By Jonas Terrado

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

Games Monday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — NorthPort vs NLEX
7 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs Magnolia

ANTIPOLO CITY — TNT KaTropa survived the comeback of beleaguered San Miguel Beer 114-109 to secure the last twice-to-beat advantage in the conclusion of the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations at the Ynares Center here.

Import KJ McDaniels erupted for 44 points as the KaTropa snapped a three-game skid to defeat a Beermen side reeling from the indefinite suspensions handed to Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong and Ronald Tubid.

Santos, Nabong and Tubid were suspended indefinitely after figuring a fight alongside now ex-import Dez Wells during Sunday’s practice at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas.

TNT finished the elims in a three-way share of the league’s best record with NLEX and Meralco at 8-3.

NLEX, however, was already assured of the No. 1 seed due to a superior quotient, Meralco is at second while TNT settled for third spot and a date with defending champion Magnolia, which placed sixth.

The loss dropped San Miguel at No. 5, needing to beat fourth-ranked Barangay Ginebra twice.

TNT’s win co-incided with the return of Jayson Castro, who missed the previous two outings due to an ankle injury.
Castro posted 12 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists in 40 minutes.

Troy Rosario, who has been dealing with calf and finger injuries, fired 30 points for the KaTropa.

John Holland hit 25 points in his second game since replacing Wells but failed to lead the Beermen to victory.

Holland put the Beermen up 108-107 on a three-pointer in the fourth after being down by a high of 18 in the third. But McDaniels answered back with a three of his own for 110-108 KaTropa, 44.1 seconds remaining.

June Mar Fajardo had a chance to even things out after being fouled with 17.5 seconds left, only to split two foul shots after missing the second. Fajardo did get his own miss but failed to convert a go-ahead basket before McDaniels was sent to the foul line.

McDaniels converted both charities for 112-109, then blocked Holland’s game-tying three on the ensuing play.

The scores:

TNT KATROPA 114 — McDaniels 44, Rosario 30, Pogoy 17, Castro 12; Reyes 5, Parks 4, Washington 2, Williams 0, Digregorio 0, De Leon 0.

SAN MIGUEL 109 — Holland 25, Romeo 18, Ross 16, Lassiter 16, Fajardo 13, Cabagnot 12, Tautuaa 8, Rosser 1, Pessumal 0.

Quarters: 37-25; 53-46; 87-77; 114-109.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Game Saturday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

12 noon – UST vs NU (women’s)

National University escaped the claws of University of Santo Tomas 70-65 on Wednesday to take Game 1 of the UAAP season 82 women’s basketball finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Rhena Itesi and Kelli Hayes anchored the Lady Bulldogs in the absence of top gun Jack Animam to extend their winning streak to 95 games and move a victory away from clinching their sixth straight title.

Itesi drained 17 points and collared 13 rebounds while Hayes added 16 points for NU, which pulled away from a 41-38 halftime lead en route to the triumph.

“This game is bigger than us,” said Hayes, a member of the national team that competed in the 2019 FIBA Asia Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in New Zealand last week.

“We played for her (Animam), we played for the NU community. I’m just happy that everyone stepped up.”

Animam missed the game after sustaining an orbital fracture on her right eye during the said FIBA tournament. She was not allowed to fly from New Zealand upon the advice of the doctors, but NU coach Pat Aquino hopes she will be available by Game 2 on Saturday as they shoot for the crown.

UST threatened in the last 1:40 of the game after firing six straight points to trim the gap at 67-65, but Kaye Pingol answered a triple to restart NU’s drive.

The Tigresses failed to capitalize on their possessions with a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Jeorge Panti bouncing off the rim.

“I didn’t mind the score (when UST came close),” said NU coach Pat Aquino. “I just told them that we have to play NU basketball for 40 minutes no matter the score is.”

Pingol contributed 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Lady Bulldogs, while Mikka Cacho chipped in 11 points and six boards.

Back-to-back Most Valuable Player awardee Grace Irebu finished with 17 points, 18 boards and five blocks for UST to no avail.

Game 2 will be on Saturday at the same venue.

Scores:

NU 70 — Itesi 17, Hayes 16, Pingol 12, Cacho 11, Canuto 4, Del Carmen 4, Surada 4, Clarin 2, Bartolo 0, Cac 0, Fabruada 0, Harada 0.

UST 65 — Irebu 17, Tacatac 10, Ferrer 9, Soriano 8, Callangan 7, Gandalla 5, Portillo 4, Rivera 4, Panti 1, Gonzales 0, Javier 0.

Quarters: 21-22, 41-38, 57-53, 70-65.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez and Jonas Terrado

San Miguel Beer’s management Wednesday announced the indefinite suspensions on erring players Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong and Ronald Tubid after a fight broke out during the team’s practice session last Nov. 17.

In a statement released Wednesday, the SMB management mentioned that while the conflict has already been resolved, the unsportsmanlike behavior of the three were not to be tolerated.

“Basketball is a physical game where emotions can run high,” said part of the statement. “But we believe that PBA players have to be held to a higher standard of professionalism and sportsmanship at all times.”

“It is for this reason that we’ve come to this decision, even if it impacts our bid for a second franchise grand slam. Our commitment now, moving forward, is that we will work doubly hard and play our very best, for our fans and for the organization.”

Wells escaped penalty from the team.

It was last Sunday when news came out that Santos and SMB import Dez Wells had to be separated after the later was knocked down on a the former’s hard pick during a scrimmage.

The two had to be separated, but while teammates were successful in pacifying them, Tubid punched Wells that led to Nabong charging at Tubid in retaliation for what he did on Wells.

ROS coach rues late arrival of import

Meantime, Rain or Shine, Phoenix Pulse and Blackwater were left to ponder on the shortcomings that contributed to an early end to their respective 2019-20 PBA campaign that saw some brief promises.

The aforementioned teams were the first to bid adieu after disappointing runs in the season-ending Governors’ Cup.

But there were times that the Elasto Painters, Fuel Masters and Elite showed glimpses of belief that they can contend for the ultimate prize.

No one had more opportunities than Rain or Shine, which reached the semifinals in the season’s first two conferences only to be derailed by Magnolia in the Philippine Cup and San Miguel Beer in the Commissioner’s Cup.

ROS was aiming to make it three in a row but encountered problems securing an import who be provided the right fit, resulting in a 1-5 record.

Joel Wright and Kayel Locke failed to impress coach Caloy Garcia, Kwame Alexander had to leave after an ankle injury before Rich Ross powered the Elasto Painters to back-to-back wins at the end of the eliminations for a 4-7 record.

But an inferior quotient left Rain or Shine to map out initial plans for its Christmas party.

“Sayang, sana maaga siya dumating,” Garcia lamented.

Phoenix appeared to have risen into one of the league’s top teams after a semifinal appearance in the Philippine Cup. However, the indefinite suspension of Calvin Abueva in the early part of the Commissioner’s Cup set the Fuel Masters back, resulting in playoff absences in the next two conferences.

“Super, super disappointed,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas after its elimination from the Governors’ Cup playoff race. “Pero you have to think. also na ang dami rin nangyari. Yung mga bagay na yun, di ko control e.”

Blackwater turned things around after a lousy Philippine Cup by placing third in the eliminations behind debuting coach Aris Dimaunahan and star rookie Ray Parks Jr. before being eliminated by Rain or Shine in the quarters.

But instead of going another notch higher, the Elite slumped to a 2-3 record before deciding to trade key players Mike DiGregorio and Allein Maliksi to TNT KaTropa and Meralco.

Then, the Elite sent Parks to TNT, further adding to Blackwater’s six-game skid to end the campaign.

“Dito sa conference na nagdaan, ang daming nangyari na medyo nahirapan kami mag-adjust dahil sa mga changes,” Dimaunahan said. “Pero yun yung challeneg sa amin as being coaches, kung paano maje-gel kaagad yung team in a short span of time.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Ateneo showed it was a cut above the rest by besting University of Santo Tomas 86-79 in Game 2 of the finals Wednesday  night for a title sweep in UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Eagles etched their name in league history by becoming the first team to finish the season undefeated in 16 games. Previous unbeaten squads Far Eastern University (1980-81) and University of Santo Tomas (1993) did it in the past in 12 and 14 games.

Completing the three-peat campaign, the Eagles also clinched their 11th crown overall.

Ateneo prevailed by an average margin of 16.5 points including Game 1’s 91-77 triumph last Saturday, winning in double figures in all but four games: against UST in the opening round (71-70) and in this match, over Adamson (80-74) and against La Salle (77-69).

Nothing was sweeter than this historic Game 2 win, however, where the Eagles protected their lead despite the Tigers’ relentless attempts.

UST came breathtakingly close in the last 7:40 after back-to-back baskets by Dave Ando and CJ Cansino cut Ateneo’s lead to 67-66.

But the Eagles were quick to recover, uncorking a 16-5 run spearheaded by Thirdy Ravena and Ange Kouame to regain their double-digit advantage 83-71.

Ravena ended his collegiate career with a bang, erupting for 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists. In Game 1, he tallied a season-high 32 points and five boards.

Ravena is the first player to become a three-time Finals MVP with four finals appearance.

SJ Belangel also shone by firing all his 15 points behind the arc in 17 minutes.

Matt Nieto, likewise, made an explosive exit with 14 points, six boards and five assists, while Kouame and Navarro had seven points each.

Also graduating for Ateneo are Mike Nieto, Adrian Wong and Isaac Go.

Rhenz Abando led UST with 16 points, Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy had 14 and Season MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo finished with 11 points and 19 boards but Ateneo was too much to handle.

Still, it was an achievement for the Tigers on their first finals appearance since 2015.

Scores:

ATENEO 86 — Ravena 17, Belangel 14, Ma. Nieto 14, Kouame 7, Navarro 7, Go 6, Maagdenberg 6, Wong 5, Daves 4, Mi. Nieto 3, Mamuyac 2, Andrade 0.

UST 79 — Abando 16, Nonoy 14, Chabi Yo 11, Concepcion 8, Subido 8, Huang 7, Ando 6, Paraiso 5, Cansino 4, Bataller 0, Pangilinan 0.

Quarters: 31-18, 42-32, 67-62, 86-79.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

ANTIPOLO CITY — Alaska capped off its big turnaround from a 0-5 start with a 106-90 rout of top seed NLEX to secure the last quarterfinals berth Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center here.

Import Franko House once again provided the big numbers by posting 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Aces finished the eliminations with a 5-6 record and a playoff spot in the first conference under coach Jeffrey Cariaso.

Rookie Abu Tratter, Jvee Casio and Kevin Racal added 12 points apiece and Robbie Herndon and Vic Manuel scored 10 each for Alaska, which secured the No. 7 seed in the quarters by virtue of a tiebreaker edge with NorthPort.

The Aces beat the Batang Pier 106-99 during the elims meeting.

Still to be determined is Alaska’s opponent in the quarters with TNT KaTropa or Meralco ending up at No. 2.

TNT can get the said ranking depending on the result of its match against San Miguel Beer or otherwise hand the No. 2 spot to Meralco.

Cariaso lauded his team for finally getting things on the right track after an inauspicious to his tenure as replacement for long-time mentor Alex Compton.

Alaska won five of its last six games to make it to the last eight.

“Obviously we know about the start we had but what we said that time is that it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” said Cariaso.

Alaska led by a high of 22 points 61-39, then denied NLEX a chance to complete a third comeback from a huge deficit this conference.

NLEX finished the elims at 8-3 but is assured of the No. 1 seed in the playoffs due to a superior quotient.

Import Manny Harris fired 22 points for the Road Warriors, who dropped their last two outings.

Scores:

ALASKA 106 — House 24, Casio 12, Racal 12, Tratter 12, Manuel 10, Herndon 10, Ahanmisi 8, Enciso 7, Ayaay 4, Brondial 4, Thoss 3, Galliguez 0.

NLEX 90 — Harris 22, Quinahan 17, Ravena 15, Ighalo 5, Soyud 4, Paniamogan 4, Miranda 2, Cruz 2, Alas 0, Fonacier 0.

Quarters: 33-23; 63-46; 81-65; 106-90.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Only lightweight Charly Suarez, middleweight Eumir Marcial and Fil-British light-heavyweight John Marvin are assured of slots on the team that will compete in the boxing competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in December.

There will be eight divisions in the men’s class and those competing for slots include Carlo Paalam in the light-fly, Rogen Ladon in the fly, bantam Mario Fernandez and a few others.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) secretary general Ed Picson said the complete list will be finalized right after a dual meet between the Filipinos and members of the Australian national team.

The Australians have been training in the country the past few weeks and Picson said results of these box-offs will determine the composition of the squad that is vying to win the most number of gold medals.

That of Suarez is a special case.

The 31-year-old Suarez, a Rio Olympics veteran, 2014 Incheon Asian Games silver medalist and two-time SEAG champion, has already fought four times in the professional ranks, winning them all.

To guarantee that he avoids complications, Suarez was given clearance by the Games and Amusements Board to participate.

Last month, Suarez won his fourth bout in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“(Only the) Gold,” said Suarez, a native of Davao del Norte, when asked if he will settle for second place.

Marcial is fresh from taking runnerup honors in the 2019 world championships and is the prohibitive favorite to rule his weight class in the SEAG.

Holding the rank of Lance Corporal in the British Army and assigned to the Royal Regiment of Wales, Marvin is likewise the top pick in his weight category as he is also the defending champion.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Nothing replaces the feeling of a first championship for the alma mater, but for Jerrick Balanza, his second title with the Knights ranks first on his list.

In his fifth and final year, the 6-foot-1 Balanza steered Letran to a stunning 81-79 victory in Game 3 over defending three-time champion San Beda in the NCAA Season 95 Finals Tuesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Balanza scored 27 points highlighted by a three-point shot late in the game. He then came up with a huge defensive stop against three-point shooting Evan Nelle in the dying seconds that sealed the victory and the title.

“Of course hindi ko makakalimutan yung unang championship with Letran,” Balanza, who had little sleep since celebration of the championship feat lasted until early morning Wednesday.

“Pero ngayon kasi, as team captain on my final year, iba yung pakiramdam. Napakasarap… sweetest for me. Final year ko and natulungan ko ang Letran na makapag-champion uli,” he added.

Balanza was a rookie when Letran captured the 2015 championship, a back-up to now PBA players Kevin Racal, Mark Cruz and Rey Nambatac, in beating San Beda that season also in Game 3.

This time, Balanza was the leader of Letran’s ‘Fab Five’ alongside Finals series MVP Fran Yu, fellow graduating player Bonbon Batiller, forward Jeo Ambohot and center Larry Muyang that gave Letran its 18th overall championship.

Aside from Balanza and Bataller, backup big man Christian Balagasay also played his final year.

Now comes the question of defending the hard-earned title.

Even with their departure, Balanza said the Knights would still be a competitive team since it has enough tools to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1998 and 1999.

“Nandiyan pa naman sina Fran, si Larry and si Jeo, si Ato (Ular), King (Caralipio), Allen (Mina), Tommy Olivario, Kurt Reyson… of course iyung coaching staff led by coach Bonnie Tan,” said Balanza.

“May mga players din from Letran’s Team B na developed na, and probably may galing from the junior’s division. So sa tingin ko contender pa din ang Letran maski wala na kami.”

When the final buzzer sounded in Game 3, Balanza wept at midcourt, realizing all the sacrifice and hardships, including a brain surgery last year that forced him to miss majority of the previous season.

Tan, in his first season with the Knights said he has nothing but admiration and respect for Balanza.

“Wala ako masabi sa leadership ng batang yan. Sakripisyo, anything for the team gagawin niya lahat. I’m happy that his final college year ended with a championship for Letran,” said Tan.

A bonfire was held at the campus grounds at the old gymnasium, which is under construction. Balanza led the celebration, but it was during the team dinner when Letran alumni Alfrancis Chua made the announcement on behalf of team backer, San Miguel Corp. boss Ramon S. Ang.

A source refused to divulge the amount that ‘RSA’ gave to the players, but it was in “six figures” for each player. This is the first year fir the food-beverage company to support the basketball team of Letran.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Former national coach Joe Lipa, who led University of the Philippines to its first UAAP championship in the modern era back in 1986 with players like Benje Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc and Eric Altamirano, has weighed in on conversations regarding the immediate future of the Fighting Maroons.

This after the UP Maroons, beefed up by Benjie Paras’ son Kobe and former La Salle star Ricci Rivero, twice bowed to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the stepladder semifinals of UAAP Season 82 weeks ago, missing a chance to arrange a rematch with last year’s co-finalist and tormentor Ateneo.

Game 2 of the Ateneo-UP title series is an hour away from posting time.

“Coaching is never a popularity contest,” said Lipa. “I know this myself as I’ve been cursed and vilified so many times on the way to our championship in the UAAP.”

Lipa counseled the UP community that it would be “best to take a break from the heat of the UAAP and step back and wait till heads and our visions are clearer. Then we can plan how to win in Season 83.”

The mercurial mentor also advised UP coach Bo Perasol and his coaching staff to hang in there “and not make any drastic moves.” (TST)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double against every team in the league, and Anthony Davis scored 34 points during the Los Angeles Lakers’ fifth straight victory, 112-107 over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

James posted 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to boost the NBA-leading Lakers, who have won 12 of 13 after a perfect four-game homestand.

James is fifth in NBA history with 86 triple-doubles, but the four players in front of him — Oscar Robertson, Russell Westbrook, Lakers great Magic Johnson and Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd — hadn’t done it against 30 different teams.

Dennis Schröder scored 20 of his season-high 31 points in a phenomenal first half for the Thunder, who have lost four of five despite two solid performances at Staples Center. Danilo Gallinari added 25 points in his former home arena, and Nerlens Noel had 15.

One night after the Thunder barely missed an upset win over the Clippers thanks to a last-minute 3-pointer by former star Paul George, Oklahoma City couldn’t quite catch up to the powerful Lakers despite keeping the game close all night.

James’ 3-pointer put the Lakers up 109-98 with 3:08 to play, but the Thunder scored nine straight points to cut the Lakers’ lead to two on Gallinari’s free throws with 1:24 left.

After Danny Green got a key offensive rebound for the Lakers, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope drilled a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left. James missed two free throws moments later to keep the Thunder in it, but Oklahoma City couldn’t score again.

The Thunder won’t have to wait long for a rematch: These teams meet again in Oklahoma City in three days.

Chris Paul had four points, 10 assists and five rebounds for the Thunder, and he didn’t appear to clash with Rajon Rondo, his nemesis in an early-season fight last season while he was with the Rockets. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, another ex-Clipper, added 16 points.

The Lakers led 63-53 at halftime with three 3-pointers from Davis and a 13-point first half from James, capped by a flying dunk off a pass from Rondo with 1.1 seconds left. Schröder single-handedly kept the score from getting out of hand with another strong performance against the Lakers.

Caldwell-Pope finished with 13 points.

Source: Manila Bulletin

After four years, Letran brought home the NCAA championship trophy to the Walled City of Intramuros after the Knights defeated the San Beda Red Lions in an emotion-filled Game Three 81-79 Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

As part of the celebration, the Letran community lit a roaring bonfire to mark another milestone for the school, which captured its 18th overall title in the NCAA, and first since the 2015 season.

Letran team captain, Jerrick Balanza led the ceremony as he held the torch. The community proudly sang the Himno del Colegio de Letran as the fire lit up a pile of woods at the old gymnasium, which is under renovation.

Surprisingly while the celebration is ongoing, the Letran crowd chanted the famous “Go Uste!” battle cry during the bonfire, apparently in support of fellow Dominican school University of Sto. Tomas, which is playing Ateneo in the UAAP finals.

As of this posting, the Tigers and Blue Eagles are a few hours from Game 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena, with UST facing a must-win situation. (Justin John L. Del Rosario)

WATCH:

Source: Manila Bulletin