By the Associated Press

PARIS — Rafael Nadal beat Stan Wawrinka for the 19th time in 22 meetings, winning 6-4, 6-4 Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals.

The two players share 22 Grand Slams, but Nadal has 19 of them and once again established a stranglehold on his Swiss opponent.

Wawrinka’s blistering one-handed backhand was as erratic as it was occasionally superb, but Nadal was almost always in control.

“My serve worked well and the volley too,” Nadal said. “I went to the net a couple of times, serve and volley.”

The second-ranked Spaniard was briefly troubled in the first set, saving one break point in the second game and another in the eighth, and then needed some brief medical assistance in the second set for a stomach problem.

“Nothing important, honestly,” Nadal said, brushing away any health concerns. “During the match I was (asking) a little bit if just the doctor can give me something to feel a little bit better.”

Nadal next faces 2008 champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as he chases a first Paris title, which would guarantee him the year-end No.1 ranking for the fifth time.

Tsonga saved two match points in a grueling 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6) win against big-hitting German Jan-Lennard Struff.

Nadal leads Tsonga 9-4 in their career meetings, with Tsonga’s first win coming in the semifinals of the 2008 Australian Open — which remains the only major final he’s reached.

He lost it to Novak Djokovic, who has since added 15 more major titles to join Nadal and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer as the game’s modern greats.

The top-ranked Serb is seeking a record-tying sixth year-end finish with the top ranking, and remains on course to meet Nadal in the final at Bercy Arena. Earlier, the four-time Paris Masters champion looked closer to his best level, reaching the last eight with a 7-6 (7), 6-1 win against Kyle Edmund.

After needing seven set points to clinch the first set, he reeled off six straight games in the second, finishing it off by breaking his British opponent to love with a two-handed backhand winner into the left corner.

He turned quickly to give his box a look of steely determination and former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic — who joined his coaching team at this year’s Wimbledon — stood to applaud him.

“It was because my coach told me I don’t have a great return. So finishing off with a return winner, I kind of gave him a look. No I’m joking,” said Djokovic, who is widely considered among the game’s greatest ever returners.

He served well, too, winning 89 percent of first serve points won and conceding no break points. He then peaked with three crisp winners in the last game, including another two-handed backhand and a pinpoint forehand.

“It is great to finish the match in style and to feel the way I felt in the second set,” Djokovic said. “I have not played my best yesterday, so of course I was hoping I can do as well as I did in second set. The look was about that.”

His voice still croaky, Djokovic addressed the crowd in his fast-improving French after the game. He told them in measured tones that he still felt a bit unwell, having labored at times against the unseeded Corentin Moutet in the second round.

He next faces seventh-seeded Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas, who had 11 aces in a 6-3, 6-4 win against Alex de Minaur and holds a 2-1 record against Djokovic — including earlier this month in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters.

Grigor Dimitrov advanced by beating Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-2, breaking the fifth-seeded Austrian’s serve four times. The Bulgarian did not face a break point and next plays Cristian Garin, an unseeded Chilean who saved three match points in a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) win against Jeremy Chardy.

Sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany lost 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 to Denis Shapovalov in an error-strewn match featuring 30 break points and seven breaks of serve — five conceded by Zverev.

Shapovalov next plays U.S. Open quarterfinalist Gael Monfils.

The 13th-seeded Frenchman was a set and a break down but rallied to beat 50th-ranked Moldovan Radu Albot 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Monfils would seal his place in the season-ending ATP Finals in London if he beats Shapovalov.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.  — Artifacts from the World Series are headed to the Baseball Hall of Fame, including the ball hit by Washington’s Howie Kendrick off the right-field foul pole for the go-ahead home run in Game 7.

Following the Nationals’ 6-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night, the Nationals and players donated several pieces.

Other items include a jersey worn by World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg in his Game 6 victory, a cap worn by starting pitcher Max Scherzer in Game 7, and the ball Juan Soto hit for a home run in Game 1.

The bat used by Kendrick to hit a grand slam homer in Game 5 of the NLDS and the batting helmet worn by ALCS MVP Jose Altuve of the Astros throughout the postseason were donated earlier.

All of the items will be featured in the Autumn Glory exhibit when it opens.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — In a matter of months, the once-unbeatable Warriors have gone from a starting lineup featuring five All-Stars to a cast of youngsters almost nobody knows.

At least to start the season they had staples Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney to lean on for leadership.

Now, Curry and Looney are hurt and Green is dealing with a balky back. And the Warriors have looked anything but dominant during a 1-3 start.

“It’s been a tough start for us on many levels, so we’re just trying to find our footing,” coach Steve Kerr said. “This puts us in a tough spot, so we’ll assess it and go from there.”

Curry joined Splash Brother Klay Thompson as the latest sidelined star. The two-time MVP broke his left hand in a 121-110 loss to Phoenix on Wednesday night and it remained unclear a day later how long he might be sidelined, while Splash Brother Thompson could miss the entire season recovering from July 2 surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee that he hurt in a Game 6 loss in the NBA Finals that gave Toronto its first title. Curry underwent a CT scan Thursday but the team said it would have specialists evaluate the results before providing an update on his status.

However long he is out, it hurts for far more than what he brings on the court. Curry’s presence in the locker room provides an example for the young Warriors, and he is their longest-tenured player and their oldest at age 31. It will be up to players like D’ Angelo Russell and Green to help keep things afloat for the time being.

Many already consider it a lost season, with playoff hopes in the powerful Western Conference grim at best. Golden State might instead be lining itself up for a lottery pick in next year’s NBA draft.

Still, Curry posted a smiling photo of himself, with the hand heavily wrapped, Thursday on his Instagram account with the message: “Appreciate all the love/texts/support all that … Be back soon!”

The two-time MVP drove to his left defended by Kelly Oubre Jr. and, with Aron Baynes standing solidly in the paint, trying to draw a charge.

Curry leapt with the ball then came down head first, landing awkwardly on his hands to brace himself from the court, with Baynes crashing onto Curry’s left hand. Curry grimaced in pain grabbing his hand then walked to the locker room with 8:31 left in the third quarter.

Russell has done this before, forced to take on a far bigger role just last season because of injuries in Brooklyn. And now the new Golden State guard must do it again with a suddenly short-handed backcourt. Russell understands he faces a tall task.

“Definitely trying to take on that leadership role and continue to get better every year with being able to lead guys on what I see and what I’ve been through,” he said. “It’s definitely a similar situation, but it’s going to be tougher. We’ve got a lot of young guys that are going to be forced to mature and step up, so I’m looking forward to it as well. … It’s an opportunity. Go back to the drawing board with the team and the coaching staff, and see what we can do to prepare for each game day in and day out. The big thing I see is just opportunity for a lot of people.”

In fact, Kerr planned to gather his staff Thursday — the player development coaches have already been working on overload — for a serious meeting of the minds to figure out how to push ahead and what combinations might work going forward with so many men down. Golden State already was missing key big man Looney, who is dealing with a hamstring injury and scheduled to see specialists next week because of an “on-going presence of a neuropathic condition in his body.”

The challenge of putting a winning team on the court now seems daunting. The rookies have been thrown into action right away out of necessity — not the norm with these Warriors in recent years.

“We just got to make up for it by playing hard and playing together, and making sure we’re together the time he’s out,” said rookie Eric Paschall, who made his first career start and scored a team-high 20 points against the Suns.

The losses have been ugly — Phoenix led 43-14 after the first quarter — at home in new Chase Center, where the Warriors are winless and hardly have that imposing home-court advantage that Oracle Arena provided night after night across the bay in Oakland.

Two players returned from injuries Wednesday to make their debuts with Golden State: center Willie Cauley-Stein and guard Alec Burks.

General manager Bob Myers mentioned months ago this would be a rebuilding season for the Warriors in many ways.

The Warriors’ recent fortunes also shed light on just how much must go right to win a championship, let alone reach five straight NBA Finals and capture three titles in four years.

There are nine players age 23 or younger.

“I don’t know how long it’ll take. It’ll take as long as it takes, I guess,” Myers said at media day. “… I do know this: We believe that things take time to evolve, and we’re prepared especially with a younger roster to allow that to happen, and that’s the mindset that we have from a coaching staff, from a front office staff, is ‘let’s see how things are going before we make any blanket decisions or judgment on any of it.’ But we’re excited. I mean, look, we’re excited about the youth. We’re excited about the unknown. In years past we’ve had a lot of known, which has been fantastic, but this is different.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

NEW YORK— Philadelphia center Joel Embiid and Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns have been suspended two games each without pay for an on-court altercation and continued escalation.

Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations, announced the suspensions Thursday, a day after the undefeated 76ers’ 117-95 home victory over the Timberwolves.

The star players were ejected after tangling with 6:42 left in the third quarter and the 76ers ahead 75-55. Embiid shoved Towns, who answered with a punch that missed as both men fell to the floor.

Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons jumped in and forcefully held Towns down as other players and coaches ran onto the court.

“I didn’t throw any punches, so I shouldn’t get suspended,” Embiid said Wednesday night.

They were ejected after a video review.

“We deemed the altercation a fight. Therefore, by rule, they’re both ejected,” said Mark Ayotte, the officials’ crew chief. “I just saw them each lock arms. And that escalated to the fight.”

Gersson Rosas, the Timberwolves’ president of basketball operations, issued a statement after the suspensions were handed down.

“While we are disappointed with the league’s decision, we understand the magnitude of this unfortunate incident,” Rosas said. “The NBA is highly competitive and last night was a reflection of that. We support Karl and will move forward together as a group.”

Embiid will sit out Saturday night at Portland and Monday night at Phoenix. He’s averaging 23.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in three games this season.

Towns will miss games Saturday night at Washington and Monday night at home against Milwaukee. He’s averaging 27.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in four games.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

MANHATTAN BEACH, California—Jerwin Ancajas’ eighth defense of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight title will be moved to Dec. 7 in Pueblo, Mexico.

Ancajas was supposed to face Jonathan Rodriguez of Mexico this Saturday in Carson but delays in the granting of key travel documents caused him to fail to complete his medicals.

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, whose Top Rank Inc. is staging the fight, told the Bulletin on Thursday that Ancajas will likely resurface in Mexico where his outfit is doing a fight headlined by world super-bantamweight champion Emmanuel Navarrete.

The news of the cancellation came shortly after Ancajas did his last workout and tested the scales at 115 lbs, the division’s limit.

Sean Gibbons, who represents Ancajas, said the Filipino southpaw will stay in the US so he can resume his training for the December fight.

Ancajas expressed sadness over the sudden turn of events but philosophized that “things happen for a reason.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The chance of the Philippines to send teams in the men’s and women’s division of the 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament will be known Friday through a special event organized by FIBA in Utsunomiya, Japan.

FIBA had set a cutoff date for Thursday in order for countries to make the top 24 of both divisions and gain a direct slot in the Tokyo Olympics or the OQT which India will host in March 2020.

Direct slots are allotted to host Japan and the three highest ranked nations based on FIBA’s rankings while India, FIBA 3×3 World Cup podium finishers United States, Latvia and Poland along with the next 16-best nations will play in the men’s OQT event.

The same direct slots are handed in the women’s division while India, 3×3 World Cup top finishers China, Hungary and France are assured of berths in the women’s OQT side.

As of last week, the Philippines has an inside track of making the OQT grade in the men’s division while scrambling to gain a nod in the distaff side.

Numerous tournaments have been organized this month by the upstart Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 league and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in order to make the top 24.

Chooks-to-Go was scheduled to complete the sixth and final leg of its fourth tournament known as the MelMac Cup Thursday at Gold’s Gym in Mandaluyong City while the SBP held its Smart 3×3 event at the Meralco Gym.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg says winning the World Series Most Valuable Player Award is sweeter because of the adversity he has overcome in his Major League Baseball career.

The 31-year-old US right-hander, who needed tendon replacement surgery only a few months into his 2010 rookie campaign, won twice in the World Series for the Nationals, who beat Houston 6-2 on Wednesday to win the best-of-seven series 4-3.

“You learn just as much from the downs as the ups,” Strasburg said. “Everything happens for a reason. I’ve become a stronger pitcher for all the adversity I’ve gone through.”

Strasburg became the first pitcher to go 5-0 in a single playoff run and was named the first World Series MVP pitcher since San Francisco’s Madison Baumgartner in 2014.

In game two, Strasburg struck out seven while allowing only two runs over six innings.

In game six, he went 8 1/3 innings, giving up only two runs while striking out seven and scattering five hits and two walks with the Nationals facing elimination.

The Nationals went 5-0 in playoff elimination games, rallying from behind to win every one of them.

“It’s almost like we’ve done it so many times we have to get punched in the face to wake up,” Strasburg said. “We never quit during the season despite everybody saying we were done.”

The Nationals began the season 19-31 and were written off by many, given only a .01 percent chance of winning the title by oddsmakers.

Strasburg has been defying the odds since he was the first pick of the 2009 MLB Draft and pitched for Washington in 2010 before being shut down in August for Tommy John tendon replacement surgery and a year of rehabilitation.

“Through all the adversity I’ve learned a lot about myself,” Strasburg said.

“I’ve really learned to focus on the things I can control. I’m a control freak. The one thing you can control is your approach and how you handle your work off the field.”

After battling back to play again in 2011, he was forced to sit out the end of the 2012 season as a precautionary measure to rest his arm, watching in frustration as his team lost to St. Louis in the playoffs.

“It was so long ago,” Strasburg said. “You try not to look at the past and you try not to look at the future. It’s a challenge not to try to see how it’s going to all play out. You have to stay in the moment.”

This year, Strasburg led the National League with 18 regular-season wins and was the most dominating pitcher in any playoff run.

And the usually reserved Strasburg admits enjoying the free spirited feel of a team that dances in the dugouts and hugs unreservedly.

“It’s the camaraderie. It’s the brotherhood that’s the most satisfying,” he said.

“They have me doing things I never thought I would be doing — hugging and dancing.”

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Ceres-Negros came back from a goal down to defeat the national U-22 team 2-1 Wednesday in the Copa Paulino Alcantara at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.

Dylan de Bruycker and Robert Lopez Mendy scored the tying and winning goals inside the final 30 minutes as the Philippines Football League champion Busmen recovered after conceding a first half opener by Yrick Gallantes.

The Busmen extended their unbeaten run to 23 games in all competition after drawing level with the SEA Games-bound Philippine squad and Mendiola FC 1991 in Group A at four points apiece.

Mendiola eliminated Green Archers United from semifinal contention with a 1-0 win at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa City, Batangas to boost its chances of making the semis.

Jim Ashley Flores scored the only goal of the contest as Mendiola won after gaining a favorable 2-2 draw against Ceres in the Copa opener over the weekend.

Stallion-Laguna struck in the second half to beat Air Force 2-1 in the other match in Lipa to tie Group B leader Kaya-Iloilo with three points each.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Triple Olympic rowing champion Pete Reed has been left paralyzed from his chest down following a spinal stroke, he announced.

The 38-year-old — a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy — won the coxless four Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012 before adding a third when the eight triumphed in Rio de Janeiro three years ago.

Reed had tweeted earlier this month he had suffered a spinal stroke which he added is “very rare” and he took to Instagram to reveal the fall-out from it.

“There is a very small chance I will make no recovery and a very small chance I will make a full recovery,” he said in his post.

“Much more likely it will be somewhere in between. To what extent depends on the extent of the damage (which we can’t see) and how well I rehab.”

A spinal stroke is a disruption in the blood supply to the spinal cord and five-time world champion Reed says doctors do not know what caused his.

“It was in the middle of my spine so I’m currently paralyzed beneath my chest,” said Reed, who retired from rowing last year.

“My arms are still strong and my brain is still as average as it ever was.”

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Thailand weightlifters, facing a lengthy ban after testing positive for banned substances, will skip the 30th Southeast Asian Games, it has been confirmed.

Philippine weightlifting coach Toni Agustin said Thursday the weightlifting association of Thailand has signified its intention not to join in tournaments sanctioned by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

In fact, in the World Weightlifting Championships last September in Pattaya, the Thais did not compete despite being the host.

“Sila ang nag-signify na hindi sila sasali sa events sanctioned by the IWF,” said Agustin. “Since the SEA Games is sanctioned by the IWF, hindi sila magko-competes.”

Agustin added: “Sa nakaraang World Weightlifting Championship na ginawa sa bansa nila, wala silang isinali na atleta. Talagang sa pag-organize lang ng event yung ginawa nila and walang athletes.”

In reports early this year, eight weightlifters from Thailand tested positive during last year’s World Championships, two of them reigning Olympic champions.

Under the IWF rules, any nation with three or more positives in a calendar year faces a ban of up to four years, The federation has previously suspended nine countries for repeated doping offences.

With no Thai athlete in weightlifting, Agustin said this is an opportunity for the Philippines to vie for the gold medal, with Indonesia and Vietnam as possible rivals for the top spot.

“Totoo na mabigat ang laban (if Thailand is there), pero dahil wala sila, lumaki yung chance to win ng mga atleta natin, especially in the women’s category. Ang magiging kalaban natin Indonesia and Vietnam,” said Agustin.

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz said that even without Thailand, it’s no assurance that it’s a clear path towards the gold medal. She said they still have to work hard and double their effort to win.

“Malalakas din yung ibang mga makakalaban sa SEA Games, maski na wala ang Thailand. Pero kung talagang pagta-trabahuhan namin, andun yung focus, malaki ang chance na manalo,” said Diaz.

The country will host the SEA Games for the fourth time in history, and first since the 2005 meet. The regional sports event is set Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 in various venues in Metro Manila and in the province.

Source: Manila Bulletin