By Alexandria San Juan

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) held a dialogue with bus operators over the week as it geared up for the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) that will be hosted by the Philippines beginning November 30.

According to the agency, plans and preparations for the sporting event were discussed during the meeting attended by different stakeholders at the LTFRB Central Office on Monday.

Present during the dialogue with the operators were Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing, LTFRB Member Ronaldo Corpus, LTFRB Information Systems Management Division chief Nida Quibic, and LTFRB Technical Division director Joel Bolano, who led the discussion.

Tackled during the initial part of the meeting was the provision of buses for the opening ceremony of the SEA Games on November 30 to be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Bolano said DOTr, as well as LTFRB, had agreed to designate two pick-up points for buses which will be at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

The LTFRB recently opened the application for special permits for point-to-point (P2P) buses which may want to service the routes leading to the venues of the sporting event.

Once approved, the special permit will be valid during the SEA Games slated November 30 to December 11, the LTFRB said.

Also discussed during the dialogue was the formation of a consortium of all city buses under a single fleet management system as requested by DOTr.

The agency tasked bus operators to create and submit initial plans for the consortium prior to a meeting set in the first week of December before its presentation in Malacañang as a component of the PUV Modernization Program.

In an earlier interview, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is ready to accept the at least 17,000 athletes, dignitaries, and officials from various nations for this year’s SEA Games.

The 2019 SEA Games, which will be hosted by the Philippines, will be held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac and other venues in Subic and Metro Manila from November 30 to December 11.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

San Beda ended a three-year championship drought Tuesday by scoring a runaway 98-77 victory over the Lyceum of the Philippines University Junior Pirates in the NCAA Season 95 juniors finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Justin Sanchez powered the Red Cubs with 19 points, while transferee Rhayyan Amsali had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Jay Ynot 18 points off the bench.

This is the 24th overall title for the Red Cubs – the most in the juniors division. However, this is the first for the team in three years or since it won the title in 2016 against the Arellano University Braves.

San Beda coach Manu Iñigo, only on his first season, said it was the determination of his players, particularly the eight graduating Red Cubs, that helped the team win the title.

“Sobrang saya siyempre, nagbunga yung sacrifice ng mga players namin, and supporta na rin ng buong San Beda community. Also, yung mga graduating players namin, they did their best,” said Iñigo.

San Beda took Game One, 94-80, but Lyceum tied the series 79-74, setting up the winner-take-all Game 3.
Sanchez and Amsali took charge early when the Red Cubs grabbed a 27-18 advantage after the first period. By halftime, San Beda has padded its lead to 50-33.

Iñigo said they were a bit pressured to end the title series that led to their defeat in Game 2. He reminded his players to just play their game and remain focused on the game plan.

“Madaming pumasok sa isip nila, nandun na din iyung pressure (in Game 2). Pero ang maganda nag-tiwala kami sa isa’t isa,” said Iñigo.

The 6-foot-4 Amsali, a transferee from National University, said they just did what their coaches asked them to.

“Basta go hard, push lang kami after nung talo sa Game 2. Kaya naging maganda results,” said Amsali.

Lyceum, which played in its first finals since joining the NCAA in 2011, got 24 points from guard Mclaude Guadania, while Jaerolan Omandac had 12 points and season MVP John Barba added 11 points.

Scores:

SAN BEDA 98—Sanchez 19, Ynot 18, Amsali 16, Llarena 10, Oftana 9, Alao 8, Cabanero 5, Pelipel 4, Andrada 3, Nicdao 3, Alcantara 2, Delfino 1, Pascual 0, Valencia 0, Perigrina 0.

LYCEUM 77—Guadania 24, Omandac 12, Barba 11, Montano 10, Garro 6, Panganiban 5, Ragasa 5, Caduyac 2, Garing 2, Gamlanga 0, Gudmalin 0, Dejelo 0, Dumon 0.

Quarters: 27-18, 50-33, 81-51, 98-77.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Alec Burks scored a season-high 29 points, Glenn Robinson III added 20 and the Golden State Warriors snapped a seven-game losing streak with a commanding 114-95 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.

Marquese Chriss and Eric Paschall added 17 points apiece for the Warriors. Draymond Green was just short of his 24th career triple-double with eight points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

Rookie Ja Morant scored 20 points for Memphis, while Dillon Brooks finished with 18. Brandon Clarke added 17 and Jae Crowder had 15 points along with 11 rebounds as Memphis lost its second straight.

Even undermanned, the Warriors were able to cause enough problems for Memphis that the game was pretty much over before halftime.

Memphis got the deficit to single digits at one point late in the third quarter, but Golden State never let the Grizzlies threaten in the fourth.

The Warriors built their 61-46 halftime lead behind Memphis’ poor shooting and poor defense. Much like its blowout loss to Denver on Sunday, Memphis’ problems were evident in the second quarter when Golden State outscored the Grizzlies 26-4 to open the frame.

The Warriors shots 51% for the half, while holding Memphis to 36%.

Burks had 17 points and Robinson added 14, Golden State’s starting guards combining to go 13 for 18 from the field in the half.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — Jrue Holiday had 22 points and 10 assists, Brandon Ingram added 21 points, and the New Orleans Pelicans spoiled Carmelo Anthony’s Portland debut with a 115-104 victory over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

Anthony finished with 10 points while Portland leading scorer and four-time All-Star Damian Lillard missed his first game of the season with back spasms.

Starting at forward and playing across the street from where he led Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA championship over Kansas, Anthony scored the Blazers’ first points of the game on a 3-pointer from 26 feet out, but wound up missing 10 of 14 shots in what was the first game of his 17th NBA season.

Ingram looked spry in his return from right knee soreness that sidelined him four games, particularly on an authoritative, driving, one-handed dunk that got the crowd roaring in the opening quarter.

J.J. Redick hit 4 of 9 3-pointers and scored 14 points for New Orleans, which has won two straight and three of four. Kenrich Williams, who got the start at forward, filled the stat sheet with hustle plays, grabbing 14 rebounds to go with three steals and a blocked shot. He also scored eight points.

Holiday highlighted his night with a spinning dribble around Nassir Little for a driving dunk. In the second half, he scored on an unusual play in which he remained under his own basket, re-tying his shoes while his team advanced 4-on-5 into the offensive end. Holiday then came sprinting down court, took a handoff from Nicolo Melli near the 3-point line and exploded toward the rim for a layup.

C.J. McCollum led Portland with 22 points, while Hassan Whiteside added 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Anthony wasted no time getting his first shot off. His miss from 20 feet came within the opening 30 seconds and was Portland’s first shot of the game. Anthony also took Portland’s second shot, hitting his first of two made 3s.

But when Anthony tried to rise for a two-handed dunk in the first half, he was met with resistance by a member of the NBA’s rookie class when eighth overall draft pick Jaxson Hayes rejected the attempt.

Hayes closed out the half with his third block, swatting away a driving floater by Anfernee Simons to keep Portland’s lead at 54-53.

New Orleans seized momentum in the third quarter, going up by 13 on a sequence that began when Melli hit a 3 and then got the ball right back in a largely vacated Portland back court after Nickeil Alexander-Walker dove to swipe the ball away from McCollum. Melli went straight in for a dunk that made it 83-70.

Portland responded with three quick 3s — two by Kent Bazemore — during a 9-2 run that trimmed New Orleans’ lead to six before Alexander-Walker, who had hit 11 3s in his previous two games, ended the period by banking in a straightaway 3 to make it 88-79.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Wednesday

(Ynares Center, Antipolo City)

4:30 p.m. — Alaska vs NLEX
7 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs San Miguel

Attention will center mostly on the San Miguel Beermen as they try to secure the last twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals amid a fight that broke out during practice over the weekend.

The Beermen hope to move on from the incident and beat the TNT KaTropa for the coveted bonus in the match of the eliminations set 7 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

SMB’s chemistry and resolve to win the coveted Grand Slam will be put to a test after import Dez Wells, Arwind Santos, Ronald Tubid and Kelly Nabong exchanged blows during a Sunday morning session at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas.

Beermen management has been mum about the incident, though one source suggested an optimistic belief that things eventually be sorted out on a positive note.

Whether it will be resolved fast enough will be known during the game where SMB, at 6-4, needs to win by at least two points to snatch the twice-to-beat from TNT, which holds a 7-3 mark.

Also being determined at press time is whether Wells will make his return after missing the last two games due to an ankle injury or SMB will stick it out with former NBA player John Holland, who debuted last Nov. 9 in a loss to Rain or Shine in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

TNT is also dealing with its own problems, though not as volatile as SMB.

The KaTropa have dropped their last three games following a 7-0 start to put itself in danger of missing out on a twice-to-beat berth.

Also crucial is the 4:30 p.m. opener with Alaska looking to upset top seed Alaska and clinch the last quarterfinals berth.

Alaska has a 4-6 record, half-game ahead of Columbian and Rain or Shine which ended their elims with similar 4-7 slates.

The Aces will make the playoffs plus gain the No. 7 seed with a win or otherwise face the Dyip in a do-or-die match on Friday. The Elasto Painters are out of contention due to an inferior quotient.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Wednesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

12 noon – NU vs UST (women’s)
2:30 p.m. – Presentation of Individual Awards
4 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (men’s)

Ateneo guns for a historic title sweep in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball against University of Santo Tomas Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is at 4 p.m. with the Blue Eagles on the verge of becoming the first team ever to go 16-0 in a season.

A win for Ateneo will also make them the third team to go unbeaten in a season after Far Eastern University and UST. The Tamaraws did it in 1980 and 1981 by winning all 12 games while the Tigers clinched the crown after sweeping 14 matches in 1993.

While so much is at stake in the game, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin sees it differently.

“We just want to be 1-0 from here,” he said after the Eagles dominated Game One 91-77 on Saturday.

“Believe me, we just want to play this game well, play it really well. Win the game and whatever comes with that, comes with that. We don’t want our focus on anything else, especially any talk about records or anything like that.”
While momentum is on Ateneo’s side, Baldwin still thinks it’s a must-win game for them.

“They (UST) don’t quit, they don’t ever back down, so we need to have the attitude that it is a must-win game,” he said.

Thirdy Ravena is slated to anchor the Eagles on probably his last game in college after a season-high 32 points on 14-of-18 shooting in the opener.

For UST coach Aldin Ayo, it is not only about stopping Ravena in order to extend the series.

“It’s not only about Thirdy eh. If we want to stop them, we’ll have to stop the whole team,” he said.

Ayo admitted they played poorly last Saturday and took the blame for the defeat.

“I think the problem is coaching staff, we were not able to prepare the players well. But I told the players that we have to handle the loss right away and go back to our main goal ulit,” he said.

UST is expected to execute a fast-paced game that includes torching the three-point line after draining 14 triples the last time.

Expected to lead the Tigers are Season MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo and Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy, who combined for 39 points in Game 1.

Game 3, if necessary, will be on Saturday at the same venue.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippine Azkals conceded a first half goal before falling short of salvaging a tie in a 1-0 loss to Syria Tuesday in the FIFA World Cup/AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.

Ward Salama’s goal in the 23rd minute proved to be the difference maker as the Azkals tried several times late to equalize but to no avail, thus suffering their second loss in Group A.

The Azkals, who were also beaten 5-2 by Syria in their first meeting in Bacolod City last September, stayed on level terms with China at seven points for third place after the final second round qualifying match of the calendar year.

A draw would have allowed the Azkals to overtake China for second place in the group.

Syria hiked its hold on top spot in Group A with 15 points through five matches.

Salama scored past Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge by hitting the roof of the net to put the Syrian booters in front.

Martin Steuble gave the Azkals their first chance at tying the score but his weak attempt went past the right post.

Mike Ott set up an opportunity for Mark Hartmann, whose six-yard attempt was stopped by Syrian keeper Almeh Ibrahim.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Letran ace Jerrick Balanza made sure his final year with the Knights was a memorable one.

Balanza made key plays on both ends to help Letran dethrone the San Beda Red Lions in a riveting finish 81-79 in Game 3 of the NCAA Season 95 Finals last night at the rocking Mall of Asia Arena.

After missing most part of the previous season after he underwent brain surgery, Balanza drained a huge three-pointer shot that gave Letran a 79-73 lead with 1:29 left in the game.

San Beda trimmed the deficit 79-76 on Evan Nelle’s own triple with 43.2 seconds to go, putting pressure on the Knights.

Fran Yu, who missed the final three minutes of Game 2 due to cramps – the same problem he had late in Game 3 – made two pressure free throws for 81-76 with 15.9 seconds to play.

The Red Lions had one final roar left though.

Just when Yu was waiving at the San Beda crowd as if to bid them farewell, Nelle again drained a triple to make it a one-possession ball game 81-79, only 12 seconds remaining.

At that point, Bonbon Batiller and Yu – forced to a jump ball by San Bed’s season MVP Calvin Oftana – suffered cramps one after the other. Possession went to the Lions with 5.4 seconds left and the game in their hands for them to win and lose.

Here Balanza delivered defensively.

One of Letran’s graduating players, Balanza came through with a huge defensive stop against Nelle from top of the key.

Donald Tankoua recovered the loose ball, but the Cameroonian center failed to make a decent shot as the buzzer sounded, leading to wild celebration by the Knights and their supporters amid chants of “Arriba! Arriba! Arriba! Letranista!”

A total of 19,876 witnessed the final game of the season.

Letran’s victory ended a four-year title drought, or since the Knights stunned an equally talented San Beda squad during the 2015 season. It was the school’s 18th overall title in the NCAA.

The victory denied San Beda a fourth consecutive title – a disappointing finish to a season where the Red Lions had a perfect 18-0 record in the eliminations that propelled them to the Finals.

“It was difficult beating San Beda, but nothing is impossible,” said Letran coach Bonnie Tan, who is in his first season with the Knights. “There’s always a reason why it happened (lost in Game 2).”

Balanza, who finished with 27 points, said it was their determination to recover from a Game 2 (79-76) defeat that propelled them to the championship – his second with the school since he was part of the 2015 squad as a rookie.

“People doubted that we can win in Game 3, but as the captain of this team, I have to carry and motivate the team,” said Balanza, who plans to turn pro this year and join the PBA Rookie Draft.

Yu, named the Finals MVP after averaging 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, six assists and two steals in the series, finished with eight points, five rebounds and seven assists, while Batiller – also in his final year – had 19 points and five boards.

San Beda, which was denied a fourth straight title, got 22 points from Tankoua, while Oftana had 18 points. James Kwekuteye-Canlas, Clint Doliguez and Nelle each scored 11 points for the Lions.

Scores:

LETRAN 81 — Balanza 27, Batiller 19, Ular 9, Yu 8, Muyang 6, Mina 6, Caralipio 4, Ambohot 2, Balagasay 0, Olivario 0, Javillonar 0, Sangalang 0.

SAN BEDA 79 — Tankoua 22, Oftana 18, Canlas 11, Nelle 11, Doliguez 11, Carino 3, Soberano 3, Bahio 0, Abuda 0, Visser 0.

Quarters: 26-24, 44-38, 69-59, 79-81.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

The soon-to-be-opened New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, which will serve as the main hub of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, can serve as an ideal place for training camp for foreign athletes bound for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Equipped with legal performance-enhancing devices, the track oval’s practice range was installed with facilities designed “to help them excel in their sports and unlock their full potential,” said E-Sports International Managing Director Audris Romualdez.

E-Sports International was commissioned by MTD Philippines, the lead group that built the NCC, to install SmarTracks, an ultra-modern performance diagnostic system that accurately tracks and monitors an athletes’ performance by way of magnetic gates integrated within the track’s surface.

It enables documentation of activities in a variety of disciplines, according to E-Sports.

MTD Philippines chief Nikko David, through a teleconference call, said not only Filipino bets who have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics can avail of the NCC’s features.

“Starting March (2020), they can spend training camp here and use the facilities before going to the Olympics. The weather conditions in Tokyo during that time is similar to our weather,” he said, adding that foreign athletes will find the facilities at par with the rest of the world that have them but not as expensive.

There are only about 30 stadiums worldwide that have SmarTracks, making the NCC as the only one in the country that has them.

The Tokyo Olympics runs from July 24 to August 9.

The NCC will have its baptism of fire next week when the SEAG formally opens although some Filipino athletes have actually tested the facilities during a test event held there a few weeks ago.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Take it from someone who had a direct hand in the inclusion of 56 sports in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Congressman Bambol Tolentino, who headed the committee that took charge in picking the sports and the approval of 530 events, believes winning the overall crown is within reach.

“A low of 130 (gold medals) and a high of 180 but if it goes beyond, the better,” said Tolentino, who also heads cycling apart from a Tagaytay congressman.

“Do the math, if each NSA can win two gold medals, that’d already be 112 and there are many NSAs that will more than two gold medals,” said Tolentino.

The Philippines, being the host, is fielding the biggest contingent with 1,115 athletes while the other major SEA nation like regional powerhouse Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are sending at least a thousand each.

Vietnam, which has never slipped from the top three since first hosting the biennial event in 2003, is dispatching over 900 bets.

“Remember, I was the one who raised the number of sports to 56 and we studied this carefully,” added Tolentino.

Combat sports—boxing, jujitsu, judo, sambo, kickboxing and wrestling, is expected to shore up the Philippines’ output while dancesport, athletics, gymnastics and skateboarding are likewise right there to jack up the production.

First-place finishes are also being seen in

archery, billiards, bowling, chess, cycling, fencing, golf, ice skating, karatedo, muay, pencak silat, sailing, sepak takraw, shooting, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and windsurfing.

Last time the Philippines hosted the SEAG in 2005, it captured the overall title for the first time after falling short in 1981 and 1991.

Source: Manila Bulletin