By Nick Giongco

Eleven players from Soccksargen, its head coach and team manager and several other personalities from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) were slapped with cases by the league for allegedly getting involved in point-shaving and game-fixing, Sen. Manny Pacquiao said on Tuesday.

Pacquiao, the league’s founder, showed the media the names of 21 individuals during a press conference at the Sofitel Hotel.

The case was filed on Tuesday afternoon at the Department of Justice (DOJ),” Pacquiao stressed.

With the help of the National Bureau of Investigation, Pacquiao decided to crack the ship on erring players and officials and vowed to put all of them in jail.

“Huwag nyo akong subukan. Kundi, magkaaalaman tayo. Magkaka-lintik lintik ang lahat pag sinukuban nyo ako. (Don’t mess with me. If not, you’ll get it. Things will turn ugly if you mess with me),” said

Pacquiao was joined during the presser by lawyers Bong Gacal and Brando Viernesto and MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.

Saying they they have reviewed games of the team, Pacquiao bared he and Duremdes are convinced that there was probable cause.

“Ipapakulong ko ang mga ito (I will have then jailed),” said a peeved Pacquiao. “Niloloko nyo ang mga taong nanonood. Mabuti nga kinasuhan ko lang kayo. (You are fooling the public and you’re lucky that I only filed cases).”

The players who were slapped include Jake Diwa, Exequiel Biteng, Ricky Morillo, Jerome Juanico, Matthew Bernabe, Julio Magbanua, Abraham Santos, John Patrick Rabe, Ryan Regalado, Janus Lozada and Joshua Alcober.

Head coach Ferdinand Melocoton and team manager Kevin Espinosa were also hit with cases alongside team officials Serafin Matias, EJ Avila and Sonny Uy.

Quezon City team manager Nino Dionisio and a certain Mr. Sung, who is a Chinese national heavily engaged in sportsbetting, according to the MPBL, were also included.

Two other Sung accomplices, a certain Kein and Emma, were added in the complaint sheet.

In the meantime, the management of the Soccksargen squad is now under the care of the MPBL, its lineup and coaching staff replaced.

Pacquiao said more heads will roll but the majority of those who will be punished have already been named.

“Walang puwang ang ganitong gawain sa MPBL (This act has no place in the MPBL),” said Pacquiao.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Sen. Manny Pacquiao is going to light the flame that will mark the start of the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Asked whether he will have the time to watch SEAG events from Nov. 30-Dec. 11, Pacquiao told the Bulletin on Tuesday that he will carry the torch that will light the flame of the country’s hosting.

World champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, women’s boxing champ Nethy Petecio, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxer Eumir Marcial and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe are going to alternately carry the Philippine flag during the parade.

Taking part in a multi-game sportsfest is nothing new to Pacquiao as a non-athlete.

In the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Pacquiao was the flag-carrier.

Pacquiao also runs the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and is the reigning World Boxing Association welterweight champion.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Friday (Mall of Asia Arena Pasay City)

1 p.m. – San Beda vs Lyceum (Jrs)

3 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony

4 p.m. – San Beda vs Letarn (Srs)

Jay Ynot and Justin Sanchez scored 16 points each to power San Beda to a convincing 94-80 win over Lyceum of the Philippines University to move a win away from winning the championship in the NCAA Season 95 junior’s division Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Ynot and Sanchez, two of eight graduating players of San Beda, led the Red Cubs’ balanced attack.

Sanchez also added 14 rebounds, while forward Rhayyan Amsali – formerly of the NU Bull Pups – finished with 14 points and 14 boards, and King Alcantara scored 12 points off the bench for the Red Cubs.

San Beda can clinch its 24th overall title in the junior’s tournament with another victory in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals series against Lyceum on Friday at the same venue.

The last time San Beda won the division was back in 2015.

Even if they are a win away from ending a four-year title-less campaign, San Beda mentor Manu Inigo – son of former sports editor Manolo Inigo – said they are not thinking too much the title.

“Malayo pa yan, Maga-adjust pa sila (Lyceum), tignan natin kung paano. What’s important is king paano namin ma-handle,” said Inigo, who played college ball of University of the East in the UAAP.

“Of course, it’s a big win. But we’ll prepare again, prepare sa balik ng Lyceum. They’re capable of staging a comeback, lalo ngayon nandito na tayo sa Finals so anything can happen.”

Inigo pointed to the 80 points they gave up as the Junior Pirates shot 29-of-67 (43.28%) from the field.

“We gave up 80 points, so hindi kami satisfied. Kailangan pa din mag-adjust sa defense,” he said. “Sa depensa kami mag-focus sa Game 2, yun ang kailangan namin gawin as a team.”

Ahead by just seven points 67-60 early in the fourth quarter, the Red Cubs unleashed a 12-0 run capped by a Charles Delfin three-pointer shot that gave them an 81-60 advantage with 6:27 to play.

During that run by San Beda, Alcantara scored five points.

John Barba, who will be named the junior’s division MVP after he topped the Statistical Points (SP) department, led Lyceum with 21 points, while Gyle Montano added 18 points of the bench.

McClaude Guadania was held to just six points on just 2-of-10 shooting from the perimeter.

Scores:

SAN BEDA 94 — Ynot 16, Sanchez 16, Amsali 14, Andrada 14, Alcantara 12, Delfino 8, Oftana 6, Valencia 3, Pelipel 3, Cabanero 2, Alao 0, Llarena 0, Pascual 0, Nicdao 0.

LYCEUM 80 — Barba 21, Montano 18, Omandac 11, Gamlanga 10, Garro 9, Guadania 6, Garing 5, Panganiban 0, Caduyac 0, Ragasa 0, Santos 0, Dejelo 0, Dumon 0, Gudmalin 0.

Quarters: 25-14; 47-41; 67-58; 94-80.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Rudy Gobert had 25 points and 14 rebounds as the Utah Jazz beat the Golden State Warriors 122-108 on Monday night.

Donovan Mitchell added 23 points and Mike Conley scored 22 for Utah, which improved to 7-3.

The injury-ravaged Warriors fell to an NBA-worst 2-9 and their frustrations boiled over in the fourth quarter. Draymond Green, back after missing five games with a torn finger ligament, earned back-to-back technicals and an ejection for arguing a blocking call with 8:28 left.

Less than a minute later, coach Steve Kerr was given a technical after arguing a kicked-ball call against Jordan Poole.

It’s been that kind of season so far for the Warriors, who had their biggest star back in the building Monday.

Stephen Curry, sidelined for at least the next three months because of a broken left hand, held a pregame media briefing to discuss his injury and try to lend his teammates some moral support.

Point guard D’Angelo Russell continues to be a bright spot for Golden State. He scored 33 points, his fourth consecutive game of 30 or more.

The Jazz pulled away thanks to their 3-point shooting and a huge advantage at the free throw line. Utah shot 46 percent (16 for 35) from beyond the arc and went 26 of 32 at the foul line.

Utah took a 69-54 lead into halftime after going 9 for 18 on 3s. Mitchell led the way, shooting 5 of 6 from long range and scoring 19 points.

The Jazz made 16 of 17 foul shots in the first half, while Golden State attempted just four free throws.

Russell got off to a terrific start, scoring 18 points in the first quarter and going into the break with 22.

Besides getting Green back in the lineup, the Warriors also welcomed back rookie forward Eric Paschall, who missed Saturday’s game at Oklahoma City with a bruised hip.

Paschall, who averaged 22.5 points in the four games leading up to his injury, finished with eight.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Lou Williams scored 21 points, Kawhi Leonard just missed a triple-double in his first game against his former team and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors 98-88 on Monday night.

Leonard finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to go with nine turnovers. Last season, he led the Raptors to their first championship, averaging 30.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in 24 postseason games to earn his second Finals MVP honor.

Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Norman Powell added 15 points and Fred VanVleet had 14 points for the injury-depleted Raptors, who had their three-game winning streak snapped in the second game of a back-to-back.

The Clippers shot just 37% but dominated the boards, 66-38, led by 12 each from Patrick Beverley and JaMychal Green.

Leonard faced plenty of double coverage throughout the game.

His first five points all came on free throws, including two technicals. Leonard missed his first six field goal attempts and finally scored on a coast-to-coast layup midway through the third quarter to put the Clippers up 62-55.

From there, the Raptors outscored Los Angles 23-11 the rest of the period. Siakam scored seven points and VanVleet added five in the spurt as neither team led by more than two until Matt Thomas’ 3-pointer and basket sent the Raptors into the fourth leading 78-73.

The fourth was a series of mad dashes and bodies piled in the paint on both ends.

The Raptors tied the game for the last time at 82-all on Chris Boucher’s 3-pointer. They managed just three field goals the rest of the way.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Boris Diaw was rightly concerned about the well-being of a scrawny 19-year-old kid moving to a new country and attempting to compete against the game’s best in the NBA.

One odd Christmas dinner that turned into an impromptu film session helped Diaw realize his friend and French teammate, Tony Parker, was going to be just fine.

The seeds of that evening came to full fruition as the San Antonio Spurs retired Parker’s No. 9 jersey on Monday night in a stirring ceremony.

The sting of a 113-109 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was quickly forgotten as a sell-out crowd celebrated the career of San Antonio’s mercurial point guard.

Accompanied by his wife, Axelle, and sons Josh and Liam, Parker celebrated his career with former teammates and coaches along with the Spurs fans.

Parker became the 10th player in franchise to have his number retired, joining fellow Big Three members Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili in having their jerseys lifted to the rafters of the AT&T Center.

“It was an honor to play for you guys, to play together,” Parker said. “You have no idea how much impact you two had in my life. You inspire me every day.”

Parker, Duncan and Ginobili teamed to win four of the franchise’s five NBA championships and are the winningest trio in league history with 541 wins.

“He grew so quickly,” Duncan said. “I had no idea that this kid would be my point guard, the point guard that I loved to play with for the rest of my career.”

That success and friendship came after a dubious start.

Parker had a self-described “horrible” first workout with the Spurs prior to the 2001 NBA draft that drew the ire of San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich. A second workout convince Popovich and the Spurs to take a chance on the French point guard and he rewarded them by earning NBA Finals MVP in 2007, six All-Star selections and becoming the franchise’s leader in assists (6,829).

“Tony I want to apologize for all the physical and mental abuse I gave you over the years,” Popovich said to the roar of laughter. “Thank you. I’ve been wanting to say that for a long time.”

Not that Parker needed an apology. The relationship between Parker and Popovich grew from a coach and player to paternal.

“The impact that you had in my life,” Parker said. “I have an unbelievable dad, but you were an unbelievable second dad to me. The way you taught me stuff, the way you helped me understand the game and make me better.”

Diaw got a glimpse of the impact Popovich would have on Parker in December 2017.

Parker invited Diaw to San Antonio to celebrate the holidays and they both went to Popovich’s home for Christmas dinner. Diaw began searching the home after both disappeared following a great meal and dessert.

“I see Pop viewing film with Tony about the game the night before,” Diaw said. “I’m like, ‘It’s Christmas.’ And Pop was yelling at Tony. ‘You missed the shot and you’re turning over the ball and you do that.’ Wow. So, on the same night you could have the family setting, all the love and the care, and at the same time caring about making Tony a better player. That’s when I knew Tony was good in hands.”

And so were the Spurs.

“I’ve been the luckiest guy in the world to see you from age 19 to this day,” Popovich said. “So, it’s from a young kid who I just gave the ball to and said, ‘Ok, you’re gonna run the show,’ and pretty soon we’re going to be there when you enter the Hall of Fame.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it has registered an appeal by track coach Alberto Salazar against his ban for doping violations, though a hearing will take several months to prepare.

CAS says Salazar and Dr. Jeffrey Brown appealed against their four-year bans by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

After a multi-year USADA investigation, Salazar and Brown were found guilty of doping violations linked to the Nike Oregon Project training camp.

USADA said Salazar ran experiments with supplements and testosterone, and possessed and trafficked the banned substance.

The case also related to falsified and incomplete medical records that disguised the work.

CAS says Salazar and Brown asked for more time to file “written submissions and evidence,” adding the hearing is “unlikely to take place before March.”

Verdicts typically take at least a further several weeks.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.— After falling short of reaching the World Series for the 10th straight year, the New York Yankees intend to have conversations with top free agent pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg.

“It’s a good time to be them,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday as the general managers meeting began. “Certainly we’ll have conversations from our perspective. And they’ll either lead to further ones or lesser ones.”

During a moonlit availability in a courtyard surrounded by palm trees, Cashman confirmed changes in the team’s staff, led by Matt Blake replacing Larry Rothschild as pitching coach. He said New York has had conversations with the agents for several of its players who became free agents, including outfielder Brett Gardner, shortstop Didi Gregorius and reliever Dellin Betances.

Starting pitching is the Yankees’ biggest need following their loss to Houston in a six-game AL Championship Series. Manager Aaron Boone’s rotation could use a premier arm to join a group that includes Luis Severino, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ.

Domingo Germán is being investigated by Major League Baseball under its domestic violence policy, which caused him to miss the postseason and could lead to a suspension at the start of next season. Cashman said possibilities to consider are Jordan Montgomery, who has completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and prospects Deivi García and Michael King.

A core group that includes right fielder Aaron Judge, catcher Gary Sánchez, infielder Gleyber Torres and left fielder Giancarlo Stanton could attract free agent pitchers.

“We have a lot of talent that’s hungry and looking to take another step or two,” Cashman said.

“Aaron Boone in his end-of-season press conference described it probably perfectly. We weren’t a player or two away, we were a play or two away from playing in the World Series.”

Yankees starting pitchers had a 4.51 ERA, 15th among the 30 teams. The 4.08 for New York relievers was ninth.

Top pitchers like Strasburg, Cole and Zack Wheeler are obvious targets.

“Of course, we’re going talk Strasburg. We’ll talk to Cole. We’ll talk to the higher-end guys clearly and have conversations there,” Cashman said. “And we’ll also talk about some surprise guys, I’m sure.”

Strasburg helped Washington win its first World Series title and Cole boosted Houston within a victory of its second championship in three seasons. An innings-eating ace could ease the burden on the bullpen — New York’s starters combined for 778 1/3 innings, ahead of only Seattle, Toronto, Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Angels.

“It’s not something we’re not interested in. It’s just something that’s been hard to get ahold of,” Cashman said.

Cashman’s first offseason move was to entice closer Aroldis Chapman to stay rather than opt out by amending his contact to a $48 million, three-year deal from an agreement that had $30 million and two seasons left. Cashman has had several discussions with Joe Bick, the agent for Gardner, a 36-year-old who is the longest-tenured Yankees player at 12 seasons. Gardner hit .251 and set career bests with 28 homers and 74 RBIs. With Aaron Hicks sidelined at the start of next season following Tommy John surgery, keeping Gardner would appear to be appetizing.

“We’ve had a longstanding, very successful relationship,” Cashman said. “And obviously we’ll see if that can continue or not.”

Cashman also has talked with Jim Murray, the agent for Gregorius and Betances. They may or may not fit into a payroll already with the current roster projected to be about $212 million for purposes of the luxury tax, above the $208 million threshold.

“We have plan B’s and Plan C’s,” Cashman said.

Coaches

Blake agreed to join the Yankees even though he was promoted by Cleveland to director of pitching development on Nov. 5 after three seasons as assistant director of player development. Rothschild, who had been with the Yankees for eight seasons, will become San Diego’s pitching coach.

“I’m charged with making tough decisions over time and, obviously, as we move forward I felt I wanted to gravitate to somebody that had a little bit more in- depth knowledge of some of the newer technology out there,” Cashman said. “It doesn’t mean Larry hasn’t been exposed to it. So it’s a balance.”

Cashman said bench coach Josh Bard had left to find a job closer to home in Colorado, Carlos Mendoza is shifting to bench coach from infield instructor and major league quality control coach, and Tanner Swanson was leaving his job as Minnesota’s minor league catching coordinator to become the Yankees’ head of organizational catching and replace Mendoza as big league quality control coach.

Tanaka time

Cashman said right-hander Masahiro Tanaka’s surgery on Oct. 23 to remove bone spurs “was routine and one that he’s had in the past” and added “he was expected to be ready to go by spring training. I’m sure we’ll be careful on the front end.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

NEW YORK  — Young sluggers known for their prodigious power, Pete Alonso and Yordan Álvarez knocked the Rookie of the Year voting out of the park.

In a rarity for the major league home run leader, Alonso didn’t land the biggest blow.

Alonso, a star first baseman with the New York Mets, got 29 of 30 first-place votes for NL Rookie of the Year. Braves right-hander Mike Soroka got the other first-place vote and finished second in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America revealed Monday night.

“To just win the award, doesn’t matter if it’s unanimous or not,” Alonso said. “It’s still such a blessing.”

Álvarez, a hulking designated hitter from the Houston Astros, earned all 30 first-place votes to become the 24th unanimous selection since the award was introduced in 1949.

“I was really not expecting it,” Álvarez said through a translator.

The 24-year-old Alonso led the majors with 53 homers, one better than Yankees slugger Aaron Judge’s rookie record from 2017. “Polar Bear” Pete became the face of baseball in Flushing, beloved for his power, personality and philanthropy. He’s the sixth Met to win the award and first since teammate Jacob deGrom in 2014.

Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was third in NL balloting. The only voter to place Soroka ahead of Alonso was Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. Alonso was the only NL player named on every ballot.

Álvarez, a 22-year-old from Cuba, played 87 games after debuting in June, fewest by any position player to win AL Rookie of the Year. He hit 27 homers, batted .313, drove in 78 and had a 1.067 OPS for the pennant-winning Astros. He struggled at times in the postseason, but that was after voting had concluded.

“My whole family was telling me I would be the winner of the award,” Álvarez said. “And once I was selected as the winner, I was very excited.”

He’s the third Houston player to win, following teammate Carlos Correa in 2015 and Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell in 1991.

Álvarez easily beat out the other AL finalists, with Orioles left-hander John Means second and Rays infielder Brandon Lowe third.

The Mets agitated their fans by stashing Alonso at Triple-A through the end of the 2018 season, citing his inadequate defense at first base. He went to spring training this year battling with buddy Dominic Smith for the starting job, and Alonso wasn’t even certain to crack the opening-day roster until being declared New York’s primary first baseman a day before the regular season.

Alonso said he was challenged by first-year general manager Brodie Van Wagenen to “show up in shape and earn your spot.”

“I felt like I answered the bell,” Alonso said.

The former Florida Gator became an instant star in the Mets’ blue and orange. Wielding his hefty 34-inch, 32-ounce birch bat, Alonso hit .292 with nine homers, 26 RBIs and a 1.024 OPS over March and April, claiming the first of three NL Rookie of the Month honors. He put on a power-packed show while winning the All-Star Home Run Derby, and then cemented his fan-favorite status by donating $100,000 of his $1 million derby prize to charities supporting injured soldiers and 9/11 workers.

“Pete kept the same attitude that he came in spring training with through the entire season,” Van Wagenen said. “He was a good teammate. He was a true professional. And obviously, he was a lightning in a bottle for all Mets fans.”

Alonso wore a hat reading “100%” on the broadcast while being named the NL winner, but his vote total didn’t match. The upbeat slugger was all smiles as usual — just like when teammates ripped off his jersey following a game-ending walk in September.

“I’m not taking my shirt off for this one,” Alonso joked.

With a left-handed swing reminiscent of long-legged Hall of Famer Willie McCovey — another unanimous Rookie of the Year pick — Álvarez immediately entrenched himself in the middle of Houston’s batting order. He hit seven homers in his first 12 games, and his OPS ranked fifth in the majors after he debuted June 9.

Álvarez’s OPS was the highest ever by a rookie, surpassing Shoeless Joe Jackson’s 1.058 mark in 1911.

“It’s a dream for every player to get to the major leagues,” Álvarez said. “I was basically living my dream.”

McCovey appeared in 52 games while winning the NL award in 1959, the only total lower than Álvarez.

Álvarez is the fourth Cuban-born Rookie of the Year, joining José Canseco (1986), José Fernández (2013) and Jose Abreu (2014).

He is the second consecutive DH to win the AL prize, following two-way Angels star Shohei Ohtani. Álvarez said he is preparing to be an outfielder in 2020 by working in Florida on his agility and speed.

On deck

Managers of the Year will be announced Tuesday. The AL ballot figures to be tight between the Twins’ Rocco Baldelli, Yankees’ Aaron Boone and Rays’ Kevin Cash. Baldelli led the Twins to 101 victories, a 23-win improvement from 2018; Boone guided the Yankees through an unprecedented onslaught of injuries to an AL East title; and Cash pushed payroll-strapped Tampa Bay into the postseason.

The NL finalists are the Brewers’ Craig Counsell, Cardinals’ Mike Shildt and Braves’ Brian Snitker.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez didn’t crack the top three despite steadying the World Series champs after a 19-31 start.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry says he “definitely” plans to return this season from his broken left hand and is hoping to be back on the court at “some point in early spring.”

When exactly the two-time NBA MVP will be able to play again remains uncertain.

Curry addressed the media Monday night for the first time since getting injured Oct. 30 and said he needs a second surgery on his non-shooting hand, probably in early December, to remove pins that were inserted during the first procedure Nov. 1 that involved his hand and index finger.

“(Managing the) swelling is something that’s going to be of the utmost priority early in the rehab process,” Curry said. “To get me a chance to come back and get my range of motion back pretty quickly.”

The Warriors initially said Curry would be re-evaluated three months after the surgery, which would be early February.

Source: Manila Bulletin