By the Associated Press

Doc Rivers has seen the Los Angeles Clippers roster undergo many changes over the past 15 months. Montrezl Harrell has remained one of the few constants.

Harrell showed again on Sunday night that he shouldn’t be overlooked despite the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The fifth-year forward tied a career high with 34 points as the Clippers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 134-109 for their fifth straight win.

‘They are starting to see Montrez is good. He can score a lot of different ways and it seems like each year he is adding more to his game,” Rivers said. “He went left a couple times tonight when the scouting report is to not have him go right.”

It is the fifth 30-point game of Harrell’s career and the second time he has scored 34 this season (the other was Nov. 6 against Milwaukee). He was 13 of 18 from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds as he led the Clippers in scoring for the fourth time this season.

Leonard scored 24 points, Lou Williams added 19 and Paul George had 18 for the Clippers, who have won 11 of 12 at home.

“It is great that we can still be able to run and collect wins while we are still adjusting,” Harrell said. “We’re a deep team and anyone can have a big night.”

Brandon Ingram, one of three Lakers players involved in the Anthony Davis trade, led New Orleans with 24 points and eight rebounds in his first game back at Staples Center. Jrue Holiday scored 18 and E’Twaun Moore had 17.

“There have been a couple times where we’ve been down and try to fight back and it has been a little too hard with the deficits. I feel like that has been the standard so far,” Holliday said.

JJ Redick and Holiday hit 3-pointers to give the Pelicans a 10-6 lead three minutes into the game before the Clippers took control with a 15-4 run. George keyed the run with a pair of 3s and Leonard added five.

Los Angeles led 40-27 and then increased it to 62-37 on George’s 3 with 5:55 remaining in the first half.

“The slow starts are killing us. You can’t give up 40 in a quarter unless you are going to score 45, and we weren’t going to score 45 against that team,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said.

The Clippers went into halftime with a 72-56 advantage before New Orleans cut the lead in half with an 11-3 run to start the third quarter. Jaxson Hayes’ layup drew the Pelicans to 86-80 with 4:53 remaining in the quarter but that would be as close as they got as Los Angeles countered with an 11-2 run, which included Harrell scoring the last six points.

“They cut it to six and we got it right back up. I thought our guys got back to playing,” Rivers said.

LONG DISTANCE CLIPS

In the three games that Leonard and George have played together, the Clippers are averaging 15.3 3-pointers per game, which is five more than the first 14 games.

Los Angeles had 16 3-pointers on Sunday with eight players hitting from beyond the arc. George led the way with six 3s.

“Everyone is trapping on us but we are moving the ball and getting great looks. They’re wide open, so we better take them,” Rivers said.

TIP-INS

Pelicans: Lonzo Ball, who was also involved in the Davis trade, had nine points and five assists. He received some boos from the crowd when he entered the game in the first quarter. … Reddick had 12 points. … C Jahlil Okafor returned to the lineup after missing four games due to a left ankle sprain and had 10 points along with six rebounds. …. Josh Hart missed his fourth straight game due to a sprained left ankle.

Clippers: Ivica Zubac had 10 rebounds before fouling out. … Patrick Beverley had 10 points. … This was the second time this season Los Angeles has scored 70 or more points in the first half.

UP NEXT

Pelicans: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in the first meeting against former star Davis.

Clippers: At Dallas on Tuesday night to begin a three-game road trip.

Source: Manila Bulletin

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Sei Young Kim made the putt of her life, a 25-foot birdie on the final hole of the CME Group Tour Championship to win $1.5 million, the richest prize in the history of women’s golf.

Kim closed with a 2-under 70 to beat an unlikely foe Sunday at Tiburon Golf Club.

Charley Hull of England birdied her last three holes for a 66, the last one a 12-footer that gave her a tie for the lead. Kim, who looked shaky in missing three straight birdie chances from 12 feet, tugged her 6-iron to the top of a crown at the bag of the green. The winning putt — the money putt — was hit with perfect pace and broke sharply to the right and into the cup as Kim pumped her fists in disbelief.

She finished a wire-to-wire victory for her third LPGA Tour title of the year and 10th of her career.

This was memorable for the finish and the reward.

Instead of a $500,000 first-place check and a $1 million bonus to a season points race, CME Globe wanted to award $1.5 million in official money to any of the 60 players who qualified for the season finale. That’s $500,000 more than the previous record prize, $1 million at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Source: Manila Bulletin

HOUSTON (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 41 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. added a season-high 31 and the Dallas Mavericks never trailed in a 137-123 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday.

The Mavericks scored 45 points in the first quarter and were up 78-60 at halftime. Hardaway had 19 in the half, Doncic 17 and Kristaps Porzingis 15.

The Mavericks has won five straight, scoring at least 137 in the last three. Houston has lost three straight after winning eight in a row.

James Harden had 32 points for Houston but was just 2 of 15 on 3-pointers in a game where the Rockets made 10 of 44 3-point attempts.

CLIPPERS 134, PELICANS 109

In Los Angeles, Montrezl Harrell tied a career-high with 34 points and had 12 rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 26 points and Los Angeles beat New Orleans for its fifth straight victory.

Lou Williams added 19 points and Paul George had 18. The Clippers had 16 3-pointers with George making six.

Brandon Ingram, one of three Lakers players involved in the Anthony Davis trade, led New Orleans with 24 points and eight rebounds in his first game back at Staples Center. Jrue Holiday scored 18 points, and E’Twaun Moore had 17.

NETS 103, KNICKS 101

In New York,  Spencer Dinwiddie scored 30 points in another strong start in place of the injured Kyrie Irving and Brooklyn beat New York for its 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. Marcus Morris scored 26 points for the Knicks.

NUGGETS 116, SUNS 104

In Denver, Paul Millsap scored 23 points and Jamal Murray and Will Barton had 22 apiece in Denver’s victory over Phoenix.

Nikola Jokic had just eight points, but grabbed 13 rebounds to help Denver win its fifth in a row.

The Nuggets 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.

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

KINGS 113, WIZARDS 106

In Washington, Harrison Barnes matched his season high with 26 points on 7-of-8 shooting, Bojan Bogdanovic had 21 points and Sacramento beat Washington.

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 won for the seventh time in 10 games to improve to 7-8.

Bradley Beal led Washington with 20 points, ending his string of 30 or more at a career-best five games.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Rizal Obanil

After a disappointing showing at the 2019 UAAP Cheer Dance Competition (CDC), the University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad has seemingly redeemed itself by winning two medals in an international competition.

The UP Pep Squad won silver in the All Female Team Cheer category, and bronze in the Mixed Group Stunts category at the Cheerleading World Championships 2019 in Takasaki, Japan, according to an article from ABS-CBN news.

Although the UP Pep Squad did not qualify for a podium finish, the team also placed fourth in the all female small group stunts, mixed team cheer and cheer dance categories.

It can be recalled that the UP Pep Squad did not get the result they wanted at the 2019 UAAP-CDC as they did not place among the top three cheer teams.

The National University Pep Squad once again ruled the CDC to pull-off a back-to-back championship at the highly-anticipated event.

They were followed by the Far Eastern University (FEU) Pep Squad, and the University of the East Pep Squad which finished third.

The UP Pep Squad, according to a tally sheet from the UAAP, the UP Pep Squad only placed fifth, just behind the University of Santo Tomas Salingawi Dance Troupe.

Source: Manila Bulletin

MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal gave all he had on the Caja Mágica center court in Madrid.

The top-ranked Spanish star even admitted he risked getting injured by playing eight matches — five singles, three doubles — in six days at the Davis Cup Finals, the new World Cup of men’s team tennis.

Nadal won all his matches, leading Spain to its sixth Davis Cup title after a 2-0 win over first-time finalist Canada on Sunday.

But in Nadal’s eyes, the only hero for Spain was grieving teammate Roberto Bautista Agut. He sent Spain on its way to victory by winning the first singles match on Sunday, three days after the death of his father.

“I’ve won the eight matches but the person who was vital in this Davis Cup was Roberto,” Nadal said. “For me, what he did was something almost inhumane. I don’t know how to explain it. It will be an example for the rest of my life. He had to leave, then his dad died, then he came back and practiced with us yesterday, and today he was ready again to play at a very high level. It was something incredible.”

Before Nadal defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (7) to clinch the title — Spain’s first since also winning at home in 2011 — Bautista Agut had given Spain a 1-0 lead by beating Félix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Bautista Agut pointed his finger to the sky after winning the final point in his match, and was in tears while speaking briefly to the crowd, which chanted his name.

“It was an amazing feeling on the court today,” said Bautista Agut, who was the Spanish player lifting the cup in the title celebrations.

Bautista Agut’s father died on Thursday — a day after his son had defeated Nikola Mektic of Croatia — with his health deteriorating quickly after an illness that stemmed from a 2016 accident.

It was Nadal who had tears in his eyes when Bautista Agut thanked him for his efforts during the tournament.

“You gave us goosebumps all week, especially today,” Bautista Agut said. “Thank you. I’m sure that next year you will do it again.”

The 31-year-old Bautista Agut, No. 9 in the world, played as teammates Pablo Carreño Busta and Marcel Granollers nursed injuries entering the final.

“I had the opportunity to play today because all the team and all the players did an unbelievable effort since the first day,” Bautista Agut said.

Nadal considered himself lucky to be able to play all matches.

“It’s true that I held up, but we know that playing so many matches in this (hard court) surface is risky for me, something can happen at any time,” Nadal said. “That’s how it’s been in the past, but luckily I held up.”

Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Feliciano López had been scheduled to face Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil in the now canceled doubles, although Nadal was likely to play if the title had been at stake. Nadal played in the decisive doubles on Friday and Saturday.

Voted the tournament’s best player, Nadal sealed the title with his 29th straight Davis Cup singles win, igniting the home crowd’s celebrations.

Tournament organizer and Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué, his wife Shakira — who performed in the closing ceremony — and Spanish King Felipe VI were among those celebrating Spain’s triumph.

Spain’s other Davis Cup titles were in 2000, ’04, ’08, ’09 and ’11.

Canada was seeking its first Davis Cup title since debuting in the competition in 1913.

“I feel like we’ve really come really far as a team, as a nation,” the 20-year-old Shapovalov said. “Definitely we’re super proud. Obviously it sucks, sucks losing in the finals. But I’m super proud of everyone. We’ve put in 120% every single day. It’s amazing how far we’ve been able to come.”

The Canadians eliminated Italy and the United States in the group stage, and Australia and Russia in the knockout rounds.

The 19-year-old Auger-Aliassime lost to Bautista Agut while making his debut in this year’s tournament. He was coming off an ankle injury that had seen him sidelined through the group stage and the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Canada came to Madrid without Milos Raonic because of a back injury. Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil were the only players who had competed until Sunday.

Spain beat Russia and Croatia in the group stage, and Argentina and Britain in the knockout rounds.

The new Davis Cup Finals is the result of a 25-year partnership between the International Tennis Federation and the Kosmos group co-founded by Piqué. For the first time, 18 nations played in the same venue in a single week, instead of head-to-head matches that used to take place over four weekends throughout the year.

The tournament returns to Madrid next year.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Marjaleen Ramos

The management of Century Park Hotel released a statement on Monday after football teams from Cambodia and Thailand encountered hotel arrangement problems upon their arrival in the country over the weekend.

In a Facebook post, the management said that the Cambodian football team was not accommodated immediately due to full occupancy.

It added that the signed agreement with the organizers included accommodations with standard check-in time of 2 p.m.

“We were told that team members from Cambodia were coming in early on November 23, 2019 the night before. As much as we wanted to accommodate the request, it was not possible due to full occupancy. Standard check out is until 12 noon,” Century Park Hotel said.

“However, as early as 8:25 a.m., some members were given an early check-in due to availability of rooms,” it added.

The hotel added that they offered the athletes its function rooms to serve as temporary holding area after breakfast.

“We asked them if they needed more chairs but they declined, preferring the floors so they could lie down to rest. Lunch was also served to them accordingly.”

The hotel also clarified that the cycle menu, as well as the number of water bottles given to each person, was part of the agreement with the SEA Games organizers.

The Thailand Football Association also complained Sunday morning about their water rations. The group said that only four bottles of drinking water were provided in a room of two athletes—two from the hotel management and two from the organizer.

“The 30th SEA Games in the Philippines has found the latest daily issue. The food problem in each meal is usually the same menu, over and over, and drinking water is limited,” it said in a Facebook post.

Century Park Hotel, however, said it will coordinate with the organizers for the said concern.

“Rest assured that we continue to uphold our mission to provide a home away from home to all our guests. We will strive to make the SEA Games delegation’s stay a memorable one in the coming days,” the hotel said.

On Sunday night, the Office of the President extended its apology for the inconvenience endured by the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games athletes, saying it was “unintentional.”

“The Office of the President will not offer any excuses. As host country, we apologize for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by our athlete-guests,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Monday

(Rizal Memorial Football Stadium)

4 p.m. – Malaysia vs. Myanmar (Men’s Group A)
8 p.m. – Philippines vs. Cambodia (Men’s Group A)

(Biñan Stadium, Laguna)

2 p.m. – Vietnam vs Brunei

The men’s football competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games gets underway amid of cloud of controversy surrounding problems encountered by visiting teams upon their arrival over the weekend.

Reinforced by veterans Stephan Schrock and Amani Aguinaldo, the national U-22 team takes on Cambodia at 8 p.m. while Malaysia faces Myanmar in the 4 p.m. opener at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Vietnam battles Brunei in the other match also slated 4 p.m. at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.

Most of the discussion during Sunday’s pre-tournament press conference at the Century Park Hotel centered on the issues dealt by defending champion Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.

PHISGOC did came out with a statement prior to the presser acknowledging the inconvenience, though insisting that it made efforts to smooth things out.

“We sincerely apologize to our athlete guests from Timor-Leste, Myanmar and Cambodia for the inconvenience caused to them by the confusion regarding their transportation and hotel arrangements,” PHISGOC said in a statement.

“While PHISGOC strives to ensure proper coordination of the arrival details, airport welcome and transportation provisions of all international teams to their respective assigned hotels, we acknowledge our shortcomings in this particular incident and vow to do better,” the statement added.

Myanmar was forced to wait for hours before mini-buses were able to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Timor-Leste had the same issues while being brought to the wrong hotel.

Cambodia had perhaps the worst ordeal as the players had to stay at a conference room while waiting for their hotel accommodations.

“I hope in the future, it does not happen again,” said Timor-Leste coach Fabiano Flora.

READ MORE: SEAG football teams encounter problems upon arrival

While also disappointed with the ordeal, Cambodia coach Felix Dalmas said the only things he and his players and can do to make adjust.

“It wasn’t ideal to wait for maybe eight or nine hours to get a hotel room, but things happen,” said Dalmas. “We adjust and evolve and that is what our bodies are working so we’re good.”

Myanmar mentor Felix Dalmas, on the other hand, would rather focus on the upcoming competition.

“I think it’s not good image for the tournament if we start to talk in the press conference about this,” said Myanmar coach Velizar Popov, adding that he doesn’t want to make any excuses.

READ MORE: SEA Games: Phisgoc apologizes for arrival chaos

Meanwhile, two more events will start in different venues.

Floorball action is set at the College of Human Kinetics Gym of the University of the Philippines while netball takes place at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

Second day action of polo is set at the Inigo Zobel Facility in Calatagan, Batangas.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Monday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. — NorthPort vs NLEX

7 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs Magnolia

Revenge will be on the minds of NLEX and TNT KaTropa as they aim to secure semifinal spots against their quarterfinal opponents in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Top seed NLEX takes on No. 8 NorthPort in the opener at 4:30 p.m. before third-ranked TNT tries to end the reign of sixth placer Magnolia in the second game at 7 p.m.

NLEX and TNT are keen on making things easy and avenge the defeats absorbed by their respective foes in the eliminations.

The Road Warriors saw their five-game winning streak come to an end last Nov. 13 when the Batang Pier produced a 102-94 decision at the Big Dome while the KaTropa fell 100-93 to the Hotshots three days later in Davao City.

Despite claiming the top seed, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao admitted that a two-game slide to end the eliminations is a cause for concern. But he also believes the loss to the Batang Pier is also a good problem.

“We know we have a twice-to-beat advantage, we know that a false sense of confidence that we probably had the last time is going to be erased because they beat us,” he said.

“We know we have a hard game because they already know they can beat us so we will need all the intensity and preparation to beat NorthPort.”

NorthPort overcame losing rookie Robert Bolick to a season-ending ACL injury and a mid-elims slump to make the playoffs.

Meanwhile, TNT is hoping to reverse the tide against Magnolia and secure its place in the semis for the second straight conference.

Entering the contest in good spirits is KJ McDaniels, who emerged as runaway leader in the race for the Best Import award.

The return of Jayson Castro from an ankle injury is also a welcome development for the KaTropa.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Barangay Ginebra once again ended San Miguel Beer’s Grand Slam dreams after carving out a 100-97 win in a pulsating quarterfinal duel Sunday to reach the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Justin Brownlee and Stanley Pringle made crucial plays in the final minutes even as Ginebra benefited from San Miguel’s miscues down the stretch to escape with a victory that put them in a semis showdown with either NLEX or NorthPort.

Brownlee sizzled for 41 points while Pringle tallied 24 for Ginebra, which battled SMB to a seesaw affair before getting the necessary breaks in the end.

Brownlee’s three put Ginebra ahead for good at 96-95 before Pringle stole the ball from Chris Ross to score an uncontested layup to make it a three-point game entering the final two minutes.

Import John Holland almost got an opportunity to tie the score with 57.3 seconds left when he got fouled by Joe Devance on the break. Japeth Aguilar blocked the attempt after the ball hit the board, prompting coach Leo Austria to demand for a goaltending call.

But referees determined that there was no indication of a goaltending, much to the Beermen’s dismay. Holland settled for two foul shots to cut the deficit to a single point, 98-97.

Holland did had a chance to put SMB in front when he went for a fastbreak against all five defenders. But the Beermen import lost the ball as he was about to attempt a layup.

Pringle drained two charities for another three-point lead before Brownlee blocked Terrence Romeo’s three-point attempt and Ross missed a long-range three as the clock was winding down.

“What a relief that is,” said two-time Grand Slam winning coach Tim Cone, who requested the media for a minute breather upon entering the press room.

By finishing San Miguel off, Cone can set aside his Ginebra duties for at least two weeks and concentrate on Gilas’ campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“I feel like an air traffic controller at this point. Got a couple of planes circling up, going around and if I try to land them both at the same time, they’re gonna crash so I gotta really focus on landing one and going out to try to land another, “ said Cone.

Ginebra and Cone spoiled SMB’s Grand Slam quest for the second time in three years.

The Beermen were in a position to complete the trifecta in 2017, only to lose to the Kings in the Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.

June Mar Fajardo finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds in the final game of SMB’s campaign marred by a fight that resulted in the indefinite suspensions of Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong and Ronald Tubid and the axing of import Dez Wells.

Holland, who replaced Wells after suffering an ankle injury, had 20 points and eight rebounds.

The scores:

GINEBRA 100 — Brownlee 41, Pringle 24, Tenorio 12, Chan 6, Aguilar 6, Slaughter 5, Thompson 4, Dela Cruz 2, Devance 0.

SAN MIGUEL 97 — Fajardo 24, Holland 20, Tautuaa 12, Cabagnot 11, Lassiter 10, Romeo 8, Ross 7, Pessumal 3, Rosser 0.

Quarters: 23-23; 54-58; 78-83; 100-97.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Graduating players of the National University Lady Bulldogs believe the team’s legacy will continue in UAAP women’s basketball.

Monique Del Carmen, Rhena Itesi, Kaye Pingol and Kelli Hayes believe the team’s brand of basketball, not the players, was what made the squad invincible over the last six years.

“The foundation here is strong. It’s a team sport, everything is bigger than us. That’s why NU basketball is so successful;we do everything for the team. Everyone puts one another first. We’re all on the same page,” said Hayes on playing her lone year with the squad.

The Lady Bulldogs cemented their dynasty in the league on Saturday after capturing their sixth consecutive crown at the expense of the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses 66-54 in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals series.

Highlighting the title victory was their impressive 96-game winning streak dating back July 13, 2014.

Del Carmen, who bagged the Finals Most Valuable Player, said their successful program stems from not relying on one or two players.

“NU is NU. NU is not Jack (Animam), NU is not Kelli. NU is not Rhena… NU is Lady Bulldogs. Kaya wala akong doubt na hindi sila ulit matatalo next year. Kasi ganun yung naging feeling namin nung nawala yung ibang mga players, nakaya din namin. So alam kong kakayanin din nila,” she said.

The Lady Bulldogs, indeed displayed their aggressiveness in Game 2 despite the absence of injured Jack Animam with everybody contributing a little of everything.

Del Carmen and Pingol had 15 points each, Itesi scored 12, and Hayes had nine.

It’s still the same euphoric feeling of winning the title for NU coach Pat Aquino.

“It’s not as different as the previous championships. It’s just different players, but same attitude, same goal. I think that’s what make this team as successful as the previous teams,” he said.

Source: Manila Bulletin