By the Associated Press

After waiting a year for an opportunity to return to the NBA, Carmelo Anthony proved he’s still capable of a big performance.

Anthony scored 25 points in just his fourth game of the season, CJ McCollum added 21 and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Chicago Bulls 117-94 on Monday night.

Anthony was 10 for 20 from the field, including 4 of 7 on 3-pointers. He had averaged 13 points on 15-for-44 (34.1%) shooting in his first three games.

“It’s a humbling situation for me, but it’s a testament to the work I’ve been putting in,” he said. “My body feels good, mentally I feel good.”

Besides sharp shooting behind the 3-point line, the 10-time All-Star featured his usual mid-range game and even had a dunk.

“Vintage,” McCollum said. “We pulled out some old, good wine in there. Getting to his spots, hitting 3s, he got a dunk and he was talking like he always does on defense.”

Anthony now has 25,615 career points to move ahead of Alex English (26,613) into 18th place on the NBA’s career scoring list.

“You don’t want to take none of that stuff for granted,” he said. “When you’ve been away from the game, these small (milestones), they start to mean more and more.”

Damian Lillard had 13 points and 12 assists as Portland snapped a four-game losing streak.

Zach LaVine had 18 points for Chicago, which has dropped two of three. LaVine was just 1 for 5 on 3-pointers two days after making 13 of 17 while scoring a career-high 49 points Saturday at Charlotte.

“We played against a good half-court defensive team,” LaVine said. “We need to get out on transition more. They just killed us on the other end. We couldn’t keep up.”

Anthony, who signed with the Trail Blazers on Nov. 19, got off to a fast start with 12 points in the first 6½ minutes of the game.

Chicago led 28-27 at the end of the first quarter before Portland took command early in the second. The Blazers led by as 13 points before the Bulls scored 11 straight to pull within 50-48.

Portland closed the first half with a 12-6 spurt for a 62-54 halftime advantage.

The Trail Blazers further stretched the lead in the third, taking a 90-68 advantage — their biggest to that point — on Anthony’s three-point play with 1:27 to go in the quarter.

Early in the fourth, Anthony hit a 3-pointer to move past English and give Portland a 100-77 lead.

The 35-year-old exited the game for good shortly after that. The United Center crowd started chanting “We want Melo! We want Melo!” midway through the fourth.

“From fans that are Chicago Bulls fans, that’s a big moment,” he said. “To hear that chant, with me on another team, Portland, that’s out West, they didn’t have to do that.”

The Trail Blazers led by as much as 28 points.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Jack Animam and Clare Castro will have double duties in the 30th Southeast Asian Games as they comprise the national women’s team roster in the 3×3 competitions slated Dec. 1 and 2 at The Arena in San Juan City.

Coach Pat Aquino elected to field the same team that reached the quarterfinals of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Changsha, China with the aim of winning gold in the first women’s 3×3 event of the biennial meet.

The four players will also see action in the standard five-on-five event set Dec. 4 to 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Animam is expected to be ready in time for the 3×3 event after suffering an orbital fracture on her right eye in a match against South Korea in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand.

The just-graduated National University center is the country’s highest-ranked 3×3 player with 93,065 points which were accumulated in local and international competitions.

Pontejos and Bernardino also teamed up with Animam during the country’s hosting of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in 2018, with Pontejos gaining prominence by winning the two-point shootout.

The women’s team will face Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia on Dec. 1 and Thailand on Dec. 2 in Pool A. The top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Erma Edera

Restored to its old, majestic glory, art deco aesthetics prevailed in the newly-restored Rizal Memorial Sports Complex down to lighting fixtures and urinal dividers– the first time in 66 years the sports facility got its ever major facelift.

Although the opening ceremony will be on Nov. 30, action in men’s football began Monday.

In a post by the 2019 SEA Games official Facebook page, art deco moldings, with the newly-installed porthole windows and marble were seen at the lobby of the Rizal Memorial stadium.

According to architect Gerard Lico, amenities like roof drainage, new fire protection system and centralized air-conditioning were also retrofitted in the newly-rehabilitated sports complex to meet the FIBA standards.

The architect also posted photos showing the newly-installed ducts that were left exposed to sport an industrial look in the 85-year-old arena. Brand new gymnastics equipment, retractable seats, flooring, goals and scoreboard were also put in place.

“For the first time, the coliseum will be fully air-conditioned, with the latest Japanese technology that will ensure thermal comfort for the players and spectators and energy efficiency for the grid. The shower and locker rooms are being completely re-done, fully-equipped with bidets, water heaters, and spanking-new lockers,” Lico told the Manila Bulletin.

Lico also said they finished the court for the gymnastics at the coliseum on time.

“The coliseum is primarily for basketball but we redesigned it to accommodate other indoor sports and even concerts and live performances,” he added.

The architect also said they revamp the exterior of the stadium with energy-efficient LED lighting to showcase the coliseum’s façade during night.

Lico said the renovated shower stalls with the new Art Deco doors of the athlete’s locker room have “TS” initials on the original Art Deco window grills which stand for “Tennis Stadium”, referring to the original name of the facility, the Rizal Memorial Tennis stadium.

Aside from the renovation, Lico also revealed that they already finished the exhibit inside which will showcase the history of the newly-restored Rizal Memorial Sports complex.

“We haven’t slept to deliver this exhibit which is not actually part of my contract and budget, but I am happy to do it and spend it for it as my gift to the Filipino people,” he said.

“We need people to appreciate their history and identity through the building. You need to understand the history and value of the coliseum and the complex before you can love it. We have to take care of our old buildings because it is our source of pride as a nation,” he added.

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was one of the last surviving art deco architectures designed by notable architect Juan Arellano.

Lico patterned the renovation after the streamline art deco style of Arellano when it was built in 1934 to host the Fast Eastern Championship Games.

It got the much-needed facelift after the Philippine Sports Commission was able to secure the funding from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

It was ruined by war in 1945 and was first rehabilitated in 1953 for the hosting of the 2^nd Asian Games.

It underwent minimal rehabilitations in the years 1981, 1991, and 2006 when the country hosted Southeast Asian Games.

The Rizal Coliseum is home for basketball events such as Micaa, UAAP and NCAA. In 1978, it also hosted World Basketball Championship now called the Fiba Basketball World Cup.

 The 9.6-hectare stadium is also one of the last surviving pre-war structures in the city and saw the beginning of the careers of Olympic medalists and notable athletes like Caloy Loyzaga, Robert Jaworski, Lydia de Vega and Elma Muros, among many other greats.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Tuesday

(Biñan Football Stadium, Laguna)

4 p.m. — Vietnam vs Thailand

8 p.m. — Philippines vs Myanmar

Women’s football gets underway at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna amid more problems encountering the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The national women’s team faces Myanmar in the featured match at 8 p.m. while defending champion Vietnam battles Thailand in the 4 p.m. opener.

Action in the distaff side comes amid logistical issues also hounding the upcoming competitions.

Philippine defender Hali Long complained Sunday of how the team had to wait for hours for the rooms to be fixed while coach Let Dimzon expressed disappointment over the quality of food served during an afternoon press conference.

PHISGOC, on the other hand, sent a late media advisory about the scheduled 12 noon presscon at the Whitewoods Hotel.

The said advisory was sent through email shortly before 2 a.m.

The Philippines is eyeing a podium finish after placing fourth two years ago in Kuala Lumpur.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Lea Salonga will not perform in the opening ceremonies of the 30th Southeast Asian Games slated Saturday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Salonga made the announcement through Twitter, saying commitments in her part in the musical Sweeney Todd will prevent her from taking part in the formal of the biennial meet.

“Leaving on a jet plane for Singapore tomorrow and will begin our 14-show Sweeney run on Thursday night,” Salonga said.

“This means I will not be performing at the SEA Games opening ceremonies on Saturday. I won’t be back home til after Sweeney is done.”

Sweeney Todd, which also features Filipino singer Jett Pangan, will hold shows for 14 days beginning Thursday in Singapore.

The Broadway star sang the SEA Games’ official theme song titled “We Win as One” which was introduced last September. It was expected the Salonga was to perform the song in front of packed audience at the cavernous indoor venue before the announcement.

Organizers have promised a spectacle for the ceremonies which will feature local and international performers

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Tuesday
(Rizal Memorial Stadium)
4 p.m. — Thailand vs Indonesia
8 p.m. — Laos vs Singapore

Games Wednesday
(Rizal Memorial Stadium)
4 p.m. — Myanmar vs Philippines
8 p.m. — Cambodia vs Timor-Leste

Dennis Chung scored an equalizer in stoppage time to help the Philippines salvage a 1-1 draw against Cambodia to open the country’s men’s football campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The 18-year-old scored a low drive past goalkeeper Keo Soksela, allowing the Azkals U-22 team to split a point with the Cambodian side that took the lead on Keo Sokpheng’s opener in the 41st minute.

“It might be the most important goal I ever scored and it’s a pleasure that I scored on my debut. I’m thankful for everything,” said Chung, who is born to a Chinese father and Filipina mother who hails from Camiguin.

The German-based Chung, who replaced starter Dylan de Bruycker, enabled the Azkals put on level terms in Group A with the Cambodians, 2017 runner-up Malaysia and bronze medalist Myanmar.

Malaysia and Myanmar settled for a similar 1-1 draw in the first game.

Vietnam rolled past Brunei 4-0 in the day’s other match at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna for the early lead in Group B.

Both games were held after the past few days were marred multiple problems encountered by participating teams upon their arrival.

In fact, contingency plans for the two Rizal games to be moved to Binan were mulled by organizers with several parts of the stadium still unfinished.

Most of the discussion centered on the infamous media center, which was supposed to be the venue for the squash events.

The condition of the media center certainly left plenty to be desired.

Several local and international media were later taken aback when the post-match press conference of the Malaysia-Myanmar was cancelled, forcing them to interview the coaches and players at the mixed zone area.

A presser was later held at the media center after the Philippines-Cambodia match.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. — NorthPort vs NLEX

TNT KaTropa rallied from 13 points in the final four minutes to dethrone Magnolia 98-97 and advance to the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ray Parks Jr. hit two free throws to put the KaTropa up with 7.0 seconds remaining before the rest of the team made key stops to produce a stunning quarterfinal victory and set up a best-of-five semifinal duel with the Meralco Bolts.

Meralco punched the first tickets for the semis set to start after the 30th Southeast Asian Games following Sunday’s victory over Alaska.

Jayson Castro scored 30 points in just his second game back from an ankle injury while KJ McDaniels had 25 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks, including one that denied Magnolia import Romeo Travis a go-ahead basket in the final seconds.

McDaniels swatted Travis’ layup before the ball going out of bounds with 1.1 ticks remaining. Mark Barroca tried to set up Travis for a catch-and-shoot play but the ball sailed past the hands of the Hotshots import as time expired.

The KaTropa looked as if they were on the brink of being pushed to a do-or-die match on Wednesday when they went up 94-81 on a Chris Banchero layup with 4:22 remaining in the fourth.

But TNT responded with a 15-2 blast, ending on a Troy Rosario triple with 32.7 seconds to go. Magnolia took the lead back with a split by Travis from the foul line, 15.9 to go.

Castro missed a running shot but Parks got the rebound before getting fouled by Reavis to set up the winning free throws.

The scores:

TNT KATROPA 98 — Castro 30, McDaniels 25, Rosario 12, Reyes 10, Pogoy 8, Parks 7, Digregorio 6, Williams 0.

MAGNOLIA 97 — Travis 32, Dela Rosa 13, Jalalon 12, Lee 11, Barroca 9, Banchero 8, Sangalang 7, Pingris 4, Melton 1, Reavis 0.

Quarters: 22-26; 48-54; 68-80; 98-97.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Far Eastern University center Clare Castro will make her return for Gilas Pilipinas in the national women’s basketball team in the 30th Southeast Asian Games which starts Dec. 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Castro was included in the 12-man lineup of the national cagebelles after missing out on stints in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament due to her UAAP campaign.

The rest of coach Pat Aquino’s roster are players who suited up in the two tournaments that served as preparation for the competition.

Part of the team are Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, Ria Nabalan, Chack Cabinbin, Khate Castillo, Kelli Hayes, Gemma Miranda, Eunique Chan, Danica Jose and the injured Jack Animam, who is expected to be ready for the tournament.

Animam was forced to miss the final game of the Olympic Pre-Qualifying event and National University’s sweep of the UAAP women’s basketball finals after suffering an orbital fracture on her right eye against South Korea.

Aquino expects Animam to be ready by the time the 5×5 competitions are set.

Gilas is looking to give the country its first gold in the distaff side of the biennial meet.

The Nationals open their campaign against Singapore, followed by a match against Indonesia on the following day.

After facing Malaysia on Dec. 8, Gilas will play Thailand on Dec. 10.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Tickets have now been on sale for several sporting events days before the 30^th Southeast Asian Games officially fires off in various venues in Luzon.

Basketball, considered close to religion in the country, is expected to draw the most crowd support when action blasts off at the Mall of Asia Arena on Dec. 4.

Ticket prices for the event range from P50 for general admission to P900 for Patron VIPs in the preliminary round where the Gilas Pilipinas, composed of pro players like five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Christian Standhardinger and Kiefer Ravena, seeks to retain the crown.

Basketball fanatics are also set to troop the The Arena in San Juan City starting on Dec. 1 where CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Jason Perkins, Mo Tautuaa compete in the 3×3 event. General admission ticket is priced at P50 while lower box is pegged at P150.

Fans of volleyball will also have a chance to watch their favorite players like Alyssa Valdez, Mika Reyes and Aby Maraño to name a few when competition unfolds on Dec. 2 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Gallery tickets are priced at P50, with upper box costs P250.

Sports fans also have the chance to check out world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo in action at the refurbished Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila as tickets on sale are pegged from P50 to P150.

The New Clark City Athletic Stadium is also selling tickets for athletics competition for P50 to P250, while swimming enthusiasts can watch the action at the New Clark City Aquatic Center for P150.

Organizers tried to make the biennial meet as accessible and affordable as possible for fans as Filipino athletes vie for gold medals against regional counterparts.

 

END IT.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

NorthPort pushed top seed NLEX to a rubber match for a semifinals berth after rolling to a 115-90 victory in a tense quarterfinal affair in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Michael Qualls had 39 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and two blocks as the Batang Pier continued their mastery of the Road Warriors to force a knockout game on Wednesday.

The winner earns a spot in the best-of-five semis against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, which ended the Grand Slam dreams of San Miguel Beer with a 100-97 win last Sunday.

Qualls later got into a heated exchange with NLEX’s Poy Erram and Paul Varilla, who were tossed with Flagrant Foul 2 infractions, 4:54 left in the fourth and NorthPort already secured 100-81.

The Batang Pier reinforcement appeared to have been kicked by Varilla after drawing a foul during a drive to the basket. Erram then joined the fray by landing a flying elbow at the back of Qualls, prompting cooler heads to intervene.

It would interesting if Erram and Varilla will be handed suspensions for the decisive match, though the league usually hands out fines during the playoffs.

A Flagrant Foul 2 merits a P20,000 fine.

Christian Standhardinger added 24 points and 13 rebounds while Sean Anthony tallied 12 points.

JR Quinahan scored 20 points for NLEX, which will try to avoid becoming the latest No. 1 seed to be axed by a No. 8 team in the quarters.

It was the Road Warriors’ fourth straight loss, including the last three of the eliminations, a skid that began when they fell 102-94 to the Batang Pier last Nov. 13.

Scores:

NORTHPORT 115 — Qualls 39, Standhardinger 24, Anthony 12, Ferrer 9, King 8, Escoto 5, Taha 5, Elorde 5, Lanete 3, Cruz 3, Mercado 2.

NLEX 90 — Quinahan 20, Ravena 16, Harris 12, Cruz 11, Erram 6, Soyud 6, Alas 5, Paniamogan 4, Varilla 3, Galanza 3, Ighalo 2, Miranda 2, Fonacier 0.

Quarters: 34-24; 61-40; 83-64; 115-90.

Source: Manila Bulletin