By Agence France-Presse

The NBA fined Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford $25,000 for “verbally abusing” officials in their 105-103 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday, the league announced on Friday.

Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic looks on during a game against the Miami Heat on February 1, 2020 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. (Fernando Medina / NBAE via Getty Images / AFP)

Clifford was angry at the end of the game at Madison Square Garden after he tried unsuccessfully to call a timeout with 6.7 seconds remaining and the Knicks leading 105-103.

Vying for the chance to run a play that might have tied — or even won — the contest, Clifford had some choice words for the officiating crew as he departed the court in the wake of the two-point defeat.

Later he said the officiating crew should have expected him to call a timeout in that kind of situation.

“When players don’t have awareness, you lose. Coaches have poor awareness, that was my fault tonight, you lose,” Clifford said after the game. “The officials have got to have awareness, too.

“Knowing the game and knowing the rules and knowing the situation’s got to be a part of it, too.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Wreckage at the scene of the helicopter crash that killed NBA great Kobe Bryant and eight others showed no evidence of engine failure, a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Friday.

Kobe Bryant Tribute during the Westchester Knicks v the Long Island Nets NBA G-League game on February 2, 2019, at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. (Copyright 2020 NBAE Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP)

Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among the nine who perished when the helicopter crashed in rugged terrain west of Los Angeles on January 26.

“All significant components of the helicopter were located within the wreckage area,” according to the report. “Examination of the main and tail rotor assemblies found damage consistent with powered rotation at the time of impact.

“Viewable sections of the engines showed no evidence of an uncontained or catastrophic internal failure.

“The No. 2 engine first-stage compressor blades exhibited tip curl in the direction opposite of rotation, consistent with powered rotation at the time of impact.”

Friday’s report was a summary of investigators’ findings so far. A final report identifying the cause of the crash is expected to take at least a year to complete.

Investigators from the NTSB and other bodies are considering what role heavy fog that Sunday morning might have played.

“Our investigators have already developed a substantial amount of evidence about the circumstances of this tragic crash,” NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said in a statement.

“And we are confident that we will be able to determine its cause as well as any factors that contributed to it so we can make safety recommendations to prevent accidents like this from occurring again.”

In addition to 41-year-old Bryant and Gianna, those killed in the crash were her basketball teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, Alyssa’s parents John and Keri Altobelli, Payton’s mother Sarah Chester, basketball coach Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan.

They were heading to a girls’ basketball tournament at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in suburban Thousand Oaks having departed from John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

The deaths rocked the NBA and the wider sporting world as well as Los Angeles — where Bryant won five NBA titles playing for all of his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Memorials sprang up around the city as fans left flowers, balloons, basketballs, stuffed animals, jerseys and other memorabilia in Bryant’s honor at the Lakers’ Staples Center arena, the team training facility in suburban El Segundo and as close to the crash site as they could get.

The Lakers honored Bryant with a pre-game ceremony less than a week after his death and a public memorial for Bryant and the other victims has reportedly been scheduled for February 24 at Staples Center.

The report includes photographs of the crash area in the Santa Monica Mountains, including one from a witness near the site and one from a security camera that shows the helicopter flying into clouds.

It also includes comments from a witness who was on a mountain bike trail and told investigators he heard the helicopter approaching.

He said he saw the blue and white helicopter emerge from the clouds, traveling forward and down, observing it for about two seconds before it crashed.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Vanessa Bryant announced plans for a public celebration of life for her late husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna in a touching Instagram post on Friday.

“#2, #24 #20 years as a Laker,” the bereaved wife and mother wrote in the post, confirming that a memorial service would be held at Staples Center arena at 10:00 am (1800 GMT) this Monday.

(Instagram / MANILA BULLETIN)

Gianna Bryant wore No. 2 for her school basketball team and Kobe Bryant wore No. 24 in the later stages of his iconic 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26.

Read more: NBA legend Kobe Bryant, daughter killed in helicopter crash

The event will fall on a day between two Lakers home games, but the rival Los Angeles Clippers will host the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA game at the arena in downtown Los Angeles that night.

Lee Zeidman, president of Staples Center, told the Los Angeles Times that getting the court ready for the game won’t be a problem.

“Staples Center has hosted over 220 doubleheaders in its 20-year history,” Zeidman said. “While this is going to be a very emotional day for the Bryant family, the Los Angeles Lakers, the city of Los Angeles, as well as for the men and women who work at Staples Center, we are very confident we will be ready for 6 p.m. doors opening for the Clippers-Memphis game following the ceremony.”

Staples Center, also the home of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and venue for concerts and events such as the recent Grammy Awards, has hosted memorials for recording artists Michael Jackson and Nipsey Hussle.

The Lakers themselves paid emotional tribute to Bryant there in their first game after the club legend’s death, when they hosted the Portland Trail Blazers.

Read more: NBA: Kobe Bryant ‘not forgotten’ as Lakers honor franchise legend

Gianna’s teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, Alyssa’s parents John and Keri Altobelli, Payton’s mother Sarah Chester, basketball coach Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan also died in the crash, which remains under investigation.

A memorial service was scheduled for Monday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim for the Altobelli family. John Altobelli, 56, was a longtime coach of the Orange Coast College baseball team.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Despite the worsening Wuhan coronavirus situation around Asia, the preparations of Filipino athletes revving up for slots to the Tokyo Olympics continue to gain ground.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez. (PSA Images)

Two weeks after the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) met with Nonong Araneta, chief of mission to Tokyo 2020, PSC chairman Butch Ramirez and Araneta are talking things over anew on Monday.

With the Olympics just five and half months to go and the coronavirus gripping not only Asia but elsewhere, the PSC is expected to go over the programs of 16 national sports association leaders who are targeting to send their athletes overseas in the search of Olympic slots.

Nonong Araneta

The 16 NSA leaders had earlier assured the PSC and Araneta that as much as 50 athletes are on schedule to vie for Tokyo tickets although around 38 have genuine chances of making the grade.

Araneta is aiming to assemble a number that will surpass the 13 that competed in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

So far, two are already assured of going to Tokyo: world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

Tokyo Olympics-bound pole vaulter EJ Obiena and world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, and world champion boxer Nesthy Petecio. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio, File)

Lifter Hidilyn Diaz only needs to have a respectable finish during the Asian championships in April in Kazakhstan to get her Olympic berth while athletics and aquatics are assured of two token participants each.

Boxing and taekwondo are taking part in Olympic qualifiers in March and April, respectively while bets from judo, karate, cycling, skateboarding and rowing are also on training mode.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

San Miguel Beer star June Mar Fajardo is unfazed by a leg injury that will force him to miss at least the whole duration of the PBA Philippine Cup.

June Mar Fajardo broke his silence for the first time since suffering a fractured right tibia. (PBA Images)

Breaking his silence Friday night, Fajardo vowed to take a positive approach as he begins his recovery from a fractured right tibia sustained earlier this week in practice.

“I already know what giving up feels like, but I want to see what (will happen) if I don’t!” Fajardo said through his Instagram account saginghilaw15. “It’s just a minor setback! God has a better plan. I’ll be right back.”

The social media post included a photo showing Fajardo’s leg wrapped with elastic bandage.

Fajardo underwent surgery Tuesday, a day after getting hurt while the Beermen were about to end their practice at the Acropolis Gym in Quezon City.

While it has ruled out Fajardo for the season-opening conference, SMB also didn’t give any timetable for his return.

Fajardo is likely to skip Gilas Pilipinas duties for the second window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in November.

View this post on Instagram

I already know what giving up feels like but i want to see what happens if i don’t! It’s just a minor setback! God has a better plan. I’ll be right back… I have so many people to thank but I can’t name you all ,i’ll include you in my prayers! I appreciate all your supports , love and prayers!❤️

A post shared by JMF (@saginghilaw15) on Feb 7, 2020 at 3:57am PST

He was already left out of the 24-man pool for this month’s window, with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas saying last month that Fajardo deserves an extended break.

Past and present teammates with San Miguel and Gilas Pilipinas were quick to offer their well wishes, namely Alex Cabagnot, Marc Pingris, Paul Lee, Troy Rosario and Ranidel de Ocampo.

“I have so many people to thank but I can’t name you all,” said Fajardo. “I’ll include you in my prayers! I appreciate all your (support), love and prayers!”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Team Lakay’s Lito Adiwang is ready to take on the top contenders in the strawweight division of ONE Championship.

Team Lakay’s Lito Adiwang celebrates after submitting Thai foe Pongsiri Mitsatit in ONE: Fire & Fury at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, January 31, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)

“I’ll just try to train hard and be better,” said Adiwang, who submitted Thai foe Pongsiri Mitsatit last Friday night in ONE: Fire & Fury. “So paghahandaan ko kung sino man ang ibibigay.”

Adiwang singled out former two-time strawweight champion Yoshitaka Naito of Japan, however.

The 35-year-old Naito, known for his grappling skills, defeated Mitsatit last November via unanimous decision.

It can be recalled though that Joshua Pacio, the current champion and Adiwang’s teammate, bested Naito in five rounds during their second meeting for the belt last September 2018.

“Now that would be a great challenge,” Adiwang said of Naito.

Adiwang rides a five-game win streak in the promotion, two by TKOs, a unanimous decision, a KO in his 2018 debut and the latest via submission.

In the recent fight, Adiwang caught Mitsatit in the second attempt and locked in for a kimura finish at the 3:02 mark of the first round.

The 26-year-old fight from Benguet wowed the Manila crowd by showing his signature fighting style, highlighted by a right leg kick that sent Mitsatit to the mat.

“We had a tough training camp. But I’m happy I was able to go out there and perform. I wanted to give the Filipino fans a good show,” said Adiwang, who fought for the first time hometown in ONE.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Adamson’s Jake Figueroa is the runaway Most Valuable Player in UAAP Season 82 boys’ basketball.

Jake Figueroa of Adamson Baby Falcons is named UAAP Season 82 MVP. (UAAP Images)

The Grade 11 Baby Falcon accumulated a total of 73 statistical points — 6.21 points higher than runner-up Josh Lazaro of Ateneo.

The 6-foot-2 forward out of Pampanga averaged 13.21 points, 14.14 rebounds, 3.14 assists, 1.64 steals, and 1.21 blocks per game. He led the Baby Falcons to the stepladder as the fourth seed with an 8-6 record.

Figueroa will be the first Boys’ Basketball MVP from Adamson since Mark Juruena, who was with the team that won the crown in Season 71.

Ateneo’s Lazaro and Lebron Lopez finished second and third in the race with 66.79 and 66.21 SPs. The duo steered the Blue Eaglets to the third seed with an 8-6 slate.

Completing the top five are National University-Nazareth School’s Karl Quiambao (66.14) and University of the Philippines Integrated School’s Aldous Torculas (65.57).

Rounding out the top 10 are University of Santo Tomas’ Bismarck Lina (65.5), UPIS’ Ray Torres (63.29), University of the East’s Cyrus Austria (60.46), Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Penny Estacio (60.36) and Ateneo’s Forthsky Padrigao (59.64).

The awarding ceremony takes place before Game Two of the Finals.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Thirdy Ravena said his stint with the title-winning Mighty Sports-Creative Pacific Philippines in the 31st Dubai International Basketball Championship was a good learning curve especially being with some players with valuable experience.

Thirdy Ravena, center, is shown with Jelan Kendrick and Isaac Go. (Photo by Tiebreaker Times)

Ravena was part of the Mighty squad powered by naturalized player Andray Blatche and import Renaldo Balkman that dethroned Lebanon’s Al-Riyadi in the finals to become the first non-Middle Eastern team to rule the annual cagefest.

The former Ateneo star said seeing Blatche and Balkman, two former NBA players, work made him realize that there’s no margin for error.

“Yung mga little things on and off the court dapat di na tinuturo sayo, alam mo na kung ano kailangan mong gawin, especially playing with veterans like Kuya Renaldo and Kuya Dray,” Ravena said during the celebration of the team’s title victory Thursday at the Milkyway restaurant in Makati City.

“You really had no margin for error kasi sila they do their jobs really well and as a role player, kahit di kasing laki nung ginagawa nila yung kailangan kong gawin, I had to do it at the best of my abilities, and I can’t mess up. Yun ang professionalism na dapat mong gawin,” he added.

Ravena was part of a cast of amateur standouts that were part of Mighty’s third title, including the 2016 and 2019 wins in the William Jones Cup in Taiwan.

Among those on the team were brothers Javi and Juan Gomez de Liano, Isaac Go and Dave Ildefonso, who also joins Ravena on the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The team also had veteran center Beau Belga of Rain or Shine, ex-PBA guard Joseph Yeo, import Jelan Kendrik and former La Salle mainstay Jaime Malonzo.

“For us to represent the Philippines is truly an honor, all the more much sweeter that we won the championship and to bring home the Dubai Invitational title,” said Mighty Sports’ Angelo Wongchuking.

Coach Charles Tiu said the team co-owned by Caesar and Alex Wongchuking has yet to make formal plans about playing in future tournaments but vowed to form an equally-talented squad if the opportunity presents itself.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin said the inclusion of Magnolia veteran Marc Pingris to the 24-man pool for the first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers is to help bridge the gap between past and present players.

Marc Pingris talks to the Gilas Pilipinas pool members during their first practice for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center. (Jonas Terrado)

Many were surprised when Pingris’ name was included in the pool composed mostly of amateur players for the games against Thailand and Indonesia later this month, having last represented the country in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

But Baldwin said the addition is to lay the foundation for the culture he and interim coach Mark Dickel want for the two games.

“His inclusion was really to bridge the former Gilas team that have been successful with this Gilas program and inject into it,” Baldwin said when asked of the inclusion of the 38-year-old forward.

“I think, the spirit, the commitment and the passion he has for the national team because I know, I absolutely know, we cannot be successful, no matter how much talent we roll out on this court in four years time, if we don’t have a culture that embodies the people of the country. And who better than Ping?”

Pingris donned the national colors from 2013 to 2016, serving as one of the backbones of Gilas’ run to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

He also played under Baldwin in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship when a Philippine team that missed the services of some of top PBA stars for various reasons nearly snatched an Olympic berth, settling for runner-up honors behind host China.

While Pingris is seen as a veteran presence, Baldwin doesn’t discount the possibility of him playing a key role since newly-married Japeth Aguilar has begged off to be with his wife while Christian Standhardinger opted to take care of a recurring problem on his left knee.

Gilas opens its Asia Cup Qualifiers campaign against Thailand on Feb. 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum before taking on Indonesia three days later in Jakarta.

The Philippines is eyeing a top two finish in Group A that also includes South Korea in order to qualify for the 2021 Asia Cup.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

University of the Philippines has expressed support for the decision of brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano to sit out next season and take their talent to the national team.

Juan and Javi Gomez de Lina will skip the UAAP Season 83 to focus training with Gilas Pilipinas. (UAAP Images)

The  two opted to skip Season 83 and devote time to train with Gilas Pilipinas after their inclusion in the national pool where representatives to the first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers will come from.

“UP is, after all, all about serving the country and giving its best in service of the people,” the Fighting Maroons said in a statement on Facebook Friday.

The brothers, however, are not closing the door on a Season 84 comeback.

“We are beyond grateful for their contributions to the uprising of the program in recent years. Most importantly, the team is proud that they will represent UP in our endeavor to win glory for the country through basketball,” the statement added.

The Maroons finished second runnerup in Season 82.

Juan, former Season 81 Mythical Five member, posted norms of 8.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 assists the past season with two playing years left.

Javi, meanwhile, averaged 10.5 point per game last season and is still eligible to play for one more year.

Aside from the Gilas stint, the brothers are also in talks to suit up for an MPBL team.

Source: Manila Bulletin