By Nick Giongco

Jerwin Ancajas makes his long-awaited Las Vegas debut on April 11, the day he makes the ninth defense of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown.

After making stops in Macau, Belfast (Northern Ireland), Brisbane (Australia) Corpus Christi, Oakland, Fresno, Stockton and Puebla (Mexico), Ancajas finally gets to showcase his wares in Sin City.

Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez will be his opponent in a scheduled 12-rounder at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, a fight that was supposed to have taken place last Nov. 2 in Carson, California.

Travel document issues forced Top Rank to scrap the bout at the last minute and Ancajas was then booked to bring his act to Puebla where he stopped Chilean Miguel Gonzalez.

Ancajas, 28, (32-1-2 with 22 KOs) won the IBF 115-ob crown in September 2016 and is one of boxing’s longest reigning titleholders.

The underdog Rodriguez, 24, (21-0 with 15 KOs) will be fighting for the first time outside Mexico.

To get ready for Rodriguez, Ancajas set up camp in Dipolog City and is preparing to head to Las Vegas for the next phase of training camp.

Meanwhile, Filipino Giemel Magramo’s shot at the vacant World Boxing Organization flyweight crown set April 4 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo has been postponed owing to the coronavirus outbreak.

Magramo was supposed to battle Junto Nakatani of Japan for the WBO 112-lb title.

Source: Manila Bulletin

The Davis Cup is more than just a competition as far as the Greek team is concerned.

It is a family affair.

Three of the Tsitsipas family are with the Greek team for the World Group II playoffs tie against the Philippines Friday: brothers Stefanos and Petros, and father-coach Apostolos.

And more than blood, they also treat the rest of the team as family.

Three Tsitsipas in one court #DavisCup | via @kristelsports pic.twitter.com/CnfYUfoOwe

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) March 4, 2020

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“Davis Cup is a special event. It’s involving the country, it’s very traditional with tennis people coming along and achieving together one goal. So it’s like a family,” said Apostolos Wednesday at the Philippine Columbian Association court in Paco, Manila.

Stefanos, ranked No. 6 in the world, valued the team dynamics formed since they started playing together last September.

“The chemistry is unbelievable,” he said. “Playing with my brother and my father, as well as with my teammates (Michail Pervolarakis and Markos Kalovelonis) gives me like a closer bond to them. We’re acting as a union. We know each other well.”

Team captain Dimitris Chatzinikolaou sees a great future for the squad.

“We believe that this young team has great future and potential. This team will not change. We are friends, we are a great company and that is very important,” he said.

The team, however, is not looking beyond winning this tie against the Philippines – for now. The Greeks are coming from Group III of the Europe Zone under the old format.

“It’s a step by step [process]. First, we have to achieve this (tie) first, then we’ll discuss,” Dimitris said.

This will be the first time that the two nations are facing each other with the winning team advancing to Group II in September.

Draw will be on Thursday to determine the two singles matchups on Friday, as well as the doubles and reverse singles on Saturday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Next month’s Badminton Asia Championships have been moved out of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, to Manila, officials said on Wednesday.

Numerous sports events have been cancelled, postponed or moved in recent weeks all over the world because of the deadly virus.

China, where the virus emerged in December and where more than 2,900 people have died, has been hardest hit with all sports stopped.

The Asia Championships will be staged in Manila on April 21-26.

“Badminton Asia (BA) together with Philippine Badminton Association has been working closely to ensure visa approval for player and officials’ entry into Manila for all participants in this important and prestigious Championship,” BA said in a statement.

The coronavirus has forced the postponement or cancellation of several badminton tournaments, disrupting the build-up to the Tokyo Olympics.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

The Philippine Davis Cup team is optimistic of its chances despite facing a daunting task against Greece in their World Group II playoffs on Friday at the Philippine Columbian Association in Paco, Manila.

The Greeks are bannered by world No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, and his presence alone provides strength and firepower to his team.

“It’s going to be tough, but we can promise we’ll do our best. Our goal all the time is to win it,” said 20-year-old AJ Lim, who has been playing for the squad since 2017.

“More than that, we’re excited. Especially to have someone like Stefanos (Tsitsipas) competing against us,” said Francis Casey Alcantara, one of the veterans.

The Philippines is clinging to a home court advantage, although the team believes more fans are also cheering for Tsitsipas.

WATCH: PH #DavisCup team practicing for their World Group II playoffs tie vs Greece on Friday and Saturday. | via @kristelsports pic.twitter.com/cUPacaHiO3

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) March 4, 2020

Tsitsipas is coming off a runner-up finish to Novak Djokovic at the Dubai Tennis Championships last Saturday, as well as a title win at the Open 13 Provence in Marseille, France two weeks back.

The PH and Greek teams held their second training session on Wednesday with the Filipinos coming in first.

Ask about his observation while watching Stefanos hit the ball with brother Petros, Lim could only say: “Lakas!”

Aside from Lim and Alcantara, the PH team is composed of Ruben Gonzales, Jeson Patrombon and Eric Olivarez Jr. Chris Cuarto is their team captain.

The Greeks, for their part, has the Tsitsipas brothers, Michail Pervolarakis, Markos Kalovelonis and team captain Dimitris Chatzinikolaou.

Team draw will be held Thursday with the first two singles set on Friday. Doubles and reverse two singles will be on Saturday.

WATCH:

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

STA. ROSA, Laguna – Dutch Guido Van der Valk was the only player to score under par with a 71 on a hot but windy first round for the lead in The Country Club (TCC) Invitational Wednesday at the TCC here.

The 40-year-old Van Der Valk, who is now based in Cebu, mixed his round with birdies on 2, 8 and 13, while picking up bogeys on 11 and 17 in this tournament that kicked off the 2020 season of the Philippine Golf Tour.

Behind by three strokes is Ira Christian Alido, the 18-year-old pro golfer who carded a 74, while five players – including former TCC champion Tony Lascuña – are tied for third to seventh with a 75 in the P5 million event that gives the winner a P1.5 million cash prize.

Van Der Valk said he was just fortunate since it is always a big plus for a player to score under par in the punishing golf course with its long and difficult fairways and windy condition.

“The score was good. Anytime you shoot under in this golf course it’s a bonus,” said Van Der Valk. “It’s just really hard, really long and windy. It’s just a big grind of five hours long.”

Van Der Valk, who won the ICTSI Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational last year, said that the key to keeping his form and hopefully continue with the lead is to keep it simple – hit it at the middle of the fairways and the green.

“Now every round you have to just try again to do the same thing. You just got to hit it one by one because in this golf course anytime it can catch you off guard and if it does then you get to make high number [score].

“So just try the same thing, try to grind away, hit the middle of the fairway, the middle of the green, and try to shoot close to par every day. At the end of the day it’s enough.”

Alido also made three birdies on 3, 10 and 14, but aside from his bogeys on 2, 11 and 16, he made a double bogey on 4, while Lascuña is tied with Jay Bayron, Ropert Zaragosa, Zanieboy Gialon and Ferdie Aunzo.

American Lexus Keoninh is tied for eighth to ninth with Albin Engino with a 76, ahead of former champion Frankie Minoza, who finished with a 77 to share 10th place with reigning Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla with similar scores of 77.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) scare, organizers of next month’s Asian Weightlifting Championship in Kazakhstan have pulled out of staging the event which would have served as an Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

In its webpage, the International Weightlifting Federation changed the event’s location from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan. Asked about the sudden change of venue, national team coach Toni Agustin said is was because of the outbreak.

“Ang sabi sa amin dahil sa coronavirus,” said Agustin Wednesday when contacted by The Manila Bulletin.

The veteran mentor said they already contacted one of their counterparts in Uzbekistan on how to secure VISAs as well as other necessary documentations for Filipino athletes.

However, they were told that while it’s confirmed the IWF has changed the venue to Tashkent, the government of Uzbekistan has yet to formally accept the hosting due to the same reason.

“Hindi pa daw tinatanggap ng gobyerno nila kasi nga dahil sa coronavirus. Maski sila nagaantay pa din kung matutuloy ba sa kanila or hindi din. Sa ngayon, kami din nagaantay lang ng advisory,” said Agustin.

He said that it is important for them to know immediately if the Asian meet will be staged by Uzbekistan.

According to Agustin, they need to submit another request for financial assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission since the original approved OQT will be held in Kazakhstan.

“Ngayon kung sa Uzbekistan, panibagong request kami,” said Agustin.

Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil, leads the competitors for the Philippine Team eyeing a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the Asian Championship is crucial since this will formalize her entry to the Games by just merely participating in the event.

Diaz is currently No. 5 in the 55kg women’s category in world ranking with 3,717.0982 points behind four Chinese weightlifters in Jiang Huihua (4,667.8878), Liao Qiuyun (4,288.9622), Zhang Wangqiong (4,212.6639) and Li Yajun (4,099.0223).

Only one Chinese will earn Olympic spot since the competition allows one participant per country. Likewise, just the top eight weightlifters in the world based on the IWF ranking will advance in the Tokyo Olympics.

Diaz and her team are currently in training camp in Malaysia to prepare for the Asian Championship.

The other Filipino weightlifters in the running for Olympic berth and will also participate in the event are Nestor Colonia in the 67kg men’s, Elreen Ann Ando and Kristel Macrohon in the women’s 64kg and 71kg, respectively.

Source: Manila Bulletin

AMMAN, Jordan – Ian Clark Bautista forced his fancied Japanese opponent Hayato Tsutsumi into close quarters and relied on his short power punches to earn the nod of three of the five judges on the opening day of the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament here Tuesday afternoon.

Bautista, a 25-year-old Philippine Navy seaman, pounded away in the second and third rounds even as he narrowly lost the initial canto in this action-packed bout against the 21-year-old Japanese who is a Youth World Champion (2016) and two-time Asian Youth champion.

“Talagang nag-focus ako sa laban na ito. Malakas at magaling talaga siya pero talagang pinilit ko. Alam ko pagkakataon na para makapunta sa Olympics,” said Bautista after the fight.

He faces another tough challenge in his second bout on Friday, against Thailand’s Chatchai Butdee, who defeated him in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila last December.

Head coach Ronald Chavez, however, said that if the boxer from Negros Occidental fights the way he did against the Japanese, he could well exact revenge on the Thai pug, a former Olympian.

Wednesday sees world women’s featherweight champion Nesthy Petecio facing Sri Lanka’s Kirismi Langkapurayalage, and Riza Pasuit meeting Saya Hamamoto of Japan.

The tournament ends on March 11.

Source: Manila Bulletin

VIGAN — George Oconer crowned himself LBC Ronda Pilipinas king while his squad Standard-Insurance the team champion as the 10th anniversary race drew to a close in front of the provincial capitol here Tuesday.

Oconer, 28, contented himself in staying at the back end of the peloton that checked in first in the Stage 10 criterium that was ruled by teammate Jan Paul Morales in 51 minutes and 20 seconds to claim his very first title.

He raised his arms in victory, rode a ceremonial victory lap and was met by wild applause at the finish where he was met by Ronda chairman Moe Chulani and Standard Insurance Group chairman Ernesto “Judes” Echauz.

Oconer also thanked God, Echauz, his teammates and coaches who cradled him almost all race long, the organizers and his family including father Norberto, a two-time Olympian.

After 10 stages and 11 days covering a total of 14 provinces starting in Sorsogon, Oconer emerged with an aggregate time of 32:42:12 against 68 survivors out of the 88 originally entered.

It was a performance to remember for Oconer as he pocketed the top purse worth P1 million and took home the beautifully-crafted championship trophy.

“My first race was in Ronda in 2011, that is why finally winning it here is a special moment for me,” said Oconer.

Oconer’s triumph underscored Standard’s Ronda domination as it also sent five more of its riders – Ronald Oranza, Ronald Lomotos, John Mark Camingao, Junrey Navarra and El Joshua Cariño – in the top 10 behind Oconer while running away with the team crown.

Rounding up the top 10 in the individual race were Go for Gold’s Jonel Carcueva, Daniel Ven Carino and Ismael Grospe, Jr. and Marvin Tapic of Bicycology-Army.

Apart from that, Standard also registered five stage wins, three of which was provided for by Morales, a two-time winner here who also secured the CCN Sprint plum in this race presented by LBC and backed by the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation.

Navarra also emerged the Versa King of the Mountain in this event supported by Palayan, Nueva Ecija, Versa, 8A Performance, Print2Go, Petron, Green Planet, Bike Xtreme, Standard Insurance, Spyder, CCN, Lightwater, Prolite, Guerciotti, Black Mamba, Boy Kanin, Vitamin Boost, NLEX-SCTEX, Maynilad, 3Q Sports Event Management Inc., LBC Foundation and PhilCycling.

It will also be the last race for Santy Barnachea, who won the inaugural edition in 2011 and 2015.

“Yes, I’m retiring. I’m now focusing my time to family and maybe coaching,” said the 43-year-old Barnachea, who joined the final two years of the fabled Marlboro Tour in 1997 and 1998 before winning the Fedex Tour of Calabarzon in 2002 and the Padyak Pinoy in 2006.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Caris LeVert scored a career-high 51 points, 37 from the fourth quarter on, as the Brooklyn Nets rallied from 21 points down to stun the host Boston Celtics 129-120 in overtime Tuesday.

LeVert shot 17 of 26 from the field and scored all 11 of the Nets’ points in the extra period as they overcame 21 turnovers to snap a four-game losing streak. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added 16 points off the bench for Brooklyn.

Jaylen Brown had 22 points, and Kemba Walker scored 21 in his return from five games missed with a knee injury for the Celtics, who have lost back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 16-18.

The Nets scored a franchise-record 51 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 71-50 deficit with 6:28 left in the third quarter. They entered the fourth down 84-67.

Los Angeles Lakers 120 – Philadelphia 76ers 107

Anthony Davis had 37 points, 13 rebounds and four steals as Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia, who lost its ninth consecutive road game.

Davis converted 13 of 19 shots from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. LeBron James contributed 22 points for the Lakers, who have won nine of their last 10 games. The 76ers lost their ninth straight road game.

Glenn Robinson III scored 25 points to lead the 76ers, and Tobias Harris added 18. The Lakers outshot the Sixers 53.5 percent to 44.7 percent from the floor.

Los Angeles Clippers 109 – Oklahoma City Thunder 94

Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points to lift Los Angeles to a win at Oklahoma City.

The victory was the fifth consecutive for the Clippers, their second-longest winning streak of the season. During the streak, Los Angeles has averaged 120.6 points per game.

The Thunder have dropped back-to-back games. Dennis Schroder led Oklahoma City with 24 points, including 13 in the first half.

Minnesota Timberwolves 139 – New Orleans Pelicans 134

Malik Beasley scored 28 points and D’Angelo Russell added 23 to lead eight Minnesota players in double figures during a win at New Orleans.

James Johnson scored 19, Juancho Hernangomez had 16, rookie Naz Reid had his first double-double with 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for Minnesota, which made 14 of 34 3-point attempts and shot 55.7 percent from the floor. Jordan McLaughlin scored 13 points, and Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie had 11 each.

Jrue Holiday had 27 points and 12 assists, Lonzo Ball scored 26, rookie Zion Williamson scored 25, Brandon Ingram had 24, Josh Hart 11 and Derrick Favors contributed 10 apiece for the Pelicans.

San Antonio Spurs 104 – Charlotte Hornets 103

San Antonio overcame a horrid beginning without its coach and then held on without scoring in the final two minutes of a narrow victory over host Charlotte.

With Spurs coach Gregg Popovich missing the game, the Spurs received 21 points from Dejounte Murray to win a night after a home loss to Indiana. Terry Rozier topped the Hornets with 20 points.

Popovich was absent from the game due to what the team termed as personal business. Assistant coach Tim Duncan, a legendary former player for San Antonio, directed the Spurs.

Toronto Raptors 123 – Phoenix Suns 114

Pascal Siakam scored 33 points, and visiting Toronto rallied past Phoenix to end a three-game losing streak.

The Raptors trailed by 17 points during the second quarter and were behind by seven at halftime before taking a one-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Kyle Lowry added 28 points for the Raptors, who have won six straight meetings with the Suns. Devin Booker scored 22 points for Phoenix, who have lost four straight.

Golden State Warriors 116 – Denver Nuggets 110

Andrew Wiggins had 22 points and 10 assists as visiting Golden State beat Denver.

Eric Paschall also scored 22 while Marquese Chriss scored 16 points, Mychal Mulder and Jordan Poole had 15 apiece, and Dragan Bender added 14 for Golden State. The Warriors outscored Denver 67-36 to end the game to get just their seventh road win of the season.

Denver’s Paul Millsap had 18 points and nine rebounds in his return to the lineup after sitting out one game due to an ankle injury. Will Barton also had 18 points. Nikola Jokic finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Sacramento Kings 133 – Washington Wizards 126

Harry Giles III broke a late tie with consecutive baskets as host Sacramento beat Washington.

De’Aaron Fox had a team-high 31 points for the Kings, who led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter before blowing it in a third period that saw Sacramento head coach Luke Walton ejected.

The Wizards used a 46-point third-quarter explosion to rally into a 95-all tie and the game was deadlocked at 97 and 99 before Giles’ two big baskets gave the Kings the lead for good. Washington’s Bradley Beal finished with 35 points and eight assists.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Reuters

Major League Baseball said its players should avoid taking balls and pens from fans to sign autographs in an effort to protect themselves from the coronavirus, but it has no plans yet to cancel or postpone games, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

A memo distributed to hundreds of high-ranking baseball officials also said players should opt against handshakes with fans, a recommendation that echoes advice given earlier this week by the NBA, which told its players to use fist-bumps instead.

The league, which is currently holding spring training games with Opening Day scheduled for March 26, said it has created a task force to deal with complications that could arise in the coming months.

According to the memo, MLB is currently “developing recommendations to mitigate the spread of coronavirus at ballparks” that “address proper hygiene, cleaning methods for the clubhouse and training room, and supplies that Clubs may seek to purchase”.

MLB expects to inform teams of the plan later this week, according to ESPN.

The league also recommended officials avoid going to countries given a Level 2 or Level 3 travel warning by the Centers for Disease Control.

There are almost 91,000 cases of coronavirus globally of which more than 80,000 are in China. China’s death toll was 2,943, with more than 125 fatalities elsewhere.

Source: Manila Bulletin