Tennis: Swiatek demolishes Pliskova to claim Rome crown

French Open champion Iga Swiatek served a warning to her rivals ahead of the claycourt Grand Slam with a 6-0 6-0 demolition of former world number one Karolina Pliskova in the Italian Open final on Sunday.

The victory in 46 minutes meant the world number 15 from Poland, who shot to fame at Roland Garros last year by beating Sofia Kenin in straight sets in the final, will enter the top 10 for the first time when the new rankings are out on Monday.

Swiatek's third title overall following triumphs at Roland Garros and Adelaide came on the back of one of the most dominant performances of the 19-year-old's career as she dropped only 13 points against the Czech, who was the 2019 Rome champion.

"I'm really happy to win this tournament in Rome, it's been a tough week from the beginning," said Swiatek, who won her quarter-final and semi-final matches in straight sets on Saturday after they were postponed due to rain.

"I'm really happy I got through everything and I was really focused today, so I'm proud of myself. Now I've finally earned some tiramisu."

She served with ruthless accuracy, winning more than 93% of points on her first serve, and converted six out of eight break point opportunities to close out the win against a frustrated Pliskova, who had no answers on the day.

It was also the first double bagel in the final of the Rome tournament and the most one-sided since Hungary's Andrea Temesvari beat American Bonnie Gadusek 6-1 6-0 in 1983.

The French Open begins on May 30. (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris and Toby Davis)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/tennis-swiatek-demolishes-pliskova-to-claim-rome-crown

TV Patrol Weekend live streaming May 16, 2021 | Full Episode Replay

Football: North Korea pull out of World Cup qualifiers

SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea have pulled out of next month's qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Asian Football Confederation said Sunday.

"The Asian Football Confederation has today confirmed the withdrawal of the DPR Korea Football Association from the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022," the AFC said in a statement.

No reasons were given for the withdrawal but South Korean media reported earlier this month that Pyongyang had said it would skip the qualifiers over coronavirus fears.

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced most of the second round of Asia's preliminary tournament for the Qatar World Cup to be postponed until June.

The AFC said last month it would change the format of the tournaments so that each group of five nations would play in one host country.

South Korea was selected as the centralized venue host for Group H, which is led by Turkmenistan and also included the two Koreas, Lebanon and Sri Lanka.

North Korea were fourth in Asian qualifying Group H, but only a point behind Group H leaders Turkmenistan with three games still to be played before their withdrawal.

The AFC said a decision would be made later on the standings in Group H after referring the matter to FIFA's organizing committee for competitions.

The tournament doubles up as qualifiers for the 2023 Asian Cup, to be held in China.

Pyongyang's decision to pull out comes nearly a month after the country said it would not go to this year's Tokyo Olympics, citing concerns over the pandemic.

North Korea was one of the first countries to close its borders more than a year ago to protect itself from the virus that first emerged in neighboring China.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/football-north-korea-pull-out-of-world-cup-qualifiers

Metro Channel special programming schedule (May 17, 2021)

07:30AM Miss Universe 2020

11:30AM Wealth 360

12:00PM CGTN Global Watch

01:00PM Stock Market Open and Wealth 360

01:35PM Inside the Stock Exchange and Earth Live

01:45PM Wealth 360

02:10PM Forex Market

02:30PM Wealth 360

03:15PM Inside the Stock Exchange and Earth Live

03:20PM Property Express

03:35PM Stock Market Movers

03:45PM Wealth 360

04:00PM News

04:15PM Pripara

04:50PM Kids, Think Big

05:20PM Doraemon

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06:00PM Chang'an Meets Rome

06:30PM TV Patrol

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08:30PM MasterChef

09:20PM Peanuts

09:30PM Closer Look at Property and Earth Live and Financial Express

10:00PM Finance at 10

10:55PM Global Stock Indexes

11:00PM The World Tonight

11:30PM Studio 930:The King's Speech

01:30AM Financial Bulletin

01:35AM NEWS ROUNDUP (PEARL)

01:50AM Weather Report

01:55AM Earth Live and Today In History

02:00AM Entertainment This Week

03:00AM Money Matters

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WATCH: PCSO 9 PM Lotto Draw, May 16, 2021

Former Gilas coach Toroman sees bright future for PH basketball

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

Former Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman has no doubt that Philippine basketball is in good hands, especially after seeing the young squad compete in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers in November 2020.

With the qualifying window taking place in the middle of the PBA All-Filipino Conference, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) sent an all-cadet squad to the Bahrain bubble last year. The young players took care of business, twice beating Thailand comfortably, 93-61 and 93-69, to stay unbeaten in Group A.

Toroman, who now coaches Indonesia, was suitably impressed with the young players' performance.

"I was very surprised with the quality of the team who played in the second window in Bahrain," Toroman said in an appearance on "Power and Play" on Saturday. "These kids are excellent. These kids are very athletic, very talented."

"They may not have experience like the pro players, but they have quality. That's an amazing team, that's the future of Philippine basketball," he added.

Several players impressed in the Bahrain window, including Dwight Ramos who torched Thailand for 20 points on perfect field goal shooting in the first game. In the second game, brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano combined for 33 points.

SBP will once again send an all-cadet team to the final window of the qualifiers next month in Clark, Pampanga, as well as to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia from June 29 to July 4.

Toroman believes they will continue to perform well despite a lack of experience at the professional level.

"I was really impressed and I was really surprised with the level of the team and how they played. They played with a lot of confidence, like they are ten years in the PBA," he said. 

Moreover, he is confident that the cadets will develop into an even stronger side in the future, particularly if they add NBL-bound Kai Sotto and naturalization candidate Ange Kouame into the team.

"I think this team had a future, this team with Kai Sotto and a few other guys… With Kouame, with Kai Sotto and with these kids, young kids, I think that's a very competitive team in Asia," said Toroman.

In a way, Toroman feels gratified to see the Philippines put together a program similar to what he did in 2009 to 2011. Then, Toroman coached a team of collegiate stars anchored by naturalized player Marcus Douthit; they eventually placed fourth in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship.

He believes that up to now, it is still the best path for the Philippines to take.

"I think that's the best for the Philippine national team -- to have a lot of young players, a lot of prospects. Maybe, put two or three really great PBA players in the team," he said.

"But I think that mostly, it must be the young kids with Kai Sotto, Kouame, (who are) hungry to make something and expose themselves in Asia," he explained. "I think that's the best program that the Philippines in this moment can do."

Toroman's Indonesia squad will face off against the Philippines in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers, scheduled for June 16-20 in Clark, Pampanga. Gilas Pilipinas has already beaten Indonesia, 100-70, in the first window of the qualifiers in February 2020.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/former-gilas-coach-toroman-sees-bright-future-for-ph-basketball

Volleyball: 'We need Jaja Santiago in the Philippines,' says PNVF's Suzara

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

Will the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) allow star middle blocker Jaja Santiago to play for Japan?

PNVF President Ramon "Tats" Suzara on Saturday acknowledged that he and Santiago briefly discussed the offer made to her by her V.League club, the Saitama Ageo Medics, to facilitate her change of nationality.

"Jaja, during the tryouts, kind of discussed with me the possibility for her to play in Japan, to change her federation," said Suzara on "The Chasedown," referring to the national team tryouts in Subic last April 28.

Santiago was one of only 16 players to attend the tryouts, after several other veterans begged off due to health and safety reasons. 

The middle blocker is coming off a historic campaign with the Ageo Medics, as she helped them win the inaugural Division 1 V.Cup in late March. They also finished fifth in the V.League tournament.

Santiago has since revealed that her club has given her an offer to change her nationality, which will allow her to play for the Ageo Medics as a local rather than as an import. It will also qualify her to play for Japan's national team, a regular competitor in the Olympic Games.

The former UAAP Most Valuable Player has admitted that it's a tempting offer especially as it will give her the chance to achieve her dreams of playing at the highest level of the sport.

"Well, may dream ako maglaro ng Olympics," Santiago said in early April, when she first revealed the development. "Pero siyempre, may pride pa din naman ako. Pilipino pa din naman ako. Gusto kong tulungan 'yung bansa natin."

Suzara said he has warned Santiago that switching federations will not be a straightforward process. 

According to the regulations of the FIVB, a player needs to meet certain conditions in order to change their federation of origin. These include: a two-year residency in the country of the new federation, and obtaining citizenship of that country.

Moreover, the player's original federation must first agree to the change.

"The Philippine National Volleyball Federation has to approve first her change of federation of origin going to the Japan Volleyball Association. And once the Japan Volleyball Association needs to process that, it needs FIVB approval," Suzara explained.

"If the federation doesn't approve that she will change her federation, then she cannot change her nationality or her federation," he stressed. "So it needs approval from the federation."

Suzara notes that this process is what kept Filipino-American spiker Kalei Mau from playing in the Philippines in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, as there was no approval from USA Volleyball to change her federation of origin to the Philippines.

This is now being processed by the PNVF, he said. "Once this is approved by the FIVB, she can play now with the national team," Suzara said of Mau, who plays club volleyball for F2 Logistics.

The question is if the PNVF will approve of Santiago's switch of federation, if ever she goes through with the process.

Suzara did not categorically say that they will not agree to the change, but he noted that Philippine volleyball needs Santiago.

"I think Jaja has a future also in Japan, but again, we need Jaja, of course, here in the Philippines, as a Filipina who really brings our flag and honor as a national team player for the Philippines," he said.

Santiago, for her part, has previously said that she asked advice from her family upon receiving her club's offer. 

"Sabi ng family ko, sundin mo kung ano 'yung nararamdaman mo. Kung tingin mo na may pag-asa pa talaga 'yung volleyball community natin, volleyball ano natin dito sa Pilipinas, 'di mag-stay ka," she said. 

"Pero kung wala talaga, eh grab the opportunity," Santiago added. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/volleyball-we-need-jaja-santiago-in-the-philippines-says-pnvfs-suzara

MMA: Oliveira KOs Chandler to win UFC lightweight belt

HOUSTON -- Brazil's Charles Oliveira rallied with brutal efficiency to knock out American Michael Chandler early in the second round at UFC 262 in Houston, Texas, on Saturday and be crowned new lightweight champion. 

"I am proving to everybody I am the lion of lions," Oliveira said inside the cage afterwards. "I told you I was going to knock him out and I came and knocked him out."

The 31-year-old Oliveira's next challenge will be to carve his legacy in the blue riband UFC weight class previously dominated by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.

"I wanted to come here tonight and show that I am the best," said Oliveira.

The 35-year-old Chandler had been fast-tracked to a title shot after the former Bellator organization lightweight champion's stunning UFC debut in January with a first-round knockout of New Zealand veteran Dan Hooker.

An all-American wrestler in his college days, Chandler has evolved into an explosive stand-up force and appeared to have been ahead after the first round. 

He somehow managed to escape Oliveira's clutches after the fight had gone to the ground early and he landed some huge headshots, particularly from his left hand, when they got back to their feet.

But it was Oliveira who came out swinging hard and fast in the second. A left hook put Chandler down and was followed by a barrage of unanswered blows with the referee stepping in after only 19 seconds of the round. 

The jubilant Oliveira vaulted the fence and embarked on an impromptu victory lap from the cage-side commentary desk into the crowd.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu master had arrived in Texas boasting more submission wins than anyone else in UFC history with 14 and his TKO win gave him another record -- 17 finishes inside the distance. 

"Michael said I couldn't take pressure and he hit, hit, hit and I'm still here. Here's the belt."

While Nurmagomedov, arguably the greatest MMA champion of all time, retired last October with a record of 29-0, McGregor remains in the lightweight mix. 

The Irish 32-year-old is ranked sixth, despite losing two of his past three fights, and he is set to face the top-ranked American Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las Vegas on July 10.

McGregor topped Forbes magazine's annual list of the world's richest sportsmen for the past 12 months, with earnings inside and outside the cage of an estimated $180 million.

Local media reported Saturday that about 17,500 tickets had been sold for the event, with the UFC was claiming the $4 million gate receipts were a record at a venue that is usually home to the Houston Rockets NBA team.

America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had on Thursday eased its mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, with those vaccinated now free to stop wearing masks outdoors and in most indoor settings.

Fans were encouraged to wear masks Saturday but there were no restrictions enforced.

Oliveira was one of many fighters on the 12-bout card who noted that having a full house back in full voice had made a big difference.

"Thank you Houston, thank you Brazil. This belt is for all of us," he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/mma-oliveira-kos-chandler-to-win-ufc-lightweight-belt

WATCH: PCSO 5 PM Lotto Draw, May 16, 2021

Boxing: Eumir Marcial grateful as Thirdy Ravena reaches out to help

Olympic-bound boxer Eumir Marcial hailed fellow athlete Thirdy Ravena on Sunday, revealing that the basketball star had offered to help him and his camp.

Marcial, one of four Filipino boxers who will compete in the Tokyo Games, has been at odds with the country's boxing federation as well as the Philippine Sports Commission over their support -- or lack thereof -- to national athletes.

In a recent Facebook post, Marcial revealed that he has been getting a monthly allowance worth P43,000 -- not enough to fund his training especially as he has been preparing in the United States.

On Instagram, Marcial revealed a message from Ravena that read: "Boss kamusta. Sana okay 'yung training camp mo ngayon. Nakita ko 'yung post mo sa social media, gusto ko lang sana itanong kung pwede makitulong kahit maliit na halaga lang sa mga pangangailangan niyo. Gusto ko kayo manalo ng team niyo."

For Marcial, Ravena's message showed that his fellow athletes understood his plight.

"I received this message days ago from one of the phenomenal athletes in the Philippines. The only person who can understand us most/better is our fellow athletes, and who understands our sacrifices for the country," said the boxer.

"I hope that idol Thirdy Ravena will become an inspiration and influence other Filipino athletes to help one another in different ways," he added. "I also wish that it can influence sports lovers and most especially our sports leaders."

"Mabuhay ka idol!! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas."

This is not the first time that a Ravena has reached out to a national boxer and offered to help. In March, Irish Magno -- another Olympic-bound boxer -- revealed that Kiefer Ravena was among those who helped her after she bared that she and other athletes have not received their allowances from the government for two months.

Magno has been in Thailand since March, along with other Filipino boxers, to prepare for the Tokyo Games.

Marcial, meanwhile, has been training in his hometown of Zamboanga City since returning to the country in April. He will compete in the ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai from May 21 to June 1, along with seven other Filipino boxers.

Josie Gabuco, Maricel dela Torre, Mark Lester Durens, Marvin Tabamo, Jummilardo Ogayre, Jere dela Cruz, and John Paul Panauayan are all confirmed to compete in the Dubai tilt. 

Accompanying them are three coaches, a physiotherapist, masseur and team official.

The Philippine Sports Commission says they have released P2 million worth of funds to cover the airfare, accommodation, allowance, visa fee, and insurance of the team. Additional funding of P714,750 was also approved to cover their quarantine expenses.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/boxing-eumir-marcial-grateful-as-thirdy-ravena-reaches-out-to-help

FIBA: Brandon Jawato won't play for Indonesia in Clark bubble

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

Indonesia will be without its ace player in the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers, which will take place in a bubble in Clark, Pampanga.

Rajko Toroman, head coach of Indonesia, confirmed Saturday that swingman Brandon Jawato will miss the qualifiers in June due to injury.

"We have one big problem," Toroman said in an appearance on "Power and Play" with former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala. "Brandon Jawato… had surgery one month ago."

"For sure, he will not play in the windows," he added.

Jawato made his debut for Indonesia in the November 2020 window in Bahrain, where he put up 22 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and a steal in a 90-76 rout of Thailand. 

Indonesia has already qualified to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 as hosts, but they will still play three games in the qualifiers in Clark. They are scheduled to play South Korea on June 17, the Philippines on June 18, and Thailand on June 20.

With Jawato on the sidelines, Toroman admitted that their expectations for the upcoming window "are not so big." 

"Our best player, Brandon Jawato is injured, which has hurt us a lot. Our expectation is not to lose more than 14 points against Thailand at this moment," he added. 

"I don't think at this moment, without Brandon, we can touch Philippines and Korea," Toroman admitted. "We'll try our best, we will do a lot of effort."

While they don't expect to beat either South Korea or the Philippines without the 27-year-old Jawato, Toroman said they hope to at least remain competitive.

"For me, it's not about to win or to lose against Philippines and Korea. The point is to improve, to be more and more competitive," he said.

Indonesia will feature naturalized player Lester Prosper in the qualifiers, as well as veterans Abraham Grahita and Arki Wisnu.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/fiba-brandon-jawato-wont-play-for-indonesia-in-clark-bubble

Tennis: Swiatek wins twice in a day to set up Rome final with Pliskova

French Open champion Iga Swiatek won her Italian Open quarter-final and semi-final matches in straight sets on Saturday to set up a title clash with ninth seed Karolina Pliskova.

Former world number one Pliskova, who won the 2019 edition and finished runner-up to Simona Halep last year after retiring in the final with an injury, reached the final for the third straight year after beating Petra Martic 6-1 3-6 6-2.

Swiatek's quarter-final match against two-times champion Elina Svitolina was postponed due to rain on Friday but the 19-year-old made short work of her more experienced opponent with a 6-2 7-5 win to set up a semi-final clash with Coco Gauff.

Swiatek then moved into her first WTA 1000 final with a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory over the American 17-year-old.

Gauff fired seven aces but also served five double faults and she struggled on her second serve as Swiatek converted three of four break points to advance.

Swiatek, ranked 15th in the world, will be playing for a spot in the top 10 when she faces Pliskova on Sunday.

Pliskova broke Martic in the first game before racing away with the opening set but allowed Martic back into the contest in the second after making a number of unforced errors.

The match was evenly poised at 2-2 in the final set before Pliskova took control, capitalising on Martic's errors to break twice before sealing the match on her second match point when the Croatian's return went long. (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/tennis-swiatek-wins-twice-in-a-day-to-set-up-rome-final-with-pliskova

Beach volley teams target good showing in Continental Cup

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

The national beach volleyball teams expect to put up a good fight in the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup, set for next month in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

The event serves as a qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics. Both the men's and women's beach volleyball teams of the Philippines secured their spots in the Continental Cup by virtue of their third place finishes in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

"Ang laban namin doon, it's the first step para makita namin 'yung makakalaban namin sa international, lalong-lalo na this coming SEA Games," said Rhovyl Verayo, who coaches the men's beach volleyball team.

"So expect pa rin na magpe-perform ang team namin nang maayos sa Continental Cup. Hopefully makapasok kami ng finals," he added.

Paul Jan Doloiras, who handles the women's team, believes they have a good shot to advance to the finals as well.

"Sa amin naman po sa women's, siguro may nakita po namin 'yung chance kasi apat lang kami doon," he said. "Kailangan lang makakuha ng dalawang panalo."

"Excited na rin naman 'yung mga bata na maglaro. So may chance po na makapasok," he added.

The Philippine teams face tall odds in the Continental Cup. They are seeded in the semifinals of the competition, with only one team advancing to the final phase. The men's team have to battle four other squads, while the women's team is in a four-team pool.

If they advance to the final phase, they will compete against seven other countries for the lone Olympic berth at stake in the event.

Despite the tough challenge, the national team coaches believe it will be a good experience for their players especially as they try to build on their performances from the SEA Games in 2019. Both national teams had won bronzes in the event held in Subic.

A strong showing in the Continental Cup will hopefully propel the men's and women's beach volleyball teams to even better results in the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam later this year.

"Ang expectation namin this coming SEA Games is maitaas pa namin ang medal namin na bronze," Verayo said. "Hopefully we can make it silver and gold."

"Pilitin namin abutin 'yung silver and gold pa rin. Siyempre, 'yun 'yung goal namin kasi nag-bronze na kami. Nakita na namin 'yung labanan, so ngayon talagang pinaghahandaan na namin 'yun," said Doloiras.

The men's and women's beach volleyball teams are expected to hold a training camp in Ilocos Norte this week to prepare for the Continental Cup.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation last week unveiled the members of the beach volleyball team pools, bannered by the bronze medal winners from the 2019 SEA Games.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/philippines-beach-volleyball-continental-cup

WATCH: PCSO 2 PM Lotto Draw, May 16, 2021

FIBA 3x3: Veteran Mark Yee joins Manila Chooks TM pool

Manila Chooks TM added a veteran to its pool for the 2021 FIBA 3x3 Lipik Challenger in Croatia from May 21 to 22.

Mark Yee has joined the quartet of Chico Lanete, Mac Tallo, Dennis Santos, and Zach Huang as one spot remains in the six-man pool of Manila Chooks TM.

"Mark Yee is a good addition to our pool since he stretches the floor and has been known to be a good defender in the post," said Manila Chooks TM head trainer Aldin Ayo of Yee.

Yee recently led Davao Occidental-Cocolife to the 2019-21 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Championship.

In Lipik, Manila Chooks TM will once again be in the qualifying draw with Croatia's Split; Puerto Rico's San Juan; Germany's Bielefeld TSVE and Dusseldorf LFDY; and the winner of a Quest tournament in Russia.

The groupings for the two QD pools have yet to be revealed.

Also competing in the tournament are: Serbia's Liman and Novi Sad; USA's NY Harlem; Canada's Edmonton; Mongolia's Ulaanbaatar and Sansar; Latvia's Jelgava; Czech Republic's Humpolec; Belgrade's Antwerp; and Japan's Aomi.

The level-10 competition offers a prize pool of $35,000.

The team has been training at the Lucena Convention Center in Quezon since May 13. The short seven-day camp was approved by the Games and Amusements Board and Quezon's local government unit.

"We would like to thank the Games and Amusements Board, headed by chairman Baham Mitra, for helping us find a training venue for our team. We are also grateful to Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez and provincial sports head Jonas Guiao for accommodating our team," said Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 league owner Ronald Mascariñas.

"GAB is always here to help our pro teams. We wish the team nothing but the best in their competition in Croatia," said GAB chairman Mitra.

Also in the bubble are practice player Jom Sollano; coaches McJour Luib and Marvin Pangilinan; and staff member Mark Ordoñez.

Manila Chooks TM is racing against time to gain their Croatian visas. Since there is no Croatian embassy in the country, all of the team's documents were flown over to Jakarta, Indonesia.

FIBA 3x3 has set a May 20 deadline for the arrival of all teams.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/fiba-3x3-veteran-mark-yee-joins-manila-chooks-tm-pool

Football: Lessons from 2019 UWCL final fuel Barça women against Chelsea

Barcelona Femení hope that second time's the charm when they face off against Chelsea in the final of the UEFA Women's Champions League, Sunday at the Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden (early Monday in Manila).

The final pits the best of England against the best of Spain, with Chelsea having retained the Women's Super League title and Barcelona winning the Primera Iberdrola last week.

"It's gonna be a really, really interesting final, because they won their league a couple of days in England, and also we won our league a couple of days ago, here, as well," Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala said in a recent media roundtable.

"It's the Champions League, of course. You wanna be the winner, you have to beat everyone," she added.

Oshoala, also the star striker of Nigeria, was the lone goal-scorer for Barça when they made their first appearance in the final in 2019. 

They were overwhelmed by French powerhouse Lyon, 4-1: Dzsenifer Marozsán opened the scoring in the fifth minute, and Ada Hegerberg netted a first half hat-trick. Oshoala struck at the 89th minute to give Barcelona a consolation goal.

Oshoala believes the lessons from that loss will serve them well as they take on a Chelsea side that is making its first appearance in the Women's Champions League final.

"I think it's about experience, because now we already have experience; how the European football is, and also how a top game like this is being played," she said. "I think we're gonna be better, with the tactics this year, how we'll go out and play and everything."

"For us, it was good, we played in the final in 2019, we lost, and then we picked up our corrections from there," she added. "Against Chelsea, I don't think we're gonna make the same mistakes again, because we already learned from the past."

Barça gained more experience in games against other top European teams, having played Wolfsburg in the semifinal in 2020. On the road to this year's final, they outclassed Manchester City in the quarterfinal, and edged Paris Saint-Germain in a thrilling semi.

"It's just all about experience," Oshoala stressed. "We're a better team than we were two years ago. You don't expect to see the same Barça."

Barcelona boast of a powerful attack, with Oshoala, Lieke Martens, and Jennifer Hermoso combining for 15 goals in the competition leading up to the final. But they are on guard against an equally potent Chelsea team, particularly the tandem of Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr who have been playing at a high level in all competitions for the English champions.

"They are great players, they are good players. Not just Sam Kerr or Fran Kirby," Oshoala said. "There are also other players that are actually really, really good on their team."

"But at the end of the day, I feel like we just focus on our own game plan, focus on our own team. We don't care about what other teams do. We just want to play our own stay, wanna play our own football. So it doesn't really matter who's on the other team," she added.

Oshoala is confident that the match will be one to remember, even as fans won't be allowed at the stadium due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"It's just gonna be a very, very interesting one, because both teams have top stars around the world. It's gonna be really interesting back-and-forth game, and I don't know, I wanted to say back-and-forth goals, but I don't know how it's gonna be," she said.

"It's gonna be very interesting, to be honest It's not gonna be a boring match, I promise you."

The UEFA Women's Champions League final can be seen on Barça TV, DAZN, and UEFA.tv in the Philippines.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/football-lessons-from-2019-uwcl-final-fuel-bara-women-against-chelsea

Volleyball: PLDT making good progress in Tagaytay camp

PLDT Home Fibr is maximizing its time at the Splendido Hotel in Alfonso, Tagaytay, where it is in the midst of a 14-day training camp.

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) approved the camp, which started last May 10 and will end on the 22nd.

For Power Hitters head coach Roger Gorayeb, the camp is crucial for their build-up to the 2021 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference. Before being allowed to train in Tagaytay, they were only able to hold practice at Paco Arena in Manila for two days before NCR-plus was put under Enhanced Community Quarantine.

"Malaking bagay ito kasi matagal na kaming hindi nag-prapractice. Nag-practice na nga kami, dalawang araw nga lang dahil nag-ECQ," said Gorayeb.

"Kaya nag-worry ako kasi yung ibang team nag-start na. Mayroon sa Subic at sa Clark. Nag-push talaga ako kay Sir Bajjie (Del Rosario, PLDT team manager) kasi naiiwan na tayo," he explained.

Choco Mucho and Creamline have been training in a bubble setup in Clark since April 27.

PLDT's new recruits, Rhea Dimaculangan, Isa Molde, Marist Layug, Eli Soyud, Chin Basas, Yeye Gabarda, and Nieza Viray, are now training in the bubble together with their holdovers -- Shola Alvarez, Jorelle Singh, Aiko Urdas, Joyce Sta. Rita, Vira Guillema, Kath Villegas, and Alyssa Eroa.

While the players are in shape, Gorayeb acknowledged that the Power Hitters are still shaking off the rust after a yearlong layoff.

"Kasi halos talagang isang taon na na walang ensayo. True enough, kondisyon yung katawan nila dahil nag-Zoom training naman kami pero yung skills, hirap mag-service at receive. Kaya sana maayos namin ito dahil hanggang next week kami dito," said Gorayeb, who is joined by assistant coaches Clint Malazo and Ariel Dela Cruz.

For GAB chairman Baham Mitra, the training bubbles of PLDT and the Rebisco group should serve as an inspiration for the other PVL teams to find a local government host in low-risk areas so that they could also resume their prep for the looming season.

"Properly coordinated yan. Binibiro ko nga sila, I guess you guys must come out with pictures kasi yung other teams, wait-and-see pa rin," said Mitra. 

"Sila, they fully complied. Nandiyan yung LGU clearance din nila, health protocols, plus nag-inspection na ng venue. So, since nag-umpisa na yung PLDT team at Rebisco, puwede na rin yung iba. Sundan natin yung example nila na maaga pa, naka-request na at nagpa-inspect para makapag-ensayo na tayo."

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/volleyball-pvl-pldt-training-camp

NBA: Bucks dominate in paint, defeat Heat

In what could be a playoff preview, Khris Middleton posted 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, leading the host Milwaukee Bucks past the Miami Heat 122-108 on Saturday night.

Milwaukee, which is 11-3 in its past 14 games, also got 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists from two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bryn Forbes had 21 points, Jrue Holiday had 20 points and Brook Lopez added 18 on 9-for-10 shooting.

The Bucks shot 53.5 percent from the floor and had a 50-34 edge in paint points. Miami shot just 41.7 percent from the floor.

Both teams play their regular-season finale on Sunday. But with all of the NBA scores complete on Saturday, Milwaukee (46-25) remained in third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat (39-32) fell to sixth place, which -- barring any change on Sunday -- would match them with the Bucks in next week's first round of the playoffs.

These teams have history. Last year, the Bucks had the best regular-season record in the NBA, but they were eliminated by the Heat in five games in the second round of the playoffs.

Miami on Saturday played without star point forward Jimmy Butler (lower-back tightness). The Heat are 33-19 with Butler this season but just 6-13 without their leader in scoring, assists and steals.

The Heat had their four-game win streak snapped, although Miami guard Kendrick Nunn scored a season-high 31 points. Nunn made 13-of-18 shots from the floor, including 4-of-5 on 3-pointers.

Miami, which has won 11 of its past 15 games, lost the season series with Milwaukee, 2-1.

Early on, Milwaukee came out firing, leading 44-28 after the first quarter thanks to 70.8 percent shooting from the floor and a 22-6 edge in paint points.

Miami shot 41.7 percent and got 11 points from Nunn on 4-for-4 shooting, including three from long range.

Other than Nunn, who had 16 first-half points, Miami was overmatched as Milwaukee led by as many as 24 points before settling for a 70-51 advantage at the break. The Bucks shot 62.2 percent from the floor for the first half as compared to 38.8 percent for Miami.

Miami cut its deficit to as few as 10 points in the third, but by the end of the quarter, the Bucks built their lead back up to 99-81. Nunn continued to lead all scorers with 24 points through three quarters.

The Heat never seriously challenged in the fourth quarter.

Miami center Bam Adebayo finished with just five points, snapping his 56-game streak of scoring in double figures. He had six rebounds and eight assists.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/nba-bucks-dominate-in-paint-defeat-heat

Kobe Bryant remembered in emotional Hall of Fame inductions

Vanessa Bryant stood at the podium on Saturday evening as her late husband Kobe was being formally inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball of Fame, and she noted that she always avoided praising the former Los Angeles Lakers star in public.

You see, Vanessa Bryant regularly heard thousands of fans and other people heaping praise on the five-time NBA champion, 18-time NBA All-Star and 2007-08 MVP.

"Someone had to bring him back to reality," Vanessa Bryant said. "Right now, I'm sure he's laughing in heaven because I'm about to praise him in public for his accomplishments on one of the most public stages."

Vanessa Bryant's stirring speech was the highlight of the ceremony in Uncasville, Conn., in which Kobe Bryant was one of the nine members of the 2020 Hall of Fame class. NBA legends Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett were among the other inductees.

Also inducted Saturday were NBA player and coach Rudy Tomjanovich, men's college coach Eddie Sutton, women's college coaches Kim Mulkey and Barbara Stevens, star women's player Tamika Catchings and executive Patrick Baumann.

The induction ceremonies were delayed a year due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kobe Bryant died at age 41 on Jan. 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash in Southern California. His 13-year-daughter Gianna also died in the crash as did seven others, including the pilot.

Kobe Bryant was presented by Michael Jordan, a player he looked up to as a child.

Vanessa Bryant said Kobe was greatly looking forward to the induction ceremony with the award basically being the topper to his stellar 20-year NBA career.

"Kobe's personal stats speak for themselves, Kobe was on a different level," Vanessa Bryant said. "He never took shortcuts when it came to basketball. He gave this game his all."

Vanessa Bryant touched on several aspects of Kobe's career, including the April night in 2013 when he tore his Achilles at age 34. The badly hurt Kobe Bryant somehow made it to the free-throw line to make the two shots before soon limping off the floor.

Vanessa Bryant knew immediately that this injury was different because Kobe didn't blow her a kiss from the arena tunnel.

Kobe Bryant returned from the injury eight months later but after just six games, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. However, he ended up playing 107 games after the type of Achilles injury that would've ended many careers.

"That injury was big but his comeback from that injury was bigger," Vanessa Bryant said.

Vanessa Bryant's speech had already prompted tears throughout the audience but her final remarks, directed to Kobe, only ramped up the emotional vibes in the room.

"You did it, you're in the Hall of Fame now," Vanessa Bryant said. "You're a true champ. You're not just an MVP, you are an all-time great. I'm so proud of you. I love you forever and always, Kobe Bean Bryant."

Duncan, a five-time NBA champion who spent his entire 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs, was presented by former Spurs teammate David Robinson, the 2009 Hall of Fame inductee who was the face of the franchise when Duncan was selected No. 1 overall in the 1997 draft.

Duncan, an assistant coach with the Spurs, singled out San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, and said "he's going to be mad at me" before paying tribute to the legendary "Pop."

"Thank you for teaching me about basketball but even beyond that, teaching me it's not all about basketball," Duncan said. "Thank you for being the amazing human being that you are."

Garnett spent most of his 21-year career with either the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics. The 15-time All-Star, who won a title with the Celtics in 2008, was known for high-level intensity that never took a calming break.

"A lot of people don't know I'm from South Carolina. I'm a country boy. I like to say that," Garnett said. "Helped hone my skills. My mother is a very intense and passionate woman, who cared about her craft, cared about the quality of her craft, and I think I took some of that from her. So if you guys want to blame me, or blame the intensity, blame her for that. I want to thank my mother, Shirley, for that."

Mulkey won three national titles at Baylor and recently departed the school to become coach at LSU. Her message is that coaching players isn't solely about winning.

"You can't promise them championships, you can't promise they'll be drafted," Mulkey said. "But the one thing you can promise them when you sit in their home is that you can send them home with a degree in their hand."

Stevens recorded 1,058 career victories before retiring in 2020 and won a Division II national title with Bentley University in 2014, while Catchings was a 10-time WNBA All-Star, league MVP in 2011 and was the Naismith college player of the year at Tennessee for the 1999-2000 season.

Tomjanovich started for the Rockets as a player and later coached the team to back-to-back titles (1994-95), Sutton guided four schools to the NCAA Tournament and made three Final Four appearances, and Baumann was a longtime FIBA executive.

Sutton and Baumann were inducted posthumously along with Bryant.

The 2021 Naismith Hall of Fame class is slated to be announced on Sunday.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/kobe-bryant-remembered-in-emotional-hall-of-fame-inductions

Football: Leicester beat Chelsea to claim first FA Cup

 Kieran CANNING, Agence France-Presse

LONDON -- Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers hailed the "historical achievement" of his side in beating Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday to lift the FA Cup for the first time in the club's 137-year history.

Youri Tielemans's sensational winner was witnessed by 22,000 fans at Wembley.

The largest crowd for a sports event in England since the coronavirus pandemic hit 14 months ago were treated to a goal worthy to win any trophy as the Belgian midfielder blasted into the top corner on 63 minutes.

Five years after the Foxes stunned the Premier League's giants to become champions, Leicester have now claimed English football's other prestigious trophy at the fifth time of asking.

Four times they had previously lost the final, but the last of those was 52 years ago.

"It's a historical day for the football club," said Rodgers. "Winning the FA Cup for the first time. I'm so happy for the players and suppporters. They've lost four finals and now a fifth time we've managed to do it for them."

A historic week for Rodgers's men could get even better as they are on the verge of sealing a place in next season's Champions League.

The sides meet again in three days' time at Stamford Bridge in a pivotal clash to decide who secures a top-four finish in the Premier League.

And Rodgers suggested his side were the neutrals favourites as they aim to upset the applecart of the Premier League's 'big six' once more.

Chelsea were among the clubs to sign up to the failed, quasi-closed European Super League (ESL) project last month, along with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal.

"The success of this team and club is getting to positions like this and competing. The so-called bigger clubs are expected to win but our success is competing and if we can perform like today we can go and win," added Rodgers.

"After everything that has happened this year, I'm sure there were people hoping from a neutral perspective that we could go on and upset the odds."

Chelsea need a quick response after losing for just the fourth time in 27 games since Thomas Tuchel replaced the sacked Frank Lampard in January.

The Blues also have a Champions League final to look forward to against Manchester City in two weeks' time, but could end the campaign without silverware or a place in Europe's premier club competition next season.

"Of course we are disappointed but we are not angry," said Tuchel. "This performance was enough to win it, today we are simply unlucky. You need luck in this game to be able to win"

- VAR to the rescue -

Chelsea's success under Tuchel has come thanks to an excellent defensive record, but their struggles at the other end were again exposed as they rarely threatened until going behind.

The welcome return of noise echoing down from 6,000 fans of each side from both ends of the ground helped mask a general lack of quality on the field for the first hour.

One moment of magic proved decisive as Tielemans collected possession midway inside the Chelsea half and strode forward before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Tuchel flexed the strength in depth of his squad in an attempt to find an equaliser as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz, Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic were all introduced off the bench.

But they were denied by the brilliance of Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester goal.

Chilwell, whose every touch was booed by the Leicester support, twice nearly came back to haunt his old club as his first effort was turned onto the post by the Dane.

Mason Mount then could not believe his luck as his sweetly struck shot was turned behind by a brilliant stop from Schmeichel.

Even when the Leicester 'keeper was beaten, Chelsea were denied by a VAR review.

Wes Morgan's attempted clearance deflected in off Chilwell, but the England international had strayed offside in the build-up.

"Thank you VAR! What an amazing technology," said Tielemans.

Leicester players and fans celebrated the decision like a goal and were in raptures again moments later after seeing out a nervy finale.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/football-leicester-beat-chelsea-to-claim-first-fa-cup

Tennis: 'Old guys' Djokovic and Nadal set up 57th career clash at Italian Open

ROME, Italy -- World number one Novak Djokovic on Saturday battled past Italian Lorenzo Sonego to set up a clash with nine-time winner Rafael Nadal for the sixth time in the Italian Open final.

Defending champion Djokovic won 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 in two hours and 44 minutes against the 33rd-ranked Italian after second seed Nadal earlier swept past American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic had earlier survived a three-set battle with Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in their rain-delayed quarter-final.

The five-time Rome champion had been trailing 6-4, 2-1 when the tie was halted overnight. But the 33-year-old came back to win 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 after more than three-and-a-quarter hours.

Djokovic and Nadal, who will be facing each other for the 57th time, last played in the 2020 French Open final which the Spaniard won in straight sets.

The pair have won 14 of the last 16 Rome titles between them, while Nadal leads their head-to-head in finals in the Italian capital 3-2.

"Rafa and I had a little laugh today in the locker room after I won against Tsitsipas," Djokovic revealed.

"We kind of joked around about that the 'Old guys are still not giving up'.

"I'm really glad we've shown we're not backing off from the Next Gen attacks."

Nadal saved two match points to defeat Canada's Denis Shapovalov in the third round, and then ousted Madrid Open slayer Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals.

"I saw he said a few days ago that Roger (Federer), him and I are old, but I disagree, I think we're showing some different fresh energy," said the Serbian.

"It's great to play him again in the final.

"He's the guy that I have encountered the most in my career, definitely my biggest rival of all time."

On Saturday, Djokovic let two match points slip in the second set of his semi-final.

He then saved three break points in the first game of the third set, before powering towards his 11th Rome final.

"I've only myself to blame for not closing the match in the second set, I could have and should have," said Djokovic.

- 'Big stage' -

Nadal staved off break points in the fourth game against Opelka and did not look back.

"Another chance to play on a big stage, in a big final," said Nadal. "It's important for my confidence to be back in a final."

Nadal is looking to equal Djokovic's record of 36 Masters 1000 titles in his 12th Rome final, while his opponent would pull two clear with a win.

Two weeks before Roland Garros, the 34-year-old was rarely troubled by the towering American playing his first Masters semi-final.

Nadal blasted down 11 aces and did not drop serve against the 47th-ranked player who had not been broken all week.

A break in either set was enough to see Nadal through in his final warm-up tournament before Roland Garros, having exited early in Monte Carlo and Madrid.

"You want to win, not because in two weeks you're going to have an important event," said the 13-time French Open champion.

"In terms of preparation for Roland Garros, I consider the job done because I have been through a positive process during the last month.

"This is about Rome, one of the most important events in the history of my career."

- Swiatek takes on Pliskova -

In the women's final, French Open champion Iga Swiatek takes on former Rome winner Karolina Pliskova.

Ex-world number one Pliskova saw off Croatia's Petra Martic 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to return to the final of a tournament she won in 2019 and finished runner-up at last year.

Swiatek, 19, claimed back-to-back wins on the day.

She first ousted fifth seed Elina Svitolina, a two-time Rome winner, 6-2, 7-5 in their quarter-final which had been pushed back from Friday because of rain.

She then saw off 17-year-old American Coco Gauff 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 in the semis.

"Beating Elina shows that my game is here, I'm ready for anyone," said the Polish 15th seed.

Swiatek is looking for just her third WTA title having followed her Roland Garros success with a win in Adelaide in January.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/tennis-italian-open-final-nadal-djokovic

NBA: LeBron James, Anthony Davis fuel Lakers win over Pacers

LeBron James scored seven consecutive points over a one-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter to help the Los Angeles Lakers record a 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday in Indianapolis.

James, playing his first game since May 2 and just his third since March 20, finished with 24 points, a team-high eight assists and seven rebounds.

Anthony Davis collected 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Lakers (41-30), who entered play a half-game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the Western Conference. 

Los Angeles closes the regular season on Sunday in New Orleans.

The Lakers took care of business in the first half of the weekend back-to-back, leading Indiana (33-38) almost the entire way. But behind Caris LeVert's 28 points and game-high 12 assists, the Pacers battled back from a deficit of as many as 14 points to pull within a single possession late in the fourth quarter.

LeVert hit a jumper with a little more than three minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to three points. James, who missed his first three 3-point attempts, responded with a successful shot from beyond the arc on a step-back off a ball screen.

That 3-pointer ignited James to seven consecutive points, pushing the Lakers' lead back to eight points with 1:43 remaining. Indiana could not draw any closer than five points for the rest of the way.

Los Angeles' Dennis Schroder scored 14 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 13, Talen Horton-Tucker had 11 and Andre Drummond finished with 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

Indiana's JaKarr Sampson scored 20 points, Doug McDermott had 17 and Kelan Martin added 15. Goga Bitadze made one of his game-high four blocked shots on James during Indiana's late-game rally, and also posted 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

With star forward Domantas Sabonis sidelined, however, Indiana was out-rebounded by a 45-37 margin.

Although the Pacers lost, Charlotte's defeat at New York on Saturday keeps the teams tied for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/nba-lebron-james-anthony-davis-return-lakers-pacers

NBA: Julius Randle leads Knicks to crucial win over Hornets

Julius Randle collected his sixth triple-double of the season Saturday afternoon and gave the host New York Knicks the lead for good by opening overtime with a pair of free throws as the Knicks remained in the mix for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 118-109 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

The Knicks (40-31) can finish fourth if they beat the Boston Celtics in Sunday's season finale and the Miami Heat lose one of their final two games.

The Hornets (33-38) lost their fourth straight but got some help from the Los Angeles Lakers in their bid to finish eighth in the East. The Lakers' 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers means Charlotte can lock up eighth place by beating the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

The seventh- and eighth-place teams in each conference have to win only one game in the play-in tournament to advance to the playoffs.

Randle had 33 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for the Knicks while Reggie Bullock scored 17 points. Derrick Rose (15 points), Alec Burks (14 points) and Immanuel Quickley (13 points) all got into double digits off the bench.

Miles Bridges, who missed the previous five games due to health and safety protocols, scored 30 points off the bench for the Hornets. 

Fellow reserve Devonte' Graham had 25 points while Jalen McDaniels (15 points, 10 rebounds), Terry Rozier (13 points) and Cody Zeller (10 points, 11 rebounds) also scored in double digits.

After hitting the free throws to open overtime, Randle collected an offensive rebound that led to a 3-pointer by Burks that gave the Knicks a 109-104 lead. 

Bridges responded with a layup, but Bullock drained a 3-pointer on the next trip and New York was never threatened thereafter.

The Knicks led by as many as 18 in the second quarter and opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run to go up 73-56. 

Bridges began the Hornets' comeback by scoring eight unanswered points and had 16 points in the 30-13 run that ended the quarter and pulled Charlotte -- which made 10 of its final 12 shots of the period -- within 89-86.

The Hornets remained red-hot to open the fourth, during which they scored the first seven points. Malik Monk's runner gave Charlotte its first lead at 90-89 before Graham sank a 3-pointer.

Burks scored four straight for the Knicks to tie the score before the Hornets hit their next four field-goal attempts to take a 101-97 lead on Rozier's layup with 6:45 left. 

But Charlotte began going cold and the Knicks scored seven straight -- the final five by Randle -- to go up 104-101 before going scoreless from the field the remainder of regulation.

The Hornets missed four straight shots over a span of more than six minutes until Rozier's game-tying layup with 37.8 seconds left. Randle missed a 3-pointer on the next trip -- New York's sixth straight miss -- and Rozier missed a fallaway before Graham hoisted an airballed 3-pointer just before the buzzer.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/nba-julius-randle-leads-knicks-to-crucial-win-over-hornets

NBA: Suns take care of business in rout of short-handed Spurs

 Devin Booker scored 23 of his 27 points in the first half and the visiting Phoenix Suns took care of business with a lopsided 140-103 win against the short-handed San Antonio Spurs on Saturday afternoon in the penultimate game of the regular season for both teams.

The win allowed the Suns (50-21) to keep pace with idle Utah (51-20) in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference. If Phoenix defeats the Spurs on Sunday afternoon in the second game of their back-to-back and Utah loses at Sacramento, the Suns will win the conference as they own the tiebreaker with the Jazz.

The Spurs (33-38) have already clinched the final spot in the play-in tournament and cannot improve their standing. San Antonio will play either Memphis or Golden State on the road on Wednesday.

Mikal Bridges added 18 points for the Suns, with Chris Paul scoring 16 and dishing out 10 assists. Dario Saric hit for 13 points and Cameron Payne had 12 for Phoenix. Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) was held out for the Suns.

Keldon Johnson and Gorgui Dieng scored 18 points each to lead the Spurs while Drew Eubanks added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Devin Vassell hit for 14 points.

The Spurs, who have not had back-to-back nights off in a month and a half, decided to rest two of their starters, DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl. Five other players, including Dejounte Murray (back) and Rudy Gay (heel), were reported as injured.

Phoenix jumped on the Spurs early, leading by 17 points at the end of the first quarter. San Antonio made a mini-run midway through the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 49-39, before the Suns picked up the pace again, heading to halftime up 68-47.

Booker's 23 points led all scorers in the first half, while Bridges added 14 for Phoenix. Johnson had 16 points for the Spurs at intermission.

The Suns opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run that all but settled things. Phoenix emptied its bench in the fourth quarter to rest its starters for Sunday's crucial game.

San Antonio also played without coach Gregg Popovich, who attended the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony that included the induction of Spurs legend Tim Duncan.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/nba-suns-take-care-of-business-in-rout-of-short-handed-spurs

NBA: LeBron James returns as Lakers visit Pacers

The Los Angeles Lakers should have their top three scorers on hand as they seek their fourth consecutive victory and the regular season nears its conclusion, visiting an Indiana Pacers team Saturday afternoon at Indianapolis that is battling for play-in tournament position.

The Lakers (40-30) ripped off three straight home wins, a run capped Wednesday when a shorthanded lineup edged the Houston Rockets 124-122 in the second half of a back-to-back.

LeBron James participated in the team's Friday practice and coach Frank Vogel said Saturday that James will play in Saturday's game. James had missed six consecutive game since a brief, two-game return from a lengthy ankle injury.

Anthony Davis, who missed the victory over Houston due to a groin injury, and Dennis Schroder, who has been out since early May while in COVID-19 protocols, are also expected to be in the lineup on Saturday.

Facing a rash of injuries throughout the campaign has required various Lakers to step up. In the victory over the Rockets, Talen Horton-Tucker emerged with 23 points and 10 assists. Kyle Kuzma flirted with a triple-double off the bench: 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists.

Vogel also credited Wesley Matthews for key contributions amid the winning streak.

"We don't win the last two games without his final, big plays: the offensive rebound (May 11 in an overtime win over New York) and obviously, the steal on (Kelly) Olynyk to save the game (Wednesday)," Vogel said. "He's really rounded into form. He's had a little bit of an up-and-down season, but these last couple weeks, he's performed at a really, super-high level."

Amid the uncertainty around James and Davis, who have missed 27 and 36 games this season respectively, the remainder of the Lakers roster kept the reigning NBA champions in the postseason hunt. With two games remaining, they can still pass Portland, Dallas or both to ascend as high as No. 5 in the Western Conference, but head into the weekend at No. 7 and in the play-in tournament.

Indiana (33-37) can't climb out of the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference, but the Pacers move into their final two games with an opportunity to move into the No. 7 or 8 spots. The seventh and eighth seeds only need to win one play-in tournament game to advance to the playoffs.

After defeating Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia on Tuesday, Indiana dropped a 142-133 shootout at home to Milwaukee on Thursday.

Eight Pacers scored in double-figures, led by Justin Holiday's 26 points, while 20.8-point per game scorer Caris LeVert was sidelined with a bone bruise in his right knee. Indiana has also been without 21.4-point per game scorer Malcolm Brogdon since May 1 due to a hamstring injury.

Amid the rash of absences, which also includes Myles Turner (toe), Edmond Sumner (knee) and Jeremy Lamb (knee), T.J. McConnell stepped into the starting lineup Thursday and scored 23 points - before spraining his left thumb.

"We're missing guys, we have different guys playing. I think we did a pretty good job with the guys we had in there," Holiday said. "We're a team that likes to play together, move the ball, and it just puts somebody else in that position. ... I think we could have been better defensively."

--Field Level Media

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/nba-lebron-james-returns-as-lakers-visit-pacers

Tennis: Swiatek wins twice in a day to set up Rome final with Pliskova

French Open champion Iga Swiatek won her Italian Open quarter-final and semi-final matches in straight sets on Saturday to set up a title clash with ninth seed Karolina Pliskova.

Former world number one Pliskova, who won the 2019 edition and finished runner-up to Simona Halep last year after retiring in the final with an injury, reached the final for the third straight year after beating Petra Martic 6-1 3-6 6-2.

Swiatek's quarter-final match against two-times champion Elina Svitolina was postponed due to rain on Friday but the 19-year-old made short work of her more experienced opponent with a 6-2 7-5 win to set up a semi-final clash with Coco Gauff.

Swiatek then moved into her first WTA 1000 final with a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory over the American 17-year-old.

Gauff fired seven aces but also served five double faults and she struggled on her second serve as Swiatek converted three of four break points to advance.

Swiatek, ranked 15th in the world, will be playing for a spot in the top 10 when she faces Pliskova on Sunday.

Pliskova broke Martic in the first game before racing away with the opening set but allowed Martic back into the contest in the second after making a number of unforced errors.

The match was evenly poised at 2-2 in the final set before Pliskova took control, capitalising on Martic's errors to break twice before sealing the match on her second match point when the Croatian's return went long. (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/tennis-swiatek-wins-twice-in-a-day-to-set-up-rome-final-with-pliskova

Tennis: Nadal brushes past Opelka into 12th Rome final

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal advanced to the Italian Open final for the 12th time on Saturday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over American Reilly Opelka.

The Spaniard will play either defending champion Novak Djokovic or Italian Lorenzo Sonego in what will also be his 52nd Masters final.

Playing his 500th clay-court match, Nadal staved off break points in the fourth game of the first set and did not look back to win through in 1hr 32min.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/tennis-nadal-brushes-past-opelka-into-12th-rome-final

Football: Lewandowski equals Bundesliga record with 40th goal this season

Robert Lewandowski equaled Gerd Mueller's 49-year-old scoring record as the Bayern Munich striker netted his 40th Bundesliga goal of the season in a 2-2 draw at Freiburg on Saturday.

Lewandowski, FIFA's best male player of 2020, has equaled Mueller's tally, scored over 34 games in 1971/72, in just 28 league fixtures this term.

Lewandowski converted a penalty for the champions after 26 minutes to equal the league's record.

As part of his penalty celebrations, the Poland striker lifted his match shirt to reveal a picture of Gerd Mueller over the text "4ever Gerd".

The fixture was briefly halted after Lewandowski equalled Mueller's milestone as his Bayern team-mates made a guard-of-honor on the side of the pitch which the smiling 32-year-old ran through.

Freiburg drew level almost immediately when Manuel Gulde headed in at the near post from a corner on 29 minutes after slipping his marker.

Bayern, who were crowned German champions last weekend for the ninth season in a row, upped the tempo after the break.

Serge Gnabry had a goal disallowed six minutes into the second-half after the VAR spotted he was offside in tapping home a Leroy Sane cross.

However, the Bavarians kept up the pressure and when David Alaba's long-range pass found Thomas Mueller in the area just moments later, he squared for Sane who hit home on 53 minutes. 

Freiburg had their chances to equalize as second-half replacements Lucas Hoeler and Janik Haberer both went close before Christian Guenter brought the sides level nine minutes from time.

Lewandowski can still break Mueller's record as Bayern have one match left of the campaign at home to Augsburg next Saturday.

The former Borussia Dortmund forward, who has scored 47 goals in 39 games in all competitions this season, is set to be crowned the Bundesliga's top-scorer for the sixth time in eight years. 

His tally of 40 league goals this season includes four hat-tricks as well as a four-goal haul in Bayern's nervy 4-3 home win against Hertha Berlin last October.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/football-lewandowski-equals-bundesliga-record-with-40th-goal-this-season

Basketball: SBP counting on Kouame to play in FIBA qualifiers in Clark

Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

The Samahang Basektbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is keeping its fingers crossed that Ange Kouame will get his naturalization papers in time for the coming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The Philippines will be hosting the third and final window of the qualifiers in Clark on June 16-20 and SBP hopes to get all of Kouame's documents done by then.

“We know that ‘yung both Houses, nilagdaan na ‘yung papeles ni Ange Kouame. I think the next level is it is being transmitted now to the Office of the President and we are just waiting for the actual signature," said special assistant to the SBP president Ryan Gregorio in an interview on The Chasedown on Saturday.

That bill granting Kouame Filipino citizenship was already approved by Congress along with the naturalization of Spanish footballer Bienven Marañon, who will beef up the Philippine Azkals in the coming international tourneys.

It will lapse into law this Monday, but Gregorio is hoping to speed up the process since there will be a few more steps to be taken after the bill becomes a law. 

"Kasi after that, papasok na of course ‘yung issuance of passport, yung mga panunumpa, and all that. It is not going to be a quick process. Meron pa ring tayong sundang reglamento at inaasahan natin na by the time we go to Clark, e ayos na ayos na ‘yung papeles ni Ange Kouame,” said the SBP official.

The presence of the 6-foot-10 Ivorian will be a big boost for Gilas Pilipinas as they will battle South Korea and Indonesia which will be bannered by naturalized former PBA imports.

The South Koreans will have Ricardo Ratliffe, while Indonesia will have Lester Prosper.

“We’ve done the work necessary for us to get approval from Congress and even Senate and all that," said Gregorio on Kouame's naturalization.

"Malapit na, in other words. And we’ve been very patient, and we’ll still continue to be patient. We will be rewarded in the end.”

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/basketball-sbp-counting-on-kouame-to-play-in-fiba-qualifiers-in-clark

NBA: Playoff-focused Nets to face eliminated Bulls

The Brooklyn Nets will be looking to solidify their playoff seeding while the visiting Chicago Bulls will try to finish another year out of the postseason on a positive note when the teams meet on Saturday.

The Chicago Bulls (30-40) were eliminated from playoff contention on Friday night when the Washington Wizards (33-38) clinched a spot in the play-in tournament with a 120-105 win over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.

Chicago will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season and for the fifth time in the past six years. It's the team's longest postseason drought since a six-year gap following the end of the Michael Jordan dynasty that brought the franchise six titles.

The Bulls made a late-season push for the playoffs, going 4-1 over their past five games. The one loss was a 115-107 setback at home to the Nets on Tuesday when Chicago never led and trailed by as many as 19 before making a late run.

"We had a really, really slim chance and we took that upon ourselves to try to make it happen," Zach LaVine said earlier this week.

LaVine scored 41 points against the Nets on Tuesday, then scored 24 on Thursday when the Bulls led by as many as 24 and posted a 114-102 home win over the Toronto Raptors. Lauri Markkanen hit six 3-pointers against the Raptors and added 20 points, while Coby White contributed 17 and Nikola Vucevic had 16 points with 16 rebounds.

Brooklyn (46-24) can finish no higher than second in the Eastern Conference after the Philadelphia 76ers (48-23) clinched the No. 1 seed with a win over the visiting Orlando Magic on Friday.

The Nets, who conclude the regular season against the visiting Cavaliers on Sunday, are a game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks (45-25). However, if the teams finish tied, the Bucks will get the higher seed because they have the tiebreaker by virtue of winning two of the teams' three regular-season meetings.

The Bucks host the Miami Heat (39-31) on Saturday and close the regular season at Chicago on Sunday.

While seeding might be one priority for Brooklyn, getting some minutes for its superstar trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving is another. Due to injuries and rest, the group has played just seven games totaling 186 minutes together this season, and coach Steve Nash said he expects all of them to play Saturday. Durant, Harden and Irving have not played together since mid-February.

On Tuesday, the Nets beat the Bulls in Harden's last game of an 18-game absence due to a strained right hamstring, but lost Irving to a facial contusion in the third quarter.

A night later, Harden returned against the San Antonio Spurs and produced 18 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in 26 minutes as a reserve in a 128-116 victory. Eight players scored in double figures for the Nets on Wednesday, and they trailed in the game only briefly.

"It's great that he's going to get at least another game in for his confidence, his reps, that rhythm that we keep talking about," Nash said of Harden. "It's really important as a player, especially going into the high intensity of the postseason where people are going to be scheming and physical and the game rises."

--Field Level Media

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/16/21/nba-playoff-focused-nets-to-face-eliminated-bulls