National University-Nazareth School and Far Eastern University-Diliman will square off in the Finals for the second straight year after beating separate foes in UAAP season 82 boys’ volleyball do-or-die semifinals Wednesday at Paco Arena.

The back-to-back title-seeking Bullpups outlasted second seed University of the East in a classic five-setter, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23, 11-25, 17-15, while the Baby Tamaraws finished off University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 25-20, 29-27.

NU and FEU open their best-of-three title series at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Michaelo Buddin produced 26 points while Arvin Bandola chipped in 25 markers on 18 spikes, four service aces and three blocks for the Bullpups.

“Nag payoff lahat ng pinaghirapan namin at the same time pinilit kong macompose yung attitude ng mga bata kasi nung fourth set, bumigay sila eh. Kahit na lumamang yung kalaban, sabi ko walang sisihan, dapat iangat ang kasama,” said NU coach Edgar Barroga.

Knotted at 15 in the deciding frame, Junior Warriors opposite spiker Joshua Espenida’s crosscourt attack went wide before Buddin gave the final blow on an off the block kill to clinch the win for the Bullpups.

UE ended the fourth set on a blistering 12-1 blast, capped by three consecutive attacks by Espenida to extend the match.

Espenida scored 22 points while captain Francis Babon unloaded 19 markers and 16 digs for the Junior Warriors, who lost in four sets in last Sunday’s Final Four opener.

The top-ranked Baby Tamaraws made sure that their hard-earned twice-to-beat advantage won’t go down the drain.

“Sabi ko sa kanila, kung sino ang matapang dito at buo ang loob, yun ang mananalo. Kaya inadjust namin yung service-receive namin at yung block,” said FEU mentor Rjhay Del Rosario.

Tied at 27 in the third frame, France Racaza hammered a crosscourt kill before Rans Cajolo turned back Tiger Cubs captain Rey De Vega’s down-the-line attempt to send the Baby Tamaraws back in the Finals.

Racaza scored all but one of his 13 points coming off spikes alongside 11 digs, Cajolo poured in 11 markers, while Jerold Talisayan contributed 10 points off two blocks and two service aces for FEU.

Rookie Jay Rack Dela Noche topscored for UST with 12 points, while CJ Segui added 11 markers as top gun De Vega was limited to eight points.

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 Santo Tomas overcame Far Eastern University’s third-quarter surge to prevail 81-71 on Wednesday in the first stepladder semifinals of UAAP season 82 men’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tigers gnashed their teeth and dug in after seeing their 57-31 cushion trimmed down to 70-65 with 6:37 left in the game, hanging on to dispatch the Tamaraws and arrange a semis meeting with second seed University of the Philippines Maroons on Sunday.

Soulemane Chabi Yo, who was earlier named season Most Valuable Player, steered the España-based crew with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting while grabbing 11 rebounds and three assists, while Brent Paraiso chipped in 18 points highlighted by five triples.

UST coach Aldin Ayo lauded his players’ hard work.

“Nothing comes easy,” he said. “FEU kalaban namin. Hindi basta bibigay yan and they’re well-coached.”

The Tigers knocked down six of 14 triples in the opening quarter for a 26-16 lead and continued this pace at the half 54-28 behind the efforts of Chabi Yo and Paraiso.

But the Tamaraws regrouped entering the third as Ken Tuffin and Wendell Comboy took turns in draining treys to slowly cut down the double-digit deficit.

FEU further threatened in the last 38 seconds after back-to-back treys from Tuffin and Xyrus Torres to cut down the deficit to 78-71, but it turned out to be their last stand.

Subido finished with 14 points, Rhenz Abando had nine points and eight boards, and CJ Cansino hauled down 10 rebounds.

Tuffin finished with 20 points while LJ Gonzales and Huberto Cani merged for 21 in a losing effort for FEU.

“We played the worst first half of our lives. Nasingil na kami nung fourth quarter. Nakahabol nga kami pero kinapos na sa huli eh,” said graduating FEU player Wendell Comboy.

Scores:

UST 81 — Chabi Yo 25, Paraiso 18, Subido 14, Abando 9, Nonoy 6, Huang 4, Bataller 3, Cansino 2, Ando 0, Concepcion 0, Cuajao 0.

FEU 71 — Tuffin 20, Gonzales 11, Cani 10, Ebona 9, Comboy 8, Torres 8, Tchuente 5, Alforque 0, Bayquin 0, Bienes 0, Stockton 0.

Quarters: 26-16, 54-28, 70-56, 81-71.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Friday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. — Columbian vs Meralco

7 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs Ginebra

San Miguel Beer overcame the absence of injured import Dez Wells to hold off Blackwater 99-92 in overtime and secure a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Beermen took advantage of the loss of Elite import Marqus Blakely due to six fouls with 3:18 to go in overtime by scoring eight straight points to pull away and snap a two-game losing streak.

Marcio Lassiter hit back-to-back baskets, June Mar Fajardo scored off a foul by Carl Bryan Cruz and Terrence Romeo converted a lay-in to give SMB a 98-92 lead entering the final minute.

SMB gained solo fourth in the standings with a 6-3 record despite missing Wells, who has yet to recover from an injured left ankle suffered last Oct. 27 against Meralco.

Coach Leo Austria was hoping that Wells would play despite skipping Tuesday’s practice but the import watched the whole game in street clothes.

“We don’t want to force somebody,” Austria said.

Austria didn’t rule out the possibility of tapping at least a temporary replacement for Wells in time for Saturday’s out-of-town game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

“Meron kaming backup but we will know maybe tonight kung may darating,” said Austria, who refused to give further details.

Fajardo finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds, Romeo scored 20 points, Arwind Santos 13 points and nine rebounds and Marcio Lassiter 11 points and seven boards for the Beermen.

Blackwater dropped to 2-8 in its first game since trading star rookie Ray Parks Jr. to TNT KaTropa in exchange for Don Trollano, injured veteran Tony Semerad and a 2021 first round pick.

The Elite forced overtime after KG Canaleta tied the score at 88-all with 56.6 seconds remaining in regulation.

Blackwater’s Roi Sumang and Fajardo had chances to put their teams ahead but missed go-ahead attempts before time expired.

Mac Belo scored 25 points in his first game since signing a three-year contract extension to remain with the Elite.

Scores: 

SAN MIGUEL 99 — Fajardo 30, Romeo 20, Santos 13; Lassiter 11, Cabagnot 8, Pessumal 7, Nabong 6, Tautuaa 4, Rosser 0, Ross 0.

BLACKWATER 96 — Belo 25, Blakely 24, Trollano 14, Canaleta 13, Cruz 8, Javier 6, Tolomia 4, Sumang 2, Dario 0, Desiderio 0, Cruz 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Salem 0.

Quarters: 11-16; 34-37; 64-62; 88-88 (Reg); 99-96 (OT).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The Philippine men’s volleyball team left for Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday for extra training needed for its campaign in the 30^th Southeast Asian Games late this month.

The camp will run for 11 days where the Nationals are scheduled to have tuneup matches against Japanese club teams and university squads.

“This trip would give up the experience and improve our chemistry needed for the SEA Games,” said head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

“We want to test ourselves in real-game situations. We want to know how we would react and how we would adjust when we’re facing a superior and more talented team.”

Japan is known as a powerhouse in volleyball, with its men’s squad a familiar face in the Olympics, Asian Games and the World Cup.

Alinsunurin said Japanese players are known for their quickness despite their height disadvantage to which Filipinos can relate.

“They may not be tall, but their system is very effective, something that we can adapt for the SEA Games,” he said.

Johnvic De Guzman spearheads the squad composed of Marck Espejo, Ran Abdilla, Mark Alfafara, Joshua Umandal, Ish Polvorosa, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, Rex Intal, Ricky Marck and Jack Kalingking.

Reserve players Joey Dela Vega, Jeff Mangulabnan and Fauzi Ismail will also join the training.

Accompanying the team are assistant coaches Sherwin Meneses and Dong dela Cruz, and Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. director Rod Roque.

Bryan Bagunas, who is playing for the Japanese team Oita Miyoshi in the V.Premier League will also join the camp.

“This is a long-term process for us, not just for the SEA Games,” Alinsunurin said of their trip supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

A few weeks ago, the PH women’s squad also had a training camp in Japan.

In this year’s SEA Games, the Nationals are bracketed in Group B along with last edition’s silver and bronze winner Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as Cambodia.

Group A will have reigning champion Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore and Timor Leste.

The PH squad hopes to eclipse its sixth place finish at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

Despite trade rumors surrounding him, Vic Manuel proved to be a trooper and played well enough to help Alaska stay in contention for a playoffs berth in the PBA Governors Cup.

Manuel muscled his way for 23 points and 10 rebounds as the Aces turned back NorthPort Batang Pier, 106-99, to win for the third time in their last four outings.

It was the first back-to-back victory for Alaska under coach Jeff Cariaso as the team continues its rise in the standings with a 3-6 record after losing its first five games in the conference.

The 32-year-old Manuel has a lot to do with that as the forward from Licab, Nueva Ecija has been delivering consistently on both ends of the floor, unmindful of the trade talks involving him.

Manuel’s numbers in the win over NorthPort clinched for him the PBA Press Corps-Cignal Player of the Week for the period Oct. 28 to Nov. 3.

‘The Muscleman’ edged rookie teammate Abu Tratter for the weekly honor.

Tratter, who also got his fair share of the votes, finished with 17 points and nine rebounds against the Batang Pier.

Seven other players vied for the weekly honor namely, Kiefer Ravena, Jericho Cruz, and Poy Erram of NLEX, rookie Bong Quinto, Chris Newsome, and Raymund Almazan of Meralco, and veteran Barangay Ginebra guard LA Tenorio.

Source: Manila Bulletin

The Philippine fencing team to the 30th SEA Games will not settle for anything less than winning the overall title on home soil.

The last time the Philippines hosted the biennial event in 2005, the local fencers were overall champions with five gold, five silver and a couple of bronze medals.

“That´s our aim. We are targetting three to four golds. We want all our fencers to win medals. If not the gold, then a silver or bronze,” said head coach Rolando Canlas Jr. in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Manila.

Fencing in this year´s SEA Games will be staged at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from Dec. 3 to 8. A total of 12 gold medals will be disputed among fencers from nine competing countries — men’s and women’s individual and team events in foil, epee and sabre.

Canlas, a gold and bronze medalist in 2005, is confident that the 24-member national team will deliver.

“With help from the Philippine Sports Commission, they were provided with everything from foreign exposure, foreign coach, nutrition, conditioning and sports psychology. They are all excited,” he added.

The country´s top fencers, including Noelito Jose Jr., Nathaniel Perez, CJ Concepcion, Nicole Cortey and reigning Asian Under-23 champion Samantha Catantan graced the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel and PAGCOR.

In the 2015 SEA Games, the Filipinos failed to win a gold, settling for a handful silver medals, and in 2017 they marked their return to the top with a gold, three silvers and two bronzes.

Canlas said full support from the government and top fencing officials led by Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and Celso Dayrit has given the fencers enough motivation to deliver the gold.

They vied in major overseas competitions prior to this SEA Games, including Asian and World championships, and underwent intensive training in South Korea from Sept. 3 to Oct. 3. They will vie in the Taiwan Open from Nov. 14 to 18 in time for the SEA Games scheduled Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

“They really improved a lot. The confidence level is very high. When we compete overseas, even the Koreans are now taking videos of our fencers,” said Canlas, noting that Catantan won the gold in the recent Asian Under-23 by beating two Koreans along the way.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

University of Santo Tomas’ Soulemane Chabi Yo and Grace Irebu banner the list of UAAP awardees after bagging the Most Valuable Player award in their division.

Pending the official announcement, the Benin-native Chabi Yo became the first male UST player since Dylan Ababou in 2009 to clinch the top honors after steering the Tigers to their first Final Four appearance in three years.

The 6-foot-6 forward collected 76 statistical points (SPs) after averaging 16.9 points, 14.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in the two-round eliminations.

Congolese center Irebu, meanwhile, took home the women’s MVP for the second straight season. Marichu Bacaro won it last for UST in 2008.

Mark Nonoy, another UST standout, also took the podium with the Rookie of the Year award after finishing with 39.39 SPs, while La Salle’s Kent Pastrana (57.0 SPs) pocketed the ROY plum in the distaff side.

Comprising the men’s Mythical Team are Chabi Yo, La Salle’s Justine Baltazar (64 SPs) and Jaime Malonzo (63.23), University of the Philippines’ Kobe Paras (62.08) and University of the East’s Rey Suerte (60.93).

Joining Irebu in the women’s Mythical Team are Adamson’s Nathalia Prado (86) National University’s Jack Animam (78.57), Far Eastern University’s Clare Castro (66.64) and Pastrana.

The presentation of individual awards will be on Nov. 20 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins has been suspended 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the league announced Tuesday.

The league said he tested positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2).

Collins told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that he plans to appeal the suspension, which was set to begin Tuesday night when the Hawks host the San Antonio Spurs.

“First I want to apologize to my teammates, the Hawks organization, our fans, partners and community as a whole for this situation,” Collins said in a statement to Wojnarowski. “I understand the impact this matter has on what we are trying to achieve together this season, and I am incredibly frustrated and disappointed in myself for putting all us in this position.

“I have always been incredibly careful about what I put in my body, but I took a supplement, which unbeknownst to me, had been contaminated with an illegal component. I plan to appeal my suspension in arbitration so I can get back on the court as soon as possible and continue to contribute to our 2019-20 campaign.”

The 22-year-old is in his third NBA season and is part of a young nucleus for the improving Hawks, which includes second-year guards Trae Young and Kevin Huerter, as well as rookie Cam Reddish. The Hawks made Collins, a Wake Forest product, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2017 draft.

In 140 career games (90 starts), he is averaging 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. In five games this season, he is averaging 17.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and shooting 47.4 percent from 3-point range.

“On behalf of the entire Hawks organization, we are disappointed to learn that John put himself in an unfortunate situation and violated the league’s anti-drug policy,” the Hawks said in a statement. “We hold ourselves and each of our players to a high standard, and we are committed to supporting John as he learns from this setback and continues to grow as both a player and a person. Head Coach Lloyd Pierce and I have both talked to him and we believe that he is truly remorseful for his actions. We will provide John with support on and off the court while we look forward to his return to the team.”

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton also was suspended 25 games last month when he tested positive for a diuretic.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair his left labrum but will miss the next four months of the NBA season, the team announced.

Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey said Collins will start rehabilitation and treatment and be re-evaluated around early March.

Collins, 21, dislocated his left shoulder at the 2:01 mark of the third quarter in Portland’s 121-119 victory at Dallas on October 27.

Collins averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the first three games of the campaign for the Trail Blazers.

The 7-footer, selected 10th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by Sacramento but then traded to Portland, has averaged 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds over 146 career NBA games.

The Trail Blazers are off to a 3-4 start to the 2019-20 campaign, having lost their second game in a row on Monday night at Golden State.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Gordon Hayward tied a career-high with 39 points, making all 16 of his 2-point attempts, and the Boston Celtics won their fifth straight game by holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-113 on Tuesday night.

Hayward put in Kemba Walker’s miss with 22 seconds left to give Boston a 118-113 lead. Walker stole the inbounds pass and hit a free throw to put the game away.

Hayward made 17 of 20 shots, including a 3-pointer. The 6-foot-7 forward scored 16 points in the opening quarter and 22 in the first half, hitting all nine attempts from the field.

Walker had 25 points for Boston, which hasn’t lost since the season opener against Philadelphia.

Collin Sexton, who scored 21 points, hit a 3 with 1:33 to play that cut Boston’s lead to 116-113. The score remained that way until Hayward’s crucial basket after his offensive rebound.

Boston was 48 of 85 from the field. Jayson Tatum scored 18 points and Carson Edwards had 13.

Tristan Thompson had 19 points and 13 rebounds for Cleveland, which has lost three straight. Kevin Love scored 17 and Larry Nance Jr. 15.

Boston was 24 of 44 from the field in the first half, when it built an 11-point lead. Cleveland cut the margin to 50-48, but Hayward hit a basket and two free throws and Marcus Smart made a 3-pointer that put the Celtics ahead 61-52 at halftime.

Cleveland stayed with the hot-shooting Celtics until the final seconds. Love missed a 3 that would have tied the game with just under a minute to play.

Hayward suffered a horrific leg injury in Cleveland during the opening minutes of the 2017-18 season opener. He averaged 16.5 points in two games at Cleveland last season.

Jamal Murray scores 21 points as Nuggets beat Heat

Jamal Murray scored 21 points, Will Barton and Jerami Grant had 15 each, and the Denver Nuggets pulled away in the second half to beat the Miami Heat 109-89 Tuesday night.

Jimmy Butler had 16 points and Kelly Olynyk 13 for Miami, which ended a three-game winning streak. It was the first time this season the Heat had failed to score at least 100 points. The Nuggets held Miami to 36.4 percent shooting from the floor while converting 52.3 percent of their shots.

Up by 10 at haftime, the Nuggets doubled their lead with a strong third quarter in which they outscored the Heat 31-20 despite losing Paul Millsap to a facial laceration early in the period after Gary Harris left near the end of the second quarter with an ankle injury.

Monte Morris converted a three-point play in the final moments of the third, helping the Nuggets take an 89-68 lead into the fourth. Morris finished with 11 points.

Denver scored eight of the next nine points starting the final quarter capped by Torrey Craig’s dunk off a lob pass from Nikola Jokic to move in front 97-70 with 8:58 left to play.

Bam Adebayo’s driving layup broke the Nuggets’ surge but not enough to alter the outcome for the Heat, who had trailed by a point after the first quarter. Denver substituted freely in the final minutes.

The Nuggets closed the last 5:04 of the second quarter on a 16-5 run to take a 58-48 lead at halftime. Barton, back from a toe injury, began the flurry by converting a go-ahead three-point play and also connected on a 3-pointer during the surge.

Source: Manila Bulletin