By Agence France-Presse

The International Olympic Committee is “fully committed” to holding the 2020 Games in Tokyo as planned despite the widening new coronavirus outbreak, the body’s president has pledged.

The IOC “is fully committed to a successful Olympic Games in Tokyo starting July 24”, Thomas Bach told Japanese media in a conference call late Thursday, according to Kyodo News.

The comments came as the viral outbreak across Japan and dozens of other countries have fuelled concerns about the Summer Games, with a swathe of other sports events postponed or cancelled.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stepped up national measures to contain the virus, calling on organizers of large events to consider cancelling or delaying them.

Everything from football matches and music concerts to the rituals that mark the opening of the March sumo tournament has been affected.

On Thursday, Abe requested a nearly month-long closure of schools in a drive to curb the spread of COVID-19, linked to four deaths so far among nearly 200 known infections among the general Japanese public.

Some 700 infections were also detected among about 3,700 passengers and crew on a cruise ship that was quarantined off Japan after one of its former passengers tested positive.

Bach avoided directly addressing comments by senior IOC member Dick Pound, who hinted the Games could be cancelled if health authorities block travel.

Pound also said, however, there has been no formal discussion among IOC members about cancelling the Games.

In an interview with AFP, Pound said the Tokyo Games will go ahead as scheduled “absent some very serious and specific admonitions or regulations stemming from the WHO or the appropriate regulatory authorities”.

“Unless there is a world situation that is so serious that the games cannot be held or that the regulatory authorities prohibit travel or that sort of thing, we’re carrying on,” he said.

“But it would be irresponsible to carry on without having at least in the back of your mind that something might happen.”

Bach said the priority now “is to ensure the qualification procedure and protecting the safety of athletes at the same time”, according to Kyodo.

“This is what we’re doing in cooperation with the Japanese authorities, the World Health Organization, the Chinese Olympic Committee and many NOCS,” Bach said, referring to national Olympic committees.

Disruption caused by the virus has affected Olympic qualifying in several sports, including football, boxing, badminton, handball and wrestling and sailing.

Tokyo’s Olympic organizers have repeatedly said they are focused on holding a safe Olympics and Paralympics with the IOC’s full backing.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Tobias Harris scored 34 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists to lift the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers past the visiting New York Knicks 115-106 on Thursday.

Al Horford had 15 points, nine assists and seven boards, and Shake Milton scored 19 points as the Sixers improved to a league-best 28-2 at home. Milton hit all five of his 3-point attempts, while Horford hit all four.

Pacers 106, Trail Blazers 100

Domantas Sabonis overcame early foul trouble to collect 20 points and 11 rebounds as Indiana recorded a victory over Portland in Indianapolis.

Sabonis, whose father, Arvydas, played for the Trail Blazers, posted his 45th double-double of the season after playing just eight minutes in the first half. Sabonis picked up his third foul early in the second quarter on a charge against forward Caleb Swanigan.

Thunder 112, Kings 108

Danilo Gallinari scored 24 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 as Oklahoma City beat visiting Sacramento.

Chris Paul added 17 points and seven assists, and Steven Adams contributed 15 points and seven rebounds. The Thunder won their fifth straight game and 14th in the past 17. Dennis Schroder recorded 13 points and seven assists, and Nerlens Noel had 10 points and seven rebounds for the Thunder.

Lakers 116, Warriors 86

Rajon Rondo scored eight of his 12 points during a third-quarter run-away, allowing visiting Los Angeles to break open a close game en route to a blowout win over Golden State.

Anthony Davis went for a game-high-tying 23 points for the Lakers, who won their seventh straight despite giving LeBron James the night off to rest a sore groin. Kyle Kuzma scored 18 points, and Dwight Howard finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Chief of mission Nonong Araneta reminded leaders of various national sports associations (NSA) to be realistic in their assessment of making the Tokyo Olympics.

After consulting with eight NSAs, Araneta said the feedback from his initial one-on-one dialogue was “very good” as he raised the concern that public funds are going to be used to finance their respective programs.

Basketball (3×3), archery, canoe-kayak and wrestling were among the NSAs whose Olympic programs were discussed as Araneta is scheduled to hear the bulk this Monday.

The effects of the coronavirus was also tackled as several NSAs were forced to abandon plans for China and Korea.

“We wanted to know if a certain athlete really has a chance of qualifying,” said Araneta, noting that he will present to Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez a summary of the NSAs’ prognosis in a report.

In their first meeting more than a month ago, the NSAs submitted the names of 50 athletes although 38 were deemed capable of making the Olympic grade.

Ramirez, meanwhile, advised all the athletes to keep on training and set aside talks of a possible cancellation of the Olympics owing to the fast-spreading virus.

“One thing that can fight off the infection is to stay fit, healthy and active,” said Ramirez. “I would just like to tell them to focus on their training.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Tim Cone believes Greg Slaughter won’t consider retirement even as he expressed belief that 7-foot center’s decision to go on a sabbatical may benefit him in the long run.

“Based on my conversations with him, I don’t think he’s out forever. I don’t think he’s retiring,” Cone said Thursday during the second annual PBA Media Day at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila.

“I think he really needs a mental break,” added Cone, who also felt that criticism of fans on social media may have affected Slaughter’s confidence.

“And he wasn’t treated well on the internet as we all know, and I think that just kinda weigh down on him, and more importantly on his family. And I think with the blessing and encouragement of his family, they want him to take a break.”

It was Cone’s first detailed statement since Slaughter made a stunning decision to take a break from basketball that created speculations about his contract and a possible trade.

Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua earlier in the week welcomed Slaughter’s decision but sees no reason for him to reach out to the former Rookie of the Year and onetime Best Player of the Conference winner.

Cone had previously texted while on vacation that Slaughter did discuss the matter with him during an exit interview that came after Ginebra’s successful title run in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

This time, the Ginebra mentor revealed that Slaughter expressed his desire to take a break for 3-4 months, though he was in the belief that the big man was having second thoughts.

“When I walked to the room with Greg, he said that ‘I’m gonna take a break’ and I said ‘OK,’” Cone recalled. “That was our conversation so we didn’t get anything else done.

“That’s the true, honest story of how it happened. I did know about it. He did mention 3-4 months at that time and I wasn’t sure if he’s gonna go through it. But then, he went back to the States and sent the text out,” he added.

While the absence of Slaughter may put Ginebra without one of its top frontcourt players, Cone believes his team can make up for his absence in the season opening Philippine Cup which starts March 8.

“We’re prepared to go without him,” Cone said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The opening day faceoff between defending five-time champion San Miguel Beer and Magnolia on March 8 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum will be one of many prominent on the calendar of the PBA Philippine Cup.

The match pitting the finalists of the last two editions of the season-opening conference is expected to cause plenty of intrigue with the Beermen playing without reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo due to a fractured right tibia.

Both squads are seen as the top favorites to win the Philippine Cup, including crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel which opens its campaign against Blackwater on March 14 in Balanga, Bataan.

Ginebra is seen as another major threat to SMB’s reign after ruling last season’s Governors’ Cup, though it will enter the season minus center Greg Slaughter after the 7-footer decided to take a break from basketball.

It will face SMB on April 12 and Magnolia on May 10, both at the Big Dome.

Poy Erram’s destination could be known by March 11 when TNT KaTropa and NLEX open their campaigns against separate opponents at the Big Dome. TNT plays Phoenix Pulse in the first game while NLEX meets NorthPort in the nightcap.

The PBA’s trade committee has yet to approve the proposed three-team deal that will send Erram from NLEX to TNT with Blackwater serving as conduit.

TNT and NLEX are scheduled to meet on April 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena, with Erram likely wearing a different uniform.

Ginebra battles Meralco on March 22 at Araneta in their first meeting since the Governors’ Cup Finals last January.

This time, the two teams won’t be having their imports Justin Brownlee and Allen Durham while the Bolts could be without Raymond Almazan as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

The venues of 12 PBA playdates have yet to be determined, though there’s a likelihood that the league will make its return to the Philsports Arena in Pasig City and the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

PBA officials have met with counterparts from the Philippine Sports Commission to discuss the possibility after the two venues were refurbished in time for the country’s recent hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

1/2 Here’s the 2020 Philippine Cup Elims Schedule ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yvbGZQ9jL4

— PBA (@pbaconnect) February 25, 2020

2/2 Here’s the 2020 Philippine Cup Elims Schedule ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/GihzxwRUFL

— PBA (@pbaconnect) February 25, 2020

San Miguel tackles NLEX on April 25 in Dipolog City while TNT and Magnolia square off May 2 in Cagayan de Oro in the two other provincial games slated during the eliminations.

The Beermen are also set to meet TNT on May 13 at the Cuneta Astrodome in a game pitting the two teams that met in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Two of the league’s top players go up against their former teams for the first time.

TNT’s Ray Parks Jr. battles Blackwater on May 6 while Magnolia’s Chris Banchero faces Alaska on May 16 in the final playdate of the elims.

The top eight teams after the eliminations advance to the quarterfinals, with the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds carrying twice-to-beat incentives against the No. 7 and No. 8.

Teams ranked third to sixth, on the other hand, meet in a crossover best-of-three series.

The semfinals will be a best-of-seven affair as well as the Finals where the winner will hold the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy.

Source: Manila Bulletin

 

 

By WAYLON GALVEZ

For the first time in years, the Philippine Basketball Association will open its 45th Season without the two ‘giants’ of the game in June Mar Fajardo or San Miguel Beer and Greg Slaughter of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

The 6-foot-10 Fajardo, the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP), had surgery after suffering a broken right shin. He could miss not just SMB’s bid for a six-peat in the season opening Philippine Cup but the entire season.

The 7-foot Slaughter, for his part, has yet to come to terms with his mother team after his contract expired last month.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said that without the ‘centers of attraction’ he anticipates some difficulty in luring fans to the game since both players have their respective fan base.

“Regarding sa pagkawala ni June Mar and Greg… hindi pa naman natin alam yung kay Greg, pero yung kay June Mar malaking bagay sa atin yun,” said Marcial during Thursday’s PBA Media Day at Okada in Pasay City.

“Isa siya sa superstars natin, five-time MVP. Ang laki niya humatak ng crowd. So maa-apektuhan talaga tayo.”

In Slaughter’s case,  he has yet to communicate with Ginebra after announcing that he was taking a break from playing before leaving for the States.

 

Ginebra has until the end of February to make an offer to the Fil-Am center in order to keep the rights to his services.

“Yung kay Greg, parang kay [Rabah] Al-Hussaini yan, matagal na nawala, tapos ang rights pa rin nasa Meralco,” said Marcial, referring to a similar incident between the Bolts and Al-Hussaini, who eventually returned to the PBA and was then dealt to NLEX

A source said Ginebra has already sent an offer to Slaughter.

Without the two players, Marcial said he hopes PBA fans will continue supporting their respective teams since he expects the games to be exciting as the league formally opens its 45th season on March 8.

“Sana nga maipakita natin yung magagandang games. Pero malaking bagay talaga sina June Mar and Greg sa atin. Ganoon pa man, sana suportahan pa rin tayo ng fans ngayong malapit na tayo mag-open,” he said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Rain or Shine guard Rey Nambatac is embracing the challenges of meeting high expectations as he enters the third season of his PBA career.

Nambatac emerged as one of the Elasto Painters’ best players in 2019, and many see the former Letran star play a more-prominent role in the upcoming season which opens shop on March 8.

“Alam ko may ibang tao na nag-eexpect ng mataas sa akin dahil sa performance ko last season,” Nambatac said. “Para sa akin, I will take that as a challenge and movitation because it only shows na may tiwala sila sa akin.

“Even though pang-third year ko pa lang sa liga, ganoon na ang expectation nila sa akin,” he added.

The 26-year-old southpaw averaged 10.5 points on 45-percent shooting with 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 47 games last season while playing 24.6 minutes.

His numbers were far better than the ones he had in his rookie season in 2017-18 with averages of 4.8 points on a 38-percent clip with 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 14.6 minutes.

Rain or Shine made the semifinals of the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, with Nambatac stepping up in the playoffs by making clutch shots when needed.

Among his heroics was a stepback three in the dying seconds of Rain or Shine’s win over Blackwater in Game 1 of the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

Ankle breaker na, GAME WINNER PA

Sting-Rey Nambatac for the win! #PBAPlayoffs#PBALabanKungLaban pic.twitter.com/iASRdhJO2H

— PBA (@pbaconnect) July 20, 2019

He is grateful with the trust given to him by Elasto Painters coach Caloy Garcia, who has handled Nambatac during his NCAA days with Letran and Racal Motors in the PBA D-League.

“Importante yung communication namin ni coach kasi yun ang malaking factor bakit nakuha ko yung confidence ko last year,” Nambatac said of Garcia.

Despite his coming out party, Nambatac sees more reason to try and improve his skills in order to stay in good form.

“When you enter the PBA, kailangan full package ka na,” he said. “As much as possible, yung mga weaknesses mo limited lang. So yun yung winowork ko this preseason and so far nakikita ko naman na nagbubunga sa mga tune-up games.”

Rain or Shine begins its campaign in the season-opening Philippine Cup against defending five-time champion San Miguel Beer on March 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters’ other games in March are on the 18th against TNT KaTropa at the Mall of Asia Arena and Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters on the 25th at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By WAYLON GALVEZ

It’s been three months since Jerrick Balanza and Bonbon Batiller helped Letran capture a title in the NCAA.

Still, the two share a common ‘ecstatic’ feeling but for different reasons since Balanza and Batiller are set to have their respective debut in the 45th PBA season next month.

“Medyo nasa shock pa ako,” said Batiller during the league’s Media Day Thursday at Okada Hotel in Pasay City. “Kagaya ngayon nakikita ko yung mga pinakamagagaling na players sa bansa, hindi rin ma-explain yung pakiramdam. Go with the flow na lang siguro.”

Three members of the Knights were selected in the last PBA Rookie Draft, with Christian Balagasay going to Columbian Dyip with the 12th overall pick, while Balanza went to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 13th overall selection – first in the second round.

Batiller, one of the top defenders in the collegiate ranks, likewise went to Columbian Dyip with the 25th overall selection and first in the third round.

He said that like other Filipino basketball players, making it to the pro league is a dream come true for him. The adjustment, he said, isn’t that tough since he has Balagasay and former Letran player JP Calvo as teammates at Columbian.

“Masaya na, eto napuntahan ko na yung pangarap ko makatuntong ng PBA. Nandito si Toto (Calvo) and yung isang teammate ko sa Letran, si Christian, kaya medyo hindi mahirap yung adjustment,” he said.

“Siguro kaya ako kinuha din ako ni coach John dahil sa intensity ko sa court, yun din gusto niya makita sa akin at madala ko sa team. Kaya palagi niya rin sinasabi sa akin na pag pinasok ako, bigay ko lang lahat lalo sa depensa.”

Batiller said he is excited to face onetime Letran stalwart Rey Nambatac and Ginebra’s veteran guard LA Tenorio, a member of the Knights’ coaching staff in the NCAA.

“Hindi kami nag-abot ni Rey pero kasi sobrang galing, napakabait na tao kaya gusto ko siya makalaro. Si coach LA naman, madami siya kasi tinuro sa akin lalo na sa depensa, kaya susubukan ko against him,” he said.

As for Balanza, he said that just being around new Ginebra teammate Tenorio and former league MVP Mark Caguioa is already a blessing.

“Ang pinagpapasalamat ko talaga yung inabutan ko pa sila kuya Mark, si coach LA, na pinapanood ko lang dati ngayon nakakasama ko pa sa ensayo, nakaka-usap ko pa,” he said.

“Madami ako natutunan dito, nandiyan na e. Sa college nasa peak kami lahat, magkaka-edad halos kami. Pero pagdating dito veterans halos lahat, kaya willing ako matuto.

“Ewan ko minsan baka nakukulitan na sila sa akin kasi alam ko na minsan, pero tinatanong ko pa din sila. Para lang sigurado. Gusto ko matuto habang andyan pa sila.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

The gold medal winners of the 30th Southeast Asian Games banner the long list of citations to be handed out during the SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Annual Awards Night slated next week at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

The Filipino contingent led by world champions Carlos Yulo and Nesthy Petecio along with Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, bagged a total record of 149 golds when the country hosted and regained the overall title of the biennial meet after 14 years.

On account of that remarkable finish, Team Philippines will be accorded with the prestigious Athlete of the Year award in the March 6 event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Cignal TV, the Philippine Basketball Association, Rain or Shine, and AirAsia.

Arnis produced the most number of golds won during the SEA Games with a total of 14, followed by athletics with 11, and dancesport with 10.

Apart from the SEA Games gold winners – 139 in all including the others who won one or two golds – 18 personalities and entities are also going to be cited by the country’s oldest media organizations for their achievements and support to Philippine sports in the year that was.

The list includes boxers Eumir Marcial, Josie Gabuco, and Pedro Taduran, undefeated UAAP men’s basketball champion Ateneo and NCAA counterpart Letran, Jones Cup winner Mighty Sports, bowler Merwin Tan, mixed martial arts star Joshua Pacio, fencer Samantha Catantan, grandmaster John Paul Gomez, darts player Lourence Ilagan, and Estafano Rivera of motorsports.

Congressman Michael ‘Mikee’ Romero, Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation, Go for Gold, Standard Insurance, Amelie Hotel, MVP Sports Foundation complete the list of the year’s PSA citations.

Other awardees still to be named are the MILO Junior Athletes of the Year, the Chooks-To-Go Fan Favorite, and the Tony Siddayao awards.

There will also be a posthumous recognition to be given to sports personalities who passed away in 2019.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

CJ Perez’s Gilas Pilipinas stint will give the Columbian Dyip a big boost for the upcoming 45th PBA Season.

Perez, who helped Gilas Pilipinas secure a 100-70 victory against Indonesia in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers recently, is expected to lead Columbian following an impressive rookie stint last season.

“Kung ano ‘yung mga nagawa ko last conference at last season, ‘yun pa rin ‘yung gagawin ko at kailangan ko ring i-sustain,” Perez said during the second PBA Media Day at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila in Parañaque.

Perez is eager to share the Gilas experience with his teammates and bring into the court what he has learned once the Philippine Cup kicks off on March 8.

Against Indonesia, Perez posted 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals.

“I hope ‘yung mga practices na pinaghirapan namin, ma-convert sa panalo.”

“Everytime na pumupunta ako sa pratice, ‘pag may sinabi akong maituturo ko, maniniwala sila sa akin,” Perez added. ‘Yun ‘yung nakuha ko sa paglalaro ko sa Gilas.”

Perez said Columbian has a better chance of climbing up the ranks since the tide in the PBA is expected to shift with the absence of San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings.

“It’s sad na may mga kapwa players na injured o nawawalan ng pag-asa,” Perez said. “‘Di naman namin ikinasaya na mawala sila pero lahat kami excited para makapaglaro sa conferences ng PBA.”

When asked about trade rumors, the 26-year-old guard declined to comment, saying he’s happy as long as he can work well and play basketball.

Last Tuesday, Columbian governor Bobby Rosales said they have no plan of letting go of the former Lyceum Pirate star, putting to rest those trade talks — for now, at least.

Source: Manila Bulletin