Monday, May 31, 2021
How To Start Putting Your Faith In God
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
“Seeing is believing,” so goes the old saying, yet from God’s point of view, the very opposite is true. Believing brings spiritual vision, which clears the brain of fuzzy negative thinking. I’ve been thinking of the incident which took place as Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, where He was to die. He knew this. A sense of urgency drove Him towards the Holy City. Jesus sensed that what would take place in Jerusalem was the very purpose for which He had come. What would happen was the main event of the ages. But as Jesus was leaving Jericho to take the road up to Jerusalem, He encountered a blind man—actually two of them—who cried out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When Jesus heard this, He stopped. From a social standpoint, they weren’t important. They really didn’t count, but they counted with Jesus.
He knew what they wanted, and He was prepared to give it to them. They had heard that He could heal the sick and deformed. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Jesus asked them, and they replied, “Yes, Lord.” According to Matthew, who was an eyewitness, Jesus touched them and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you!”
I’ve been thinking how often Jesus did things which were the opposite of human logic. The Jews placed a premium on action, but Jesus placed it on belief. Furthermore, He tells someone who is blind to believe in something they have heard about but never seen. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people had seen Christ perform one or more of the 34 miracles which the New Testament writers tell us about, but they still had trouble believing. And Jesus tells blind men to believe!
Question: Why was it that two blind men, pretty much social outcasts, probably with some street-smart but no real education, were able to believe, when some of the real intellectuals of Jesus’ day stumbled over unbelief and came up empty-handed? But have I not answered my own question?
Faith in God does not negate using your brain, thinking for yourself, but it does operate in another plane or mode. It means switching languages, much like a computer operator who uses a program which operates on a different system. The system programs our brains to think, “God can’t do that! If He exists, He’s out there some where in space, and He doesn’t care what happens to me!”
The question that Jesus asked is one you must answer when you pray: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Well, what’s your answer?
Faith is simply believing what the Word tells you. It doesn’t attempt to understand how God does it. It just believes that He will. For the intellectuals of Jesus’ day, that God would honor simple faith over action didn’t make sense. From their point of view, God rewarded right living—deeds of mercy and justice. What’s wrong with that? Nothing in itself, but Jesus taught that what God does is not a reward which He gives in recognition of the good we do.
Paul makes it very clear as He wrote, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5, KJV).
Believing God may be counter to human logic. Faith steps into a new plane of living, one which God still honors. It doesn’t deny the problem. It just believes that God is more powerful and that He will honor the simple promises He has made. How do you answer that question, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” And God responds, “According to your faith will it be done to you!” Yes, friend. It’s still true today.
Resource reading: Matthew 9:27-38.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/how-to-start-putting-your-faith-in-god/
Multiply social network shutdown ‘major electoral agenda’ in 2022 polls –House leaders
THE shutdown of Multiply.com social network has paved the way for the comeback to be “a major electoral agenda” in the 2022 presidential elections, lawmakers said today.
This comes eight years after it ceased operations on May 31, 2013.
“Eight years after Multiply went closed and a year the 2022 elections, the respect stands out as a major political agenda, which presidential aspirants must demonstrate,” Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said.
She said that no candidate who associates himself or herself with President Rodrigo Duterte, whose laws and policies have sent a “chilling effect” on press freedom, should be given the chance to lead the country.
Sunday, May 30, 2021
Football: Chelsea's Kante keeps on winning with another midfield masterclass
Simon Evans, Reuters
PORTO, Portugal - Chelsea's French international N'Golo Kante cemented his place as the finest central midfielder in the modern game with a man-of-the-match display as he guided his side to a 1-0 Champions League triumph over Manchester City on Saturday.
The 30-year-old was playing in the French second division for Caen just six years ago but since then he has been on a remarkable streak of trophy collecting.
He won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016 and then again with Chelsea the following year. After winning the FA Cup with the London club he was then a key component of the France team which claimed the 2018 World Cup.
A Europa League title came the following season before Saturday's Champions League victory in Portugal. His run could continue with France among the favourites for the European Championship which starts next month.
Against City, he showed all the reasons why he has been so essential to those successes.
"Kante's staggering. I'm shattered just watching him," said former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, now a television pundit with BT Sport.
"I played (at Chelsea) with (French international) Claude Makelele who I thought was the best until I saw this kid. He's got Makelele plus extras," he added.
"In the same way a striker's got that instinct in front of goal, he's got that in midfield. (City's Ilkay) Gundogan, (Bernardo) Silva and (Phil) Foden couldn't read it, Kante was just on it."
Often praised for his ball-winning skills, Kante's passing and running with the ball allows Chelsea to quickly transition from defence to attack.
Kante has also won numerous individual awards but has yet to be in serious contention for the biggest ones, such as the Ballon d'Or, but he surely must be in with a chance this year.
Ex-Chelsea midfielder, Brazilian Ramires, believes he should be talked about for such honours -- even if Kante does not have a high profile off the field.
"He's very calm, always quiet. He's an extraordinary player. He's in every corner of the field. In defence, in the middle, in attack, on the sides. He's among the best in the world. The way he's playing is impressive," he told Mais Futebol.
"He may turn out to be one of the top three in the world. It's hard for a defensive midfielder to come in and win a Ballon d'Or. But it would be deserved."
(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Ken Ferris)
NBA: Joel Embiid dominates as 76ers go up 3-0 on Wizards
Joel Embiid scored 36 points before sitting out the fourth quarter as the visiting Philadelphia 76ers cruised to a 132-103 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Embiid's point total served as a playoff career high. His previous best was a 34-point performance in Philadelphia's 128-101 loss to Boston in Game 2 of a first-round series on Aug. 19, 2020.
Embiid made 14 of 18 shots from the floor on Saturday. He added eight rebounds and three steals.
Tobias Harris collected 20 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers, who shot 58.6 percent from the floor and 51.5 percent from 3-point range to seize a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series.
Top-seeded Philadelphia can close out eighth-seeded Washington in Game 4 on Monday night.
Danny Green sank five 3-pointers to highlight his 15-point performance and Seth Curry made three from beyond the arc en route to finishing with 15 points. Ben Simmons added 14 points and nine assists.
Washington's Russell Westbrook recorded 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists despite being hampered by an ankle injury sustained in Game 2. Bradley Beal added 25 points in defeat.
Curry, Green, Harris and Embiid each drained a 3-pointer as part of an early 17-2 run for Philadelphia. The spirited surge gave the 76ers a 29-13 lead before Washington was able to halve the deficit by the end of the first quarter.
Undaunted, Green sank a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to push Philadelphia's advantage to 62-50 with 4:16 left in the second quarter.
Washington slowly chipped away before Embiid provided the signature moment of the half by using a ball-fake before powering home a one-handed dunk to set up a three-point play.
Westbrook sank a pair of 3-pointers to give Washington some momentum to begin the third quarter before the 76ers steadily took control of the game.
Harris made a pair of floating jumpers and Curry connected from 3-point range to highlight a quick 7-0 surge that gave Philadelphia an 87-69 lead.
The outcome was never in doubt after that.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/30/21/nba-playoffs-76ers-wizards-game-3-result
Tennis: Djokovic warms up for Roland Garros with Belgrade title
BELGRADE, Serbia -- Novak Djokovic completed a successful warm-up for the French Open when he beat Slovakian Alex Molcan 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday in the final of the ATP clay tournament in Belgrade.
This was the second event in the city in just over a month but where the Serbia Open in April was played in an empty stadium, fans were allowed for this tournament.
"It's been a while since I last played here in front of a crowd," said Djokovic, a Belgrade native who lost in the semi-final in the Serbia Open, a tournament he last won in 2011.
"To hold a trophy here after 10 years is really special and it couldn't be better ahead of Roland Garros," he said. "I am playing well, feeling good and I have spent quality time with my family."
Molcan, ranked 255th in the world, broke Djokovic's serve three times from three break points in the first set, but struggled to hold his own.
Djokovic struggled with his first serve in the opening set, only managing to get 44 per cent in and winning just six points from them. He still took the set with his fourth break in the 10th game.
The Serbian was steadier in the second set, landing 66 per cent of first serves. He broke in the sixth game. Molcan at once broke back. Djokovic immediately regained the initiative by winning the next game when Molcan hit a backhand volley wide.
Djokovic then comfortably served out the match in 1hr 28 mins.
It was the second title this season for the 34-year-old world number one, the winner of the Australian Open in February, and the 83rd of his career.
The 23-year-old Molcan was trying to become the fifth first-time ATP tournament winner this season. Before Belgrade he had not won a match on the ATP tour this year.
"I didn't play badly, but I was playing against Djokovic," he said.
"I'm feeling good and tired," he added.
"I made my first ATP Tour final from qualification. I played good tennis here and I was fighting. Today, I tried as well, but it wasn't enough."
Roland Garros starts on Sunday with Djokovic in the same half of the draw as his old rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Djokovic is two behind Nadal and Federer's joint men's record of 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
Djokovic, runner-up to Nadal at last year's French Open, has a first round date with American Tennys Sandgren in the first round in Paris on Monday.
Golf: Spieth clings to one-shot lead over Kokrak at Colonial
LOS ANGELES: Jordan Spieth rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt at the 18th on Saturday to maintain his one-shot lead over Jason Kokrak heading into the final round of the US PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge.
Spieth hit just five of 15 fairways in regulation at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, but his putter helped him stay in front with a four-under par 66 for a 15-under total of 195.
Kokrak, who had pulled level with a 14-foot birdie putt at 17, also signed for a 66 to remain one-back on 196.
"I think it was just kind of one of those days where I made kind of one not-so-good swing and then I was just protecting against some stuff," Spieth said of his troubles off the tee.
"It's hard, if you get a little off out here, you get pretty exposed because you have to be so precise."
Spieth said that accepting the fact that he was "off" on the back nine helped him manage to pick up some strokes anyway, as he made sure to miss in the right spot to give himself a chance to recover.
"(I) was able to make a few birdies on the back nine with what felt like very little when I was over the ball," Spieth said. "I think that was just a position play and a lot of patience."
An up-and-down for par at the ninth, where he had to punch out of the right rough, was a momentum booster, Spieth said.
He'd made three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine, but was bogey free coming in with a nine-foot birdie at the 13th and an 11-footer at 15 before his birdie at the last.
Kokrak, who started the day one off Spieth's lead, got going quickly with a birdie from a greenside bunker at the first and a four-foot birdie at the second.
Back to back bogeys at five and six slowed his challenge, but he put some pressure on Spieth with birdies at 12, 14 and 15 before gaining a share of the lead at the 17th.
Kokrak was in the fairway at the 18th, but his approach left him 54 feet while Spieth's shot out of the right rough gave him an eight-foot birdie chance that he converted.
"(I) played solid golf on the back nine," Kokrak said. "A little uncomfortable on the green speed, was a little off -- missed a couple of putts in the middle of the round just with speed and different things like that.
"I think if I can put the ball in the fairway more often, give myself some short irons into these holes, attack some of these pins, we'll be in the mix with Jordan tomorrow," added Kokrak, who claimed the first US PGA Tour title of his career at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek this season.
- Good atmosphere -
Spieth, a three-time major winner who snapped a four-year PGA Tour title drought in April, is chasing a 13th PGA Tour title on a course where he won in 2016.
The native of nearby Dallas was buoyed by the support of hometown fans, a big change from the silence at Colonial last season when it was the first tournament after the tour's coronavirus hiatus and was played without spectators.
"It was a really good atmosphere out here," Spieth said. "It's crazy to think we were here one year ago with not a person following."
Spain's Sergio Garcia, who won his first US tour title at Colonial in 2001, was alone in third -- four shots behind Kokrak after a 68 for 200.
England's Ian Poulter had the round of the day, a six-under 64 to share fourth with Colombian Sebastian Munoz (70) on eight-under 202.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/30/21/golf-spieth-clings-to-one-shot-lead-over-kokrak-at-colonial
NBA: Former Utah Jazz star big man Eaton dead at 64
Mark Eaton, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year with the Utah Jazz, has died at age 64, the club announced Saturday.
Eaton had been riding his bicycle in Summit County, Utah, on Friday night before passersby saw the 7-foot-4 (2.24m) former center lying in the road after apparently crashing, according to the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
Eaton was taken to a hospital where he later died.
Authorities said there was no reason to believe a motor vehicle was involved in the incident.
Eaton was drafted by the Jazz in the fourth round of the 1982 NBA Draft. He played 11 league seasons, all with the Jazz, and was known as one of the game's top defensive big men.
But his path to the NBA was an unlikely one.
Eaton had been working as an auto mechanic in Arizona in 1977 when a community college basketball coach noticed him and talked him into enrolling at Cypress College. Eaton later transferred to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and learned the game under legendary coach John Wooden.
After joining the Jazz, Eaton blocked 3,064 shots -- the fourth most by any player in NBA history -- and led the league in blocked shots in the 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988 seasons, setting an NBA record with 456 blocks in the 1984-85 campaign.
Eaton was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1989, earning NBA All-Star honors in 1989 as well.
His number 53 jersey was retired by the Jazz during the 1995-96 season.
Eaton, according to a report on the Jazz website, said he was most proud of producing 10 winning records in his 11 seasons, saying, "We created a culture that is still part of the team's identity today."
After Eaton retired in 1993, he opened restaurants in the Salt Lake City area and later became an author and motivational speaker.
Eaton was also a mentor to the Jazz's current All-Star center, Frenchman Rudy Gobert.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/30/21/nba-former-utah-jazz-star-big-man-eaton-dead-at-64
NBA star Jeremy Lin says Asian-American identity is part of his ‘superpower’
Jonathan White, South China Morning Post
Basketball free-agent Jeremy Lin told Harvard's graduating class that his identity as the "Asian-American basketball player" is part of his "superpower" at Class Day this week.
"I've come to understand that my identity is part of my superpower," the NBA champion told his alma mater's class of 2021 on Wednesday in a video that he later shared to his Instagram account.
"Even though I will always be more than an Asian-American basketball player, just as each of you are more than your backgrounds, who I am and where I come from is woven into everything that I do. That's the cold hard veritas."
Lin has spoke before about his struggles during his early career, especially surrounding his identity when he broke through at the New York Knicks in the "Linsanity" era of 2012.
The 32-year-old failed to make it back to the NBA this season, despite starring in the G League for the Santa Cruz Warriors, ending his dream of a return.
"I hope that you will take your identity and whatever background and life experiences you have to help change the lives of those around you," the nine-year NBA veteran said. "Because after being at the top of the world during Linsanity, I can tell you that success without community is absolutely meaningless."
Lin spoke remotely via video to the virtual ceremony, the second year in a row that Covid-19 has prevented in-person graduation.
"When I was first asked to speak at Class Day, in true student-athlete fashion, I tried to turn down this extra writing assignment," the former NBA star told those watching.
"But I get it. In a year all about diversity and inclusion, you needed a token. So here I am, your token Asi - athlete."
He also joked about the benefits of the economics degree he graduated from Harvard with in 2010 in his career as a professional basketball player.
"I want to say that having a degree from Harvard has done absolutely nothing for me. Seriously, it hasn't helped me at all in my chosen profession," Lin said.
"If anything, it was just a quick, easy way to spend $200,000 and feel superior to Cornell grads. Still, I'm really glad I have it, and I'm really proud to be a part of this community."
While Lin missed out on an NBA return this season he has made it clear in several interviews since that he has not retired from basketball and he is weighing up his next step.
He played the 2019-20 season in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Beijing Ducks and may return to China to resume his career.
NBA: Lillard banks on supporting cast, as Blazers tie series vs Nuggets
Norman Powell scored 29 points and CJ McCollum added 21 to lift the host Portland Trail Blazers to a 115-95 win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series.
Jusuf Nurkic had 17 points, Damian Lillard collected 10 points and 10 assists and Carmelo Anthony scored 12 points on his 37th birthday to help the Trail Blazers even the series at two wins apiece.
Game 5 is Tuesday night in Denver.
Nikola Jokic had 16 points and nine rebounds and Monte Morris and Facundo Campazzo added 12 points each for the Nuggets. Denver, which shot just 34.0 percent, went cold in the third quarter when it made just 7 of 24 attempts while being outscored 36-19.
Portland led by eight after the first quarter but the Nuggets tied it at 36 early in the second. The Trail Blazers increased the lead to 12 before settling for a 57-47 halftime advantage.
Portland scored the first 10 points of the third quarter while Denver struggled on the offensive end. The Nuggets missed 11 of their first 13 shots to start the second half and missed five straight 3-pointers until Jokic broke the string to cut the deficit to 73-54 with 6:45 left in the period.
Campazzo made a layup on the next possession for Denver's only two field goals in more than five minutes. Powell's dunk put the Trail Blazers ahead 78-56 and prompted a timeout by the Nuggets with 4:48 left.
Two free throws by Nurkic, a 19-foot jumper by Anthony followed by 3-pointers from Anfernee Simons and Anthony made it 88-58 with 2:25 left in the third quarter.
JaMychal Green was hit with a technical foul and Lillard sank the free throw. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tipped in a miss by Anthony to make it 91-58.
Paul Millsap scored six points at the end of the period to make it 93-66 heading into the fourth.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/30/21/2021nbaplayoffs-blazers-beat-nuggets-game4
Thirdy Ravena: Career won’t be complete without playing in the PBA
Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News
Japan pro-league basketball player Thirdy Ravena said his career will never be complete without playing in the PBA.
Ravena, who recently signed a multi-year extension with Japan BLeague's San-en NeoPhoenix, said he still plans to enter Asia's first play-for-pay league.
“Never naman pong mawawala ’yung PBA para sa’kin,” the former Blue Eagles star in an interview on “The Chasedown”. “Kasi, I don’t think my career would be fulfilling if I don’t play in the PBA.”
But for now he said he will have to fulfill his commitment with San-en.
“It’s really the appreciation and the love that I feel from the club kahit na marami akong pinagdaanan even though it was easy for them to be like, ‘Ay nako, injury-prone ’yan, ’wag na natin kunin’,” Ravena said.
"Na-appreciate ko iyon as a player especially as a pro kasi there are things out of your control.
“Pero itong team na ’to talagang tinanggap ako, and they even gave me a chance — and a lot of chances, as a matter of fact, kasi multi-year [deal] siya. So I’m very happy for that.”
Ravena acknowledged he has no timetable yet for entering the PBA.
“I just go where basketball takes me. Wala akong parang specific date,” he said.
“Ngayon I'm just focused on the next couple of years with NeoPhoenix and of course the World Cup as well, the 2023 World Cup in our country. If there are things na pinaghahandaan ko in the future it's really those two things.”
Champions League: Chelsea shatter Guardiola, Man City dream to win final
Andy Scott, Agence France-Presse
Chelsea won the Champions League for the second time as a Kai Havertz goal secured a tense 1-0 victory over Manchester City in Saturday's final in Porto, shattering Pep Guardiola's dream of lifting the trophy for the third time, a decade on from his last triumph.
Havertz rounded Ederson to score 3 minutes before half-time at Estadio do Dragao and the Chelsea players ran to the far end of the pitch to celebrate with the German.
Coach Thomas Tuchel, full of energy on the touchline just like his opposite number, punched the air in celebration, and later jumped with joy on the pitch after Chelsea held on for victory in the second half as City lost distraught skipper Kevin De Bruyne to injury.
The London club may have finished fourth in the Premier League, a huge 19 points behind the champions City, but this, remarkably, was their third win over Guardiola's side in six weeks.
They shattered City's hopes of a domestic treble when they triumphed in the FA Cup semi-finals in April and then delayed their title celebrations with victory in Manchester.
Now, in a final watched by a limited crowd of just over 14,000 fans who created a raucous atmosphere, they have denied City the first Champions League crown they and Guardiola so crave.
- Abramovich's second European Cup -
City have had to wait 13 years since being taken over by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour just to get to the Champions League final.
They are now the seventh consecutive team to lose in their first appearance at this stage. The same misfortune befell Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain last year as well as Tottenham Hotspur when they were beaten by Liverpool in the last all-English final in 2019.
Chelsea also lost when they first got to the final, succumbing on penalties against Manchester United in Moscow in 2008.
They overcame the final hurdle by beating Bayern Munich, also in a shoot-out, in 2012 and now they have their second European Cup to move level with Juventus, Benfica and Porto as well as another English side, Nottingham Forest.
Their transformation into one of Europe's super clubs has been down to the riches of Roman Abramovich, their Russian oligarch owner who was in attendance at the game in Portugal.
Chelsea have been transformed since the appointment as coach in January of Tuchel, but City were still the favorites off the back of their third Premier League title triumph in four seasons.
Feeding off the energy of the crowd in a stadium that Portuguese authorities had allowed to be filled to a third of its capacity -- all fans required negative Covid-19 tests to gain entry -- both teams played with a level of intensity rarely seen in the last year of football in empty grounds.
NBA: Antetokounmpo guides Bucks to sweep of Butler, Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted just the third triple-double in Milwaukee Bucks playoff history, helping his team complete a four-game sweep of their Eastern Conference first-round series with a 120-103 win over the host Miami Heat on Sunday.
Antetokounmpo finished with 20 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds. The two previous Bucks with playoff triple-doubles were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970 (he was known as Lew Alcindor at the time) and Paul Pressey in 1986.
Milwaukee advances to the second round of the playoffs after eliminating Miami for the first time in three playoff matchups.
Miami, which reached the NBA Finals last year, was swept for the first time since 2007 against the Chicago Bulls.
The Bucks also got 25 points from Brook Lopez on 11-for-15 shooting. Reserve Bryn Forbes highlighted his 22-point performance with seven 3-pointers, while Khris Middleton collected 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Miami's Jimmy Butler also had a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and Kendrick Nunn added 18 points.
The Bucks played for the first time in these playoffs without starting guard Donte DiVincenzo, who will miss the rest of the postseason due to a left foot injury. He was replaced in the lineup by Pat Connaughton, who scored two points.
Milwaukee never led in the first 12 minutes as Miami surged ahead by 10 points and finished the quarter with a 26-22 lead. The Bucks made just 1-of-10 from 3-point range in the quarter.
Miami led by 12 points in the second quarter before settling for a 64-57 halftime advantage. Miami, which enjoyed a 13-6 edge in fast-break points, shot 52.2 percent for the half -- including 7-for-16 on 3-pointers (43.8 percent).
The Bucks, thanks to a 10-0 run, took their first lead of the game on Middleton's two free throws with 6:52 left in the third quarter. Milwaukee stretched its lead to 12 before settling for a 91-85 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee cruised in the fourth and finished the game plus-16 on rebounds and plus-eight on paint points. Both teams shot less than 47 percent from the floor as Miami became the first team eliminated from this year's NBA playoffs.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/30/21/nba-antetokounmpo-guides-bucks-to-sweep-of-butler-heat
Mobile Legends: Why Execration’s E2MAX feels bittersweet dethroning ‘besties’ Bren
Angela Coloma, ABS-CBN News
Execration are on a cloud 9 after dethroning world champions Bren Esports in the MPL Philippines Professional League via the lower-bracket playoffs.
But even with the statement win, Patrick “E2MAX” James Caidic could not help but feel bittersweet over showing their "besties" the door.
"Masaya, pero may halong lungkot siyempre. Bren Esports ang nakalaban. Ganoon talaga. Kailangang may manalo, may matalo. Siguro mas magaling lang kami sa kanila ngayong araw na ito," E2MAX said following their statement win.
Execration rallied from 2 sets down to beat a Bren program that had drafted its comfort picks, particularly the world championship winning Lancelot of Bren.
Last year's third-placers have a chance to improve their standing this year after a roster revamp, acquiring the services of Kiel “Kielvj” VJ Hernandez, Renz “Renzio” Errol Cadua, and Grant “Kelra" Duane Pillas earlier in the year.
E2MAX further shared that it felt difficult to dethrone Bren, which he regarded as one of their scrimmage-mates in the lower bracket, adding that Bren's CJ “Ribo” Ribo wanted them to clash in the finals.
"Lagi naming [nakaka-scrimmage] ang Bren kaya sobrang hirap na nagharap kami sa lower bracket," E2MAX said.
Execration will face Aura PH in the lower bracket finals on Sunday. If they win, they will next face Blacklist International.
Mobile Legends: What's next for Bren Esports after heartbreaking MPL7 exit?
Angela Coloma, ABS-CBN News
It was a heartbreaking defeat for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang world and domestic champions Bren Esports, as Execration rallied two sets down to dethrone Bren during the MPL Philippines Season 7 playoffs.
Even with the upset, head coach Francis “Duckeyyy” Glindro said the team was “determined” to defend their local title.
The loss, according to the squad, gave them life lessons moving forward.
For CJ “Ribo” Ribo, discipline is the key.
“Dapat ano tayo, mag-practice nang mag-practice at kailangang may disiplina. Kasi di habang tumatagal malakas kami. May mas malakas pa sa’min talaga kaya natalo kami ngayon,” Ribo said in a post-match press conference.
Captain Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel agreed, adding in jest: “Ngayon hindi lang Bren lang malakas. At disiplina. Oras din.”
For David “FlapTzy” Canon, it’s all about finding the fire he once had when they won the championship in Season 6.
“Hindi na dapat ako kampante lagi. Mas bubuoin ko ang loob ko na mag-champion kasi nu'ng Season 6 tuwing paggising ko palong-palo na'ko. Kailangan mabalik ko ang dati,” he said.
Asked about their supposed earlier hints on retirement, Ribo and Allan “Lusty” Castromayor said they are still taking time to think about their future in MPL.
Ribo plans to take a breather first before deciding, while Lusty looks to wait for a replacement that could keep up with the squad’s pace.
“Magpapahangin hangin muna ako. Wala munang ML gano'n. Magpapakasaya ako. Depende pa,” Ribo said.
Ultimately, however, Duckeyyy said: “[We will] regroup, look for better options, focus on other goals that we have next year.”
With the loss, Bren Esports are ending their campaign at 4th place.
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Mobile Legends: Execration rally to dethrone Bren Esports in MPL7
Angela Coloma, ABS-CBN News
Bren Esports are ending their Mobile Legends: Bang Bang campaign early, as Execration rallied from two sets down to beat the defending local and world champs in Round 3 of the lower bracket playoffs Saturday night.
Bren squandered a chance to secure a sweep, with Execration putting up a long fight to swing the momentum in their favor and eventually dethrone the champions.
Allan “Lusty” Castromayor’s plays set the tempo for Bren in Game 1, as his Khufra gave his squad good opportunities in team fights to draw first blood.
Good defensive plays care of Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog and Patrick “E2MAX” James Caidic prolonged the lifeline of Execration in Game 2 but it took a lord clash to further sway the momentum toward Bren.
Bren gained a good lead in Game 3 and were poised to secure the series thanks to Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno's Granger, who had a monstrous damage output in the early game. They had also obliterated all of Execration’s turrets.
But good defensive plays by Execration further prolonged the series and gave the squad room to destroy Bren’s turrets to even the match and eventually overtake the champions in terms gold lead.
Ultimately, it was Ch4knu’s hufra that made the difference, as his Tyrant’s revenge slowed down three Bren players by their base at the 50th minute, giving Execration enough opening to kill four of the defending champs’ players.
CJ “Ribo” Ribo’s Lunox survived the onslaught momentarily, eking out a triple kill by the base but a feathered airstrike courtesy of E2MAX’s Pharsa shut him down.
But even as Bren put out their comfort picks in Grame 5 and even with KarlTzy putting out his world title-winning Lancelot, Execration stopped him in his tracks behind Renz “Renzio” Errol Cadua's Gloo, who won MVP for the rubber match.
With their world championship lineup intact, Bren had weathered through a slow start to the season, losing three straight matches before picking up the pace and winning 8 of their next 10 games.
Bren ended up second in Group A, heralded as the "Group of Death" with 23 points.
Prior to the season, Bren Esports won the M2 world championship, winning against Burmese Ghouls. They were also crowned Season 6 champions in 2020 after defeating Smart Omega in the grand finals.
More details to follow
ROSTER:
BREN ESPORTS
CJ “Ribo” Ribo
Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno
David “FlapTzy” Canon
EJ “Ejhay” Sambrano
Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel
Allan “Lusty” Castromayor
EXECRATION
Renz “Renzio” Errol Cadua
Patrick “E2MAX” James Caidic
Kiel “Kielvj” VJ Hernandez
Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog
Grant “Kelra" Duane Pillas
Billy ”Z4pnu" Jazha Alfonso
CLARK, MANILA PREPARED FOR CENTENNIAL EVENTS
NCC Executive Director Luis Morales reported to the Cabinet that "everything is go" on the preparations for the series of Centennial events that will culminate on June 12.
He said the formal inauguration of the Exposition Site at Clark will push through at 6:30 in the afternoon on June 12. "We will be able to open 90 percent of the foreign exhibitions at the Exposition site on June 6, but it will be fully opened on June 12," Morales said.
Morales also informed the Cabinet that the renovation of the Luneta Grandstand and the addition of wings to make room for a thousand seats for local and foreign visitors, is 70 percent complete as of yesterday.
"There will be world-class receiving rooms, including five-star toilets," Morales said of the renovated Luneta Grandstand.
The Quincentennial Commission is also beautifying, on the instruction of President Duterte, the whole Luneta Park, starting from the buildings near Taft Avenue all the away down to the Quirino Grandstand.
Friday, May 28, 2021
Begin Seeking God’s Forgiveness Today
When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD. 2 Samuel 11:26-27
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him,” wrote Solomon 3,000 years ago. Numbers three and four on that list of character disorders which the Bible calls sins are “hands that shed innocent blood,” and “a heart that devises wicked schemes.”
I have no way of knowing whether Solomon thought of the circumstances of his own family, especially involving his own father and mother, but he well could have. His father was David; his mother, Bathsheba. “In the spring, at the time when kings go to war,” begins 2 Samuel 11:1, David stayed at home. One evening when he was on the rooftop of his palace, he saw a beautiful woman bathing–the woman who eventually became Solomon’s mother. Do you remember the story how David took Bathsheba and slept with her? After all, he was the king, and he was not accustomed to having anyone deny him.
But then when Bathsheba became pregnant as the result of this adulterous affair, David’s conscience began to deeply trouble him. Bathsheba was married to another man, and a good man, at that. For David to take Bathsheba as his wife, Uriah had to be destroyed, and it had to appear to be a grave accident. Without taking time to recount the details which I would encourage you to read for yourself, if ever a man devised a wicked scheme and shed innocent blood, it was David who was responsible, completely and fully for the death of Uriah, the rightful husband of Bathsheba.
Just a minute, you may be thinking. Is this not the one who took a slingshot and in the name of the Lord and went against Goliath? Is this not the one who wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…” (Psalm 23:1, KJV). And, of course, the answer to all these questions is yes.
Should you take the time to ponder the six things which God hates and look at the life of David, you will find an example of almost every one in David’s life. He was proud and arrogant. He lied. His hands shed innocent blood. His heart devised the wicked scheme to put Uriah in the forefront of the battle, then order the troops to pull out leaving him exposed to the enemy. His feet rushed to do evil, and he deliberately hurt the woman who became the object of his lust.
Though Solomon did not mention his father’s adulterous affair with his mother, he undoubtedly thought of the consequences which followed his wrongdoing: the death of his brother who was the love child of David and Bathsheba, the public humiliation which came as the result of his sin and the ongoing conflicts which resulted in his personal, immediate family because of what David did.
But–and this is the point that I want you to get–there is forgiveness and healing for our wrongdoing, no matter what it may be. As the Psalmist–perhaps David himself–wrote, “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared” (Psalm 130:4). David paid a price for his wrongdoing–a substantial one, yet in repentance he poured out his heart before God and asked for God to restore the joy of his salvation (see Psalm 51).
Friend, if you see yourself in these six things which God hates, do what David did. Confess your wrongdoing, forsake it, and find God’s strength. That is what grace is about. And, that is what God will do for you too, friend. Just as He did for David.
Resource reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-36
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/begin-seeking-gods-forgiveness-today/
Philippines vaccinates Pinoy athletes bound for Tokyo Olympics, SEA Games
The Philippine government has begun vaccinating national athletes, officials and staff of the Philippine delegation bound for the Tokyo Olympic and SEA Games on Friday at the Manila Prince Hotel.
“Nagpapasalamat kami ng malaki sa national government, sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) na inaprubahan ang prioritization ng mga atleta natin, especially the Olympic- and SEA Games- bound athletes,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said in a TeleRadyo interview.
Among the athletes vaccinated when the inoculation started at 9 a.m. was rower Cris Nievarez.
Also lined up to be inoculated are officials and support staff of the delegation of both events, said Tolentino.
“Yung iba dito mga officials na kasama sa Tokyo bound kasi maraming kasama ang Olympians natin yung iba 3 coaches, nutritionist, psychologist, masseur. Marami pong kasama yan yung iba dito natin binakunahan,” he said.
Nine Filipino athletes have qualified for the Tokyo Games. They are Hidilyn Diaz; boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam; pole vaulter EJ Obiena; gymnast Carlos Yulo; rower Cris Nievarez; and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa.
“Sa ibang olympians na nasa abroad, especially sa US and Europe, definitely they will be given (the vaccine) in the US. Alam naman po natin na mabilis kumuha sa US,” said Tolentino.
Tolentino is expecting the number of Filipino athletes who would qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in July to increase to 15.
“Minimum of one gold will do, that’s our prayer. That’s the wish of the entire country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tolentino said the Philippines will send a delegation of around 700 to the SEA Games.
“Since tayo ang overall champion, ako personally hindi tayo papayag na hindi natin salihan lahat ng event para ma-maintain natin kahit hindi yung overall, mataas pa rin yung ranking,” he said.
Vietnam announced a "no vaccine, no participation" policy for the 31st SEA Games that will take place in Hanoi from November 21 to December 2.
The second dose of the vaccine will be administered maybe after a month, said Tolentino.
“Abot na abot pa rin sa Tokyo, and of course, sa SEA Games,” he said.
- Report from Dyan Castillejo
Duterte signs law splitting Maguindanao into 2 provinces
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure dividing Maguindanao into two provinces.
Republic Act 11550 creates Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur provinces.
Maguindanao del Norte includes the towns of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Upi. Its capital is Datu Odin Sinsuat.
The municipalities of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, General Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, South Upi, Sultan sa Barongis, Sultan Sumagka and Talayan will be Maguindanao del Sur. Its capital is Buluan.
The Commission on Elections will supervise a plebiscite within 90 days from the effectivity of the law. The plebiscite will allow Maguindanao residents to ratify the law.
If the law is ratified, residents will elect governors, vice governors, members of the provincial board and other provincial officials during the May 2022 elections.
Maguindanao Representative Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, author of the bill, was elated by the passage of the law.
“Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah! Finally, the President has already signed into law the bill, May Allah bless and prosper our sincerest aspirations for the welfare and development of Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu said. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Phlippines)
Maguindanao split will bring services closer to people, lawmaker says
Dividing Maguindanao, home to about 1.7 million people, will bring public services closer to people, a lawmaker said Friday.
"'Yung social services hindi nararating kaagad. Kailangang mas mabilis pa ang social services at ibang serbisyo na maiparating sa constituents namin," Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael "Toto" Mangungudatu told ANC.
(Social services and other services don't reach our constituents immediately. It should be faster.)
The southern province, one of the poorest in the country, had a poverty incidence of 47.8 percent, according to a 2018 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
This translates to about 600,000 people who were considered poor or couldn't afford "to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health education, housing and other essential amenities of life."
On Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the division of Maguindanao into 2 provinces. He signed Republic Act No. 11550 that divided the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
According to the law, Dati Odin Sinsuat will be the capital and seat of government of Maguindanao del Norte, while Buluan will be for Maguindanao del Sur.
The 2 provinces will be created upon approval by majority of residents in a plebiscite that the Commission on Elections will supervise within 90 days from the law’s effectivity.
Local officials will be elected in the May 2022 elections, if the law is approved and ratified within 6 months before the polls.
"Mas lalong lalaki at mas lalong gaganda 'yong mga services natin plus the collections of local na maidagdag sa internal revenue allotment," Mangungudatu said,.
(Our services will expand and improve plus the collection will be added to the internal revenue allotment.)
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/05/28/21/maguindanao-split-mangungudatu
French Open: Men’s ‘big 3’ — Nadal, Djokovic, Federer — in same half of draw
PARIS—Thirteen-time champion Rafael Nadal, 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic were placed in the same half of the French Open draw on Thursday.
The three most successful players in the history of the men's game have won 17 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles between them and Federer and Djokovic are on a quarterfinal collision course.
Title holder Nadal, who starts against Australian Alexei Popyrin, could face Italian prospect Jannik Sinner, the 18th seed, in the fourth round a year after beating him in the quarterfinals.
In the other half of the draw, two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem's path leads to a potential quarterfinal clash with German sixth seed Alexander Zverev.
In the women's draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek will start her campaign against Kaja Juvan while one of the matches to watch will feature last year's runner-up Sofia Kenin, the fourth seed, against 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Kenin could face Swiatek, who turns 20 on Monday, in the quarter-finals.
After missing last year's event, second seed Naomi Osaka will make her comeback against Maria Patricia Tig.
The Japanese player, who said she would not speak to the media throughout the tournament for mental health reasons, is in the other half of the draw.
She could take on American Serena Williams in the semifinals with the seventh seed bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.
World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia starts her campaign against American Bernarda Pera and faces a possible semifinal against Swiatek. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)
Duterte signs law splitting Maguindanao province
COTABATO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill dividing the province of Maguindanao into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
According to Maguindanao Representative Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, Duterte signed House Bill No. 6314 on Wednesday. Mangudadatu is the author of the bill.
“Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah! Finally, the President has already signed into law the bill, May Allah bless and prosper our sincerest aspirations for the welfare and development of Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu said.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that the bill has been signed.
Senator Francis Tolentino said the division of the province aims to help boost social and economic development and promote political stability in the region.
Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, said the time is ripe to partition Maguindanao to pave the way for better delivery of basic services such as public health care, education and transportation to the most remote villages.
Under the partition plan, 12 municipalities will make up Maguindanao del Norte and the remaining 24 towns will be part of Maguindanao del Sur.
Municipalities to be included under Maguindanao del Norte are Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Talitay and Datu Odin Sinsuat, which will serve as its capital.
Meanwhile, Maguindanao del Sur will be composed of the municipalities of Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, South Upi and Buluan, which will be the capital.
Among other proponents of the bill are Maguindanao Representative Ronnie Sinsuat and Tarlac Representative Noel Villanueva.
Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu joined Cabinet officials in Malacanang during the signing of the bill.
The bill will be published thereafter in the official gazette and a scheduled plebiscite will decide the fate of dividing the province. --Ferdinandh Cabrera with Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News
NBA: 2 fans banned for spitting, pouring popcorn on players
Two fans have been banned indefinitely from NBA arenas for separate incidents during Wednesday's playoff games after inappropriate behavior towards Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young and Washington Wizards' Russell Westbrook.
The New York Knicks said on Thursday that a fan who had spit on Young in the fourth quarter has been banned from Madison Square Garden indefinitely.
"This was completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our venue. We have turned the information over to the appropriate authorities," the Knicks said in a statement while apologizing to Young and the Hawks.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers revoked a fan's season ticket with immediate effect and banned him from all events at the Wells Fargo Center indefinitely after he poured popcorn on Westbrook.
The Wizards guard was limping to the locker room with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and was showered with popcorn by a fan seated above the tunnel.
The incident occurred with 10 minutes left in the game and a furious Westbrook had to be held back by staff and security guards.
"We apologize to Russell Westbrook and the Washington Wizards for being subjected to this type of unacceptable and disrespectful behavior. There is no place for it in our sport or arena," the 76ers said.
Westbrook called for more protection for the players, saying there were numerous instances where fans in the stands felt they were "untouchable".
"I wouldn't come up to me on the street and throw popcorn on my head because you know what happens," Westbrook said.
"Obviously, I have learned to look the other way. But to a certain extent, you can't just keep looking the other way. There has to be some penalties or something to put in place where fans just can't come to the games and do and say as they please."
The NBA urged fans to show respect for players and officials and said it will vigorously enforce an enhanced code of conduct to ensure a "safe and respectful environment for all involved". (Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru and Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Toby Davis/Ed Osmond/Ken Ferris )
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/28/21/nba-2-fans-banned-for-spitting-pouring-popcorn-on-players
NBA: Ailing Chris Paul, Suns visit Lakers for pivotal Game 3
With the Los Angeles Lakers evening up this NBA opening round playoff series by winning Game 2 on the road against the Phoenix Suns, the two teams now travel to Los Angeles for Thursday's game.
And the focus has shifted from LeBron James' ailing right ankle to Chris Paul's balky shoulder.
James looked like his old self, finishing with 23 points and burying clutch shots down the stretch in leading the Lakers to victory in Game 2.
However, Phoenix's 36-year-old veteran point guard struggled through 23 mostly ineffective minutes in his team's 109-102 loss in the desert on Tuesday. Paul finished with just six points and five assists and did not look like the consummate playmaker who helped the Suns earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
So, it will be a tall order for the Suns to earn a victory in L.A. if Paul is not at full strength.
"It's pretty obvious he's not able to make the passes he wants, that's No. 1," Phoenix head coach Monty Williams said.
"He was laboring tonight (Tuesday). I don't want to get into too many details about it before I talk to him, but he wasn't even running or dribbling the way he ran and dribbled the ball this morning.
"We're hopeful it will get better over the next 48 hours."
With Paul not at full strength, the Suns will have to lean on Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and reserve point guard Cameron Payne even more for scoring and playmaking, and defensive intensity.
Booker and Ayton have carried the scoring load offensively so far in the series, combining to average more than 50 points a contest. And with Paul laboring, Payne finished with 19 points and seven assists off the bench in Game 2.
"It's going to be tough, but we all have to step up," Booker said. "We don't know how his health is right now, and how quick he's going to recover, but everybody has to give a little bit more."
For the Lakers, big man Anthony Davis rebounded from a disappointing, 13-point effort in Game 1 to help lead Los Angeles to a big win in Game 2, finishing with 34 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.
"He had great assertiveness," Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said about Davis. "And he does it in so many ways. He didn't settle much for the jump shot. He really ran the floor. Rolled hard. Drove hard and had the intent to attack the paint."
Davis said he was focused on getting to the basket from the opening tip.
"I played with a lot more energy and effort tonight," Davis said. "And I just played aggressive. I think that was the difference from Game 1."
The Lakers also played from ahead instead of behind, grabbing a six-point advantage after the opening quarter.
Vogel said his team's ability to start fast was important and something the Lakers need to continue to do as they look to take an edge in the series in Game 3.
"We came out with great assertiveness, attention to detail and defensive pressure," Vogel said. "Obviously, this is a great team we are playing, even short-handed with the way CP3 (Paul) is limited, they still are getting great play from all their guys.
"This is a team with the second-best record in the NBA. So, it's not going to be a situation where it's easy to knock them out in any game."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/28/21/2021nbaplayoffs-lakers-suns-game3-preview
NBA: Heat is on Butler, Bam Adebayo vs Bucks in Game 3
Jimmy Butler is averaging 13.5 points in two playoff games this year, Bam Adebayo 12.5 points.
If the host Miami Heat are to win Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, Butler and Adebayo likely have to do more. Much more.
Butler did not disagree with that premise.
"We know what we have to do," Butler said. "Sometimes we get a little lost in getting everyone else involved. I think at times, you've got to just go, myself especially."
Butler averaged a team-high 21.5 points during the regular season. Adebayo was second in scoring (18.7). Combined, Butler and Adebayo are averaging a combined 14.2 points under their regular-season numbers.
In contrast, the Bucks, who lead the best-of-seven series 2-0, have had no problems at the top of their depth chart as their two best players have played like stars. Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals in this series, and two-time All-Star Khris Middleton is scoring 22.0 points per game.
In Miami's 33-year history as an NBA franchise, the Heat have come back to win a series after trailing 2-0 just once -- in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
Last year, the Heat trailed just once in any series, losing 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, the Bucks, who went 20-16 on the road this season as opposed to 26-10 at home, now get to test their skills on Miami's court. The Heat, 21-15 at home, weren't dominant in Miami this season, although 17,000 fans are expected on Thursday, which would make it the Heat's largest and likely most electric crowd of the season.
Milwaukee has shown in this series it can win a close game and a blowout. The Bucks won Saturday's opener 109-107 on Middleton's closely contested jumper with 0.5 seconds left in overtime, and Milwaukee routed the Heat 132-98 in Monday's shocking demolition.
After getting beaten by the Heat in the franchises' only two playoff meetings -- in the first round in 2013 and in the second round last year -- the Bucks seem to be a more determined team this time around.
"We have trust in each other," Middleton said of his teammates.
Antetokounmpo hasn't been shy this series, putting up a total of 50 shots in the two games, making 22. He is also 1-for-10 on three-pointers and 12-for-20 on free throws.
"I'm going to be aggressive the whole series, make or miss," Antetokounmpo said.
The Bucks have not only gained a 2-0 series lead, they have also flipped the pressure -- at least for now.
Heat guard Goran Dragic admitted as much when he said this when Milwaukee was at home: "The pressure was all on them. They (needed) to win at home."
Now, of course, the onus is on the Heat, a franchise with championship lineage. After the 34-point thrashing Miami took on Monday, some in the Heat community are fearing a four-game sweep -- just one year after reaching the NBA Finals.
But Adebayo said "pep talks" are not necessary.
"We're grown men," he said. "We know what we've got to do."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/28/21/2021nbaplayoffs-miami-heat-bucks-game3-preview
Mobile Legends: VeeWise stops Bren's furious comeback vs Blacklist in 3-2 playoff thriller
Blacklist International is moving forward in the upper bracket playoffs of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL7) at the expense of defending world and domestic champion Bren Esports, which got relegated to the lower bracket despite rallying the series down to a rubber match Thursday evening.
The thrilling victory is Blacklist's first win against Bren Esports throughout the MPL franchise.
Edward’s Benedetta made three early kills to put Blacklist in an early advantage. The squad later on banked on their signature “UBE Strategy” to carry the momentum and take the first game, 1-0.
The “Mathilda Airlines” of Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna and Kiel “Oheb” Soriano’s Lunox helped propel Blacklist through Game 2 and put the squad up to match point, 2-0.
The meteor shower, care of CJ “Ribo” Ribo’s Chang'e, provided a lifeline for a Bren Esports squad that had its turrets wiped out by the 19th minute - but it was not enough as Blacklist took the Lord and gave added advantage to an already dominating squad, 2-1.
Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno went back to his M2 championship roots in Game 3 with a stellar performance as Lancelot to help Bren Esports stay alive in the series, 2-2.
With most of Blacklist's comfort picks banned, Bren was able to use this to their advantage and force a decider, as Allan “Lusty” Castromayor's Khufra's crowd control skills proved enough to limit the mobility of Blacklist's players and set up crucial plays for the defending champs.
But Blacklist was able to bounce back and secure the victory, capping off a dominant Game 5 showing with the signature "Veewise" tandem of OhMyV33nus and Danerie James “Wise” Del Rosario stepping up to wipe out the entire Bren Esports squad and obliterate their base within seconds.
Bren gave Blacklist's only defeat in the regular season via a 2-1 nail-biter last April 29 - which was pivotal for the squad which weathered through a slow start early in the season.
Blacklist will face an Aura PH squad coming off a long but hard-fought win against Smart Omega on Saturday. A win for either teams means they book the first ticket to the grand finals.
ROSTER
BREN ESPORTS
CJ “Ribo” Ribo
Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno
David “FlapTzy” Canon
EJ “Ejhay” Sambrano
Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel
Allan “Lusty” Castromayor
BLACKLIST INTERNATIONAL
Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna
Dexter “DEX STAR” Alaba
Kiel “Oheb” Soriano
Danerie James “Wise” Del Rosario
Edward “EDWARD” Dapadap
Mark Jayson "ESON" Gerardo
DUTERTE, LENI LEAD TODAY'S FLAG DAY RITES, PHNO Manila Bureau Chief lauded
This small barrio is the center of major activities today, as the nation commemorates the 124th anniversary of the first time that the Philippine flag, in its present form, was hoisted. President Rodrigo Duterte will lead the ceremonies by raising the Philippine flag, while President-elect Leni Robredo will do the same at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park.
It was in Alapan, 124 years ago, where a ragtag band of Filipino revolutionaries tied the Filipino flag to a bamboo pole and proudly raised it after a victorious assault on a Spanish arsenal guarded heavily by better equipped Spanish soldiers. General Emilio Aguinaldo had entrusted the Hong Kong-made flag to the Imus rebolusyonaryos for safekeeping.
Because Aguinaldo was not present, the event was overlooked by historians, who presumed that the Philippine flag was first publicly displayed June 12, 1898, when Aguinaldo proclaimed independence in his Kawit, Cavite home. Generations of Filipinos learned from history books that June 12 was not only the date of the proclamation of independence, but also the first time the flag was unfurled on Philippine soil.
However, the Imus veterans of the Spanish-Filipino struggle did not forget. They commemorated the event with annual parades capped by the raising of the flag atop a bamboo pole in the original site, which later became a barrio public school.
On May 28, 1969, while working for ABS-CBN News, news reporter/producer Sol Jose covered the Alapan parade upon the urging of her cameraman -- Imus native Doming Topacio. The stirring interviews with ageing rayadillo-clad veterans moved Sol into visiting Alapan every May 28 even after she left the news department.
Two years ago, when top officials of the newly-created National Centennial Commission were guest panellists of the Bulong Pulongan media forum, Sol called the attention of NCC Chairman Salvador Laurel to the historical inaccuracy surrounding the flag's first hoisting. Laurel put historians and researchers to task, and ordered new research.
Last year, the NCC announced that May 28 was going to be called "Flag Day" and would be celebrated at the site of the first flag hoisting in front of the public school in Alapan. Laurel and NCC Executive Director Luis Morales lauded Sol, now Mrs. Sol Jose Vanzi, for being mainly responsible for rewriting our history books to reflect the events of May 28, 1898.
Mrs. Sol Jose Vanzi is the Philippine Headline News Online Manila Bureau Chief. She is also the Philippine stringer for The Los Angeles Times, Australian TV's 60 Minutes and a French TV documentary group.
(The entire PHNO Newsflash staff along with all our cybereaders proudly congratulate our editor Sol Jose Vanzi for being an incredible piece of our Centennial history! Lee Quesada)
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Discover The Importance Of Honesty In Your Relationships
When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful” Genesis 26:7
Rebekah lived in a polygamous society where the women were property and beautiful women were commodities to be purchased at the cost of gold or blood. Isaac, her husband, knew this all too well; so when he was asked, “Who is this woman?” he lied out of fear, saying, “She is my sister!” And why not? Who keeps faith with the enemy? A generation before, his father, Abraham, had essentially done the same thing to try to protect his mother. You can read about both incidents in the book of Genesis. This issue of lying to protect someone when the very act of dishonesty only endangers relationships all the more is not new. The incidents which I related took place almost 5,000 years ago, yet the issue is as relevant as your wife’s most recent visit with her neighbor or best friend.
Take, for example, the woman who was involved in an affair, and thinking she had to tell someone, told her best friend, making her promise not to mention a word of this to anyone, including her husband. After her husband had lunch with the husband of his wife’s best friend, he commented to his wife, “Something’s wrong. I don’t know what it is. Do you?’ Caught between loyalty to her friend and her husband, she lied, “No, I have no idea.” It was the first time she had ever consciously lied to the man she loved. She hoped the whole issue would go away. It didn’t. One lie led to another. She became part of the conspiracy, and she felt as guilty as if she herself were involved in the affair.
Finally, the whole situation became public, and when it did, her part was confessed with tears and remorse. Was she protecting her friend? No, she would tell you, she was betraying her own husband out of misplaced loyalty. “Don’t ever tell me anything I have to lie about,” she now tells her friends.
The truth about lies in marriage is that they just don’t work. No relationship is more intimate, more personal, and more complete than is marriage, and though one person thinks he or she is sparing the other, the fact is he or she is violating the very fabric of a relationship and is undoing the trust that was woven over a period of many months, perhaps many years.
“The truth hurts,” people sometimes tell me in trying to explain why they chose the path of deception. “Of course, it hurts!” I agree, but the consequences of deception and eventual discovery hurt far, far more. What is unconfessed, which may involve only one or two others, eventually becomes public news and the pain and shame only multiply.
When Abraham and then a generation later his son Isaac lied, they learned through painful experiences that God’s protection, care and forgiveness bring the least suffering to themselves and to others who are caught in the deceit trap.
I’ve been focusing on a fascinating passage found in the book of Proverbs where the writer records six things which God hates, even seven which are detestable to Him. Lying is the second on that list. Whether it is a friendship, or the workplace, or the intimate relationship you have with your mate, absolute and complete honesty is the only ingredient that will produce growth and stability.
Interestingly enough, looking at the list of character flaws which God hates, then matching them with some of the great men and women of the Bible, I have to say with the Psalmist, “The Lord remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14).
Resource reading: Psalm 103:8-18
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/discover-the-importance-of-honesty-in-your-relationships/
Division of Maguindanao into 2 provinces now a law; no date for plebiscite yet
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the bill dividing Maguindanao province into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu announced in his Facebook page that Duterte signed on Wednesday Republic Act 11550, which divides the 36-municipality province into two provinces.
“Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah! Finally, the President has already signed into law the bill, May Allah bless and prosper our sincerest aspirations for the welfare and development of Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu, who authored House Bill 6314 seeking the division of the province, said.
If the proposed division of the province wins in a plebiscite that is yet to be scheduled, 12 municipalities will make up Maguindanao del Norte and the remaining 24 towns will form Maguindanao del Sur.
Maguindanao del Norte will get Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Talitay and Datu Odin Sinsuat, which will serve as its capital.
Maguindanao del Sur will comprise Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, South Upi and Buluan, which will be the capital.
Senator Francis Tolentino, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said the division of the province aims to help boost social and economic development and promote political stability in the region.
Tolentino said the division will mean better delivery of basic services such as public health care, education and transportation to the most remote villages.
Maguindanao is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Among the other proponents of the bill in the House are Rep. Ronnie Sinsuat of the first district of Maguindanao and Rep. Noel Villanueva. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera/MindaNews)
PBA: Blackwater eyes possible training in Tagaytay to cut travel time
The management of Blackwater is considering to move its training camp somewhere near Metro Manila to save some travel time.
Coach Nash Racela and the rest of the team already held scrimmages at the Batangas City Sports Center on their first week of training.
Pending the government's decision on whether it will put the NCR Plus under the regular general community quarantine (GCQ) or remain under heightened restrictions, the Bossing are mulling to move their camp to Tagaytay.
The team made a temporary move to the Splendido Taal Country Club.
Team owner Dioceldo Sy said they plan to stay if NCR Plus reverts to regular GCQ.
"Tingnan natin by next week," Sy said in PBA.ph. "For now balikan muna." (LINK ON PBA.PH https://pba.ph/news/blackwater-eyeing-tagaytay-training-camp)
Those who are practicing in Batangas are training under a closed-circuit system or semi-bubble setting. This means, everyone from coaches, players to staff have to strictly limit their movements from house to vehicle to venue and vice versa.
Meralco, TnT Tropang Giga, and NLEX, meanwhile, are training in a full bubble set-up.
The NLEX Road Warriors are training in Clark, Pampanga, while the Bolts and Tropang Giga travelled up north in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
'Passionate' Cambage to lead Australia's bid for elusive basketball gold
Ian Ransom, Reuters
MELBOURNE - Social justice firebrand Liz Cambage will be free to express herself on the court when she leads Australia's bid for an elusive basketball gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
United States-based Cambage was confirmed in the 12-woman squad on Wednesday, weeks after threatening to boycott the Games over a lack of racial diversity in Australia's Olympic photo-shoots.
Cambage backtracked on the threat, but her comment on social media riled former Olympians, including tennis gold medalist Todd Woodbridge and embarrassed the Australian Olympic Committee, which did however acknowledge she had a point.
Sandy Brondello, coach of the 'Opals', said she had told Cambage, who was born to a Nigerian father, that she supported her right to express her opinion and the Las Vegas Aces center was quick to commit to Tokyo.
"She's passionate about a lot of things off the court and we totally support that," Brondello told reporters in a video call.
"I wanted her to be there. She loves the Opals, these are all her sisters... She's ready to go and win that gold."
Cambage generated headlines this week after calling out a coach for a remark about her weight during a WNBA game.
Connecticut Sun coach Curt Miller was subsequently fined and suspended for a game by the WNBA. He apologized in a statement to Cambage and the Aces.
"If someone treats her badly in that regard, why shouldn't she stand up," said Brondello, who coaches WNBA side Phoenix Mercury.
Australia were knocked out of the quarter-finals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, breaking a streak of medaling at every Games from 1996-2012.
They were runners-up to the United States at the 2018 World Cup and will be among the biggest threats to the powerful Americans, who are bidding for a seventh successive Olympic gold.
"I think we're capable of that gold medal," said Brondello.
"I believe that the 12 we have named are very well balanced, very versatile, have great experience."
The Opals will have a training camp in the United States in July before heading to Tokyo. Brondello said all her squad would be vaccinated before arriving in Japan, which is battling a fourth wave of COVID-19.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; editing by John Stonestreet)
Japan newspaper sponsoring Olympics joins cancellation chorus
Andrew McKirdy, Agence France-Presse
Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper, an official Tokyo Olympics sponsor, called for the Games to be cancelled on Wednesday, in the latest sign of opposition less than two months before the opening ceremony.
The call comes with public opinion in Japan firmly against holding the Games this summer, and after prominent business leaders voiced their concern in recent weeks.
Organizers insist however that the Games are on, saying an extensive rulebook will keep athletes and the Japanese public safe.
The Asahi daily's editorial urged Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to "make a calm, objective assessment of the situation and make the decision to cancel this summer's Olympics".
The paper said it "cannot accept the gamble" of holding the event, despite organizers' assurances it will be safe.
It also accused International Olympic Committee leaders, including vice-president John Coates, of being "self-righteous" and "clearly out of step" with the Japanese public.
When asked last week if the Games could be held even during a virus state of emergency, Coates said "the answer is absolutely yes".
Tokyo and other parts of Japan are currently under a state of emergency, which is expected to be extended this week until June 20.
"Saying 'yes' without demonstrating any clear grounds for it once again drove home the self-righteous image of the IOC," the Asahi editorial said.
Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said it was "natural" that "different media organizations have different views", but acknowledged that people are "anxious".
"The national and local governments have put stringent measures in place to contain the spread of infections, and we believe the situation will improve as a result," he said.
Muto added that no executive board members had called for the Games to be cancelled or postponed.
Two prominent figures in Japanese business have also voiced opposition to the Games in recent weeks.
Masayoshi Son, head of tech investment behemoth SoftBank Group, tweeted on Sunday: "Do the IOC have the right to decide if it's held or not?"
"If you think about what people have to put up with, we might have a lot more to lose" if the Games go ahead, he added.
And earlier this month Hiroshi Mikitani, CEO of e-commerce giant Rakuten, called the Games "a suicide mission".
"The risk is too big and... I'm against having the Tokyo Olympics this year," he told CNN.
- 'No change' on Games: US -
Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto acknowledged organisers face "considerable" opposition.
"There are a considerable number of Japanese people who are concerned," she told an executive board meeting.
She reiterated that the number of overseas participants would be capped and they would face tough restrictions while in Japan, and that the Games would not place extra stress on overstretched local medical system.
Muto said the number of medical staff required for the event would be reduced by around 30 percent of the original figure.
Japan has seen a comparatively small outbreak of the virus, with fewer than 12,500 deaths, and has avoided the harsh lockdowns seen in some places.
The current virus emergency mostly limits the sale of alcohol in restaurants and bars, and forces them to close early.
But the government faces criticism for a comparatively slow vaccine roll-out, with no date yet set for expanding jabs beyond medical workers and the elderly.
An exception will be made for Japan's Olympic athletes and some staff who will get early jabs courtesy of doses donated by Pfizer.
Those vaccinations will start from June 1, with doses going to around 600 athletes and 1,000 coaches, training partners and other members of staff, according to Japan's Olympic Committee.
IOC chief Thomas Bach said last week that most athletes and team members staying at the Olympic village would be vaccinated by the time the Games begin.
But earlier this week, with less than two months to go before the opening ceremony, the US State Department issued a travel warning for Japan over virus risks.
The White House said Tuesday that it supported plans to hold the Games, with press secretary Jen Psaki saying "our position has not changed on the Olympics".
"There are very specific entry and movement rules and procedures which the organisers have laid out in order to ensure the protection of everyone involved," she added.
Cancelling the Games would cost Japan around 1.8 trillion yen ($16.6 billion), a research institute said Tuesday.
But the Nomura Research Institute warned that the country could suffer even greater economic damage as a result of holding the Games, if a spike in infections led to a new state of emergency.
Mobile Legends: Aura PH outlast Smart Omega in long upper bracket opener
After a long matchup that spilled through the night, Aura PH advanced to the next level in the upper bracket after a thrilling 3-2 bout against Smart Omega the Season 7 playoffs of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League, Wednesday.
Both squads weathered a record-breaking Game 1 match-up that lasted for about 47 minutes. Some 24 minutes into Game 1, Aura PH was seconds away into taking Game 1, as Killuash was one hit away from obliterating Smart Omega’s base 24 minutes into Game 1.
He took out Salic “Hadjizy” Imam’s Ling in the process, but Adrian “Toshi” Bacalloi’s Harith arrived in the nick of time to kill him off.
Aura PH tried to split push once more about 45 minutes with two players in, but Smart Omega acted on it much quicker, taking down the pushing players and staging a counter push to eventually win the long stand-off.
Aura PH quickly leveled in Game 2, thanks to Frederic Benedict "Bennyqt" A. Gonzales’s Harith which sported a 7-2-6 kill-death-assist scorecard.
Jaymark Aaron "Lord Hadess" Tomas Lazaro’s Claude in Game 3 lifted them a game closer into taking the match, participating in 92 percent of the kills, with a 2-0-9 KDA record.
Smart Omega kept Aura PH to just 3 kills as they forced a deciding match in Game 4.
Earlier into Game 5, Smart Omega seemed poised to take the series as it took out all of Aura PH's turrets.
But some 33 minutes into another long match, Lord Hadess' Ling turned the momentum in favor of Aura PH by taking the lord, giving them an advantage and eventually securing the series.
With the results, Smart Omega are relegated to the lower bracket, placing themselves a loss away from elimination.
ROSTER
SMART OMEGA - Jiane “Kenji” Villa, Jeniel “Haze” Bata-anon, EJ “Heath” Esperanza, Salic “Hadjizy” Imam, Jankurt “KurtTzy” Matira, and Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo
AURA PH - Christian Provido "Rafflesia" Fajura, Allen Jedric "Greed_" O. Baloy, Ashley Marco "Killuash" Dungo Cruz, Jaypee "Jaypee" Dela Cruz, Frederic Benedict "Bennyqt" A. Gonzales, Jaymark Aaron "Lord Hadess" Tomas Lazaro
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