By Jonas Terrado

Games Thursday

(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)

1 p.m. — TIP vs AMA Senior High
3 p.m. — Wangs-Letran vs FamilyMart
5 p.m. — SEAOIL-FEU vs APEX-San Sebastian

Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas rolled to another convincing win Monday after spoiling the debut of Diliman College 106-93 in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Soulemane Chabi Yo had 24 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks before spending the fourth quarter on the bench while Dave Ando scored nine of his 14 points in the first period to give the Growling Tigers the early lead with their second straight victory.

Coach Aldin Ayo hailed the performance of Chabi Yo, who highlighted his dominant effort with back-to-back blocks on John Pedrosa and two dunks in the third that saw Builders Warehouse-UST take an 83-53 lead.

“For the past three or four games (including games outside of the D-League), di pa siya nakakapaglaro ng maayos,” said Ayo. “I told him to play well and make sure na makakuha siya ng confidence.”

He was also pleased with the performance of CJ Cansino, who had nine points, five rebounds and five steals in his D-League debut.

Rhenz Abando and Vince Cuajao scored 13 and 11 points and veteran Zach Huang added 10 points and five rebounds for UST which entered the game coming a 115-62 drubbing of Technological Institute of the Philippines last Thursday.

Senegalese center Abdoulaye Niang had 30 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks for Diliman College in a losing cause.

The scores:

BUILDERS-UST 106 – Chabi Yo 24, Ando 14, Abando 13, Cuajao 11, Huang 10, Cansino 9, Nonoy 5, Manalang 5, Asuncion 5, Concepcion 4, Bataller 3, Santos 2, Manaytay 1, Paraiso 0.

DILIMAN COLLEGE 93 – Niang 30, Pedrosa 18, Darang 13, Enriquez 12, Gob 7, Bauzon 4, De Mesa 4, Sombero 2, Lalica 2, Bajar 1, Ligon 0.

Quarters: 37-18; 58-42; 92-64; 106-93.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Devin Booker scored 20 of his team-high 36 points in a 47-point first quarter for Phoenix on Sunday as the host Suns took advantage of the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to thump the Milwaukee Bucks 140-131.

The Bucks announced before the game that an MRI exam taken on Antetokounmpo’s left knee, injured in Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, showed no significant damage, but that the Most Valuable Player candidate would be held out of at least two games nonetheless.

The Bucks (53-11) have lost two in a row for the first time this season and three of their past four. Milwaukee, which had gone 9-0 after its previous nine losses — winning by an average of 17.0 points — completes a three-game trip with a visit to Denver on Monday.

The absence was Antetokounmpo’s seventh of the season. Milwaukee fell to 5-2 in those games after winning their first five without last year’s MVP.

Los Angeles Lakers 112 – Los Angeles Clippers 103

Anthony Davis had 30 points and eight rebounds, and the Lakers snapped the host Clippers’ six-game winning streak.

LeBron James added 28 points, nine assists and seven boards for the Lakers, who won their fourth straight and 11th in 12 games. Avery Bradley scored a season-high 24 points, connecting on six 3-pointers. Kyle Kuzma finished with a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with eight points.

Paul George led the Clippers with 31 points and Kawhi Leonard had 27. Montrezl Harrell added 20 points for the Clippers, who lost for the first time to the Lakers in three contests this season.

Indiana Pacers 112 – Dallas Mavericks 109

Victor Oladipo sank a go-ahead jumper with 38.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to lift visiting Indiana past Dallas, depriving the Mavericks of their first three-game winning streak since mid-January.

Domantas Sabonis collected 20 points and 17 rebounds to record his 50th double-double, surpassing Troy Murphy (2008-09) for the franchise single-season record. Sabonis actually accomplished the feat prior to halftime, as his left-handed dunk in transition with 39 seconds remaining gave him 11 points at the time.

Dallas’ Luka Doncic, whose last-second 3-point attempt didn’t go, finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis endured a horrific night, making just 3 of 17 shots from the floor and misfired on all five attempts from 3-point range to finish with nine points.

Brooklyn Nets 110 – Chicago Bulls 107

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 24 points as Brooklyn overcame a season-high 29 turnovers and held on to beat visiting Chicago in the debut of interim coach Jacque Vaughn.

The Nets won consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 10-12 and posted their third win in four games a day after mutually parting ways with coach Kenny Atkinson, who was 118-190 in three-plus seasons at the helm.

LeVert and Harris scored 23 points apiece as Brooklyn finished with its most turnovers since moving from New Jersey following the 2011-12 season. DeAndre Jordan moved into the starting lineup and contributed a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

New Orleans Pelicans 120 – Minnesota Timberwolves 107

Jrue Holiday had a season-high 37 points as visiting New Orleans defeated Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Holiday added nine rebounds and eight assists, Zion Williamson scored 23 points while Brandon Ingram had 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Lonzo Ball also scored 18 points with eight assists and Nicolo Melli had 11.

Malik Beasley scored 21, D’Angelo Russell had 19, James Johnson had 15, Josh Okogie had 12, Jake Layman 11 as Naz Reid and Jarrett Culver notched 10 each.

Oklahoma City Thunder 105 – Boston Celtics 104

Chris Paul scored 28 points and Dennis Schroder added 27 off the bench to lift Oklahoma City to a road win over Boston.

Oklahoma City has won three in a row and 11 of its last 12 on the road. The Thunder were without guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the first time this season. Gilgeous-Alexander, who entered the game tied for the NBA lead in minutes played this season, was held out with a right hip contusion.

Gordon Hayward returned to the Celtics’ lineup after missing two games with a right knee contusion. He led Boston with 24 points, hitting four 3-pointers. Marcus Smart had 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Cleveland Cavaliers 132 – San Antonio Spurs 129 (OT)

Andre Drummond scored 28 points and grabbed 17 rebounds as one of four Cleveland players with double-doubles as the Cavaliers outlasted the visiting Spurs in overtime to win their second game in as many nights.

Rudy Gay’s jumper with one second left in regulation pulled the Spurs even at 118 and sent the game into overtime.

Cleveland never trailed in overtime, grabbing the lead for good at 124-122 on Drummond’s putback layup with 2:18 to play. After a Spurs miss, Kevin Love hit a 3-pointer, and the Cavaliers held on as San Antonio missed five of its final six shots from the floor.

Orlando Magic 126 – Houston Rockets 106

D.J. Augustin scored 24 points and was one of six players to reach double figures for Orlando, who dismantled the reeling Rockets at Toyota Center in Houston.

Nikola Vucevic (16 points, 16 rebounds) and Aaron Gordon (19 points, 10 rebounds) posted double-doubles to pace the effort on the interior for the Magic. Point guard Markelle Fultz posted 18 points despite battling cramps in his right calf. Michael Carter-Williams and Terrence Ross (16 points apiece) teamed with Augustin to give Orlando a 61-39 advantage in bench points.

The Rockets have dropped four consecutive games and suffered a second successive blowout loss at home. Russell Westbrook and James Harden combined for 47 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, but that duo also totaled 12 turnovers.

Miami Heat 100 – Washington Wizards 89

Bam Adebayo posted 27 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to lead visiting Miami to a win over Washington.

Miami, which snapped its four-game road losing streak, also got 23 points and seven rebounds from Duncan Robinson. However, five-time All-Star and leading scorer, Jimmy Butler, left the game in the third quarter due to a toe injury and didn’t return. He was held to nine points — none in the second half.

Washington’s Bradley Beal, who entered the game ranked second in the NBA in scoring (30.5), had 23 points but only three after halftime. Washington guard Shabazz Napier, who made his NBA debut with the Heat in 2014, burned his former team by tying his season-high with 27 points while adding seven assists and four steals. Wizards forward Davis Bertans added 25 points, thanks to eight 3-pointers.

Toronto Raptors 118 – Sacramento Kings 113

Norman Powell scored 31 points and Kyle Lowry added 30 as visiting Toronto defeated Sacramento.

Pascal Siakam scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter — including eight straight down the stretch — as the Raptors won their third straight game. Serge Ibaka had 15 points and 10 rebounds and OG Anunoby added 12 points for Toronto.

De’Aaron Fox had 28 points –18 in the fourth quarter — for Sacramento. Kent Bazemore and Alex Len added 15 points apiece off the bench, Nemanja Bjelica scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Buddy Hield added 11 points.

New York Knicks 96 – Detroit Pistons 84

Julius Randle collected 22 points and 12 rebounds, and host New York clamped down defensively in the fourth quarter to post the victory over Detroit.

The Knicks won for the third time in their past 11 games and beat Detroit for the second straight time after losing the previous eight meetings. The Pistons lost for the fourth time in a row and for the 11th time in 12 games.

New York grabbed the lead for good midway through the third quarter and outscored the Pistons 24-13 in the fourth quarter.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The Olympic torch relay that begins in Japan this month will start from Fukushima, highlighting what the government dubs the “Recovery Olympics,” but not everyone in the region will be cheering.

The area devastated by the 2011 tsunami and ensuing nuclear disaster remains deeply affected by the crisis, with tens of thousands still living in exile from their homes.

“Fukushima has other things to worry about than the Tokyo Games,” read a banner at a demonstration organised last month outside the J-Village in Fukushima, where the Olympic torch relay begins March 26.

“In ordinary times, we’d be delighted for the Fukushima region to be in the international spotlight because of the Olympic flame,” said Hiromu Murata, head of the Hidanren association, which assists evacuees from the region.

“But we’re still suffering,” added Murata, himself an evacuee.

When the tsunami that left 18,500 people dead or missing overwhelmed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in 2011, it unleashed the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

People were evacuated from large areas, and despite an extensive decontamination programme involving the removal of topsoil, at least 41,000 have not returned, according to official figures. Activists say the number is higher.

Evacuation orders have been lifted progressively, including recently in a small part of the town of Futaba, which jointly hosts the crippled nuclear plant.

With just a few months to go ahead of the opening ceremony, preparations have been hit by the outbreak of the new coronavirus around the world, with sporting events cancelled and some even questioning if the Games can go ahead.

The flame lands on March 20 in Miyagi prefecture, which was ravaged by the tsunami unleashed by an undersea quake on March 11, 2011.

Celebrations have been toned down because of the virus, with plans scrapped to involve 200 children in the welcoming ceremony, and organizers warning spectators may be limited during the torch relay.

In February, Olympic organizers announced Futaba would be added to the route at the request of the prefecture’s governor.

But there is no expectation that residents will return to the town before at least 2022, with basic infrastructure including running water still not available.

‘Humiliating to us’

Ruiko Muto, 66, an anti-nuclear activist from Fukushima, finds the Olympic focus misplaced and is angry to see the J-Village used for the relay.

“The torch relay starting from here is humiliating to us,” she told AFP.

“To us, people in Fukushima, using this place and having the Olympic torch relay start from here seems to be an attempt by the government to cover up the nuclear accident,” she added.

“We are not in a situation to host the Olympics,” she said, citing ongoing displacement and issues including accumulated contaminated soil and water.

“I don’t think there are many people who can truly enjoy the Games.”

Those views aren’t shared by everyone, with Fukushima governor Masao Uchibori telling journalists that he sees the J-Village as a symbol of reconstruction efforts.

The sports complex became a staging ground for responding to the nuclear accident, and only reopened officially last year.

“For us it’s a symbol, it’s the starting point for the reconstruction, which is ongoing,” said Uchibori.

“Through the ‘recovery Games’ we hope that we will be able to receive new energy and strength from people within Japan and people who will come from outside Japan.”

Evacuees losing subsidies

Miyako Kumamoto, another member of the Hidanren NGO, doesn’t agree, pointing to the plight of evacuees who are seeing their housing assistance cut as the government lifts evacuation orders.

“And those who fled because of fears over radiation and weren’t evacuated by order are sometimes in an even worse situation,” she added.

Activists argue the government wants to declare the crisis over even while many are unwilling to return to areas they feel are potentially contaminated.

Kumamoto said some of those who initially received public housing for free have found themselves forced to pay rent that has gradually increased, and then finally been asked to leave.

An official with Fukushima prefecture in charge of housing denied that was a widespread problem.

“There are only five households left in that situation. We are helping them find housing, but it is hard to communicate with them,” he said.

But Kumamoto questions why the government is cutting subsidies to people while spending over $12 billion on the Games.

“Fukushima is not in a place to celebrate the Olympic Games,” she said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Disgraced Chinese swimmer Sun Yang’s veteran coach Denis Cotterell has severed all ties with the three-time Olympic champion after his eight-year drug ban, Australian media reported.

Australian Cotterell, regarded as one of the world’s top coaches, had worked with the freestyle specialist since the 2008 Beijing Olympics and long maintained Sun was clean.

But after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) banned Sun last month for refusing to give a doping sample in September 2018, Cotterell said he was now “retired”.

“I have terminated my contract with (the) Chinese Swimming Association,” he told the Sydney Daily Telegraph on Sunday.

Sun insists he is innocent and is to appeal, with his lawyer reasserting his defense that doping officials who came to his home were not qualified or authorized, and it was they who decided not to pursue testing.

Asked if he supported Yang’s appeal, Cotterell replied: “No.”

It was the 28-year-old’s second ban for doping, having served three months in 2014.

Nevertheless, Cotterell told AFP at the world championships in South Korea last year: “He’s not a drug cheat.

“You can’t have the performances he’s had over the years without doing the work. He’s been tested year in, year out — hundreds of tests, winning every year over this period of 10 years.”

A vial of Sun’s blood was smashed with a hammer during the contentious testing session in 2018, but he was originally acquitted of anti-doping violations by world swimming’s governing body FINA who agreed that testers had failed to produce adequate identification.

The World Anti-Doping Agency took the matter to CAS, demanding a ban of between two and eight years for missing the out-of-competition test.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The ATP and WTA tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, has been cancelled over concerns about the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), making it the first major sporting event in the US to be scrubbed due to health concerns.

The tournament, one of the biggest outside the four Grand Slams, was cancelled just days before it was due to begin.

Officials said in a news release on Sunday that they opted to cancel after the health department of California’s Riverside County declared a public health emergency for the Coachella Valley — in the desert east of Los Angeles — after a confirmed case of COVID-19 locally.

No further details of the case were given.

Days earlier, organizers had said they planned to go ahead with extra health measures in place such as hand sanitizing stations, beefed up cleaning protocols and gloves for ball kids, volunteers and food workers.

The ATP and WTA had also issued virus-related guidelines, telling players not to accept items from fans to be autographed.

Even before the cancellation the tournament, which draws more than 400,000 fans each year, had offered refunds to anyone who bought tickets but did not want to attend.

Many of the players have already arrived in Indian Wells for the event with qualifying matches scheduled to start on Monday and the main draw set to kick off on Wednesday.

“We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place, but the health and safety of the local community, fans, players, volunteers, sponsors, employees, vendors, and everyone involved with the event is of paramount importance,” said tournament director Tommy Haas.

“We are prepared to hold the tournament on another date and will explore options,” Haas added.

The number of American coronavirus cases is now at over 500 and involves some 30 US states.

California officials are also battling to contain an outbreak on a cruise ship off the coast where 21 people have tested positive for the virus among the 3,500 people on board.

‘Too great a risk’

“There is too great a risk, at this time, to the public health of the Riverside County area in holding a large gathering of this size,” said doctor David Agus, professor of medicine and biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California.

“It is not in the public interest of fans, players and neighboring areas for this tournament to proceed. We all have to join together to protect the community from the coronavirus outbreak.”

Indian Wells lasts two weeks and draws some of the largest crowds for a tennis event in North America. The number of competitors and lucrative prize money being offered for the men and women has helped earn it the nickname “Fifth Slam”.

There is also a men’s and women’s tournament schedule for Miami later this month but there was no word on any changes to that event.

Following Miami, the tours head to Europe for the beginning of the clay court season. The run up to the French Open includes the ATP and WTA event in Rome, Italy, the hardest hit European country with 366 deaths from the virus.

The virus now known as COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, late last year and quickly spread across the globe.

The illness affects the respiratory tract and can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing and contact with those infected or with surfaces where the virus is present. Symptoms include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.

In Italy, the Serie A football season has descended into controversy because of match cancellations and player resistance to competing in empty stadiums.

Among other sports disruptions worldwide, the start of Japan’s J-League has been postponed. The Chinese Formula One Grand Prix was cancelled and the Bahrain Grand Prix is set to be held without spectators.

In the United States, the NBA has warned teams to prepare for the possibility of playing games in empty stadiums.

The NHL is also monitoring the outbreak and indicated it wouldn’t object if teams choose to limit access to players by media in the locker room.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Monday
(Paco Arena, Manila)
1 p.m. — Diliman vs Builders-UST
3 p.m. — Mapua vs Marinero
5 p.m. — EcoOil-La Salle vs Karate Kid-CEU

Coach Derrick Pumaren faces his former team for the first time as EcoOil-La Salle and Karate Kid-Centro Escolar University square off in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Green Archers take on the Scorpions at 5 p.m. for a chance to get their second win and gain at least the share of the early lead in the first conference of the PBA’s developmental competition.

Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas meets Diliman College at 1 p.m. and Marinerong Pilipino tackles ADG Dong-Mapua University at 3 p.m. as both teams shoot for their second victory.

Pumaren had a successful run coaching CEU from 2018 to 2019, leading the school to the NCRAA championship while also steering a squad reduced to seven players to the Finals of last year’s PBA D-League First Conference.

“It’s like family playing against family, so it will be exciting,” said Pumaren, who was hired to coach La Salle for the second time in early-January.

EcoOil-La Salle opened its D-League campaign last week by defeating Wangs-Letran 102-90 behind Encho Serrano, Justine Baltazar, Aljun Melecio and Senegalese center Amadou Ndiaye, who hopes to avoid foul trouble this time.

Karate Kid-CEU, now under the tutelage of Jeff Napa, opened the tourney on the wrong foot, falling 93-57 to Marinerong Pilipino also a week ago.

Napa is hoping the Scorpions will make up for their anemic showing and put themselves on the winning column.

Meanwhile, Builders Warehouse-UST is coming off a 115-62 win over Technological Institute of the Philippines behind 23 three-pointers while brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano are expected to lead Marinero’s quest to produce a follow-up of its opening day romp.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs Phoenix
7 p.m. — NLEX vs NorthPort

San Miguel Beer set its title-retention bid despite the absence of June Mar Fajardo in motion after defeating Magnolia 94-78 to open the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Five players scored in double figures as the Beermen produced a convincing victory in the start of their quest for a sixth consecutive crown sans Fajardo, who will miss the whole conference due to a fractured tibia on his right leg.

Among those who stood out in the victory were Mo Tautuaa and Terrence Romeo, who entered the season tasked to fill the huge void left by Fajardo.

Tautuaa showed why he was named the Most Improved Player during the Leo Awards by producing 20 points and 11 rebounds while Romeo had 19 points and seven assists.

Marcio Lassiter scored 17 points and five assists, Arwind Santos tallied 15 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and five steals, Alex Cabagnot scored 10 points and Chris Ross had four points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

“Masaya ako dahil na-surprise ako sa nilaro ng mga bata, both offense and defense,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria, adding that there’s still plenty of things to be fixed moving forward.

“But we don’t have to be complacent because we have a lot of things to fix,” added Austria.

Paul Lee scored 19 points with five rebounds and three assists while Ian Sangalang and new addition Jackson Corpuz had 16 points each while combining for 27 boards but the Hotshots couldn’t get things going after trailing 8-0 at the start.

Magnolia did tie the score at 18-all at the end of the opening period but Lassiter scored seven and Romeo and Tautuaa made five apiece in the second to help SMB gain a 45-33 halftime lead.

Tautuaa’s basket gave SMB a commanding 60-37 lead with under eight minutes to go in the third before thwarting Magnolia’s comeback bid.

Magnolia got to within 61-54 on a layup by Jio Jalalon but San Miguel ended the third quarter with a 69-56 lead.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 94 — Tautuaa 20, Romeo 19, Santos 18, Lassiter 17, Cabagnot 10, Ross 4, Escoto 3, Zamar 3, Pessumal 0, Gamalinda 0, Comboy 0.

MAGNOLIA 78 — Lee 19, Sangalang 16, Corpuz 16, Jalalon 8, Barroca 8, Simon 4, Dela Rosa 3, Melton 3, Banchero 1, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 18-18; 45-33; 69-56; 94-78.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By JAN CARLO ANOLIN

June Mar Fajardo is one humble guy. And he continues to be one after bagging the Most Valuable Player award for the sixth consecutive time.

Fajardo, entering the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday in extra fashion, was hailed MVP of the 44th Season of the PBA.

The gentle giant took centerstage as he rode an electric scooter en route to center court  to claim the top plum, alongside his supportive parents.

“‘Di ganun kadali yung pinagdaanan ko — mula nung nag-start pa lang ako sa basketball pero pag nakikita ko ‘yung parents kong masaya, alam ko na proud sila sakin,” Fajardo told reporters.

“‘Di nasayang ‘yung sakripisyo nila sa akin. Ayun, worth it lahat.”

Despite the feat, Fajardo doesn’t want to be called the ‘greatest’ player ever.

“Para sa akin, ‘yung MVP hindi basehan para masabing greatest [ka na]. Mas marami pang nauna sa akin na mas maraming championship na naipanalo. Dapat sila ‘yung tawagin na greatest.”

The 30-year-old center extended his gratitude to all the PBA players, fans, the Beermen and San Miguel management who supported him especially after suffering a shin injury.

“Nakaka-touch,” Fajardo said. “Mahirap talaga kasi hindi ganun kadali ‘yung nangyari sa akin. Dahil sa kanila, magpapagaling ako.”

The six-time MVP needs at least four to six months of recovery, and he vowed to support the Beermen from the sideline.

“Nakakalungkot na wala ako sa court pero masaya ako na makita sila ulit. Halos isang buwan ko sila hindi nakita so ngayon masaya ako [at] nandito lang ako susuporta sa kanila.”

As of this writing, San Miguel is facing the Magnolia Hotshots in the inaugural match of the 45th season.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The UAAP boys and girls basketball finals scheduled on Monday will be played behind closed doors at The Arena in San Juan City, the league announced.

In a written statement read by UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag on Sunday, the decision was made due to health precautions brought by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“This decision was arrived at after due consultation and advice of the different governmental agencies concerned and upon the recommendation of our venue partner,” the statement said.

“The health and safety of our players, teams and fans is paramount.”

The league will be strictly implementing the “No UAAP ID, No Entry Policy” where only the playing teams and essential staff will be allowed entry.

The National University Bullpups and the University of Santo Tomas Junior Tigresses are on the verge of claiming the boys and girls titles after winning Game 1 of their best-of-three finals against Far Eastern University-Diliman and Adamson University.

Source: Manila Bulletin