By Jonas Terrado

Brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano sparked Marinerong Pilipino to a 93-57 win over Karate Kid-Centro Escolar University on Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

Juan scored 21 points with seven rebounds and four assists while Javi had 18 points and five rebounds to give the Skippers a convincing victory to open their title bid in the season-opening conference on a high note.

The two combined for 27 in the first half while Jordan Rios also scored 12 of his 15 in that juncture that saw Marinerong Pilipino take a 52-30 halftime lead.

Dhon Reverente scored all of his 13 points in the second half to help the Skippers keep the sizable lead till the final buzzer.

The Yong Garcia-coached Skippers, the only club team in the collegiate-flavored tournament, won convincingly despite missing former La Salle standouts Jaime Malonzo and James Laput.

Malonzo and Laput still need to submit necessary documents from the Bureau of Immigration in order to be eligible to play.

Former Adamson guard Jerie Pingoy produced 13 points but Karate Kid-CEU struggled in the debut of new coach Jeff Napa, who replaced Derrick Pumaren.

Karate Kid-CEU is also making adjustments after the transfer of Senegalese center Maodo Malick Diouf to University of the Philippines.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

It’s a go.

The NCAA Policy Board has approved the proposal of the Management Committee to resume the games in the remaining sports in NCAA Season 95 starting March 16.

 

According to NCAA ManCom chairman Peter Cayco, majority of the Policy Board members gave their approval already to restart games in volleyball, football, lawn tennis, soft tennis and girls’ volleyball.

Events in track and field are set between March 16 to 21, while the 15-under basketball will be played April 25 and beach volleyball on April 29.

The league’s cheerleading competition will be held as scheduled on March 30.

The NCAA called off games in different sports because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), halting the elimination round games in both volleyball and football.

University of Perpetual Help System Dalta earned an outright finals berth in men’s volleyball after sweeping the elimination round with a 9-0 card, leaving Emilio Aguinaldo College, Arellano University and either College of Saint Benilde, San Beda or Mapua in the stepladder playoffs.

The women’s side will determine if there would be a stepladder playoffs pending the last elimination game between the CSB Lady Blazers and Arellano Lady Chiefs.

“There is still a deciding game between College of St. Benilde and Arellano University, so we still don’t know if it’s a stepladder like in the men’s or a regular crossover playoffs,” said Cayco.

“As for the junior’s volleyball, we’ll have to fit that into our schedule without conflicting the other schedule of the men’s and women’s games.”

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

A week before that, the league has called off games in the junior’s division following a similar order from the Department of Education.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Thursday
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
1 p.m. — AMA vs APEX-San Sebastian
3 p.m. — Builders-UST vs TIP
5 p.m. — FamilyMart vs SEAOIL-FEU

EcoOil-La Salle gave new coach Derrick Pumaren a victory after fending off the comeback attempt of Wangs-Letran 102-90 in the start of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

The Green Archers were in control from start to finish, leading by a high of 19 points, before putting the stops on the Knights’ uprising led by last year’s NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player Fran Yu to open their campaign on a high note.

Holdovers Encho Serrano, Justine Baltazar, Aljun Melecio and Brandon Bates and new recruits Joshua David, Senegalese center Amadou Ndiaye produced key numbers to give Pumaren a win in his first competitive game since reassuming the role of La Salle coach.

“I’m glad we came out winning this ballgame, but we’re still far from the form that I want them to play,” said Pumaren, who was hired in early-January after a successful run at Centro Escolar University.

He cited the 35 fouls committed by his team, with Ndiaye and Tyrus Hill getting disqualified for six personals and Bates and David getting five and four.

Serrano had 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Baltazar posted 16 points and 12 rebounds, Melecio 15 points, six rebounds and eight assists, David 12 points, six rebounds and eight assists and Ndiaye with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Bates didn’t score in 15 minutes but was able to grab seven boards with Ndiaye saddled with fouls.

La Salle led 53-34 late in the second quarter, but Wangs, led by the core of last year’s NCAA champion Letran, tried to make things interesting in the fourth behind Yu, who scored 14 of his game-high 24 in the fourth.

Yu buried two triples during the rally and fed southpaw center Ato Ular for a layup to cut the Knights’ deficit to 84-78, 5:27 remaining in the fourth.

But a three by Melecio sparked a 8-2 response by the Green Archers to make it 92-80 with under four minutes to go.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Martin Sadongdong

St. John’s Red Storm bombarded No. 10 Creighton Bluejays with 14 three-pointers en route to a 91-71 blowout win in US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball held at the Carnesecca Arena on Monday (Philippine Standard Time).

The Red Storm banked on the hot hands of shooting guard Greg Williams Jr. who finished with a career-high 21 points, all earned from beyond the arc.

It was a close battle with Creighton still leading at the 12:41 mark in the second half 56-54 when guard Nick Rutherford sank a three-pointer to give St. John’s a one-point lead.

Williams scored four consecutive threes while guard LJ Figueroa added two more and the Red Storm’s lead swelled to 81-64 with 5:19 to play.

The Red Storm were dominant in the three-point category with 63.6 percent efficiency (14/22) compared to the Blue Jays’ 14.8 percent (4/27).

It was a sorry loss for Creighton who could have captured their first Big East championship with a win over St. John’s and its two remaining games of the season. The Blue Jays fell to 22-7 overall record and 11-5 in the Big East conference while the Red Storm improved to 15-14.

Meanwhile, forward Jordan Nwora took over in the second half as the No. 11 Louisville Cardinals soared over the Virginia Tech Hokies 68-52.

Nwora topscored for the Cardinals with 20 points and 12 rebounds while Ryan McMahon contributed 10 points.

In other games, the No 23. Ohio State Buckeyes overpowered the No. 19 Michigan Wolverines 77-63; the No. 25 Houston Cougars slew the Cincinnati Bearcats 68-55; and the Stanford Cardinals ruled over the No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes 72-64.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Tito S. Talao

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao initially had no idea what the mentioned PBA Philippine Cup playdate was about, but he probably has penciled it on his calendar now.

The day: April 15, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“Di ko alam ‘to a,” Guiao chuckles on the phone.

Serving as curtainraiser six weeks from now to that evening’s 7 o’clock game between Meralco and Phoenix, the NLEX Road Warriors will face sister team TNT KaTropa for the first time since circumstances that spun beyond his control, says Guiao, pried 6-foot-7 NLEX center JP Erram from Guiao’s grip and delivered to the hands of a pampered counterpart.

READ MORE: Which PBA games to watch? Here’s what we think would lure fans to the venues

If Guiao plays his cards right, mixing just the right amount of venom to fire up his players, especially veterans Asi Taulava and JR Quiñahan [they’re still serviceable, says Guiao], with an intricate game plan that would stifle the KaTropa at every turn, take Erram out of the scheme of things and put to shame a disputed trade proposal that needed weeks to gain PBA approval, then Guiao and the Road Warriors could be claiming not just a win but a big morale victory.

Of course, if NLEX loses, or worse gets crushed by TNT and its recently-acquired defensive center, then the aggrieved Road Warriors would be reduced to whimpering victims. Instead of singing praises to poetic justice, Guiao and his team would end up crying lament to justice denied and the entire process archived in PBA trade folklore.

“Hindi naman,” says Guiao when asked if NLEX will be treating the forthcoming meeting with TNT differently.

“We’ll be preparing for that game the way we prepare for all other games. If you carry that burden, that load in your spirit, it becomes a negative burden. We don’t want carrying grudges and negative thoughts.”

What he chooses to dwell on, Guiao says, is how to adjust quickly to the loss of the one player he was grooming to “anchor” their future.

“We just have to accept the realities, move forward and recalibrate our mindset,” he says. “We need to focus on our objectives. Otherwise, it will be a lot harder to compete.”

READ MORE: NLEX loses Poy Erram to TNT, gains veterans, draft picks

How far back has NLEX been set by Erram’s departure?

“Players like Poy are a rare commodity in our league,” says Guiao, pointing to Erram’s height, quickness and skills.

“Mabibilang mo lang sa daliri ng isang kamay ang katulad niya, kaya daramdamin mo talaga pag nawala sa ‘yo.”

One other thing: “He can also step out and hit the jump shot which is what I like from my big men – inside-outside. And now he also has international experience having trained with the national team.”

READ MORE: Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas believe Road Warriors still a playoff contender

More than that, however, Guiao will be pained all the more by what Erram can no longer provide.

“His defensive prowess and presence inside. He’s the league’s best shot-blocker. hat’s a big chunk of our defensive ability that we lost, right there.”

Having said his piece on the matter at the height of talks, Guiao has since chosen the path of least resistance in addressing the situation.

“Actually, I don’t want to talk about it na,” he says. “I wouldn‘t have volunteered any information if you hadn’t asked.”

A few days ago, Erram dropped by NLEX practice one last time to say goodbye to his teammates and to the company employees gathered in the venue.

“Nag-paalam siya, played some games with the employees and heard mass with us,” says Guiao. “It wasn’t really that emotional. Of course, everybody was trying to cope as courageously as they could; we’re all coping.”

READ MORE: Saddened by Poy Erram’s exit, coach Yeng Guiao says NLEX ‘needs to move forward’

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

National Capital Region edged Negros Occidental 1-0 in extra time recently to capture the PFF U-15 Boys National Championship at the National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Dominic Tom, who was later named Most Valuable Player, struck the winner in the 96th minute to give NCRFA the victory in the tournament organized by the Philippine Football Federation.

Tom also claimed the Top Goalscorer award for finding the back of the net nine times during the competition which saw NCRFA go unbeaten with 10 wins and two draws.

NCRFA, coached by Richard Leyble, reached the final after a 4-0 drubbing of Mount Apo in the semis behind a brace from Umi Martin Abelarde.

The Big City booters also saw Martin Joshua Merino take the Best Defender award and Jose Antonio Gonzales being hailed Best Goalkeeper.

Negros Occidental settled for runner-up honors after placing second in Group 1 and surviving Davao-South 1-0 in the semis behind Mark Gabriel Santos.

Davao-South finished third after a 5-1 defeat of Mount Apo in the consolation match.

Source: Manila Bulletin

One of the most inspiring stories in the last Southeast Asian Games gets to be recognized with a special honor in the SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Annual Awards Night at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel this weekend.

Gymnastics gold medal winner Daniela dela Pisa joins tennis phenom Alex Eala, future grandmaster Daniel Quizon, and ace swimmer Miguel Barreto as the MILO Junior Athletes of the Year in the March 6 gala night organized and presented by the country’s oldest media organization.

Dela Pisa, 16, stepped out of the shadow of illustrious teammate and world champion Carlos Yulo to bag a gold in the hoop final of the women’s rhythmic gymnastics competition of the recent biennial meet. It was the only gold produced by Filipino gymnasts outside of the two won by Yulo (artistic all-around and floor).

The young Cebuana native did the feat after overcoming ovarian cancer at the tender age of four. Through chemotherapy and the love and all-out support of her family, she continued her passion for the sport through the guidance of her mother Darlene, a former gymnast herself, to become the bemedalled athlete that she is today.

Dela Pisa also won a pair of bronze in the rhythmic ball and clubs, respectively.

Eala, Quizon, and Barreto are not to be outdone, proof that great things start from small beginning through hard work and discipline.

The 14-year-old Eala continues her meteoric rise in the world rankings, finishing 2019 rated at no. 9 after making her junior Grand Slam debut in the US Open.

Eala incidentally, also leads the list of Tony Siddayao Awardees who will be recognized in the event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Cignal TV, Philippine Basketball Association, AirAsia, and Rain or Shine.

Quizon, also 14, has an International Master title who captured the gold in the U16 standard competition of the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships in Bangkok. He was likewise the best-placed Filipino in the blitz side event of the Asian Continental Chess Championship in China where he toppled three Grandmasters in Wan Yunquo and Liu Yan of China, along with Venkataraman Karthik of India.

Currently, Quizon is the youngest in the top 20 Filipino chess players in the country today.

For his part, Barreto distinguished himself as the most bemedalled athlete in last year’s Palarong Pambansa by winning a total of seven gold medals in anchoring the National Capital Region’s dominance over at the pool. The 16-year-old pride of Malolos, Bulacan highlighted the feat by shattering the record in the boys’ 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly.

By the end of the year, Barreto was part of the Philippine swimming team that competed in the 30th SEA Games, advancing in the men’s 400-meter freestyle.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

British promoter Eddie Hearn is pushing forward to import Manny Pacquiao sometime in late-June or early-July in Saudi Arabia.

This developed after Mikey Garcia beat Jessie Vargas in a battle of Mexican-American punchers over the weekend in Frisco, Texas.

Hearn had floated the plan of staging a Pacquiao-Garcia duel in the Middle East after conferring with Paradigm Sports Management head Audie Attar the past few weeks.

Attar’s PSM had inked the 41-year-old Pacquiao to a management contract and Hearn is looking at Jeddah as site of the Filipino star’s first fight in 12 months.

Garcia (40-1 with 30 KOs) floored Vargas in the fifth round en route to a unanimous decision victory and the stocky Oxnard, California native didn’t hesitate to heed Hearn’s call to put up a show in the Middle East.

“I’m willing to fight anywhere,” Garcia said in his first fight in almost a year during the post-fight chat.

“Look, I would love to get in the ring with Manny (Pacquiao). It’s a fight that’s been mentioned and talked about for several years and now that I have a win in the welterweight division, I think people can actually consider me a viable contender. It’s been talked about for several years so I think with this victory it’s more accessible and I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao, he’s a living legend, I would love to share the ring with him.”

“Every ring has four ropes and four corners. You know, it don’t matter where it’s posted. You know, if it happens to go to Saudi, we’ve just gotta be out there early, in time, to get adjusted to the time. But, you know, inside that ring it doesn’t matter where the fight is at. We’re ready to go anywhere,” added Garcia, who dropped a lopsided decision to Errol Spence in Dallas in March 2019.

Pacquiao, whose last ring appearance was a huge win over previously undefeated Keith Thurman in Las Vegas in July 2019, remains tied up contractually with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions and has grand plans for boxing’s only eight-division champion, said boxing man Sean Gibbons.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

LeBron James had a triple-double as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of All-Star forward Anthony Davis and defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 122-114 on Sunday night.

Davis, who averaged 36 points as the Lakers won the first three meetings with his former team, sat out because of knee soreness one night after a 105-88 loss at Memphis in which L.A. had a season-low point total.

James, who had 40 points in a 118-109 home victory against the Pelicans on Tuesday, finished with 34 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds. Kyle Kuzma added 20 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 13, and Danny Green, Avery Bradley and Markieff Morris had 10 each.

Rookie Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with a career-high 35 points, marking his 11th consecutive game with 20-plus points. Lonzo Ball scored 19, Brandon Ingram had 15 on 5-of-23 shooting, Derrick Favors had 12 points and 14 rebounds, Jrue Holiday scored 11 and Nicolo Melli added 10.

Los Angeles Clippers 136 – Philadelphia 76ers 130

Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points, and Los Angeles rallied for a victory over visiting Philadelphia.

Paul George, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams each scored 24 points for the Clippers, who won their fourth in a row. Williams also had eight assists, while Harrell pulled down nine rebounds. Reggie Jackson added 13 points.

Shake Milton scored a career-high 39 points by making 7 of 9 3-pointers and 14 of 20 shots from the floor for the Sixers, who dropped their eighth straight on the road. Former Clipper Tobias Harris contributed 25 points, while Alec Burks added 15 points. The Sixers lost starting guard Josh Richardson early in the second quarter to a concussion after initially terming the injury a nose contusion.

Milwaukee Bucks 93 – Charlotte Hornets 85

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 41 points to go with 20 rebounds as Milwaukee defeated host Charlotte.

Antetokounmpo sank 17 of 28 shots and added a team-high six assists and 18 rebounds. Brook Lopez added 16 points, and George Hill had 11 for the Bucks, who won their sixth straight.

Devonte’ Graham’s 17 points paced the Hornets, who had a two-game winning streak snapped. Terry Rozier had 13 points, P.J. Washington scored 12, Cody Martin had 11 and Willy Hernangomez added 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Denver Nuggets 133 – Toronto Raptors 118

Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists, Jamal Murray used a hot start to finish with 22 points, and host Denver beat Toronto.

Torrey Craig had a season-high 17 points off the bench, Jerami Grant scored 16 and Gary Harris finished with 15 for the Nuggets, who had eight players score in double figures.

OG Anunoby had a career-high 32 points, Norman Powell scored 24, Kyle Lowry added 17 and Pascal Siakam finished with 16 for Toronto. The Raptors have lost three straight for the first time in nearly three months.

Dallas Mavericks 111 – Minnesota Timberwolves 91

Kristaps Porzingis scored 38 points, Seth Curry added 27 points, and Dallas beat Minnesota at Minneapolis.

The Mavericks played without All-Star Luka Doncic, who wore a splint on his thumb in a loss Friday at Miami. Doncic injured the thumb on Feb. 26 against San Antonio. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 19 points, and Dorian Finney-Smith grabbed 11 rebounds for the Mavericks.

D’Angelo Russell led the Timberwolves with 16 points and flirted with a triple-double, registering nine rebounds and seven assists. Russell led four Timberwolves in double figures scoring, with Malik Beasley adding 14 points, Juan Hernangomez hitting for 12 points, and Jarrett Culver adding another 12 off the bench.

Sacramento Kings 106 – Detroit Pistons 100

De’Aaron Fox had 23 points and seven assists as Sacramento won for the fifth time in six games by downing visiting Detroit.

Buddy Hield supplied 19 points and six rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic had 15 points for the Kings. Harry Giles contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, Harrison Barnes had 10 points and Alex Len powered for eight points, 13 rebounds and five blocks.

Christian Wood led the Pistons, who have lost eight of their past nine games, with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Brandon Knight had 16 points and seven assists. Detroit point guard Derrick Rose left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. He finished with nine points.

Washington Wizards 124 – Golden State Warriors 110

Bradley Beal broke the franchise record for consecutive 25-point games with his 18th straight, a game-high 34-point performance that lifted Washington over host Golden State in San Francisco.

Beal shot 10 for 24 from the field and 7 for 9 on 3-pointers for the Wizards, who are 1-1 on a four-game Western swing. He broke Walt Bellamy’s record of 17 games, set in 1962, and also had a team-high eight assists and five steals in 35 minutes.

Andrew Wiggins had a team-high 27 points for the Warriors, who were seeking their first winning streak since the last time they saw — and beat — the Wizards on Feb. 3 in Washington.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum is refusing to sign autographs for fans due to fears surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The 28-year-old Portland guard made the announcement in a tweet on Saturday.

“I am officially taking a break from signing autographs until further notice,” the six-foot-three (1.9 meter), 190-pound (86kg) American said.

He also posted tips on preventing the spread of the virus such as frequent hand-washing.

The Corona Virus has officially hit Oregon. More specifically Lake Oswego…Make sure y’all washing y’all hands with soap for 20 or more seconds & covering ya mouths when you cough. I am officially taking a break from signing autographs until further notice.

Sincerely,

CJ

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 29, 2020

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Oregon State has recorded one presumptive case of coronavirus, but health officials are declining to release specific details such as the name of the person.

A man in his 50s who passed away Saturday in Washington state is the first person to die from the illness in the United States. A second man, in his 70s, also died on Saturday near Seattle.

Sporting events in Asia and Europe recently have been cancelled or postponed due to the outbreak, which has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide, the vast majority in mainland China. People in more than 60 countries are now infected, with the virus reaching every continent except Antarctica.

The NBA, NHL and MLB have all said they are monitoring developments and consulting with health officials.

The World Health Organization said Sunday that the virus appears to particularly hit those over the age of 60 and people already weakened by other illnesses.

In China, the number of reported new cases has gradually been declining, especially outside Hubei province in central China, where the virus emerged late last year.

Source: Manila Bulletin