By the Associated Press

DALLAS — Luka Doncic returned to the Dallas lineup after missing four games due to injury and scored 24 points, helping the Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs 102-98 on Thursday night.

Doncic finished with 10 rebounds and eight assists and barely missed adding to his NBA-leading total of eight triple doubles. He last played on Dec. 14 against Miami, when he sprained his right ankle.

San Antonio rallied from a 102-85 deficit by scoring the game’s final 13 points. After Doncic missed two free throws, the Spurs’ Derrick White missed a 3-point attempt with six seconds left and Doncic got the rebound.

The Mavericks (20-10) pulled within half a game of idle first-place Houston in the Southwest Division.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 17 points, Kristaps Porzingis and Dorian Finney-Smith each had 13, and Delon Wright added 12 off the bench. Dwight Powell’s 11 points all came in the first half.

DeMar DeRozan led San Antonio with 21 points, 16 in the second half. Rudy Gay scored 18, LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 and White finished with 10.

KNICKS 94, NETS 82

NEW YORK — Julius Randle had 33 points and eight rebounds, and the Knicks forced the Nets into the worst shooting performance in the NBA this season.

Brooklyn finished 21 of 78 (26.9%) from the field. Chicago had the previous worst shooting game this season when it hit 29.9% against Toronto exactly two months earlier.

Marcus Morris added 22 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Elfrid Payton scored 13 points as New York won for the first time in three meetings with Brooklyn this season.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 points but was only 5 for 15 for the Nets.

PISTONS 132, WIZARDS 102

DETROIT  — Blake Griffin had 14 points and a season-high 11 rebounds and Detroit routed Washington in a matchup of short-handed teams.

The Pistons were missing Reggie Jackson (back) and Luke Kennard (knee), while Griffin, Bruce Brown and Derrick Rose played through injuries.

John Wall, Davis Bertans, Isaiah Thomas, Thomas Bryant and Rui Hachimura sat out for Washington.

Detroit got 14 points and 10 rebounds from Andre Drummond. Christian Wood finished with 22 points and Todd Frazier scored 18.

Anzejs Pasecniks scored a career-high 17 in his fifth NBA game to lead the Wizards. Bradley Beal had 15 points.

GRIZZLIES 110, THUNDER 97

OKLAHOMA CITY  — Jonas Valanciunas scored 21 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 20 and Memphis held on to the lead this time against Oklahoma City in the second meeting between the teams in eight days.

Tyus Jones added 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting for Memphis, which blew a 24-point third-quarter lead during its last visit to Oklahoma City on Dec. 18 and lost 126-122.

That started a stretch in which the Grizzles dropped three out of four games.

Chris Paul had 23 points and 11 assists, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 and Dennis Schroder added 20 points for Oklahoma City, which had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Brandon Clarke scored 13 points for Memphis, going 5 of 6 from the floor.

Steven Adams scored 16 points for the Thunder.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

For some, Diego Maradona is the greatest footballer of the 20th century, for others — mainly English — he is the cheating possessor of the hand of God. In Italy, however, he is and always will be the patron saint of Naples.

And just as saints have their altars so Maradona has his museum, an extraordinary treasure trove of artifacts that includes the left boot with which the Argentine scored twice against Belgium in the semi-finals of the 1986 World Cup.

You can also find his first contract with Napoli and even the sofa from his Naples apartment where singer Julio Iglesias once sat. It’s all here in the cellar museum.

Maradona arrived at Napoli as a world-record $10.48 million signing from Barcelona in July 1984.

His time in Catalonia had been difficult and Naples was a bolthole. He was to stay seven years, captaining the team to their first-ever Serie A title in 1986-7.

They did it again three years later and during Maradona’s stay the Neapolitans also won the Coppa Italia, UEFA Cup and Italian Super Cup.

It was a golden age which Napoli have never come close to repeating, so it is no surprise to find a museum that commemorates such a rich epoch.

Massimo Vignati’s museum, though, is one of a kind.

It does not appear on any map of Naples, nor is it in travel guides, and entry is free. And yet, this basement of a typical building in Secondigliano, a tough neighborhood in the north of the city, breathes all things Diego.

It is a delightful melange of Maradona mania with photos, pennants, balls, armbands and shirts, some washed or signed, others not.

Some items equate almost to holy relics — the bench on which Maradona changed at the San Paolo stadium and the K-Way jacket which features in the memorable footage of him ball-juggling to the sound of Opus’ “Live is Life” during an incredible warm-up before facing Bayern Munich in 1989.

Family guy

This astonishing hoard also testifies to the unique bond between the Argentine genius and a family which was at the heart of his seven-year stay in Naples.

“I was fortunate that for 37 years my dad was the caretaker of the San Paolo stadium and the Napoli changing rooms. And my mother was Maradona’s housekeeper and cook,” Vignati told AFP.

His sister babysat Diego’s daughters Dalma and Giannina while Massimo, as a child and then adolescent, rubbed shoulders with the city’s idol on a daily basis.

“We were with Diego from Monday to Sunday,” says Vignati, looking at the photos of a time when the Argentine’s apartment on the heights of Posillipo, an upscale district of the city, was like his second home.

“He and his wife gave us all these things because they knew we were a lot of children, five boys and six girls.

“I was a ballboy during Maradona’s seven seasons. On Mondays, I went to play five-a-side, I did not go to school.

“And on Tuesdays, sometimes he took me to the Napoli training session … ‘Diego, let’s go in the Ferrari!’”.

For a long time, the wonders now on display in the Vignati cellar were locked away at the San Paolo.

“My father had two rooms,” says Vignati, whose second son is called Diego. “One for all these memories and one for drinking a good Neapolitan coffee.

“After his death, I brought everything here. But the club knows that this place exists.

“If they make a museum, I will always be ready. I hope everything can go back to the stadium, it was my father’s dream.”

During his last visit to Naples in 2017, Maradona fell into the arms of Lucia, Vignati’s mother, whom he calls his “Neapolitan mamma”.

“These are just beautiful memories,” she says.

“He was kind, someone good, very passionate. When he left, it was as if I had lost a son.”

Patron saint

For the time being, the collection will remain in the family, whether it is at the San Paolo or down in the cellar.

“I could live on my annuities if I had accepted all the offers that were made to me,” says Vignati.

“But these are memories of my father and my family, nothing is for sale.

“It is a place dedicated to someone we love as a brother. For us, Diego is the twelfth brother.”

This season, Napoli have battled through to the last 16 of the Champions League but they are struggling in Serie A. The fans can only dream of a return to the golden age.

“With everything that is going on, there would have to be a Maradona, who takes everything on himself,” says Massimo.

“He is a child of Naples, he is of the people. We are found in him.

“If he comes, there will be 90,000 people at the stadium. Maradona…even if you talk to kids today, they know. He’s in the DNA of the Neapolitans.

“Maradona is San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. He is immortal.”

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

“Beast Mode” is back in Seattle as Marshawn Lynch returns Sunday to the Seahawks, who host the San Francisco 49ers in the final game of the NFL regular season with the NFC West division title on the line.

The 49ers can clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a victory over Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.

If the 12-3 Niners falter, the Seahawks could gain homefield advantage with a win and defeats for both Green Bay and New Orleans.

“Can’t wait for it,” 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said of the loud, hostile environment of CenturyLink Field.

San Francisco arrives as favorites, not least because of the rash of injuries affecting Seattle that prompted the Seahawks to take a chance that 33-year-old running back Lynch can make an immediate impact even though he hasn’t played since midway through last season with Oakland.

“Only one person can pull this off and that’s No. 24,” linebacker K.J. Wright said of Lynch, who played for the Seahawks from 2010-15. “Back in the building, it feels good. When I heard the news I was like, ‘Perfect.’”

Seahawks quarterback Wilson said he was “super-excited” to welcome back Lynch, and added that to his eye “Beast Mode” hasn’t lost a step.

“He’s been working,” Wilson said. “He looks great, looks explosive, looks fast, looks strong as ever. He’s got some special things he can do.”

While the loser of the game will still make the playoffs as a wild card, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said the Seahawks were “thrilled” to find themselves playing for the division and a possible first-round bye.

“It’s the last week of the season, playing for everything, for a division and all that,” Carroll said. “It is what we aim for.”

Garoppolo admitted he was “kind of surprised” by the Seahawks decision to bring in Lynch and Robert Turbin after injuries to C.J. Prosise and Chris Carson.

“Guy is a hell of a player,” Garoppolo said. “He was unreal when he was playing. We’ll see what he’s got.”

The NFC West is one of two division titles still up for grabs as all 32 teams are in action on Sunday.

Five teams are in contention for two remaining playoff berths and six clubs have a shot at three remaining first-round byes.

The Green Bay Packers can clinch a first-round bye with a victory over the Detroit Lions — who have lost eight straight.

If the Packers win and San Francisco lose, Green Bay can also secure home field advantage.

The New Orleans Saints’ post-season schedule could also be affected by the outcome in Seattle.

Drew Brees and the Saints can secure home field advantage with a victory at Carolina and defeats or ties by either San Francisco or Green Bay.

The Philadelphia Eagles have the upper hand in the battle for the NFC East. They can lock it up with a victory over at the New York Giants.

Spoiler alert?

The Eagles are riding a season-high three-game winning streak that includes their win last week over division rivals Dallas — who now must beat the Redskins and hope for Philadelphia to falter.

The Giants aren’t shy about their desire to play spoiler to the Eagles’ playoff aspirations.

“We are not going to the playoffs, so we definitely want to get this W and knock them out,” veteran safety Antoine Bethea said. “We don’t want anyone celebrating on our field.”

In the AFC, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have clinched their 11th straight AFC East title, and can secure a first-round bye with a victory over the Miami Dolphins.

The playoff-bound Houston Texans host a Tennessee Titans team who can earn a playoff berth with a win.

The Baltimore Ravens, already assured of the top seed in the AFC, are expected to rest starters including quarterback Lamar Jackson when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers — who are still in the chase for a playoff berth.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Rookie Bong Quinto is making teams kick themselves after playing an integral role in Meralco’s semifinal series victory over TNT KaTropa in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Quinto came through when needed Monday night when he dropped 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting to help the Bolts advance to the Finals with an 89-78 win over TNT KaTropa in the deciding fifth game.

His performance has kept Meralco, which will face Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Finals set Jan. 7, benefiting on the fortunes it got during last year’s draft.

The former Letran star was projected to be a mid-to-late first round selection for his stellar play during a collegiate career highlighted by a 2015 championship and a Mythical Five inclusion in 2018.

But observers were curious when teams bypassed Quinto in the first round, with his future employer even deciding to take Fil-Am guard Trevis Jackson with the fifth overall selection.

“Sobrang down talaga ako nung time na yun dahil parang tinanong ko sa sarili ko kung anong kulang,” Quinto reflected.

He had to wait a bit longer before the Bolts got the chance to take Quinto as the second pick of the second round.

“I was really shocked when we picked him in the second round. I couldn’t believe he’s still sitting there,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

Quinto was a bit player during his first two conferences as a pro, averaging 3.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in nine games in the Philippine Cup and 3.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12 games during the Commissioner’s Cup.

But a move from the shooting guard spot to the small forward position allowed Quinto to raise his game in the season-ending conference.

Through the semis, he averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists and was described earlier this conference by Black as a “glue guy.”

“He’s just one of those guys that does everything. I’ve learned over the years that if you can get players who are versatile and can do more than one thing and can play more than one position, he can help you win games,” Black said.

“And Bong Quinto’s a good defender, he’s a good shooter, he’s a good assist guy and he’s really contributed a lot to the team,” added Black, who later suggested that the PBA Press Corps include Quinto on its All-Rookie Team at season’s end.

Quinto is not only glad to see his hardwork pay off but also reward the Bolts’ trust.

“Sila coach talaga yung reason bakit kailangan ibalik ko yung tiwala nila sa akin,” he said.

“Naging challenge sa akin yun kumbaga sa loob ng first round di man lang natawag pangalan ko. Ngayon naka-move naman ako na eto nasa Finals na. Sa buong first round, sino paba rookie na nandyan. Kumbaga ako at si Trevis Jackson lang.

“Papakita ko lang kung ano yung kaya kong i-provide na tulong sa team namin. Lagi naman akong sumusunod sa coach kasi kapag hindi ka sumunod sa coach, upo ka. Ganun lang ka-simple yun,” he added.

Whether Quinto will show steady nerves or succumb to the pressure of being in a title fight will be known once the series starts.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The PBA on Thursday moved the start of the Governors’ Cup Finals to Jan. 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in order for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ample rest in-between Games 1 and 2.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the decision came after granting the request of both teams for a longer respite with the second game of the best-of-seven series set for Jan. 10 in Lucena City.

Marcial also got the nod of Araneta and broadcast partner ESPN5 after being informed of the request.

Game 1 was initially set for Jan. 8 at the Big Dome, but such schedule will force Ginebra and Meralco to endure a shorter recovery period as they are slated to take on a four-hour bus ride to Lucena on the eve of Game 2.

No changes were made for the rest of the series with Araneta set to host Game 3 on Jan. 12 and Game 4 on Jan. 15.

If necessary, Game 5 will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 17 while the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan is going to be the site of Game 6 on Jan. 19 and Game 7 on Jan. 22.

Ginebra and Meralco are scheduled to return to their practice facilities on Friday to begin mapping out their plans for the Finals.

It will be the third Finals meeting between the two teams in the last four editions of the season-ending tournament, with Ginebra winning the previous two meetings.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

At age 41, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao ranked 8th in Forbes’ Top 10 list of highest-paid athletes of the decade.

According to Forbes, Pacquiao earned $435 million in the last 10 years.

Twenty-five of his pay-per-view fights generated $20 million with an estimated revenue of $1.3 billion.

Pacquiao was 40 when he defeated Keith Thurman last July 20, 2019. The boxer-turned-politician celebrated his birthday last December 17.

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr., lived up to his moniker after topping the list with $915 million earnings.

Mayweather had more than $500 million combined for the 2015 and 2017 bouts with Pacquiao and UFC fighter Conor McGregor respectively.

“Forbes’ annual rankings of top-earning athletes looks at salaries, prize money, bonuses, endorsements, appearance fees and licensing income,” its article wrote.

Football players Cristiano Ronaldo ($800 million) and Lionel Messi ($750 million) were at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James ($680 million) settled for fourth and tennis icon Roger Federer ($640 million) landed at No. 5.

Golf legend Tiger Woods ($615 million) placed 6th followed by Phil Mickelson ($480 million) at No. 7
Kevin Durant of Brooklyn Nets ($425 million) placed ninth and six-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton ($400 million) sealed the list at 10th place.

Forbes also excluded the earnings for athletes during the span of retirement years which kept NBA stars Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan from the Top 10.

Serena Williams, meanwhile, was the lone woman among the 40 highest-paid athletes of the decade with $215 million. (Jan Carlo Anolin) ###

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The Philippine Sports Commission is shifting its focus on strengthening the Olympic training program of athletes and coaches after a successful year that saw new world champions and Southeast Asian Games winners.

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez said this would be their main agenda on the first quarter of 2020 with hopes of seeing more qualifiers to the Tokyo Olympics in July.

“We plan to give more quality foreign exposures that will improve the athletes’ Olympic medal search,” he said. “Our target is to improve the nutrition, provide sports medicine, rehab, sports science and sports physiology.”

So far, only world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena have earned tickets to the Games with more qualification tournaments scheduled early next year for other sports like boxing, taekwondo, weightlifting, swimming and athletics.

Ramirez said the five-year plan strategy from the time he assumed post in 2017 is slowly bearing fruits after the country bagged overall championship in the 30th Southeast Asian Games with 149 gold, 117 silver and 121 bronze medals.

The year 2019 also produced two world champions in Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio.

“It was really a five-year plan strategy,” Ramirez said. “I’m positive that (success will continue) if the national sports associations involved will continue working with us effectively like in the Philippine team.”

The country has yet to win an Olympic gold medal with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz coming close most recently with a silver finish at the 2016 Rio Games.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

DENVER — Brandon Ingram scored 31 points, Derrick Favors grabbed 13 rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans surprised Denver 112-100 on Wednesday night to halt the Nuggets’ seven-game winning streak.

The 9-23 Pelicans are now 2-0 against the Nuggets this season. They spoiled the festive mood at the Pepsi Center as the Nuggets played at home on Christmas for the first time in 25 years.

New Orleans sprang the upset despite committing 19 turnovers. The Pelicans pulled away late courtesy of the long-range shooting of Lonzo Ball and Ingram. They also out-rebounded the Nuggets, including 14 offensive boards.

New Orleans finished a four-game trip with a 3-1 mark, which includes consecutive wins for the first time in a month.

Jrue Holiday had 20 points in the last of five Christmas games where the home teams went 2-3. This was the first time the Nuggets have hosted on the holiday since 1994 when they beat Seattle 105-96 in front of a sold-out crowd at McNichols Arena. The fans at Pepsi Center didn’t leave in a particularly merry mood.

Neither team led by more than eight points until Ball’s 3-pointer with 4:07 remaining made it 104-95. That all but sealed the win.

Nikola Jokic had 23 points and 10 rebounds for Denver, while Jerami Grant had 17.

The Pelicans also knocked off the Nuggets 122-107 on Halloween.

This looked like an entertaining matchup when the NBA schedules were released. But that was before rookie Zion Williamson had surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his right knee on Oct. 21. On Wednesday, Williamson sat on the bench dressed in a dark suit.

The Pelicans have struggled without Williamson, while the Nuggets have soared to one of the top marks in the West.
JJ Redick scored 13 of his 15 points in the second quarter, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from near half-court to give the Pelicans a 58-55 lead.

Redick now has 1,799 career 3-pointers and moved past Klay Thompson for 16th place on the all-time list. The next name on the list is Kobe Bryant, who finished with 1,827.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

BOSTON  — Boston Celtics player Tacko Fall made his debut as a guest conductor during the renowned Boston Pops orchestra’s holiday concert.

The 7-foot-6 center took the stage to lead the orchestra in a rendition of the song “Sleigh Ride” at Boston’s Symphony Hall Monday night. Fall was wearing a custom-made, size-48 double extra-long tuxedo.

Fall used a baton that was given to him by longtime conductor Keith Lockhart, The Boston Globe reported. Lockhart wrote “Congratulations to Tacko!” on the baton in green marker.

Lockhart called Fall “the tallest person to ever conduct the Boston Pops” before inviting him to come up on stage.

“Someone has come on the scene here and in a few short months has stolen everybody’s hearts — not just because of his athletic ability but also because of the size of his spirit and the broadness of his smile,” Lockhart said.

The audience cheered during Fall’s performance as he did a spin and wiggled his arms in time with the music.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

DENVER  — The Denver Nuggets have signed coach Michael Malone to a contract extension through the 2022-23 season.

Malone has steadily helped build the Nuggets into a Western Conference contender since taking over in 2015-16. Denver advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season.

“His tireless work ethic and passion are clearly reflected in the continued improvement of our roster,” Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said Tuesday in a statement. “We are all extremely excited for him to continue to lead our team as we try to build a championship level organization.”

Malone guided the Nuggets to 33 wins in his first season at the helm. They jumped to 40 wins, then 46 and 54 last season, including the league’s best home record. Denver is off to a 21-8 start this season behind the play of versatile big man Nikola Jokic and point guard Jamal Murray.

Malone also had his contract extended with Denver on Oct. 17, 2018. He has a 194-163 record with Denver. That puts him fourth in franchise history in wins among head coaches.

“None of this would be possible without the hard work, dedication and trust from our players as well as the entire coaching staff,” Malone said in a statement. “I’d also like to thank the amazing fans in Denver who have helped make Pepsi Center one of the toughest places to play in the NBA once again. I look forward to continuing our ultimate goal of winning NBA Championships.”

Source: Manila Bulletin