By the Associated Press

NEW YORK — Gregg Popovich’s longest losing streak as Spurs coach is over, though there was no celebration.
Nor was there much despair while San Antonio lost the previous eight games.

“These guys, they’re too hardened and they’re all pros. They’re grown men. They’ve got families and kids and that kind of stuff doesn’t bother them,” Popovich said. “Nobody likes to lose a bunch of games, but it’s not going to debilitate them. They’ll still get their paychecks.”

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points and the Spurs beat the New York Knicks 111-104 on Saturday night.

The Spurs never trailed, led by as many as 28 and looked like the kind of team Popovich has usually had, not this one that has been one of the NBA’s worst defensively. San Antonio was in control until deep into the second half, even while playing on the second night of back-to-back games to end a four-game road trip.

“I think everyone was definitely unhappy and frustrated, but you’ve got to change your own fate,” Aldridge said.

“You’ve got to find a way and tonight I thought we played better, played with more of a sense of urgency and got a win.”

DeMar DeRozan added 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs, who came in yielding 116.1 points per game but held the Knicks under 100 until the final 10 seconds of the game.

Marcus Morris scored 20 points for the Knicks, who had played better in their last four games after a 2-9 start.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” coach David Fizdale said. “We were in the mud and they were a desperate team. So, we got punched in the face and we dug a hole.”

The eight-game skid was the Spurs’ longest since early in the 1996-97 season under Bob Hill, when Popovich was the general manager. He replaced Hill later that season and the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan after it. They’ve since won five NBA titles during a record-tying 22 straight postseason appearances.

Popovich shrugged off any interest in that or any other streak or achievement, saying all that mattered was working hard each night whether it was a win or a loss.

Lately, it had been all losses, but there was never really a chance of one Saturday.

The Spurs jumped to a 7-0 lead and it was never much of a game from there. They extended it to 26-9 later in the first quarter en route to a 32-16 lead after the period. There were noticeable boos when the Knicks took a timeout trailing 48-27, and they were a whole lot louder and angrier when the teams headed to the locker room with San Antonio holding a 68-43 halftime cushion.

The Spurs shot 59% in the first half and held the Knicks to 4-for-16 shooting from 3-point range.

“Just a bad start,” Knicks forward Julius Randle said. “And you do that, I probably said it before, you’ve got to play perfect down the stretch.”

New York finally got something going in the third and cut it to 14, and finally got it to single digits when Morris’ four-point play made it 105-96 with 3:57 to play. RJ Barrett followed with a bucket, but that was as close as it got until the final basket.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — One rematch down, one to go for Deontay Wilder.

Wilder landed a vicious right hand to stop Luis Ortiz in the seventh round Saturday night to retain his heavyweight title and set up a lucrative rematch with Tyson Fury in February.

Wilder’s punch came out of nowhere in a fight he had done little in up until that time. It landed flush on the face of Ortiz, who crumpled to the canvas and was unable to get up at the count of 10.

The sudden ending came after a lackluster first six rounds in which Wilder did little. But the devastating power that has gotten him knockouts in all but two of his fights came through again.

“I finally found my measurement and I took the shot,”‘ Wilder said. “`I had to play around with him. I had to calculate certain moves.’”

The fight was a rematch of a bout last year when Wilder stopped Ortiz on the 10th round. It set up a Feb. 23 fight against Fury that has already been signed.

Wilder fought cautiously for the first six rounds, finding himself in the hole on the cards of the three ringside judges.

Two gave him just one of the six, while a third gave him two rounds. The Associated Press had Ortiz pitching a shutout.

Wilder began to pick up the pace in the seventh round, then caught Ortiz with the right hand that brought the fight to an end at 2:51 of the round.

“My intellect is very high in the ring and no one gives me credit,” Wilder said. “I think I buzzed him with a left hook earlier in the round and I took it from there.”

Ortiz (31-2) didn’t protest the ending, but said he thought he beat the count.

“I was clear headed when I hit the canvas” he said. “When I heard the referee say seven I was trying to get up but I guess the count went a little quicker than I thought.”

Wilder (42-0-1, 41 knockouts) displayed the massive power that has made him a force in the heavyweight division, but won no style points in winning the fight. He did little until the big punch that ended the fight, wary of the power that Ortiz showed when he hurt him in their first fight in March 2018.

Wilder made at least $3 million for the fight, but figures to make much more when he and Fury meet in a rematch of their fight a year ago that ended in a disputed draw. His win helped clarify the top of the heavyweight division, though, which will be sorted out further when Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. meet Dec. 7 in their title rematch in Saudi Arabia.

“Next we have Tyson Fury in the rematch,” Wilder said. “Then I want unification. I want one champion, one face and one heavyweight champion — Deontay Wilder.”

Wilder said before the fight that he would end it with a knockout, and he was a 4-1 favorite going in. Oddsmakers had made the over/under for the fight at seven full rounds, and Wilder’s right hand made winners of the under with just nine seconds to spare.

The 40-year-old Ortiz, who left Cuba to pursue a pro career, seemed to baffle Wilder with his southpaw style. He was also able to get off combinations quickly when Wilder punched first.

“Ortiz is one of the best in the world,” Wilder said. “You have to give him that.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

PHISGOC on Sunday apologized for the problems encountered by men’s football teams upon their arrival the other day for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Myanmar and Timor-Leste had to wait several hours for their buses to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while Cambodia was forced to stay in a conference room while waiting for their hotel accommodations.

The PHISGOC statement didn’t mention issues dealt by defending champion Thailand, which forced to cancel its training session at the Rizal Memorial Stadium after getting stuck in traffic.

“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.

But PHISGOC insisted that it was able to sort out the problems after coordinating with the teams.

“For the information of the public, the confusion with the Timor-Leste football team happened when some of their members were initially brought to the Century Hotel along with the rest of the team. However, the Timor-Leste coordinator pointed out that some were actually billeted at the nearby Hotel Jen. PHISGOC was able to arrange the delegates’ shuttle to the other hotel,” PHISGOC said.

“As to the Cambodian football team, their change in arrival details was relayed late to the PHISGOC Games Services Department. Instead of the arrival time initially relayed to PHISGOC, the Cambodian team arrived in NAIA at 4AM.

“Transportation was immediately provided, but since their hotel rooms were not yet available because the standard check-in time is 2PM, PHISGOC requested that the team be allowed to wait at an air-conditioned private hotel conference room with tables and chairs where the members could rest and feel comfortable while waiting for their rooms.

“There were 34 international arrivals on Friday, November 22, in our NAIA Terminals, consisting of seven sports team delegations, technical officials and representatives of the respective National Olympic Committees. Yesterday, November 23, there were 38 arrivals in our NAIA Terminals and 5 arrivals in our Clark International Airport of SEA Games athletes, delegates and officials.

“While we are pleased to report that in the past two days there have been 75 international arrivals, consisting of various sports team delegations, technical officials and representatives of the respective National Olympic Committees, that have gone off without a hitch, the incident with the two teams remain a constant reminder for us as organizers to be more diligent. We owe it to our guests and our countrymen,” the statement added.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Rafael Nadal inspired Spain into their first Davis Cup final since 2012 as he teamed up with Feliciano Lopez to secure a dramatic last-four victory over Britain in Madrid.

The hosts trailed 1-0 after Lopez’s singles defeat by Kyle Edmund on Saturday, but Nadal thrashed Dan Evans before partnering Lopez in a 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (10/8) win in the deciding doubles over Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski.

Spain will face Canada in Sunday’s final after the North Americans won their semi-final against Russia, which was also decided in the doubles rubber.

“It was a very special moment for us, a very unique opportunity,” said the 38-year-old Lopez. “We have a great opportunity to win this tournament here at home.”

Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil sent Canada into their maiden Davis Cup showpiece by edging out Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev.

Five-time champions Spain were indebted to world number one Nadal for a virtuoso display as the 33-year-old continues his hunt for a fifth Davis Cup crown, having first lifted the title himself in 2004.

“This competition is always dramatic, especially with the new format,” said Nadal.

“It’s really, really special. Thank you to Feli (Lopez) and to the crowd who were amazing as well.”

Spain lost their last Davis Cup final to the Czech Republic six years ago.

Edmund had earlier justified the decision of British captain Leon Smith to select him ahead of three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray by seeing off Lopez 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).

But Nadal swatted aside Evans 6-4, 6-0 to set up the doubles showdown.

Murray and Skupski more than held their own in the face of a partisan home crowd and a pumped-up Nadal at the Caja Magica, but saw a break point come and go in the 11th game of the first set before losing a tie-break.

The Britons saw four set points pass them by in the second set, including three in the breaker, with Nadal saving one by producing an incredible lob on the stretch.

A place in the final was sealed on a second match point.

“Rafa (Nadal) plays like this from the first round in every tournament. It’s one of his powers,” said Spain captain Sergi Bruguera.

– Canada make history –
Earlier on Saturday, the 20-year-old Shapovalov had drawn Canada level by beating Khachanov after Rublev’s win over Pospisil in the opening match.

The Canadian pair then edged out Khachanov and Rublev in a thrilling deciding-set tie-break.

“I thought both teams played phenomenal,” Canada captain Frank Dancevic said.

“The Russians threw everything they had at us, it was just a matter of who came up with the better shots. There was no room for error today -– they went for their shots, went big in the big moments, and here we are into the final.”

It was their third Davis Cup semi-final, after previous last-four defeats in 1913 and 2013.

“We’ve got a huge day, a historic day for us tomorrow, and we’re going to leave it all out there,” said world number 150 Pospisil.

Canada secured a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) victory on their second match point to finish a tie which lasted six and a half hours.

Earlier, Shapovalov had seen off Khachanov, Russia’s leading player in the absence of world number four Daniil Medvedev due to exhaustion, in a dramatic match.

The left-handed rising star, who reached his maiden Masters final in Paris earlier this month, saved three successive break points while serving for the match.

The in-form Rublev had made it four singles wins from as many matches this week by brushing aside Pospisil 6-4, 6-4.

Canada have reached the final despite being without the injured Felix Auger-Aliassime, the world number 22, with Pospisil stepping up instead.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Shapovalov said. “It’s incredible how far we’ve come this week, with me and Vasek playing on a different level.

“It’s unbelievable to see. And to clinch it like this, in the doubles, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

TNT KaTropa’s KJ McDaniels emerged as a runaway leader among a talented crop of foreigners vying for Best Import honors after the elimination round of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

McDaniels tallied 62.1 Statistical Points to gain a wide advantage over NorthPort’s Michael Qualls, two-time Best Import Allen Durham of Meralco, Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and NLEX’s Manny Harris.

The former NBA player with the Houston Rockets averaged 37.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.5 blocks to lead the KaTropa to a third seed and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with an 8-3 record.

Qualls, who replaced Mychal Ammons halfway into the elims, is a distant second with 56.6 SPs after helping NorthPort secure a place in the quarterfinals by winning its last two games.

He posted 33.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks in five games.

Durham showed why he’s still one of the league’s premier imports despite the arrival of high-caliber counterparts, producing 29.6 points, 14.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists as the Bolts placed second also at 8-3.

Brownlee had 27.9 points, 13.4 rebounds and 8.0 assists highlighted by four triple-doubles, giving Ginebra a twice-to-beat incentive.

Harris powered NLEX to the top seed with an 8-3 mark with averages of 32.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 3.0 steals.

Former San Miguel Beer import Dez Wells could have made it a two-way race with McDaniels after posting 37.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists before going down with an ankle injury and subsequently leaving the country in the aftermath of a fight that marred a recent practice.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

CALATAGAN, BATANGAS – Rep. Mikee Romero, one of the spearheads for the Philippine polo team in the 0-2 goals event, wants no less than the gold medal in the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games here at Miguel Romero Polo Field.

Romero, still recovering from the injury he suffered during training in Argentina recently, said all the teams will be a threat for the national team but assured everyone he will come back stronger and play when the games begin on December 3.

“Kaya natin. Papanalo namin ‘to,” Romero told reporters Saturday before the inauguration of the “Bamboo Pavilion.”

The Bamboo Pavilion inside the vast Miguel Romero Polo Field was built for the royalties who are expected to grace and watch the event.

The Nationals will make the most out of the home-field advantage against Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

But just like any other sports, Romero wants to take it one game at a time. “This is SEA Games. Anything can happen sa SEA Games,” he said.

Aside from Romero, veteran polo player Antonio Veloso will add firepower to the horseback-riding athletes.

“[The] mixture of some young and older guys is what I thought would be the best combination for the team,” national coach Alexander Anthony Garcia said.

Completing the Philippine team are Coco Garcia, Nicole Eusebio, Jam Eusebio and Santi Juban.

The best two teams with the best winning record after battling each other will face in the finals.

“We just have to make sure that we have the horses and the players in absolute sync for them to be successful,” Garcia said.

Other than the host, one other country should have no such concern: Brunei brought horses of their own while the remaining teams borrowed from the available mounts. (Jan Carlo Anolin) ###

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Problems encountered by four men’s football teams made rounds on social media Saturday, putting the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games to an inauspicious start.

Defending champion Thailand had to cancel a scheduled training session at the Rizal Memorial Stadium after the team’s official Instagram account described accreditation problems coupled with the traffic within the metropolis.

Myanmar and Timor-Leste had to wait for hours upon clearing immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport before their buses had to arrive. In fact, Myanmar had to take a mini-bus en route to the hotel while Timor-Leste was reportedly brought to the wrong hotel.

But images, apparently of several Cambodian footballers resting on the floor of a function room as they wait for their hotel accommodations caused plenty of uproar from Filipinos and neighboring ASEAN countries.

Men’s football kicks off Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, one of many events that will be held days before the formal opening on Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

These issues are likely to cause more discussion Sunday afternoon with a pre-tournament press conference set the Century Park Hotel which is adjacent to the Rizal pitch.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Rey Lachica

 

Games Sunday

(Iñigo Zobel Polo Field)

Game 1: Philippines vs Brunei

Game 2: Indonesia vs Malaysia

 

The Philippine polo team looks to provide the positive vibes for the rest of Team Philippines as competition in one of the oldest sports gets going Sunday in Calatagan, Batangas exactly six days before the 30th Southeast Asian Games formally opens at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Victory is a must for the polo team as millions of Filipinos are praying for a winning start which the PH officials hope will inspire other athletes when their time to compete and deliver come.

“As Team Philippines wages battle starting with our polo players, I am calling on our countrymen to show their support,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman and PH chief de mission Butch Ramirez. “Our athletes have prepared hard but they still need all the prayers and support from every Filipino as they once again try to bring honor to the country.”

“Let’s cheer for them in every arena, every field and in every discipline,” added Ramirez, who hopes to reproduce the magic of 2005 when the country won the overall championship for the first time in SEAG history.

Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay Rep. Bambol Tolentino, meantime, lauded the enthusiasm of the Philippine National Federation of Polo Players, saying: I congratulate the polo federation for its full enthusiasm not only for its sport, but most especially for our country’s hosting of the 30th SEA Games.

The Nationals are expected to have their hands full since everybody is armed with an extensive training abroad –not mention having beautiful and expensive horses.

Out to test the Nationals’ resolve is Brunei, a team aching to stamp its class. The two clash at 1 p.m. while Malaysia and Indonesia duel at 3 p.m.

Brunei looks ready to take all the challengers.

For one, they have been practicing at the other Calatagan facility since Nov. 13 and that should give them a plus factor as they appeared to have already familiarized with the every contour of the well-maintained field.

Rep. Mikee Romero, one of the founding members of the PNFPP, however, is confident the Philippines will come out victorious as all members are determined to make a strong statement in the event widely regarded as the sport for kings.

“Our rivals are tough but we are prepared for the challenges that will come our way,” said Romero after the inauguration of majestic “Bamboo Pavillon” inside the classy Miguel Romero Polo Field.

“The Pavillon – so unique and a priceless architectural masterpiece – showcases Filipino spirit tradition and love for sports,” said Tolentino. “So to our gentlemen athletes on horseback, the gold medals are within your reach.

“But whatever happens we have to cherish this moment since this is the first time in decades that we have this kind of tournament of this magnitude,” said Romero.

“Everybody is excited so we have to put up a show and try to help the country attain its ultimate goal of winning the overall championship,” added Romero, who will see action in the 0-2 goals starting on Dec. 3.

After polo, the country’s bets in football, floorball and netball take center stage tomorrow.

The Azkals’ under-22 team will face Cambodia at the Rizal Memorial Football Field.

Polo rules are simple. It is played by two teams of four players each who use mallets with long and flexible handles to hit a wooden ball.

The match is divided into chukkas, each lasting 7 minutes, with an interval of 3 minutes between each one. But it depends on the handicap of players.

Each team is made up of attackers and defenders, but every member should be flexible since they can change position if the situation merits.

Each player needs at least two horses in order for them to switch in between quarter.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Sunday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Alaska vs Meralco
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs San Miguel

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco are out to make short work of their respective foes and claim the first two semifinal berths in the start of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra tries to once again end the Grand Slam dreams of San Miguel Beer in the featured game set at 6:45 p.m. while Meralco looks to halt the upset bid of Alaska in the 4:30 p.m. curtain raiser.

Both teams are armed with the twice-to-beat advantage, though their coaches are wary of the capability of the Beermen and Aces to overcome the odds.

San Miguel is being put to a major test after Arwind Santos, Ronald Tubid and Kelly Nabong were suspended indefinitely for a brawl that also included former import Dez Wells during practice.

“We certainly would have chosen a different opponent for the semis if it was within our power, but San Miguel it is,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “Control what you can control, and that is preparing ourselves the best we can.”

Ginebra did beat San Miguel 129-124 in their lone elimination round meeting last Oct. 13 at the Big Dome, a result that ended the Beermen’s 4-0 start.

Having a stable import in Justin Brownlee is also one of Ginebra’s advantages going into its faceoff with SMB.

Brownlee produced stellar numbers for the Kings anew with averages of 27.9 points, 13.4 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks in the eliminations.

Alaska, meanwhile, made the quarters despite a 0-5 start by winning five of its final six games. That should give Meralco enough reason not to take things lightly.

But Meralco did overwhelm Alaska in the elims last Oct.4 when it produced a 101-75 win at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bolts enter the playoffs reeling from a loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and coach Norman Black said how his players respond will play a role in the outcome.

“I think the key is can you bounce back from the loss?” Meralco coach Norman Black said. “Even if you get into the playoffs, if you get into the championship series, you may lose one or two games so you’re ability to come back and win the next game and stick together as a team and continue executing is really the key.”

Two-time Best Import Allen Durham is out to give Meralco its fourth straight semifinal appearance in the season-ending conference but will have the luxury of having plenty of help compared to his previous stints.

Durham averaged 29.6 points, 14.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the eliminations, though Baser Amer and Raymond Almazan emerged as Meralco’s top locals.

Amer was the top local scorer of the Bolts with 15.9 points on 46.8 percent shooting while Almazan posted 14.6 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

June Mar Fajardo’s bid for an unprecedented ninth Best Player of the Conference award faces stiff competition from CJ Perez and Kiefer Ravena despite topping the Statistical Points race at the end of the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations.

The San Miguel Beer star compiled 38.4 SPs to emerge as the early leader of the BPC derby with the Columbian rookie in second at 37.2 and the NLEX sophomore in third at 36.1.

Rounding out the top five are TNT KaTropa’s Roger Pogoy with 35.3 SPs and Meralco center Raymond Almazan at 33.8.

Fajardo’s chances of claiming another Best Player award are likely to hinge on whether the Beermen can get past Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in their quarterfinal duel which starts Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

SMB needs to beat Ginebra twice in order to reach the semis and stay in the hunt for a coveted Grand Slam.

Getting another BPC plum will virtually secure a record-extending sixth Most Valuable Player trophy for the 6-foot-10 gentle giant.

Also facing possible problems is Perez, whose team failed to reach the quarterfinals after placing ninth with a 4-7 record.

No player has ever won a BPC without making the semifinals. Forty percent of the stats will be used to determine the winner while the rest are votes from the media (30%), players (25%) and the PBA Commissioner’s Office (5%).

Ravena, Pogoy and Almazan may end up as the likely candidates voters will pick on if their teams reach the semis.

NLEX, TNT and Meralco are armed with the twice-to-beat bonus against their quarterfinal opponents.

Making the top 10 are TNT’s Jayson Castro (32.0), Meralco’s Chris Newsome (30.9), TNT’s Troy Rosario (29.3), NorthPort’s Christian Standhardinger (29.11) and Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang (29.09).

Source: Manila Bulletin