By Agence France-Presse

Jaylen Brown scored 32 points as the Boston Celtics won their sixth game in the last seven with a 116-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

Jayson Tatum tallied 25 points, Marcus Smart had 16 points, and Brad Wanamaker chipped in 15 as the Celtics avoided a season sweep by Philadelphia.

Boston played without injured leading scorer Kemba Walker, who has a sore left knee.

Ben Simmons led the 76ers with 23 points, and Joel Embiid was held to 11 on a dismal one-of-11 shooting.

Philadelphia was done in by poor shooting. They attempted 33 shots from three-point range but made just seven.

The 76ers had beaten the Celtics in their first three meetings this season, including December 12 at the Boston Garden.

Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard scored at least 30 points for the ninth straight contest as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-106.

Leonard, who also had six rebounds, needed just 24 minutes of playing time to score 31 points.

Paul George, playing in his second contest after missing nine games because of a left hamstring strain, had 21 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes.

Lou Williams added 17 points, Montrezl Harrell contributed 16 points and six rebounds, and Patrick Beverley finished with 12 points and five rebounds in the win.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who lost their 11th straight game.

Andrew Wiggins, limited with foul trouble in the first half, had only 13 points on four-of-11 shooting.

Josh Okogie had 13 points, while Robert Covington chipped in 12 points. Shabazz Napier had 11 points.

Also, Draymond Green equaled his career best with 16 assists as the Golden State Warriors surprised the Cleveland Cavaliers 131-112.

Green dished out a half dozen assists during a 44 point scoring blitz by the Warriors, who shot 10-for-16 on three-pointers in their third-quarter surge.

The Warriors started the quarter with a slim two-point halftime lead and ended it with a commanding 105-78 margin.

In Washington, Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving sprained his right knee in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 113-107 loss to the Washington Wizards.

Irving — who will have an MRI on Sunday to determine the extent of the damage — became tangled with Bradley Beal in a tussle for the ball before Beal fell awkwardly on the outside of his right leg.

Irving finished with 11 points, his lowest mark in a game this season, as the Wizards rallied for the win.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

A strict vegetarian diet, spiritual guru and family hugging-sessions aren’t methods employed by most athletes, but they have helped Novak Djokovic turn himself into one of the most feared tennis players on the planet — and perhaps the best in history.

The enigmatic Serb has distinguished himself with his willingness to turn to the unusual, from hyperbaric chambers to meditation and Spanish guru Pepe Imaz, a former journeyman player whose “love and peace” philosophy drives his teachings.

Life has been a journey for the Serbian star, who grew up in war-torn Belgrade and practiced in a disused swimming pool but is now based in the millionaire’s playground of Monte Carlo, with a record $140,228,279 in prize money to his name.

Djokovic faced questions over his durability earlier in his career, after a series of retirements for reasons ranging from a toe blister to heat problems at the 2009 Australian Open, when he was defending champion.

But he is now more steel than snowflake — as seen when he won last year’s record, nearly five-hour, Wimbledon final, and the 2012 Australian Open final, the longest Grand Slam decider in history which stretched to 5hrs 53mins.

With 16 Grand Slam titles under his belt, and showing no signs of slowing down, Djokovic looks poised to overtake the great Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the only men ahead of him on the all-time list, by the end of his career.

Friends with a tree

While Switzerland’s Federer and Nadal of Spain come across as straightforward characters, Djokovic is the most complicated member of tennis’s Big Three.

His daily routine, as related to the New York Times last year, involves getting up before dawn with his family, watching the sun rise and then doing hugging and singing sessions, and yoga.

The father-of-two has dabbled in various diets, including gluten- and dairy-free, and is now a proud “plant-based athlete” — the subject of a Netflix documentary, “The Game Changers”, for which he is executive producer.

“Hopefully I can inspire other athletes that it is possible to be plant-based and to recover well, to have strength, to have muscles,” said Djokovic, who has been vegetarian for four-and-a-half years.

Rather than celebrating his Australian Open wins by partying, Djokovic, a seven-time winner in Melbourne, climbs a fig tree in the city’s Botanical Gardens.

“I have a friend there, a Brazilian fig tree, that I like to climb and I like to connect with so that’s probably my favorite thing to do,” he said, according to reports.

Djokovic broke through for his first Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open, but it would be another three years before he took control of the sport, embarking on a 43-match winning streak at the start of 2011.

Between 2011 and 2016, Djokovic won 11 of the 24 available Grand Slam titles and reached another seven finals, freezing out the likes of Federer who won only one Major in the same period.

The wheels came off rather suddenly for Djokovic in late 2016, when he went into a slump and then, suffering from an elbow injury, ended his 2017 campaign after Wimbledon.

In the same period Djokovic became a close follower of Imaz and appeared on stage with the spiritualist in a two-hour video featuring meditation and long discourses about the human soul.

This, according to some observers, fits a pattern where Djokovic has restlessly turned this way and that in search of perfection — a goal he alluded to in Melbourne, where he plays Dominic Thiem in his eighth final on Sunday.

“When I was younger I would get frustrated and impatient with small things in life, but that’s how you learn,” he said.

“You can’t be a perfect tennis player and human being from a young age. That’s why we love this beautiful thing called life.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

In an action-packed and bloody bout, Filipino champion Pedro Taduran kept the International Boxing Federation (IBF) miniflyweight crown Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) when his clash with the game Mexican challenger Daniel Valladares ended on a fourth-round technical draw.

Fighting on hostile ground, Taduran, making the first defense of the IBF 105-lb title, found himself in a tough outing as early as the first round when Valladares came out smoking hot.

An accidental clash of heads opened a cut above Valladares right eyebrow that the ring doctor immediately examined.

The two then waged a war in the next three rounds with Taduran scoring on rapid-fire body shots and hits to the head and Valladares bringing his own version of mayhem.

In the fourth, the doctor once again checked on the cut and allowed the fight to continue but during the break before the bell sounding the start of the fifth frame, the third man called a halt to the duel on the advice of the physician.

One judge, John Basile of New York had it 39-37 for Valladares while the two others, Jonny Davis of California and Ellis Johnson of Texas, both saw it 38-38.

Since the cut was caused by an accidental butt, the outcome had to be decided by the judges’ scorecards and Taduran was fortunate to have been awarded a draw.

“He could have been screwed,” admitted Taduran’s official representative Sean Gibbons, noting that the 23-year-old from Albay was fighting on hostile ground.

“But he was treated well,” added Gibbons.

The draw left Taduran’s record to 14-2-1 with 11 KOs while Valladares saw his mark to 22-1 with 13 stoppages.

Taduran might end up meeting fellow Filipino Samuel Salva in a rematch here if Salva’s new backer, a cent company, bankrolls the fight.

Last year, Taduran had to pick himself up from a first-round knockdown to stop Salva in four rounds to win the IBF title.

If victorious, Gibbons swears he’d love to see Taduran face off with Valladares again.

Taduran is one of four reigning Filipino world champions after Manny Pacquiao, Jerwin Ancajas and John Riel Casimero.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell will be sidelined indefinitely by a broken left hand while Boston’s Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter are sidelined by short-term injuries, the NBA clubs said Saturday.

Powell suffered a fracture to the fourth metacarpal on his left hand in the fourth quarter of Toronto’s victory at Detroit on Friday.

The US standout is averaging career highs of 15.3 points and 3.9 rebounds for the reigning NBA champions, powering Raptors reserves.

At 35-14, the Raptors boast the third-best record in the NBA behind conference leaders Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers. They are two games ahead of Boston and Miami for second in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics announced that guard Walker will miss at least two games with a sore left knee and Turkish center Kanter was sidelined for Boston’s home game Saturday against Philadelphia with a hip injury.

Walker will also miss the Celtics’ game Monday in Atlanta before they return home Wednesday to face Orlando.

Walker is averaging 22.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists over 42 games this season.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Injured Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and three-time league champion, will be re-evaluated in four weeks and could return in March, the club said Saturday.

Curry, who turns 32 on March 14, suffered a broken left hand on October 30 against the Phoenix Suns and underwent surgery two days later.

Curry “has made good progress during his rehabilitation over the last several weeks and continues to expand his individual on-court work each week,” the Warriors said in a statement.

“We are hopeful, based on continued progress, that he will return to action at some point in March.”

Curry averaged 20.3 points, 6.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds in four games before the injury. He had career averages of 23.5 points, 6.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds entering this season.

The Warriors have reached the past five NBA Finals, taking titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018 before losing to Toronto in last year’s championship series.

But without Kevin Durant, who left for Brooklyn after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in last year’s NBA Finals that has sidelined for this season, and injured star guards Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors have slid to an NBA-worst 10-39 record this season, their first in a new $1 billion arena in San Francisco.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Reuters

TOKYO  – Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike called on residents on Sunday to wash their hands and wear surgical masks to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus which has infected thousands around the world as the city prepares to host the 2020 Olympics.

“This is one of the things I’m very worried about,” said Koike on the sidelines of an opening ceremony for a 15,000-seat gymnasium in eastern Tokyo that will host volleyball and wheelchair basketball competitions this summer.

Japan on Saturday stepped up its response to the epidemic, classifying the coronavirus as a “designated infectious disease,” allowing compulsory hospitalization and the use of public funds for treatment, among other measures.

Koike said she was now working with local and national authorities on how to monitor the virus and to implement measures against its spread to protect the city’s residents.

“I would like you to wash your hands and fingers properly, and wear masks to protect yourselves. There are many ways to do it, but I’d like you to start yourselves with such small steps to control it,” said Koike.

The outbreak originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan prompted organizers to cancel Olympics qualifying events slated to take place in China such as boxing and badminton.

“Countermeasures against infectious diseases constitute an important part of our plans to host a safe and secure games,” Tokyo 2020 said in a statement responding to recent enquiries about the issue, pledging collaboration with authorities.

Casting a shadow over the opening was an announcement by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which on Friday said it could remove wheelchair basketball from the games if its global body does not improve its athlete classification process.

The IPC said the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) defined “eligible impairments” differently to the mandatory list agreed on by the IPC’s general assembly.

“It’s a very popular discipline,” said Koike, calling on the parties involved to make an effort to resolve the impasse through discussions.

The Ariake Arena opening ceremony featured a presentation by Japan’s volleyball and wheelchair basketball teams. It boasts rich wooden paneling and a concave roof to reduce indoor space to save on air conditioning and lightning.

It is also designed to be accessible to the elderly, people with impairments, parents with young children and those with guide dogs, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said is eyeing to have between three to four Filipino weightlifters competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who won the gold medal in the 55kg women’s category in the 2020 Roma World Cup in Italy last Tuesday, is currently in the top five in the world rankings.

Three others are in the running to earn a spot in the Tokyo Olympics, including former Olympian Nestor Colonia, who is at No. 31 in the 67kg men’s, as well as Elreen An Ando (64kg) and Kristel Macrohon (71kg) – both at No. 20 in their respective divisions in the women’s side.

“Hidilyan Diaz, of course is about 90 percent sure of making it to the Olympics, although she still needs to compete in the Asian Championship to get the required number of six tournaments,” said Puentevella.

“I’m hoping that we get two or three more. Nestor is a former Olympian, while Elreen and Kristel are both upcoming weightlifters but they have a chance to make it to the Tokyo Olympics.”

The number of entries for the Philippine Team, according to Puentevella, would be determined after the Asian Championship.

It is one of the highly anticipated events in weightlifting since Asian athletes, particularly from China, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei are considered the best in the world.

“We’ll know the number after the Asian Championship, that’s why it’s important that our weightlifters perform well in that event since that will decide if they make it to the Tokyo Olympics,” said Puentevella.

“That event will also be the sixth international Olympic Qualifying Tournament, a requirement by the IF, to be able to be considered. After that, points will be totaled and the top eight athletes (from every category in men’s and women’s) will earn spots in the Tokyo Olympics.”

Under the rules, of the six events where an athlete joined, his or her best four finishes – or points collected – will be tabulated. The said Asian Championships set April 16 to 25 will be held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

John Fabuar Ceniza, who bagged the bronze medal in the 61kg in the World Cup, currently ranks No. 146 in the world, while Jeffrey Garcia is at No. 54 in the 73kg, while Mary Flor Diaz competed in the 49kg in the World Cup.

Puentevella said that with the health concerns in some parts of China and even neighboring nations like Taiwan, weightlifters will continue training here in the country in preparation for the Asian Championship.

“The health issue changes everything, so for now, our athletes will train here,” Puentevella said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Heads of sixteen national sports associations (NSAs) met the deadline imposed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Olympics chief of mission Nonong Araneta for the submission of their respective programs for their top athletes.

Liza Ner of the PSC told the Manila Bulletin that the PSC has already forwarded the documents to the Pagcor which is earmarking a hefty amount for the athletes’ overseas training and participation in Olympic qualifying events.

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez had warned the NSA leaders that those who will fail to make the deadline would have to find funding elsewhere.

But the NSAs heard Ramirez’s loud and clear and obliged.

The sixteen NSAs are athletics, aquatics, basketball (3×3), boxing, cycling, golf, judo, karate, kayak, rowing, skateboarding, taekwondo, table-tennis, tennis, triathlon and weightlifting.

So far, two have qualified for Tokyo 2020 scheduled July 24-Aug. 9: World champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and Italy-based pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

Malacanang is throwing its all-out support behind the Philippines’ bid to send more qualifiers to Tokyo.

The last time in Rio2016, the Philippines could only send 13 and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is likewise in the thick of preparations to reinforce the government’s assistance by tapping private sector support.

POC president Bambol Tolentino said one of the immediate target is to field a sizeable delegation to Tokyo to enhance the chances of medaling.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Filipino champion Pedro Taduran easily conquered the scales on Friday (Saturday in Manila) as he gets ready to make the first defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini-flyweight crown Sunday in Mexico.

Taduran came in at 104.6 lbs while Mexican challenger Daniel Valladares tipped in at 103.6. The division limit is 105 lbs.

Last September, Taduran won the title by stopping fellow Filipino Samuel Salva in a slugfest.

Valladares is best remembered for his stunning stoppage victory over touted Filipino Christian Araneta last year.

But Team Taduran is upbeat about returning to the Philippines with the IBF belt still strapped around Taduran’s waist.

Former world champion Tacy Macalos will call the shots in Taduran’s corner with Art Monis providing a helping hand.

Taduran, who hails from Albay province, is one of four Filipino world champions at the moment. The three others are Manny Pacquiao, Jerwin Ancajas and John Riel Casimero.

Taduran, a southoaw, enters the ring with a 14-2 slate with 11 KOs while the right-handed Valladares sports a 22-1 with 13 wins inside the distance.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

“King” Novak Djokovic has won all seven Australian Open finals he has contested, he is on a 12-match winning streak and will become world number one if successful in the Melbourne Park decider on Sunday.

Against those overwhelming odds, few are giving Dominic Thiem much of a chance to wrench the title from his iron grip and clinch a maiden Grand Slam.

But the Austrian, remarkably, is the one with the recent edge.

Djokovic is 6-4 in their career head-to-heads, but Thiem has won four of the last five.

Three of those were on his favored clay, but he also came from a set down to beat the Serb on hardcourts at the ATP Finals in November.

Djokovic is the first to admit that the slick 26-year-old has successfully refined his game over the past 12 months to compete on all surfaces.

And he acknowledges it is just a matter of time before Thiem wins a Slam.

“I don’t think he’s really anymore ‘next generation’. He’s been around for many years. Now already he’s an established top-five, top-10 player,” said Djokovic.

“It’s just a matter of one match here and there that can potentially give him a Grand Slam title, that he can actually get in the mix of top three in the world,” he added.

Despite the platitudes, Djokovic, 32, is banking on adding yet another chapter to his storied Melbourne Park career, and heads into the match with an extra day’s rest after dispatching an injured Roger Federer in his semi-final on Thursday.

The world number two has been firing ever since arriving in Australia a month ago, and was unbeaten over six ATP Cup singles matches as he led Serbia to the inaugural title ahead of the Australian Open.

“Yes, I’m pleased with the way I’ve been feeling and playing. I thought ATP Cup went really well for me, got a lot of hours spent on the court, singles and doubles,” said the 16-time Grand Slam winner.

“Obviously got a lot of positive energy from that competition. I dropped only one set so far up to the finals. Hopefully I’ll be able to perform as well as I always have in the Australian Open finals.”

‘It’s his comfort zone’

Thiem, who has beaten four seeds to make the grade, including Rafael Nadal in the last eight, is no stranger to Grand Slam finals, making the last two at Roland Garros.

But this is his best effort outside of the French Open.

He lauded Djokovic as the “king of Australia” and insisted his recent succusses against him counted for little at the Serb’s favorite tournament.

“It’s true, I won I think more of the last encounters than he did. But I think it doesn’t count so much. It’s absolutely his comfort zone here,” he said.

“He always plays his best tennis in Australia since many, many years. So I’m expecting that as well in the finals.

“All I can do is my best again, play great tennis again, and of course take a look at the last matches we had… try to repeat the good stuff that I did there.”

Despite playing down his chances, Thiem has the weapons to trouble Djokovic.

He is supremely fit and regarded as one of the fastest movers on court, with a one-handed backhand that generates heavy spin and a power-packed forehand.

While the slower clay has always been his preferred surface, beating Federer in the Indian Wells final last year was a turning point for the Austrian on hardcourts.

“That victory gave me so much relief and so much confidence because finally I got my first Masters 1000 title on hardcourt,” he said.

“I made this huge step forward. I really developed my game I think in the right direction.”

Source: Manila Bulletin