By Agence France-Presse

NBA teams generated a record $8.8 billion in revenue last year while the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors joined the New York Knicks above $4 billion in value, Forbes magazine reported Tuesday.

The annual look at NBA finances showed league revenues jumped 10% despite troubles in China over a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong protesters, a drop in television ratings and several top stars being sidelined by long-term injuries.

The Knicks, who appear destined to suffer a seventh consecutive losing season in the 2019-20 campaign, were rated the NBA’s most valuable franchise for a fifth consecutive year at $4.6 billion, a 15% hike in value from a year earlier.

Among North American sports teams, only the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys are valued higher at $5.5 billion with Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees level with the Knicks at $4.6 billion.

Rounding out the top five most valuable North American sports franchises are the Lakers at $4.4 billion, up 19%, and the Warriors at $4.3 billion, up 23%.

For the first time, the “average” NBA team is worth more than $2 billion, $2.123 billion to be exact, an average hike of 14%. As recently as 2011, there was no NBA team valued at $1 billion.

By comparison, the average NFL team grew 11% in value over the past year to $2.86 billion in value while the average MLB club grew 8% in value to $1.78 billion.

The NBA’s higher growth rate has been prompted by strong international income and major media rights deals.

Only the reigning NBA champion Toronto Raptors had a higher value jump than Golden State, the Canadian club boosted by 25% in year-over-year value.

The Warriors were helped by a new $1 billion home arena in San Francisco, leaving behind a smaller and older facility in Oakland.

But they also lost to Toronto in the NBA Finals, lost injured star Kevin Durant to Brooklyn in free agency and following major injuries to star guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were 12-42 with the NBA’s worst record after five consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals.

Alibaba co-founder Joseph Tsai bought the Brooklyn Nets and their home arena for $3.3 billion and Michael Jordan sold a 20% stake in the Charlotte Hornets, who were valued in the deal at $1.5 billion.

The Chicago Bulls ranked fourth in club value at $3.2 billion with the Boston Celtics fifth on $3.1 billion followed in order by the Los Angeles Clippers at $2.6 billion, the Nets at $2.5 billion, the Houston Rockets at $2.475 billion, the Dallas Mavericks at $2.4 billion and the Raptors on $2.1 billion with the Philadelphia 76ers on $2 billion after a 21% jump in value.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

More than two weeks after Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash, Tiger Woods is among those who find the shock may have worn off but disbelief remains.

“It’s hard to put into words what transpired and the fact that it’s a reality,” 15-time major golf champion Woods said Tuesday at Riviera Country Club, where he is preparing to tee off Thursday in the Genesis Invitational.

“Part of me thinks that it’s not real.”

The 41-year-old Bryant, a retired NBA legend with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in the January 26 crash in the Santa Monica Mountains west of Los Angeles.

They were on their way to a girls’ basketball tournament at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in suburban Thousand Oaks — not far from Sherwood Country Club, which hosted Woods’s Hero World Challenge tournament for years.

Woods learned of Bryant’s death just after he completed his final round at Torrey Pines that Sunday. The 15-time major champion, who said he grew up a “diehard Lakers fan,” noted that he turned pro the same year that Bryant was drafted into the NBA to start a 20-year career that would include five titles with the Lakers.

“I don’t really know what I said post-round,” Woods said Tuesday. “I was in shock just like everyone else, trying to put it in words going forward.

“The reality of the situation is Kobe and Gigi are not here, but it’s hard to accept,” Woods continued.

“People who are close him and all the families, it’s just hard to accept that reality.”

Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, has announced a public “celebration of life” for Kobe, Gianna and the other crash victims will be held on February 24 at Staples Center arena.

The date – 2-24-20 – honors the jersey numbers 2 and 24 worn by Gianna and Bryant and the 20 years Bryant was in the NBA.

But even as such plans go forward, Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram on Monday to express her own struggle to come to terms with her family’s loss.

“My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone,” she wrote. “I can’t process both at the same time. It’s like I’m trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me. It feels wrong … I’m so mad. She had so much life to live.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Five other standouts are looking to join Italy-based pole vaulter EJ Obiena in the Tokyo Olympics, the Philippine Track and Field Association leadership said Tuesday.

Patafa secretary-general Agapito Capistrano told the Manila Bulletin that shot putter Willie Morrison and Kristina Knott, both US-based, are on the brink of qualifying.

Days ago in Indiana, Morrison did 20.21 meters. The Olympic standard is 21.10.

Capistrano said the 23-year-old thrower 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) is close to making the cut.

Knott, a graduate of the University of Miami, “is on the verge” of qualifying since she has to clock at least 22.80 to earn a Tokyo trip.

In winning the SEAG gold last December, Knott timed in at 23.01 seconds.

Others in the hunt for Olympic slots include fellow SEAG champions in pole vaulter Natalie Uy, marathoner Christine Hallasgo and sprinter Eric Cray.

They were to try their luck in the Asian Indoor championships in Nanjing but the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak wiped out the trackfest.

Capistrano said the Philippine Sports Commission is behind Patafa in finding alternatives for training and overseas exposure.

“They are very professional in handling the needs of the Patafa,” said Capistrano, who represented the NSA during a dialogue with the PSC and Tokyo Olympics chief of mission Nonong Araneta.

Obiena, who likewise won gold in the SEAG, was the first to secure a Tokyo Olympics spot after ruling an event in Italy last September.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Wednesday
(Thuwanna Stadium, Yangon)
5 p.m. — Shan United vs Kaya

Kaya-Iloilo will look to get an immediate lift from new acquisitions when it takes on Shan United in the start of its AFC Cup campaign at the Thuwanna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

The match is set at 3:30 p.m. local time (5 p.m. Philippine time) with Kaya hoping to start off the campaign with the full three points at the expense of last year’s Myanmar National League winners.

“For us this is our first game,” said Kaya coach Oliver Colina. “Shan United will likely have the edge, but we’ll do our best to fight, challenge for everything, and hopefully get an away win.”

It will be the second straight year Kaya will compete in the AFC Cup, claiming the spot after emerging as the second-best team in the Philippines Football League behind champion Ceres-Negros.

Ceres also won the Copa Paulino Alcantara, thus handing the other AFC Cup slot to Kaya.

Kaya fell short of making the ASEAN zonal semifinals after placing third in Group H last year. The club is once again in the same group along with Shan United, Indonesia’s PSM Makassar and Singapore’s Tampines Rovers.

The team will now be handled by Colina with help from Japanese mentor Yu Hoshide, who formerly played for Global and JPV.

Kaya also got familiar faces in Japanese striker Takumi Uesato, who previously played for JPV and Ceres, national U-22 team member Marco Casambre and former Mendiola mainstay Roberto Corsame.

The two are hoping to make up for the departures of Ghanian striker Jordan Mintah, who recorded 34 goals in all competitions last year, Darryl Robrts and Alfred Osei.

It will be the first meeting between Kaya and Shan United, a team that lost to Ceres 3-2 last month in the AFC Champions League qualifiers.

“Our opponent tomorrow were twice champions in the last three years. They’re very strong. But we have a new system, new players and coaches,” said team captain Jovin Bedic.

“Tomorrow will be a good matchup for us as they’re the strongest team in this country. We’re looking forward to a good match tomorrow,” added Bedic.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Defending five-time PBA Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer and three others will take part in a pocket tournament which starts Monday at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas.

Joining the Beermen are the NLEX Road Warriors, Alaska Aces and the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters as they hope to make most of the mini-tourney that will serve as part of their preparations for season-opening conference which starts March 8.

Teams were given an extended preparation time after the league rescheduled the opener from March 1 as part of preventive measures against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

SMB battles Phoenix in Monday’s opener at 10 a.m. before Alaska faces NLEX at 12 noon.

Phoenix meets Alaska at 10 a.m. on Feb. 19 followed by San Miguel opposite NLEX at 12 noon while games on Feb. 21 pit Phoenix taking on NLEX at 10 a.m. and San Miguel colliding with Alaska at 12 noon.

SMB will use the mini-tourney to figure out ways to play sans reigning five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, who will miss at least the whole duration of the Philippine Cup due to a fractured right tibia.

Fajardo’s absence leaves the Beermen without the most important player and a major inside presence.

Phoenix, NLEX and Alaska, on the other hand, have been busy with their own preparations, even facing university teams from South Korea in tune-up matches recently.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Ceres-Negros dominated Cambodian champion Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng 4-0 Tuesday night to open its campaign on a high note in the AFC Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Takashi Odawara and Joshua Grommen scored the first two goals inside 14 minutes before Spanish striker Bienvenido Maranon found the back of the net twice in the second half to give the Busmen the maximum three points.

Goalkeeper Roland Muller also saved a penalty kick halfway into the first half to eventually produce a clean sheet in the match witnessed by more than 4,100 fans.

Ceres drew level on points with Indonesia’s Bali United but will hold the early lead in Group G on goal difference.

Bali United downed Vietnam’s Than Quang Ninh 4-1 in the group’s other match in Gianyar Regency.
Odawara put Ceres on the board 12 minutes after kickoff, scoring a low shot off an OJ Porteria assist on the edge of the box.

Grommen doubled the lead in controversial fashion off a cross by Stephan Schrock seconds later.Replays showed that the Ceres defender committed a hand ball but Indian referee Srikrishna Coimbatore Ramaswamy still award the goal.

Grommen later awarded Svay Rieng a penalty, bringing down Thiago dos Santos inside the box in the 23rd.

Dos Santos had a chance to trim the gap from the spot but Muller batted the ball away to keep coach Risto Vidakovic’s side ahead 2-0.

Maranon made it 3-0 in the 55th courtesy off a short pass from the returning Manny Ott before completing a brace 15 minutes later courtesy of a one-touch assist from Porteria.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Alaska’s Vic Manuel and Abu Tratter and Rain or Shine’s Javee Mocon were invited to the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers which starts Feb. 20.

Team manager Gabby Cui confirmed the latest additions following the early pullout of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Japeth Aguilar, NorthPort’s Christian Standhardinger and Blackwater’s Mac Belo.

The three joined Phoenix Pulse big man Justin Chua, who was added to the Gilas pool last Sunday.

Mocon attended Tuesday’s practice at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas as Gilas continued its buildup for the Feb. 20 home game against Thailand at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Feb. 23 road match opposite Indonesia in Jakarta.

Manuel and Tratter, on the other hand, took part in Alaska’s team building session.

Manuel could make a return stint with the national team after being part of Gilas’ gold medal victory in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at home last December.

The muscular forward averaged 16.0 points and 4.8 rebounds during the biennial meet, including a 12-point game against Indonesia in the semifinals and 14 against Thailand in the final.

Tratter played sparring minutes in Gilas’ loss to Australia in Melbourne during the third window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

He averaged 10.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in 12 games for Alaska in last season’s PBA Governors’ Cup. Tratter joined the Aces after being traded from the Blackwater Elite in exchange for Carl Bryan Cruz.

Mocon, entering his sophomore season with Rain or Shine, has never played for the national team on any level.

The ex-San Beda star averaged 10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 45 games last season, and is likely to make the All-Rookie Team.

Source: Manila Bulletin

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — LeBron James and injured superstars Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were named on Monday in a 44-strong pool of players in contention for spots on the United States Olympic basketball team.

A statement from USA Basketball named three-time Olympic champion James and Los Angeles Lakers team-mate Anthony Davis in the player group, which will eventually be whittled down to a 12-man roster.

”This is the first step in USA Basketball identifying the 12 players who will represent the United States as members of the 2020 US Olympic men’s basketball team in Tokyo,” said USA Basketball men’s team managing director Jerry Colangelo said in a statement.

”Over the course of the remainder of the NBA season we’ll continue to monitor all of the athletes. Selecting the 12-man USA roster will obviously be an extremely challenging and difficult process, and we will again attempt to select the very best team possible,” he added.

The US team, which will be chasing a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal following wins in 2008, 2012 and 2016, will be coached by San Antonio Spurs boss Gregg Popovich.

The list of contenders revealed that USA Basketball is keeping the door open for several players recovering from long-term injuries.

Golden State Warriors star Curry, who has hardly played this season after undergoing surgery on his left hand, has long spoken of his determination to play in the Tokyo Olympics.

Curry, who is hoping to return for the Warriors next month, withdrew from the 2016 Olympics after knee and ankle problems.

Curry’s Golden State team-mate Klay Thompson, who has not played at all this season after undergoing knee surgery in July 2019, is also named in the 44-man player pool. Thompson was a member of the US team which won gold in Rio four years ago.

Durant meanwhile, who has yet to play a game for the Brooklyn Nets after signing for the club last July, is also named in the squad list. Durant, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles, was a star of the US gold medal-winning teams at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

The UAAP aims to improve the volleyball competition a notch higher this season by introducing the “challenge system” when action fires off on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Volleyball commissioner Noreen Go said yesterday the system will be patterned after the Southeast Asian Games rules where coaches can challenge the calls of referees through video footages.

Exact details are still being finalized but coaches from both men’s and women’s teams welcomed the innovation.

“We need it, it’s going to be great for the competition,” said UP women’s coach Godfrey Okumu in Tuesday’s press briefing.

“(The challenge system) will help level up the competition especially that we’re expecting a more exciting season,” said Ateneo women’s mentor Oliver Almadro, whose team will be seeking back-to-back titles.

The success of the national men’s volleyball team at last December’s Southeast Asian Games also paved way for the league to give a bigger spotlight to men’s teams with a new program format for television.

Unlike in previous seasons where men’s matches are played in the mornings, the playdates will now feature alternating men’s and women’s schedule.

Men’s games will now be played at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., while women’s games are set 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“These changes (challenge system and new schedule) will motivate not only the men’s players, but also the women’s,” said UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag.

Meanwile, Saguisag said the league is closely monitoring the situation of the novel coronavirus and is ready to take precautionary measure to handle the situation.

“Right now, it’s all systems go,” said Saguisag.

 

END IT.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By WAYLON GALVEZ

Games Thursday (The Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – Arellano vs EAC (Men’s)

12 noon – Arellano vs EAC (Women’s)

2 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Letran (Women’s)

3:30 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Letran (Men’s)

Reyann Canete and Shannai Shane Reqierme scored 14 points apiece as San Sebastian College-Recoletos ended the playoff hopes of Lyceum of the Philippines University 25-20, 25-18, 20-25, 25-16 Tuesday in NCAA Season 95 volleyball at The Arena in San Juan City.

Canete had 12 kills and two service aces, while Jamille Veronica Carreon and Kamille Josephine Tan added 12 points each for the Lady Stags, with Tan contributing three blocks and three service aces.

Jewelle Bermillo had 16 digs, while Alexia Vea Sison finished with 12 excellent sets that helped San Sebastian improve its record to 2-6 with a game left in the elimination round.

Although the team is out of the playoff race, SSC-R mentor Norvie Labuga said it’s a good win for the players, who are mostly first and second year players recruited by coach Roger Gorayeb.

“Magandang panalo, kasi nakaka-gain ng experience yung mga bata. Karamihan rookies and sophomores, and medyo may experience lang is yung libero (Bermillo),” said Labuga.

“Hopefully maka-isa pa kami ng panalo in our last game against Letran (on Monday)… something na pwede namin madala as we prepare for next season,” added Labuga, who called the shots for the Lady Stags this season as Gorayeb continues to recover from an illness.

San Sebastian’s win improved its record to 2-6.

Lyceum, for its part, dropped to 3-5. A victory would have kept the team in contention for the last playoff berth.

Monica Jane Sevilla led the Lady Pirates with 15 points, Alexandra Rafael added 11 points and Ciamelle Wanta contributed 10 points. Camille Belaro and Venice Puzon each had 10 digs for LPU.

In the men’s division, Reynald David Honra finished 17 points while Robbie Pamittan added 12 points, and Jerome Andrade had 16 excellent sets and 14 digs as the Stags downed the Pirates 25-14, 25-23, 20-25, 25-17.

Source: Manila Bulletin