By Jonas Terrado

TNT KaTropa believes that Ray Parks Jr’s debut performance in a losing effort against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is a strong indication of how a good fit he is in the long run, especially when team captain Jayson Castro returns from an ankle injury.

Ray Parks Jr. scored 17 points in his TNT KaTropa debut. (PBA Images)

“We run some different stuff to what he’s used to and it will be obviously much easier if Jayson is here, just allowing him to play more the natural role that he’s going to play when he comes back,” TNT active consultant Mark Dickel said after Friday’s 96-93 loss to Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Parks scored 17 points after being dealt from Blackwater, sparking a comeback from 14 points down in the fourth by hitting outside shots and feeding Roger Pogoy for a corner three that tied the count at 92-all with 31 seconds left.

“Kahit ilang days nga ang ganda pa din ng pinakita niya,” said Pogoy.

The rally ended in naught as Ginebra eked out a crucial win while denying TNT a chance to seal the first twice-to-beat quarterfinal incentive.

Parks missed a game-tying three at the buzzer, but his overall play left Dickel feeling confident that the KaTropa made the right move in shipping the improving Don Trollano, an injured Tony Semerad and a first round draft pick in 2021.

“I was happy with him,” Dickel said. “I thought he played good, especially in the endgame, I thought he gave us a chance to get back in the game and tie it up. I was happy with him.”

While Dickel has envisioned new things in the long run, Parks understands the need to know his role with TNT.

“Just getting to know the system more, when to get my shots and when not to,” Parks said. “It’s more of self-thing and trying to get everybody their shots, make their job easier because that’s what I wanna do for Roger, Troy (Rosario) and Kuya Jayson when he comes back because this is their team.

“I just wanna fit in, you know, help them out,” he added.

Making himself a good fit with a talented squad will be crucial, especially at this point of the PBA Governors’ Cup as TNT hopes to get back to winning ways following back-to-back defeats and boost its chances of a deep run come playoff time.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Ranged against a team boasting of some of the country’s top guns, Team North brims with confidence heading to its sixth faceoff with its South counterpart next week, wary but upbeat of its chances for a repeat in The Duel – North vs South unfolding Nov. 13 at Sta. Elena Golf Club.

Former PGT Asia leg winner Justin Quiban

The Northerners rode on a big start in team play in the first two days of last year’s edition of the country’s version of the Ryder Cup then held sway in the singles to pound out a three-point win, pulling the team on track for a crack at levelling up their series at three wins apiece.

“I’m confident about our chances this year,” said North coach Cookie La’O, who hopes to draw the best again from his fired-up crew which upstaged its fancied rivals at John Hay last year, led by veterans Jobim Carlos, Justin Quiban, James Ryan Lam, Michael Bibat, Mars Pucay, Joenard Rates and Gerald Rosales, rising stars Ira Alido and Keanu Jahns along wit Jun Bernis, Fidel Concepcion and Eric Gallardo.

“We have a great mix of veterans and a new generation. We might have an advantage with our length off the tee at Sta. Elena but then again it will be pretty tight as South is loaded with talents as always,” said La’O.

“But for sure, it’ll be an exciting week,” he added.

It should be.

Team South, for one, is itching to reassert its mastery over the North side, which it dominated in the third and fourth editions of the event put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. in 2012 as a side event to the then fledgling local circuit and now a biennial affair among the top players in the Philippine Golf Order of Merit ranking after each season.

Like La’O, South coach Charles Hong believes his side has the tools to get back at North and reclaim the crown with Clyde Mondilla, Tony Lascuña and Jhonnel Ababa to anchor their title drive along with Jerson Balasabas, Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Albin Engino, Pueblo de Oro leg champion Reymon Jaraula, Zanieboy Gialon, Arnold Villacencio, Nilo Salahog and Rene Menor.

The fielding of pairings will be crucial for both coaches with each side wanting to cash in on whatever edge one pairing would have against the other, thus guaranteeing an unpredictable clash of power and wits in the three-day event held for the first time at the posh Sta. Elena layout.

Play will be the four-ball (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) in the first two days with the deciding singles set in the final day on Nov. 15, 12 matches tipped to go all the way down to the last pairing.

— end it//thanks

Source: Manila Bulletin

Team Shine completed a come-from-behind victory to frustrate Team Sparkle 15-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-22, 17-15, in the Philippine Superliga Super Cup Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Team Shine celebrates after frustrating Team Sparkle in the PSL Super Cup at The Arena in San Juan, November 8, 2019. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)

Down by four, 10-14, Team Shine tied the contest 14-14 before Fritz Gallenero returned Team Sparkle the match point, 15-14.

Eli Soyud and MJ Philips scored on attacks, sandwiching Grethcel Soltones’ error to seal the win for Team Shine.

“Our pride is at stake,” said Team Shine coach Ray Karl Dimaculangan.

“Although this is only a pocket tournament but we want to finish strong.”

Philippines’ Rhea Dimaculangan tries to save the ball as her teammates look on during their match against University of Tsukuba in PSL Super Cup at The Arena in San Juan, November 8, 2019. University of Tsukuba won 25-13, 25-21, 25-19 to sweep the tournament. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Paul Desiderio, known for the “Atin ‘to!” battlecry back in UAAP season 81 with University of the Philippines, is now engaged to long-time girlfriend Jean Agatha Uvero.

Former Fighting Maroons star Paul Desiderio is now engaged to long-time girlfriend and ex-UP courtside reporter Jean Agatha Uvero. (Photo from Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas’ Facebook account)

Uvero, former courtside reporter of the Fighting Maroons, announced their engagement to social media Saturday.

“No rebounds and a lifetime of assists. Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” Uvero posted on her Instagram account, proudly showing the engagement ring after saying the sweet “yes” Friday night.

A separate post from Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas’ Facebook account also confirmed their engagement.

Desiderio, who now plays for the Blackwater Elite in PBA, led UP en route to the Finals — the first time in 32 years — against Ateneo de Manila University in 2018.

It was another feat for the Fighting Maroons as they entered the Final Four for the first time in 21 years.

Uvero served as a courtside reporter for UP from seasons 79 to 80.

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No rebounds and a lifetime of assists. Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. ❤️ @pauldesiderio18

A post shared by Jean Agatha Cash-Uvero (@jeanagatha) on Nov 8, 2019 at 8:00pm PST

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Source: Manila Bulletin

SILANG, Cavite – Jet Hernandez squandered a big lead just after nine holes but recovered a bit at the finish to regain the lead despite a 79 as Korean Kim Tae Soo blew a solid eagle-spiked start with a closing 40 for a 72 in the second round of the Riviera MVPSF Amateur Championship at Riviera’s Langer course here.

Jet Hernandez (File photo)

Kim sizzled with a birdie-eagle feat after six holes, his opening three-under 32 proving enough to overhaul an eight-shot deficit after 18 holes as Hernandez, who set the pace with an opening 73, groped and limped with a frontside 41 in the second round. But the Korean lost his touch at the tougher backside of the par-71, demanding layout, double-bogeying the first two holes and closing out with a birdie-bogey game in the last seven holes to end up with a one-over card.

Hernandez, meanwhile, dropped two more strokes at the back and wound up with a birdie-less eight-over card, barely staying on top at 152 with Kim just behind at 153, the same output up in by Josh Jorge, who carded a 75, while Sean Ramos turned in a 74 to get into the mix at 154, two off the pace heading to the final 18 holes of the annual event conducted and organized by National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Dan Cruz hobbled with a 77 but closed to within four at 156 while Rho Hyun Ho, also from Korea, also shot a 74 for joint sixth at 157 with Paolo Barro, who fumbled with a 77, and Korean Jung Jaehyun pooled a 159 after a 79 and Lee Sang Min and Miguel Ilas assembled identical 161s after 78 and 81, respectively.

Kim Seo Yun, also from Korea, recovered strong with three straight birdies from No. 10 and shot a 72, grabbing a two-stroke lead over Junia Gabasa, with a 76 in the women’s side of the championship sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation wand backed by PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific Investments.

Gabasa also carded a 72 for a 148 while erstwhile joint leader Rianne Malixi wavered with a 75 and slipped to third at 149, guaranteeing a fierce showdown in the final 18 holes among the field’s fancied players.

Hee Yeong Bang made a 75 and lay too far back at 154 with Laurea Duque at 156 after a 78.

Meanwhile, Erik Escalona fired a 68 to gain a six-stroke lead over Takuya Kawamura, who shot a 74, in the Mid-Amateur division with Howie Sison at third with a 77 and Raymond Co and Raymond Escalona turned in 78 and 79, respectively.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

A career-best for Damian Lillard. A career-best for D’Angelo Russell. And neither was enough, on a wacky Friday in the NBA.

Lillard scored a franchise-record 60 for Portland in its loss to Brooklyn, Russell had 52 in Golden State’s loss at Minnesota — and those efforts added up to an absolute NBA rarity. Friday became only the second night in league history in which multiple players scored at least 50 points in losses.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, right, dribbles around Brooklyn Nets guard Garrett Temple during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. (AP Photo / Craig Mitchelldyer)

The only other such day: April 9, 1978. David Thompson scored 73 points in Denver’s loss to Detroit, and George Gervin scored 63 in San Antonio’s loss to the New Orleans Jazz. That was the final day of the 1977-78 regular season, one where Thompson and Gervin were going for the league’s scoring title.

Golden State Warriors’ D’Angelo Russell, center, drives between Minnesota Timberwolves’ Robert Covington, left, and Josh Okogie, of Nigeria, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo / Jim Mone)

No scoring title was at stake Friday. It was merely a wild night.

“Obviously, Dame was exceptional tonight,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. “Carried us, put us in a position to win the game.”

Lillard capped his 60-point effort, one more than his previous career best, with a 34-footer at the buzzer to cap a 119-115 loss. He was 19 for 33 from the field, 15 for 15 from the foul line, but merely slapped a few teammates’ hands and walked off the floor quietly after the record night.

Russell was 19 for 37 from the field, but the Warriors fell to the Timberwolves 125-119.

“D’Angelo hit some incredible shots. … Played a fantastic game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

Russell said he never scored 50 in a game before Friday. His previous NBA high was 44.
“It’s not easy to get 50 in this league,” Russell said.

Another big effort that didn’t end in a win Friday — Luka Doncic, who had 38 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists for

Dallas in a loss to New York. Doncic’s 38 points were a career-best and he has four triple-doubles in eight games this season.

“I don’t care about the season-high,” Doncic said. “I just wanted to win.”

Gervin won the scoring title after that final-day flurry in 1978, finishing that season averaging 27.22 points.

Thompson’s 73 pushed him to 27.15; another six points in the finale would have been enough to give him the scoring crown. Lillard’s 60-point game allowed him to jump one spot to No. 2 in the points-per-game standings, now behind only Houston’s James Harden.

“Dame’s a special player,” Stotts said.

Having a night in which multiple players score 50 in a loss is really rare, obviously — and having a night where it happens in wins isn’t exactly common, either.

Friday was the first day that the NBA had multiple 50-point scorers, regardless of outcome, since Dec. 23, 2005. That night, Vince Carter scored 51 for New Jersey in a win at Miami, and Allen Iverson scored 53 for Philadelphia in a loss to Atlanta.

Other days with multiple 50-point efforts: Feb. 21, 2003 (Jamal Mashburn and Tracy McGrady), Dec. 6, 2000 (Kobe Bryant and Antawn Jamison, both putting up 51 in the same Lakers-Warriors game), Jan. 16, 1993 (Michael Jordan and David Robinson), Dec. 1, 1990 (Patrick Ewing and Charles Smith), March 24, 1990 (Ewing and Tom Chambers), Feb. 13, 1963 (Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain), Dec. 14, 1962 (Baylor and Chamberlain), Feb. 25, 1962 (Chamberlain and Richie Guerin), Jan. 24, 1962 (Chamberlain and Jerry West), Jan. 17, 1962 (Chamberlain and West), Dec. 29, 1961 (Baylor and Chamberlain), Dec. 13, 1961 (Baylor and Chamberlain), and Dec. 8, 1961 (Baylor and Chamberlain).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. — Big nights by big men Nikola Vucevic and Jonathan Isaac carried the Orlando Magic to their first runaway victory of the season.

Orlando Magic’s Nikola Vucevic looks to shoot in front of Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Vucevic dominated at the offensive end with 23 points, 16 rebounds and six assists while Isaac had 22 points and eight rebounds, but it was his four blocks and game-long presence around the rim that turned the game in Orlando’s favor, as the Magic beat the Memphis Grizzlies 118-86.

The Magic outscored the Grizzlies 34-8 in the fourth quarter, limiting the visitors to 3-for-23 shooting (13 and forcing four turnovers. Isaac was the dominating player at the defensive end.

“He was terrific,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said. “He’s so active with his hands, blocking shots. You can see his confidence growing every time he steps on the floor.”

The Grizzlies led the NBA in points in the paint. Orlando controlled that stat Friday.

“We only scored 34 points in the paint and that’s a credit to him and their entire team,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “His defense, his length, his activity, he was really strong at both ends of the floor.”

Evan Fournier scored 19 points and Aaron Gordon added 17 for the Magic, who stopped a four-game losing streak. Orlando, which struggled again with its 3-point shooting again (7 of 28), made up for it by outscoring Memphis 62-34 in the paint.

Memphis, which had 137 points in its last game, the second-highest total in franchise history, was held under 100 for the second time this season. Jonas Valanciunas led the Grizzlies with 15 points and nine rebounds. Jaren Jackson had 14 points and Brandon Clarke 13 for the Grizzlies, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

“You can look at the stat sheet and go ‘OK, 34-8 in the fourth quarter,’ ” Jenkins said, “but we weren’t good in the first, second or third either to even give us a chance. We were playing catch-up the whole game.”

Orlando started the fourth period on a 13-0 run to get some separation from Memphis. Michael Carter-Williams started the fourth-quarter run with a 3-pointer. D.J. Augustin contributed another and Vucevic finished the spurt with a three-point play to make it 97-78 with 7:49 left.

Memphis missed its first nine shots of the fourth quarter and turned the ball over three times. Isaac was in the middle of much of that misery, using his length and quickness to bottle up passing lanes for the Grizzlies’ guards and force shooters to rush their stroke.

“His defense has been amazing,” Vucevic said of his teammate. “I told him in preseason that he could be a candidate for defensive player of the year if he keeps playing like that. I really believe that. He’s taking a lot of pride in trying to stop his guy and helping others as well.”

The Magic, who made only one of 12 3-pointers in the first half, got four in the third quarter and jumped out to their biggest lead of the game, 79-66, on a dunk by Gordon with 2:23 left in the period.

Memphis cut the deficit to 84-78 by the end of the period, but the Grizzlies night-long struggles against the Magic interior defense continued. The Grizzlies’ guards got caught in the air too many times and either forced shots or turned the ball over.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

WASHINGTON — After four decades as a college coach, John Beilein is eight games into his first NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and on Friday night, he recorded his first win on the road.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) passes the ball as Washington Wizards forward Moritz Wagner, back left, and forward Davis Bertans (42) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo / Nick Wass)

Tristan Thompson had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Kevin Love added 16 points and 12 boards, and the Cavaliers beat the Washington Wizards 113-100 to end a three-game skid.

Seven Cavaliers scored at least 10 points as Cleveland improved to 3-5.

“It’s always great to get a road win,” Beilein said. “I don’t care what type of team you have. They guys needed it. When you win somewhere else, it’s always special.”

Thomas Bryant led Washington with 23 points. Rui Hachimura scored 21 and Bradley Beal had 20 while the Wizards fell to 2-6.

“We didn’t defend,” Beal said. “That’s what happened.”

Collin Sexton also had 16 points for Cleveland, and rookies Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. had career highs with 15 and 13, respectively.

Cleveland led throughout and used an 11-0 run to take a 41-28 lead with 9:19 remaining in the second quarter. The lead grew to 20, but thanks to Hachimura’s 15 points on 7 for 7 from the field, Washington cut the lead to 67-52 at the half.

Cleveland’s 10-0 run put them ahead 77-56 early in the third, but the Wizards outscored them 28-11 and trailed by just 88-84 entering the fourth quarter

Washington closed to 91-90 on Moe Wagner’s layup with 9:39 to play, but Cleveland outscored Washington 22-10 the rest of the way. Thompson had three key baskets in the last two minutes.

Wizards coach Scott Brooks, who was assessed a technical foul for the second straight game, felt the key to the game was Cleveland’s attempting 29 free throws to Washington’s six.

“It’s hard to overcome,” Brooks said.

Brooks wouldn’t explicitly criticize the officiating.

“Every time I’ve complained, they say they have the call right,” Brooks said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

ATLANTA — Once Bogdan Bogdanovic and the Sacramento Kings started making 3-pointers, and they didn’t stop.
That’s just what coach Luke Walton wants to see.

Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic shoots as Atlanta Hawks guard DeAndre’ Bembry (95) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo / John Amis)

Bogdanovic scored 20 points and hit two of his 3-pointers in a key fourth-quarter flurry and the Sacramento Kings fought off Atlanta’s comeback attempt to beat the Hawks 121-109 on Friday night.

Sacramento led by 21 points in the second period before Trae Young, who had 30 points, led Atlanta’s second-half comeback. The Hawks cut the Kings’ lead to one point, 94-93, before Sacramento answered with a string of five 3-pointers, including the two by Bogdanovic.

The Kings made 18 of 31 3-pointers for the game.

“We have really good shooters on our team,” Walton said. “We know that. … When our guys are open we want them letting it fly.”

Buddy Hield led the Kings with 22 points. De’Aaron Fox had 17 with nine assists.

Young scored 16 points in the third quarter, when the Hawks whittled away at the Kings’ lead.

Atlanta’s comeback carried into the fourth quarter. Young’s steal set up a layup by Cam Reddish, leaving Sacramento’s lead one point.

Bogdanovic then sparked the Kings’ flurry of 3-pointers that ended Atlanta’s comeback.

“I think we had to fight too much to get back in the game, and that’s something we’ve got to get better at,” Young said.

After opening the season with five straight losses, the Kings have won three of four. Hield said strong shooting has led the recovery.

“Guys are shooting the ball and making shots at a high clip,” Hield said.

Sacramento led 63-47 at halftime. The Kings’ big first-half lead was 21 points, 59-38.

Young had only eight points in the first half but scored Atlanta’s first three baskets after the break.

“I was mad at the way I played,” Young said of his quiet first half. “I wanted to come out and make a difference.”

Jabari Parker had 25 points and eight rebounds for Atlanta.

Young’s 3-pointer trimmed the Kings’ lead to 68-54.

Sacramento led 72-54 before Atlanta’s 12-0 run, capped by Damian Jones’ jam on a pass from Young, cut the lead to six points.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS  — A next-man-up mentality is keeping the Indiana Pacers competitive despite a rash of injuries.

T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on November 8, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ron Hoskins / NBAE via Getty Images / AFP)

T.J. McConnell was the key for the Pacers on Friday night in a 112-106 win over the Pistons that moved Indiana above .500 for the first time this season.

Playing all but two minutes of the fourth quarter, McConnell, the backup point guard, finished with 17 points, nine assists and five rebounds on a night the Pacers played without four members of their rotation.

“We’ve got to hold down the fort until those guys get back,” McConnell said. “I’ve been a guy the last five years who hasn’t tried to go outside the box. I had the lane, and I took it.”

All-Star Victor Oladipo, starting center Myles Turner and his backup, Goga Bitadze, and sixth man Jeremy Lamb were out due to injury. Detroit had already beaten the Pacers twice this season. And then the Pacers fell behind by 15 points in the first quarter.

None of that fazed Indiana, which ranks in the top half of the league on defense.

“Defense is how we win games,” said reserve Justin Holiday, who chipped in 16 points and six rebounds. “That’s our identity. We’ve been playing defense.”

That has helped the Pacers go 5-1 since starting the season 0-3.

“Our chemistry is growing,” said Domantas Sabonis, who finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. “Coach (Nate McMillan) runs a great system that is easy to run, no matter who is on the court.”

Luke Kennard had 29 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Andre Drummond finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Detroit.

Drummond had averaged 25 points and 20.5 rebounds in the two wins against the Pacers. They finally found a way Friday to slow the two-time All-Star — foul trouble.

Drummond picked up his third foul near midcourt with 4:31 remaining in the first half and sat the rest of the way. Indiana outscored the Pistons 14-2 in that span and led 57-53 at intermission.

“I told Andre you can’t pick up your third foul at half court,” Detroit coach Dwane Casey said. “He wasn’t thinking in that situation. Just a bad foul that put us in a tough position, and he knows it. He felt bad about it.”

The Pacers then opened the third quarter on an 11-2 run, causing Casey to use a timeout. Shortly after play resumed, two more baskets stretched Indiana’s lead to 17, and the Pistons never got closer than six.

McConnell, whose point total was one shy of his career high, spearheaded a bench effort that accounted for 51 of the Pacers’ points on a night the team shot at least 50% from the field for just the second time this season.

“(McConnell) made the difference,” Casey said.

Source: Manila Bulletin