By Waylon Galvez

University of Perpetual Help System DALTA mentor Sammy Acaylar was in usual elements giving instructions to players as the Altas wrap up their drills during practice at the school gym in Las Piñas City.

For now, all they can do is train and prepare for the Finals of NCAA Season 95 volleyball.

The team earned an automatic slot in the best-of-three championship series after sweeping the elimination round with a 9-0 record but has since been on training as the league’s Management Committee halted all games due to the coronavirus outbreak last Feb. 13.

“Back to basic with our training, from physical conditioning and strengthening,” Acaylar said.

The league, through its MANCOM chaired by Peter Cayco of Arellano University, is eyeing a March 16 target for the resumption of all games including volleyball to be approved this week by the Policy Board.

Regardless, the Altas have been following a program Acaylar arranged knowing that not doing anything or just practicing would affect their performance come finals time.

“Actually nag-worry din ako kasi mahaba yung suspension, pero dahil nga may programa akong ginawa, tingin ko magiging in game shape pa din ang team maski na matagal walang games. Ang mahirap yun ma-tengga kami ng matagal,” said Acaylar.

The team will face the winner in the stepladder playoffs, which will either be the Arellano University Chiefs, Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals or the College of St. Benilde Blazers, in a three-game showdown.

As part of the program during the league break, Acaylar said the Altas would be battling teams from the collegiate and pro ranks.

Starting this weekend, they will face the Tamaraws of Far Eastern University, followed by an encounter against the Navy, and then the CIGNAL TV Spikers and the Falcons of Adamson University.

“I understand naman na iba din talaga yung game sa puro ensayo lang e. Kaya talagang ginawan ko sila ng programa na physical conditioning, then training sa set plays, tapos tuneup games,” said Acaylar.

Under the veteran mentor, the Altas are hoping to add the 2020 title to their championships in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Leading the Altas this season is team captain Ronniel ‘Buro’ Rosales, as well as leading MVP contender Loiue Ramirez, with Kennry Malinis, Hero Austria, ace setter EJ Casaña, liberos Jeric Atentar and Philip Pepito and back-ups JC Enarciso, Ridzuan Muhali, KC Andrade, JR Baggayan, Aljoe Sereño Awie Abdulla and Joshua Zereño.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Martin Sadongdong

Ohio State sophomore guard Luther Muhammad scored 22 points as the ranked 25 Buckeyes topped No. 7 Maryland Terrapins 79-72  in US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Monday (Philippine Standard Time).

The Buckeyes have won five of their last seven games this month alone to boost their chances in the next round of the tournament.

The win was also sweet revenge for the Buckeyes who lost to the Terrapins in their January 8 duel 67-55 — their first meeting this year.

Ohio State improved to 18-9 while Maryland dropped to 22-5.

Meanwhile, unranked Indiana Hoosiers used a strong first half to prevail over No. 9 Penn State Nittany Lions 68-60.

The Hoosiers established a 13-point lead at the end of the first half and denied the Nittany Lions’ repeated comeback attempts in the final half.

Indiana guard Aljami Durham had 14 points while forward Trayce Jackson-Davis collected 13 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double performance.

In other games, No. 15 Creighton Bluejays buried No. 21 Butler Bulldogs 81-59; and No. 16 Seton Hall Pirates rout St. John’s Red Storm 81-65.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level-Media Reuters

Anthony Davis tallied 32 points and 13 rebounds and LeBron James recorded 29 points, nine assists and eight boards, and the Los Angeles Lakers weathered a career-high-tying 41-point effort by Jayson Tatum to beat the Boston Celtics 114-112 on Sunday at Staples Center.

The historic rivals went back-and-forth throughout the game, and right down to the wire. The Celtics took a 110-108 lead with 1:17 remaining when Jaylen Brown, who scored 20 points, knocked down a 3-pointer.

Missed shots on both ends set a final 37 seconds that took several minutes due to a handful of officiating reviews and a technical foul assessed to Celtics coach Brad Stevens.

James’ fadeaway jumper with 30.4 seconds remaining gave Los Angeles the lead for good, with Davis making three free throws over the final 12 seconds to seal it.

Toronto Raptors 127 – Indiana Pacers 81

Pascal Siakam scored 21 points and Toronto led all the way to defeat visiting Indiana.

Kyle Lowry had 16 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and five steals for the Raptors, who have defeated the Pacers three times this month. The Pacers were without guard Victor Oladipo, who had a sore back.

Serge Ibaka added 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Raptors, who have won 17 of their past 18 games. The Raptors’ 46-point margin of victory marks the largest in franchise history.

Oklahoma Thunder 131 – San Antonio Spurs 103

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 22 points and Chris Paul narrowly missed a triple-double to lead Oklahoma City to a home victory over San Antonio.

The Thunder got rolling in the second quarter, answering a Spurs run with 16 consecutive points to jump ahead. That stretch, like most of the game, came from a balanced scoring effort.

Luguentz Dort, a rookie on a two-way contract, came up big for Oklahoma City with two big baskets in the 16-0 run, including a 3-pointer to finish off the stretch, and put the Thunder up 52-45.

Denver Nuggets 128 – Minnesota Timberwolves 116

Paul Millsap had a season-high 25 points, Nikola Jokic added 24, and host Denver beat shorthanded Minnesota, which had just nine players available.

Jamal Murray had 19 points, Gary Harris and Monte Morris had 13 apiece and Jerami Grant added 12 for Denver, which has won eight straight against the Timberwolves.

Kelan Martin scored a career-high 21 points, including 19 in the first half, while Malik Beasley had 17 in a balanced Minnesota attack. Jordan McLaughlin had 15 points and 10 assists, Jarret Culver had 14 points and Naz Reid added 13 for the Timberwolves.

Chicago Bulls 126 – Washington Wizards 117

Coby White scored 33 points off the bench, Zach LaVine added 32 points, and Chicago pulled away to beat visiting Washington.

Thaddeus Young finished with 23 points for the Bulls, who snapped an eight-game losing streak. Tomas Satoransky posted a double-double against his former team with 15 points and 13 assists.

Bradley Beal scored a career-high 53 points in a losing effort for the Wizards, who have lost back-to-back games. Beal shot 15 of 27 from the field, 5 of 11 from beyond the arc and 18 of 20 from the free-throw line.

New Orleans Pelicans 115 – Golden State Warriors 101

Rookie Zion Williamson scored 28 points, his most in a road game this season, and Nicolo Melli saved three of his six 3-pointers for the fourth quarter as New Orleans rallied over Golden State.

Williamson shot 13-for-20 and added seven rebounds, six on the offensive end, helping the playoff-hopeful Pelicans win for the fifth time in their last six games.

Damion Lee had 22 points and Jordan Poole 19 for the Warriors, who lost their sixth straight. Andrew Wiggins was held to eight points on 3-for-16 shooting in the loss, but did have a team-high 10 rebounds to complement four assists and two blocks.

Portland Trail Blazers 107 – Detroit Pistons 104

CJ McCollum scored a season-best 41 points, recorded a career-high 12 assists and also collected nine rebounds to lead Portland to a tight win over visiting Detroit.

Carmelo Anthony tallied a season-high 32 points for the Trail Blazers, who played without star guard Damian Lillard (groin) for the second straight game. Hassan Whiteside added 16 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots as Portland halted a three-game skid.

Christian Wood recorded 26 points and nine rebounds for Detroit, which has dropped six straight games. Brandon Knight and Derrick Rose scored 15 points apiece and Langston Galloway had 13 points.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The experience of playing for Guam in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers is something NLEX guard Jericho Cruz hopes would help a great deal for both his PBA career and future stints playing for the United States territory.

Cruz had four points on 2-of-8 shooting with four rebounds and five assists while committing four turnovers in 28 minutes for Guam, which fell 113-94 to New Zealand in Sunday’s game held at the Calvo Fieldhouse.

Despite falling short, Cruz, who grew up in the island which made him eligible to play in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments, opted to look for silver linings.

“It’s a good experience playing against one of the best teams in the world which is New Zealand,” Cruz told the Bulletin hours after the game. “I had fun and I’m looking forward to playing again for Team Guam.”

“Medyo sad lang kasi I got hit in the knee in the first quarter. I know I could’ve done more,” said Cruz, who clarified that the injury was a case of Charlie Horse (muscle spasm) and should cause no problems when he resumes his PBA duties.

“Pero overall I had fun and I will definitely bring this experience to the PBA.”

Guam did show some promise at the start, leading the first quarter 24-22 before New Zealand asserted its will to produce a second straight victory in the qualifiers.

“Kailangan pa namin i-build yung chemistry namin and we have to be in the same direction,” Cruz said when asked of the things Guam needs for its other games against Hong Kong and Australia.

“Tapos yung system ng team dapat same page kaming lahat. It’s my first time playing with most of the guys, so feel ko sa next game I’ll be okay,” added Cruz.

Shea Ili led the Kiwis with 25 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Former NLEX import Curtis Washington produced 19 points and 10 rebounds while ex-Adamson cager Will Stinnett had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists for Guam in the loss.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

A revamped Petron Blaze Spikers crew remains positive of its chances in retaining the title when the 2020 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix blasts off on Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Blaze Spikers are gunning for a three-peat crown, but with almost a new cast after some of their veteran standouts parted ways with the team.

Among those who left were Mika Reyes, who now plays for the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, Rhea Dimaculangan, who joins Generika-Ayala, and power hitters Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons.

The team is also parading a new coach in multi-titled mentor Emil Lontoc, who filled in the shoes of Shaq Delos Santos.

Lontoc believes in his stalwarts’ capabilities despite losing some star power.

“Basta magtiwala lang sila sa sistema, maaangat namin yan,” said the 70-year-old coach, who handled the national team between 1991 and 1995.

The Blaze Spikers still have firepower left with Ces Molina, Aiza Pontillas, Remy Palma and Ging Balse-Pabayo spearheading the squad. Reinforcing them in this import-flavored conference is American wing spiker Katherine Bell, last season’s Best Outside Spiker.

Completing the cast are Mary Anne Esguerra, Rebecca Rivera, Jem Gutierrez, Roselle Baliton, Fritz Joy Gallenero, Angelica Legacion, Lutgarda Malaluan, Mary Joy Onofre, Bien Elaine Juanillo, Angela Nunag and Mary Grace Berte.

“Yung chemistry, yan naman ang inaayos namin sa training. Handa naman kami diyan,” Lontoc said.

The Blaze Spikers raise the curtain on Saturday with a 5 p.m. matchup against Generika-Ayala in this double-round robin elimination.

 

END IT.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena will keep himself neck-deep in training and immersed in competitions in the runup to the July 24-August 9 Tokyo Olympics, the Philippine Track and Field Association announced Monday.

With just about everyone affected by the coronavirus, the team of Obiena is in the process of finalizing the blueprint for the Olympic buildup.

Competitions around Europe, not far from his Italian training camp, and events in Chula Vista, California, are on the table for Obiena, who became the first Olympic qualifier last September.

Obiena’s coach Vitaly Petrov of Ukraine is mentor to Olympic champion and six-time world champion Sergey Bubka, two-time Olympic gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva and Italian Giuseppe Gibilisco, one-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist.

In securing a Tokyo berth last year in Italy, Obiena did 5.80 meters and after topping the 2019 Southeast Asian Games here with ease, Obiena immediately returned to Italy to resume his training for the World and Asian Indoors in China originally set for next month.

The events have since been scrapped by the IAAF owing to the fast-spreading virus.

Apart from Obiena, other track and field bets in the thick of training and eyeing Olympic slots are three-time 400 m hurdles SEA Games gold medalist Eric Cray, who has to make 48.80 seconds or crack the world’s top 50 by June 29, 2020.

The 31-year-old Olongapo-born speedster has a 48.98 best time and is booked for competition starting March until June around the US.

Another US-based sprinter, Kristina Knott, SEAG queen in the 200-meters, is set to participate in the US, Japan and Italy while thrower Willie Morrison is on the brink of making the shot put grade of 21.10 meters after doing 20.21 in his native Indiana early this month.

Natalie Rose Uy, who mesmerized the home crowd like Obiena last year, will compete in Kentucky in the hopes of joining fellow pole vaulter Obiena.

As for another surprise gold provider in marathoner Christine Hallasgo, who has beaten premier entry Mary Joy Tabal two straight times, has decided to focus on defending her SEAG crown in 2021 in Vietnam given the odds of meeting the Olympic standard in her event.

READ MORE: 2020 Tokyo Olympics: PH tracksters close in on berths

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

The Los Angeles Lakers officially added forward Markieff Morris on Sunday and waived injured center DeMarcus Cousins.

The move comes two days after Morris agreed to a contract buyout with the Detroit Pistons.

Now let's get to work. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/VWgtRcoooM

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 24, 2020

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

It was the second bit of welcome news for the Lakers on Sunday after they also defeated the Boston Celtics at home 114-112 for their fifth consecutive victory.

Cousins is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee sustained in August 2019 and has not played since the 2018-19 season.

The Lakers received a disabled player exemption for Cousins at $1.75 million, according to ESPN, and Morris will sign for that amount, according to multiple reports.

Cousins signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Lakers in July 2019 after playing 30 regular-season games and eight postseason games for the Golden State Warriors in 2018-19. He also sustained a torn Achilles tendon in January 2018.

In nine NBA seasons, Cousins has averaged 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 blocks over 565 games (543 starts). According to NBA rules, Cousins can continue to rehab his knee at the Lakers’ facilities, the New York Times reported.

In 44 games (16 starts) with the Pistons this season, Morris averaged 11.0 points and 3.9 rebounds in 22.5 minutes. He also connected on 39.7 percent of his 3-point attempts.

Morris’ twin brother Marcus now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers after a trade earlier this month.

“That’s my brother man,” Marcus Morris said, via ESPN. “Man, if he goes to L.A., then I’m gonna be in Staples Center all the time. I think maybe to y’all it might be weird that I’m going to all his games, but that’s what’ll probably happen. And we’ll probably get a house together.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

The Miami Heat honored legendary guard Dwyane Wade on Saturday night, retiring his No. 3 jersey and lifting it to the rafters of American Airlines Arena.

Joined by his family at halftime of the Heat’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 38-year-old Wade thanked everyone from his parents to childhood coaches to his teammates to team president Pat Riley.

“Dwyane Wade really never ever wanted to be considered anything else other than the best,” Riley said at the start of the lengthy halftime ceremony.

“He wanted to be unique. He wanted to separate himself from the pack. He did that. And what he did more than anything else in this city and for this franchise and for all of his loyal fans — and for all of you kids out there who one day aspire to be who he is and who he became — is he has left footprints for others to follow.”

Wade’s jersey retirement ceremony was part of three days of festivities in Miami, called “L3GACY Celebration,” to mark his career with the Heat, who made the Marquette product the No. 5 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He is the team’s all-time leader in several categories, including points, assists, steals, games played and minutes played.

He averaged 22.0 points per game in his career, which spanned 1,054 games — 948 of them in Miami and the others in brief stops with the Cavaliers and his hometown Chicago Bulls. A 13-time All-Star, he retired as a member of the Heat following the 2018-19 season.

On Saturday night, Wade’s framed jersey sat on the court, as did the three Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophies won by Wade and his teammates. He watched as video tributes played, and as he took the court, he started his words with a message to his son, Zaire, who plays high school basketball in Southern California with LeBron James’ son, Bronny.

“This is it. I’m getting out of your way now,” he told Zaire.

And he concluded his remarks with a tribute to Kobe Bryant, who was killed with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.

“Kobe said the most important thing is to try to inspire others so they can be great in whatever they try to do,” Wade told the capacity crowd. “I hope I inspired you. Thank you for making me a part of your legacy. Please know you’re a huge part of mine.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Sunday
(Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
6 p.m. — Saigon vs Alab Pilipinas

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas cruised past the Saigon Heat 99-79 on Sunday despite missing Justin Brownlee for the second straight game in the ASEAN Basketball League at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

The lopsided win solidified Alab’s hold on second place with a 10-6 record even with Brownlee once again a no-show, reportedly for continuously missing flights since agreeing to reinforce the team as a replacement for struggling import Prince Williams.

Brownlee was supposed to debut in Wednesday’s loss to the Kuala Lumpur Dragons in Malaysia.

This time, Alab was hardly affected by Brownlee’s absence as 7-foot-5 Sam Deguara lorded the paint on his way to 23 points and eight rebounds while fellow import Nick King added 20 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.

Point guard Jason Brickman posted 10 points and nine assists while Lawrence Domingo picked up the scoring slack for the locals in the absence of Jeremiah Gray for 18 points with six rebounds and two blocks.

Alab won the first part of a home-and-home series with the Vietnamese squad, which is slated to host the return match on March 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Import Sam Thompson registered 36 points and 10 rebounds but the Heat fell to a league-worst 3-11 record.

The scores:

ALAB PILIPINAS 99 — Deguara 23, King 20, Domingo 18, Brickman 10, Vigil 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Heading 7, Rangel 5.

SAIGON 79 — Thompson 36, Tran 18, White 13, Taylor 7, Q. Nguyen 3, Dierker 2, Young 0, Dinh 0, Waale 0, T. Nguyen 0.

Quarters: 25-17; 56-36; 75-56; 99-79.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Thirdy Ravena provided a huge lift off the bench as Gilas Pilipinas pulled away late in the third quarter for a 100-70 win over Indonesia on Sunday to open its campaign in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Mahaka Arena in Jakarta.

Ravena finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 23 minutes gave Gilas the energy on both ends whenever he is on the floor to give the Mark Dickel-mentored side an away victory in the Indonesian capital.

Roger Pogoy had 16 points and six rebounds, CJ Perez posted 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals while team captain Kiefer Ravena and Juan Gomez de Liano added 10 points apiece as Dickel won in his first game in charge.

Gilas also won on the defensive end, forcing Indonesia to 16 turnovers while making Kiefer Ravena and Perez accounted for eight of the team’s 15 steals.

The game went on as scheduled despite an overnight downpour left most streets in Jakarta flooded, leaving Gilas to call off its morning shootaround and spend the afternoon scouting its opponent.

Gilas weathered multiple comeback tries by Indonesia, the last when it pulled within four 55-51 on a basket by Arki Wisnu with 2:35 remaining in the third.

But Thirdy Ravena accounted for five of Gilas’ 12 points the rest of the quarter to enter the fourth with a 67-53 lead.

Pogoy, Perez, Kiefer Ravena and De Liano built on that surge to lead by a high of 32 points during garbage time.

Check out the highlights from the south east asian encounter @perbasi_ina ⚡️ @officialSBPinc #FIBAAsiaCup 2021 Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/7MPzM47QNv

— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) February 23, 2020

Andakara Prastawa dropped 28 points but Indonesia, handled by former Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, absorbed its second straight loss in Group A, including Thursday’s 109-76 defeat to South Korea on the same floor.

Abraham Grahita, who was spared of a suspension after making a facial expression beside Toroman in a postgame press conference following the loss to South Korea, added 17.

The scores:


PHILIPPINES 100 — Ravena T. 23, Pogoy 16, Perez 11, Ravena K. 10, De Liano 10, Rosario 7, Chua 6, Erram 5, Ramos 5, Tratter 5, Nieto 2, Go 0.

INDONESIA 70 — Prastawa 28, Grahita 17, Wicaksono 6, Lakudu 5, Wisnu 4, Gemilang 4, Sitorus 2, Joni 0.

Quarters: 18-15; 37-28; 67-53; 100-70.

Source: Manila Bulletin