By WAYLON GALVEZ

Games Tuesday

(New Clark City, Tarlac)

10 a.m. – Singapore vs Thailand (Women’s)

5 p.m. – Malaysia vs Thailand (Men’s)

7 p.m. – Philippines vs Indonesia (Men’s)

 

Veteran goalie Tani Gomez expects a tough match when the Philippines opens its campaign against Indonesia in the water polo event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games today at the Aquatic Center of New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The national team has done all the steps to prepare for the biennial meet in a bid to finally win the gold medal, and Gomez said the squad is ready to battle with the reigning SEA Games silver medalist.

“We’re ready for our first game against Indonesia,” said Gomez, who at 38 is the most veteran member of the national team since he started his stint in 2001.

The game between the Philippines and Indonesia is at 7 p.m. after the 5 p.m. encounter between Thailand and Malaysia, bronze medal winner in the SEA Games two years ago.

The lone women’s match is scheduled at 10 a.m. pitting Singapore and Thailand.

“Maganda yung naging preparations namin, yung mga experience na na-gain madadala namin dito sa SEA Games,” said Mumar Alamara, who plays center-back for the national team.

The national team came close to winning the gold three times, first in 2005 when the country last staged the regional meet, in 2007 in Thailand and in 2009 when the games were held in Laos.

However, Singapore won in all three SEA Games editions, and two years ago, it successfully defended its title for the 27th time. Singapore opens its campaign on Wednesday against Malaysia.

In preparation for the SEA Games, the national team competed in various international tournaments, including the Betawi Cup in Jakarta middle of this year where the Filipinos defeated the Indonesia’s in the elimination round, but lost to the host country in the finals.

In the Hong Kong Open last July, the national team again won in the preliminaries against Indonesia. In early October, the Filipinos and the Indonesians had a tune up match during a test event at the NCC.

Aside from these tournaments, the national team also participated in the FINA Challengers’ Cup last September in Singapore, and had a two-week training camp this month in Tokyo, Japan.

“Maganda yung naging preparations namin, yung mga experience na na-gain madadala namin dito sa SEA Games,” said Mumar Alamara, who plays center-back for the national team.

The national team came close to winning the gold three times, first in 2005 when the country last staged the regional meet, in 2007 in Thailand and in 2009 when the games were held in Laos.

However, Singapore won in all three SEA Games editions, and two years ago, it successfully defended its title for the 27th time. Singapore opens its campaign on Wednesday against Malaysia.

Veteran water polo mentor Reynaldo Galang said the team has been regularly training at the Aquatic Center of the NCC, and that the players are all in high spirit and focused on the task at hand.

“Makikita mo sa mga players that they’re all excited and at the same time they’re focused on our goal. They’re all eager and determined to deliver something good for the country,” said Galang, who has former water polo stalwart Dale Evangelista as part of his coaching staff.

Aside from Gomez and Alamara, other members of the team are RoyCañete, Matthew Yu, Mico Anota, Adan Gonzales, Macgyver Reyes, Mark Valdez, Mark Belo, Aljon Salonga, Paolo Serrano, Abnel Amiladjid and Filipino-American Vince Sicat, who is making his SEA Games debut.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Anthony Giron

IMUS CITY, Cavite — The two Southeast Asian (SEA) Games sports venues in this capital city are ready for use, officials said on Monday, November 25.

Imus, the third district of Cavite, Tagaytay City and Maragondon municipality, both in the province’s upland 8th district, are co-hosts of the 30th SEAG set from November 30 to December 11.

The capital is hosting the underwater hockey events at the Vermoza Sports Hub in Daanghari, Barangay Pasong Buaya, and one football game at the City Grandstand and Track Oval Field in Pedro Reyes, Barangay Malagasang I-G.

The field will also be used as the practice game area of some participating SEAG football teams.

Information and Tourism Development Officer Jay Saquilayan said that the city administration and the citizens welcome and support the staging of the SEAG, its organizers, the participating local and foreign athletes and visitors in the area.

“We are ready for the SEAG—the services and the venues,” Saquilayan told this reporter in an interview at his office at the City Hall.

He cited that the field had already been used recently by the Timor Leste football team in their own practice game.

Saquilayan reported that the lone SEAG football game—between Indonesia and Laos—was set at the Field on Dec. 5.

It will be the first official international game at the grandstand field since it was inaugurated on October 12, 2018,

The sports field was a project of Third District Representative Alex L. Advincula, the brainchild; and Mayor Emmanuel Leonardo Maliksi and the City Council under Vice Mayor Arnel M. Cantimbuhan.

Saquilayan said that the official underwater hockey games with SEA teams participating are set from Dec. 2 to 5 at the Ayala-Vermoza, a private-owned modern sports center.

The preparations for the SEAG events in the city were made by the Team One Imus— the local administration, police, planning and engineering and other concerned departments.

The local government has funded the preparations for the games in the city.

Saquilayan said that the Cavite and Imus-PNP and the traffic officers have mapped out plans and put up measures that will ensure peace and order, smooth traffic flow and security, particularly at the games’ sites.

Tickets will be provided for residents and visitors who wish to watch the games, Saquilayan said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Erma Edera

Members of local and foreign media are not spared from encountering some issues after the press room for the men’s football matches in Rizal Memorial Stadium remains unfinished.

Hours before the start of Malaysia vs. Myanmar men’s football game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Monday, the media center was opened to local and international media.

The press center which is expected to accommodate local and foreign media was not yet furnished and scaffolding are still set up.

Construction resumes even some mediamen starts to arrive inside the center.

Reports said the press center was supposed to be the squash venue for the SEA games. However, it was not completed in time.

Aside from the unfinished hall, workers are seen removing the scaffolding in the façade of the stadium, minutes before the inaugural football game of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games.

Men’s football game is scheduled between Myanmar and Malaysia at 4 p.m. and will be followed by a match between Philippines and Cambodia at 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 25.

On Monday morning, the Philippine Sports Commission said that renovations inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and PhilSports Arena in Pasig City were completed and were ready for occupancy.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

The Philippines is dispatching its A-Team to the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Competitions in boxing won’t take place until Dec. 4 and the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) only got to complete its roster after a three-day tryout at its training center at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Earlier, ABAP had named lightweight Charly Suarez, middle Eumir Marcial and light-heavy John Marvin as the early qualifiers.

Marcial is the pack leader of the men’s squad since following his runnerup finish in the world championships.
Completing the cast are Carlo Paalam at light-fly, Rogen Ladon at fly, Ian Clark Bautista at bantam, James Palicte at light-welter and Marjon Pianar at welter.

The women’s side is led by world champion Nesthy Petecio at feather, who will be joined by light-fly Josie Gabuco, fly Irish Magno, bantam Aira Villegas and lightweight Riza Pasuit.

Thailand will be the biggest thorn for the host punchers as the two regional powerhouses renew their storied rivalry.

In the 2017 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur, Thailand racked up a gold-silver-bronze tally of 2-3-1 while the Philippines placed second overall with a 2-1-2. Indonesia and Malaysia won one gold each.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By WAYLON GALVEZ

Collegiate standout Joshua Fontanilla has decided to take his act to España, choosing University of Santo Tomas as his next destination for the UAAP Season 83 in 2020.

According to sources, the 5-foot-11 Fontanilla met with UST coach Aldin Ayo and Tigers team manager Jimmy Lim during the team’s party Sunday to finalize a deal, ending speculations as to where wants to play.

“Ang alam ko sa UST talaga niya gusto maglaro. May mga gusto din kumuha sa kanya, tingin ko tinignan muna niya kung anong option ang maganda for him before he decided,” said a source, who requested anonymity since he is not part of the UST coaching staff or management.

Fontanilla’s name was a trending issue on social media last Sunday after speculations spread on his transfer to UST – one of college hoops’ glamor teams.

The same source said UST is expected to make the deal official with an announcement soon. UST ace guard Renzo Subido and two other Tigers played their final season in the season over.

Another source said the presence of Ayo weighed heavily on Fontanilla’s decision to play for UST after spending his first two years at St. Clare Caloocan, which he helped win a NAASCU title recently.

Ayo steered the Tigers to their first finals appearance in four years, only to lose against eventual three-time champion Ateneo Blue Eagles 2-0 in the best-of-three finals series.

Basketball observers think the ‘mayhem’ system of Ayo on defense and ‘controlled chaotic’ offense fits Fontanilla with the way he shows intensity in putting pressure on ball handler and orchestrating a balanced offensive attack.

“Mukhang bagay siya doon sa UST,” said another source, who has knowledge with the negotiations but asked too not to be named.

Fontanilla, who plays both the point and shooting guard spots, has three more playing years in college, although a source said his deal with UST has a clause that allows him to leave the school if Ayo quits his post.

Aside from UST, other teams that expressed interest on Fontanilla were University of the Philippines – another UAAP team – and Letran College, which is fresh from its title campaign in the NCAA.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

PBA top rookie pick CJ Perez and former Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome will lead the national team’s campaign after they were among those chosen to represent the country in the 3×3 basketball event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games here.

Perez, from Columbian Dyip and a member of Gilas Pilipinas in the last FIBA World Cup in China, and Newsome of Meralco were selected from a 12-man training pool of PBA players together with Phoenix Fuel’s Jason Perkins and San Miguel Beer’s Mo Tautuaa.

Former pro Ronnie Magsanoc will call the shots for the national team.

This is the first time the 3×3 basketball event, an Olympic sport, will be played in the biennial meet. Action in 3×3 is set December 1 and 2 at The Arena in San Juan.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said that having professional players (PBA) gives the Philippines not just a solid shot at winning the gold but promotes the sport as well.

“With the aim of winning the country’s first ever SEA Games gold in 3×3 while also making sure that it gets more attention from Philippine basketball fans, the SBP has put together a team that could accomplish both tasks,” said Panlilio.

The national team takes on Indonesia and Myanmar in the morning session and Vietnam in the afternoon on Day 1 of competitions. It faces Malaysia and Cambodia in

the morning of Day 2.

The top four teams will advance in the crossover semifinals, which will be played during the afternoon session of Day 2, followed by the gold medal game in the evening of the same day.

“We applaud the work that all of the players and the staff put in throughout their preparations and we wish them all the best in their upcoming competitions. Our squad is composed of a versatile bunch and we’re confident that their hard work will pay off… Para sa Bayan,” he added.

Aside from the Philippines, also competing in 3×3 are the national teams fromIndonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. The participants play in a single round robin.

The national team takes on Indonesia and Myanmar in the morning session and Vietnam in the afternoon on Day 1 of competitions, and then collides with Malaysia and Cambodia in the morning of Day 2.

The top four teams will advance in the crossover semifinals, which will be played during the afternoon session of Day 2, and then followed by the gold medal game in the evening of the same day.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Amid the bevy of hosting fiascos that marred the pre-inaugural playdates of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Sports Commission is looking to deliver some venue relief in the next few days.

Executive Director Guillermo Iroy told the Bulletin that three major venues that will host marquee sports during the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 sportsfest are aching to be tested.

The historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS) and Philsports Arena in Pasig are already for occupancy.

The Coliseum, built in 1934, will be the home of gymnastics and hopes to showcase world champion Carlos Yulo, while the NAS, put up in the late 1980s, is staging weightlifting and taekwondo. The Philsports Arena will hold volleyball matches.

Work in the said venues kicked off six months ago and the PSC, which financed the repairs and rehabilitation with assistance from the Philippine Games and Amusements Board, is confident the public will revel at the three venues’ massive makeover.

Even the football field, whose condition was put in question 24 hours before the opening matches, has been spruced up and made ready to conform with strict standards.

Iroy said the premier collegiate leagues—the UAAP and NCAA—have reached out to him, inquiring about its rental during next year’s collegiate basketball season.

Even the Asean Basketball League is excited about the prospects of making one of these venues as its home, bared Iroy.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Kyrie Irving will miss at least two more games, sitting out trips to his old homes in Cleveland and Boston.

The way Spencer Dinwiddie is playing, it might not matter to the Brooklyn Nets.

“Just, difference-maker right now,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said.

Dinwiddie scored 30 points in another strong start in place of the injured point guard and the Nets beat the New York Knicks 103-101 on Sunday for their season-high third straight victory.

Irving continues to rest an injured right shoulder, and Dinwiddie is making sure they get by without him, scoring 20 or more points in a career-best five straight games after stepping into the starting lineup. He was 13 of 14 from the foul line, where the Nets had a whopping 27-9 advantage in makes.

Jarrett Allen had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, and Taurean Prince added 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Joe Harris scored 13 points, with four coming after the Knicks had cut it to one with 1:20 remaining.

Marcus Morris scored 26 points for the Knicks, who lost their third straight. They played without rookie RJ Barrett. He was scratched after feeling sick before the game.

The Nets are missing their starting backcourt, with Caris LeVert out after right thumb surgery. But they have won four of five to even their record at 8-8.

“We don’t have some of our better players on the court but we’re still finding a way to win,” Allen said.

The biggest reason has been the play of Dinwiddie, who could go back to the bench as soon as Friday if Irving is cleared to return. Or, perhaps Atkinson could choose to start them together until LeVert is recovered.

“I’m not the coach, I don’t make those decisions,” Dinwiddie said. “If that’s the new role then that’s what I’ll do, and if it’s not then it’s not.”

The Nets opened a 29-15 lead, but struggled when Dinwiddie and Allen went to the bench and let the Knicks close the gap to 52-46 by halftime.

New York cut it to one after back-to-back 3s by Morris and another by Wayne Ellington, but Harris scored on a drive and later added a pair of free throws.

The Knicks had a much stronger effort than a night earlier, when they never led in a home loss to San Antonio. But they fell to 4-13 ahead of a tough five-game stretch against Toronto, Philadelphia, Boston, Milwaukee and Denver.

“I embrace the challenge,” coach David Fizdale said. “I don’t feel like we need to be looking at that like that’s impossible. We’re going to take it a game at a time and continue to try to give ourselves a chance to win every night.”

TIP-INS

Nets: Atkinson said Irving wouldn’t travel with the team to Cleveland on Monday, but wasn’t sure yet about Wednesday to Boston. … It was the most points Dinwiddie has scored in 12 games against the Knicks.

Knicks: Mitchell Robinson was called for a sixth foul with 4:54 remaining, but Fizdale challenged the call and it was overturned, allowing Robinson to stay on the floor. Not for long: He then picked up the sixth 42 seconds later and was given a technical foul after saying something to a referee on his way off the floor. … Morris has scored 20 or more in four straight and six of his last seven games.

KNOX’S CHANCE

Kevin Knox II had five points starting in place of Barrett. He not only hadn’t started this season, but his minutes off the bench had been dwindling. He had been limited to 10 or fewer in the last two games, with Fizdale seeking a more consistent defensive effort from the 2018 lottery pick. So he was hoping to make the most of his opportunity Sunday, but picked up his fourth foul less than four minutes into the second half.

“Like I say you’ve got to be ready when your name gets called,” Knox said. “My dad used to always tell me growing up: You’re an ankle sprain away from that time.”

MORE NOISE

The sound around the Nets has changed — on and off the court — since the recent signing of Iman Shumpert, who began his career with the Knicks, won a title with Cleveland and has done some rap music.

“I just see Theo (Pinson), DeAndre (Jordan), the communication is better because he talks a ton and his aggressiveness, he’s pushing the other guys,” Atkinson said. “And then our music has definitely improved in the locker room. We’ve taken a step up in our music selection. Obviously, he’s pretty sophisticated there.”

UP NEXT

Nets: At Cleveland on Monday night.

Knicks: At Toronto on Wednesday night.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton hoped to avoid a “track meet” against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night.

Defense made it happen in the second half.

Harrison Barnes matched his season high with 26 points on 7-of-8 shooting, Bojan Bogdanovic had 21 points to help the Kings to a 113-106 victory.

Sacramento held Washington — the NBA’s second-ranked offense — to 49 points after the break and 21 in the fourth quarter.

“The challenge to the group at halftime was let’s see if we can’t continue to score but actually get some stops,” said Walton, whose team entered halftime tied at 57. “Let’s try to put our will on this game. I think our guys did a really nice job in the second half of playing defense.”

Buddy Hield added 18 points, including a late 3-pointer that put Sacramento’s lead at multiple possessions for good, and Richaun Holmes had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Kings — who are without injured regulars Marvin Bagley III (thumb) and D’Aaron Fox (ankle) — won for the seventh time in 10 games to improve to 7-8 while forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Wizards to 46% shooting.

“We just wanted to come out and guard and be there for each other,” Holmes said, “and I think we did a pretty good job tonight.”

Bradley Beal led Washington with 20 points, ending his string of 30 or more at a career-best five games. Isaiah Thomas added 17, and Moritz Wagner had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

“The ball just didn’t go in,” Beal said about Washington’s offense, which is averaging a fraction above 119 points and 48% from the floor. “It was just one of those nights for us. On nights like tonight, we’ve got to defend, and that’s kind of been our Achilles’ heel.”

Tied at the half, the Kings built their lead to nine on a 17-8 third-quarter run. Bogdanovic scored eight points in the stretch, including an early 3-pointer, a driving reverse layup and then a free throw that stretched it to 88-79 with 1:41 left in the quarter.

The Kings kept the lead at multiple baskets until Thomas’ baseline 3-pointer cut it to 100-97 with 4:11 left.

Hield immediately answered with a 3-pointer. The Wizards thought they had cut it to two points inside of 2 minutes, only to learn that Thomas’ Bryant’s apparent putback shortly after Hield’s 3 had been overruled for a shot clock violation following video review.

“We are getting better at our rotations and we are getting better on the ball,” said Cory Joseph, who guarded Beal most of the evening. “We are getting better as a whole defensively, and I think that we just have to continue to climb because we have the personnel to do that.”

TIP INS:

Kings: Went 2 of 13 from 3-point range in the first half and finished 11 of 31 … G Cory Joseph (heel) started despite being limited to 23 minutes in Friday’s loss at Brooklyn … Bogdanovic (hamstring tightness) was a game-time decision after missing Friday.

Wizards: Beal’s 30-point streak was the fourth-longest in franchise history. With another game, he would’ve tied Bernard King, who scored 30-plus in six straight from Nov. 3 to Nov. 16 of 1990. … Wagner’s double-double was the second of his career. The second-year pro’s first came on Nov. 15 in a 137-116 win at Minnesota.

WHO WON THE PAINT?

While the Wizards outscored the Kings 52-46 inside the paint, Sacramento shot considerably better there (23 of 34) and also earned 28 free throws, 16 more than Washington.

QUOTABLE

“We’re not the most talented team, so we have to do everything the other teams don’t do at a high level. We’ve got to defend. We’ve got to get the 50-50 balls. We’ve got to make shots. We have no room for error, really, if we want to be good and we want to win games.” — Thomas, who is 14 games into his first season with the Wizards.

UP NEXT

Kings: At Boston on Monday night.

Wizards: At Denver on Tuesday night.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Will Barton wasn’t happy with his energy in the first half, so he pledged to pick it up in the third quarter.

He delivered on his promise and led the Denver Nuggets to their fifth straight victory.

Barton scored 12 of his 22 points in a momentum-turning third quarter, Paul Millsap finished with 23 points in Denver’s 116-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.

Jamal Murray had 22 points, and Nikola Jokic had just eight points, but grabbed 13 rebounds to help the Nuggets win their ninth in the last 10 games.

It took a shutdown second half against a tired team, led by Barton’s energy.

“I felt like in the first half my energy wasn’t there and I wasn’t flying around on defense good enough so I told them I’m going to bring it the third quarter,” Barton said.

Denver held Phoenix guard Devin Booker to a season-low 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Booker came in averaging 26.2 points in November but showed fatigue in the Suns’ fifth game in seven days.

“I’m glad we got it out of the way,” Booker said. “Two back-to-backs in one week, I haven’t heard of that before, but it’s what the schedule presented to us.”

Cheick Diallo led Phoenix with a career-high 22 points and Dario Saric had a career-high 17 rebounds to go with 18 points.

Booker had just seven points into the fourth quarter, but the Suns led most of the game until the Nuggets rallied. Phoenix was again without center Aron Baynes and guard Ricky Rubio, and the lack of depth showed in the third when the team combined for 7-of-22 shooting. Booker missed all four of his attempts.

“Just missing shots,” Booker said. “I’m sure I’ll be fine and I know getting Ricky and Aron back will help out to that.”

Denver used a 10-2 run late in the third quarter to take its first lead since the first quarter. Barton had 12 points in the period and Millsap seven before picking up his fourth foul.

“He was getting offensive rebounds, putbacks, he was locking up,” center Mason Plumleaid of Barton. “He changed the game and he told us he was going to.”

The Nuggets led 88-87 early in the fourth, then used a 13-4 run to take a 101-91 lead. Malik Beasley, who had been out of the rotation, hit a 3-pointer with 5:11 remaining to make it 104-93.

Booker hit his only 3-pointer of the night to pull Phoenix within eight, but Denver went on a 9-2 run to put it out of reach.

TIP-INS

Suns: Rubio has missed three of the last four games with back spasms and played only 16 minutes in the other game. … Baynes has missed four straight games with a right hip flexor strain. … Elie Okobo scored a season-high 14 points. He had 11 in the first half.

Nuggets: Plumlee shook off a headache earlier in the day to score 14 points and Monte Morris added 10 off the bench. … C Bol Bol was recalled from Windy City of the G League. Bol, the team’s first-round pick out of Oregon in June, played four games for the Bulls, averaging 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 16.9 minutes per game.

SHORT-TIMER

Suns coach Monty Williams played 456 games over 10 NBA seasons, including a short stint with Denver. The Nuggets signed Williams to a free-agent contract on Jan. 23, 1999, and he got into one game for six minutes before being cut 20 days after signing with Denver.

“I wasn’t here long enough to have a memory,” Williams said Sunday. “It wasn’t anything worth talking about. I messed my ankle up real bad and tore a couple of ligaments and played on it. Should have been in today’s environment; they would have let me sit out the whole year.”

Williams is in the stats book with the Nuggets. He hit one free throw and missed both of his shot attempts.

UP NEXT

Suns: Host Washington on Wednesday night.

Nuggets: Host Washington on Tuesday night.

Source: Manila Bulletin