By Agence France-Presse

Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, is “absolutely devastated” by a report that sheriff’s deputies may have shared graphic photos of the site of helicopter crash that killed the NBA legend and eight others, her representatives said Sunday.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Friday it was investigating a Los Angeles Times report that deputies may have shared images showing human remains in the days after the January 26 crash in the hills west of Los Angeles.

A statement written by Gary Robb, an attorney representing Vanessa Bryant, and posted on her Instagram page, said she specifically asked sheriff’s officials on the day of the crash to declare the area a no-fly zone to guard against photographers trying to cash in on the accident.

“This was of critical importance to her as she desired to protect the dignity of all the victims, and their families,” the statement said. “At that time, Sheriff Alex Villanueva assured us all measures would be put in place to protect the families’ privacy, and it is our understanding that he has worked hard to honor those requests.”

Sharing of photos of the crash site, where the Bryants’ 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also among the victims, “is an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families,” the statement said, adding that Bryant and her lawyers were requesting a sheriff’s department internal investigation into the allegations.

The Los Angeles Times report on Thursday said it was unclear how many people may have seen the photos or whether deputies had captured the images at the scene or received them from someone else.

The TMZ.com entertainment news website reported Friday that the allegations first surfaced after a complaint.

TMZ, quoting unidentified law enforcement sources, said a trainee sheriff’s deputy at the crash site had taken photos on a smartphone and was subsequently overheard by a bartender showing the images to a customer in a bar. The bartender then lodged a complaint, TMZ reported.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Games Monday

(Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan)

1 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
2 p.m. – Wangs-Letran vs EcoOil-DLSU
4 p.m. – Marinerong Pilipino vs Karate Kid-CEU

It’s a new era for Marinerong Pilipino as the only club team in the field opens up its 2020 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup campaign against Karate Kid-CEU Monday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Without a doubt, this is the strongest lineup the Skippers have ever trotted out since joining in 2017, with Jamie Malonzo and brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano leading the pack.

And it must put added pressure on the shoulders of coach Yong Garcia to deliver, especially with Marinerong Pilipino coming off of a runner-up finish in the Foundation Cup last season.

“Blessing in disguise sa amin yung mga players, pero kailangan pa rin namin maglaro as a team,” said the soft-spoken mentor ahead of the first conference where the Skippers are regarded as one of the heavy favorites.

The Scorpions, on the other hand, are bracing for new a start as well with coach Jeff Napa now calling the shots.

Holdovers Franz Diaz, Rich Guinitaran, and Jordan Intic remain in the revamped Karate Kid-CEU, which will also have Jerie Pingoy, David Murrell, and John Apacible in its lineup.

“Madami pa kaming kailangan ayusin, pero ang hinihingi ko lang sa players, lumaban sila,” said Napa.

Game time is at 4 p.m., following the clash between reigning NCAA champion Wangs-Letran and the revamped EcoOil-DLSU at 2 p.m.

It’s a challenge for the Knights to show that they’re no one-trick pony as they begin their offseason preparation.

“Continuous learning yan para sa amin. Gusto namin maka-gain ng experience yung mga bata,” said Wangs-Letran coach Bonnie Tan.

Fran Yu will be thrust to  the leadership role for the Knights as he will be backstopped by their frontline featuring Larry Muyang, Jeo Ambohot, Ato Ular and the comebacking Christian Fajarito.

But awaiting them is a dangerous Green Archers side which are welcoming new coach Derrick Pumaren back in the fold.

“We want to use this as a gauge for us to see kung nasaan na kami sa preparations namin,” said the veteran mentor.

Justine Baltazar and Aljun Melecio will lead the fight for EcoOil-DLSU as it also parades new faces in Fil-Ams Kameron Vales and Jeromy Hughes, as well as Senegalese center Amadou Ndiaye.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Incoming second year player Kyles Lao has signed a contract extension with NLEX, a one-year deal a week before the start of the 45th PBA Season.

Lao met with NLEX alternate governor and team manager Ronald Dulatre last Friday as he signed a deal similar to his rookie contract

“Of course I’m very grateful to NLEX management, thankful to the coaching staff too for the confidence they’re giving me,” said Lao.

NLEX tabbed the former University of the Philippines stalwart and UAAP Rookie of the Year winner in 2013 with the 29th overall selection (third round) during the 2018 Draft.

Lao made it to the team’s roster when guard Kevin Alas suffered an ACL tear. At that time, NLEX was also without Kiefer Ravena, who was serving a FIBA-sanction suspension.

In his PBA debut, Lao came off the bench as the fourth point guard in the rotation of NLEX coach Yeng Guiao and he made the most of his time on the court as he collected eight points, six assists and one rebound.

In his rookie year, the 6-foot guard averaged 2.25 points, a rebound and 1.25 assists, something he is expected to replicate this coming season starting with the Philippine Cup on March 8.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Martin Sadongdong

Top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks solidified its place atop the bracket as it pulled off a 62-58 thriller over the Kansas State Wildcats in US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball at Bramlage Coliseum on Sunday (Philippine Standard Time).

The day also saw a number of high-ranked teams suffer sorry losses ahead of the highly-anticipated March Madness two weeks from now.

The second meeting between the namesake rivals was less tense compared to the Jayhawks’ 81-60 victory over the Wildcats last January 22 which was marred by an ugly brawl in the closing seconds.

Jayhawks guard Devon Dotson had a sterling performance as he collected 25 points to lead his team to victory.

However, the Jayhawks got a scare after prized center Udoka Azubuike suffered what was initially thought to be an ankle injury in the early minutes of the first half.

While Azubuike returned to the game after being attended to by the staff, he sat out the final six minutes of the game to finish with six points and nine rebounds.

Still, Dotson’s production was enough to hold off the Wildcats and avert an upset.

The case was not the same for second ranked Baylor Bears who were stunned by the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs 75-72.

The Bears were in control in the first half to early part of the second half until TCU’s Desmond Bane sparked an 18-1 run capped by two threes and a turnaround jumper. He finished with 23 points.

Bane’s three at the 4:39 mark put the Horned Frogs ahead for good 58-55 as they denied repeated comeback attempts of the Bears.

Baylor suffered their second setback in the last three games since posting a remarkable 23-game win streak. The loss put their tournament hopes in peril with a 25-3 overall record, 14-2 in the Big 12 Conference behind the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (26-3, 15-1).

Meanwhile, the unheralded Clemson Tigers stole a 70-69 win at home over No. 6 Florida State Seminoles off a last-second layup by guard Al-Amir Dawes.

The Tigers led by seven at the end of the first half 39-32 but Florida remained persistent to stay within striking distance.

With 8.4 seconds left, shooting guard Trent Forrest sank a teardrop to give the Seminoles a 69-68 edge.

However, Dawes came streaking after the inbound and completed the winning play before the buzzer.

Florida’s Raquian Gray let out a Hail Mary but it did not even hit the board, flying instead to the crowd which, by then, had already converged into the floor to celebrate.

Other upset games saw Virginia Cavaliers prevail over No. 7 Duke Blue Devils 52-50; No. 24 Michigan State Spartans over No. 9 Maryland Terrapins 78-66; Providence Friars over No. 12 Villanova Wildcats 58-54; No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes over No. 16 Penn State Nittany Lions 77-68; Oklahoma Sooners over No. 20 West Virginia 73-62; and Texas Longhorns over  No. 22 Texas Tech Red Raiders 68-58.

Meanwhile, No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs pulverized Saint Mary’s Gaels 86-76; No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs tamed Nevada Wolf Pack 83-76; No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats rout No. 15 Auburn Tigers 73-66; No. 13 Seton Hall Pirates tripped Marquette Golden Eagles 88-79; and No. 17 BYU Cougars silenced Pepperdine Waves 81-64.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

What they lack in height, they make up for heart and passion.

Ateneo Lady Eagles coach Oliver Almadro believes they still have what it takes to defend their UAAP women’s volleyball crown when the 82nd season begins on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Eagles won’t be seeing action until Wednesday, and Almandro said they are ready for another competitive year where the squad will be parading a mixture of veteran and rookie players.

The return of Kat Tolentino, Jamie Lavitoria and Jhoanna Maraguinot will provide Ateneo  depth after the exit of Bea de Leon, Maddie Madayag, Kim Gequillana and Deanna Wong. It is enough as far as Almadro is concerned.

De Leon, Madayag and Gequillana have graduated while Wong opted to skip her final year to recuperate from a recurring injury.

“I’m happy that they came back. If not for them, I’ll be a sophomore-and-rookie-laden team,” said Almadro.

Tolentino, one of the Lady Eagles’ Triple Towers, along with De Leon and Maddayag, initially decided last November to skip her final year, but had a change of heart to help deliver another trophy to Katipunan.

“They inspire the rookies to give more and give back to Ateneo. They’re sacrificing a lot, their time, energy… Dito na pumapasok yung passion,” Almadro said.

“Kaya I told my players, nawala man yung height, yung passion and attitude natin should always be there. And I believe in them.”

With rival teams eyeing to dethrone them, Almandro reminds his players to be prepared and work twice as hard.

“It’s a well-balanced team. I hope that with the level of competitiveness in the UAAP, the rookies and the sophomores will deliver… kasi it’s not about the talent lang eh, it’s also about the character. And I know the seniors will help them naman,” said Almadro.

The Lady Eagles open their title retention campaign on Wednesday against University of the Philippines Lady Maroons at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

The future lies ahead for the NLEX Road Warriors in the post-JP Erram era. And their explosive backcourt is looking forward to the challenge.

No doubt NLEX’s campaign in the 45th PBA season beginning with the Philippine Cup will be tougher with its main man in the middle gone.

However, that doesn’t mean the Road Warriors can no longer compete, considering what they had accomplished in the PH Cup two years ago with rookie Kiefer Ravena and backcourt partner.

“We don’t have Poy [Erram] at that time,” said Alas, referring to the time they went toe-to-toe against Magnolia Hotshots in a seven-game semifinal series.

“Our frontcourt lineup was JR (Quiñahan), Mike (Miranda), Raul Soyoud and kuya Asi (Taulava), basically the frontline we have now, but we managed to make it to the semifinals.”

Alas went down with an ACL tear in Game 5, and the Road Warriors lost to the Hotshots in six games.

The team obtained the services of Erram in a trade with Blackwater prior to last season, but the Road Warriors struggled as Alas reinjured his knee while Ravena served a FIBA-sanctioned suspension.

NLEX topped the Governors’ Cup elims last season with Erram, Ravena and Alas – who had recovered from the injury – but the team lost to NorthPort in the quarterfinals despite carrying a twice-to-beat advantage.

The trio won’t see a reprise this season.

Last Thursday, the PBA approved a three-team deal that sent Erram to TNT, leaving Ravena crushed.

“Sayang talaga because Poy is an important piece for us. He’s our rim protector,” said Ravena.

Guiao, for his part, said they have to find ways to make sure the remaining players could fill the hole vacated by Erram – a Defensive Player of the PBA Press Corps last year.

“Hindi kaya totally takpan yung pagkawala ni Poy. How can you replace his size? His defensive prowess… only him can do those. The other guys have to make extra contributions now,” said Guiao.

“We also have to spread the points around – that’s about 16 point per game. The good thing for us is that Kevin is getting his game back, Kiefer is here plus the other guards,” added Guiao.

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

The two scoring guards – Ravena and Alas – agree.

“Of course, without Poy, kailangan talaga tulong-tulong kami. Just like before na noong nag-semifinals kami. We just have to double our effort, work hard and for me, I think we can still contend,” said Ravena.

“We’ve done that before, without Poy we made it to the semifinals. We still have pieces to make us a solid team. Our goal is to make it to the playoffs, which I think for me is a realistic goal,” said Alas.

The league formally opens shop for its 2020-21 season on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum; NLEX starts its campaign on March 11 against NorthPort at the same venue.

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

Source: Manila Bulletin

Two former PBA team owners, including a founding member of the league, will be remembered with a posthumous recognition in the SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Annual Awards Night at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

The late billionaire and philanthropist John Gokongwei Jr. and Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan Jr. are on top of the list of 15 dearly departed sports personalities who are going to be honored with a short video and a minute of silence by the country’s oldest media organization during the March 6 gala night.

Gokongwei, 93, owned the CFC Corporation (now Universal Robina Corporation) franchise which was among the founding members of the PBA when Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league was established in 1975. The team played under the brands Presto, N-Rich, Great Taste, and Tivoli, winning a total of six championships in 17 years with the league.

Tan, 53, was the passionate, basketball-loving owner of the Tanduay franchise when it made its PBA comeback in 1999.

Incidentally, Tan passed away on Nov. 11 just two days after the death of Gokongwei.

Also to be remembered in the special event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Cignal TV, Philippine Basketball Association, Rain or Shine, and AirAsia are former national team standouts and sports officials Claro Pellosis, Florendo Ritualo Sr., Susan Papa, Angelo Constantino, Rafael Poliquit, and Mark Joseph.

Completing the posthumous list are Nes Pamilar, VicVic Villavicencio, Reggie Santos, Emmanuel Tangkion, Miguel Bonalos, Sheryl Reyes, and Amber Garcia Torres.

Two more awards will be named heading into Friday’s event, namely the MILO Junior Athletes of the Year and the Chooks-To-Go Fan Favorite.

Team Philippines is the 2019 PSA Athlete of the Year for winning the overall title of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 41 points, and James Harden found redemption from a poor shooting night with two free throws with 24.3 seconds left in overtime as the Houston Rockets capped a season sweep of the host Boston Celtics with a 111-110 win Saturday.

Harden scored 21 points on just 7-of-24 shooting and committed five turnovers. But his free throws, just his second and third of the game, gave Houston the lead. The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown sank the buzzer-beating 3-pointer that forced overtime, corralling a loose ball after Jayson Tatum missed two free throws, the second one intentionally, with 5.1 seconds left and Boston trailing 104-101.

Westbrook and Harden combined for 12 rebounds and 13 assists, while Robert Covington chipped in16 points and 16 rebounds for Houston, which followed 6-for-22 3-point shooting in the first half with 7-for-15 shooting from behind the arc in the third to erase a 17-point deficit. P.J. Tucker added 13 rebounds.

Tatum paired 32 points with 13 rebounds for Boston, while Brown added 22 points. Marcus Smart scored 26 for the Celtics, who received 15 rebounds and three blocks from Daniel Theis.

Memphis Grizzlies 105 – Los Angeles Lakers 88

Ja Morant recorded 27 points and matched his career high of 14 assists, and host Memphis snapped a five-game losing streak while ending Los Angeles’ seven-game win string.

Dillon Brooks scored 24 points, and Jonas Valanciunas added 22 points and 20 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who salvaged the final of four meetings against the Lakers this season. It was the second straight 20-rebound effort for Valanciunas.

LeBron James had 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for Los Angeles, which saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end. Anthony Davis had 15 points and nine rebounds, and the 88 points are a season low for the Lakers.

Atlanta Hawks 129 – Portland Trail Blazers 117

Trae Young led a balanced attack with his 26th double-double of the season and paced Atlanta to a win over visiting Portland.

Young had 25 points — including 10-for-10 from the line — and 15 assists and was one of six Atlanta players who scored in double figures. The Hawks also got 24 points and 10 rebounds from John Collins, his 19th double-double.

Portland was led by C.J. McCollum with 35 points. The Trail Blazers also got 21 points and 13 rebounds from Hassan Whiteside and 15 points from Gary Trent Jr.

New York Knicks 125 – Chicago Bulls 115

Mitchell Robinson scored 23 points, Julius Randle added 22 points and both players snagged 10 rebounds, helping host New York snap a six-game losing streak with a victory against Chicago.

New York opened a five-game homestand with its first win at Madison Square Garden since Feb. 6. The Knicks are just 9-20 at home this season.

Chicago lost for the 10th time in 11 games despite a game-high 26 points by Zach LaVine. The Bulls finished 1-8 in February to fall a season-low 20 games under .500.

Miami Heat 116 – Brooklyn Nets 113

Kendrick Nunn scored 21 points and hit a clutch 3-pointer down the stretch as Miami held on against visiting Brooklyn.

Nunn’s biggest shot of the night was a 3-pointer from the right side with one second left on the shot clock that gave Miami a 112-103 lead with 2:44 remaining.

Jimmy Butler split a pair at the line with 9.1 seconds remaining to make it 115-113, and the Nets called a timeout. Spencer Dinwiddie wound up throwing the ball into the second row after Joe Harris was late to provide a screen off an inbounds play with 1.7 seconds left. Miami secured its second straight victory when Goran Dragic hit a free throw with four-tenths of a second left.

Indiana Pacers 113 – Cleveland Cavaliers 104

T.J. Warren scored 30 points, making 14 of 20 shots from the field, as visiting Indiana defeated Cleveland. Malcolm Brogdon collected 22 points and eight assists for the Pacers, who have won five of their last six contests following a season-high six-game skid.

Indiana’s Victor Oladipo scored a season-high 19 points in his 10th game since returning from a yearlong absence from a ruptured tendon in his right knee. The Pacers’ Domantas Sabonis recorded his 46th double-double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Cleveland’s Andre Drummond collected 27 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence due to a left calf strain. He also had four assists and four steals.

San Antonio Spurs 114 – Orlando Magic 113

Bryn Forbes had five points in a late run and Trey Lyles scored a season-high 20 points as San Antonio outlasted visiting Orlando.

With the game tied at 111, Forbes poured in a 3-pointer with 50.5 seconds to play to put the Spurs in front 114-111. Markelle Fultz’s jumper with 40.3 seconds left brought the Magic to within one point.

Orlando’s Evan Fournier missed a jumper that could have won the game with 2.2 seconds to play, allowing the Spurs to snap a two-game slide. Fournier led the Magic with 23 points. Rudy Gay added 19 points for the Spurs.

Golden State Warriors 115 – Phoenix Suns 99

Seven of the eight Golden State players who saw action scored in double figures as the injury-riddled club rallied past host Phoenix as

Rookie reserve Eric Paschall had a game-high 25 points, and Damion Lee complemented 20 points with a game-high-tying eight assists for Golden State, which snapped an eight-game losing streak and earned a split in the four-game season series with Phoenix. The Warriors’ last three wins have all come on the road.

Devin Booker had a team-high 21 points, and Deandre Ayton 20 to go with a game-high-tying nine rebounds for the Suns, who lost both ends of a home back-to-back after falling 113-111 to Detroit on Friday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal captured his first title of 2020, easily defeating unseeded Taylor Fritz in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, in the final of the ATP Mexico Open on Saturday.

The 33-year-old Nadal, playing in his first tournament since losing in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open last month, didn’t drop a set all week and improved to 19-2 all-time at this event.

He nabbed his third Mexico Open title to go with victories in 2013 and 2005.

Nadal wasted no time figuring out Fritz’s game in the first career meeting between the two.

The 19-time Grand Slam winner made eight unforced errors and needed just one ace but it came in the final game of the second set to get to championship point.

Nadal closed it out with a blistering serve that handcuffed Fritz and gave Nadal his 85th career title.

Nadal ceded the world number one ranking to Novak Djokovic after the Australian Open, where the Serb won a record eighth title.

Nadal could have regained the top spot with a win in Acapulco, but he also needed Djokovic to fail to reach the final in this week’s Dubai event.

Djokovic extended his win streak to 21 matches by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 earlier Saturday to lift the Dubai trophy.

Nadal won the final eight points to take the first set. He seized control by breaking Fritz’s serve in the ninth game to go up 5-4. He then served for the set, winning four straight points.

On set point, he hammered a serve which Fritz barely got back. That set up an overhead smash for Nadal which he put away nicely.

Nadal broke Fritz twice in the second set, including the fifth game to go up 3-2. He broke Fritz again to take a 5-4 lead and then served out the match.

Nadal has now won a title for 17 consecutive years.

In the women’s final, seventh-seeded Heather Watson captured her first WTA title in three years by grinding out a 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 win over Canadian teen Leylah Fernandez.

The persistent Fernandez, of Filipino and Ecuadorean descent, survived nine championship points before finally succumbing to the Brit in the two hours, 46-minute marathon.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level-Media

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry won’t make his expected return to the court on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) against the Washington Wizards.

In a team statement issued Saturday morning, the Warriors said Curry “remains on-schedule for a return to play at some point in March. He is now participating in full scrimmages with the team and is scheduled to practice with the Santa Cruz Warriors on Monday.”

Curry, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, broke his left hand in a 121-110 loss to Phoenix on Oct. 30 in a collision with the Suns’ Aron Baynes. He had surgery two days later.

He played in just four games before the injury, averaging 20.3 points, 6.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Golden State has played in the past five NBA Finals, winning three times, but this has been a lost season for the 12-47 Warriors, who have the league’s worst record. Curry’s backcourt mate, Klay Thompson, suffered a torn ACL in the finals last season, Kevin Durant left in free agency and Andre Iguodala – a key part of the Warriors’ dynasty — was traded in the offseason.

Despite the team’s woes, Curry said last weekend after his first practice that he was eager to return.

“It was fun, man,” Curry told reporters after practice on Feb. 22. “That’s what you’re used to, again, just playing basketball. I’ve done every rehab you can think of by yourself in the gym to work on your conditioning and skill work, and all that type of stuff.

“That’s all fun, and you know there’s a purpose to it, but there’s nothing like just playing basketball and competing and having fun out there the way I like to do. So, it was nice. I was excited this morning, for sure.”

Curry has been with the Warriors since 2009, when they team drafted the Davidson product with the No. 7 overall pick in the NBA draft. In 698 career regular-season games, he is averaging 23.5 points, 6.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 43.5 percent from three-point range.

In 112 playoff games, the six-time All-Star is averaging 26.5 points, 6.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds.

Source: Manila Bulletin