Leo Austria and Tim Cone are locked in a head-to-head battle for the 2019 Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan Coach of the Year award bestowed by the PBA Press Corps in its Annual Awards Night set March 16 at the Novotel Manila in Araneta City.

Cone and Austria accounted for the three championships at stake in Season 44 last year to contend for the highest honor handed out by the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat and named after the late great ‘Maestro’ of Philippine basketball.

Austria steered San Miguel to a record fifth straight Philippine Cup championship, and then added the Commissioner’s Cup crown later to have the Beermen in line of completing a season sweep.

But Cone and the Kings foiled San Miguel’s grand slam bid by ruling the Governors Cup, staking their dominance of the season-ending meet by winning it for the third time in the last four years.

In between their championship campaign, Cone also coached Gilas Pilipinas to the basketball gold of the 30th Southeast Asian Games behind a team composed of the core of Barangay Ginebra.

Both Cone and Austria had been named Coach of the Year three times.

Cone won the award in 1994, 1996, and 2014, while Austria clinched the honor thrice in a row from 2015-2017 to become the first coach to keep the perpetual Dalupan trophy following the special feat

The Danny Floro Executive of the Year and other regular awards will also be conferred during the 26th year celebration of the awards night presented by Cignal TV.

For the second straight year, the PBAPC is giving out a President’s Award, along with the Defensive Player of the Year, Mr. Quality Minutes, All-Rookie Team, and Order of Merit, which is given to the one who earned the most number of Player of the Week honor last season.

Completing the honor roll list are the Scoring Champion, All-Interview Team, Game of the Season, and the PBA D-League Finals MVP

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Actress Kathryn Bernardo and newlywed Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli stole the spotlight Sunday night during the 45th PBA Season opening ceremony.

Clad in blue dress, the 23-year-old actress donned the colors of the Magnolia Hotshots while the 31-year-old singer represented the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters wearing a teal dress.

Taekwondo jin Pauline Lopez, 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, joined the NLEX Road Warriors sporting the color blue as well.

Christine Patrimonio and Alyssa Muhlach, daughters of former PBA stars, both dressed all white for the NorthPort Batang Pier and the San Miguel Beermen respectively.

Christine is the daughter of PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio while Alyssa Muhlach is the daughter of former PBA star Bong Alvarez to actress Almira Muhlach. She is also the niece of veteran actor Aga Muhlach.

Beauty queens, in addition, graced the opening ceremony namely Katrina Llegado (Columbian Dyip), Miss Asia Pacific International 2019 Chaiyenne Huisman and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2019 Klyza Castro (Rain or Shine), Miss Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida (TNT KaTropa) and Miss Chinatown 2017 Joy Wu (Blackwater Elite).

Completing the cast of 2020 PBA Muses are actress Sanya Lopez of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings and Alaska Aces’ Zowie Palliaer.

Earlier, San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo bagged the Most Valuable Player plum and CJ Perez captured the Rookie of the Year honor in the 44th Leo Awards. (Jan Carlo Anolin) ###

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Taekwondo jin Pauline Lopez to serve as muse of NLEX #PBA2020 | via @jonastsinelas pic.twitter.com/b1WJCs4dlo

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) March 8, 2020

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Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Three matches of the Philippine Azkals for the next two windows of the FIFA World Cup/AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers have been postponed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

World governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation on Monday agreed to reschedule all qualifying matches set March 23 to 31 and June 1 to 9 to a later date, including the Azkals’ games against Guam, China and Maldives.

The Azkals were supposed to host Guam on March 26 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, visit China on June 4 and play Maldives at home on June 9.

“FIFA and the AFC will continue to assess the situation in relation to COVID-19 and will decide whether further changes to the schedule of Asian FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers are required, always with the aim of protecting the safety and health of all individuals involved,” FIFA and AFC said in a joint statement.

No target date has been set though member associations have the option to mutually agree on holding the postponed matches during the international window, subject to approval of both FIFA and the AFC.

AFC officials met last week with FIFA counterparts to formalize the rescheduling of the qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and 2023 Asian Cup in China.

The Azkals are currently in third place in Group A with seven points, trailing leader Syria (15 points) and China (also with seven points but ahead on goal difference).

Coach Scott Cooper’s side is aiming for a top two finish in order to gain a spot in the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers and secure a direct slot to the Asian Cup.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

The Philippines absorbed heartbreaking losses on Monday in the Asia-Oceania Olympic boxing tournament in Amman, Jordan.

Flyweight Carlo Paalam and women’s featherweight top seed Nesthy Petecio bowed to Amit Panghal of India and Sena Irie of Japan, respectively.

Paalam suffered a 4-1 decision loss in their quarterfinal duel and it was his third defeat to the Indian stretching back to the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.

Petecio also dropped a similar verdict to Irie, who now holds two wins against a loss to her Filipino adversary in their head-to-head showdown.

Their losses came a day after Eumir Felix Marcial booked an Olympic berth following a victory in his middleweight quarterfinals bout with a Mongolian.

With the early exit of feather Ian Clark Bautista and welter James Palicte and Paalam and Petecio’s defeats, only two Filipinos are in the running for an Olympic slot.

Seeing action later are fly Irish Magno and lightweight Riza Pasuit.

Those who don’t make the Olympic grade in Jordan will have one last chance to do so when Paris hosts the World Qualification tournament in mid-May.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

EcoOil-La Salle overcame the determined challenge of Karate Kid-Centro Escolar University to prevail 79-73 in coach Derrick Pumaren’s first game against his former team Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Justine Baltazar scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as La Salle held off CEU’s uprising in the second half to forge a three-way tie for the early lead with Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas and Marinerong Pilipino with identical 2-0 slates.

But Pumaren was far satisfied with the result, lamenting on individualistic plays by his team.

“I’m quite disappointed with the way we played,” said Pumaren. “There’s a lot of being selfish and just looking for their points, instead of running the plays what we’re supposed to run.”

Encho Serrano scored 18 points for the Green Archers while Senegalese center Amadou Ndiaye had 10 points and 16 rebounds but fouled out for the second straight game.

Justin Arana made 13 points while Dave Bernabe had 10 points and six rebounds but the Scorpions of new coach Jeff Napa fell to 0-2.

Karate Kid-CEU trailed 49-38 at the break but came back in the third to pull within 59-57 entering the fourth.

A three by David Murrell early in the fourth cut the Scorpions’ deficit to 62-60 early in the fourth but it proved to be their last chance to scoring an upset as the Green Archers were able to pull away.

Baltazar scored eight straight points for La Salle at one point in the fourth to take a 74-66 lead.

The scores:

ECOOIL-LA SALLE 79 — Baltazar 20, Serrano 18, Ndiaye 10, Melecio 7, Hill 7, Vales 6, Manuel 6, Lojera 5, Bartlett 0, Bates 0.

KARATE KID-CEU 73 — Arana 13, Bernabe 10, Murrell 9, Apacible 8, Taladua 8, Guinitaran 8, Diaz 6, Sunga 6, Pingoy 3, Santos 2, Abastillas 0.

Quarters: 23-15; 49-38; 59-57; 79-73.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The PBA will hold a special board meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways to deal with the rising cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Commissioner Willie Marcial said he’ll lay down all possible options, including the likelihood of games being rescheduled or even played behind closed doors after COVID-19 cases spiked to 20.

Marcial added that a decision will also depend on how it can impact the league’s television coverage, sponsorship deal and calendar for the 45th season which started Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Ilalatag ko lahat ng mga pwedeng mangyari at kung ano ang epekto nun sa TV, sponsors at sa schedule,” Marcial said.

The league went through with the season-opening Philippine Cup game between defending champion San Miguel Beer and Magnolia amid the rises of COVID-19 cases over the weekend.

Safety measures were observed during the opener with the Big Dome requiring every person to undergo a thermometer scan while hand sanitizers and alcohol were placed in different areas.

The decision will likely affect the ongoing PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup which already had three playdates since the tournament started last week.

It would be recalled that both the tournaments were delayed last month as part of precaution against the spread of the disease.

But with cases likely to rise in the next few days, the PBA may be better off being safe than sorry.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Moala Tautuaa proved he’s just not a mere replacement for June Mar Fajardo, but an instrumental cog at San Miguel Beer.

Besides, he’s not the league’s Most Improved Player for nothing.

The Fil-Tongan center played heavy minutes as a starter in San Miguel’s first win against the Magnolia Hotshots 94-78 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Tautuaa posted 20 points and 11 rebounds to go with two assists and a steal after playing 41:11 minutes.

Despite an impressive performance, Tautuaa deflected the credit to his fellow Beermen and coach Leo Austria.

“I was getting the ball quite often,” the 6-foot-8 Tautuaa told reporters. “Coach wants me to produce and right now it’s an equal opportunity team. Everyone’s touching the ball, everyone’s getting it, and everyone’s moving;we’ve got to play together.”

Austria, likewise, lauded Tautuaa for stepping up big time for San Miguel and Fajardo, who is recovering from leg surgery.

The eight-time champion coach was pleased with the Beermen’s first victory of the season, stressing that they couldn’t afford to lose in the first few games and that there’s no room for complacency.

“I have to commend Mo because it seems a lot of people think na without June Mar, nobody can score inside the paint,” Austria said. “But most of the score of Mo is inside the paint. Hindi lang ‘yun, he can play defense too.”

San Miguel is still adjusting to Fajardo’s absence, who was named Most Valuable Player for the sixth straight time during the Leo Awards.

Told that he is most likely to suit up for the same minutes typically logged by Fajardo, the 30-year-old Tautuaa responded in jest: “My brain says it’s good but right now, my knees are telling me to get some ice and sit down.

“Next time, if I play the minutes, these interviews gonna be sitting down.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

The remaining schedule of the NCAA Season 95 is facing possible cancellation following the spike in number of individuals infected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a meeting Monday, the NCAA management committee arrived at the decision not to push through with the resumption of its games on March 16.

NCAA Mancom chairman Peter Cayco said they had consulted concerned agencies, including the health department, before coming up with a decision.

“Due to the declaration of the Department of Health of Red Alert Sub-Level 1, and guidance issued by the Department of Education that concerns gatherings or out of school activities, all NCAA activities are hereby suspended until further notice,” said Cayco.

“The action of the NCAA is for the safety and welfare of the students, the athletes, the fans and the officials,” added Cayco after the MANCOM meeting held Monday at the Aloha Hotel in Manila.

However, he mentioned that the final say whether to resume with the games or totally cancel would come from the Policy Board, which if it happens would be the first time since World War II.

The board is expected to meet next week.

“They’ll discuss the possibility of postponing the games, or cancelling all together all games,” said Cayco.

Also at the meeting are MANCOM members Fr. Vic Calvo of Letran, Paul Supan of JRU, Dax Castellano of St. Benilde, Frank Gusi of Perpetual Help, Melchor Divina of Mapua, Hercules Callanta of Lyceum and Estefanio Boquiron Jr. of Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Unable to attend the meeting were Fr. Glynn Ortega of San Sebastian College and Mari Lacson of San Beda University, but were represented by their respective junior MANCOM officials.

Last week, the league’s Policy Board approved in a unanimous decision the MANCOM proposal to resume the games in the remaining sports of the NCAA on March 16.

The games scheduled to return are high school girls’, women’s and men’s volleyball, football, lawn tennis and soft tennis March 16, track and field on March 16 to 21, the 15-under basketball on April 25 and beach volleyball on April 29.

The league’s Cheer Leading Competition will be held as scheduled on March 30.

But the revelation of the health department of local transmission led to the suspension of the NCAA games again since one of the patients is from San Juan City, where the volleyball games are being held at The Arena.

Last February 13, the NCAA decided to postpone all events in senior’s division after the Commission of Higher Education or CHED issued a directive to “avoid attending, participating in, and organizing events that draw a huge number of attendees” due to the Covid-19.

A week before that, the league has called off games February 6 in the junior’s division or high school following a similar order from the Department of Education (DepEd).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Hobbled June Mar Fajardo need not get off his electric scooter in a hurry. Opponents of the San Miguel Beermen found this out after the opening of the PBA’s 45th season Sunday.

“The reports of SMB’s demise has been greatly exaggerated!!!” Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Tim Cone tweeted shortly after the Beermen pounced on the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok to claim a 94-78 victory Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“You can’t keep a great team down,” added Cone, who probably is doing some soul-searching as to how his team can put the clamps down on SMB.

The reports of SMB’s demise has been greatly exaggerated!! You can’t keep a great team down.

— Tim Cone (@manilacone) March 8, 2020

Preseason observations of Magnolia coach Chito Victolero were realized after his team fell by 23 points at one point in the third and saw its comeback attempt thwarted by SMB in the fourth period.

“Diba sabi ko naman sa inyo before na San Miguel is a team to beat pa rin because of their experience, and nakita natin ngayon,” Victolero said after the game.

“I talked to my players na yun yung San Miguel na even without June Mar they can play. And they are very motivated kasi they want to prove something na kahit wala si June Mar, they can win. So mahirap kalaban,” added Victolero.

What made it difficult for Magnolia to counter SMB was the latter’s pragmatic approach, relying mostly on the backcourt led by Terrence Romeo and utilizing the best of what Mo Tautuaa can bring instead of going to the post when Fajardo was still around.

It resulted in Romeo posting 19 points and seven assists and Tautuaa, tasked to fill the void left by Fajardo, making 20 points and 11 rebounds.

“Yung nakitang adjustment ng mga coaches is kailangan namin maglaro ng small ball. Kaya kaming mga guards, gumawa kami ng way para makadiskarte, kung pano pa rin kami ma-involve lahat,” Romeo said.

Romeo entered the game with low expectations since SMB was supposed to deal with a huge problem of not having the best player in the land. He was glad that wasn’t the case.

“Napalaking dagdag kumpiyansa sa amin to dahil hindi namin ineexpect na mananalo kami sa Magnolia,” he said. “Mas okay na manalo ka sa una kesa maghabol ka sa huli kasi yun nga, wala si June Mar na talagang every game bibigyan kami ng mataas na scoring at tutulong sa defense at sa rebounds.

“Ngayon wala kami nun, pero kagandahan lahat kami ready. Lahat kami nag-step up at lahat kami ginampanan namin roles namin.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Jaime Malonzo didn’t disappoint in his debut as Marinerong Pilipino defeated ADG Dong-Mapua University 83-69 Monday to gain a share of the early lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Showing his athleticism, Malonzo finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and six steals as Marinerong Pilipino joined Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas on top with a 2-0 slate.

“Malaking tulong talaga si Jaime and hopefully maging consistent siya parati,” said Skippers coach Yong Garcia.

The former La Salle standout was taken second overall by Marinero after AMA Online Education Senior High opted to pass the opportunity to name Malonzo as the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Malonzo was given the green light to play after completing necessary requirements that forced him to miss Marinero’s season-opening win over Karate Kid-Centro Escolar University last week.

Juan Gomez de Liano had 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Alfred Batino also scored in double figures with 14 points while grabbing seven boards.

Batino conspired with Dhon Reverente in the third quarter that enabled Marinero to pull away from a 40-38 halftime lead.

The two combined for 12 points in the period to put the Skippers ahead 62-51.

Laurenz Victoria and Carl Bryan Lacap scored 16 and 14 points for ADG Dong-Mapua in the loss.

The scores:

MARINERONG PILIPINO 83 — Malonzo 23, Ju. Gomez de Liano 18, Batino 14, Reverente 9, Lalata 6, Laput 6, Manday 3, Rios 2, Fuentes 2, Mangahas 0, Solis 0, Senining 0.

ADG DONG-MAPUA 69 — Victoria 16, Lacap 14, Gamboa 11, Agustin 7, Lugo 7, Bonifacio 4, Nocum 4, Bunag 2, Pido 2, Nieles 2, Mercado 0, Salenga 0, Sumugat 0.

Quarters: 20-16; 40-38; 62-51; 83-69.

Source: Manila Bulletin