By the Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 38 points and 16 rebounds, George Hill scored 24 off the bench and the Milwaukee Bucks repelled every threat in beating the Los Angeles Clippers 129-124 on Wednesday night for their fourth victory in a row.

The Bucks hit 18 3-pointers, led by six from Hill.

Antetokounmpo just missed a triple-double with nine assists. He’s posted at least 10 rebounds and five assists in each of the first eight games of the season, the first player since at least 1972-73 to do so.

The Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard, who rested for the first half of a home back-to-back. He’ll play against Portland on Thursday night.

Montrezl Harrell had a career-high 34 points and 13 rebounds in his first start of the season. Lou Williams added 34 points and 11 assists, and Patrick Beverley had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Clippers’ first home loss.

Led by Hill and Kyle Korver with 14 points, the Bucks reserves outscored the Clippers’ bench 47-20, the first time that’s happened to Los Angeles this season.

Los Angeles starter Landry Shamet had just two points coming into the fourth, but he made four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points. The last one put the Clippers within two with 23 seconds left.

The Bucks finished off the game at the free throw line, and the Clippers couldn’t connect on their multiple chances during their last possession.

The Clippers closed within four early in the fourth, but reigning NBA MVP Antetokounmpo reeled off seven straight points to keep the Bucks ahead 115-103.

Former Clipper Eric Bledsoe added 20 points, and Brook Lopez had 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks.

The Clippers erased an 11-point deficit in the third. They forced three ties, but each time Antetokounmpo answered for the Bucks. He dunked, hit a 3-pointer and made two free throws.

Milwaukee outscored the Clippers 15-6 to take a 98-89 lead into the fourth.

The Bucks opened the second on a 30-11 run, hitting five 3-pointers, for their largest lead of 17 points. Hill scored 14 points to help the Bucks lead 70-59 at halftime. They closed with three consecutive 3s, two by Hill and the last by Korver, who beat the buzzer.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons did not return for the second half Wednesday night at Utah because of right shoulder soreness.

Simmons sustained a stinger in his shoulder in the first quarter after bumping Jazz guard Royce O’Neale in the chest while posting up.

Simmons played only two minutes in the second quarter before leaving with two points and two assists in 10 minutes.

Utah led Philadelphia 58-56 at halftime.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

TORONTO — Pascal Siakam had 23 points and 13 rebounds, Kyle Lowry scored 24 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Sacramento Kings 124-120 on Wednesday night.

Serge Ibaka scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and OG Anunoby had a season-high 18 as the Raptors won their fifth straight over the Kings and improved to 4-0 at home this season.

Lowry has scored 20 or more six times in Toronto’s first seven games. The reigning NBA champions were 12-3 last season when Lowry had at least 20 points.

Fred VanVleet and Marc Gasol each scored 12 for Toronto. Gasol’s total was a season high.

Harrison Barnes had 26 points, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 13 of his 22 in the fourth quarter and Buddy Hield added 21 as the Kings had their modest two-game winning streak snapped. Sacramento had beaten Utah and New York after five straight defeats to begin the season.

De’Aaron Fox had 17 points and nine assists, and Cory Joseph scored 10 against his former team for the Kings, who trailed by 15 in the second quarter before making it close in the fourth.

Hield missed a jump shot that would have made it a two-point game with 35 seconds left in the final period and the Raptors ahead 122-118. Ibaka grabbed the rebound, and VanVleet capped it with a pair of free throws.

The Kings made a season-high 20 3-pointers, taking 43 shots from behind the arc.

After missing their first four shots, Toronto connected on 14 straight through the remainder of the first quarter. Lowry’s driving layup with 1.4 seconds left gave the Raptors a 36-23 lead after one.

After falling behind by 15 early in the second, the Kings cut the deficit to six by making six of 10 from 3-point range, including back-to-baskets by Barnes and Hield with 4:07 left in the half. Lowry and Siakam each scored six points in the second to give Toronto a 66-58 halftime lead.

Siakam had 11 points in the third but the Kings got seven each from Fox and Hield to keep it close, and trailed 95-88 heading to the fourth.

Brooks, Morant help Grizzlies beat Timberwolves

Dillon Brooks scored 31 points, rookie Ja Morant added 26 and the Memphis Grizzlies held onto a lead to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 137-121 on Wednesday night.

Rookie Brandon Clarke made all seven of his shots and scored 18 points, and Jae Crowder also had 18 points for Memphis. The Grizzlies snapped a three-game losing streak.

Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 30 points. Karl-Anthony Towns returned from a two-game suspension for a confrontation with Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid to finish with 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Brooks was 9 of 16 from the field, going 5 of 7 from 3-point range. Memphis shooting 57% overall and 12 of 23 on 3s.

The victory snapped Memphis’ three-game losing streak. The Timberwolves dropped their second straight and third in the last four.

Memphis came out shooting well, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range in the first quarter. But a lead that reached 16 points evaporated in the second quarter. Still, Memphis was able to shoot well, finishing 8 of 13 from outside the arc in the half.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

HOUSTON — James Harden had 36 points and 13 assists and the Houston Rockets routed Golden State 129-112 on Wednesday night, sending the short-handed Warriors to their sixth loss in eight games this season.

Harden again appeared to be moving past his early shooting woes, going 6 of 16 from 3-point range. Since going 17 of 79 on 3s in his first six games, Harden has made 13 of 32 the last two.

Russell Westbrook had 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists. P.J. Tucker had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Clint Capela added 19 points and 16 rebounds, and Austin Rivers was 4 for 4 from 3 with 12 points.

Alec Burks led Golden State with 28 points. Eric Paschall had 19 points, and Glenn Robinson III added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Already reeling from injuries to Splash Brothers Stephen Curry (broken hand) and Klay Thompson (knee surgery) and the loss of Kevin Durant, the Warriors were without D’Angelo Russell (sprained right ankle) and Draymond Green (torn ligament in left index finger) for a third straight game. Russell, who sat on the Golden State bench, could return Friday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

Houston and Golden State entered the game ranked 29th and 28th in the league in points allowed, giving up an average of 123.1 and 120.4 points per game, respectively. Neither team had played a game so far this season where they held their opponent below triple digits.

Both teams struggled with their shooting for spurts of the first half, but late in the second quarter, Harden drilled a deep 3-pointer where he was also fouled. That shot fired up both Harden and the Toyota Center crowd, including rapper Travis Scott, who was sitting courtside.

Houston led 63-52 at the half, thanks in large part to Harden’s 24 first-half points, but also Golden State’s 38.8% shooting from the field.

There were seven lead changes in the first half before Houston started to pull away.

To open up the second half, the Rockets held the Warriors to just three field goals in the first seven minutes of the third quarter and built a lead as large as 23 points. They entered the fourth quarter leading 98-83.

Tony Snell perfect from field as Pistons whip Knicks

Tony Snell scored 24 points on 9-of-9 shooting and the short-handed Detroit Pistons had little trouble with New York, beating the Knicks 122-102 on Wednesday night.

Andre Drummond had 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and Markieff Morris added 22 points for Detroit.

The Pistons played without their injured trio of Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose and Reggie Jackson. Detroit still shot 56 percent from the field and dropped the Knicks to an NBA-worst 1-7.

The Pistons have won eight straight meetings with New York.

Detroit led 64-59 at halftime. It was 74-72 when Morris made a 3-pointer while being fouled. That four-point play started a 10-0 run that pushed the lead into double digits.

Langston Galloway also had a four-point play for the Pistons in the fourth quarter.

Julius Randle led the Knicks with 20 points, and Marcus Morris contributed 18.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Thursday

(Olivarez gym, Parañaque City)

12 p.m. – CEU vs UB (for third place)

2 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony

2:30 p.m. – Diliman vs Olivarez (finals)

Defending champion Diliman College and Olivarez College begin their best-of-three championship series Thursday in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.

Game is at 2:30 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s finals.

The Blue Dragons seek a repeat performance after besting the Sea Lions during the 2018 series 2-1.

Diliman has also beaten Olivarez six times in their last seven meetings, including a 72-66 triumph in the eliminations last Sept. 16.

Enjoying a twice-to-beat semis advantage with their No. 1 seeding, the Blue Dragons booked a finals berth with a 64-63 squeaker over fourth-ranked Centro Escolar University last Oct. 28.

Diliman hopes the eight-day respite will rejuvenate them against Olivarez, which guns for its first crown after three straight final appearances.

Compared to the Blue Dragons, the Sea Lions have survived University of Batangas Brahmans’ Final Four challenge, prevailing 83-79 last Monday after losing 89-80 in their first semis meeting.

Meanwhile, CEU and UB clash for the bronze medal at 12 noon followed by the presentation of individual awards at 2 p.m.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Mac Belo is ready to take on the leadership role as Blackwater took a different route following a series of trades by rewarding him with a three-year contract extension worth P16.2 million.

Blackwater management opted to give Belo a new deal after shipping star rookie Ray Parks Jr. and Mike DiGregorio in separate trades with TNT KaTropa and Allein Maliksi to Meralco in the past three weeks.

“It’s a challenge for me. Panibagong yugto,” Belo said. “Nakikita naman nila boss yung hard work ko and ayun binigyan nila ako ng magandang contract. Ngayon as a leader ng team, kailangan ko lang na tulungan din yung mga coaches, yung mga teammates mo na maging one page kami sa lahat ng gagawin namin.”

The Elite are all but assured of missing the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup with a 2-7 record going into Wednesday’s match against the San Miguel Beermen at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Belo has figured prominently for the Elite by averaging 11.7 points on 47 percent shooting with 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

But his solid play has been overshadowed by the trades Blackwater pulled off since last month, beginning the unloading of DiGregorio to TNT for guard Brian Heruela.

DiGregorio was the team’s third leading local scorer at 10.8 points prior to the trade spiked by a 65-percent clip from rainbow territory.

Next to be moved was Maliksi, who was dealt along with Raymar Jose to Meralco in exchange for veteran KG Canaleta and Belo’s former Far Eastern University teammate Mike Tolomia.

The Parks trade, something that was anticipated for weeks, became a reality after All Saint’s Day when the PBA Commissioner’s Office gave the go-signal to move the second overall pick of the 2018 Draft to TNT for Don Trollano, Tony Semerad and a 2021 first round selection.

Back to square one, Belo is hoping that Blackwater can pick the pieces in hopes of a revival, beginning with the draft where the Elite could end up having the first overall selection.

“Challenge lang ngayon kasi may mga bago kaming players. Kailangan namin mag-regroup ulit,” said Belo. “And kailangan namin pagtrabahuan ang next conference, All-Filipino.

“Yun yung pagtatrabahuan namin as a team. Especially ngayon paparating din yung draft. Hopefully makakuha kami ng makakatulong sa amin,” he added.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Nonito Donaire and Japanese star Naoya “Monster” Inoue face off Thursday for the mythical title of world’s best bantamweight and a cool $1 million at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

The Filipino-American is the underdog in the scheduled 12-rounder against the unbeaten Inoue, who packs an 18-0 card with 16 KOs.

But Donaire, a four-division champion who turns 37 on Nov. 16, is undaunted.

“I know exactly what I’m going to do inside that ring. The odds don’t matter,” said Donaire, who enters the ring with a 40-5 slate with 26 KOs.

“This is the best of the best and this is everything a fighter works for. I’ve been through it all (before). It’s another step towards being undisputed (champion).”

The 118-lb clash will serve as the finals of the World Boxing Super Series, a tournament featuring the world’s finest bantamweights.

Inoue, however, feels that Donaire stands on equal footing with him.

“I’m not seeing Nonito as the underdog. There’s no difference between us. As far as boxing is concerned, there’s nothing to expect but the greatest fight ever. If I am victorious tomorrow night, this will be a very big step towards a bright future,” said the power-hitting Inoue, who is more than ten years younger.

Inoue is a -1000 favorite ($1,000 wins $100) and Donaire a huge underdog at +500 ($100 wins $500).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Saturday
(The Arena, San Juan)
4 p.m. – BanKo-Perlas vs Motolite (3rd Place)
6 p.m. – Creamline vs PetroGazz (Finals, Game 2)

Defending champion Creamline moved within one victory of sweeping the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference after defeating PetroGazz 25-14, 25-22, 27-25 in the opener of the best-of-three title series Wednesday night at The Arena in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez scored 19 points, including two aces, while Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao and Jia Morado provided the support that allowed Creamline to close in on avenging its finals defeat to the same team in the Reinforced Conference.

Galanza contributed 15 points with 10 digs, while Gumabao added 10 hits, and Morado finished with 21 excellent sets.

Creamline’s triumph extended its unbeaten slate to 19 matches which started with a 16-game sweep of the double-round eliminations followed by two victories over Motolite in the semifinals.

Valdez, who missed a total of five games due to an ankle injury and her stint with the national team preparing for the 30th Southeast Asian Games here, credited it to team effort that won the game.

“My mindset is to really give my all, given the sacrifices of my teammates who continued to keep on fighting,” said Valdez.

Creamline guns for the title when it plays reigning Reinforced Conference champion PetroGazz in Game 2 on Saturday at the same venue.

The Angels, who swept the BanKo-Perlas Spikers in the other semifinal pairing, took a 15-9 lead in the second set. But Galanza scored six straight points to power Creamline’s comeback as they grabbed a 2-0 lead.

In the third set, the Cool Smashers failed to finish off the Angels after going up, 23-22, but saved a set point at 23-24 on a Jeanette Panaga service error before Galanza fired away an easy hit off a PetroGazz reception miscue.

After Cai Baloaloa tied it again at 25, the Cool Smashers moved at match point on a Baloaloa service miscue. Galanza clinched it with a power hit after being foiled twice by the PetroGazz defense.

Earlier, BanKo-Perlas foiled Motolite with a 25-23, 25-23, 25-18 victory in the battle for third place.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Defending champion Magnolia welcomed Chris Banchero on a positive note by defeating Phoenix Pulse 97-81 Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Banchero finished with 10 points, five rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes to play a key role in the Hotshots’ second straight win that solidified their grip on six spot with a 5-4 record.

“Nangangapa pa yung bata pero ang maganda sa kanya yung binigay niya sa amin na hustle, energy, yung kanyang push ng bola at yung depensa,” said coach Chito Victolero, whose team nabbed Banchero from Alaska in exchange for Robbie Herndon and Rodney Brondial.

Import Romeo Travis produced 20 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks and Ian Sangalang added 17 points and five rebounds for Magnolia, which stayed in the hunt for a top four finish.

Magnolia is a game behind fourth-running San Miguel Beer (6-3) and a half-game below Barangay Ginebra (5-3).

But the road gets tougher for the Hotshots as they wrap up the eliminations against co-leader NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City and TNT KaTropa on Nov. 16 in Davao City.

Import Alonzo Gee scored 24 points and Matthew Wright hit 19 but Phoenix dropped to a tie for 10th with Rain or Shine at 2-7.

Phoenix needs to win its final two games in order to stay in contention for the eighth and final quarterfinals berth.

The Fuel Masters’ remaining games are against the Alaska Aces and the Blackwater Elite on Nov. 13 and 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The scores:

MAGNOLIA 97 — Travis 20, Sangalang 17, Lee 15, Banchero 10, Jalalon 9, Dela Rosa 8, Barroca 7, Melton 6, Pingris 4, Reavis 1.

PHOENIX PULSE 81 — Gee 24, Wright 19, Mallari 13, Perkins 8, Napoles 7, Jazul 4, Garcia 3, Chua 2, Marcelo 1, Intal 0, Dennison 0, Kramer 0.

Quarters: 21-12; 41-31; 69-60; 97-81.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Adamson University continued to defy the odds as it topped University of Santo Tomas 25-17, 21-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-11 to gain its first-ever championship appearance in UAAP season 82 girls’ volleyball Wednesday at the Paco Arena.

Battling cramps midway through the game, Kate Santiago still unleashed 26 points on 19 attacks, four service aces, and three blocks to lead the Baby Lady Falcons.

Winners of three straight do-or-die step-ladder semifinals games, Adamson University hopes to sustain this momentum against National University-Nazareth School in the Finals scheduled to begin at 12 noon on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Bullpups gained the outright Finals berth after sweeping the 12-match elimination round.

The Baby Falcons also beat the Junior Tigresses, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-20, last Sunday.

“Yung mga players ko ang magdedecide if they want to win, ayun nag respond sila, talagang gusto nila, hindi nila ginive up, nilaban nila ang team hanggang sa dulo,” said Adamson University coach Lerma Giron.

May Ann Nuique, Raisa Ricablanca and Trisha Tubu each had 10 points for Adamson.

Adamson started the deciding set with a 10-1 lead, but UST answered with a 7-1 run to close the deficit to three, 8-11.

But the Baby Falcons pulled away late and booked the remaining Finals berth.

Substitute Samantha Maranan collected 18 points on 14 kills and four aces for the Junior Tigresses. Regina Jurado added 17 markers and 14 digs while Renee Peñafiel chalked up 14 points.

Source: Manila Bulletin