By Agence France-Presse

American horse Maximum Security on Saturday won the $20 million Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race, in a stunning comeback after being disqualified from the top spot in last year’s Kentucky Derby.

The four-year-old prevailed by three-quarters of a length over American champion Midnight Bisou at the King Abdulaziz racecourse in the capital Riyadh to take home the $10 million winner’s share of the inaugural race.

“This is amazing, to win the race, to be here, to travel from far away and to have a victory for United States… This is something I don’t have words for,” winning jockey Luis Saez was quoted as saying by the organizers.

“This is the true Kentucky Derby winner. I’m so glad to be on the horse. This is a big deal.”

Maximum Security won the Kentucky Derby last year but was then stunningly disqualified and has not shown much since.

“That horse has got a lot of heart, he is some horse, he is amazing,” said trainer Jason Servis. “It’s got to be some vindication.”

Britain’s Benbatl finished third.

The Saudi Cup, which attracted thousands of spectators, included another seven races on dirt and turf with prizes worth $9.2 million up for grabs.

It is the latest international sports extravaganza designed to boost the Gulf nation’s battered global image.

The ultra-conservative kingdom has in recent years invested heavily in sporting events, in a soft power push designed to project a more moderate image and jettison a reputation for rights abuses.

The kingdom also hosted the Dakar Rally, one of motor racing’s most gruelling events, earlier this year as well as the Italian and Spanish Super Cup finals last year — with the added attraction of football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Dethroned world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has exercised his rematch clause and will fight Tyson Fury a third time, according to media reports on Saturday.

BT Sport, citing promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren, and Yahoo Sports, reported Wilder had officially exercised his contractual rematch clause and will take on Fury for a third time later this year.

The news comes a week after Britain’s Fury stopped Wilder in the seventh round of their heavyweight title rematch in Las Vegas.

Despite the clamour for a unification fight between Fury and fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, Wilder was widely expected to exercise his contractual right for a rematch — likely to take place by July.

READ MORE: Tyson Fury’s promoter urges Deontay Wilder to ditch rematch rights

In a video message posted on social media on late Friday, Wilder promised to return “in a few months.”

“I will rise again,” Wilder stated. “I will be back. We will rise like a phoenix from the ashes and regain the title.

“I’ll see you in a few months. For the war has just begun.”

Wilder also said Friday that he would keep co-trainer Mark Breland in his corner, despite earlier hints that he was ready to part company with Breland, who threw in the towel in the seventh round of the loss to Fury.

“I’m a warrior. I feel the same way I felt on fight night — if I have to go out, I want to go out on my shield,” Wilder said.

“But I understand that my corner and my team has my best interest at heart. Mark Breland is still a part of Team Wilder and our team looks forward to preparing for the rematch.”

Breland, a former Olympic and world champion, called a halt to last week’s fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena after Wilder had been knocked down twice and pummelled relentlessly by Fury.

Fury seized the World Boxing Council heavyweight title from Wilder, 14 months after the two fought to a dramatic split-decision draw in their first meeting in Los Angeles.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Martin Sadongdong

Fourth ranked Dayton Flyers passed the Atlantic 10 Conference test with flying colors as it clinched the regular season crown for the first time in three years, beating Davidson Wildcats 82-67 in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball held at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday (Philippine Standard Time).

The Flyers marked their 18th straight win by topping the Atlantic 10 Conference with a perfect 16-0 record,; they boast of a 27-2 overall slate.

Their only losses since the start of the NCAA 2019-20 season came from the Kansas Jayhawks on November 28 (90-84) and Colorado Buffaloes on December 22 (78-76).

Dayton power forward Obadiah Toppin was a sight to behold with an array of highlight plays.

At 14:42 in the second half, he threw a monster slam off a step inside the foul line as the Flyers led the Wildcats 54-33. In the succeeding play, he sank a reverse windmill in another breakaway play to the roar of the home crowd.

Toppin finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes. Four other Dayton players finished in double figures.

Guards Kellan Grady and Jon Axel Gudmundsson scored 22 and 20 for the Wildcats but they could not get the needed support from teammates.

Dayton will wrap up the regular season with two more games ahead of the highly-anticipated March Madness. The Flyers face Rhode Island Rams on March 5 and George Washington Colonials on March 8.

It is worthy to note that the Flyers have beaten the Rams in their first square-off last February 12 (81-67), while it would be the first time this season that they will go against the Colonials.

Meanwhile, the Davidson Wildcats (15-13 record) take on Richmond Spiders on March 4 and Virginia Commonwealth University Rams on March 7.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Former University of Santo Tomas guard Renzo Subido feels welcomed at the NorthPort Batang Pier coming into the PBA.

But the backcourt rookie faces a tall order – literally and figuratively – entering his first year in the league.

Despite the impending challenges, with PBA guards standing 6 feet or more, the 5-foot-9 Subido had a swift transition thanks to the ‘Thomasian connection’ and familiar faces in Kevin Ferrer, his former UAAP teammate, and coach Pido Jarencio, former mentor of the Growling Tigers for eight years.

“Okay naman si Renzo kasi ‘di naman siya bago sa sistema ni coach Pido,” Ferrer said. “Adjustment niya lang is how to play in the PBA talaga.”

The two UST stalwarts were in the same squad during the 77th and 78th UAAP seasons under coach Bong dela Cruz, who took over after Jarencio accepted coaching duties with then GlobalPort in 2014.

Transition may not be a problem, but Subido will be confronted by the grind and level of physicality in the PBA.

“Sa team, ‘di naman ako nahirapan mag-adjust kasi coach Pido is there, si Kevin is there to guide me,” Subido said. “Marami akong natutunan sa kanila, especially sa system ni coach Pido.”

Mixing it up with the big boys may be another matter though.

Subido left a remarkable final year by making clutch shots during UAAP Season 82, especially the go-ahead triple he sank with 23.6 seconds left to lift the Tigers past University of the Philippines in the stepladder semifinals.

Subido ended his collegiate career averaging 8.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds.

“Ngayon, I’m still adjusting sa kind of basketball here in the PBA,” the 23-year-old guard said. “I’m against bigger guys and bigger guards. I just have to outwork them.”

Subido, who signed a one-year deal with the Batang Pier, will be joining NorthPort’s backcourt with newly-acquired guard LA Revilla from Phoenix, Nico Elorde, Paolo Taha and Robert Bolick, who is sitting out due to an ACL injury.

That could present another challenge right there, having to wait in line to get his feet wet.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 133-86 home blowout of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.

It was the Bucks’ third win of 40 or more points, tying the NBA record for most such games in a season. The margin narrowly missed being the largest in the NBA this season. The Los Angeles Clippers beat Atlanta by 49 earlier this season.

The Bucks, who won their fifth straight game coming out of the All-Star break, hit 21 3-pointers, their most of the season. Both Wesley Matthews and Pat Connaughton hit four from behind the arc. They each finished with 14 points, as did Bucks teammate George Hill.

Oklahoma City was without second-leading scorer Danilo Gallinari, who hasn’t played in the second night of a back-to-back since November. Chris Paul scored 18 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 11 for the Thunder, who had a five-game winning streak snapped.

Los Angeles Clippers 132 – Denver Nuggets 103

Paul George scored a game-high 24 points, and Los Angeles hammered visiting Denver.

George, who struggled offensively in the previous two games with 11 and seven points, connected on 6 of 8 3-pointers and 9 of 15 overall from the floor, as the Clippers won their third straight game.

Kawhi Leonard contributed 19 points, Montrezl Harrell had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Lou Williams finished with 17 points for Los Angeles, which had seven players score in double figures. Williams hit 5 of 7 shots from behind the arc.

New Orleans Pelicans 116 – Cleveland Cavaliers 104

Rookie Zion Williamson scored 24 points for his 10th consecutive game with at least 20, and host New Orleans routed Cleveland for its third win in four games since the All-Star break.

Brandon Ingram scored 29, Jrue Holiday added 22 and E’Twaun Moore and Nicolo Melli had 10 each for the Pelicans, who were playing their first home game in 15 days and started a three-game homestand over five days.

Collin Sexton tied his career-high with 31 points to lead the Cavaliers, who are just 17-42 but entered the game with a 3-1 record under coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who took over when John Beilein resigned during the All-Star break.

Miami Heat 126 – Dallas Mavericks 118

Jimmy Butler scored 26 points, and Duncan Robinson added 24 to lead host Miami past Dallas and run its home record to 24-4.

Dallas guard Seth Curry had a career-high 37 points. The younger brother of Warriors star Stephen Curry, he made 13 of 15 attempts from the floor, including 8 of 9 on 3-pointers, with the eight makes marking a career high.

Miami got 16 points each from Goran Dragic and Kendrick Nunn, and Heat center Bam Adebayo had 14 points and 11 rebounds for his 35th double-double of the season. Kristaps Porzingis had 24 points and 13 rebounds for Dallas.

Orlando Magic 136 – Minnesota Timberwolves 125

Terrence Ross scored 19 of his season-high 33 points in the fourth quarter as host Orlando handed Minnesota its 19th loss in 21 games.

Ross made seven 3-pointers and Nikola Vucevic recorded his team-best 31st double-double (27 points, 10 assists) this season for the Magic, who have won five of six after losing eight of their previous nine. Aaron Gordon added his first career triple-double with 17 points, a career-high 12 assists and 11 rebounds.

D’Angelo Russell scored 12 of his team-high 28 points in the first quarter, and Juan Hernangomez added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Sacramento Kings 104 – Memphis Grizzlies 101

De’Aaron Fox returned from a one-game absence to score a team-high 25 points, and Sacramento survived a frantic finish to record a win over host Memphis.

Playing the second night of a back-to-back, the Kings rallied from an early 12-point deficit to dominate a majority of the final three quarters to earn a second win in three tries against Memphis this season, clinching the season series.

Despite getting a season-high 32 points from Dillon Brooks and a career-high 25 rebounds from Jonas Valanciunas, the injury-riddled Grizzlies lost their fifth straight.

Utah Jazz 129 – Washington Wizards 119

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, and host Utah held off Bradley Beal and Washington to end a four-game losing streak.

Beal led all scorers with 42 points on 17-of-33 shooting and added 10 assists for Washington, which has lost four of five since the All-Star break. He notched his 10th 40-point game of the season and his 17th consecutive game with 25 of more points, tying the franchise record set by Walt Bellamy in 1961-62.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 21 points for Utah, and Jordan Clarkson added 20.

Atlanta Hawks 141 – Brooklyn Nets 118

John Collins totaled 33 points and 13 rebounds, and host Atlanta pushed Brooklyn into eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a victory.

Collins recorded his ninth game with at least 30 points this season, and his game-high rebound total helped the Hawks to a commanding 52-38 edge on the boards. Rookie Cam Reddish scored 17 of his career-high 26 points in the third quarter. Trae Young collected 22 points and 14 assists for his 25th double.

Spencer Dinwiddie collected 24 points and 13 assists but shot 6 of 16 from the floor as the Nets lost for the fourth time in five games since the All-Star break. Caris LeVert and Joe Harris added 18 points apiece for the Nets, who shot 45.7 percent and hit 18 3-pointers.

Charlotte Hornets 99 – Toronto Raptors 96

Terry Rozier made one free throw to break a tie with 2.1 seconds to play as Charlotte defeated host Toronto.

Rozier finished with 18 points. Devonte’ Graham also scored 18 points for the Hornets, who have won two in a row. Miles Bridges had 17 points, P.J. Washington 15 and Bismack Biyombo 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Pascal Siakam had 24 points — 14 in the third quarter — and nine rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost two in a row. Norman Powell, who had missed the previous nine games with a broken finger, scored 22. Kyle Lowry had 21 points and OG Anunoby had 16 points and nine rebounds.

Pistons 113, Suns 111

Derrick Rose poured in 31 points as visiting Detroit snapped a seven-game losing streak by edging Phoenix.

The Pistons hadn’t won since Feb. 5, at home, also against Phoenix. Christian Wood supplied 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Brandon Knight contributed 19 points off the bench. Svi Mykhailiuk tossed in 13 points and made four assists.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 26 points, six rebounds and six assists, while DeAndre Ayton had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Ricky Rubio contributed 16 points, 13 assists and six rebounds, and Mikal Bridges added 13 points and five assists.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Cuban coach Pedro Roque, whose resume is adorned with countless Olympic gold medals, has joined the camp of Filipino world bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero.

Holed out in Miami for almost four weeks now, Casimero hosted an open workout Thursday and worked with Roque on the mitts as strength coach Memo Heredia intently watched.

With eight weeks remaining before clashing with Japanese Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue for three bantamweight title belts on the line in Las Vegas, Casimero’s team is stepping up its preparation.

Inoue is staking his World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation straps while Casimero is bringing his World Boxing Organization crown in the scheduled 12-rounder at Mandalay Bay.

Roque, who defected to the US in 2010, is revered by Cuba’s recent champions, including three-time Olympic heavyweight champion Felix Savon.

On March 15, Casimero will relocate to Las Vegas where he will be pushed further not just by Heredia but his entire training team.

Heredia, famous for his work with Juan Manuel Marquez in the fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao, is applying everything to make sure Casimero reaches optimum level.

Like Casimero (29-4 with 20 KOs) in ever-sunny Florida, Inoue (19-0 with16 KOs) is likewise in the thick of his preparations in Yokohama, Japan.

The undefeated Inoue had actually kickstarted his buildup slightly ahead of his Filipino foe, probably aware the danger that lies ahead.

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum’s Top Rank, which has Inoue under contract, is staging the much-awaited duel of known hard-hitters.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

FIDE Master Sander Severino will spearhead the country’s campaign when it sees action in the very first Chess Olympiad 2020 Competition for the disabled set July 28 to August 5 in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia.

The Filipinos, the perennial ASEAN and Asian Para Games champions, was one of the only 30 countries chosen to participate in the very first edition of the event.

They are also the only nation from Southeast Asia and one of the seven from Asia, which will also see Kazakhstan, India, Iran, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan competing.

“This is historic and a dream of many of our players from the Para chess team,” said national team coach James Infiesto.

Infiesto said the 30 countries selected were based on the highest rated per country and continent.

Severino is expected to man the top board being the highest Filipino chessers in the Para squad with 2364.

The other members of the team are Jasper Rom, Henry Lopez and Darry Bernardo and Cheyzer Mendoza, the country’s highest ranked chesser with a 1639 rating.

Other nations chosen were Poland, Israel, Hungary, Croatia, Germany, Czech Republic, Belarus, Romania and Montenegro from Europe, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, United States and Panama from America and Egypt, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Kenya from Africa.

Russia is joining being the host while the International Chess Federation or FIDE will nominate two more countries.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Rising tennis star Alex Eala leads a compact list of young, promising athletes who will have their share of centerstage in the coming SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Annual Awards Night.

The 14-year-old Eala along with nine others, are the recipients of the 2019 Tony Siddayao awards during the March 6 gala night at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

The award, named after the late former Manila Standard sports editor Antonio ‘Tony’ Siddayao and considered as the Dean of Philippine sportswriting, is given to young, emerging athletes 17-year-old and below, who excelled in their respective fields.

Eala exactly embodies it especially in a year that saw her finished in the top 10 of the world junior rankings by the end of 2019.

Following her maiden grand slam title after winning the Australian Open girls doubles tournament along with partner Priska Madelyn Nugroho, the Filipina wonder is now ranked no. 4 in the world.

Bemedalled age-group swimmers Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh and Marc Bryant Dula share the honor with Eala in the special yearly event by the country’s oldest media organization headed by Tito S. Talao, sports editor of the Manila Bulletin, and presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Cignal TV, Philippine Basketball Association, AirAsia, and Rain or Shine.

Completing the Siddayao awardees are the bowling pair of Dale Lazo and Jordan Dinham, karatedo’s Juan Miguel Sebastian, golfer Celine Abalos, Woman FIDE master Antonella Racasa, powerlifter Jessa Mae Tabuan, and Eala’s older brother Michael Eala.

Prominent recipients of the award for young athletes were Grandmaster Wesley So, Eumie Kiefer Ravena, Felix Marcial, Jeron Teng, Markie Alcala, Pauline Del Rosario, Aby Arevalo, Maurice Sacho Ilustre, among others.

On top of the close than 200 awardees to be honored by the country’s sportswriting fraternity is 30th Southeast Asian Games overall champion Team Philippines, which is the consensus choice as the 2019 Athlete of the Year.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Hours before the formal announcement of the PBA-approved three-team trade, NLEX conducted its meet-and-greet for its fans.

One of those present was the guy everyone was talking about: Center Poy Erram.

The 6-foot-9 center, of course, was the centerpiece of the trade. Even before the Road Warriors could finish the annual gathering, the team received the news of the trade approval.

“Malungkot kami,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao when contacted by The Manila Bulletin.

“We have really high expectations this conference with Poy as an important part when we start our campaign this season. But losing the best big man, we have to now manage our goals and expectations.”

“Now we can just move forward. We can still play a good season, we can still contend… but it’s going to be harder,” said Guiao.

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

NLEX obtained the services of Erram in a trade prior to last season with Blackwater, giving the Road Warriors a legitimate center–someone Guiao thought would form the backbone of their ambitions.

Although the team struggled due to the injury of guard Kevin Alas and the FIBA-sanctioned suspension of Kiefer Ravena, Erram was able to progress under Guiao’s system as the top center of NLEX.

This upcoming 45th PBA Season, Guiao feels they are more ready especially in the season opening Philippine Cup with Erram’s improvement plus the return of both Ravena and Alas.

“From last year when we got him, we got him to where we wanted him. Mentally he’s more ready this year than last year,” said Guiao, who is entering his third year with the Road Warriors.

The latest three-team trade had Erram going back to TNT KaTropa, NLEX’s sister team, which originally selected the former Ateneo player during the 2013 Rookie Draft, while Blackwater received Ed Daquioag, Marion Magat and Yousef Taha plus two future first-round picks.

NLEX, for its part, obtained Blackwater’s Anthony Semerad and center Rabeh Al-Hussaini, as well as the team’s first-round selection this year and a second-round pick in 2021.

Semerad is recovering from an ankle injury and will be available in a month, while Al-Hussaini is currently in Kuwait – the hometown of his father.

The departure of Erram, according to Guiao, would give NLEX’s other frontline players the opportunity to step up with JR Quiñahan now the focal point for the bigs with Mike Miranda, Raul Soyud, Chris Porter and even the veteran Asi Taulava backing him up.

“This will give our other bigs the opportunity to step up. JR is now the established leader of the group in our frontline. Miranda, Soyud and Porter have to step up,” said Guiao.

“But JR is the steady influence, and rely on the other guys to step up, which I know they will from what I’ve seen in our practice and tune-up games. We redesigned the system to fit in Poy when we got him, but now we have to redesign it again minus Poy to fit the other bigs.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Houston Rockets star James Harden took aim at Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo on Friday, suggesting the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player’s style of play was nothing to get excited about.

“I wish I could just run and be seven feet (2.13 m) and just dunk,” Harden told ESPN on Friday. “Like, that takes no skill at all.

“I’ve got to actually learn how to play basketball, how to have skill. I take that any day.”

Harden, who beat LeBron James in a landslide for the 2018 NBA MVP award, has a burgeoning, and somewhat testy, rivalry with Antetokounmpo, whose size, athleticism and skill earned him the nickname the “Greek Freak.”

Antetokounmpo, who has led the Bucks to the best record in the league and helped them clinch a playoff spot earlier than any other team in history, fanned the feud during the All-Star Game draft, when he selected Kemba Walker ahead of Harden for his team and quipped it was because he wanted a teammate who would pass the ball.

“I average more assists than (Walker), I think,” said Harden, who is in fact averaging 7.3 assists per game to Walker’s 5.0. “I don’t see what the joke is.”

It appears it will be no laughing matter when the Bucks play the Rockets on March 25.

Source: Manila Bulletin