-rookie Ian Sangalang and imports James Mays and Marqus Blakely.

His bid to end a personal title drought will now be against Cone, who is out to continue his mastery against Meralco after winning the previous two title meetings.

What Maliksi can hope is to also impart the things he learned during the San Mig run to his Meralco teammates eager to finally end their frustration against Ginebra.

“Sa lahat ng experiences ko at natutunan ko sa mga nangyari sa career ko, nadadala ko dito sa team namin and yun ang mga maitutulong ko sa team ko,” said Maliksi, who also played for Barako Bull and Ginebra during a pro career that started in 2011.

“(Yung mga) experiences na natutunan ko, pinapasa ko kina Baser (Amer), kina (Chris) Newsome, paano nila ma-apply yun. So yun na talaga pinaka-mindset ko.”

His presence will be a key to Meralco’s chances of winning a first PBA title since making a return to big league basketball in 2010.

Meralco acquired Maliksi and seldom-used Raymar Jose from Blackwater in exchange for KG Cañaleta, Mike Tolomia and two future draft picks.

Maliksi has posted 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 10 games since joining the Bolts.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Canadian young gun Denis Shapovalov edged world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas in his country’s clean sweep against Greece on the first day of the inaugural ATP Cup on Friday.

The 20-year-old Shapovalov downed the world number six 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7/4) in Brisbane to give Canada an unassailable 2-0 lead after Felix Auger-Aliassime thrashed Michail Pervolarakis 6-1, 6-3.

The two then combined in the doubles to beat Pervolarakis and Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3.

“It was definitely a great start to the event — these boys played awesome,” Canadian captain Adriano Fuorivia said. “It’s easy to support them when they’re playing like that.”

Shapovalov’s left-handed serve was working beautifully in his match against Tsitsipas, who faltered at key moments in both tiebreaks.

Tsitsipas, 21, had a superb end to 2019, winning the ATP Finals in his tournament debut and reaching a career-high world ranking of five.

He went into the match as slight favorite over the Canadian, ranked nine places below him.

Both players were relatively untroubled on serve but Shapovalov made the clutch points in the two tie-breakers to take the match in just over two hours.

“It’s definitely a huge win for me,” Shapovalov said.

“Obviously, he had an unbelievable end to the season and he’s definitely one of the top players in the world right now so to beat a guy like this first match of the year, it’s really special for me.”

Tsitsipas conceded he had returned poorly, which proved the difference.

“I don’t know whether it was because he was a lefty. I don’t really usually have this much trouble playing lefties, but today I think he was serving well — that was pretty much it,” Tsitsipas said.

“His serve was better than mine and a few points in the tiebreak, I didn’t work out what I had to do and I didn’t have a clear picture of how I have to play.”

World number 21 Auger-Aliassime was far too strong for Pervolarakis, 466 places further down the ATP rankings.

The Canadian cruised through the first set before Pervolarakis — playing his first match on the main ATP tour — could adjust to the pace, but the 19-year-old was never in trouble and wrapped up the match in 69 minutes.

“I was happy that overall in the match I had a great first set, couldn’t ask for any better, and I was able to be solid in the second,” Auger-Aliassime said.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Montrezl Harrell scored 23 points and the Los Angeles Clippers survived without Paul George in the second half to beat the Detroit Pistons 126-112 on Thursday night, winning consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 13.

George didn’t return after halftime because of left hamstring tightness. He finished with 12 points.

Lou Williams added 22 points and Kawhi Leonard had 18 in three quarters for the Clippers, who had alternated wins and losses for nearly three weeks.

Bruce Brown led nine Pistons in double figures with 15 points. Andre Drummond added 10 points and 12 rebounds. They’ve lost four in a row on the road and eight of nine overall.

Trailing by nine, the Clippers took control in the second quarter. They outscored the Pistons 35-20, including runs of 9-0 and 10-0, to take a 69-63 lead into halftime. George hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Leonard followed with another 3. Seven different Clippers scored in the spurts.

Once George was sidelined, his teammates stepped up. Landry Shamet hit consecutive 3-pointers that extended the lead to 18 points in the third. Maurice Harkless, who started, Williams and Harrell combined to score 13 of the Clippers’ final 15 points and send them into the fourth leading 106-79.

Detroit scored on consecutive possessions just once in the third.

Harrell and Williams anchored the second unit in the fourth when the starters rested. The Pistons outscored the Clippers 33-20, but they had too big a deficit to overcome.

Source: Manila Bulletin