By the Associated Press

LOS ANGELES— Kawhi Leonard scored 11 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and had 12 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-106 on Wednesday night in the NBA’s marquee Christmas game.

Montrezl Harrell had 18 points off the bench, Paul George added 17 and the Clippers improved to 2-0 against the Lakers this season.

Kyle Kuzma led Los Angeles with 25 points. LeBron James had 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, and Anthony Davis had 24 points. The Lakers have lost four straight games.

Los Angeles had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but video review showed James touched the ball last after Patrick Beverly knocked it away as James went up for a 3. George hit two free throws for the final margin.

Lou Williams made two free throws — after a questionable foul call against Davis for tapping the swingman after his transition layup rimmed out — to give the Clippers a 105-103 lead with 3:29

Leonard, who had a 3 to cap a 7-0 run and tie it at 101 with 5:14 remaining, then made four late free throws.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

TORONTO — Boston’s Jaylen Brown celebrated Christmas with something he had never enjoyed before: a road win at Toronto.

Brown scored 30 points, Kemba Walker had 22 and the Celtics beat the Raptors 118-102 Wednesday in the first Christmas Day NBA game played in Canada.

“It was good to get a win here on Christmas,” said Brown, who made five 3-pointers and shot 10 for 13 from the field. “I’ve never won here period, so it was great to just get one.”

Enes Kanter had 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Celtics snapped an eight-game losing streak north of the border and became the first Atlantic Division opponent to win in Toronto in more than four years.

The Celtics have won four straight to improve to 8-2 in December.

Boston’s Gordon Hayward returned to the starting lineup after missing the past three games because of a sore left foot. He scored 14 points in 26 minutes.

“It’s still a little sore but it’s playable,” Hayward said. “It’s good, it’s good.”

Fred VanVleet scored 27 points in the Raptors’ second straight loss, and Chris Boucher had a career-high 24.
“We weren’t quite physical enough, I thought, for most stretches of the game,” Toronto coach Nick Nurse said.

The Raptors are 2-2 since losing center Marc Gasol (left hamstring), guard Norman Powell (left shoulder) and forward Pascal Siakam (groin) to injuries. Nurse had no update on the status of the trio, but acknowledged their absence is making life difficult.

“Scoring is not very easy for us right now,” Nurse said. “It’s tough.”

Toronto had gone an NBA-record 34 games between home losses to division foes. The Raptors’ last home loss to an Atlantic team was a 111-109 defeat to the New York Knicks on Nov. 10, 2015.

Kyle Lowry scored 14 points and Serge Ibaka had 12 for Toronto. The Raptors shot 8 for 23 from 3-point range.

Kanter arrived dressed in a black t-shirt that read ‘Freedom for ALL’ in white letters. He played outside the United States for the first time since visiting Toronto with the Knicks on Nov. 10, 2018.

“Definitely amazing,” a smiling Kanter said. “I just can’t describe it with words. Just going out there was more than just a basketball game. For me, it was just going out there and living this freedom.”

Kanter’s outspoken criticism of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government led to his passport being revoked in 2017. Turkish prosecutors have accused Kanter of membership in a terror organization and issued an international warrant for his arrest.

Kanter did not travel with the Knicks to London last January because he feared he could be killed over his opposition to Erdoğan. After being traded to Portland in February, he did not join the Trail Blazers for their March 1 game at Toronto.

The Raptors jumped out to a 10-0 lead as the Celtics missed their first five shots of the game, leading to a Boston timeout with 10:03 left in the opening quarter. After the stoppage, the Celtics outscored Toronto 28-9 to lead 28-19 after one.

“They hit us early but I thought we recovered well,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.

Brown made all five of his field goal attempts in the third, including three from long range, and scored 16 points. Boston led 88-69 through three quarters.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO— Damion Lee made a statement on a rare big stage this season for injury-ravaged Golden State.

Lee had 22 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, Draymond Green scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half and the Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 116-104 on Wednesday.

“I’m thankful that we got the win, but there’s still things that I feel I have to get better at day in and day out to fully solidify myself as an NBA player and not a two-way,” Lee said.

D’Angelo Russell added 20 points, and Glenn Robinson III had 18 to help the Warriors win their third straight and end the Rockets’ four-game winning streak. Golden State improved to 8-24.

“We’re probably not going to play a bigger game than this all year,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “A national TV game against the Rockets. This game meant a lot to us.”

Russell Westbrook had 30 points and 12 rebounds for Houston. James Harden had 24 points and 11 assists, and Danuel House Jr. had 18 points.

“We had a lot of great opportunities that we just didn’t convert,” Harden said. “It’s pretty simple.”

Westbrook had his ninth consecutive game of at least 20 points, the longest by any Rockets player other than Harden since Tracy McGrady did it in 10 straight games in 2007.

“For whatever reason we just didn’t get it done,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “It’s too bad we didn’t play with the spirit and energy we usually have.”

Green also had 11 rebounds. He gave the Warriors the lead for good with just under five minutes left in the third quarter on a driving layup.

“It’s been a really trying season for us,” Green said. “To come out Christmas Day and get a win against a very good basketball team feels good.”

Ky Bowman hit a driving layup at the buzzer to give the Warriors an 92-87 edge heading into the final quarter.
“This felt like an opportunity for us and the guys seized it,” Kerr said. “I think the fans see how hard our guys are playing. Everybody is feeling great on Christmas Day to get that win.”

After falling behind by eight points midway through the first quarter, the Rockets outscored Golden State 48-17 over the next 13 minutes to open a 53-40 advantage. Russell hit a short jumper in the final minute of the second and the Warriors drew to 68-64 by halftime.

“We were up by 13 in the first half and for some reason we decided to start fouling them and putting them on the line and that cost us,” D’Antoni said. “Defensively we gave up 64 points in the first half and that’s not good enough.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA— Joel Embiid was unyielding under the basket, arms extended sky high as Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to plow through the All-Star center for a bucket. Embiid absorbed the contact and slapped the ball out of Antetokounmpo’s hands, one of a bountiful of disruptive plays triggered by the big man.

Embiid used a national showcase to play like an MVP, and the Sixers pushed around a Bucks team that had the best record in the NBA.

“A lot of people have kind of forgotten who I am,” Embiid said. “When I’m needed, I’m going to show up.”

Embiid had 31 points and 11 rebounds in Philadelphia’s first home Christmas game in 31 years, and the 3-point happy 76ers beat Milwaukee 121-109 on Wednesday.

Tobias Harris sank five 3s, Josh Richardson and Furkan Korkmaz each had four and even Embiid hit three as part of Philly’s franchise record-tying 21 3s (on 44 attempts) in its most complete game of the season.

“I think this team is designed for the playoffs,” coach Brett Brown said. “I believe the road we have traveled so far has been a little bit erratic, at times. But I think the landing spot is exciting.”

Harris and Al Horford hit 3s over the final 90 seconds to push back a late Bucks run, and the Sixers improved to 16-2 at home.

There was a charged atmosphere for the anticipated matchup featuring Embiid and Ben Simmons taking on Khris Middleton and Antetokounmpo. Fans dressed as elves, wore ugly sweaters and held signs that said all they wanted for Christmas was a Sixers win.

They got it, with Embiid bullying the reigning MVP in Antetokounmpo on the way to the Sixers’ biggest halftime lead (21 points) against the Bucks under coach Mike Budenholzer.

“It was just one of those nights,” Budenholzer said.

Embiid scored 23 points and was troublesome defensively, holding Antetokounmpo to 4-for-14 shooting in the half. The Sixers hit 11 3s in the half and made the NBA-best Bucks (27-5) look like anything but Eastern Conference contenders.

Brown said before the game the Bucks were “NBA royalty.” They have a ways to go before they’re crowned tops in the East.

With fans chanting “Trust the Process!” on Embiid free throws, the star center was worthy of the holiday highlight video.

“I reminded our team, people in America have more appreciation for this day in the NBA,” Brown said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity.”

The Sixers aced their test against the NBA’s best.

“I’m not going to overvalue one game,” 76ers general manager Elton Brand said, “but it’s a good barometer.”

It wasn’t just Embiid that flustered the Bucks. Korkmaz was knocked on his rear and buried Philly’s 16th 3 of the game late in the third for a 93-67 lead that had the crowd going wild. Korkmaz’s shot capped a string of 3s on five straight Sixers baskets. Mike Scott, the reserve better known for his man-of-the-people popup appearances, became the seventh Sixer to hit a 3 for a 98-70 lead. The 76ers led 100-73 through three.

Middleton scored 31 points and Antetokounmpo had 18 points and 14 rebounds. Antetokounmpo got flustered over a perceived missed call on an eye poke and was whistled for a technical in the fourth.

Antetokounmpo, who was 8 for 27 from the floor, 0 for 7 3s, said he briefly suffered blurred vision.

“We had to go through this today. We had to go down 30,” Antetokounmpo said. “We had to have our character tested today because the only way you get better is when you face adversity. Our team is going to be better.”

Brand held a state-of-the-franchise press conference before the game and preached chemistry and continuity would eventually get the Sixers among the best in the East, a conference many pundits picked them to win.

“We are going to get there,” Brand said. “Home-court advantage is important but having Joel healthy in the playoff in May, June, that is important to us. We could still grow into a team that could be a No. 1 seed.”

For a game, the 76ers sure played like one.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

A six-pack of Christmas nuggets to know going into this year’s slate of showcase NBA games on the holiday: Boston at Toronto, Milwaukee at Philadelphia, Houston at Golden State, the Los Angeles Clippers at the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans at Denver.

Hello, Toronto

It’s not a rule, but the NBA champion routinely gets a home Christmas game and this year is no exception — with Toronto playing on the holiday for only the second time. The Raptors played at New York in 2001 in their debut Christmas game and haven’t played on Dec. 25 since.

The Raptors become the sixth consecutive reigning champion to get a home Christmas game (last one not to was Miami in 2013), and the 12th consecutive champion to play on the holiday. The last champ that got Dec. 25 off was San Antonio in 2007.

Part of the reason why Toronto hasn’t featured in past Christmas lineups is because Canadian television viewers don’t factor into U.S. ratings since they aren’t measured by Nielsen. That was also the primary factor why ratings for some games in last season’s NBA Finals were down from past years.

With the Raptors getting a home game, the only two active franchises yet to play at home on Dec. 25 are Minnesota and New Orleans. And with the Raptors playing again, Sacramento — not part of NBA Christmas since 2003 — now has the second-longest active drought on the holiday. The longest is Atlanta’s, since the Hawks haven’t played on Dec. 25 since 1989.

Long time coming

Philadelphia is hosting a Christmas game for the first time in 31 years, and Denver is hosting for the first time in 25 years.

Among the All-Stars who’ll be playing on the holiday for the first time: Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Boston’s Kemba Walker and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry — who had clamored for the Raptors to be part of the Christmas lineup for years.

Record watch

If he plays and the Lakers win, LeBron James would be part of a 10th win on Christmas — tying the now-retired Dwyane Wade for the all-time lead among players.

The Christmas record for career 3-pointers is also likely to fall on Wednesday. Kevin Durant has the mark with 22, with New Orleans’ JJ Redick (21), James (20) and Houston’s James Harden (17) all within striking distance and all set to appear on Wednesday’s schedule.

Surprise stumble

The NBA schedule is done over the summer, and the people putting the 1,230-game slate together know the importance of picking the right matchups for Christmas.

It’s not a foolproof process.

Back in July, it was known that Golden State wasn’t going to have Durant (now in Brooklyn) or Klay Thompson (ACL tear) for Christmas this year. But the Warriors were still going to have Stephen Curry, among others, and five straight NBA Finals trips made them seem like a very strong Christmas pick.

Same goes for New Orleans, which got the Christmas nod in large part because it had the No. 1 draft pick in Zion Williamson.

You know the rest. Curry got hurt, Williamson hasn’t played yet and the Pelicans and Warriors are the two worst teams in the Western Conference.

But this isn’t that uncommon.

This is seventh consecutive year that multiple teams with losing records have been on the Christmas schedule. There was only one in 2012 — the Lakers were 13-14 going into their win over the Knicks — and none in 2011 because that was the first day of the lockout-shortened season.

The Pelicans and Warriors do have about the worst records seen by a Christmas team in recent years, though. The Lakers were 5-24 going into their Christmas 2015 game, and the Knicks were 5-25 going into their Dec. 25 game the previous year.

Birthday boys

Houston’s Eric Gordon — who has been out with a knee injury but is nearing a return — is one of only two players in a most unique club.

The group: Those born on Dec. 25, who played on Dec. 25.

The first was Leo Kubiak, who turned 22 on Dec. 25, 1949 and scored 15 points in the Waterloo Hawks’ 97-93 win over the Indianapolis Olympians. That was Kubiak’s lone NBA season.

Gordon has played on his birthday four times — finally getting a win last year. He was with the Clippers when they lost to Phoenix in 2009, with the Pelicans when they lost to Miami in 2015, with the Rockets when they lost to Oklahoma City in 2017, and scored 17 points in Houston’s win over the Thunder last season.

Christmas turnover

The Clippers haven’t been off the Christmas schedule for very long. Their most recent appearance before this year was only in 2016.

A few things have changed since.

The Clippers used 10 players on Dec. 25, 2016, in a 111-102 loss to the Lakers — Raymond Felton, DeAndre Jordan, JJ Redick, Luc Mbah a Moute and Paul Pierce started, while Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers, Wesley Johnson, Marreese Speights and Brandon Bass came off the bench.

Alan Anderson and Diamond Stone were available but did not play. Chris Paul had a strained hamstring, and Blake Griffin and Brice Johnson were inactive.

That’s 15 players.

None of them are still with the Clippers, just three years later.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By JONAS TERRADO

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco have given their players extended time to celebrate Christmas before refocusing on the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals which starts Jan. 8.

Team manager Reyboy Rodriguez of Ginebra and his Meralco counterpart Paolo Trillo said practice will resume Friday at their respective facilities where they’ll start mapping out strategies for the best-of-seven championship series.

The Kings hold their regular sessions at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas while the Bolts train at the Meralco Gym. Interestingly, the two facilities are just one kilometer apart.

Ginebra already started its Finals preparation this week after a brief respite following a four-game semifinal series triumph over NorthPort.

But Ginebra had to wait for Meralco to finish off TNT KaTropa in the other semis series last Monday before it can tighten the screws on a battle plan.

While the players are capitalizing on the Christmas break to rest their bodies and enjoy the company of family and friends, the coaches are making sure they get their homework done properly.

“Coaches worry a lot, stress a lot about the games and we also stay up late watching tape trying to come up with strategies for the next games,” said Bolts coach Norman Black.

Black understands that he must be on top of his game, knowing that Ginebra mentor Tim Cone is doing the same.

“Tim’s always hungry, that’s why he has so many championships,” Black said.

The two American coaches with combined 32 PBA titles will face off for just the fifth time in their careers.

Cone has won all of the previous four meetings, starting off in the 1995 Governors’ Cup Finals when his Alaska Milkmen beat Black’s San Miguel Beermen in seven games.

He repeated over Black in the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup that saw San Mig Super Coffee defeating Talk ’N Text in a best-of-five Finals, 3-1.

Their last two meetings came in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Governors’ Cup that saw Cone and Ginebra defeating Black’s Meralco both times.

Forward

Source: Manila Bulletin

BY WAYLON GALVEZ

Two weeks before the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco, ‘mind games’ may have started.

Veteran Ginebra guard LA Tenorio, a master of psywar on the playing court, told the Manila Bulletin that with three new players, Meralco now has depth on its roster which the Bolts could use to their advantage against the Kings when the two teams clash for the third time in a row in the championship series of the season-ending conference.

The operative phrase here, of course, is ‘could use to their advantage.’

“Personally, I think they have the advantage,” said Tenorio yesterday.

“Medyo ibang team sila ngayon with the addition of three key players as compared to the first two championship series na nakaharap namin sila. Mas lumalim sila ngayon sa tingin ko.”

The ace playmaker was referring to Meralco recruits Bong Quinto, selected by the Bolts in the second round of the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, and veterans Raymond Almazan and Allein Maliksi – obtained in separate trades with Rain or Shine and the Blackwater Elite.

The 6-foot-9 Almazan is averaging nearly 15 points and 12.1 rebounds as Meralco’s starting center, while Maliksi has close to nine points and Quinto – a product of Letran – has seven points and two boards a game this conference.

Tenorio may have been overly generous with his assessment because although Meralco has added three new members, Ginebra has acquired one if not the best player in the league pound-for-pound in Stanley Pringle, arguably the most dangerous 1-on-1 player in the PBA with his killer crossover.

“Of course malaking bagay yung pagdating sa amin ni Stanley, ang laking tulong,” Tenorio conceded.

The former Ateneo Blue Eagle may have spoken on the basis of recent history.

When the two teams clashed last Nov. 3, Meralco dominated Ginebra 101-77.

It was evident in that game that their additions have given Bolts coach Norman Black additional firepower to go with his core unit led by former Best Import winner Allen Durham, as well as onetime Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome.

Justin Brownlee, who steered Ginebra to three championships including two Governors’ Cup titles, is also playing solid basketball with averages of 27.91 points, 13.36 rebounds and eight assists per game this conference, giving Kings coach Tim Cone comparative firepower, especially with the arrival of Pringle.

Tenorio said that Durham is playing at a very high level now with averages of 29.64 points, 14.64 rebounds and 6.27 assists. Durham’s performance in the semifinals against TNT KaTropa speaks volume of how he wants to return to the finals, and help Meralco win the title after two failed attempts against Ginebra.

“It’s going to be a tough series. Well, palagi naman na kapag Meralco ang kalaban namin, talagang pahirapan. Kita naman sa naunang dalawang series namin. Saka pa gang magkaharap sa series si coach Tim and coach Norman, parang chess match e – palaisipan,” said Tenorio.

Source: Manila Bulletin

 

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Aaron Jones rushed for a career-high 154 yards and Aaron Rodgers passed for another 216 yards as the Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North Division title with a 23-10 win over Minnesota on Monday.

Runningback Jones scored two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score late in the third quarter. He added a 56-yard touchdown romp with just under six minutes left in the fourth as the Packers improved to 12-3 on the season.

”Winning is always beautiful,” said quarterback Rodgers. ”The run game was excellent tonight. We found a way to win.”

Jones’ two TDs brings his season total to 16 on the ground which is the second most in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Jim Taylor, who finished with 19 in 1962.

Rodgers completed 26 of 40 passes and had one interception. He praised the Packers’ defence for keeping the score close in the first half.

”Our defence kept us in it after the fumble on first possession. We were able to put something together in second half,” Rodgers said.

”This is a good one for us. We have to rest up this week and we have a chance to play for something even bigger next week.”

The Vikings dropped to 10-5 on the season and clinched a wild-card spot Saturday when the Los Angeles Rams lost to the San Francisco 49ers. Minnesota will be the No. 6 seed in the NFC.

Packers Davante Adams caught 13 passes for 116 yards, his reception total falling one shy of Don Hutson’s 1942 single-game team record.

Za’Darius Smith posted 3.5 sacks of Green Bay’s five sacks.

The Packers limited Minnesota to just seven first downs and completed a two-game season sweep of the Vikings.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled, completing just 16 of 31 passes for 122 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

”It was a tough loss tonight,” said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. ”We didn’t play well enough to win. Give Green Bay credit. They did some good things.

”That’s what happens when you don’t play as well as you can. We got to get back to work, get going again, regroup and refresh.”

Vikings star linebacker Eric Kendricks recovered two first-half fumbles before leaving in the second quarter with a left quadriceps injury.

Minnesota also played without injured star running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder).

Source: Manila Bulletin

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jordan Clarkson wasn’t going to be a part of Cleveland’s future. Now he’s in the past.

The Cavaliers agreed Monday night to trade Clarkson to the Utah Jazz for guard Dante Exum and two future second-round draft picks, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

Cleveland will get a pick in 2022 and one in 2023, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not yet had the required conference call with the NBA to approve the swap.

The deal came together shortly before the Jazz played in Miami and the Cavs hosted Atlanta. Clarkson warmed up on the floor at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before he was informed of the trade.

Clarkson figured to be on his way out of Cleveland. He’s in the final year of his contract and had been coming off the bench behind Collin Sexton and rookie Darius Garland, a backcourt the Cavs hope to keep together for years.

Clarkson, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, scored a season-high 33 points in his final game for the Cavs on Friday. The 27-year-old is averaging 14.6 points, 2.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 29 games this season.

The Cavs are rebuilding and want to give as much playing time as they can to Sexton and Garland as well as rookie Kevin Porter Jr., one of their three first-round picks this year.

Exum had fallen out of Utah’s rotation and the Jazz had been looking to move the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 draft. The native of Australia is averaging just 2.2 points and 7.5 minutes this season.

Cleveland has been successful in developing young players and will try to do the same with the 24-year-old Exum, who has battled injuries and has two years left on his contract. He’ll make $9.1 million this season and next.

“That’s my guy,” Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell said of Exum after Utah’s loss in Miami. “Moments like this you realize it’s a business. He’s a guy with such an incredible spirit, having gone what he’s gone through injury-wise. I wish him all the best. He’s been a great teammate, a great dude. We’re definitely going to miss his presence. All the guys are going to miss him for sure.”

This is the third trade between Cleveland and Utah in the past three years. Previous deals involved Rodney Hood and Kyle Korver.

NBA GAMES:

Golden State 113, Minnesota 104

Miami 107, Utah 104

Portland 94, New Orleans 102

Sacramento 104, Houston 113

Phoenix 111, Denver 113

Memphis 115, San Antonio 145

Cleveland 121, Atlanta 118

Detroit 109, Philadelphia 125

Indiana 120, Toronto 115 (OT)

New York 115, Washington 121

Orlando 103, Chicago 95

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jordan Clarkson, front right, drives past Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks (24) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

___

Source: Manila Bulletin

BY JOSEPH ALMER PEDRAJAS

Wushu star and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Agatha Wong expressed willingness to explain the national athletes’ discount if it’s needed to make every establishment aware of the law.

“Establishments should just be made more well aware and I’m willing to explain what the law is and the penalties they will deal with if they don’t issue the aforementioned discount,” Wong said, referring to Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.

“I’m still a national athlete and even if I’ve been rejected numerous times and denied of my discount and right, I will continue to avail of it,” she added.

Wong expressed disappointment on Saturday that not all establishments are aware of the law.

In a Twitter post, she said, it got “quite annoying to keep having to explain to managers that this kind of benefit [discount for qualified national athletes, coaches and trainers] actually exists.”

“Some are even doubtful,” she added.

Wong said that establishment not giving discounts for national athletes happened to her more than once. The latest was at a restaurant in Quezon City.

“I was eating at a restaurant with my family and when we asked for the bill, both my grandparents chipped in their senior citizen cards for a discount along with my Philippine Sports Commission ID,” she told the Manila Bulletin.

“Moments later, the manager came to us and with the ID in her hand, held it up to us and said, ‘Ano po ‘to?’ she added.

The athlete said that her grandmother explained to the manager about the national athletes’ and coaches’ benefits under R.A. 10699, but the manager said that, “they weren’t notified there was such a law.”

“My grandmother stood up from the table and went to the cashier, [and when she] came back to our table and gave me my id, [she said], ‘Hindi nila tayo binigyan ng discount,’” Wong said.

“I did not reply. It wasn’t the first time I was denied of my right to a discount. So, I just let it go,” she added.

Eventually, the wushu star said, they were approached by the manager again to tell them that they were just informed by their restaurant head that “there is indeed such a law” and offered to apply her discount.

“I gave her my ID [again] and she applied my discount on it. That’s when we all left the restaurant,” she said.

On Monday, Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso directed all business establishments operating in the city to comply with the law which grants 20 percent discount to all qualified national athletes, coaches and trainers of the country.

Upon Moreno’s order, the Bureau of Permits of the Manila local government unit directed in a letter, all business owners, administrators and operators in the city to follow the said law.

Learning of Moreno’s action, Wong said that she’s “glad that this certain subject is already being given the much needed attention it deserves.”

Source: Manila Bulletin