By Agence France-Presse

Lewis Hamilton drove to a near-flawless victory, but not yet a sixth drivers’ world championship on Sunday when he claimed his 10th win of the season for Mercedes at the Mexican Grand Prix.

The defending five-time title-winner produced the measured drive of a champion-elect to claim a well-judged triumph ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas who kept his own title bid alive for another week by finishing third.

Charles Leclerc, who started on pole position in the second Ferrari, finished fourth ahead of Red Bull’s Alex Albon and Max Verstappen, who stormed through the field after an early pit stop, and local hero Sergio Perez of Racing Point.

Hamilton’s victory was only his second since Formula One’s European summer break in August, his second in Mexico and the 83rd of his career, but it was also Mercedes’ 100th victory in F1 and extended his run points-scoring finishes to 30 races.

He now looks certain to clinch his sixth title at next weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, where he will need just four points.

“That was for Bono!” said Hamilton on his slow-down lap in reference to his absent race engineer Peter Bonnington.

“Today’s an incredible result and I have to say thank you to our team. We came here on the back foot, but we pulled through.”

After winning his last two titles in Mexico without even finishing on the podium, it was ironic for Hamilton to win but know he has to wait for a sixth coronation.

Bottas, who survived a heavy crash in qualifying on Saturday, said: “Considering what happened yesterday, it’s a good result… I don’t think we could have done much more.”

Hamilton added: “I don’t mind not winning the title here. I can wait. I just love racing and I am happy to take each race as it comes.”

Four-time champion Vettel said: “It was a long race with no break, but I think Lewis was just cruising for most of his second stint. I’m happy, but we could have had a sharper strategy.”

The race began in warm and dry conditions, Leclerc making a clean getaway from his seventh pole, ahead of Vettel, as Ferrari enjoyed their 65th front row lockout, gifted by Verstappen’s qualifying penalty.

The Dutchman, angered by his Saturday demotion from pole for ignoring yellow flags when Bottas crashed, made an aggressive start and, as Hamilton recovered from being squeezed off-track by Vettel, banged wheels with him at Turn Two.

Both drivers had to regain control and, after another off-circuit excursion, re-joined down in fifth and eighth respectively. Their misfortune was a gain for Albon and Sainz who took third and fourth before Hamilton split them when he passed the Spaniard on lap four.

‘Tyres are dead’ 

By then, the first Virtual Safety Car (VSC) intervention, to clear debris, had been completed to be followed by another burst of ‘mad Max’ fury when he lunged into Bottas and picked up a puncture.

This led to his right rear tyre falling off the wheel — and a pit-stop that left him to re-join 20th and last having switched from mediums to hards.

At the front, Leclerc pulled 2.3 seconds clear of Vettel by lap 15 before pitting, Ferrari responding to Red Bull’s decision one lap earlier to bring in Albon for new mediums. The Monegasque, thus committed to a two-stop strategy, re-joined fourth, behind Vettel, Hamilton and Bottas.

In a flux of varying strategies, Hamilton fought rear tyre-wear to stay close to Vettel, with Bottas 7.2 seconds adrift in third by lap 24 before the champion pitted for a set of hard compound tyres.

Over 10 laps later Bottas pitted to be followed by Vettel, Leclerc regaining the lead ahead of Hamilton, but facing a second stop.

“My front tyres are dead,” complained Leclerc, shortly before a slow second stop on lap 44 in 6.2 seconds.

He came out fifth, rising to fourth when Albon pitted in 2.5 while Hamilton led the race, all the front-runners on hard tyres of varying ages as they approached the final laps.

Less than six seconds separated the top four with 14 laps to go with Vettel, Bottas and Leclerc in hot pursuit of Hamilton. A dramatic finish, governed by tyre wear, was in prospect.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press 

Tiger Woods said it was “crazy” after he made golfing history Monday by holding off the challenge of home favorite Hideki Matsuyama to win the weather-delayed Zozo Championship by three shots.

The 15-time major winner Woods finished 19-under par to equal US legend Sam Snead’s all-time record of 82 US PGA Tour victories set 54 years ago.

Woods, in his first outing since arthroscopic knee surgery two months ago, broke into a huge smile after he safely got up and down from a greenside bunker at the 18th for a birdie and three-under final round of 67.

“It’s just crazy. It’s a lot,” the 43-year-old Woods said of his 82nd official Tour victory. His first came 23 years ago this month in Las Vegas when he was just 20.

“It’s been a long week, five days at the top of the board is a long time. It was definitely stressful.”

Woods led from gun to tape in the inaugural US PGA Tour event in Japan, which saw Friday’s play washed out by the fringes of a typhoon that dumped almost 10 inches of rain on the course 50 miles (80km) from Tokyo, forcing play into an extra day.

World number two Rory McIlroy finished birdie-birdie for a 67 and a share of third place on 13-under par with South Korea’s PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Im Sung-jae who carded a fine five-under 65.

Woods resumed his final round, suspended due to darkness on Sunday, at 7.30 am on the long par-12th at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club but saw his overnight three-shot cushion over Matsuyama immediately cut to two.

The 15-time major winner missed the green with his approach and fell back to 17-under par as he failed to get up and down.

Woods’s early-morning putter was cold, and on the short 13th he failed to take advantage from six feet for a birdie.

Up ahead on the 14th green, Matsuyama inexplicably spurned an easy opportunity to reduce the deficit to one as he missed a four-foot birdie putt.

Woods was then faced with a similar line of putt as Matsuyama on 14, but from 20 feet further away. He did not miss, and restored his three-shot advantage with four holes remaining.

Woods missed another birdie chance, from 10 feet, at the 15th and was watching from the 16th tee 181 yards away as Matsuyama walked in a 20-footer for his first birdie of the day to get to 16-under.

Matsuyama crushed a drive down the middle of the 491-yard 17th and found the putting surface with his approach.

Matsuyama’s fine attempt to hole the putt slid by on the left and he found sand twice on the par-five 18th as he went in search of an eagle.

Matsuyama’s greenside bunker shot flew the flag and when he missed the long putt back his brave challenge ended at 16-under for the tournament after a final-round 67.

“This was big,” said a smiling Woods.

“Hideki made it tight. It was a lot closer than what people probably thought. Hideki put heat on me.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Washington Nationals star Max Scherzer was planning to pitch the biggest game of his baseball career Sunday. Instead, he couldn’t move his arm and his wife had to help dress him.

Scherzer was scratched from game five of the World Series against Houston due to muscle spasms in his neck and back that left him struggling to do simple tasks much less throw 100-mph pitches.

“I’m as disappointed as I could possibly be,” Scherzer said.

“The nerve that’s in the neck was all jammed up. It became impossible for me to do any menial task today. I can’t pick up my arm right now so I can’t pitch.”

The 35-year-old right-hander won game one of the best-of-seven Major League Baseball final and his absence left the Nationals at a major disadvantage with the series deadlocked 2-2.

“This is the most severe one of all time,” Scherzer said when asked to compare his injuries. “This is just a little thing that turned into a big thing that turned into giant thing.

“The moment I woke up it really hurt to get out of bed. I basically had to fall out of bed. I couldn’t even move my arm. I knew at that moment I was in a pretty bad spot.

“I couldn’t even dress myself. I had to have my wife help me.”

Scherzer went 11-7 with a 2.92 earned-run average and led all major league pitchers with 7.364 strikeouts for every walk issued this season.

Scherzer made his seventh consecutive All-Star Game appearance this year. He’s a three-time winner of the Cy Young Award as top pitcher and a three-time National League strikeouts leader.

While Scherzer had been on the injured list in July with a strained back muscle, he said the new injury was unrelated to the earlier one, the spasms starting on Friday as he began preparing for his start.

“I’ve had neck spasms in the past and know how to get through them. Came in and got treatment and didn’t feel quite right,” he said.

“I thought we found a way to ease the spasms. I was able to play catch. When I woke up this morning I was completely locked up. The nerve that’s in the neck was all jammed up.

“I’ve pitched through so much crap in my career… this is impossible to do anything with.”

Scheduled game six starter Stephen Strasburg, 4-0 in the playoffs, will remain set for Tuesday’s contest in Houston, Nationals manager Dave Martinez said, with Scherzer possible if healthy for a seventh game start Wednesday if necessary.

“As of right now I’d leave Stephen starting game six,” Martinez said. “If we get to game seven, Max starts game seven.”

Scherzer hopes an injection to ease the spasms and tightness within 48 hours will work and allow him to be ready for a seventh game if needed.

“The doctors told me it would take at least 48 hours for the injection to kick in,” Scherzer said. “That’s what the doctors believe, it’s just nerve irritation.

“Next 48 hours can really decide. I’m just hoping the doctors are right and something could be possible for game seven.”

– ‘Got to be pretty bad’ –

Joe Ross, who has thrown only two innings in one game with one hit allowed during Washington’s shock playoff run, was named the game-five starter. He went 4-4 in 27 appearances this season.

“In our clubhouse we always believe the next guy up can get the job done,” Scherzer said. “In this case it’s Joe.”

Houston’s Justin Verlander, the game two loser and scheduled game six starter, was a former teammate of Scherzer in Detroit.

“It has got to be pretty bad,” said Verlander. “He’s a competitor, always wanted to have the ball. Given the situation, I assume it’s not good.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Switching imports when things seem fine will be unfathomable for many, but coach Yeng Guiao felt a change was necessary when NLEX sent home the effective Olu Ashaolu in order to make a huge upgrade.

“Although Olu was an offensive threat, we felt that with the other imports playing outside, being quicker and being able to shoot from the outside, we felt that we have to find somebody who can match up,” Guiao said last Oct. 17 when the Road Warriors paraded their new import Manny Harris in a win over the Columbian Dyip.

So far, Harris has made good on the Road Warriors’ gamble, firing back-to-back games of at least 40 points including a victory over previously-unbeaten TNT KaTropa.

Harris is part of a group of crack imports carrying NBA and G-League experiences who are strutting their wares in the PBA Governors’ Cup, perhaps of best collection of foreign players in recent memory.

“This is probably, maybe the most talented I’ve seen with a lot of NBA guys,” said Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Justin Brownlee, unperturbed with the challenge he and his team are facing in the season-ending conference.

Most teams have been forced to replace their imports in order for teams to have a chance against the likes of San Miguel Beer’s Dez Wells and TNT KaTropa’s KJ McDaniels, both putting 40 or 50-point efforts on a consistent basis.

Last week, Phoenix tapped ex-NBA cager Alonzo Gee despite having a talented import in Eugene Phelps while NorthPort got Michael Qualls, who helped beat Wells and SMB last Wednesday.

Not even changes can translate into victories, as witnessed with Rain or Shine’s 2-6 record with imports in Joel Wright, Kayel Locke and Kwame Alexander.

“I think even if you get an NBA-caliber import, pag hindi siya nag-fit sa team, it’s gonna be difficult,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. “The only advantage you have with these NBA-caliber imports is alam mo na high-caliber. But I always still think that you can still win as long as you get a right fit with the import.”

Garcia cited as an example Columbian’s Khapri Alston, who has been doing well for the Dyip despite his lack of high-profile credentials. Alston is averaging 29.4 points, 18.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.5 blocks.

“Hindi naman siya NBA player but he fits pretty well with the locals. He gives Columbian what they need so yun ang isang bagay na hinahanap din namin,” Garcia said.

The regular PBA campaigners are also making sure they’ll be at par with the likes of Wells, Harris and McDaniels, with Brownlee maintaining the form that enabled Ginebra to win three championships since his debut in 2016.

Brownlee is averaging 31.8 points, 15.7 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.2 blocks this conference, giving Ginebra a 4-2 record.

Fit is also what has kept Meralco from tapping two-time Best Import Allen Durham each year. Durham remains a formidable reinforcement for the Bolts who prior to Sunday hold a 4-2 slate.

Romeo Travis remains solid for defending champion Magnolia with 21.7 points and 11.7 rebounds, though an ankle injury against San Miguel co-incided with a three-game skid following a 3-1 start.

“I guess it’s a testament of the work ethic and hardwork they put in and I try to do the same thing,” Brownlee said. “I just try to come out here and make the team better, every way I can do. Just try keep working hard to do better.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Monday

(Olivarez gym, Parañaque City)

12 noon – Diliman vs CEU

2 p.m. – Olivarez vs UB

Diliman College and Olivarez College seek a championship showdown when they face semifinal foes today in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.

The top-seeded Blue Dragons clash with the fourth-ranked Centro Escolar University Scorpions at 12 noon while No. 2 Olivarez Sea Lions battle No. 3 University of Batangas Brahmans at 2 p.m.

Diliman and Olivarez enjoy twice-to-beat privileges after topping the double-round eliminations. If necessary, the knockout match will be on Nov. 4 at the same venue and will be televised on a delayed basis on Solar Sports.

Though armed with the No. 1 seeding, the defending champion Blue Dragons are coming off a 108-85 loss to the Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers at the end of the elims.

Diliman has beaten CEU twice in the elims, but expect the Scorpions to go full force to keep their title hopes alive.

In their first meeting, the Blue Dragons bludgeoned the six-man Scorpions, 90-62, but experienced some scary moments before prevailing, 66-62, in the second round where CEU played in full force.

Olivarez, which finished the elims at 8-2, searches for a third finals appearance and a third win against UB following earlier victories: an 84-78 decision in the first round and an 80-65 triumph in the second.

UB and CEU finished with similar 7-3 records but the Brahmans took the No. 3 spot due to the winner over the rule, having beaten the also undermanned Scorpions, 112-86, in the first round.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Meralco kept its hold on the top four after turning an expected dogfight with Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel into a blowout 125-99 Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Allen Durham posted 29 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists while Baser Amer added 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists as the Bolts handed the Beermen their second straight loss to move in solo third with a 5-2 record.

The win came after the Bolts acquired the services of Allein Maliksi and Raymar Jose from the Blackwater Elite in a trade which was approved last Friday by the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

Maliksi put up 10 of his 12 points in the first half to play a key role in his first game in a Bolts jersey.

Coach Norman Black and the Bolts virtually assured themselves a place in the quarterfinals with four games left in the eliminations.

Meralco next face Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday at the Big Dome.

June Mar Fajardo posted 31 points and 14 rebounds but the Beermen dropped to fifth place with a 5-3 record, allowing Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to jump in fourth spot.

San Miguel was coming off a 127-119 loss to former player Christian Standhardinger and NorthPort last Wednesday.

The Beermen play 2-6 teams Blackwater Elite and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their next two games, needing to win both meetings to boost their twice-to-beat bid.

SMB wraps up the elims against leader TNT KaTropa.

Import Dez Wells was limited to 18 points, a far cry from his average of 39 points going into the match.

The scores:

MERALCO 125 — Durham 29, Amer 26, Newsome 14, Maliksi 12, Almazan 12, Faundo 10, Quinto 7, Jamito 6, Caram 6, Hugnatan 3, Hodge 0, Pinto 0, Jose 0, Jackson 0.

SAN MIGUEL 99 — Fajardo 31, Wells 18, Cabagnot 12, Pessumal 9, Romeo 8, Ross 5, Nabong 3, Santos 2, Tautuaa 0, Rosser 0, Zamar 0.

Quarters: 30-21; 64-49; 92-70; 125-99.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Defending champion Magnolia kept its chances of securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after beating Columbian 118-103 Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Romeo Travis had his best game since being sidelined from an ankle injury, posting 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Hotshots moved to solo sixth with an even 4-4 record.

Ian Sangalang also stepped up for the Hotshots with 24 points and eight rebounds while Jio Jalalon and Rome dela Rosa added 19 and 16 points in the victory.

The Hotshots, who put themselves closer toward a spot in the quarterfinals, won for the first time since a 95-90 win over the Alaska Aces last Oct. 6.

Magnolia has since lost to San Miguel Beer (90-89) with Travis hurting his right ankle, Blackwater (95-89) with its import sitting out to recuperate and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (105-83).

Coach Chito Victolero’s squad will need however to amped up its game in order to secure a top four finish with three games to go in the eliminations.

Magnolia meets Phoenix Pulse on Nov. 6 at the Cuneta Astrodome followed by games against the two best teams in the league in NLEX on Nov. 10 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City and TNT KaTropa on Nov. 16 in Davao City,

Rookie CJ Perez posted 28 points and eight rebounds and import Khapri Alston posted 26 points and 14 rebounds but the Dyip dropped to seventh spot with a 4-5 record.

Tough games lie ahead for the Dyip, who battle Meralco on Nov. 8 and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Nov. 15 at the Big Dome.

The scores:

MAGNOLIA 118 — Travis 28, Sangalang 24, Jalalon 19, Dela Rosa 16, Barroca 10, Pingris 8, Herndon 6, Lee 5, Pascual 2, Melton 0.

COLUMBIAN 103 — Perez 28, Alston 26, McCarthy 18, Tiongson 13, Cahilig 6, Corpuz 5, Khobuntin 5, Calvo 2, Faundo 0.

Quarters: 27-29; 61-52; 88-76; 118-103.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Wednesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

10:30 a.m. – UE vs NU

12:30 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson

4 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP

University of the Philippines eliminated resilient De La Salle 71-68 on Sunday to secure a Final Four berth and a twice-to-beat privilege in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Bright Akhuetie, Jun Manzo and Kobe Paras steered the Maroons in the pivotal two minutes as they turned a 66-62 deficit into a victory.

Akhuetie had 17 points and 10 boards, Manzo finished with 12 points and eight assists, and Paras chipped in 10 points for UP, which duplicated its 72-71 first-round triumph over La Salle.

The Maroons hiked their tally to 9-4 heading to their last elims match against unbeaten Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, towing University of Santo Tomas (8-6) to the next phase.

The Archers, for their part, skidded to 6-7.

It was a rollercoaster journey to victory as far as UP was concerned.

The Maroons saw their 27-11 lead dwindled to 35-34 at the half after a 21-0 rampage from the Archers headed by Jamie Malonzo.

UP regained old form entering the second half and was dictating the tempo with a 62-61 lead until a crucial foul from Kobe Paras sent Aljun Melecio to the stripe, 3:19 to go.

Melecio completed three charities to give La Salle a 64-62 edge, but it turned out to be their last stand as Akhuetie, Manzo and Paras conspired for a 9-2 run.

La Salle had a chance to extend the game after Manzo’s split charity with two seconds left but ran out of time.

Scores:

UP 71 — Akhuetie 17, Rivero 12, Manzo 11, Paras 10, Ja. Gomez de Liano 8, Webb 6, Ju. Gomez de Liano 3, Prado 2, Tungcab 2, Spencer 0.

LA SALLE 68 — Malonzo 17, Melecio 12, Baltazar 10, Bates 8, Serrano 8, Lojera 4, Manuel 4, Bartlett 3, Hill 2, Caracut 0.

Quarters: 21-11, 35-34, 55-45, 71-68.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Far Eastern University secured at least a playoff for a Final Four berth with a 64-41 rout of University of the East Sunday in UAAP season 82 women’s basketball tournament at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Clare Castro scored 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Lady Tamaraws, who finished the eliminations at fourth with 8-6.

FEU can still finish third if Adamson yields its last game against La Salle on Wednesday.

The win was a fitting gift for FEU coach Bert Flores, who was celebrating his 51st birthday.

Fatima Quiapo also shone with 18 points while Choy Bahuyan chipped in 12 points as the Lady Tamaraws halted a two-game skid.

FEU came out smoking in the opening frame with a 19-6 start to dictate the pace throughout, leading by as many as 32, 62-30, with 7:09 left to play.

Meanwhile, De La Salle kept its semis hopes alive with a 73-49 triumph over University of the Philippines.

Lee Sario had 13 points, Kent Pastrana added 11, and Maureen Okoli finished with 10 for the Lady Archers, who improved to 7-6 at fifth with only one game left in the elims.

The victory put La Salle in a crucial match against Adamson on Wednesday for a last-ditch effort at making into the Final Four.

UP fell to 1-12 to tie with UE at the bottom.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Wednesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

10:30 a.m. – UE vs NU

12:30 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson

4 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP

Far Eastern University exploded behind the arc to dominate University of the East 82-58 on Sunday and secure a Final Four berth in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The Tamaraws drained 12 three-pointers out of 31 attempts to dictate the game tempo and finished the eliminations at 8-6.

Five of their victories came in the second round.

Though tied with University of Santo Tomas at third to fourth places, FEU assured itself a semis ticket due to superior quotient.

Wendell Comboy spearheaded the Tamaraws with 17 points including five triples and hauled four rebounds. L-Jay Gonzalez chipped in 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists while Royce Alforque added 13 points.

FEU swelled the lead with to 50-31 late in the third period with back-to-back triples from Comboy and Alforque.

The Tamaraws ripped the game wide open entering the fourth with two straight three-pointers for Ken Tuffin and Xyrus Torres for 67-43 and never looked back.

UE skidded to 3-10 with one game left in the season against National University.

Scores:

FEU 82 — Comboy 17, Alforque 13, Gonzales 12, Tuffin 9, Stockton 7, Tchuente 5, Ebona 4, Torres 3, Bayquin 2, Bienes 2, Cani 2, Dulatre 2, Nunag 2, Tempra 2, Celzo 0, Mantua 0.

UE 58 — Suerte 16, Diakhite 13, Cruz 12, Tolentino 9, Manalang 5, Apacible 3, Antiporda 0, Beltran 0, Conner 0, Lorenzana 0, Mendoza 0, Pagsanjan 0, Sawat 0.
Quarters: 15-14, 40-26, 57-42, 82-58.

Source: Manila Bulletin