By the Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry could only manage a sarcastic grin after his team’s second win of the season.

He knows it wasn’t pretty.

“Well, I don’t think they’re sending that (game tape) to Springfield anytime soon,” Gentry said, referring to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Brandon Ingram had 25 points and nine rebounds, and New Orleans overcame 26 turnovers to beat the Charlotte Hornets 115-110 on Saturday night.

Charlotte had 22 turnovers, making for a sloppy game all around that lacked any type of flow until the final minutes.

JJ Redick, who replaced the injured Lonzo Ball in the starting lineup, had 22 points on five 3-pointers and Jrue Holiday added 12 points and 11 assists for the Pelicans (2-7).

Ball sat out with a right abductor sprain.

“I just thought we turned the ball over way too much, we’ve just got to get better in that department right there. And they’re careless turnovers,” Gentry said. “… We grinded it out and found a way to win and to me that’s the most important thing.”

Despite the ugly win, it was another solid performance for Ingram, who was born and raised in Kinston, North Carolina.

He finished 8 of 12 from the field and had 10 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Pelicans seize the momentum while the Hornets went cold down the stretch, going 3 ½ minutes during one stretch without a point.

“I mean B.I. is a baller, that’s our go-to guy, him and Jrue down the stretch we want to get the ball in their hands and just let them make plays even for themselves or for other people,” said Pelicans forward Kenrick Williams.

Hornets coach James Borrego wasn’t pleased with his team’s performance, either.

“It’s sloppy execution, it’s not taking pride in making the right play or pass,” Borrego said.

With the game tied at 95 with five minutes left, Josh Hart knocked down a go-ahead 3 igniting an 11-2 run that figured to be the difference in the game.

Hart had 10 points and seven rebounds coming off the bench.
Backup point guard Devonte Graham led the Hornets with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Graham entered the game ranked third among all bench players in the league with seven assists per game. But the second-year player from Kansas was more concerned about the overall sloppy play, saying “we talk about it all the time, you’ve got to limit the turnovers. We did a good job of that the last couple of games, but this game we were a little lazy with the ball.”

The Pelicans were able to get Redick involved in the offense, and he looked just as confident as ever shooting the 3.

“For the first time this season I feel like we were able to free JJ up for some good looks that he didn’t really try to have to force up,” Gentry said. “We did a good job early on with the pace of the game and we got him into a situation where we were able to drive and kick and have him have some good looks and he took advantage of it I thought.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO— Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward will miss at least a month with a broken left hand after colliding with San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge on Saturday night.

The Celtics say Hayward was sent for an X-ray that confirmed the diagnosis. Hayward, who did not return to the game, could undergo surgery that will keep him out a few weeks to a month, Boston coach Brad Stevens said.

“Going to get with the doctors tomorrow and decide if he needs to do surgery or not,” Stevens said. “Sounds like should he decide that the surgery option (is best, it) might actually be a better timeline. So, we’ll see what that all plays out to be.”

Hayward winced in pain after banging his left hand against Aldridge’s chest attempting to get past the Spurs forward on a screen late in the first half. Hayward appeared to jam the hand once or twice more against Aldridge before exiting the game.

Hayward had nine points and two rebounds in 15 minutes before exiting. He is averaging 20.3 points this season for the Celtics, who have won six straight entering Saturday’s game.

The 6-foot-7 forward missed most of the 2017 season after breaking his leg six minutes into Boston’s season opener.

“This one doesn’t feel near as bad as it did two years ago,” Stevens said. “So, he’ll be back. Be off for a few weeks or a month or whatever it is.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The national baseball team is confident that its performance in the recent Asian Baseball Championship will help in its quest to win gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Coach Egay delos Reyes’ squad settled for a fifth place finish during the tournament held in Taichung, Taiwan, though the Philippines nearly snatched a spot in the Super Round after winning its first two matches against Pakistan and China.

A lopsided loss to South Korea in their final Group A match denied the Pinoy batters a top two finish and a place in the Super Round.

“Medyo maganda nga yung performance namin dun sa Asian Championship ng men’s so hopefully madala nila sa SEA Games,” said Delos Reyes.

But the coach who steered the country to gold in the 2005 and 2011 editions of the SEA Games is wary that Thailand can pose a strong challenge in the event set Dec. 2 to 8 in New Clark City.

“Medyo ang watch to watch is yung Thailand kasi balita namin may mga Thai-American players sila,” he said. “Pero yung mga players na yan, tinalo na namin sa East Asia Cup last year.

The Philippines defeated Thailand 10-6 on its way to claiming the crown in the said competition held in Hong Kong.

“Pero hindi pa din tayo pwedeng maging kampante, kailangan tuloy-tuloy pa din ang training,” said Delos Reyes.

Delos Reyes is confident the likes of Kiko Gesmundo, Romeo Jasmin, Miguel Salud, Jennald Pareja, Diego Lozano, Erwin Bosito, Adrian Bernardo and Jonash Ponce can play key role for the Philippines in the biennial meet.

Gesmundo, Jasmin and Salud had impressive stints as pitchers during the Asian tilt, Jennald Pareja was hailed as the tournament’s best second baseman and Bosito received the Most Stolen Bases citation.

Lozano, Bernardo and Ponce also made good impressions with their bats.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Sunday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

12 noon – FEU vs Adamson (women’s)

4 p.m. – UP vs UST (men’s)

University of the Philippines is determined to end its dryspell over University of Santo Tomas and earn a second straight finals appearance Sunday in the second phase of the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball stepladder at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Maroons are hoping to be third time lucky in the match set at 4 p.m. and arrange a title rematch with the defending two-time champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, who earned an outright finals berth by virtue of sweeping the double-round eliminations.

UP enjoys a twice-to-beat advantage but it is UST which carries the momentum after winning all of their two meetings during the elims and having beaten Far Eastern University 81-71 in the first stepladder phase four days back.

“We need to keep our composure. Basta ang mahalaga, maka-adjust sa mga mali at ma-execute ng maayos yung plays,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo, who wants his team to keep their energy running after almost blowing a 26-point lead against FEU.

Soulemane Chabi Yo anchored UST to victory the last time with 25 points, 11 rebounds and three assists and Ayo hopes that the season’s Most Valuable Player can equal or exceed the same numbers against UP.

The Tigers are also expected to bank on their outside shooting after unloading 14 triples against the Tamaraws, including five from Brent Paraiso.

 

UP, meanwhile, hopes to leave the past behind and start new.

Aside from losing twice to the Tigers, the Maroons are also coming off an 86-64 defeat to the Blue Eagles at the end of the elims.

“It’s a reality check, but we need to isolate the bad games, especially,” UP coach Bo Perasol said, adding that they have worked hard to earn the No. 2 seeding and the twice-to-beat incentive.

Expected to challenge Chabi Yo will be last season’s MVP Bright Akhuetie and Kobe Paras.

Providing reinforcements for Chabi Yo are Paraiso, Renzo Subido and Rhenz Abando.

Knockout match, if necessary, will be on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Sunday

(Binan Football Stadium, Laguna)

4 p.m. — Ceres vs Stallion

(Aboitiz Pitch, Lipa City)

4 p.m. — Kaya vs Mendiola

Defending champion Kaya-Iloilo and Philippines Football League titleholder Ceres-Negros to beat their respective foes and forge a title duel in the semifinals of the Copa Paulino Alcantara.

Kaya looks to end the dream run of Mendiola FC 1991 at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa City, Batangas while Ceres battles Stallion-Laguna at the latter’s home pitch in Binan.

The two matches will be held simultaneously at 4 p.m.

Kaya is bracing for a tough matchup with Mendiola, which finished second in Group A after eliminating the national U-22 team with a 2-2 draw last Wednesday.

After placing just sixth in the PFL, Mendiola is aiming to dethrone Kaya and claim an unexpected berth in the Final set Nov. 16 behind top striker Jim Ashley Flores.

Meanwhile, Ceres continues its quest to complete the first league and cup double since Global did it in 2016 as it faces Stallion.

Ceres topped Group A by posting two victories and one draw to extend its unbeaten streak in all competitions to 24 straight matches.

Stallion is aiming to score an upset and gain an opportunity to win its first cup title since capturing the defunct UFL Cup in 2012.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

The man once chastised by Manny Pacquiao fans owing to his deep involvement with Juan Manuel Marquez is now working for the Philippines.

Memo Heredia, who was tapped by Marquez seven years ago to help prepare for the fourth fight with the Filipino, is currently helping John Riel Casimero get ready for a clash with Zolani Tete of South Africa on Nov. 30 in Birmingham, England.

It was Sean Gibbons, the right-hand man of Manny Pacquiao over at MP Promotions who brought in Heredia for Casimero and a few other Filipino punchers training in Las Vegas.

With Heredia providing his expertise, a visibly shaken and bloodied Marquez knocked out Pacquiao with just one punch in December 2012.

Casimero and Heredia have been working together the last six weeks in the hopes of boosting Casimero’s chances of unseating Tete as the World Boxing Organization bantamweight king.

Sean’s son Brendan Gibbons, who has been taking care of Casimero’s needs, insists that Tete is in for a shock.

“Casimero’s on beast mode,” exclaimed the younger Gibbons. “He’s going to be too much for Tete.”

Casimero earned the right to challenge Tete last August when he kept the interim WBO 118-lb crown by knocking out Cesar Ramirez of Mexico in Manila.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Sunday

(Ynares Center, Antipolo City)

4:30 p.m. — Meralco vs. NorthPort
6:45 p.m. — Magnolia vs NLEX

Quarterfinal-bound NLEX and Meralco seek important wins that may eventually give them the twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The league-leading Road Warriors return from a lengthy break against the defending champion Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok while the Bolts battle the NorthPort Batang Pier in the curtainraiser set at 4:30 p.m.

NLEX is on top of the leaderboard with a 7-1 record while Meralco is tied with TNT KaTropa for second spot at 7-2.
It will be NLEX’s first match since Oct. 30 when it defeated Rain or Shine 111-91 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Kiefer Ravena, who is averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.6 steals, warns that NLEX will have to expect tough battles the rest of the way.

“Come our next game, it’s gonna be harder and harder for us because once you’re at the top, everybody’s going at you,” said Ravena.

Import Manny Harris tries to continue putting up consistent performances that allowed him to produce 38.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 3.7 steals three games after replacing Olu Ashaolu.

Out to put a stop on NLEX’s onslaught is Magnolia, which won its last two matches to tighten its grip on sixth spot with a 5-4 record.

The Hotshots are coming off a 97-81 victory over the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters that saw Chris Banchero making a solid debut since being acquired in a trade with the Alaska Aces.

Meanwhile, Meralco goes for a fifth straight win while putting NorthPort in a more-complicated situation as far as the race for the eighth and final playoff spot is concerned.

NorthPort holds a 3-5 record, trailing seventh-running Columbian (4-6) via percentage and leading Alaska (3-6) by a half-game.

The Bolts play for the second time in three days, a stretch that began when they beat the Columbian Dyip 92-74.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By WAYLON GALVEZ

Creamline established its status as the ‘best team ever’ when it completed an undefeated campaign on the way to a successful title-retention bid Saturday night, pouncing on the PetroGazz Angels 29-27, 25-22, 27-25  in Game 2 of the PVL Open Conference Finals at The Arena in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez, despite the injuries she had during the elimination round, proved she is still one of the best hitters in the sport with a team high 18 points, while Jema Galanza – named Finals MVP – finished with 16 points.

The Cool Smashers also had solid contributions from Jia Morado, who had 24 excellent sets, while libero Kyla Atienza had 22 digs and 17 receptions.

Creamline’s win avenged a setback to PetroGazz during the previous Reinforced Conference, becoming the first team to post an unbeaten 20-0 record in the conference, going 16-0 in the elimination round, 2-0 in its semifinal sweep of Motolite, and 2-0  in the best-of-three finals series opposite the Angels.

Aside from winning the Finals MVP, Galanza also claimed the Best Open Spiker award, while teammates Kyle Atienza was named Best Libero, and Morado thr Best Setter of the conference.

Others cited were PetroGazz’s Jovie Prado (Best Outside Spiker), Kathy Bersola (Best Middle Blocker) of BanKo-Perlas, Jeanette Panaga (Best Middle Blocker) of PetroGazz and Motolite’s Tots Carlos (Best Opposite Spiker)z

Creamline, which took Game 1 25-23, 25-23, 25-18 last Wednesday, grabbed a 22-18 lead in the third set, but PetroGazz rallied behind Jeanette Panaga’s back-to-back aces and a Creamline miscue to force a tie at 24.

However, the Cool Smashers saved two set points, with Valdez delivering a baseline hit and a succeeding blast to clinch it for the defending champions.

Motolite, meantime, forced Game 3 in the battle for third place with a 26-28, 25-14, 25-19, 25-17 win over BanKo-Perlas.

Myla Pablo finished with 26 points, including two blocks, Tots Carlos added 19 points and nine receptions, while Isa Molde fired three service aces to finish with 15 points and collected 15 digs.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Joshua Pacio defended his ONE Strawweight World Championship after submitting fellow Filipino Rene Catalan in the second round of the main event card of ONE: Masters of Fate Friday night.

Pacio caught Catalan with an arm-triangle choke, forcing the challenger to tap out at the 2:29 mark of the second round.

The 23-year-old champion broke free of Catalan’s submission scare to continue his control on the ground during the first round.

Pacio improved to a 15-3 win-loss record while Catalan went 6-3.

In the co-main event, Eduard Folayang won via technical decision over Mongolia’s Amarsanaa Stogookhuu due to an unintentional headbutt.

Folayang established his offensives in the first round, going aggressive against the Mongolian foe before doctors stopped the fight at the 2:29 mark of the second round.

A bloodied Folayang, former two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion, suffered a cut on his left cheekbone after the accidental clash.

Folayang surged to a 22-8 card while Tsogookhuu fell to 6-2.

Meanwhile, Geje Eustaquio knocked out Finland’s Toni Tauru in the third round to enter the win column.

Eustaquio caught Tauru offguard and landed a spinning back kick, ending the match at the 2:11 mark of round three.

The former ONE Flyweight World Champion survived a submission scare in the first round and picked up the pace from that point, striking aggressively against the Finnish foe come the second round.

Eustaquio improved to 13-8 while Taura fell to 11-8.

Philippines took home another knockout win over Cuba’s Gustavo Balart, thanks to Robin Catalan.

The Ilonggo bet stunned the Cuban fighter with a right high kick at the second round, finishing the match at the 4:43 mark.

Catalan holds a 10-6 record while Balart slid to 8-4.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Rain or Shine stayed in the quarterfinal race while dealing San Miguel Beer a major blow to its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage after escaping with a 91-85 victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The Elasto Painters nearly squandered a 22-point lead as the Beermen got to within two, 87-85, on Arwind Santos’ three with over a minute to go in the fourth.

But import Rich Ross, Gabe Norwood and Rey Nambatac hit five of six free throws down the stretch to improve Rain or Shine’s record to 3-7.

That put the Elasto Painters a game behind the eighth-running NorthPort Batang Pier (3-5) and a half-game below the ninth place Alaska Aces (3-6).

Javee Mocon posted 16 points and 14 rebounds, Ross had 16 points and 12 rebounds while Nambatac added 15 points apiece for Rain or Shine.

San Miguel absorbed its third loss in the last four outings, dropping back to fifth spot at 6-4, trailing Barangay Ginebra (6-3) by a half-game.

The top four teams after the elims will claim a twice-to-beat bonus and SMB now faces a must-win game against TNT KaTropa on Nov. 20 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Chris Ross scored 19 points while June Mar Fajardo made 17 points and 11 rebounds in his homecoming.

Import John Holland struggled in his first game as replacement for Dez Wells, scoring 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The former NBA player added 10 rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes.

The scores:

RAIN OR SHINE 91 — Mocon 16, Ross 16, Norwood 15, Nambatac 15, Ponferada 10, Daquioag 6, Borboran 5, Belga 5, Torres 3, Onwubere 0, Exciminiano 0.

SAN MIGUEL 85 — Ross 19, Fajardo 17, Santos 14, Holland 10, Cabagnot 9, Lassiter 5, Nabong 5, Romeo 4, Tautuaa 2, Pessumal 0.

Quarters: 18-11; 46-31; 69-52; 91-85.

Source: Manila Bulletin