By Jonas Terrado

Games Sunday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Meralco
6:45 p.m. — NorthPort vs Ginebra

NorthPort and Rain or Shine fight for their lives against quarterfinal-bound teams already assured of the twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Batang Pier take on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 6:45 p.m. while the Elasto Painters battle co-leader Meralco Bolts in the curtain raiser set at 4:30 p.m.

Expected to watch both matches intently are the Columbian Dyip, who finished the eliminations with a 4-7 record after their 113-90 loss to Ginebra last Friday at the Big Dome.

Columbian is banking on Ginebra to defeat NorthPort in order to gain at least a playoff for the eighth and final quarterfinals berth.

NorthPort is tied with Alaska at 4-6 while Rain or Shine still has a slim chance of forcing a playoff with its 3-7 card.
Alaska plays NLEX on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

NorthPort and Rain or Shine pulled off stunning upsets in their previous games to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.

Import Michael Qualls, Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony put an end to NLEX’s five-game run with a 102-94 win last Wednesday.

Rain or Shine on the other hand stunned San Miguel Beer by eking out a 91-85 victory over San Miguel Beer last Nov. 9 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Their fancied rivals are hoping to end the eliminations on a winning note and gain some momentum before the quarterfinals kick off on Nov. 24.

Meralco downed NorthPort 103-89 the previous Sunday in Antipolo City behind a career-high 30 points from backup guard Anjo Caram.

Ginebra secured the twice-to-beat against Columbian behind 10 points in the fourth quarter from Jeff Chan.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

National University hopes to save the best for last as it guns for back-to-back titles in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The NU Pep Squad will be performing eighth following last September’s drawing of lots. The event will start at 2 p.m.

NU coach Ghicka Bernabe vowed a better performance from last season as it aims to start a new winning streak. They won five titles over the last six years after missing a five-peat bid in 2017.

“Even us coaches are having a hard time kasi kung ano yung ginawa namin last year, the previous years, nahirapan na rin kaming pantayan or talunin,” she said.

“Pero kung mag-play safe kami, mawawala kung saan nakilala ang NU Pep Squad.”

Out to challenge NU’s title bid are the Far Eastern University Cheering Squad and the Adamson Pep Squad, who finished second and third last year.

University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troup and University of the Philippines Pep Squad, the winningest teams in the competition with eight titles each, are also set to reclaim lost glory after a failed podium finish last season.

The last time UST made it on top was in 2006 while UP last won the crown in 2012.

Raising the curtain will be the De La Salle University’s Animo Squad as it aims to crawl out of the cellar, followed by the University of the East Pep Squad, UP Pep Squad and the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion.

Performing fifth will be the FEU Cheering Squad, followed by the Adamson Pep Squad, UST Salinggawi Dance Troup and NU Pep Squad.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Sunday
(Stadium 29, Nonthaburi)
4 p.m. — Mono Vampire vs Alab

New-look San Miguel Alab Pilipinas hopes to start its road to redemption on the right track against host Mono Vampire in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Coach Jimmy Alapag expects another difficult task against Mono in the match set at 4 p.m. as Alab tries to regain the crown after an quarterfinal loss to Hong Kong Eastern last season.

“Big test for us to start the season, especially playing on the road and it’s their home opener,” said Alapag.

Alapag enters the new ABL campaign sans old reliables like import Renaldo Balkman and three-time Local Most Valuable Player Ray Parks Jr.

Alab will now be led by imports Adrian Forbes, Khalif Wyatt and Nick King and Fil-Americans Jason Brickman and Jeremiah Gray.

Lawrence Domingo and Brandon Rosser, the only holdovers from last year’s squad, are also eager to make an impact for Alab.

Alab is looking to capitalize on its win over Gilas Pilipinas in a tune-up match earlier in the week.

“I told the guys that if we play with unselfish mentality like we did (against Gilas) and play with that same effort, we’ll give ourselves a chance,” Alapag said. “It’s a long season but we’re looking forward to the opening.”

Returning to familiar surroundings is Brickman, who was an integral part of Mono’s run to the 2018 Finals where it lost to Alab in five grueling games.

Mono will be led by imports Mike Singletary, Preston Knowles and Ryan Watkins and Thai-Americans Tyler Lamb, Fred Lish and Moses Morgan.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Ceres-Negros completed its unbeaten domestic campaign with a rare double after dethroning Kaya-Iloilo 2-1 Saturday night to win the Copa Paulino Alcantara at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.

Robert Lopez Mendy broke the ice in the first half, Tristan Robles doubled the lead after the restart before Ceres overcame Kaya’s comeback try late to claim the second edition of the cup competition named after former Barcelona great Paulino Alcantara.

The win also made Ceres the first club to win a double since Global ruled the league and cup competitions of the defunct United Football League in 2016.

Ceres also went unbeaten in 29 matches in the Copa and the Philippines Football League, a feat that enhanced the Bacolod-based side’s status as the country’s premier club.

The Busmen did it without the services of several key players led by midfielder Stephan Schrock, who currently abroad for the Philippine Azkals’ campaign in the FIFA World Cup/AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Mendy slotted the ball off James Younghusband’s pass to put Ceres in front in the 29th minute.

The Senegalese striker also set up the second goal for the Busmen when he led an attack that resulted in Robles’ goal in the 68th minute.

Kaya gave itself a chance to draw level when Kenshiro Daniels scored from the edge of the box, six minutes before stoppage time. But the much-needed second goal eluded Kaya until the final whistle.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Defending champion Magnolia extended the woes of TNT KaTropa after producing a 100-93 victory Saturday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.

Import Romeo Travis had 21 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three steals, Chris Banchero posted 13 points, four rebounds and five assists and Paul Lee also scored 13 as the Hotshots finished the eliminations in sixth place with a 6-5 record.

The Hotshots were already assured of the said position even before the start of the Petron Saturday Special affair.

Magnolia was in control from start to finish, leading by 22 in the first half and a high of 23 twice in the fourth while thwarting multiple comeback attempts by TNT.

TNT, still without Jayson Castro due to an ankle injury, suffered its third straight defeat dropping into a tie for third with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 7-3. Ginebra holds the tiebreaker after beating TNT 96-93 eight days ago.

The result gave San Miguel Beer a lifeline in the race for the fourth and final twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

San Miguel and TNT collide on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City for the right to secure the quarterfinal bonus.

It could also be a start of a virtual best-of-three duel between the fourth and fifth seeds should Ginebra beat NorthPort in their match Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra will clinch the No. 3 spot with a win over NorthPort.

Import KJ McDaniels made 33 points but shot 1-of-10 from three-point land while rookie Ray Parks Jr. added 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in his second game with the KaTropa.

Parks remained winless since being traded from Blackwater two weeks ago.

The scores:

MAGNOLIA 100 — Travis 21, Banchero 13, Lee 13, Barroca 9, Jalalon 9, Ramos 8, Reavis 7, Pingris 6, Dela Rosa 6, Sangalang 5, Simon 3, Abundo 0.

TNT KATROPA 93 — McDaniels 33, Parks 21, Pogoy 13, Vosotros 7, Rosario 6, Reyes 4, Digregorio 3, De Leon 2, Williams 2, Washington 2, Taha 0, Semerad 0, Magat 0.

Quarters: 27-22; 56-41; 79-62; 100-93.

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. – Ateneo vs UST (men’s)

Ateneo continued its dominance in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball after crushing University of Santo Tomas 91-77 in Game 1 of their finals on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coming off a 16-day respite, the Blue Eagles showed no signs of rust with their relentless plays to move a win away from their third straight championship and 11th overall in this best-of-three series.

Game 2 will be on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The victory also stretched Ateneo’s winning run to 15 games, including a 14-game eliminations sweep that propelled the Eagles straight to the finals.

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin still has high praises for UST.

“Nothing but respect for UST. You saw how persistent they were, how hard they kept coming at us. So we’re not gonna slow down,” he said.

The Eagles controlled the tempo throughout, leading by as many as 66-43 anchored on Thirdy Ravena and Matt Nieto’s nine straight points.

Ravena torched the basket by erupting for a season-high 32 points on a 14-of-18 shooting and grabbing five rebounds. Ange Kouame pumped in 18 points and 12 boards while SJ Belangel added 14 points, five assists and two assists.

UST came close in the last 2:32 of the second period after a Mark Nonoy triple trimmed the deficit to 41-38.

But Ateneo recovered with a 13-1 blast led by Ravena to regain a 54-39 cushion at the half.

Ravena was already on fire in the first two quarters by unloading 18 points while Kouame already scattered 14 points and hauled nine rebounds.

Nonoy led UST with 26 points including seven triples while Brent Paraiso had 14 points. Season Most Valuable Player Soulemane Chabi Yo finished with 13 points and 10 boards.

Scores:

ATENEO 91 – Ravena 32, Kouame 18, Belangel 12, Mamuyac 9, Navarro 6, Nieto Mi 5, Nieto Ma 5, Wong 3, Daves 2, Andrade 0, Go 0, Maagdenberg 0, Mallillin 0.

UST 77 – Nonoy 26, Paraiso 14, Chabi Yo 13, Subido 8, Cansino 4, Abando 3, Concepcion 3, Ando 2, Bataller 2, Huang 2.

Quarters: 32-17, 54-39, 76-58, 91-77.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Gilas Pilipinas suffered a 114-75 loss to South Korea to fall out of contention Saturday in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament Asia-Oceania at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.

Janine Pontejos put Gilas on board with a triple shortly after tipoff but the South Koreans responded by scoring 22 consecutive points before rolling to a lopsided win that handed the Philippines its second straight defeat.

Afri Bernardino had 19 points and eight rebounds while Pontejos added 17 for the Pat Aquino-coached national cagebelles, who are using the four-day competition as part of their final buildup for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Kelli Hayes added two points, five rebounds and four assists and Gemma Miranda scored nine.

Gilas wraps up its campaign Sunday morning against China.

Leesul Kang scored 16 points to lead seven South Korean players in double figures.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Bill Russell finally accepted his Basketball Hall of Fame ring.

The 11-time NBA champion, five-time MVP, Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA champ said on Twitter on Friday that he was presented with his Hall of Fame ring in a private ceremony.

The 85-year-old Boston Celtics great didn’t attend the induction ceremony in 1975. He said he didn’t deserve to be the first black player inducted, tweeting: “I felt others before me should have that honor.”

His tweet mentions Chuck Cooper, who in 1950 was the first African-American player drafted by the NBA and who was inducted this year.

Russell said the ceremony was attended by his wife, along with close friends and Hall of Famers Bill Walton, Ann Meyers and Alonzo Mourning.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

University of Santo Tomas returned to the UAAP women’s basketball finals for the first time in 13 years after besting Far Eastern University 76-65 on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tigresses kept their tempo despite losing their double-digit lead to arrange a best-of-three championship affair with unbeaten National University Lady Bulldogs starting Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

NU boasts of a 94-game winning streak.

Season Most Valuable Player Grace Irebu paced with 28 points and 14 rebounds for UST while Lon Rivera chipped in 13 points and five boards.

“We’ve waited for three years for this to happen,” said UST mentor Haydee Ong of her coaching stint. “Yung programs, walang shortcut yan eh. You have to work for it.”

The last time UST made it to the finals was in 2006 under coach Peque Tan, where the Tigresses also clinched the crown at the expense of the FEU Lady Tamaraws.

“It has been a long road for us. We really wanted this since we came in. There were a lot of people who worked hard for it and we are thankful that we’re here,” said UST assistant coach Arsenio Dysangco.

The road to finals didn’t come easy for the Tigresses, who enjoyed a twice-to-beat incentive with their No. 2 seeding only to lose to the Lady Tamaraws 48-46 three days ago.

But UST came back rejuvenated and overpowered FEU on all fronts, shooting 25-of-58 from the field and hauling 45 boards.

FEU failed to make a return trip to the finals despite Val Mamaril and Choy Bahuyan finishing with combined 35 points.

Scores:

UST 76 — Irebu 28, Rivera 13, Soriano 11, Portillo 8, Tacatac 6, Ferrer 4, Panti 4, Callangan 2, Gandalla 0, Gonzales 0, Javier 0.

FEU 65 — Mamaril 23, Bahuyan 12, Jumuad 11, Castro 9, Quiapo 6, Antiola 2, Vidal 2, Abat 0, Adriano 0, Bastatas 0, Delos Santos 0, Pacia 0.

Quarters: 14-11, 43-21, 59-45, 76-65.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Jayson Tatum dunked after a jump ball with 1:36 left to put Boston ahead, and the Celtics held off the undermanned Golden State Warriors 105-100 on Friday night for their 10th straight win since losing the season opener.

An out-of-bounds call initially in Golden State’s favor went to replay review and was overturned, leading to the jump ball.

Kemba Walker hit a 3-pointer with 2:19 to play that pulled Boston to 97-95, then Daniel Theis made one free throw with 1:41 remaining.

The Warriors got the ball back with 54.3 seconds left on another overturned replay, but Alec Burks missed a 3 that would have tied it and Walker scored on the other end.

D’Angelo Russell had 12 points and seven assists but also nine of his team’s 19 turnovers before leaving with a sprained right thumb in the Warriors’ sixth straight defeat. Injury-plagued Golden State faced the NBA’s top two teams in consecutive games, losing to the Lakers on the road Wednesday.

Burks scored 20 points off the bench, making 11 of 12 free throws as Golden State’s cast of youngsters nearly pulled off a November upset by outhustling Boston for much of the night, crashing the boards and creating second chances.

Jaylen Brown had 22 points and eight rebounds, and Tatum overcame a slow start to score 24 points for the Celtics, who lost Oct. 23 at Philadelphia to start the season before beginning its longest winning streak since 2017.

The Warriors hung tough until late, keeping the crowd engaged — something that hasn’t always been the case so far given the early struggles by a franchise that has reached five straight NBA Finals.

Boston had four starters reach double figures in scoring after seven players did so in a 140-133 win against Washington on Wednesday.

Each team was missing a star player following surgery for a broken left hand: Golden State two-time MVP Stephen Curry and Boston forward Gordon Hayward, who missed his third straight game and second since the procedure.

Source: Manila Bulletin