By Kristel Satumbaga

Indonesia dashed Philippines’ ambitious title hopes goodbye in the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2020 Friday night with a 3-0 drubbing in the men’s quarterfinals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Indonesians banked on reigning Asian Games champion and world No. 7 Jonatan Christie to deliver the blow with a 21-11, 21-14 victory over Lanz Zafra to secure a semifinal berth.

World No. 5 Anthony Ginting set the tone for the Indonesians with a 21-10, 21-16 thumping of Ros Pedrosa in the first singles match before encountering a brief resistance from the Filipinos in the men’s doubles.

Ariel Magnaye and Alvin Morada tried to provide a spark for the local bets with a 7-6 lead before Mohammad Hasan and Hendra Satiawan recovered from a slow start to take the 21-16, 21-12 win.

With the sweep, the remaining doubles and singles matches were not played.

Still, the Filipino shuttlers are thankful for the experience despite the defeat, having played against teams with world-class caliber like the Indonesians.

“Para sa amin, magandang exposure ito para makita kung ano pa ang kailangang i-develop namin,” said Zafra.

Indonesia currently faces India in the Final Four after toppling Thailand, 3-2.

The Indians crawled back from a 0-2 hole after losing the first two singles matches before M.R. Arjun and Dhruv Kapila kept them alive with a 21-18, 22-20 victory over Kittinupong Kedren and Tanupat Viriyangkura.

Lakshya Sen bested Suppanyu Avihingsanon, 21-19, 21-18, before Srikanth Kidambi and Chirag Shetty provided the crucial 21-15, 16-21, 21-15 win over Maneepong Jongjit and Nipitphon Phuangphuaet.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Manchester City have been banned from European competitions for the next two seasons for “serious financial fair-play breaches”, UEFA announced on Friday, with the verdict immediately contested by Pep Guardiola’s English champions.

City, who were also fined 30 million euros ($32.5 million), announced they were appealing the suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) “at the earliest opportunity”.

“Manchester City is disappointed but not surprised by today’s announcement by the UEFA Adjudicatory Chamber,” the club said.

“The… flawed and consistently leaked UEFA process he (the UEFA chief investigator) oversaw has meant that there was little doubt in the result that he would deliver…

“Simply put, this is a case initiated by UEFA, prosecuted by UEFA and judged by UEFA.

“With this prejudicial process now over, the club will pursue an impartial judgment as quickly as possible” at CAS.

Guardiola’s City face Real Madrid in this season’s Champions League last 16.

Announcing the ban a UEFA statement declared: “The Adjudicatory Chamber has imposed disciplinary measures on Manchester City Football Club directing that it shall be excluded from participation in UEFA club competitions in the next two seasons (ie. the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons).”

European football’s governing body said that City “failed to cooperate in the investigation”.

“The adjudicatory chamber, having considered all the evidence, has found that Manchester City Football Club committed serious breaches of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations by overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016,” European football’s governing body said.

City lost a previous appeal to CAS over UEFA’s original decision to refer them to its adjudicatory chamber over the alleged FFP violations.

“An appeal would not necessarily lift the suspension but the request can be made,” UEFA told AFP.

The investigation into City was based on leaked emails published last year by German magazine Der Spiegel as part of “Football Leaks”.

Boost for English Champions League hopefuls

Guardiola’s City outfit currently sit second in the Premier League table, meaning that the fourth Champions League slot available for English teams would likely go to the fifth-placed club this term.

Sheffield United, promoted to the top flight last year, sit in fifth.

It is not the first time that Man City have fallen foul of FFP regulations, having been fined 60 million euros and seeing their Champions League squad reduced in May 2014.

The ban will raise questions about the future of City coach Guardiola and their key players.

Guardiola said last month that he could be sacked if he failed to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16.

“If we don’t beat them, OK, come the chairman or the sport director and say, ‘It’s not good enough, we want the Champions League, I’m going to sack you’,” he told Sky Sports.

“I don’t know (if this would happen). It has happened many times and could maybe happen.”

Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain were also fined that year.

Seven-time European champions AC Milan were banned from this season’s Europa League for FFP breaches.

La Liga president Javier Tebas applauded UEFA for their sanctions of Man City, saying: “UEFA is finally taking decisive action.

“Enforcing the rules of financial fair play and punishing financial doping is essential for the future of football… we finally have a good example of action.”

City face Real Madrid in their first leg at the Bernabeu on February 26, with the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 17.

City are not the only English champions with financial problems – Saracens, the Premiership rugby titleholders and European champions have been relegated to the second-tier next season for salary cap breaches.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

An MRI on Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard confirmed the diagnosis of a strained right groin, and the All-Star will be re-evaluated in a week.

Yahoo Sports reported that Lillard’s injury will have “a 1-2 week recovery period.”

Selected for both the 3-Point Contest on Saturday and the All-Star Game on Sunday at Chicago, Lillard will miss both events.

Lillard sustained the injury late in Wednesday night’s 111-104 loss at Memphis and left the game for good with 3:22 to play.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker was named to replace Lillard in the All-Star Game.

“That’s something you look forward to, those festivities and having fun,” Lillard, 29, said. “But my health is first, and I knew right away. I’ll still be there and be a part of it, but I’m not going to play.”

Lillard was selected to his fifth All-Star team. He is averaging 29.5 points (fourth in the NBA) and 7.9 assists per game.

The Athletic reported last week that Lillard, also known by his rap name Dame D.O.L.L.A., is scheduled to perform Saturday night during All-Star festivities.

Portland returns to play after the All-Star break on Feb. 21 when it hosts the New Orleans Pelicans.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

The Los Angeles Lakers opened registration Friday for anybody wishing to purchase tickets to attend the Feb. 24 memorial service in honor of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at Staples Center.

Titled “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant,” the ceremony will have three price tiers: the first at $224 per ticket, the second at two tickets for $224 and a third tier at $24.02 each.

Bryant wore No. 24 for part of his playing days, while 13-year-old Gianna wore No. 2 on the youth team that her father helped coach.

Kobe and Gianna Bryant perished along with seven others, in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., as they were en route to a youth basketball game.

Registration for the Bryants’ memorial service will continue until Monday at 10 p.m. PST by using Ticketmaster Verified Fan.

If ticket demand exceeds supply, those requesting to purchase tickets will be selected at random to participate in the public sale.

Tickets will be released for public sale on Wednesday, with a personal access code needed to make a purchase. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.

READ MORE: NBA: Kobe Bryant tributes abound at All-Star Game in Chicago

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Zion Williamson found it crazy Friday to learn that former US President Barack Obama was among his most devoted and dedicated supporters at an NBA All-Star Game event in Chicago.

It’s a big day in Chicago as @NBAAllStar returns to our city for the first time since 1988. But before tipoff we’re kicking things off with a day of service for neighborhood kids at @ChiPubSchools with @BarackObama and the @NBA Rising Stars. pic.twitter.com/RtSei0FSsj

— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) February 14, 2020

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Obama chatted with the 19-year-old rookie star forward of the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of Sunday’s 69th showdown of elite NBA talent, impressing the prodigy with his knowledge.

“He said I was playing great. I kind of zoned out after that. That’s all I needed to hear, to be honest,” Williamson said.

“He was even talking about my recent games. I was like, ‘You’re keeping up with me? I’m 19, man. You’ve got superstars you can go and keep up with.’ It was crazy.”

Obama told Slovenian guard Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, “You are doing fantastic,” and impressed Atlanta’s Trae Young, another All-Star Game starter.

“He just loves watching me. He watches me all the time,” Young said Obama told him. “Telling me how it’s going to turn for the Hawks in the future — it’s crazy that he knew all those different things about me.”

.@BarackObama surprised the #NBARisingStars this morning

(via @nba) pic.twitter.com/Hr23RXAkE1

— ESPN (@espn) February 15, 2020

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Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel says it’s par for the course for an ex-president who is a noted basketball fan to have supporters among NBA players.

“There’s really nothing like it,” Vogel said. “He’s a young president who is really beloved by all of America but in particular the NBA family. He’s so in-tune with our game and it was a great honor to meet him.”

No one was more thrilled than Williamson, who made his NBA debut on January 22 after missing three months with a knee injury.

He scored 32 points in a 123-118 loss Thursday to Oklahoma City. With 221 points in 10 games, he joins Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson as the only players with more than 200 points in their first 10 league appearances.

“He said, ‘Career-high 32.’ Crazy,” Williamson said of Obama. “For him to keep up with all of us, hats off to him. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, just knowing us, knowing our stats.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Reuters

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Three weeks after Kobe Bryant, one of the most dominant players in NBA history, was killed with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash, the global sports icon was named a finalist to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bryant, fourth all time in NBA scoring, played for the Los Angeles Lakers during an illustrious 20-year career that was highlighted by five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs and one league MVP.

The announcement came during the NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago, which culminates on Sunday with an exhibition game featuring the sport’s best players. The three-day event is likely to be muted as the National Basketball Association pays homage to the fallen star.

“I’ve never seen in my long life an athlete passing that had the impact that Kobe’s passing had on people, people on the street, people that didn’t even know him,” said Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, after the announcement was made.

“In my case it was personal… so much more difficult for me and family,” said Colangelo, a long-time NBA executive who was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Bryant won nine All-Defensive First Team honors, four All-Star Game MVP awards and a Slam Dunk Contest title. Bryant also sits as the Lakers’ all-time leader in several categories, including games played and steals.

Bryant wore the No. 24 and No. 8 during his career. Both numbers are retired by the Lakers with his jerseys hanging from the Staples Center rafters.

Joining Bryant as finalists were former NBA stars Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh, along with former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) stars Swin Cash and Tamika Catchings.

Also named as finalists were three-time NCAA National Championship coach Kim Mulkey, five-time Division II National Coach of the Year Barbara Stevens, four-time National Coach of the Year Eddie Sutton and two-time NBA Champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich.

Bryant was on his way with his daughter and seven others to a youth basketball tournament on Jan. 26 when the helicopter they were in crashed in Calabassas, California.

Class of 2020 inductees will be named during the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta, Georgia in early April. The enshrinement ceremony will take place at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on Aug. 29.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Greg Slaughter denied making demands to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel or was aware of any trades that triggered his decision to take a break from basketball.

“There have been a lot of inaccurate theories going around about my recent decision, here are facts,” Slaughter said through his Twitter account late Thursday.

“I never received any contract. It’s unfair to say I made demands when there was no offer,” he said. “I was never aware of any trade.”

There have been a lot of inaccurate theories going around about my recent decision, here are facts.

1) I never received any contract offer. It’s unfair to say I made demands when there was no offer.

2) I was never aware of any trade.

Happy Valentines Day! #SpreadLoveNotHate

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) February 13, 2020

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Slaughter was reacting to speculations (not in Manila Bulletin) as to why he decided to step away to “improve his game in all aspects.”

Rumors have been swirling that Slaughter will be dealt to NorthPort in exchange for Christian Standhardinger, who last season’s PBA Governors’ Cup was named Best Player of the Conference.

The former University of the Visayas and Ateneo star also saw his contract expired at the end of the season that saw Ginebra winning the Governors’ Cup crown. Slaughter inked a three-year deal in 2016.

Though Slaughter is a free agent, Ginebra owns his rights unless it agrees on a release or trade him to other teams.

Coach Tim Cone said earlier this week that he will try to talk with Slaughter in hopes of resolving the matter.

Ginebra is scheduled to begin its preparation for the Philippine Cup on Monday, the Slaughter situation likely to hover the team.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

The government’s call to postpone events that will involve massive public participation is being backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in efforts to curb the spread of the deadly Wuhan coronavirus.

“The POC stands behind (the) government in its precautionary measure of advising everyone to desist from organizing, participating or attending events where big crowd are expected,” POC president Bambol Tolentino said in a statement.

“The Philippine Sports Commission’s parallel declaration cancelling or suspending sports activities in order to mitigate the possible spread of the Novel Coronavirus in the country, is also shared by the POC,” said Tolentino.

“We must always put the safety of athletes, coaches, officials and spectators at the very top of our priorities. We therefore urge all National Sports Associations and other groups associated with the POC, to heed the call for prudence and await official announcements from appropriate agencies with regards this issue,” he added.

The last few days and weeks, numerous events not just locally but overseas as well, have been either scrapped or postponed with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) putting a temporary stop of their numerous activities.

Even the ASEAN Paralympic Games have been moved to a date yet to be announced while Gilas Pilipinas’ 2021 World Cup Qualifiers against Thailand on Feb. 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum have been postponed too.

“Due to the current coronavirus outbreak, FIBA Asia has taken the decision to postpone the following FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifier games,” FIBA said through its Asia Cup Twitter account.

⚠️Due to the current #coronavirus outbreak, @FIBA Asia has taken the decision to postpone the following #FIBAAsiaCup 2021 Qualifier games:
20 Feb: PHI vs THA
21 Feb: JPN vs CHN
24 Feb: CHN vs MAS

The new dates will be announced later!

— FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) February 13, 2020

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FIBA also postponed China’s two road games against Japan on Feb. 21 and Malaysia on Feb. 24.

This Sunday’s Fans Day of the Philippine Superliga at the Robinson’s Place-Ermita has also didn’t escape being postponed.

“The number of those infected by the novel coronavirus is spiking while governments of affected countries are trying to contain its spread,” PSL president Philip Juico said.

“With this, it is only logical, and responsible, for us to cancel our Fans Day this Sunday to keep any untoward incident from happening. Although we want it to go on as planned, we have to put special premium on the safety and welfare of our athletes, coaches, officials, fans and other stakeholders.”

The PSL is not the only league that had to make some adjustments due to the outbreak of the deadly pulmonary disease.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association and University Athletic Association of the Philippines also took a break while the Philippine Basketball Association deferred the opening of its 45th season from March 1 to March 8.

“The world is adjusting just to curb the outbreak of this epidemic,” Juico said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

The charity organization of Kobe Bryant will not only honor the late Lakers legend but also his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, revealed in an Instagram post Friday that the Mamba Sports Foundation will now be called the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.

“Because there is no #24 without #2,” Vanessa wrote. “Our mission remains the same – and stronger than ever – to provide opportunities to young people through sports.”

Vanessa then expressed gratitude for the “outpouring” of support and donation that the Bryant family had been receiving.

“We hope to empower young athletes in a world they left us all to help shape.”

View this post on Instagram

Because there is no #24 without #2, we have updated the Mamba Sports Foundation to now be called the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. Our mission remains the same – and stronger than ever – to provide opportunities to young people through sports. Thank you all for the outpouring of support and your kind donations to date as we carry forth Kobe and Gigi’s legacy.. We hope to empower young athletes in a world they left us all to help shape. #Mamba #Mambacita #wings @mambamambacitasports

A post shared by Vanessa Bryant 🦋 (@vanessabryant) on Feb 13, 2020 at 1:02pm PST

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Gianna earned the nickname “Mambacita” as she sought  to follow the footsteps and continue the legacy of his dad – the “Black Mamba.”

The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation is the charity unit of the Mamba Sports Academy, according to its website.

A private ceremony was held last Feb. 7 as confirmed by Kobe’s death certificate, multiple media outlets reported. On Feb. 24, a public memorial will follow at the Staples Center.

The NBA All-Star which will be held in Chicago will also pay homage to Kobe and Gianna as Team LeBron and Team Giannis are set to suit up with No. 2 and No. 24 jerseys respectively.

Kobe, 41, Gianna and seven others perished in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Los Angeles while travelling to a basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy on Jan. 26.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Despite not starting at midnight, the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Cup All-Star still found its way in the dead of the night.

Nevertheless, Jeff Viernes put on a show and lifted the South All-Stars past the North All-Stars, 126-122, Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Gab Banal and Jeff Viernes opened the extended period blazing hot, uncorking a 10-0 blast to give the South a 122-112 advantage over the North with 3:19 left in the game.

However, the men from the North had a few tricks up their sleeves.

Renato Ular, Michael Juico, Aris Dionisio, and Jeric Teng countered with a 10-0 run of their own to shackle the scores at 122-all.

But Viernes carried the South on his back once more, converting 4-of-4 from the line in the final seconds to ice the game for good.

“I’m happy that the fans got a good game. In games like these, you want it to be thrilling. I enjoyed it, had fun and the entire bench also,” said South head coach Don Dulay.

Viernes nabbed his second-straight All-Star game Most Valuable Player award after finishing the game with 28 points, six rebounds, and six assists for the South.

Alvin Pasol — who fouled out in the final minutes of the fourth quarter — backstopped Viernes with 19 points and nine boards while Will McAloney chipped in 16 points and four boards.

Michael Juico top-scored the North with 23 points, nine boards, and four dimes.

John Wilson added 18 points built on three triples while Ato Ular had a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Scores:

South All-Stars (126) — Viernes 28, Pasaol 19, McAloney 16, Celiz 12, Banal 11, Yee 10, Bulanadi 8, Anderson 7, Buenafe 3, Vaygan 3, Mangahas 3, Ylagan 2, Llagas 2, Escoto 2, Javelona 0

North All-Stars (122) — Juico 23, Wilson 18, Dionisio 14, Ular 13, Reyes 12, Teng 11, Hubalde 8, Batino 7, Ablaza 6, Reverente 4, Taganas 2, Benitez 2, Derige 2, Taywan 0, Sanga 0, Solis 0

Source: Manila Bulletin