By Jonas Terrado

Team Standings W L

X-NLEX 7 1
X-TNT KaTropa 7 1
X-Meralco 6 2
X-San Miguel 6 3
Ginebra 5 3
Magnolia 5 4
Columbian 4 5
NorthPort 3 5
Alaska 3 6
Phoenix Pulse 2 7
Rain or Shine 2 7
Blackwater 2 8

X-clinched quarterfinals berth

Games Friday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. — Columbian vs Meralco
7 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs Ginebra

Ray Parks Jr. tries to help co-leader TNT KaTropa secure a twice-to-beat advantage as he debuts for his new team against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Attention in the 7 p.m. match will center on Parks, who was traded by the Blackwater Elite in exchange for Don Trollano, Tony Semerad and a 2021 first round draft pick.

TNT enters the match hoping to get back on the winning track after its 7-0 start ended two weeks ago with a 116-103 loss to fellow pacesetter NLEX at the same venue.

The KaTropa also play for the first time since Jayson Castro was sidelined for at least a month due to an ankle injury suffered against the Road Warriors.

Parks will likely fill the void left by Castro as he aims to replicate his 23-game average with Blackwater dating back to his PBA debut in the Commissioner’s Cup of 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals.

He will also look to exact vengeance on Ginebra after absorbing a 101-93 loss in his final appearance with Blackwater last Oct. 30 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Ginebra, meanwhile, needs a victory in order to stay in the race for the twice-to-beat incentive given to the top four teams after the eliminations.

Sunday’s 101-77 defeat at the hands of Meralco last Sunday dropped Ginebra’s record to 5-3 while San Miguel climbed to solo fourth with Wednesday’s 99-96 overtime win over Blackwater.

Meralco hopes to tighten its grip on the top spot against Columbian in the opener set at 4:30 p.m.

The Bolts are determined to ride on the momentum of their lopsided victories over the Beermen and Ginebra and improve their third-best 6-2 mark against the Dyip.

Columbian enters the game in solo seventh position at 4-5, needing a win to enhance its chances of gaining a quarters berth.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Naoya Inoue of Japan scored a brutal knockdown late in the fight and defeated Fil-Am Nonito Donaire in an action-packed world bantamweight title fight on Thursday in Saitama, Japan.

All three judges awarded the fight to Inoue, who won by scores of 116-111, 117-109 and 114-113.

The victory raised Inoue’s record to 19-0 with 16 KOs while the loss dropped to 40-6 with 25 KOs.

Inoue almost dropped Donaire for the count with a wicked body shot to the ribcage in the eleventh but Donaire miraculously survived.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

University of Santo Tomas is taking it one step at a time in hurdling the steep climb to the finals of UAAP season 82 men’s basketball.

They survived the first level on Wednesday, besting Far Eastern University 81-71 to arrange the second stepladder semifinal duel against University of the Philippines.

To make it to the final round against undefeated Ateneo Blue Eagles, they must beat the Maroons twice.

“Isa lang muna ang iisipin namin,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo. “Hindi namin dapat isipin yun pangalawa, yung susunod. Kung ano ang nasa harapan namin, yun muna ang dapat naming isipin.”

Ayo said that mentality worked on their way to subduing the Tamaraws.

“Yung ginawa namin for the last 10 days, we kept our focus on FEU. Kaya siguro naka-adjust kami sa mga mistakes namin (kanina). Right now, we don’t have any idea kung anong gagawin namin sa UP. But after this win, we’re going to start preparing kaagad,” he said.

The Tigers are coming off a tough game against FEU where they blew a double-digit deficit, but Ayo said they are bringing the lessons they’ve learned in that match.

“I’ve always been optimistic sa approach ko sa mga players. You really have to be objective at walang sisihan. Even kaming mga coaches, may mga mali rin kami, but we stayed positive and kept on playing, kept on adjusting,” he said.

Ayo relies on season Most Valuable Player Soulemane Chabi Yo to steer the Tigers once again against the Maroons.

“He’s (Chabi Yo) not going to slow down. When he said he wants the championship more, he really means it,” he said.

Chabi Yo is determined to make do with his promise, saying that he wanted the championship more than the individual award.

“For me, (winning the MVP) is good, but what’s more important is the championship. Next game, we’ll do better,” the Benin-native forward said.

The Tigers downed the Maroons twice in the eliminations, but Ayo said they are treating this matchup as a clean slate.

“They are a different team right now, and yung mga nangyari sa eliminations, it won’t matter anymore because this is the Final Four. Lahat gagawin dito, so lahat gagawin din namin,” he said.

Game will be on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The knockout match, if necessary, will be on Nov. 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Polarising tennis great Margaret Court Thursday called on Tennis Australia to treat her like Rod Laver and issue a formal invitation to the Australian Open next year to commemorate her calendar-year Grand Slam jubilee.

The first Slam of 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of Court winning all four majors in the same year — the holy grail of tennis.

Only two other women have achieved the feat — Maureen Connolly (1953) and Steffi Graf (1988). Don Budge was the first man in 1938, with the legendary Laver the only player to win it twice (1962 and 1969).

Court claimed a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles in total with only Serena Williams (23) and Graf (22) coming close, and one of the main courts at Melbourne Park is named after her.

Yet Court, now a church pastor, told the Sydney Morning Herald she had heard nothing from Australian tennis chiefs about honoring her at the tournament in January.

It follows controversy over her views on homosexuality and gay marriage, which has seen high-profile players like Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova call for the arena to be stripped of her name.

“I think Tennis Australia should sit and talk with me,” Court said. “They have never phoned me. Nobody has spoken to me directly about it. I think they would rather not confront it.”

Court used to attend the Australian Open regularly but hasn’t shown up since 2017, when the controversy first flared.

Fellow Australian Laver, who also has a stadium named after him at Melbourne Park, is routinely feted at the event and was honored this year for his 1969 feat.

“They brought Rod in from America (where he lives). If they think I’m just going to turn up (in 2020), I don’t think that is right,” said Court

“I think I should be invited. I would hope they would pay my way to come like they paid for his (Laver), and honour me. If they are not going to do that, I don’t really want to come.”

Tennis Australia had no immediate comment to AFP, but told the Herald they were “in the process of working through” how Court’s milestone would be recognized.

“As previously stated, Tennis Australia recognises the tennis achievements of Margaret Court, although her views do not align with our values of equality, diversity and inclusion,” it added.

Court first drew fire in 2017 for saying she would avoid Qantas airline for its support of same-sex marriage, which is now law in her homeland following a referendum.

She later claimed tennis was “full of lesbians” and that transgender children were the result of a Nazi-style “plot” to brainwash the minds of young people.

“I don’t feel any of that should be brought into my tennis career,” Court told the newspaper.

“It was a different phase of my life from where I am now and if we are not big enough as a nation and a game to face those challenges there is something wrong.”

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Centro Escolar University blasted University of Batangas 75-55 on Thursday to settle for third place in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque City.

Maodo Diouf spearheaded the Scorpions with a double-double performance of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while dishing off four assists and making four blocks.

The Scorpions made their intentions felt of ending their campaign on a bright note in the opening quarter with a 21-19 lead and pulled away at the half, 42-33.

They went on full throttle by turning their 52-43 edge to a 60-43 bubble bridging the fourth period by unloading eight straight points headed by Diouf.

Dave Bernade also paced CEU with 21 points on a 10-of-15 shooting, while adding five rebounds and six assists. Angel Paul Escalona chipped in 13 points and four assists while Christian Malicana contributed 11 points.

Three players scored in double figures for the UB Brahmans but lost their steam in the last quarter.

JJ Caspe and Raoul Yemeli fired 14 points each apart from merging 23 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, while Melvin Ricaña had 13 points.

CEU had a shot at a finals berth but lost to defending champion Diliman College in a heartbreaking 64-63 decision in the semis.

UB, for its part, failed to beat Olivarez College twice and yielded 83-79 in the knockout match after an 89-80 triumph.

Meanwhile, pointguard Jayboy Solis of Olivarez College was adjudged the season Most Valuable Player after posting 314 statistical points.

Solis averaged 22.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1 steal and 3.5 blocks in the eliminations in steering Sea Lions to their third finals appearance.

University of Batangas’ Raoul Yemeli also took the podium with the Best Foreign Player plum, averaging 14.4 points, 13 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Joining Solis in the Mythical Team are Diliman College’s Johnnel Bauzon, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas’ Sandee Diez, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas’ Aliane Lapasaran and UB’s JJ Caspe.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Thailand’s track and field team is determined to put on a show before host Philippines during the 30th Southeast Asian Games scheduled Nov. 30-Dec. 11.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico told the Bulletin Thursday that the globe-trotting Thai track team is still on competition mode.

“From what I know, Thailand is still overseas competing,” said Juico.

While most of the SEAG opposition are already tapering down, the Thais remain focused on improving.

“It is as if the SEAG is just a part of their overall preparations unlike most of us (in Southeast Asia),” said Juico, who is relying heavily on a team beefed up by recruits mostly from the US.

Juico reveals that most of the local talent have been complaining of various aches and pains, prompting the athletics boss to surmise that the medal production will be dominated by the US-based bets.

However, Juico makes an exception with pole vaulter EJ Obiena, who is training in Italy, saying Obiena appears to be right on track in his quest to lead the charge of the island-born entries.

“He’s getting in a week before his event,” said Juico, who remains wary of the opposition.

“In sports, you’ll never know. Even if you are in the top ten, you can be beaten by a lower-ranked player.”

One good thing about Obiena is that he is not zeroing on the SEAG standard.

“His concentration is the (Tokyo) Olympics,” he added.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

San Miguel Beer is tapping the services of former NBA player John Holland for Saturday’s PBA Governors’ Cup game against Rain or Shine in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed yesterday afternoon that Holland will replace Dez Wells, who missed the Beermen’s 99-96 overtime win over the Blackwater Elite due to an injured left ankle.

Wells suffered the injury last Oct. 27 when SMB lost 125-99 to Meralco.

Holland played one game for the Boston Celtics in the 2016 NBA Playoffs before suiting up for 25 regular season games for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2017 to 2018.

He also had stints with the Canton Charge and Austin Spurs of the NBA G-League.

The 31-year-old Holland will be the latest import with NBA experience to suit up in the season-ending conference, joining NLEX’s Manny Harris, TNT KaTropa’s KJ McDaniels and Phoenix Pulse’s Alonzo Gee.

Wells averaged 37.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals in eight games with the Beermen.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Game Monday

(Olivarez gym, Parañaque City)

12 noon – Diliman vs Olivarez (Game 2)

Olivarez College survived Diliman College’s late rally 64-62 Thursday to draw the first blood in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League finals at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque City.

The Olivarez Sea Lions nearly lost a 50-38 advantage 63-62 with 1:16 left but relied on defense to move a win away from dethroning the Blue Dragons.

Diliman had the chance to grab victory after Yani Elie split his charities to give Olivarez a two-point edge, but the Blue Dragons couldn’t convert their shots.

Kevin Gandjeto attempted a long two and Robbi Darang tried a triple, but it bounced off the rim.

Jayboy Solis, earlier awarded the season Most Valuable Player, paced Olivarez with 21 points, five rebounds and two steals, while John Lester Maurillo and Rey Barcuma added 17 and 10 points.

Elie hauled 16 rebounds on top of seven points.

Game 2 will be on Monday at the same venue.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

ATLANTA — Tomas Satoransky scored 27 points and the Chicago Bulls raced to a big lead in the opening minutes on the way to a 113-93 rout of the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

The Bulls won for just the third time in nine games with easily their most impressive performance of the young season.

One night after squandering a big lead in the fourth quarter of a loss to LeBron James and the Lakers, Chicago didn’t have to worry about wilting against the Hawks.

This was total domination. Zach LaVine even got a chance to put on his version of Showtime, blocking De’Andre Hunter’s 3-pointer to set up a 360-degree dunk at the other end.

Atlanta made a season-low six of 30 attempts from 3-point range, turned it over 24 times and trailed by double digits over the final 41:29.

The Bulls took control with a 28-6 run in the first quarter. Otto Porter Jr. led with way with 10 points, including a couple of 3-pointers. Satoransky chipped in with seven points, Kris Dunn added five and Lauri Markkanen knocked down a 3 to push Chicago to a 30-12 lead.

Porter went down before halftime with a bruised left foot and did not return.

He wasn’t needed.

The Bulls were up 56-41 at the break, closing the half with a couple of quick passes around the perimeter to set up Satoransky’s 3 from the corner as the buzzer sounded. It was the lowest-scoring first half of the season for the Hawks.

Chicago stretched the margin as high as 28 points.

Starting his second straight game in place of John Collins, Jabari Parker led the Hawks with 18 points. Collins is serving a 25-game suspension after violating the NBA’s doping policy.

It was a miserable night for Atlanta’s Trae Young, on the heels of a dazzling 29-point, 13-assist performance in a victory over San Antonio the previous night. The point guard managed just nine points and three assists, missing all eight attempts beyond the arc.

Pacers whip Wizards

T.J. Warren scored 21 points to help Indiana beat Washington 121-106.

Doug McDermott scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half, and Domantas Sabonis returned after missing two games with a left calf contusion to finish with 13 points and tie his career high with 17 rebounds.

Indiana played for third time in four nights.

Bradley Beal had 30 points for the Wizards.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Donovan Mitchell had 24 points and eight assists, leading the Utah Jazz to a 106-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Bojan Bogdanovic added 20 points and Rudy Gobert had 14 points, 16 rebounds and three steals. Joe Ingles scored a season-high 16 off the bench for Utah, which outrebounded Philadelphia 50-42.

Joel Embiid had 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Sixers, who have dropped two consecutive games after a 5-0 start that made them the last unbeaten team in the NBA. Josh Richardson added a season-high 24 points and Tobias Harris chipped in with 16.

Ben Simmons did not play in the second half because of right shoulder soreness after bumping into Royce O’Neale’s chest while posting up on a first-quarter play. Simmons finished with two points and two assists in 10 minutes.

The Sixers built a 44-36 early in the second quarter after Embiid scored on three straight possessions, capped by a step-back jumper. Utah chipped away at the deficit behind sharp shooting from Bogdanovic. He scored 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the second.

The Jazz finally went ahead 55-51 when Bogdanovic knocked down a pair of shots and fed Gobert for an alley-oop dunk over three straight possessions.

Utah took control in the third behind hot shooting from Mitchell. He scored back-to-back baskets to spark a 12-2 run that gave the Jazz a 78-65 lead late in the quarter. Mitchell totaled four field goals and assisted on two others during the quarter.

Embiid hit four free throws over consecutive possessions to help trim Utah’s lead to 103-101 with 1:51 left.

Bogdanovic hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to keep Philadelphia from taking the lead. It ended up being the only outside basket the Jazz made during the quarter.

Luka Doncic leads Mavs past Magic

Luka Doncic scored 27 points and Dallas drew two charges on Aaron Gordon in the final minute, helping the Mavericks beat Orlando.

Trying to protect a one-point lead, the Mavericks had two of their 17 turnovers on consecutive possessions before each of the fouls on Gordon, who was trying to drive on the first call and attempting to make a move at the 3-point line on the second.

Doncic also had seven rebounds and seven assists.

Gordon led Orlando with 23 points, but had just two after halftime.

Source: Manila Bulletin