By Jonas Terrado

The national women’s football team was not spared of the trouble encountered by other countries before the formal start of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Hali Long said she and the rest of the team had to wait several hours for their hotel rooms to be available.

Long added that accommodations were adjusted from two person per room to about 4-5.

“Arrived to our SEAG hotel at 11:30 am. Rooms weren’t ready yet, so we ate lunch while they fixed our rooms. Instead of two per room, we’ve adjusted to 4-5 per room,” Long said in her Facebook post.

“It’s now 2:15 pm and the rooms aren’t ready. They moved us to a function room, so we wouldn’t crowd the lobby for other arriving teams. Sad that we’re the host team and this is how we’re being treated. I can’t imagine how other countries must feel,” Long added.

Long’s post came a day after the men’s football teams of Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste complained of issues concerning transportation and accommodation.

PHISGOC later apologized for the problems, though insisting that it was able to address the said concerns.

Women’s football competitions begin Tuesday at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna with the Philippines seeking a breakthrough podium finish.

The Philippines is in Group A along with Myanmar and Malaysia while Group B is composed of Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Even without Rudy Gobert, the usually defensive-minded Utah Jazz blitzed the New Orleans Pelicans with some high-octane offense.

Mitchell made six 3-pointers and scored a season-high 37 points as Utah outlasted the Pelicans 128-120 on Saturday night.

Mitchell sparked the Jazz to a quick start after they held off the depleted Golden State Warriors the night before.

“We needed to come out with a hot start, as you get a little fatigued in the second half of a back-to-back,” said Mitchell, who had 14 points in the first five minutes as Utah (11-5) jumped out to a 28-9 lead.

Bojan Bogdanovic added 28 points to help the Jazz overcome the absence of Gobert, who was a late scratch with a sprained ankle.

“This was our best game offensively. Every player was playing with high confidence. We started the game so well,” Bogdanovic said.

Mitchell knew the Jazz needed to score as much as they could while they had their legs.

“They shot the ball well. We weren’t into them at all, they didn’t feel us defensively,” New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry lamented.

Though the Jazz led the entire way, they had to quell a late comeback from the Pelicans, who had won three in a row and scored 66 points in the second half.

Brandon Ingram had 33 points and Jrue Holiday scored 12 of his 28 in the fourth quarter. JJ Redick added 20 points for New Orleans (6-10).

“The second half, we picked up the energy, got into the ball and made it hard for them to either get to the basket or pass off for 3s. We did what we were supposed to do, what we wanted to do from the beginning of the game,” Holiday said.

Mike Conley, who has been decidedly inconsistent during his first season in Utah, threw an alley-oop to Jeff Green and then hit a 3-pointer to boost Utah to a 122-110 lead with 2:15 left.

Conley was 1 for 8 to that point but looked off Mitchell and calmly hit the shot.

“They were big plays and I needed to get my legs under me after chasing JJ Redick around. But the fourth quarter is winning time and both those plays were big for us and came comfortable for me,” Conley said.

The Pelicans made one more run as Ingram hit a 3 with 37.9 seconds remaining to make it 124-120. But then Bogdanovic and Green each made two free throws to clinch it.

Green had 15 points and Tony Bradley added 14 points and nine rebounds as they shared the center position in Gobert’s absence.

Lonzo Ball hit a 3 to cap a 15-5 run and bring the Pelicans to 86-78 with 4:36 left in the third quarter. The Jazz then built back a double-digit lead a couple of times until Ingram made a 3-pointer with 4:16 remaining to cut Utah’s advantage to 113-106.

Ball was on a minutes restriction in his second game back from a groin injury but had 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting in 25 minutes.

Gobert played most of Friday’s win over Golden State after he turned his ankle in the first quarter. He had seven blocks in that game but sat out against the Pelicans after pregame warmups determined he was too sore.

Bolstered by two quick 3s by Bogdanovic and Mitchell, the Jazz scored the first 14 points of the game.

“It wasn’t anything premediatated, it was just me starting to feel it and then to just keep going,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell had 23 points and Bogdanovic poured in 20 in the first half as the Jazz led 74-54 at the break. Utah posted season bests for points in a half and a game.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Riding a six-game losing streak, coming off a 42-point loss and playing without their leading scorer seemed to be a negative set of circumstances for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Those obstacles didn’t matter Saturday night.

Jordan Clarkson made all six of his 3-point attempts and scored 28 points to help Cleveland beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-104.

Clarkson’s season high, which included 14 points in the fourth quarter, came a night after he was held scoreless in a 143-101 loss at Dallas. The Cavaliers completed a stretch of five games in seven days Saturday after the team arrived in Cleveland around 3 a.m.

Larry Nance Jr. started in place of forward Kevin Love, who missed his second game this week because of a sore back.

“Obviously, last night wasn’t necessarily a morale booster,” said Nance, who had 11 points and 12 rebounds. “To come back in and win this game, I’m really excited to see.”

Cleveland coach John Beilein has remained upbeat despite his team’s difficult stretch that dropped the Cavaliers’ record to 5-11.

“I didn’t see any fatigue,” he said. “I didn’t see anything but effort to try and win the game. There are a lot of teams that have had tough schedules, that have had injuries and are rebuilding. We just have to stick together so we can be better than this.”

Tristan Thompson scored 25 points and Cleveland held off a Trail Blazers’ run in the fourth quarter.

Damian Lillard returned after missing two games because of back spasms and scored 23 points, but Portland dropped to 5-12 and is 2-10 this month. The Trail Blazers have lost four straight and five of seven.

Portland advanced to the Western Conference finals last season, but the Trail Blazers are struggling without center Jusuf Nurkic, who broke his leg in March and is still sidelined.

“I’m not a big worrier, but there is reason for concern on certain things,” Lillard said. “Because of the expectations for us, absolutely, it’s disappointing.”

Carmelo Anthony, playing his third game with Portland, scored 11 points in 35 minutes. Anthony was 5 of 15 from the field and missed all eight of his 3-point attempts.

“Physically I feel great,” he said. “Mentally I feel great. We’ve all been in situations like this before where we’re trying to figure it out. There is still light at the end of the tunnel.”

Cleveland led 100-88 midway through the fourth quarter, but Lillard scored the Blazers’ next nine points, cutting the lead to 102-97. Baskets by Thompson and Nance halted Portland’s rally.

Lillard had 16 points in the fourth. CJ McCollum finished with 20 points.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to provide the offense, and the Bucks’ defense eventually caught up.

Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 10 rebounds for his 16th consecutive double-double to lead Milwaukee past the Detroit Pistons 104-90 on Saturday night for its seventh straight victory.

“There were different guys stepping up, making plays,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “I think the defense held them tonight. They’re a little banged up on a back-to-back. Unfortunate for them, but kind to us.”

Wesley Mathews added 13 points and Eric Bledsoe had 11 for the Bucks, who improved their record to an Eastern Conference-best 13-3.

Derrick Rose scored 20 points, Langston Galloway added 13 and Andre Drummond had 12 points and 17 rebounds for Detroit, which was without Blake Griffin.

The star forward, who has played in just four games this season, was inactive for injury recovery after playing 32 minutes in a 128-103 victory over Atlanta on Friday in the first game of the back-to-back.

“It doesn’t change my approach. Coming into the game, my mindset is to win,” Antetokounmpo said. “Obviously, when you don’t have a guy like Blake that’s a really great player, and (has) a lot of experience playing, now you’ve got to figure out who you’re guarding and whose going to go against you.”

Antetokounmpo is the first player to open the season with 16 double-doubles in a row since Moses Malone did it for the Houston Rockets in 1981.

Antetokounmpo and George Hill hit consecutive 3-pointers to fuel a 12-0 run to open the fourth quarter and put Milwaukee in front 89-69. Detroit missed its first eight shots of the period before Langston Galloway finally hit a 3 with 5:47 remaining.

“We had some ill-advised shots and didn’t execute the way we should have,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “In those moments you’ve got to have a clear understanding of what you are trying to do. We didn’t do that.”

The Bucks used a 15-2 run midway through the third quarter to build a 71-54 lead. Detroit whittled it to 77-69 entering the final period.

Casey said he thought fatigue played a factor, especially down the stretch. The Pistons shot 60% in the victory over Atlanta, but dipped to 41% against the Bucks.

“Shooting is the first part you saw,” Casey said. “The same shots we were getting last night were all short. That is a back-to-back, but that is the whole NBA.”

Hill’s 3-pointer at the buzzer put the Bucks up 54-47 at halftime. Milwaukee shot 51% in the first half, making 21 of 41 shots, but Detroit stayed close thanks to nine second-chance points.

“A lot of this is such a two-way sport; offense takes care of the defense, defense takes care of the offense,” said Bucks guard Wesley Matthews. “We start taking care of the ball a little bit better, we had a lot of turnovers on our end, three I think, at least three myself, and it kind of puts the defense in a tough spot. But we responded, we compete and we’re always going to compete.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — With the game on the line, Indiana’s Holiday brothers leaned on the chemistry they’ve been building since childhood.

Justin Holiday could have taken a contested shot to break a 106-all tie between the Pacers and the Orlando Magic, but instead he dished to younger brother Aaron, who despite missing his previous 3-pointers didn’t hesitate to drill the go-ahead shot with 8.7 seconds remaining as Indiana beat Orlando 111-106 on Saturday night.

Aaron said he hand his brother have practiced those scenarios for years.

“For sure, that’s what we dreamed about when we were younger,” Aaron said. “I’m obviously a confident guy. Hitting the 3 at the end, I was going to shoot it no matter what. Even though I missed the last few, one has got to go in for me.”

Justin drove to draw Aaron’s defender away before dishing to his brother.

“The missed shots don’t matter at that point,” Justin said. “It was the right basketball play. I passed it to him and thought, ‘He’s going to make this.’”

Domantas Sabonis led the Pacers with 25 points, including 20 in the first three quarters, but the Magic led by two points entering the fourth.

After Aaron’s clutch shot, Justin sealed the outcome when he recognized the Magic’s formation from the last time these teams played 13 days ago and intercepted the inbounds pass. He was fouled and hit two free throws for the final points.

“I was sitting there, waiting for it,” Justin said.

His brother expected more from that play.

“He did a great job on defense for us at the end of the game,” Aaron said. “He should have went in and dunked the ball, but we’ll talk about that later.”

The Pacers have won six of seven at home and 11 of their past 13 against the Magic, who are winless in six road games.

Evan Fournier scored 26 points and Jonathan Isaac had 25 for the Magic.

“We played well enough to win,” Isaac said. “It just sucks the way the game ended.”

The Magic lamented defensive breakdowns as the Pacers shot a season-best 54.4% (43 of 79), including 55.6% (10 of 18) in the final quarter.

“You have to make the coverages and schemes work,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said. “That’s our whole mentality right there. If we get back to the point where permanent players decide they want to get into the ball and do what they’re supposed to do, then we’ll have a better chance.”

The Pacers had six players score in double figures, including Aaron with 13 points and Justin with 12.

TIP-INS

Magic: The visitors didn’t look like the NBA’s worst 3-point shooting team, making 13 of 31 (41.9%) from beyond the arc. The last time these teams met, a 109-102 Pacers win on Nov. 10, the Magic hit a season-high 15 3-pointers. … Orlando is averaging 13.1 turnovers per game, the second-best average in the league.

Pacers: All-Star guard Victor Oladipo scrimmaged on Thursday, another positive step in his lengthy rehabilitation from surgery to repair a torn ACL that ended last season. No timetable has been announced for his return, but he’s also worked out twice recently with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G League. … Point guard Malcolm Brogdon, sidelined for a third consecutive game with a sore back, joined the pregame shoot-around.

MORE ON THE LINE

The previous time these teams met, the Magic and Pacers made NBA history for fewest free throws combined at 11.

They attempted 25 on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Magic: At Detroit on Monday.

Pacers: Host Memphis on Monday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One night after questioning his relationship with coach Jim Boylen, the Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine came through with a big game.

LaVine had a career-high 49 points, including the winning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left to give the Bulls a 116-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.

He shot 17 for 28 from the field, including 13 for 17 on 3s to tie an NBA record. Only Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson had previously made 13 from beyond the arc in an NBA game.

The night before, LaVine was pulled from the game early in the first quarter after Miami had taken a 13-0 lead. After that 116-108 home loss, LaVine said he sensed a lack of trust from Boylen.

All was forgotten after Saturday’s spectacular individual performance and dramatic comeback.

“Like I’ve been saying, we’ve been playing good in stretches,” LaVine said. “We just executed to perfection down the stretch. Obviously, you know, we got blessed a little bit with some luck. We can take this energy and go on to the next game.

“Hopefully this is that turning point for us. Every team has it. This could be a big step for us in the right direction.”

Rookie Coby White, who starred at the University of North Carolina and playing in front of hundreds of family and friends from his hometown of Goldsboro, N.C., added 28 points for Chicago.

LaVine’s late bucket ended a flurry for the Bulls, who trailed by five with less than 10 seconds left before Tomas Satoronsky hit a 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds remaining. On the last play, LaVine scooped up the loose ball after White forced a turnover by Devonte Graham.

“Once I saw the ball on the ground I was going for it,” said LaVine, who scooped up the basketball, stepped behind the 3-point line and fired in the game-winner.

LaVine, who entered averaging 19.5 points per game, started his 17th straight game and hit his first three shots — all 3s — and two free throws for 11 points in the first 7 1/2 minutes of the game and stayed hot the rest of the night.

“I’ve always said Zach is a really good guy, and a good person and he wants to do well,” Boylen said. “He wants to help the team. … My job is to push the guy to a place he can’t take himself and that happens sometimes with tough conversations, meetings and maybe some uncomfortable moments but that’s what my job is. The credit needs to go to him and his focus, energy and his effort.

“He is always good when we coach him and talk to him. He wants to play better, I want him to play better and I am really happy for him.”

Terry Rozier III had a game-high 28 points for Charlotte. Marvin Williams scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half as the Hornets recovered from a 14-point deficit in the first half and led by 11 early in the fourth quarter.

The Hornets were still ahead by seven at 112-105 with 32.1 seconds left.

“I mean that’s just a tough, tough loss,” said Graham, who had 18 points. “Especially for me, turning the ball over right there in that situation. But Zach made an extreme shot and you just have to tip your hat to him for that.”

Charlotte’s previous six victories had come in games in which they had trailed by 10 or more points. And Saturday’s game was seconds away from a seventh win after overcoming a double-digit deficit.

“There was a lot of good to get back in that game,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said. “I thought our guys played inspired. We won the boards and we won the paint. We did a number of things very well in this game. Gave ourselves a great shot, a great opportunity there, we just have not been able to close these last few games.

“You’ve got to give them credit. LaVine obviously made some incredible shots there down the stretch.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Jimmy Butler’s return to Philadelphia could be summed up in three letters: B-O-O.

Josh Richardson scored 32 points and the 76ers led from start to finish in a 113-86 victory over Butler and the Miami Heat on Saturday night.

Butler struggled to 11 points, missing nine of 13 field goal attempts. He sat out the entire fourth quarter.

The star guard couldn’t buy a basket — and the notoriously tough Philly fans relished every moment. They booed him loudly during introductions and every time he touched the ball in the first half.

They also cheered whenever he missed, and that was quite often.

“To tell you the truth, I legit didn’t even pay attention,” Butler said. “I really don’t pay attention to it.”

Joel Embiid added 23 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers (11-5), who won their fourth straight overall while improving to 7-0 at home.

“They played incredibly well,” Butler said.

Butler played 55 regular-season games for the Sixers last season, averaging 18.2 points after being acquired in a trade with Minnesota last November. He helped Philadelphia beat Miami in the first round of the playoffs before the 76ers were eliminated in the second round by Toronto.

He left Philadelphia in the offseason, inking a four-year, $142 million deal with the Heat in a sign-and-trade that brought Richardson to Philadelphia.

Butler shot 2 of 8 in the first quarter, the Heat failed to connect on 17 of 22 tries and Philadelphia was up 28-13. The pattern continued as the 76ers took a 55-35 halftime lead thanks to Miami’s 12-for-40 shooting in the first half, including 1 of 12 from behind the arc.

Ben Simmons spent much of the night guarding Butler. When asked how he thought he fared, Philadelphia’s All-Star guard said, “I think it went well, if you look at the boxscore.”

Philadelphia’s lead grew to 41 in the second half.

Although Butler was embraced by the fan base during his stint in Philadelphia, everything wasn’t rosy.

He got heated during a film session last season with 76ers coach Brett Brown about the way he was being used in Brown’s offense, and there seems to be some lingering hard feelings.

Brown was terse in his comments about Butler prior to Saturday’s game.

“He had some great games for us,” Brown said. “We came close at the end. Sometimes things don’t work out. He’s in a good place.”

Brown said he hasn’t been in contact with Butler and answered a follow-up question about the Heat star by saying, “I look forward to talking about the Miami Heat.”

Butler wasn’t much more forthcoming about the parting.

“That’s something in the past,” he said. “I’ll leave it there.”

Tyler Herro had 20 points to pace the Heat (11-4), who had won five in a row.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

ATLANTA — Raptors coach Nick Nurse reminded his team at halftime to focus on getting stops and letting the defense spark the offense.

“That’s the name of the game,” guard Fred VanVleet said. “We track how many consecutive stops we got. We came out of the half and had two stops, two 3s and just built from there.”

Pascal Siakam scored 34 points and VanVleet had 25, helping the Toronto Raptors beat Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks 119-116 on Saturday night.

Siakam, at 6-foot-9, 230 pounds, turned in another impressive performance, hurting the Hawks with mid-range jumpers and 3s. He has scored at least 30 in six games, one more than he had last season.

Norman Powell added 20 points for defending champion Toronto in its third straight win.

Young had 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in his second career triple-double, but Atlanta dropped its sixth straight game. The dynamic second-year guard hit two 3-pointers from 30-plus feet.

“It sucks that we lost, but if we play like, it’s going to be tough to beat us,” Young said. “Obviously, we were down a couple of guys, but the way we played tonight, if we play like that, we can turn things around. We’ve got to do that every night.”

Two nights after holding an opponent under 40 percent from the field for the sixth time this season, the defending NBA champion Raptors let Atlanta shoot nearly 53 percent.

Hawks rookie De’Andre Hunter went 6 for 10 from 3-point range and finished with 26 points.

VanVleet’s 3 with 10:02 remaining gave Toronto its first lead since the final minute of the first quarter. The Raptors never trailed again.

“I thought we were thinking maybe it was going to be a little easier than you do on a normal NBA night, which is a mistake,” Nurse said. “I thought we played one-on-one early and didn’t hustle back on D early and didn’t execute our schemes very well. We were kind of chasing that, but saying that, sometimes you’ve got to find a way to win it, and give the guys all the credit in the world for that because it was a tough game.

Siakam’s layup at the 2:49 mark made it a 10-point advantage, but the Hawks pulled within four on Young’s fast-break floater with 37.5 seconds to go. Siakam quickly answered with a dunk before Hunter hit a 3 with 24.8 seconds remaining.

Hunter hit his sixth 3 to cut the lead to two, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made 1 of 2 foul shots. Young missed a 3 at the buzzer.

Young hit a straightaway 3 from 36 feet to put the Hawks up 61-52 in the closing seconds before halftime.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers knew they would be tired playing their second game in as many nights.

Experience made the difference against the young and rested Memphis Grizzlies.

James scored on a driving layup with 1:30 left to put Los Angeles ahead to stay as the Lakers held off the Grizzlies 109-108 on Saturday night for their seventh straight victory.

“We just kept our composure,” James said. “That’s what we do. We are a very resilient team.”

The Grizzlies had a final chance with the ball and 1.3 seconds left. Jaren Jackson Jr. went sprawling trying to corral Kyle Anderson’s inbounds pass.

“I was going to catch it and see if I had time to get a shot off or hit Ja (Morant), who would’ve probably been running full speed right next to me,” Jackson said. “Obviously, we didn’t get to do all that.”

James finished with 30 points. Anthony Davis added 22, Rajon Rondo had 14, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 12 and Dwight Howard had 10.

Morant led Memphis with 26 points. Jae Crowder added 21, Jackson finished with 20, Dillon Brooks had 12 and Anderson scored 10, making rookie coach Taylor Jenkins very proud.

“If we can play like that every night, we have ourselves a chance,” Jenkins said.

The Lakers showed the effects of winning in Oklahoma City on Friday night. James made clear on social media he had trouble getting a nap with their hotel across the street from the FedExForum, where No. 16 Memphis beat Mississippi 87-86 earlier Saturday.

“We’re lucky to get out of here with a win. Credit to the Grizzlies for coming out strong,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel, who used earplugs to help him rest. “There young guys really came after us, in the first quarter in particular. Morant and Jackson are special talents and they put us in a hole.”

LA never led in the first half and trailed by as much as 15 in the second quarter. The Lakers got going in the third and opened the fourth by jumping out to their biggest lead at 94-87.

The Grizzlies led 105-100 on a tip-in by Brandon Clarke with 3:24 to go. The Lakers scored the next nine with James hitting his layup for the go-ahead bucket, and Davis followed by tipping in James’ miss for a 109-105 lead with 53.5 seconds left.

Morant’s layup with 28 seconds left pulled Memphis within a point. James missed a jumper with the Grizzlies grabbing the rebound to set up the final try.

The Grizzlies lost their third straight on a night they wore their Vancouver teal uniforms for the first time to celebrate their 25th NBA season along with a throwback court.

Memphis led 35-25 after the first quarter and 63-55 at halftime.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Hanah Tabios

While the country’s Southeast Asian Games hosting this year is marred by controversy, another problem emerged on Sunday morning after the Thailand Football Association complained about their food rations.

In a rough English translation of FA Thailand’s Facebook post, the group said: “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 added that the Prime Minister of Thailand has already been informed about the issue, hence, the Thai government itself “will provide more Thai food menu to athletes, and team staff coaches.”

The group pointed out 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 bottles are not enough for the needs,” it said.

The football team already relayed the matter to the competition management and received a reply that they will provide more bottles of water.

Source: Manila Bulletin