For most players, an All-Star game is an avenue to take a break from the competitiveness of the game and build a bond between the league’s best players.

But that isn’t the case for Batangas-Tanduay’s Jeff Viernes.

“Sabi ko nga, mental focus ko every time na naglalaro ako, All-Star man yan o every game, tini-treat ko siya the same. I’m a very competitive player. Ginagawa ko lang lahat, yung best ko,” Viernes revealed.

And Viernes’ fierce approach to the game definitely showed when his South All-Stars squad were at the jaws of defeat against the North All-Stars in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Cup All-Star game at the Mall of Asia Arena, Thursday.

Down by six points with 3:15 remaining in regulation, the pint-sized guard from Isabela pumped in 12 in the South’s last 15 points – including two crucial free throws – which sent the game to overtime.

Viernes then conspired with Gab Banal and opened the extra period with a 10-0 barrage to give the South a comfortable 122-112 advantage with 3:19 ticks left.

Though the quintet of Renato Ular, Michael Juico, Aris Dionisio, and Jeric Teng were able to answer with 10-0 blast for the North and the knot the scores at 122-all, the product of St. Clare sank 4-of-4 from the charity stripe in the final 25 seconds of the game to seal the victory.

“Siyempre nandoon pa rin yung we’re having fun kasi All-Star pa rin yun. Pero syempre may sari-sarili kaming pride pa rin. Kahit sabihin mong All-Star, gusto naming ibigay namin ang best namin at bigyan ng magandang show yung fans,” shared Viernes, who also pocketed PHP 50,000 courtesy of Sen. Manny Pacquiao for his efforts.

“I think nagawa naman namin both, nag-enjoy kami at nabigyan namin yung fans ng sobrang gandang laban, very intense. Siguro wala na kaming hihilingin pa, nakuha namin yung panalo. Very fortunate lang and we’re very thankful,” he added.

When the dust settled, Viernes collected 28 points, six assists, and six rebounds and took home his second consecutive All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award.

And for the 29-year-old spitfire guard, the team’s desire to win led to their on-court chemistry which resulted to the victory.

“Yung back-to-back MVP, bonus na lang din,” said Viernes. “Nagusap usap kami sa dugout and we all want to win. I think kaya din maganda ang chemistry namin kahit second time kami magkakasama, yung una All-Star last year. Maganda. Happy kami.”

And South head coach Don Dulay could not agree more as he witnessed the camaraderie first hand.

“One thing I noticed, we had a lot more fun on the bench. Everybody on the bench, the whole second half, we’re cheering who’s on the court,” Dulay said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

A break from his Senate duties will allow Manny Pacquiao to resume his boxing career in July, the Filipino eight-division champion said on Thursday.

Days after signing up with Paradigm Sports Management (PSM), Pacquiao told a couple of scribes that he remains committed to Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

“My contract with Paradigm (Sports Management) is not an exclusive one,” said Pacquiao during the MPBL All-Star festivities at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Signing with PSM was primarily geared to represent the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight king in endorsement and sponsorship deals although it will also be tasked to handle his dealings in fights.

As to whether Pacquiao has changed boxing promoters, that doesn’t seem to be the case as Pacquiao is “currently in talks (with PBC) for his next fight tentatively scheduled for July,” said Pacquiao’s right-hand man Sean Gibbons.

“The Senator is with PBC Boxing and very happy how things have gone so far in his career fighting under the PBC banner,” added Gibbons.

Last time he fought, Pacquiao, who turned 41 last December, defeated Keith Thurman in July last year in Las Vegas with PBC, owned and operated by Al Haymon, as lead promoter.

Before the Thurman victory, Pacquiao topped Adrien Broner, his first appearance under the PBC banner.

Pacquiao’s Senate staff said there is a break in May that will last until July and this would give the legendary lefty time to get ready.

It could not yet be determined who will Pacquiao face in his much-awaited comeback although there is a growing clamor for him to lock horns with MMA hotshot Conor McGregor, who also a PSM signee like him.

Aside from McGregor, also on the horizon for Pacquiao are Errol Spence and Danny Garcia, who are PBC talents.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Standings W L

**Perpetual 9 0

*EAC 7 2

*Arellano 6 2

CSB 5 2

Mapua 4 4

San Beda 4 4

Letran 2 6

LPU 2 6

SSC-R 1 7

JRU 1 8

**Finalist

*Semifinalist

Three-peat seeking University of Perpetual Help System Dalta completed a nine-game sweep of the men’s elimination round following a 25-14, 25-15, 25-18 win against Letran in NCAA Season 95 volleyball Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Louie Ramirez led the Altas with 10 points, while Ronniel Rosales, Ridzuan Muhali and Kennry Malinis combined for 23 points.

EJ Casaña tossed in 15 excellent sets.

“It’s very hard kasi we are the defending champions. I always tell my players they have to respect all the teams sa NCAA,” said Altas coach Sammy Acaylar.

“Now we have to wait, not just on our finals opponent but the resumption of the games, which is tough because we have to keep our form. We’ll keep on practicing, maybe have a few tune-up games to keep us in shape.”

Perpetual Help now awaits the survivor of the stepladder playoffs, which will take place once the league lifts the indefinite suspension of the games due to the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Emilio Aguinaldo College (7-2) and Arellano University (6-2) are already in the semifinals, while College of St. Benilde (5-2), San Beda (4-4) and Mapua (4-4) are fighting for the last playoff berth.

The Altas have actually won 22 straight matches, dating back from two years ago.

Meanwhile, the NCAA has decided to postpone indefinitely its remaining sports events in seniors division starting due to the COVID-19 following a Management Committee (MANCOM) resolution that was reached Thursday.

NCAA MANCOM chairman Peter Cayco of host school Arellano University called for an emergency meeting and the group decided to call off the games as well as the upcoming events.

“Upon consultations with our respective Policy Board members, and with various government agencies like the Department of Health and the Commission on Higher Education, the NCAA Management Committee has decided to postpone the remaining events indefinitely,” said Cayco.

“Of course, our main concern always is the safety of our students, our athletes – remember that these athletes are also students – and the entire NCAA community,” added Cayco.

The decision came exactly a week after the MANCOM made a similar resolution on the games in the junior’s division because of the same reasons.

The events affected by the postponement of games are volleyball, beach volleyball, soft tennis, football, athletics and the cheer dance competition.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Jayson Tatum scored 39 points, two off his career-high, and Marcus Smart added 31 on Thursday to lift the Boston Celtics over the Los Angeles Clippers 141-133 in double overtime.

Tatum hit 14-of-23 from the floor, 5-of-10 from three-point range, and grabbed nine rebounds in more than 47 minutes while playing tough defense against Kawhi Leonard to send the Celtics into the NBA All-Star Game break as winners.

“This was a tough one,” Tatum said. “It’s nice to go to the All-Star break with a win and enjoy those moments off.”

Tatum’s hot night came after a 5-for-15 shooting effort and 0-for-7 three-point performance earlier in the week against Houston.

“Just a lot of hard work,” Tatum said of his sizzling shooting. “My teammates trust me and vice versa. We do a good job of getting the hot guy the ball whoever it is.”

Tatum struck for two late hoops in overtime, a layup over Leonard with 24.8 seconds remaining to put Boston ahead 127-124.

But Landry Shamet’s three-pointer pulled the Clippers level and sent the game into a second extra period, which the Celtics dominated to claim the triumph.

Lou Williams came off the Clippers’ bench to score 35 points while Leonard had 28 points and 11 rebounds. Montrezl Harrell added 24 points and 13 rebounds.

In the only other game on the last night of contests before the NBA All-Star Game break, Italian forward Danilo Gallinari scored 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-118 victory at New Orleans.

German reserve Dennis Schroder added 22, New Zealand center Steven Adams contributed 11 points — including his first NBA three-pointer — and 11 rebounds.

Chris Paul had 14 points and 12 assists for the Thunder.

Pelicans rookie star Zion Williamson scored a game-high 32 points in his 10th NBA contest while JJ Redick added 24 points off the bench for New Orleans.

Celtics honor Garnett

The Celtics announced Thursday that Kevin Garnett, who helped Boston capture the 2008 NBA crown, will have his number 5 jersey retired next season, the 24th former player so honored by the club.

“I’m honored and thankful to have my number retired with the Celtics,” Garnett said.

He was the 2008 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA All-Star in five of his six seasons with the Celtics.

In 396 games for Boston, Garnett averaged 15.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks a game.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

The Boston Celtics will retire Kevin Garnett’s No. 5 jersey during the 2020-21 season, the team announced during Thursday’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

During a stoppage, the Celtics played a Garnett highlight video on the Jumbotron, accompanied by an audio clip from former Celtics coach Doc Rivers, saying, “I’ve never been around a player like Kevin. Ever. I’ve never seen a guy that committed to winning.”

“I’m honored and thankful to have my number retired with the Celtics,” Garnett said in a statement posted on the big screen. I will always have immense respect and appreciation for ownership, (general manager) Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, my past teammates and Celtic Nation!”

Garnett played six seasons for the Celtics after arriving via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2007.

He helped Boston to the NBA title in 2007-08 in his first season — winning Defensive Player of the Year honors along the way — and another Finals appearance in 2009-10, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.

He made five All-Star teams with Boston before being dealt to the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2013.

Garnett will be the 23rd Celtics player to have his number retired, in addition to honors without number designations for former forward Jim Loscutoff and former radio announcer Johnny Most.

The Timberwolves, for whom Garnett played his first 12 seasons and his final 1 1/2, have not yet retired his number.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Britain’s Tyson Fury vowed to deliver a career-best performance in his upcoming heavyweight title rematch with American Deontay Wilder, expecting a “war” in their February 22 showdown at Las Vegas.

The 12-round battle of unbeaten fighters for Wilder’s World Boxing Council crown is a rematch of a thrilling 2018 draw at Los Angeles.

Fury was knocked down twice by Wilder in the first fight but the 31-year-old Englishman plans a more aggressive approach for the rematch.

“Never have I been as ready and focused for one fight as I am for this fight,” Fury said in a conference call Thursday. “You’re going to see the best Tyson Fury that Tyson Fury can be.

“I’m match fit. I’m ready. I’m confident. I’m injury-free. I’m ready for a war, one round or 12.”

Fury, the lineal champion, is 29-0 with one drawn and 20 knockouts while Wilder enters 42-0 with one drawn and 41 knockouts.

“If I beat Deontay Wilder, I’ll be the best heavyweight of my era, standing alone,” Fury said.

Fury backed up prior comments saying he would knock out Wilder in the second round, saying he felt he needed a knockout to keep the outcome from the hands of the judges.

“Won’t have to wait long to find out, will we?” Fury said. “We’ll see if I’m man enough to back it up.

“My own destiny lies within my own two fists. I’ll be letting them fly very aggressively.”

Fight promoter Bob Arum said victory would seal Fury’s place among such all-time heavyweight legends as Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

“Everybody would have to recognize him as one of the great heavyweight champions of all time,” Arum said. “He definitely will belong with those immortals.”

Fury says he learned from the first fight that he must press the attack when he senses weakness from Wilder.

“The mistake I made last time was not making him pay when he was hurt. This time when I get him hurt, I’ll throw everything but the kitchen sink at him and he won’t know what hit him,” Fury said.

“I learned he can be hit and hurt quite regularly. That’s the biggest thing I learned from fighting him. He’s a one dimensional fighter and I’m going to prove that.

“I took his best shots and fired them back into him. He’s a one trick pony. He’s a knockout artist… but he couldn’t finish me.

“It’s not when we get put down. It’s what happens when we get back up and keep moving forward.”

Wilder ‘ain’t so bad’

Wilder’s speed plays a bigger role in his knockout blows than his power, Fury said.

“I felt the power. Ain’t so bad,” Fury said. “I don’t think it’s so much his power. It’s the speed he brings. It’s tricky when you don’t see it coming.”

Fury claimed he wanted the victory more than Wilder, saying the champion was growing more concerned about opportunities outside the ring.

“He’s what I call a social climber. He wants to be something he’s not,” Fury said. “None of that stuff means anything to me.”

Fury also dismissed any notion of where he might rank among the all-time greats.

“I’m not really too concerned about the legacy. The fact of the matter is I care about being active and I care about winning now,” Fury said.

“What someone thinks about me when I’m gone doesn’t really matter. When I’m gone, somebody comes along to replace me. That’s how the food chain works.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker will take the place of injured Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard in the NBA All-Star Game and the three-point contest, league commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday.

The nod from Silver gives Booker his first NBA All-Star selection in his fifth season, although he competed in and won the three-point contest that is part of the exhibition weekend’s festivities in 2018.

Lillard, whose recent red-hot scoring has him fourth in the league at an average of 29.5 points per game, suffered a right groin strain in the Trail Blazers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

“When it happened, I just felt it,” said Lillard, who finished the game with 20 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in 37 minutes.

“I knew I pulled it, it made no sense to be out there for the last few minutes of the game and risk trying to play through it and making it worse,” said Lillard, who was hurt with 3:22 to play in the fourth quarter.

Dame after confirming that he'll miss the All-Star Game: "Hopefully Devin Booker — somebody like — will get the spot."

(via @NBCSNorthwest)pic.twitter.com/hClNrk7nPR

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2020

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

Lillard drove through the lane and rose for a layup that was blocked by Memphis big man Jonas Valanciunas, and when Lillard came down he immediately grabbed his right groin.

Lillard’s injury is a heavy blow to the Blazers. His recent scoring surge has seen him climb to fourth in the league in scoring with 29.5 points per game.

Portland is ninth in the Western Conference, trying to battle into one of the eight playoff spots.

Lillard said he would still travel to Chicago for All-Star weekend, which is capped by the showcase game on Sunday.

“I’ll still be there and be a part of it but I’m not going to be able to play,” he said.

Booker will take his place on Team LeBron, the team led by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James that will be going up against the team captained by Milwaukee’s reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Thursday for public criticism of officials after the team’s 110-103 loss two nights earlier at Philadelphia.

In announcing the punishment, the NBA also said the amount of George’s fine reflected his multiple prior violations of the rule against public criticism of the referees.

“I thought we played well,” George said after the loss to the 76ers. “There was some home-court cooking tonight, to say the least.”

George noted the 76ers were whistled for eight more personal fouls than the Clippers.

“It was 19 to 11,” he said. “You all figure out what those numbers are.”

George scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a game that pitted Clippers’ star Kawhi Leonard against a team he eliminated from last year’s playoffs while with Toronto on a seventh-game buzzer-beater shot.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Tributes to the late Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers legend who died last month in a helicopter crash, will play a major role in Sunday’s 69th NBA All-Star Game.

This year’s annual showcase of league talent will be played in Chicago and feature numerous nods to Bryant, a five-time NBA champion who also matched a league record with four NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player awards.

Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, died at age 41 on January 26 in a crash near Los Angeles that also took the life of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

All-Star teams guided by LeBron James of the Lakers and Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks will compete to win each of the first three quarters, which will all start 0-0 and last 12 minutes.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the clock will be turned off and a final target score will be established by taking the leading club’s cumulative score through the first three quarters and adding 24 points — the number representing the jersey number worn by Bryant for the final 10 seasons of his NBA career.

The first team to reach the cumulative target score will win the NBA All-Star Game.

All-Star Game jerseys will also honor Bryant and his daughter.

Team Giannis players will wear jersey number 24 in tribute to Kobe while Team LeBron players will wear jersey number two, the number his daughter wore when playing youth basketball.

Both teams will wear jersey patches displaying nine stars, representing the nine people who were killed in the crash.

The tribute patches to Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant & Calabasas crash victims & stripe for David Stern on 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend jerseys pic.twitter.com/AqXdH2r2AP

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 14, 2020

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

Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson, a Chicago native, will perform a special tribute to Bryant, his daughter and the others who were killed in the crash. Her performance will begin the night ahead of the player introductions.

James and Antetokounmpo each chose their squads from available starters and reserves voted and selected to the All-Star contest.

Continue the legacy. #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/Aasj06JWPW

— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) February 8, 2020

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

Team LeBron starters will include James, his Lakers teammate Anthony Davis, NBA scoring leader James Harden of Houston, Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers and Slovenian guard Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.

Team Giannis starters include the Greek big man, Cameroon stars Joel Embiid of Philadelphia and Pascal Siakam of Toronto and guards Kemba Walker of Boston and Trae Young of Atlanta.

A record eight All-Star Game players from outside the United States also include Frenchman Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz on Team Giannis and Team LeBron reserves Ben Simmons of Australia and the Philadelphia 76ers, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis of Indiana and Serbian Nikola Jokic of Denver.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

World governing body FIBA early Friday confirmed the rescheduling of Gilas Pilipinas’ 2021 Asia Cup Qualifiers home match against Thailand due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Gilas was supposed to host the Thais on Feb. 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to kick off its campaign in the qualifiers but FIBA decided it would be best the move the game to a later date.

“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.

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

The Gilas home game is the latest sporting event to be postponed as the local sporting scene opted to make preventive measures against the spread of the virus.

The PBA earlier this week pushed the opening of its 45th season from March 1 to 8 and the D-League Aspirants’ Cup from last Thursday to March 2.

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas was supposed to play the Macau Black Bears in the ASEAN Basketball League in Sta. Rosa, Laguna but it was one of 15 games that were rescheduled by the regional league.

⚠️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

The UAAP suspended all second semester games beginning Saturday, prompting the delay of the much-anticipated volleyball season, while the NCAA began suspending sporting activities in both the senior and juniors divisions.

There is still no word if Gilas’ road match against Indonesia set Feb. 23 in Jakarta will also be delayed.

The development will give the national team enough time to prepare for the two games, given that it made late additions following the pullout of PBA stars Japeth Aguilar, Christian Standhardinger, Mac Belo and Matthew Wright.

Gilas filled the void by adding Justin Chua, Vic Manuel, Abu Tratter and Justin Chua to the pool composed mostly of amateur standouts.

But the uncertainty of when the game will push through may also force Gilas to make significant adjustments.

Source: Manila Bulletin