Friday, May 14, 2021

Basketball: Gilas 3X3 team returns to Calamba for final preps for Olympic qualifiers

The Gilas Pilipinas 3X3 team will be given a stiff test by a team of practice players at the Inspire Sports Academy ahead of their Olympic Qualification Tournament in Graz, Austria.


According to PBA.ph, the practice team will be spearheaded by 6-foot-10 Senegalese Malick Diouf, Nueva Ecija's Tonino Gonzaga, and Philippine Merchant Marine Academy's Agosto Flor.


The three will give the Gilas 3X3 team, composed of CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, and alternates Leonard Santillan and Karl Dehasa, a semblance of competition that they will meet in the Olympic qualifying event taking place on May 26 to 30. 


Gonzaga and Flor also served as practice players for the Gilas 3x3 team that won the inaugural gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games two years ago. 


Calling the shots for the team is coach Ronnie Magsanoc.


This time, the Gilas 3X3 team will be going up against France, Slovenia, Qatar, and the Dominican Republic in Pool C.


The Philippines needs to win at least two games to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. 


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/basketball-gilas-3x3-team-returns-to-calamba-for-final-preps-for-olympic-qualifiers

The World Tonight | ANC (14 May 2021)

MMA: UFC set to crown new lightweight champion to replace Khabib

The UFC is set to crown either American Michael Chandler or Brazil's Charles Oliveira as lightweight champion in Houston, Texas on Saturday, filling the void left by the retirement of undefeated Dagestani Khabib Nurmagomedov last October.


Nurmagomedov, 32, announced his retirement in the cage following his submission victory over American Justin Gaethje in October 2020, prompting a rush to replace him at the top of one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC.


Former Bellator champion Chandler quickly dispatched New Zealander Dan Hooker in his UFC debut in January and will fight for the UFC belt in only his second bout with the promotion.


He defended his right to the fight.


"These days the word 'deserve' is a hard one to quantify, (but) I’ve been in this sport for over a decade - 13 years in August. My resume does speak for itself," Chandler told a media conference on Thursday.


His opponent Oliveira is on an eight-fight winning streak and staked his claim to a title shot with a unanimous decision victory in December over American Tony Ferguson, former interim title holder who will meet Beneil Dariush in the co-main event.


As the fighters shared a stage to speak to the media, Ferguson accused Chandler of dodging him as he sought an easier route to the UFC title and suggested his compatriot was being given preferential treatment by the UFC.


"You said no, I’m going to be real. You got this handed to you. You got (UFC president) Dana White privilege,” said Ferguson.


Former champion Conor McGregor had his sights on winning back the belt he lost to Nurmagomedov but defeat by American Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi in January saw him leapfrogged in the queue.


Irishman McGregor is slated to meet Poirier in a rematch in July, with the winner likely to be back in title contention. (Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Ken Ferris)


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/mma-ufc-set-to-crown-new-lightweight-champion-to-replace-khabib

GAB may file cases vs parties involved in VisMin game-fixing as probe nears close

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is building up a case against those involved in the alleged game-fixing in the VisMin Super Cup.


GAB chairman Baham Mitra said that the agency's Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit is nearly done with its probe into the questionable match between the Siquijor Mystics and the Lapu-Lapu Heroes last April 14.


“Maraming allegations ng game-fixing. Maraming bali-balita. Maraming alingasngas. Pero parang eto na yata ang panahon na talagang meron nang makakasuhan,” said Mitra in their presser on Friday.


“Sa ngayon, sinisigurado namin na maganda ‘yung mga ebidensya at ‘yung mga witnesses na maaring magbigay saysay at tulong sa imbestigasyon na ito.”


The controversial game saw several exchanges of missed layups and free throws which indicated a possible point-shaving scheme. Game officials grew suspicious and eventually the match was called off.


After an internal probe, the league's top brass expelled the entire Siquijor team while issuing out fines and suspensions to the members and coaches of the Lapu-Lapu team.


But GAB continued its own probe which could lead to the suspension of the licenses of people involved.


“It’s just a matter of time. I think these people should be given a lesson. Ayoko lang unahan but there is a big probability that their licenses will be revoked," he said.


“We assure everybody that we are digging deeper into it and what we have is substantial in the eyes of the judges.”


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/gab-may-file-cases-vs-parties-involved-in-vismin-game-fixing-as-probe-nears-close

This Is Why You Can Face Your Future

 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart.  He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him…Saul then said…, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”  1 Samuel 28:5-7


When Janette Aragon first answered the phone and a caller asked, “Can you tell me my future?” she thought that someone was playing a prank on her.  After all, she was the secretary of Missionary Enterprises, a Christian organization, and she had no experience with crystal balls or tarot cards.  But the man was dead serious.  “How did you get our phone number?” asked Janette.


It was right there in the tabloid newspaper, and he read the ad to her over the phone, “Spanish card reading…answers all your questions about love, money, [and the] future…”  Then the man read the phone number.  A typesetter had made a mistake, thus putting in the number of Missionary Enterprises instead of the telephone number of the fortune teller who expected to get the calls.


After Janette recovered from her initial surprise, she explained that there are answers to the questions about the future, and they are found in a book called the Bible.  She told the caller how Jesus Christ came to change our futures, to remove the questions as to where we will spend eternity.


“I want to know your God!” exclaimed the caller, and, believe it or not, a tabloid newspaper majoring in the scintillating and sensational was the means of a man’s coming to know Jesus Christ.


The fact is that people want to know.  Will my boyfriend marry me?  Will my business succeed?  Will I have children?  Will my money run out before I die?  Can I succeed in love and marriage? Will I pass my exams?


When a Christian group ran an ad in a Manila newspaper which asked, “Would you like to know your future?” and gave a post office box for a response, more than 10,000 people responded.


Never before have more people invested more false hopes in astrology, tarot card readings, mediums, and fortune tellers in the desire of knowing what the future holds than today.  All of these and a host of other hopeful glimpses into the future have become big businesses, but only God actually knows the future.


Bringing the whole issue down to where you live, how much do you personally know of your future?  Doctors using ultrasound can usually predict the sex of an unborn child, but some parents choose not to know the sex of their child.  They want it to be a surprise, and some folks, likewise, would prefer not knowing what tomorrow holds, fearful that it will not be to their liking.  Most people, though, want to know.


Sure, a swami with a turban or a guru can mystically gaze into a crystal ball, lights dimmed and eyes flashing, and tell you in vague generalities what might happen to you (for a price, of course).  But God knows with certainty.


Ira Stanphill put it, “I don’t know about tomorrow but I know Who holds my hand,” and that assurance can be yours, friend.  How much better to know as you face the future that God walks with you, that He will never leave you or forsake you, than to have someone give you a false prophesy as to what will happen to you.  The child of God never walks alone, and in that sense, he’s connected to the future.  If you could visualize God’s Son, Jesus Christ, walking with you hand in hand, would you really care about specifics in your future?


That wasn’t the only call Janette received.  In the next few days, more than 50 callers asked the same basic question, “How can I know the future?”  In His Word, the Bible, you can find out what it really is.  Read it, friend.  It will answer your question, “Can you tell me my future?” Indeed, God can.


Resource reading:  1 Samuel 28: 5-16


https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/this-is-why-you-can-face-your-future/

Basketball: Alvin Pasaol excited to don Gilas jersey in FIBA 3x3 Olympic qualifiers

Alvin Pasaol is finally making his dream come true as he set to suit up in a Gilas Pilipinas jersey when he joined the Philippine squad for the 2021 FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.


According to the Davao-native cager, he will be cherishing the opportunity to be part of the national team.


"Simula bata ako, gustong gusto ko talaga na makasali sa Gilas. Dream come true ito na makaabot sa stage na ito. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Boss Al (Panlilio), Boss Butch (Antonio), kay coach Ronnie (Magsanoc), at sa buong SBP dahil nakasama ako sa pool na 'to,” Pasaol said. 


Pasaol did some of his preparations at home after missing out on Gilas Pilipinas 3x3's seven-day training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy last week.


The 6-foot-4 player could not enter the “Calambubble” due to health and safety protocols but assured that he did his due diligence at home.


"During that time, nag-eextra workout tapos may Zoom workout kami ni Coach Benj (Palarca). Habang nasa bubble sila, ginagawa ko rin yung tungkulin ko para pagpasok ko sa bubble ready ko," said the no. 2 ranked 3x3 player in the country prior to the Olympic cut off.


"Confident ako na mabibigay ko yung todo kong lakas sa remaining practices namin sa bubble at sa OQT."


Gilas 3x3 was supposed to reenter the bubble on Friday but had to postpone to Saturday.


Pasaol can't wait to finally get back to the halfcourt with his brothers-in-arms, top 3x3 player Joshua Munzon, no. 6 Karl Dehesa, no. 8 Santi Santillan, and 30th Southeast Asian Games gold medalists CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa.


"Siyempre, sobrang excited na makasama ko sila ulit. Dahil sa pandemic, hindi kami naka-practice at nagkita-kita. Masaya na makita ko sila muli," said the 26-year-old athlete.


Competing in FIBA 3x3's pro circuit over the past two years, Pasaol knows how tough the opposition will be.


Gilas 3×3 is set to face the Piran-powered Slovenia and Qatar on May 26 while taking on France and the Dominican Republic on May 28.


 Pasaol is confident that Gilas can match up with those nations.


"Sa magandang binuo na pool ng SBP, talagang sinigurado nila na nandun lahat ng kulang natin. Kayang kaya natin makipagsabayan, tiwala na lang na mananalo," said Pasaol.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/basketball-alvin-pasaol-excited-to-don-gilas-jersey-in-fiba-3x3-olympic-qualifiers

WATCH: PCSO 9 PM Lotto Draw, May 14, 2021

Online petition author asks Tokyo governor to cancel Olympics

A Japanese lawyer who launched a popular online petition calling for the cancellation of this summer's Olympics on Friday urged the Tokyo metropolitan government to call off the games, saying protecting people's lives from the coronavirus must be the top priority.


Kenji Utsunomiya, who on May 5 launched the online campaign that has gathered over 350,000 signatures, said Japan and the rest of the world are not ready to stage the Olympics and Paralympics due to the global health crisis.


"Holding the Olympics should be welcomed by everyone, but that is not possible under the current situation. So the Olympics must be canceled," Utsunomiya, former head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, told a press conference after handing over the request addressed to Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.


The submission of the request comes with only 70 days until the scheduled opening of the postponed Tokyo Olympics.


Uncertainty looms over the Tokyo Games as Japan grapples with surging infections driven by highly contagious virus variants in the capital, now under an extended state of emergency, and elsewhere.


"It is a question of which should be prioritized, people's lives or the event itself," said Utsunomiya, reflecting increased public opposition expressed in recent weeks as many hospitals have become overwhelmed due to the rising number of COVID-19 sufferers.


Utsunomiya said he has also sent the request to the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee, and will continue collecting signatures until the games are scrapped.


"To hold the Olympic and Paralympic Games would cause a massive movement of people and would surely endanger the health of not only Japanese people but also those who come to the country for the sake of the games," said the English version of the request, sent to the two international bodies.


At a regular press conference held hours later, Koike said she "understood from media reports" that Utsunomiya had made the request, but she did not share her thoughts on the petition.


Koike said different divisions of the metropolitan government are trying to contain the resurgence of infections and realize a "safe and secure" Olympics.


"It is the role of the Tokyo government to make progress on both fronts, and we have been working on them every day. That is all that needs to be said," she said.


Created in Japanese, English, French and German, the "Stop Tokyo Olympics" petition is also addressed to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and other heads of organizing bodies.


It quickly gathered support as it was passed around on social media. According to Change.org, the platform hosting the petition, people from over 130 countries, including Britain, Canada, India, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States, have signed.


Change.org said a week ago the anti-Olympic campaign is the fastest-growing petition on the Japanese version of the website which was launched in 2012.


On Friday, Olympic minister Tamayo Marukawa said 45 municipalities across Japan have so far given up their plans to host athletes for pre-Olympic training camps and cultural exchanges due to concerns over the pandemic.

Marukawa told a press conference that 32 of the 45 municipalities that decided to pull out of the government's "Host Town" programs said they were notified by their prospective guests that they will abandon their plans to visit.


As of the end of April, a total of 528 municipalities had registered to welcome athletes from 184 countries and regions in a first-of-its-kind program for the Olympics and Paralympics.


The government is calling for those communities' interactions to continue online and through other means.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/online-petition-author-asks-tokyo-governor-to-cancel-olympics

Football: Juve play Inter Milan for Champions League survival

Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo warned his side were "alive and kicking" as they take on Inter Milan for Champions League survival on Saturday.


Antonio Conte's Inter have already wrapped up the Serie A title but the battle behind for a top four finish that would secure elite European football next season is tight.


Just three points separate second-placed Atalanta and Juventus in fifth with two games left to play.


Atalanta and AC Milan are equal on 75 points, followed by fourth-placed Napoli on 73 and Juventus on 72.


The Champions League spots could be decided this weekend.


If Atalanta and Milan win, both will have booked their spots as they have a better head-to-head record with Juve.


Juve have won just four of their last nine league games and need a win against Inter to have any chance of elite football. 


"We've caused problems for ourselves lately, now we'll go all out in our remaining matches," said Pirlo. 


If Juventus fail to win and Napoli get all three points at 13th-placed Fiorentina, the Turin side will be destined to play Europa League football next season.


"We're still alive and kicking. It won't be easy but we'll keep fighting till the end," added Pirlo with an Italian Cup final against Atalanta next Wednesday.


Juventus lost 2-0 to Inter at the San Siro earlier this season, with Conte's side currently on a 20-match unbeaten run.


Pirlo will be counting on Serie A top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, and Paulo Dybala, who brought their tally to 100 goals for the club in a win over Sassuolo during the week. 


"The only thing we're thinking about now is qualifying for the Champions League," said French midfielder Adrien Rabiot with Juve's final game at Bologna.


"We're a bit tired but we have to keep pulling out all the stops in the last two games and keep trying till the end."


Atalanta travel to 14th-placed Genoa with AC Milan at home against relegation-threatened Cagliari after their seven-goal midweek win over Torino.


The Bergamo side host Milan in their final match of the season.


"Three points are missing," said Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.


"We have to find them at Genoa."


Milan are without injured striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but shook off his absence with their Torino rout after a 3-0 win over Juventus and have not conceded a goal in their last three games.


"Two such important performances are a very important sign," said coach Stefano Pioli. 


"Two weeks ago they gave us all up for half dead, now we have our fate in our hands. 


"We are 3km from the summit, until you finish anything can happen on the way up."


At the bottom of the table four teams can still take the final relegation spot.


Benevento, currently occupying the position, can pick up points against already-relegated Crotone.


Torino and Spezia, both four points ahead of Benevento, go head-to-head in a direct clash for top flight survival.


Fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday


Genoa v Atalanta, Spezia v Torino (1300GMT), Juventus v Inter Milan (1600), AS Roma v Lazio (1845)


Sunday


Fiorentina v Napoli (1030GMT), Benevento v Crotone, Udinese v Sampdoria (1300), Parma v Sassuolo (1600), AC Milan v Cagliari (1845)


ea/bsp 


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/football-juve-play-inter-milan-for-champions-league-survival

Japan expands coronavirus emergency as 350,000 sign 'Cancel Olympics' petition

Japan expanded a coronavirus state of emergency Friday, just 10 weeks before the Olympics, as campaigners submitted a petition with more than 350,000 signatures calling for the Games to be scrapped.


With Tokyo and other areas already under emergency orders until the end of May, three more regions -- including northern Hokkaido, which will host the Olympic marathon -- now join them.


"Today, we decided to add Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima to the area under the state of emergency from May 16 to 31," Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced at a virus taskforce meeting.


In these three regions, "the population is relatively big and the number of new cases is very rapidly increasing", he said.


The widening emergency, aimed at combatting a fourth wave putting Japan's medical system under strain, comes with public opinion firmly opposed to holding the Games this summer, fearing further infections.


Kenji Utsunomiya, a former candidate for Tokyo governor, urged Games organisers to "prioritise life" as he submitted the 351,000-signature petition to city authorities.


"I think the Olympics this time is about whether we prioritise life or a ceremony and event called the Olympics," Utsunomiya said, urging Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike to push for cancellation.


The petition is also being sent to the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee, as well as local organisers and the national government.


"Holding the Olympics under these circumstances means precious medical resources have to be set aside for the Games," Utsunomiya warned. 


On Thursday, a doctors' union warned it was "impossible" to hold the Games safely during the pandemic, but organisers say virus countermeasures will keep the athletes and Japanese public safe.


Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto told reporters she was aware of the concerns, but insisted strict rules would keep everyone safe.


"We have announced very stringent antivirus measures," she told reporters.


"We have to create a firm bubble and take the necessary restrictions to avoid putting strain on the medical system."


Japanese 'anger'


In an interview with AFP, International Paralympic Committee chief Andrew Parsons acknowledged Japanese "anger" over the Games.


But he said strict rules, including daily testing and limited movement for athletes, meant the chance they could infect anyone was "really remote".


"We want to provide this feeling of certainty," Parsons said. 


"Because we see that the anger comes from this concept that it's the Japanese population's safety versus the Games. I believe they can coexist."


In recent days, organisers have held a string of successful test events, including with international athletes, which they say shows their protocols will work.


World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, who attended test events in Japan last week, said no major sports event so far has been a "super-spreader".


"The world does need to keep moving," Coe wrote in the Daily Mail.


"At a time when football, rugby, tennis and athletics are all back functioning, and crowds slowly returning, it would seem odd to pull stumps on an Olympic Games where the protocols will be tougher than in any other walk of life and many competitors and their support teams will be arriving having been vaccinated."


In Japan, however, one of the country's most prominent businessmen, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, said he is "afraid" of the Games going ahead. 


"I am very much afraid of having the Olympics," he told CNBC.


"Not just Japan, but many countries they're having still a big, tough situation, I don't know how they can support sending athletes."


In recent days several top Japanese sports stars, including tennis Grand Slam-winner Naomi Osaka and Masters golf champion Hideki Matsuyama, have expressed reservations about holding the Games during the pandemic.


Utsunomiya said his petition would continue to gather signatures "until the cancellation is announced", and brushed aside the cost of scrapping the massive event.


"People's lives are more important than money," he said.


bur-sah/kaf/th


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/japan-expands-coronavirus-emergency-as-350000-sign-cancel-olympics-petition

VisMin Cup: Pagadian Explorers return to local basketball scene after a decade

After a 10-year hiatus from the local basketball scene, the Pagadian Explorers are staging a comeback, this time in the Mindanao leg of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.


The Explorers were one-time finalists in the National Basketball Conference before competing in Liga Pilipinas during the late 2000s.


Team owner and incumbent Pagadian mayor Sammy Co wanted to revive the team for the country's first-ever pro basketball league based in the south.


"Before, we already had a team. I don't know what happened because I was out of politics for six years. Right now, I have another first term and I made sure to revive a team," said Co.


"It would really help our youth and encourage them na ma-hook sa games and not ma-hook sa drugs."


During their time with the NBC and Liga, the Explorers had the likes of Nelson Asaytono and Elbert Alberto.


This time, Pagadian will be headlined by 6-foot-6 Mark Benitez, who saw action for Rizal-Xentro Mall during the 2019-21 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Cup.


Joining him are Arellano transferees Rich Guinitiran and CJ Pamaran -- both of whom already secured their special guest licenses from the Games and Amusements Board back on April 8, and Keanu Caballero, formerly of Taguig in the National Basketball League.


Completing the squad are Orvelle Saludsod, John Edros Quimado, Arman Demigaya, Kenneth Singedas, Elizalde Sunogan, Kenth Baldeo, Kem Jhon Diva, Von Dechos, Ruben Caballero, Jehzreel Acaylar, Jeric Serrano, Rex Quilo, Christian Manalo, Rey Bolotaolo, Godfred Helido, and Jan Villaver.


Serving as head coach is Harold Sta. Cruz while taking the team manager role is Dodong Pamaran.


"Siyempre we want to promote our province and tell the country that there is a city called Pagadian. Also, we want to win but in sports siyempre may nananalo at natatalo. We just want the players to play our best," said Co.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/vismin-cup-pagadian-explorers-return-to-local-basketball-scene-after-a-decade

Billiards: PH succumbs to Estonia, gets eliminated from World Cup of Pool

The Pinoy tandem of Roberto Gomez and Jeff De Luna failed to advance to the World Cup of Pool semi-finals after losing to Estonia at the Stadium MK, Milton Keynes in England Thursday (Friday in Manila).


After stunning the American pair of Billy Thorpe and Skyler Woodward, 7-5, team Philippines fell to Estonian partners Denis Grabe and Mark Magi, 9-4.


After trailing the Estonians, 6-1, Gomez and De Luna managed to steal the rack to cut the deficit to 6-2.


Estonia took the next rack and the Philippines grabbed two more in an effort to close the gap, 7-4. But that was the closest Gomez and De Luna could get.


Estonia will next face Germany in the semifinals.


Germany eliminated Denmark from the competition, 9-5.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/philippines-out-world-cup-of-pool-2021

WATCH: PCSO 5 PM Lotto Draw, May 14, 2021

PBA teams now securing LGU permits for practices in Metro Manila

Majority of PBA teams are now working to secure permits from local government units to they can begin training in the National Capital Region (NCR).


This after Malacanang approved to revert NCR Plus — covering Metro Manila and nearby Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces — back to general community quarantine.


PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said in the league's official website that at least six teams have already requested his office to furnish endorsement letters for the local government units where their regular training venues are located.


"Everyone's happy hearing the news of Metro Manila shifting to GCQ," said Marcial. "Kailangan na lang nila ng LGU permit, and Metro Manila training is a go."


Aside from the permits, the PBA clubs will also have to undergo swab testing to make sure their players will enter the practice facilities COVID-free.


Based on their agreement with the Inter-Agency Task Force, PBA ball clubs are allowed to hold team activities, including 5-on-5 scrimmages, in areas under GCQ.


But there are PBA clubs that may still push through with their plans to train outside the NCR Plus.


The Blackwater Elite, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, and the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots have already confirmed bookings in Batangas City on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.


With the development, the PBA might be able to start Season 46 of the Philippine Cup by June.


"Pero hindi na muna namin paguusapan 'yan. We'll try our very best first to keep everybody safe and protected while doing the scrimmages in the next few weeks. Dito muna tayo," said Marcial. 


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/pba-teams-now-securing-lgu-permits-for-practices-in-metro-manila

WATCH: PCSO 2 PM Lotto Draw, May 14, 2021

NBA: Heat never challenged, keep 76ers from clinching top seed

Jimmy Butler scored 21 points and the Miami Heat took a big early lead and never looked back in a 106-94 win over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.


The result kept Philadelphia (47-23) from clinching the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers, who took their second loss in a row, would clinch first place with a win over the visiting Orlando Magic on Friday night.


The Heat (39-31) earned their fourth consecutive win and prevailed for the seventh time in eight games. Miami, which is tied for fifth in the East with the New York Knicks (39-31), has two games left as it tries to climb past the fourth-place Atlanta Hawks. The Heat and Knicks both trail the Hawks by a 1/2 game.



Miami ends the regular season with games at Milwaukee on Saturday and at Detroit on Sunday.


The Heat, who shot 50.6 percent from the floor, got 18 points apiece from Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Adebayo added 12 rebounds and eight assists. Goran Dragic scored 15, Kendrick Nunn had 13 and Trevor Ariza contributed 10.


Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 21 points. Shake Milton put up 12 points and Danny Green had 11.


Sixers center Joel Embiid, back in the lineup after he missed the Tuesday game at Indiana with a non-COVID illness, was limited to six points and two rebounds in 25 minutes. He shot 3 of 9 from the floor.


Miami, which is 11-3 since beating the Brooklyn Nets on April 18, ran out to a 16-point lead to end the first quarter. The Heat were on top by 22 after Herro hit a 15-foot jumper and a 3-pointer in the middle of the second quarter.


The Heat led the 76ers by 19 at the half as Butler had 16 points and Herro had 14.


In their final home game of the regular season, the Heat brought in Udonis Haslem late in the first quarter.


Haslem, an 18-year veteran who is not only a Miami native but has played his whole career with the Heat, scored four points in three minutes. However, he was ejected after getting into an altercation with Dwight Howard.


Miami also announced Victor Oladipo underwent surgery on his right quadriceps tendon. Oladipo played in four games after being acquired in a March trade with Houston. He has been out of the lineup since April 8.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/nba-heat-never-challenged-keep-76ers-from-clinching-top-seed

NBA: Nikola Jokic scores 31 as Nuggets topple Wolves

Nikola Jokic helped his cause in the Most Valuable Player race with 31 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 114-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday in Minneapolis.


Jokic's three-point play -- drawing a foul on Karl-Anthony Towns on a one-legged, step-back jumper -- capped an 8-0 run in the middle of the fourth quarter that effectively put away the win for Denver (46-24).


The Nuggets improved to 2-0 on their season-ending, four-game road swing, but not without a fight from Minnesota (22-48).


The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards strengthened his bid for NBA Rookie of the Year with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Towns wound up with 20 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which cut a 13-point, third-quarter deficit down to three heading into the final period.


However, the Timberwolves never got closer in the fourth as Denver pulled away.


Denver got a balanced scoring effort, with six players recording at least 12 points. Markus Howard and Vlatko Cancar both scored career highs off the bench with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Aaron Gordon had 15 points and Austin Rivers scored 12 points.


The Nuggets' JaVale McGee recorded a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Jokic grabbed six offensive rebounds, which contributed to the Nuggets' 18-11 advantage in second-chance points.


Denver dominated Minnesota in the paint to the tune of a 60-30 scoring edge.


D'Angelo Russell contributed 17 points for Minnesota, and Naz Reid had 10. Ricky Rubio scored six points, grabbed six rebounds and tied for the team high with five assists.


The win was the Nuggets' 11th in a row against the Timberwolves, and it completed a three-game season sweep. Denver concludes the regular season at Detroit on Friday and at Portland on Sunday.


The Timberwolves have two home games left, against Boston on Friday and Dallas on Sunday.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/nba-nikola-jokic-scores-31-as-nuggets-topple-wolves

NBA: Chicago Bulls stay alive for play-in with season sweep of Raptors

Zach LaVine scored eight of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and the Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors 114-102 on Thursday night.


The Bulls overcame a career-best 35 points by Toronto's Stanley Johnson, who also had 10 rebounds.


Lauri Markkanen added 20 points off the bench and Nikola Vucevic tallied 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Bulls, who kept their faint chances for the play-in tournament alive.


The depleted Raptors, who already had been eliminated from playoff contention, have lost five in a row.


The Bulls (30-40) won all three games against the Raptors (27-43) this season.


Coby White added 17 points and 10 assists for the Bulls, and Javonte Green and Thaddeus Young each scored 10 points.


Jalen Harris added a career-best 17 points for Toronto. Malachi Flynn added 16, Khem Birch 14 points and DeAndre' Bembry 12.


The Bulls led by as many as 24 points during the third quarter, but the margin was cut to 12 entering the fourth.


Johnson's 3-pointer cut the deficit to nine with 5:58 to play, but Markkanen responded with a 3-pointer and White hit a jumper to increase the lead to 14 with 4:53 remaining.


The Bulls led 30-27 after one quarter.


The Bulls pulled ahead by 18 points on White's dunk with 6:10 remaining in the second. Chicago led 66-47 at halftime.


Patrick Williams scored five straight points to stretch Chicago's lead to 24 with 9:42 to play in the third quarter. The Raptors finished the quarter on a 14-4 run to cut Chicago's lead to 88-76.


Toronto's Yuta Watanabe (ankle) left the game in the second quarter and did not return. He had no points in nine minutes.


Among those missing the game for the Raptors were OG Anunoby (calf), Kyle Lowry (rest), Fred VanVleet (hip), Pascal Siakam (shoulder). Rodney Hood (hand) and Chris Boucher (knee).


Daniel Theis (hip) and Troy Brown Jr. (ankle) did not play for Chicago.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/nba-chicago-bulls-stay-alive-for-play-in-with-season-sweep-of-raptors

NBA: Grizzlies use furious finish to eliminate Kings


Kyle Anderson ignited a 12-0 finish with a pair of hoops, including a 3-pointer, and Jonas Valanciunas converted a three-point play to give Memphis the lead for good with 1:23 remaining as the Grizzlies formally eliminated the visiting Sacramento Kings from playoff contention with a 116-110 victory on Thursday night.


 

Dillon Brooks scored a team-high 30 points, the seventh 30-point game of his career, and Valanciunas recorded a double-double with 24 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies (37-33), who assured that their position in the NBA play-in tournament -- either eighth or ninth -- will be determined in the season finale Sunday at Golden State.


The Kings, a play-in longshot whose hopes were kept alive when the San Antonio Spurs were beaten by the New York Knicks earlier Thursday, came up short despite a career-best 31 points from Justin James.


Neither team led by more than eight points and the Grizzlies retained a 91-86 advantage after Brandon Clarke's dunk with 10:46 to play.


James and Terence Davis got the visitors within one before Davis buried consecutive 3-pointers and Chimezie Metu added a third to complete the 13-point flurry that produced a 99-91 lead with 8:10 to play.


Sacramento retained a 110-104 advantage after Buddy Hield's jumper with 3:08 remaining, but the Kings -- playing without De'Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III and Harrison Barnes -- never scored again.


Valanciunas' three-point play gave Memphis a 112-110 lead, after which Brooks' hoop and two free throws by Desmond Bane clinched the Grizzlies' fourth straight win.


Anderson finished with 14 points and a game-high nine assists for Memphis, while Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant chipped in with 12 points apiece.


James' game-high 31 points were 15 more than he had ever scored in an NBA game. His previous career high of 16 came last month against Utah.



Metu also recorded a career high with 17 points for the Kings, who had won two straight and six of seven in their battle to stay alive in the West.


Davis and Hield totaled 16 points apiece, while Delon Wright complemented 15 points with a team-high eight assists.


--Field Level Media


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/nba-grizzlies-use-furious-finish-to-eliminate-kings

BTA-BARMM steps up passage of regional laws amid pandemic

 By Noel Punzalan


COTABATO CITY – Despite the pandemic, lawmakers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are stepping up efforts to enact priority legislative measures for the fledgling region.


Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Speaker Pangalian Balindong said Friday the 80-member parliament is busy deliberating several priority bills.


The BTA serves as the interim lawmaking body of the BARMM during its transition period.

More than two years since the establishment of the BARMM, Balindong said the BTA accomplished most of its tasks, including the passage of two priority codes mandated by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).


“The BTA managed to pass the BARMM’s administrative code and civil service code in October 2020 and February 2021, respectively, after a series of public consultations and deliberations,” he said.


Also passed into law are the adoption of the Bangsamoro flag; the adoption of the official Bangsamoro emblem; the 2020 BARMM Appropriations Act; Human Rights Act; Attorney-General’s Office Cct; Socioeconomic Development Planning System Act; the Bangsamoro Hymn Act; and the Women’s Commission Act.


More regional laws enacted are the Recruitment Agency Regulation Act; Youth Commission Act; an act defining the power of appointment in the BARMM; the Sports Commission Act; an act extending the availability of the 2020 Bangsamoro appropriations to December 31, 2021; the 2021 BARMM general appropriations act; and adoption of the BTA-BARMM official seal.


He said a total of 122 other resolutions were discussed and passed in the plenary.


He said two priority bills – the local government and education codes – had advanced to second reading and are now referred to appropriate committees for final deliberation.


“The BTA Committee on Rules handles the local government code, while the Committee on Basic, Higher, and Technical Education for the education code,” Balindong, a lawyer, said.


He noted that other priority bills such as the electoral code, revenue code, and the Indigenous Peoples’ code have yet to be filed.


"The parliament was able to enact the region’s administrative and civil service codes on time and is currently on track to legislate the local government code, education code, electoral code, and revenue code," he said. 


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140212

Jerry West offended after being left off owner’s top 5 Lakers list

NBA all-time great Jerry West said being left off Los Angeles owner Jeanie Buss' list of top five most important Lakers ever was "one of the most offensive things I've ever heard in my life."


West, whose silhouette is the NBA logo, made the comments Wednesday during a podcast interview when asked about Buss' list from a month ago. During an interview on the "All The Smoke" podcast, Buss offered her top five Lakers of all time:


Kobe Bryant

Magic Johnson

LeBron James

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Phil Jackson


"I saw the other day Jeanie Buss made a statement, the five most important Lakers, one of the most offensive things I've ever heard in my life. I was there a lot of times, had a lot of success," West told Peter Vescey on his podcast. "Be curious to know if they would have had that success if I hadn't been there.


"And I don't ever take credit for stuff, I don't. When I was around, maybe I was just a good luck charm," West said. "But I do know, that when this thing fell apart, there was a lot of years where they weren't very good."


It's notable that Buss and Jackson -- who coached the Lakers to five titles -- dated for 17 years.


West won one title as a player for the Lakers in 1972 and later served as general manager from 1982-2000.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/jerry-west-offended-after-being-left-off-owners-top-5-lakers-list

NBA: Heat's Victor Oladipo undergoes quad surgery

Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo underwent successful surgery on his right quadriceps tendon at NYU Medical Center Thursday.


The Heat did not give a timetable for Oladipo's return.


Oladipo, who turned 29 earlier this month, was traded twice in 2020-21 and started a combined 33 games for three teams. After starting the season with the Indiana Pacers, he was moved to the Houston Rockets in the same trade that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. After two months in Houston, he was sent to Miami at the trade deadline.


Oladipo, a two-time All-Star and pending free agent, only played four games for the Heat before injuring his quad.


He finished his eighth NBA season with averages of 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per contest.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/nba-heats-victor-oladipo-undergoes-quad-surgery

NBA: Rodriguez group reportedly poised to buy Timberwolves

LOS ANGELES - Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez and tech mogul Marc Lore are close to completing a $1.5 billion deal to buy the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, multiple US media outlets reported Thursday.


The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, 80, has an agreement on the sale of the NBA team and the WNBA's Lynx, although neither party has publicly announced an agreement.


The Star Tribune, citing an unnamed source, reported that Rodriguez and Lore are 50-50 partners in the deal, which would have to be approved by the NBA's Board of Governors.


Taylor has said that any deal to sell the team would include a commitment to keep the club in Minnesota.


ESPN reported that Taylor, who bought the club in 1994 for $88 million to prevent them from moving to New Orleans, has said he intends to continue to run the club for two more seasons, eventually handing over full control in 2023.


bb/js


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/nba-rodriguez-group-reportedly-poised-to-buy-timberwolves

Sakto | Teleradyo (14 May 2021)

KAPALIT NI HUDAS - Kape't Pandasal kasama si Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

Football: Spanish court asks for EU ruling on UEFA's position over Super League

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) will have to decide whether UEFA is abusing its dominant position by opposing the Super League project, a quasi-closed tournament, promoted by several major European clubs. 


The question of whether sports bodies can legally block proposed rival competitions under European law has been referred to the Luxembourg-based CJEU by a Spanish judge. 


Despite the rapid withdrawal of nine of the 12 clubs within 48 hours of the Super League's official launch on the night of April 18-19, Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid and two other holdouts, have not surrendered.


According to a document that AFP saw on Thursday, a commercial court in Madrid has sent a preliminary question to the CJEU. 


It asked whether FIFA and UEFA have violated Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which prohibit monopolies. 


Judge Manuel Ruiz de Lara asked the CJEU whether the threats of sanctions made by FIFA and UEFA against the members of the Super League could "fall within the scope" of the few exceptions set out in these articles. 


The judge noted that opposition to the closed league hinders "potential market competition" and limits "consumer choice". 


As a precautionary measure, Ruiz prohibited UEFA on 20 April from ordering sanctions against clubs participating in the European Super League, as well as from taking any measure that might prevent the preparation and creation of the latter, pending a decision on the merits.


The nine clubs who withdrew have accepted punishments from UEFA. It has threatened Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus, who have refused to renounce the plan with steeper sanctions.



"This is big!" Katarina Pijetlovic, a sports law researcher at the University of Manchester and an expert on closed leagues, said on Twitter on Wednesday. 


"The judgment will have a massive impact on conceptual clarification and prior approval of alternative leagues. It will confirm that UEFA has the right to regulate access to organizational market via proportionate restrictions in public interest."


The issue is crucial for the regulation of European sports, far beyond football. It will pit sporting bodies' total control against private entities who want to create their own competitions. 


It could also lead to a political debate, as France and England have made their opposition to the Super League known. 


British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "government will not stand by while a small handful of owners create a closed shop" and said "no action is off the table", including new legislation, to stop Engiish clubs joining a Super League. 


The planned league threatened the very existence of UEFA.


Disciplinary proceedings


Last week, UEFA negotiated light financial penalties with the nine clubs that had returned to its fold.


On Wednesday, the governing body of European football launched disciplinary proceedings against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus. 


Among the range of sanctions provided for in UEFA's statutes, the most severe for clubs are "exclusion from current and/or future competitions" and, for managers, "a ban on all football-related activities". 


However, in his referral, judge Ruiz noted that Article 101 prohibits agreements "which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition" although the article does allow for exceptions as long as they do not lead to "eliminating competition". 


The judge asked whether a ban by FIFA and UEFA on the Super League could "benefit from the exception set out in this provision, on the grounds that it substantially limits production, prevents the emergence of alternative products to those offered by FIFA/UEFA... and restricts innovation by preventing other formats and structures, eliminating potential competition in the market and limiting consumer choice". 


The judge also asked the European Court whether UEFA and FIFA have broken Article 102 which prohibits "any abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position within the internal market" 


gr-pve/pb/iwd


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/football-spanish-court-asks-for-eu-ruling-on-uefas-position-over-super-league

NBA creates Kareem Abdul-Jabbar social justice award

The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award was unveiled by the league on Thursday.


The award honors an NBA player for "pursuing social justice and upholding the league's decades-long values of equality, respect and inclusion."


Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time league MVP and NBA champion, long has promoted social justice, particularly in his post-playing career.


"In addition to being one of our greatest players, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has devoted much of his life to advocating for equality and social justice," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a news release. "With this new award, we are proud to recognize and celebrate NBA players who are using their influence to make an impact on their communities and our broader society."


All 30 NBA teams will nominate one player from their roster for the award. The finalists and winner will be selected by a committee composed of NBA legends, league executives and social justice leaders.


The winner will select an organization to receive a $100,000 contribution on his behalf. The other four finalists each will receive $25,000 to donate. The inaugural award will be given this year during the postseason.


"I'm honored and grateful to be associated with this award that will recognize the dedicated and selfless people fighting to promote social justice for all marginalized people," said Abdul-Jabbar, 74, a 19-time All-Star and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "To me, it's another giant step in the right direction for the country and all people who value equality."


In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama. In 2009, Abdul-Jabbar created the Skyhook Foundation, aimed at providing educational STEM opportunities to underserved communities.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/nba-creates-kareem-abdul-jabbar-social-justice-award

NBA: Knicks seek better playoff spot; Spurs look to hang on to theirs

For the first time in eight years, the New York Knicks have clinched a playoff spot.


With three home games remaining, the Knicks hope to improve their positioning in the Eastern Conference starting on Thursday when they host the San Antonio Spurs.


The Knicks (38-31) clinched a berth that was unexpected by many heading into the season and are assured of at least a top-six seed after the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. After Boston lost to Cleveland, New York star Julius Randle tweeted: "Check it off the list. We not close to done."


New York holds the same record as the Miami Heat but lost all three head-to-head meetings. The Knicks are a half-game behind the fourth-place Atlanta Hawks, from whom they swept the season series. If all three teams are tied, the NBA's tiebreakers say a division winner is the first tiebreaker and a head-to-head record is the second tiebreaker.


The Knicks are returning from splitting a six-game road trip and are 13-4 in their past 17 games since falling to 25-27 with a two-point loss at Boston on April 7. New York nearly posted a winning trip but took a 101-99 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in a game that featured 22 lead changes.


"We fought like hell," Randle said. "Me, I played to exhaustion. I know my guys played to exhaustion. To do what we did, last game of the road trip, against a championship-caliber team, the play was great."


New York was done in by rebounding woes as it was outrebounded 51-38 and could not get a rebound before the Lakers hit the tying shot in regulation.


"Rebounding beat us tonight," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "All we had to do is get that last rebound, the last shot of the game. Everyone's got to get a body on everyone."


Even with the rebounding woes, the Knicks got monster performances from Randle and Derrick Rose. Randle scored 31 points, marking his 14th 30-point showing of the season, while Rose finished with a season-high 27 points to cap the trip.


The Knicks are playing a rescheduled game from February due to a positive COVID-19 test on the Spurs at the time but could be undermanned. Reggie Bullock (ankle), Alec Burks (knee), Immanuel Quickley (ankle) and Rose (ankle) are listed as questionable.


San Antonio (33-36) is 2-7 in its past nine games and missed a chance to clinch 10th place in the Western Conference when it never led in a 128-116 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.


DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points and Dejounte Murray added 15 but the Spurs trailed by double digits for most of the night. They remain two games ahead of the Sacramento Kings.


The Spurs dropped three games behind the ninth-place Memphis Grizzlies by being unable to follow up one of their most impressive wins of the season. After shooting 59.6 percent and hitting 17 3-pointers in a 146-125 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, San Antonio shot 42.6 percent and missed 23 of 31 3-point tries.


"I just want to win and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win," Murray said. "But at the end of the day, the situation we're in, the last option is getting that play-in berth and going to see what we can do to try to get in the playoffs."


https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/14/21/nba-knicks-seek-better-playoff-spot-spurs-look-to-hang-on-to-theirs

Kada Umaga | December 23, 2024