By Agence France-Presse

Japan has been forced to scrap plans to involve children in the Olympic torch handover and arrival ceremonies because of fears over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Tokyo 2020’s chief organizer said on Friday.

Organizing committee head Yoshiro Mori called it a “heartbreaking decision” to cancel a performance of 140 children at the handover ceremony in Athens.

The announcement comes after organizers said they may have to scale back the torch relay and limit spectators because of concerns over spreading the deadly COVID-19.

“A performance by 140 children was scheduled at the handover ceremony in Athens on the 19th (of March), but we’ll put utmost priority on the safety of children and cancel their trip,” Mori told reporters.

The Olympic flame is set to arrive in Japan on March 20 but about 200 children will also have to miss the welcoming ceremony in Miyagi prefecture.

The torch will then embark on a nationwide relay starting in Fukushima, a disaster zone just nine years ago after an earthquake-triggered tsunami swamped a nuclear plant and sent its reactors into meltdown.

Organizers have been scrambling to give assurances that the Olympics, from July 24 to August 9, remain on track despite the international outbreak of COVID-19.

The International Olympic Committee insisted this week that a potential cancellation or postponement of the Games due to the virus was “not mentioned” at a meeting of their executive board.

Japanese sports events from sumo to football have been cancelled or moved behind closed doors as the outbreak grows, with 97,000 infections and more than 3,300 deaths in some 85 countries.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The NBA has reportedly told teams to look into strategies on how to play games without fans in the arena amid concerns over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

As fears grow over the spread of the virus, and sports leagues formulate contingency plans, the NBA on Friday sent a memo to its teams telling them to start “developing” plans on how to play games with only “essential staff” in attendance should that be deemed necessary, American sports broadcaster ESPN reported.

The NBA had sent out a previous memo to teams earlier this week, recommending players to use fist-bumps instead of high-fives with fans. It also said to avoid taking items such as pens, balls and jerseys from fans to sign.

“The health and safety of our employees, teams, players and fans is paramount,” the NBA said in a statement on Monday. “We are coordinating with our teams and consulting with the CDC and infectious disease specialists on the coronavirus and continue to monitor the situation closely.”

The global spread of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the international sporting calendar with Formula One motor racing, golf and athletics among the sports cancelling or postponing events.

In Italy, the hardest-hit European country with 148 deaths from the novel coronavirus, all major sports events, including football matches, will be played behind closed doors until April 3.

Davis Cup tennis ties in Italy and Japan are being played behind closed doors this weekend.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The NBA fined Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $500,000 on Friday for a Twitter tirade ripping league referees and commissioner Adam Silver denied the club’s protest of a February 22 loss in Atlanta.

Cuban, a billionaire businessman who bought the Mavericks in 2000, was slammed with the hefty fine for his criticism and conduct detrimental to NBA officiating, also described in a league statement as an “effort to influence refereeing decisions during and after a game.”

Atlanta defeated Dallas 111-107 and the result will stand after the league rejected the Mavericks’ plea to replay the final 9.7 seconds.

A controversial basket by Atlanta’s John Collins on an offensive rebound was the subject of the complaint, the hoop coming as the Mavericks’ Dorian Finney-Smith was whistled for goaltending on his block of Trae Young’s shot.

The goaltend call was challenged and eventually reversed, allowing the rebound basket by Collins, but Cuban wondered how the play could result in a basket when it was blown dead by the goaltending call.

“The Replay Center Official ruled that Collins’ goal should be scored because he was in the act of shooting at the time the goaltending call was made,” the NBA said in its statement. “Dallas contends that the officials misapplied the playing rules by allowing the basket.

“After a comprehensive investigation, commissioner Silver determined there was no misapplication of the playing rules. The Replay Center Official correctly understood the rules to require that Collins’ basket count if he was in the act of shooting when the goaltending call was made.”

The investigation, including analysis of the game video, instead showed the whistle began to sound 1/15th of a second before Collins took possession of the ball.

“However, it is well-established by prior NBA protest decisions that a factual determination by game officials -– including replay officials –- that is shown in a post-game review to be incorrect is not a misapplication of the playing rules,” the NBA ruled.

“While officials strive to get every call right, games cannot be replayed when, after the fact and free from the need to make rulings in real time, a different judgment about events on the playing floor can be made.”

Cuban: ‘This is absurd’

Cuban confronted the referees on the court after the game and ripped them over the call to reporters and in a series of tweets.

“Just when you think the NBA officiating can’t get any worse, guess again. This is absurd,” Cuban tweeted.

“They literally blew the whistle that it was a goaltend. There was a putback after the whistle. After review they said no goaltend but count the basket? WTF is that? That’s NBA officiating.

The NBA called Cuban’s tweets “comments that were highly critical, personal and demeaning to the league and its officiating staff” and noted several days of complaints about NBA referees followed by Cuban.

“A team owner’s effort to influence refereeing decisions during and after a game creates the perception of an unfair competitive advantage and thereby undermines the integrity of the game.”

“Officiating is one of the toughest jobs in sports. While officials remain accountable for their on-court performance, maintaining competitive fairness and the integrity of the game is a fundamental obligation of the league office, team owners and personnel and players.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The Los Angeles Lakers signed free-agent guard Dion Waiters on Friday, adding a potential second-unit playmaker for the final push to the NBA playoffs.

The Western Conference leaders did not release the terms of the deal, but the Los Angeles Times reported Waiters would be signed to a minimum contract for the rest of the season.

Waiters, 28, played in Miami from 2016 through the start of this season, when the Heat traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies in the wake of three team-imposed suspensions.

That included a 10-game suspension after he reportedly ingested marijuana-infused gummy candies on the team flight to a game in Los Angeles and required medical attention.

Waiters, who was waived by Memphis after the trade deal, has played in only three games this season.

Waiters worked out for the Lakers on Monday and met with team general manager Rob Pelinka, special adviser Kurt Rambis and coach Frank Vogel.

The Times, citing a source familiar with the meeting, reported Waiters “took responsibility for his past” during the meeting and the Lakers believe if he conducts himself in a professional manner he can be a benefit off the bench.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Free agent center Joakim Noah has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers and will join the club next week as its push intensifies for the NBA playoffs, according to reports Friday.

Noah, the 35-year-old son of French tennis legend Yannick Noah, would take a vacant roster spot for the Clippers, who rank second in the Western Conference at 43-19.

Noah would sign a 10-day contract next week with hopes he would remain with the club for the rest of the season, according to ESPN and The Athletic.

He has not played this season, instead working out in New York and Los Angeles to recover from Achilles tendon surgery.

“The grind can’t stop. This is all I know,” Noah posted on his Instagram account in January with a photo of him running on a track. “4 months post achilles surgery and I’m back on the track. My goal is to get back out there and compete. I’ve had many surgeries but coming back from this would be very rewarding.”

Noah, a 12-year NBA veteran, averaged 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 42 games last season for Memphis, where he landed after a buyout from the New York Knicks.

Noah spent his first nine NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls, earning All-Star nods in 2013 and 2014 and the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

He boasts NBA career averages of 8.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.8 rebounds a game over 667 games.

The Clippers, sparked by 2019 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kawhi Leonard, are five games behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the West with the fourth-best record in the league with the post-season title chasing starting next month.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford was taken ill during his team’s NBA game at Minnesota on Friday and taken to hospital for evaluation, the Magic said.

“During the third quarter of tonight’s game at Minnesota, Orlando Magic Head Coach Steve Clifford came down with an illness,” the team said on its Twitter feed. “Clifford is being taken to a local hospital to undergo further evaluation.”

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Clifford was examined by team doctors at the arena and the trip to the hospital was apparently a precaution.

The Magic did not elaborate on what symptoms Clifford, 58, experienced during the team’s 132-118 victory over the Timberwolves.

During the 2017-18 season, when he coached the Charlotte Hornets, Clifford took a break from coaching duties for six weeks because of severe headaches which he said doctors told him were due to his heavy work schedule and lack of sleep.

In 2013, Clifford, then coaching Charlotte, had a heart procedure after experiencing chest pain.

There was no indication from the Magic on Friday that his current illness was related to any previous health issue.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Saturday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

9 a.m. – UP vs UE (men’s)

10:30 a.m. – UP vs UE (women’s)

2 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (men’s)

4 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (women’s)

Defending champion Ateneo shoots for a second straight win when it takes on archrival La Salle Saturday in the UAAP Season 82 women’s volleyball at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The match is set at 4 p.m. with the Lady Eagles aiming to end a six-game skid against the Lady Spikers, who are seeking a strong start following last season’s Final Four exit.

Coach Oliver Almadro is hoping to steer Ateneo to the early lead after starting its title-retention bid on a high note with a 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 victory over University of the Philippines last Wednesday.

“Of course, first game lang ito. We will not stop here. One game does not determine our character. We’re just happy na nakapaglaro na kami ulit and won our first game,” he said.

The veteran-duo of Kat Tolentino and Faith Nisperos is expected to fuel the Lady Eagles once again after combing for 25 points, with support coming from comebacking Jho Maraguinot and Jules Samonte.

La Salle is determined to extend its mastery over Ateneo despite a heartbreaking 2019 that saw coach Ramil de Jesus’ squad miss the Finals for the first time in 11 years.

“This year, we’re very hungry,” said Tin Tiamzon.

Though parading with a young core following the departure of Des Cheng, the Lady Spikers still boast of depth with sophomore spiker Jolina Dela Cruz and veterans Tin Ogunsanya, setter Michelle Cobb and libero CJ Saga.

They will parade fresh talents in 6-foot-2 middle hitter Thea Gagate, 6-foot opposite spiker Leila Cruz and libero Justine Jazareno.

The men’s counterpart of both teams will meet at 2 p.m. after University of the East and UP collide in the both divisions at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Construction of all new permanent venues for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics is now complete, organizers said Friday, as preparations continue despite worries over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The announcement comes as the International Olympic Committee insisted this week that a potential cancellation or postponement of the Games due to the virus was “not mentioned” at a meeting of their Executive Board.

The last venue, the $523-million Tokyo Aquatics Centre for swimming, diving and artistic swimming, was “completed on schedule by the end of February,” the organizers said in a press release.

The four-storey Aquatics Centre will seat 15,000 fans for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The main pool features a movable wall allowing the 50m facility to be converted into two 25m pools. The depth of the bottom can also be adjusted.

Other permanent venues include the main Olympic stadium, which was designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

It heavily features the use of wood in a nod to traditional techniques and is designed to counter Tokyo’s fierce summer heat.

The Olympics take place from July 24-August 9, but organizers have been battling to reassure athletes and would-be spectators that the Games remain on track despite the spread of COVID-19.

Japanese sports events from sumo to football have been cancelled or moved behind closed doors as the outbreak grows, with 97,000 infections and more than 3,300 deaths in some 85 countries.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

STA. ROSA, Laguna – Guido Van Der Valk of The Netherlands finished with a three-over par 75  Friday to keep a two-shot lead on Philippine Cup champion Clyde Mondilla entering the final round of The Country Club Invitational at the TCC here.

Guido Van Der Valk started his round with a bogey on 3, but an eagle on 8 put him at even par for the tournament.

However, that was the highlight of his round as he bogeyed four of the next 10, including 14 and 18 for the second day in this event put up by ICTSI president and chairman Ricky Razon in 2003.

The 40-year-old Dutch, who is now based in Cebu, also bogeyed on 9 and 11.

“I made a few, couple of mistakes. You can make mistakes on this golf course, because the golf course is hard enough. So you got to make bogeys,” said Van Der Valk.

“I missed so many birdie putts. But then again Clyde and Tony made the same things. It was hard with the wind blowing right straight, and then having to read the lines.”

There’s absolutely no planning on this golf course,” said Van Der Valk. “It’s just trying to hit as good as you can and see what your score would be.”

Van Der Valk now has a three-day total of 220, four over in this P5 million event that gives the winner P1.5 million and the bragging rights as the inaugural champion for the 2020 season of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT).

For his part, Mondilla held on to second place as he matched Van Der Valk’s 75.

The native of Bukidnon mixed his rounds with birdies on 1, 8 and 10, and bogeys on 2, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 18 – which matched his six during the opening round of the event.

Five shots off the leader is Jay Bayron, who had a 76 for a total of 224 for solo third, ahead of former TCC champion Tony Lascuña with 225, and former amateur stalwart Rupert Zaragosa with 226.

Keanu Jahns is at solo seventh with a 228, Jhonnel Ababa, Michael Bibat and Reymon Jaraula share eighth to 11th places with Spain’s Marcos Pastor all with 229.

Tied for 12th to 13th are Ferdie Aunzo and Zanieboy Gialon with 231, and former TCC champion Frankie Miñoza is at 14 with 234.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points, Ivica Zubac and Montrezl Harrell posted double-doubles, and the visiting Los Angeles Clippers drubbed the Houston Rockets 120-105 on Thursday night.

The Clippers extended their winning streak to six consecutive games and, perhaps of greater significance, squared the season series with Houston at two games apiece. The Clippers own the superior record within the Western Conference should the teams finish tied in the standings.

Leonard added six rebounds, five assists and two steals in just 28 minutes while Zubac (17 points, 12 rebounds) and Harrell (19 points, 10 rebounds) punished the smaller Rockets inside. Paul George (13 points) and Marcus Morris Sr. (11 points) added to the Clippers onslaught.

Russell Westbrook paired 29 points with 15 rebounds while James Harden scored 16 points on 4-for-17 shooting for Houston.

Toronto Raptors 121 – Golden State Warriors 113

Norman Powell stole the spotlight in Stephen Curry’s long-awaited return with a career-high 37 points, and Pascal Siakam hit a key hoop with 45.7 seconds remaining, helping Toronto outlast Golden State in a rematch of last June’s NBA Finals.

Curry had a team-high-tying 23 points in 27 minutes in his first action since breaking his left hand in the Warriors’ fourth game of the season in October. He missed 58 games.

Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, two key contributors when the Raptors ended Golden State’s bid for a three-peat with a 4-2 win in the Finals, each recorded a double-double, lifting the Raptors to a second straight win after three consecutive losses.

Denver Nuggets 114 – Charlotte Hornets 112

Jamal Murray’s short jumper with 6 seconds remaining gave Denver a victory over host Charlotte in a dizzying finish.

Murray finished with a team-high 18 points as seven Denver players scored in double figures.

Charlotte’s Terry Rozier missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer. From the four-minute mark to the two-minute mark, there were seven lead changes and a tie.

Philadelphia 76ers 125 – Sacramento Kings 108

Tobias Harris scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and Shake Milton added 20 points as short-handed Philadelphia slowed down red-hot Sacramento.

De’Aaron Fox scored 23 points and Buddy Hield added 22 for the Kings, who saw their three-game overall winning streak come to an end as well as their six-game home winning streak.

Al Horford had 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Sixers, who led by as many as 19 in the third quarter only to see the Kings cut the deficit to six with less than three minutes remaining in the period. However, a quick 12-2 run built the Sixers’ lead back to 96-80 at the end of the third.

Source: Manila Bulletin