By Jan Carlo Anolin

Collegiate basketball season is over. But the legacies created live on.

Two different leagues — the UAAP and NCAA — are two tales that went down in the history books and the greatness marked in Philippine basketball will always be remembered.

The Letran Knights dethroned the San Beda Red Lions 81-79 Tuesday night in Game 3 of the NCAA Season 95 Finals at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena to take the crown back to Muralla in Intramuros, Manila.

The Knights, however, had to take the long and winding road before savoring the moment and capturing the title they had longed for since 2015.

Odds were not in their favor as the Red Lions clinched the first Finals berth after sweeping the 18-game eliminations.

Seeded No. 3 with a 12-6 record, Letran survived the tightly-contested stepladder playoffs against the fourth-seeded San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags and the No.2 Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates.

Fran Yu, later named Finals MVP, led Letran late in the payoff period to overcome San Sebastian 85-80 last Nov. 5 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. Yu emerged as the knight in shining armor that evening, finishing with 10 points while six other players tallied double digits.

With the win, the Knights marched forward and set up another knockout showdown against the Pirates in what would be dubbed later as the “Battle of Intramuros.”

Hungry for the second Finals berth, Letran, a winless squad against Lyceum in the eliminations, exacted revenge 92-88 at the same venue and returned to the last stage of the stepladder for the first time in four years.

Yu, once again, spearheaded the Knights and posted 20 points, five rebounds and six assists. Bonbon Batiller and Jerrick Balanza added 13 and 11 points.

Having conquered the Stags and Pirates, the Knights train their sights on the biggest game of all — the mighty Red Lions of San Beda.

The hunt for the crown began.

At last, Letran defied the odds and found its winning ways against the Lions with Yu, Balanza and Batiller at the frontline. The Knights brought down the Lions and drew first blood in Game 1 of the Finals at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.

Yu, for the third time around, made crucial plays on both ends. First, a dish to Larry Muyang for an easy conversion to give Letran a 65-62 lead with 1:27 to go; second, a basket off a steal from Season MVP Calvin Oftana; and third – probably the biggest play – when he secured the rebound after Oftana missed a go-ahead triple.

Yu finished with 10 points that game while Batiller and Balanza poured 12 and 10 points each.

In Game 2, however, the Lions did not back down. Four-peat seeking San Beda survived Letran 79-76 to force a do-or-die Game 3 last Nov. 15.

The Red Lions kept its title hunt alive, thanks to Oftana, who redeemed himself after being limited to just seven points in Game 1.

Oftana posted 17 points and 11 rebounds in Game 2, highlighted by a layup and completed the three-point play off a Batiller foul that gave San Beda a 77-76 lead with 19.1 ticks to play.

Batiller, with all the chances of winning handed down to him, missed a reverse layup as San Beda guard Evan Nelle secured the ball. Batiller fouled San Beda’s James Canlas-Kwekuteye, who then drained a pair of free throws 79-76 to ice the game with 4.5 seconds left.

For San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, the win was a “lucky” one for them.

It’s because Letran’s go-to guy Yu, who scored 23 points, had to sit at the bench in the last three minutes due to cramps.

Come Game 3, Balanza, this time, showed the way for Letran and ended his collegiate career with a bang.

Coming off from a head surgery last season, Balanza helped Letran oust San Beda 81-79 last Tuesday night in front of a roaring MOA arena crowd.

With 1:19 left in the payoff period, Balanza fired a crucial triple to give Letran a 79-73 lead. But Nelle answered quickly and buried a trey of his own 79-76 with 43.2 to play.

Yu, enduring his cramps late in Game 3, sank two free throws with 15.9 ticks to play for an 81-76 lead. With time winding down, Nelle nailed another three-pointer 81-79 with 12 seconds left.

Cramps once again afflicted Yu and after a jump ball with Oftana, San Beda took possession with 5.4 to play.

Enter, Balanza.

With plays still escalating down the final stretch, Balanza pulled off one final defensive stop. This time, he made sure to lock down the three-point shoting Nelle.

Letran captured its 18th overall NCAA crown and stamped its victory in history as one of the successful comebacks in collegiate basketball.

Indeed, they were Knights to remember.

While the NCAA ended in a dramatic fashion, the UAAP had its unique way of ending.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles became the first team to remain unscathed in 16 games en route to the title after defeating University of Santo Tomas 86-79 in Game 2 of the Finals Wednesday night at MOA Arena.

For Ateneo, third time’s the charm. At least, for a balanced team that went undefeated to complete the three-peat and notched its 11th overall title despite missing on individual awards.

Graduating ace Thirdy Ravena, hailed Finals MVP, also etched his name in history to become the first three-time Finals MVP with four finals appearance.

Ravena finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in Game 2 while hot-shooting SJ Belangel fired 15 points from beyond the arc in 17 playing minutes.

The historic feat is a dream come true for Ateneo, posting an average margin of 16.5 points .

“It is a dream season to go through unblemished, to be able to say to each one of those 16 days, no team was better than us,” Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin said.

At one point after the eliminations round, Baldwin reminded his wards not to be complacent despite getting an outright finals berth.

“Our job is far from done. In fact, it’s going to get harder,” he said.

That reminder fueled the Blue Eagles who did not waste time while the stepladder semis between UST, Far Eastern University and twice-to-beat incentive holder University of the Philippines was ongoing.

The Katipunan-based squad held several tune up games before the finals series kicks off, a key preparation to keep the momentum intact.

The Blue Eagles evidently showed no rust after routing UST in the opener 91-77 with Ravena erupting with a season-high 32 points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, it was an overachieving season for the Tigers as head coach Aldin Ayo needed only two seasons to bring back UST into the Finals.

Seeded at No. 4, UST also overcame the stepladder semifinals and ousted the Tamaraws and the Maroons, almost the same way Letran returned to the top.

With all the hype now subsiding, with a defended crown in Katipunan and another title brought back to Muralla, expect another nailbiting season from the NCAA and UAAP next year. (With reports from Waylon Galvez and Kristel Satumbaga)

Source: Manila Bulletin

Five-time Most Valuable Player awardee and eight-time Best Player of the Conference honoree June Mar Fajardo is in the running for another precious ware as the leader of the BPC race in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup.

This time, Fajardo, however, is in a tight derby, with CJ Perez of Columbian Dyip, NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena, TNT KaTropa’s RR Pogoy and Meralco’s Raymond Almazan closely behind the SMB behemoth.

Among these players, essentially out of the race is Perez since his team failed to make it past the single-round-robin elimination phase.

With averages of 18.8 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 blocks, Fajardo shows the way in the race with 38.4 statistical points per game, followed by Perez (37.2), Ravena (36.1), Pogoy (35.3) and Almazan (33.8).

Ravena, Pogoy and Almazan are coming in strong especially with their teams enjoying the crucial twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

The first big challenge for Fajardo at the moment is to help San Miguel Beer overcome its twice-to-win disadvantage versus Barangay Ginebra in their quarters matchup.

If the Beermen make the semifinals, then Fajardo would be a strong bet for a second BPC crown this season after his BPC coronation in the Philippine Cup.

As it is, the 6-foot-10 Cebuano giant is already the barometer in individual greatness in the local pro league in terms of individual awards won.

Ravena, Pogoy and Almazan are all eyeing a first BPC citation.

Narrowly missing the Top Five was TNT spitfire Jayson Castro (32.0), the winner of the Commissioner’s Cup BPC plum.

Next to Castro is Meralco’s Chris Newsome (30.9) then comes TNT’s Troy Rosario (29.3), NorthPort’s Christian Standhardinger (29.1) and Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang (29.09) to round out the Top 10.

KJ McDaniels of TNT paces the Best Import Derby with his averages of 37.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.5 blocks and 1.6 steals making up for his total SP norm of 62.1 an outing.

Next is NorthPort’s Michael Qualls (56.6), then Meralco’s Allen Durham (56.0), Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee (55.8) and NLEX’s Manny Harris (55.3).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga—Top members of Team Philippines grabbed the spotlight on Saturday when the Torch Run—the final event marking the unofficial start of the 30th Southeast Asian Games—got off the ground at the entrance of the freeport zone that once was a premier US Air Force Base.

Fun runners numbering 2,500, all of them residents of Angeles City and neighboring Mabalacat, answered the starting gun for the 5k event.

After the symbolic lighting of the flame near the SEAG Clocktower, volleyball player Majoy Baron carried the torch and proceeded to the starting point where the enthusiastic runners had gathered.

The lighting was led by Pampanga vice-governor Lilia Pineda, who was also joined by Angeles City mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin, Mabalacat mayor Crisostomo Garbo and Grammy Award-winning rapper  and Angeles City native Apl.de.ap.

Vince Dizon, who heads the Bases Conversion Development Authority, led the list of luninaries who graced the event as he reminded the audience that “everthing that we are doing is for the national athletes.”

Other national athletes who lent their time include Cheska Altomonte of softball, Tani Gomez Jr. if water polo and Jasmine Alkhaldi of swimming as they assisted in the lighting of the flame.

Just before the run ended,  a flashy light show had everyone in awe.

Hostilities kick off Sunday with water polo being staged in Calatagan, Batangas. On Monday it will be the turn of floorball, football and netball.

Officially, the SEAG will commence on Nov. 30 with the opening rites happening at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The Philippines is bidding to win the overall crown so it could match its previous feat when it was the host in 2005.

There will be 56 sports and 530 gold medals up for grabs in the biennial sportsfest that runs until Dec. 11.

Source: Manila Bulletin

With less than two weeks before the basketball competition, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone has named his final 12 to the national team for the 30th Southeast Asian Games here.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio made the announcement late Friday, a week before the opening of the biennial meet on Saturday or exactly 12 days before the start of basketball action at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Named to the national team are LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle and Japeth Aguilar – Cone’s players at Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, reigning PBA five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and his San Miguel Beer teammates Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross, TNT KaTropa’s RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario, and Kiefer Ravena of NLEX.

Completing the roster are Matthew Wright of Phoenix Fuel, Vic Manuel of Alaska and Christian Standhardinger of NorthPort. Of the 12, Ravena was a late addition since he replaced the injured Jayson Castro.

Left out are Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson, Art dela Cruz and Greg Slaughter, who injured his right thumb that forced him to miss practice and a tuneup game a few weeks back.

Panlilio commended all the players for their dedication to play for Gilas, even though it’s not a sure thing to be chosen to play for the national team in the regional event the country is hosting for the first time in 14 years, or since the 2005 edition of the SEA Games.

“The SBP thanks all of the players who made themselves available to be part of our Gilas Pilipinas men pool,” said Panlilio.

“The coaching staff, led by coach Tim Cone, is doing a great job in preparing the team for the upcoming SEA Games and they had the unenviable task of trimming the lineup down to just 12 individuals.”

Panlilio added: “Although the decision was surely not easy, the SBP have complete trust in the team and we’re excited to defend our crown as the best basketball team in the region.”

The SBP appointed Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua as adviser of the national team, while Gabby Cui keeps his position as team manager of Gilas Pilipinas

The national team is in Group A with Vietnam, Myanmar and Singapore, while in Group B are Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Gilas clashes with Singapore on opening day December 4, takes a break the following day, and then tackles Vietnam on December 6 and Myanmar on December 7. The semifinal is December 10, while the gold medal game is December 11.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Freddie Velez

CAMP MACABULOS,Tarlac City--Task Group Central Luzon Tarlac Cluster under the leadership of Colonel David N. Poklay, Provincial Director/Tarlac Cluster Commander, conducted a pre-deployment briefing and send-off ceremony of 1290 personnel for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The ceremony was held at the National Government Administrative Center, New Clark City, Brgy Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac to ensure the safety and security of the athletes, coaches, officials and spectators during the SEA games.

The activity was participated by 700 personnel from Tarlac PPO; 200 personnel from Nueva Ecija PPO; 195 contingent from the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) and other concerned agencies under EPR; 100 personnel from RMFB3 as Civil Disturbance Management Contingent; 45 personnel as Task Unit Protective Service; 42  personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and one  team from Special Action Force.

It was graced by Col. Rhoderick C. Armamento, DRDO/OIC DRDA/Commander STG Security as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Other attendees were Colonel Nicolas D. Torre 111, CRS/Head Secretariat; Colonel Jonas T. Amparo, C ROD/Operation Officer of Task Group Central Luzon; Brigadier General Abraham Casis (RET), PHISGOC Official; Arrey Perez, vice president, BCDA; Capas, Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo L. Catacutan; Lt. Col. Franklin P. Estoro, DPDO/Commander STC Peace and Order; Lt. Col. Alex M. Apolonio, FC, 2nd PMFC/Commander STC security, among others.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

John Riel Casimero is now in England for his shot at the World Boxing Organization bantamweight crown on Nov. 30.

Traveling for the first time in first class via United Airlines from McCarran International in Las Vegas, Casimero  was joined in the trip by his official representative Sean Gibbons and trainer Nonoy Neri, who will call the shots when the Filipino faces defending champion Zolani Tete of South Africa at the Arena Birmingham.

Gibbons said they have already contacted a Filipino restaurant that will provide Team Casimero’s nutritional needs.

“I am doing everything to give Casimero all the tools and comforts on my end. He is here also a full nine days to get adjusted. He flew First Class we have Filipino restaurants ready to cook for us and a Filipino grocery store for proper food,” said Gibbons, who heads MP Promotions, the outfit owned by Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

”I did my end, now Casimero needs to do his,” added Gibbons.

If victorious, Casimero will join Pacquiao, Jerwin Ancajas and Pedro Taduran as the country’s world champions.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Erma Edera

The Manila Police District (MPD) has bared a list of road closures and traffic rerouting schemes for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

In an advisory on Saturday, the westbound lane of P. Ocampo Street from Taft Avenue to Adriatico Street, Malate, Manila and the north and southbound lanes of Adriatico Street from Pres. Quirino Avenue to P. Ocampo Street, Malate Manila will be closed to motorists.

All vehicles taking the westbound lane of P. Ocampo Street coming from Taft Avenue should go straight to Buendia to point of destination.

Motorists utilizing the eastbound lane of P. Ocampo Street intending to utilize Adriatico Street should proceed to Taft Avenue.

Those coming from the westbound lane of Pres. Quirino Avenue intending to utilize Adriatico Street can go straight to Roxas Boulevard and go their way from there.

All vehicles traveling eastbound of Pres. Quirino Avenue intending to utilize Adriatico Street should take Taft Avenue to where they are headed.

The MPD issued the advisory for the traffic scheme to avoid public inconvenience.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

About 15 minutes after the end of an NBA game, the Utah Jazz’s home arena has been evacuated because of a suspicious package.

Most fans had already left the building Friday night following Utah’s 113-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors when players, coaches and reporters were instructed to leave Vivint Smart Home Arena immediately.

Not long after both coaches finished answering postgame questions from the media, a spokesman for the Jazz told reporters to exit the building due to the suspicious package. Outside, they were instructed by security to leave the premises.

Utah players quickly headed for their cars in the parking lot — center Rudy Gobert was still in uniform as he left. Warriors players boarded their team bus.

Salt Lake City police Lt. Carlos Valencia says the suspicious package was a shoebox discovered under a table at an eatery in the arena. He says the call came in from a uniformed officer working part-time at the game around 9:30 p.m.

Arena bomb dogs went near the package and “got a hit on it,” Valencia said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Philadelphia coach Brett Brown met Gregg Popovich at midcourt, gave him a handshake, hug and pat on the back.

Brown knows all about long losing streaks, and Popovich helped him get through them. Now, it’s Brown’s turn to help.

Tobias Harris scored 26 points, Joel Embiid had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat San Antonio 115-104 on Friday night to hand the Spurs their eighth straight defeat.

The skid is the Spurs’ worst under longtime coach Popovich.

“Figured it was something like that,” Popovich said.

A former Spurs assistant under Popovich, Brown endured an NBA-record 28-game losing streak during Philadelphia’s rebuilding project early in his tenure.

Usually loquacious, Brown didn’t have much to say about sending his mentor to the longest skid of his career.

“I love him. He knows that,” Brown said. “He coaches hard, he moves on.”

Ben Simmons had a triple-double with 10 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for the 76ers, who improved to 6-0 at home.

DeMar DeRozan had 29 points and Rudy Gay scored 22 for the Spurs.

“I thought the effort was good, just a bad start again,” Popovich said. “We’re just trying to not make as many mistakes, mostly at the defensive end because it always puts us in a bad way. We’re working at it.”

DeRozan said Popovich has remained positive despite the losing streak.

“He’s extremely optimistic, doesn’t panic,” DeRozan said. “He keeps our spirits up high, keeps our confidence up high. Got to keep our heads up.”

San Antonio last dropped eight in a row in November 1996 under coach Bob Hill. Popovich was the team’s general manager at the time. He fired Hill later that season and began his long run of success.

In his 24th season, Popovich has won five NBA titles and gone to the playoffs in 22 straight seasons while compiling a winning record in each of those 22 campaigns. He has spent just 74 days with a losing record over the last 22 seasons.

Prior to the recent slump, Popovich hadn’t lost seven consecutive games since Feb. 23 to March 5, 1997.

“He felt sorry for me in my early years,” Brown said. “He’s amazing. His competitiveness is incredibly admirable. Nothing I respect more that Pop has achieved than longevity.”

Popovich said the sting of losing was slightly lessened due to the opponent.

“If you lose to (Brown), for some strange reason it doesn’t hurt quite as bad,” he said. “You’re a little bit happy for him — just a little.”

San Antonio trailed most of the way but got within one late in the third quarter before the 76ers pulled away in the fourth.

It was 101-95 with just under six minutes left when Popovich elected to intentionally foul Simmons for the second straight trip down court. A 58% free throw shooter, Simmons missed both attempts the first time but drained both shots on his subsequent trip to the line to put Philadelphia ahead 103-95 with 5:34 remaining.

Furkan Korkmaz hit a 3-pointer from the corner on Philadelphia’s next possession and then Harris made a layup to put the 76ers comfortably ahead, 108-97, with 4:24 left.

BROWN BACKER

The pressure has intensified on Brown after the team’s early playoff exits the last two seasons and a so-so start to 2019-20. Brown acknowledged as much before the game, saying his job “has been in question since the day I took it.”

However, Popovich doesn’t believe Brown should be receiving scrutiny. Brown spent 11 seasons with the Spurs.

“Fans don’t know (anything),” Popovich said. “He’s one hell of a guy and the most positive guy I’ve ever known. He’s going to work his (butt) off. They are lucky to have him.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

The Brooklyn Nets usually do well when they hold opponents under 100 points. They did it again Friday night for the second straight game.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 23 points and Joe Harris added 22 in the Nets’ 116-97 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Brooklyn is 34-6 under coach Kenny Atkinson when keeping opponents under 100.

“We’re just trying to play good basketball, play the right way,” Harris said. “We’ve done a better job here lately defensively. When you’re able to get stops, things offensively come a lot easier.”

Garrett Temple finished with 18 points, Jared Allen had 11 points and nine rebounds, and DeAndre Jordan added 10 rebounds for the Nets.

Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 18 points. Buddy Hield had 16, Justin James 14, Nemanja Bjelica 13 and Richaun Holmes 12 as Sacramento shot 4 of 26 from 3-point range.

“If you’re a 3-point shooting team and you shoot 15 percent, you’re not going to win a lot of games,” Kings coach Luke Walton said. “Brooklyn also beat us up on the glass.”

The Nets outrebounded the Kings 48-33, matching their highest differential of the season.

Temple’s 3-pointer opened the scoring and Brooklyn never trailed in the game.

Leading 26-23 after the first quarter, the Nets began the second on a 17-8 run to open a 12-point lead at 43-31. The Kings, with Hield scoring 14 first-half points, pulled within seven at halftime, 56-49.

Temple’s 3-pointer capped a 10-2 run and gave the Nets a 15-point lead, 66-51.

The Kings were able to get back within 10 points at 72-62, but Dzanan Musa’s two free throws with 39 seconds left gave the Nets a 16-point lead after three quarters.

“Looking at all our games before this, the third quarter was really our crutch,” Allen said. “Now we’re getting rid of it and we’re running full speed.”

Jordan’s dunk midway through the fourth made it a 22-point advantage at 104-82.

“I think our defense was outstanding again,” Atkinson said. “We talked about it pregame. I thought they were active, just a lot of deflections, forcing turnovers, so that’s good news.”

Source: Manila Bulletin