Monday, May 17, 2021
Finding Light In The Midst If Darkness
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14
One evening when the English essayist and author John Ruskin was a little boy, he was sitting at the window of his home watching the lamplighter progressively work his way up a hill lighting the street lamps. Poking his finger at the window pane to make a point, the little lad suddenly exclaimed, “Look! He’s punching holes in the darkness.”
John Ruskin described precisely the mission of every Christian: Punching holes in the darkness. At the recent conference I asked, “How many of you work in a place where you are the only Christian?” Most people raised their hands. Then I asked, “How many of you would prefer working where there are many who are believers just like you?” The vast majority who raised their hands to the first question also raised them in response to the second question as well.
Is it possible, friend, that God put you exactly where you are because He wants you to punch holes in the darkness? “You are the light of the world,” Jesus said. “A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
“But I’m the only Christian where I work, and people make fun of me!” Have you forgotten the least amount of light drives away the greatest amount of darkness? Perhaps that is exactly why God put you where you are. He planted you there so that you could be a witness against the darkness.
Years ago, I visited Carlsbad Caverns, a huge cave underground so deep that when the lights are turned out, a person absolutely cannot see his hand in front of his face. While I was there, the park ranger told us that they were turning out the lights, and then in a moment, he struck a match—only one. I will never forget how very quickly that one single match allowed us to see very clearly.
Sure, everybody would like to live in an environment where people love righteousness and everybody loves each other. That kind of workplace is reserved for heaven. In the meanwhile, God wants you to be the kind of a light which punches holes in the darkness of broken homes and hearts.
There are two ways that you are a light in a dark world: 1. Through your visual witness, and 2. through your verbal witness. For a moment, think about the impact of your life, which may be far greater than you have any idea.
First, you don’t have to wear a sandwich board or a T-shirt with a religious motif for people to know that you are a Christian. They know! You have a different sense of value. Off-color jokes just aren’t funny. You work hard, and you don’t make suggestive comments about the opposite sex.
When Jesus talked about “a city on a hill,” He was probably using as an illustration the city we know as Safed today. The disciples had often seen the lights from the ancient city which could be seen from long distances. It couldn’t be hidden.
Then your verbal witness—what you say and perhaps what you don’t say—also drives away the darkness. A friend of mine who worked in an auto parts store found Christ and gradually his language was changed. Another employee, not remembering his name, referred to him as, “That guy, the one at the parts counter who stopped cursing.” Thank God you, too, can punch holes in the darkness wherever you are.
Resource reading: Matthew 5:13-20
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/finding-light-in-the-midst-if-darkness/
Scottie Thompson's first signature shoe to be released soon
Scottie Thompson's first signature shoe will be released in the near future and will likely make its debut in the upcoming conference of the PBA, World Balance has announced.
"The Scottie 1 will make an on-court debut this coming conference and the collection will likely expand in the future," World Balance said in a statement.
The apparel brand recently unveiled Thompson's very own logo ahead of the release of the "Scottie 1."
The logo, which Thompson shared on his social media accounts, combines his initials and his jersey number six, with a lightning bolt element.
"Kung titingnan mo 'yung logo, akala mo simpleng 'S' lang. Pero if you look closely, initials ko 'yan and number '6.' Hindi lang basta design," said Thompson, who was "blown away" when presented by the logo.
"It's truly amazing to have my own signature shoe," the Barangay Ginebra guard also said. "This is a dream I've always had as a kid."
"For me to be able to put myself in the same light as other athletes who have their own signature line, it's truly an honor and a blessing for me
Thompson, Ginebra's versatile guard, signed with World Balance last April, making him the first player since Phillip Cezar to do so.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/scottie-thompsons-first-signature-shoe-to-be-released-soon
Jordan Clarkson, Jalen Green to coach Filipino youth in Jr. NBA clinics
Jr. NBA, the NBA's global youth basketball program, will return to the Philippines through the Jr. NBA Philippines online clinics.
The series of virtual basketball clinics for 13 to 17 year old boys and girls across the country will run on May 29 and June 12.
Registration is now live at www.jrnbaasia.com.
Filipino-American guards Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz and Jalen Green, most recently of the NBA G League Ignite, will join Jr. NBA coaches in leading Filipino youth through basketball drills.
Clarkson and Green will also participate in a life session and discuss the importance of fundamental skills training in their professional careers during the May 29 online event.
On June 12, WNBA legend Ticha Penicheiro will headline a Jr. NBA session designed for girls.
"We're excited to bring together players from across the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League to inspire our young athletes participating in the first-ever Jr. NBA Philippines Clinics Online," said Scott Levy, NBA Philippines' managing director.
"Shifting the Jr. NBA program to a virtual event will allow us to safely engage young boys and girls through basketball while continuing to promote the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle," he added.
Additionally, Jr. NBA Philippines will publish a series of videos beginning June 21 on the official Jr. NBA Philippines Facebook page, which will feature Clarkson, Penicheiro, former NBA coaches, local Jr. NBA coaches and sports science resource speakers discussing a range of sports-related topics including nutrition, psychology, diversity and inclusion among others.
In another new project, Jr. NBA Philippines will launch a social media contest to help identify 10 boys and 10 girls who will participate in the Jr. NBA Asia Pacific Camp Online, a one-day virtual basketball event that features advanced basketball instruction, skills challenges and interactive sessions with select NBA and WNBA players.
The Jr. NBA Asia Pacific Camp Online will be conducted on July 31 via a video conferencing platform, and will feature 120 participants from seven countries across the region including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Contest mechanics will be announced at a later date.
Clarkson was selected 46th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2014 NBA Draft and named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2015. Now a player for the top-seeded Jazz, Clarkson is averaging 18 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 65 games and is one of the contenders for Sixth Man of the Year.
Green played last season for G League Ignite, and averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game throughout the 2021 G League season.
As a member of the USA Basketball men’s junior national team, Green earned gold medals at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 and 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cups and the 2017 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship. He was named MVP of the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina.
Penicheiro, drafted second overall by the Sacramento Monarchs in the 1998 WNBA Draft, is a WNBA champion, four-time WNBA All-Star, three-time All-WNBA selection and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Named as one of the WNBA"s Top 20 Players of All Time in 2016, Penicheiro spent 15 seasons in the WNBA with the Sacramento Monarchs, Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky.
Duremdes confirms VisMin Cup players will be considered 'ex-pros' in MPBL
Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) commissioner Kenneth Duremdes has no issues with MPBL players seeing action in the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, but warned that there will be some repercussions.
Specifically, they will be considered "ex-pros" once they return to the MPBL, as the VisMin Super Cup is a professional league that is regulated by the Games and Amusements Board.
"We want to be clear… hindi namin sila binabawalan maglaro in any league," Duremdes recently said.
In early April, Duremdes issued a memo warning players who will participate in the VisMin Super Cup -- or any league classified as professional -- will be considered "ex-pros" by the MPBL and will thus be subject to the league's limitations over such players.
MPBL teams are only allowed to have seven ex-pro players in their lineup.
Duremdes stressed that this rule has been clear since the inception of the MPBL.
"From the beginning, 'yung liga natin, sinasabi na natin, 'pag naglaro ka sa isang pro league, that was before pa, pagbalik mo sa MPBL, you will be considered as ex-pro," he said.
"'Yung memo natin… doon lang 'yun sa mga nagtatanong na mga team owners and players kung ano ba talaga ang stand ng league dito sa VisMin," he explained.
Duremdes made it clear that despite the firm language of the memo, they are in no way barring MPBL players from competing in the VisMin Super Cup.
"Hindi naman 'yung players ang may kasalanan diyan; gusto lang naman nila maglaro," he said. "Hindi naman natin sila pinipigilan dahil hanap-buhay."
Moreover, Duremdes is confident that these players will still find spots in the rosters of MPBL teams despite their status as ex-pros.
"Pagbalik naman nila sa MPBL, pwede naman sila maglaro," he assured. "Imagine, we have 32 teams na tayo ngayon. Pito ang ina-allow nating ex-pro kada team.
"Eh ilan ang naglaro doon? Wala pa sigurong 30," he pointed out. "Kasyang-kasya po 'yan sa 32 teams natin."
"So, 'wag po silang mag-alala. Pito ang ex-pro na ina-allow natin sa MPBL, 32 teams po tayo. So, any time, 'pag kinuha tayo ng teams niyo, 'wag lang lalampas sa seven ex-pros per team, allowed po kayo. Welcome po kayo dahil ito po ang liga ng bawat Pilipino, para po sa inyo 'to," Duremdes said.
The VisMin Super Cup recently concluded its Visayas leg in Alcantara, Cebu, while its Mindanao leg will start on May 30. Among the players expected to see action in the Mindanao leg are Colegio de San Juan de Letran guard Fran Yu and 20-year-old Jericho Montecalvo from the University of the East boys' basketball program.
Meanwhile, the MPBL is still waiting for the government to give teams the go-signal to begin training in their respective areas. A planned June 12 start has been postponed indefinitely as the league works on the requirements from the government.
Chinese table tennis world champion left out of Olympics singles
SHANGHAI, China -- Table tennis world champion Liu Shiwen has been controversially left out of China's women's singles line-up for the Tokyo Olympics and will instead play doubles and team events.
The 30-year-old won a team title as China swept all four gold medals at the Rio 2016 Games, but she has never won the Olympic singles crown in her trophy-laden career.
China announced a six-member squad on Sunday, with reigning Olympic champion Ma Long and world number one Fan Zhendong the two men's singles players.
Liu, crowned singles world champion in 2019, will play the mixed doubles and women's team events. World number one Chen Meng and Sun Yingsha were named for the women's singles.
"There are too many unsure things and challenges, and we need a squad full of experience and confidence, adding to top-class individual skills," Xinhua news agency quoted Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, as saying.
The omission of Liu, a former number one who is now seventh in the world, from the singles sparked heated discussion on China's Twitter-like Weibo, with one hashtag on the subject racking up nearly 300 million views.
China are supreme in Olympic table tennis, winning 28 out of the 32 golds awarded so far.
The coronavirus-postponed 2020 Olympics will take place from July 23 to August 8.
MMA: Zamboanga 100% ready for ONE Atomweight Grand Prix
Filipino atomweight star Denice Zamboanga said she is ready for what should be the biggest test of her young mixed martial arts career so far.
The 24-year-old Zamboanga is one of eight women who will compete in the highly anticipated ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix. The winner of the tournament earns a shot at reigning ONE atomweight champion Angela Lee later this year, according to ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
The first round of the tournament commences at ONE: EMPOWER, which broadcasts live on May 28 from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.
Zamboanga, who is the division's No. 1-ranked contender, is scheduled to face veteran Seo Hee Ham. With the stakes riding high, Zamboanga is determined to defeat Ham and win the tournament.
"I've been preparing hard for this fight. A lot of pain, sweat, tears, and blood went into this training camp. I'm in the best shape of my career. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, I'm ready for this fight. I'm ready to give it 100%, and do anything it takes to win," Zamboanga declared.
The young Filipina burst into the scene in December 2019 when she defeated Malaysia's Jihin "Shadow Cat" Radzuan. Zamboanga went on to beat former ONE title challenger Mei Yamaguchi in 2020, a massive upset that earned her the top spot in the divisional rankings.
She followed up that victory just a few months later, submitting Watsyapinya Kaewkhong impressively in the first round.
But Zamboanga will arguably enter the Grand Prix as the underdog against Seo, who is perceived to be the most dangerous contender in the field.
The Filipina remains confident in her preparations, however, and vowed to take the fight right to her Korean counterpart.
"I know that she is the toughest opponent of my career so far. Because of that, I'm not going easy on her. I will make sure I am the toughest opponent she will have ever faced in her career, too," Zamboanga vowed.
To prepare for the bout, Zamboanga embarked on a 12-week training camp at Marrok Force, where she trains with older brother, fellow ONE Championship fighter Drex Zamboanga.
"My team at Marrok Force has been a huge instrument to my development as a martial artist. They have helped me improve in every area imaginable. I can say with confidence that they've created a complete martial artist in me. More than anything, they continue to motivate me everyday to be the best Denice Zamboanga that I can be," she said.
Other first round matches in the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix include a battle between No. 2-ranked contender Meng Bo and Brazilian newcomer Julie "Juju" Mezabarba, a showdown between No. 4-ranked Stamp Fairtex and No. 3-ranked Alyona Rassohyna, and Itsuki "Android 18" Hirata versus Alyse "Lil Savage" Anderson.
In the main event of ONE: EMPOWER, reigning ONE Women's strawweight world champion "The Panda" Xiong Jing Nan defends her world title against No. 2-ranked strawweight contender Michelle Nicolini.
In the co-main event, six-time kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion Anissa "C18" Meksen makes her ONE Super Series debut against Martine "The Italian Queen" Michieletto.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/mma-zamboanga-100-ready-for-one-atomweight-grand-prix
MMA: Zamboanga 100% ready for ONE Atomweight Grand Prix
Filipino atomweight star Denice Zamboanga said she is ready for what should be the biggest test of her young mixed martial arts career so far.
The 24-year-old Zamboanga is one of eight women who will compete in the highly anticipated ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix. The winner of the tournament earns a shot at reigning ONE atomweight champion Angela Lee later this year, according to ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
The first round of the tournament commences at ONE: EMPOWER, which broadcasts live on May 28 from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.
Zamboanga, who is the division's No. 1-ranked contender, is scheduled to face veteran Seo Hee Ham. With the stakes riding high, Zamboanga is determined to defeat Ham and win the tournament.
"I've been preparing hard for this fight. A lot of pain, sweat, tears, and blood went into this training camp. I'm in the best shape of my career. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, I'm ready for this fight. I'm ready to give it 100%, and do anything it takes to win," Zamboanga declared.
The young Filipina burst into the scene in December 2019 when she defeated Malaysia's Jihin "Shadow Cat" Radzuan. Zamboanga went on to beat former ONE title challenger Mei Yamaguchi in 2020, a massive upset that earned her the top spot in the divisional rankings.
She followed up that victory just a few months later, submitting Watsyapinya Kaewkhong impressively in the first round.
But Zamboanga will arguably enter the Grand Prix as the underdog against Seo, who is perceived to be the most dangerous contender in the field.
The Filipina remains confident in her preparations, however, and vowed to take the fight right to her Korean counterpart.
"I know that she is the toughest opponent of my career so far. Because of that, I'm not going easy on her. I will make sure I am the toughest opponent she will have ever faced in her career, too," Zamboanga vowed.
To prepare for the bout, Zamboanga embarked on a 12-week training camp at Marrok Force, where she trains with older brother, fellow ONE Championship fighter Drex Zamboanga.
"My team at Marrok Force has been a huge instrument to my development as a martial artist. They have helped me improve in every area imaginable. I can say with confidence that they've created a complete martial artist in me. More than anything, they continue to motivate me everyday to be the best Denice Zamboanga that I can be," she said.
Other first round matches in the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix include a battle between No. 2-ranked contender Meng Bo and Brazilian newcomer Julie "Juju" Mezabarba, a showdown between No. 4-ranked Stamp Fairtex and No. 3-ranked Alyona Rassohyna, and Itsuki "Android 18" Hirata versus Alyse "Lil Savage" Anderson.
In the main event of ONE: EMPOWER, reigning ONE Women's strawweight world champion "The Panda" Xiong Jing Nan defends her world title against No. 2-ranked strawweight contender Michelle Nicolini.
In the co-main event, six-time kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion Anissa "C18" Meksen makes her ONE Super Series debut against Martine "The Italian Queen" Michieletto.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/mma-zamboanga-100-ready-for-one-atomweight-grand-prix
How 'Doc AJ' stayed ready for beach volleyball tryouts
During the recent tryouts for the national beach volleyball team in Subic, AJ Pareja wowed his fellow athletes with his performance.
Pareja, who is vying to become an accredited FIVB doctor, made it to the 10-man pool for the national men's beach volleyball team.
The 6-foot-4 athlete is balancing his career as a doctor as well as being a beach volleyball player, which he said isn't "an overnight success."
"Regardless if gyms or training facilities were closed, I kept my physical condition with home-based workouts as well as keeping my nutrition in check despite the constant temptation of binging at home," said Pareja, who had the comebacking James Pecaña as his partner during the tryouts.
"The biggest key to my performance is having a professional coach who helped me study the sport at home and analyze lots and lots of videos of how the elite level beach players do it," he added.
Pareja is no stranger in playing for the country, as the former Ateneo de Manila University middle hitter made a triumphant return to indoor volleyball in 2015 when he represented the Philippines in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.
It marked the first time in 10 years that the Philippines competed in the SEA Games.
Prior to that, Pareja passed the Physician Licensure Examination in 2014. Since then, Pareja was able to juggle time with his profession and the sport that he loves.
"I've been living out this balancing act ever since from college, med school, even during medical practice so I kind of have a grasp of it," Pareja explained. "It's all about accepting that both commitments have high demands and figuring out when you can compromise effort for either one without negatively affecting the overall result."
"I've learned to say no when it doesn't help in the progress of either commitment. It also helps a lot to have a support circle that understands your frequent absences because of these commitments," the former UAAP MVP added.
Aside from making it to the national team pool, Pareja is also part of the Creamline beach volleyball program.
"As the team MD of Creamline Beach, I will ensure that the athletes are free from any injuries and that they're keeping themselves safe and healthy despite the pandemic. Drafting the medical protocols for all team activities has been both a learning and fulfilling activity for me especially to my other life as an MD," said Pareja, who joined the program last year.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/how-doc-aj-stayed-ready-for-beach-volleyball-tryouts
FIBA 3x3: Yee eyes fruitful stint with Manila Chooks TM
Just a couple of months after helping Davao Occidental win the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Cup, Mark Yee plunges back into action.
The veteran, who was named Finals MVP of Davao Occidental's run to the championship, was signed by the Manila Chooks TM for the 2021 FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit.
For Yee, it's an unexpected but much welcome opportunity to represent the country this late into his basketball career.
"Sobrang blessed. Hindi naman natin maitatago na may edad na tayo para maimbitahan tayo sa ganito kalaking team. Malaking pasasalamat talaga sa Chooks-to-Go at kay Boss Ronald (Mascariñas)," said the 39-year-old native of Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
"Talagang, kumbaga, lagi ko lang iniisip na sobrang blessed talaga. Sa pagkakataon na ito, hindi ko naisip na mare-represent ko pa 'yung bansa natin sa FIBA sa tanda ko na ito," Yee added.
Yee is no stranger to 3x3 basketball, having played for Fyr Fyter Bacolod in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Magiting Cup back in September 2019. Together with Adrian Celada, Mark Dela Cruz, and Louie Medalla, Bacolod took down the top 3x3 teams in the country en route to winning the leg.
Yee played just one game in the 3x3 circuit, however, as he returned to Davao Occidental-Cocolife in the MPBL afterward.
"Magandang experience 'yun. First time ko maglaro ng 3x3. 'Yung goal lang namin nun is ma-represent 'yung Bacolod. Pero naging champion pa kami," he recalled. "Hindi ko makakalimutan 'yun."
Yee will join fellow veteran Chico Lanete in Manila Chooks TM. Young guns Mac Tallo, Dennis Santos, and Zach Huang complete the pool that will compete in the 2021 FIBA 3x3 Lipik Challenger from May 21-22.
The 6-foot-3 banger knows that they will enter the competition as underdogs. But he vowed that despite lacking size, they will not back down against the world's top 3x3 teams in Croatia.
"Magiging tiyuhin na nila ako dito," he quipped about his role in the team.
"Kahit maliit kami, papakita namin na hindi kami susuko. Dadaanin namin sa sipag at tiyaga ang bawat laro."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/fiba-3x3-yee-eyes-fruitful-stint-with-manila-chooks-tm
NBA: Heat rout Pistons to close regular season
Precious Achiuwa had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Miami Heat to a 120-107 road win over the Detroit Pistons in the regular-season finale for both on Sunday.
With little to no incentive to win the game, each team rested several starters.
Miami already had the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs clinched going into the game, while Detroit was looking to clinch the league's second-worst record and enhance its odds of winning the first pick in the NBA draft lottery.
Nemanja Bjelica had 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, Max Strus scored 20 points, KZ Okpala had 17 points, Tyler Herro had 16 points and 11 assists, and Gabe Vincent had 15 points and 10 assists for Miami (40-32), which used only seven players.
Saddiq Bey scored 22 points and Josh Jackson scored 17 points off the bench for Detroit (20-52).
Miami jumped out to a big lead early, taking a 20-9 lead just 6:19 into the game and holding a 32-13 lead after the first quarter.
The Heat continued their dominance in the second quarter, building a 56-33 lead with 4:28 left until halftime and then a 64-38 lead with 2:06 remaining.
Miami ultimately took a 69-47 lead at halftime.
Detroit did try to make a charge in the third quarter, closing to within 79-64 with 4:57 remaining in the third quarter following a 9-2 run.
But the Heat quickly restored order, going on a 10-0 run to take an 89-64 lead with 2:40 left in the third.
Miami eventually took a 95-71 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Heat built their lead to 28 points at 100-72 with 10:47 remaining in the game, before Detroit fought back to make its deficit more respectable, cutting Miami's lead to 102-85 with 6:14 left following a 13-2 run.
Detroit finished the season by losing nine of 10 games.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/nba-heat-rout-pistons-to-close-regular-season
NBA: Nets clinch second seed in East with easy win over Cavs
Kevin Durant totaled 23 points, a season-high-tying 13 assists and eight rebounds in three quarters as the Brooklyn Nets secured the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a wire-to-wire 123-109 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday night in New York.
The Nets (48-24) ended the season on a five-game winning streak and edged out the Milwaukee Bucks for the second seed. A loss by Brooklyn and a Milwaukee win over the Chicago Bulls would have pushed the Nets into the third seed due to losing the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Bucks.
A day after shooting 4 of 17 from the field against the Chicago Bulls, Durant made his first eight shots and shot 8 of 10 overall. He finished one shy of his career best for assists set on Jan. 23, 2018 for the Golden State Warriors against the New York Knicks.
Kyrie Irving added 17 points on 7 of 11 from the field for the Nets and became the ninth player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line.
Mike James chipped in 14 points, Jeff Green contributed 13 and Bruce Brown and Landry Shamet finished with 12 points as the Nets shot 56.6 percent and handed out 35 assists on a night they rested James Harden.
Dean Wade and rookie Issac Okoro scored 18 points apiece for the Cavaliers (22-50), who ended the season with 13 losses in 14 games. Damyean Dotson added 17 and Collin Sexton finished with 16 before getting ejected with 6:11 remaining in the third quarter for a flagrant-two foul when he elbowed Durant above the face.
The Nets raced out to a 31-14 lead on a 3-pointer by Green with 2:57 remaining and held a 34-24 lead after the opening 12 minutes. After Cleveland cut the deficit to six points with under three minutes remaining, the Nets converted four dunks in the final 2:22 for a 67-56 lead by halftime.
After ending the first half by taking a feed off the backboard and throwing down a dunk on Brooklyn's final possession, Durant scored 13 points in the third the Nets ended the quarter on a 17-6 run to take a 99-76 lead.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/nba-nets-clinch-second-seed-in-east-with-easy-win-over-cavs
Iligan City to showcase homegrown talent in VisMin Cup Mindanao Leg
Iligan City's homegrown talents will have a chance to shine when they play for the Archangels in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup's Mindanao Leg.
Twelve of the 13 players in the Archangels' roster are natives of Iligan City.
According to Iligan team manager Amador Baller, Mayor Celso Regencia made sure to have an all-homegrown squad so that the province's youth will be able to relate with the team.
"Iligan is very active in sports. It's part of our campaigns here that will encourage the youth to get into sports and not into drugs," said Baller, who is also the sports coordinator for the province.
"We also have programs for the grassroots. It's the point of the Mayor to help them not be involved in bad vices," he explained.
Headlining the team is 6-foot-2 swingman Jericho Montecalvo, who at just 20 years old will be the youngest player in the competition.
In 2019, Montecalvo powered Southern Philippines College of Cagayan de Oro to the Sweet 16 of the Chooks-to-Go NBTC National Finals. He transferred to University of the East afterward, posting averages of 8.92 points, 5.77 rebounds, and 1.23 assists during the UAAP Season 82 high school boys' basketball tournament.
Three other guest players were tapped by the Archangels in University of Cebu's Kyle Ordeniza, La Salle Academy's Algeroh Benitez, and Pasig-Sta. Lucia's Lester Tamayo.
Tamayo applied for a special guest license from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), so that he can still keep his amateur status when he returns to the Realtors for the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Mumbaki Cup.
GAB allows teams to have amateur players with SGLs for as long as it will not be more than 33 percent (1/3) of the total number of players in the team. Moreover, all amateur players with SGL in a professional team shall not be allowed to play simultaneously in the court.
Completing the squad which has La Salle Iligan head coach Dane Lariosa as chief tactician are Edcor Marata, John Rabe, Roldan Piñas, Kenneth Ardiente, Dave Tagolimot, Philip Reyes, Harold Suarez, Magic Marata, and Johari Andor.
"We expect them to perform well in the upcoming tournament," said Baller.
"Some of our players played in the MPBL while others are varsity players in known universities. Almost the entire team is from Iligan. We got them so that the kids will look up to them."
Iligan has been training under a full bubble set-up at St. Michael College.
NBA: Onyeka Okongwu's career night helps Hawks down Rockets
The Atlanta Hawks, led by rookie Onyeka Okongwu's career bests of 21 points and 15 rebounds, tuned up for their first trip to the playoffs since 2017 with a 124-95 win over the visiting Houston Rockets in the regular-season finale on Sunday.
Atlanta rested four starters who had nagging injuries, choosing to sit Bogdan Bogdanovic (left hamstring soreness), league-leading rebounder Clint Capela (left Achilles soreness), Danilo Gallinari (lower back soreness) and Kevin Huerter (left ankle soreness) with the No. 4 seed secured for the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Okongwu, who posted his second double-double, was 10-for-13 from the field, added three assists, two steals and two blocked shots. The Hawks had eight players in double figures, including Skylar Mays with 16, John Collins with 15 and De'Andre Hunter with 14.
Trae Young (sore big right toe) was limited to 16 minutes and scored 10 points with nine assists.
Houston was led by D.J. Augustin with 18 points and five assists, Armoni Brooks with 18 points, and Kelly Olynyk with 16 points and six rebounds.
The Hawks (41-31) are 10 games over .500 for the first time since the 2015-16 team finished 48-34; Atlanta has won four straight and seven of its last eight. The Rockets (17-55) lost eight of their last nine games and 11 of their last 13 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12.
The Rockets hung close for a quarter, but Atlanta caught fire in the second half and turned a 36-33 lead to a 72-54 advantage at halftime. Sparked mainly by their second unit, the Hawks outscored the Rockets by nine in the third quarter and took a 99-72 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Hawks swept the two-game season series with Houston after being swept in each of the last three season series.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/nba-onyeka-okongwus-career-night-helps-hawks-down-rockets
NBA: Sixers rest starters, still trounce Magic in finale
Tyrese Maxey had 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers over the Orlando Magic 128-117 in the regular-season finale for both teams on Sunday.
Since the Sixers have already secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race, they rested all five starters -- Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Danny Green, Seth Curry and Tobias Harris.
Isaiah Joe scored 17 points, rookie Paul Reed added season highs of 17 and 12 rebounds, and Shake Milton contributed 15 points and nine assists for the Sixers, who improved to 49-23. George Hill added 14 points.
Rookie Cole Anthony led the depleted Magic with a season-high 37 points, including 14 for 14 from the free throw line. Donta Hall added 14 points and 10 rebounds, Moritz Wagner added 14 points and Chasson Randle had 11 for the Magic (21-51), who finished the season with seven straight losses.
The Magic took a 55-48 lead with 2:51 left in the second quarter after Dwayne Bacon drove to the basket and hit a short runner.
Orlando led 65-60 at halftime thanks in large part to Anthony's 23 points.
Maxey hit his first nine shots and finished with 24 by halftime for the Sixers.
Orlando's Sindarius Thornwell was ejected for committing a flagrant 2 foul against Reed with 2:37 left in the third.
The Sixers outscored the Magic by 14 in the third and surged to a 99-90 advantage at the end of the quarter. The Sixers dropped in 16 treys through three quarters.
Reserve player Anthony Tolliver hit a 3-pointer from the wing with 9:26 to go in the fourth as the Sixers moved ahead 104-92.
The Magic closed within 108-98 with 6:42 remaining after Hall threw down a dunk.
Joe converted a four-point play with four minutes left for a 118-106 Sixers lead. Tolliver followed with another 3-pointer on the next possession and the advantage ballooned to 15.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/nba-sixers-rest-starters-still-trounce-magic-in-finale
WNBA: Liberty grab second straight win, Bonner leads Sun past Mercury
Betnijah Laney's game-high 20 points led four players in double figures Sunday as the New York Liberty used a quick start to beat the Indiana Fever 73-65 in Indianapolis, enabling them to sweep a home-and-home series.
Sabrina Ionescu added 12 and Michaela Onyenwere netted 11 points, while Jazmine Jones came off the bench to score 10. New York won despite occasionally sloppy play, committing 22 turnovers -- eight by Ionescu -- and making only 40 percent of its field goal attempts.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 16 points to pace Indiana, while Danielle Robinson added 13 and Tiffany Mitchell tallied 12 in a reserve role. But the Fever struggled to make shots, canning just 32.5 percent from the field and also mixing in 21 turnovers.
Indiana never got closer than seven points in the fourth quarter, even though the Liberty gave them opportunities with a spate of turnovers. But the Fever went scoreless for a 3:56 stretch that put them down by 13 inside the last four minutes.
Indiana center Teaira McCowan, who dominated Friday night's 90-87 defeat inside with 22 points and 16 rebounds, was held to six points on 3-of-7 shooting in 26 minutes.
New York created its winning edge in the first quarter, using a 10-2 run that Ionescu capped with a 3-pointer at the 5:19 mark for a 20-12 lead. The margin ballooned to 15 before the Liberty settled for a 31-18 advantage after 10 minutes.
The middle two quarters were a collection of missed shots and turnovers on both ends. New York actually pushed the margin to 39-20 with 8:01 left in the first half after a Sami Whitcomb 3-pointer, but they scored only two points for the half's remainder. Indiana managed to slice the deficit to 41-35 at intermission.
Jones' layup with 38.3 seconds remaining in the third quarter restored a 58-45 advantage for the Liberty, but the Fever crawled within nine after a Jessica Breland jumper and two free throws by Tiffany Mitchell. It was 58-49 going to the fourth period.
-- DeWanna Bonner shines against former team --
DeWanna Bonner led all scorers with 27 points against her former team and Natisha Hiedeman scored a career-high 17 points as the host Connecticut Sun held off the Phoenix Mercury 86-78 in their home opener Sunday night.
Jonquel Jones had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds and Briann January contributed 15 points for Connecticut (2-0), which won its season opener 78-67 at Atlanta on Friday night.
"We just buckled down at the end," Bonner said after the win. "When they went on their run, we didn't quit. We kept fighting."
Bonner spent her first 10 seasons with Phoenix and made three All-Star appearances before signing with Connecticut in 2020.
Diana Taurasi had a team-high 19 points, Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 18 and Brittney Griner had 16 points and four blocks to lead Phoenix (1-1). The Mercury won their opener 77-75 at Minnesota behind a Taurasi game-winning 3-pointer on Friday night.
Connecticut led 37-33 at halftime on Sunday.
Hiedeman's layup with 4:32 to play the third quarter gave the Sun their biggest lead at 52-39. The Mercury whittled the deficit down to 59-52 entering the fourth.
Phoenix further closed the gap early in the fourth and Taurasi's trey with 5:54 remaining gave the Mercury their first lead since the second quarter at 68-66.
After the Sun battled back to tie it, Bonner's 3 with 2:27 left gave Connecticut the lead for good at 76-73 and the Sun closed the game on a 10-5 run.
Griner fouled out with 1:44 to play and the Sun leading by five.
Phoenix jumped out to a 21-17 lead by the end of the first quarter. Back-to-back 3s by Bonner and Hiedeman early in the second put the Sun on top and opened a 20-12 run to give the hosts a four-point edge at the break.
The Sun were again without Jasmine Thomas as the former All-Star guard waits to clear COVID-19 protocols.
Phoenix next visits the Washington Mystics on Tuesday and Connecticut hosts the Indiana Fever on Wednesday.
Football: Alisson saves Liverpool's season, with a goal
WEST BROMWICH, England - Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson scored to secure a dramatic stoppage-time victory and keep his side's Premier League top-four hopes alive at West Bromwich Albion but Everton's European aspirations were left in tatters on Sunday.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time with Liverpool and West Brom locked at 1-1, Alisson left his goal and ran forward to offer his assistance in the opposite penalty area.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's delivery was perfect and the Brazilian keeper glanced a superb header into the net to spark wild celebrations from the visitors.
It was the first time in Liverpool's history that a goalkeeper had scored a competitive goal and what a crucial one it could prove to be for Juergen Klopp's side.
With two games remaining they are in fifth spot, one point behind Chelsea and three behind Leicester City and with those two playing each other in midweek, Liverpool know that two wins would see them in the top four to qualify for the Champions League -- a prospect that looked unlikely two weeks ago.
It was an emotional moment for Alisson who dedicated his unlikely goal to his father who drowned in February.
"I just tried to run into a good place and be there to try and help my players, to bring a defender, but no one followed me and I am lucky and blessed, sometimes things you can't explain," Alisson said.
"I'm too emotional, this last month for everything that has happened with me and my family, but football is my life, I played since I can remember with my father. I hope he was here to see it, I'm sure he is celebrating with God at his side."
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah had cancelled out Hal Robson-Kanu's opener for West Brom.
Everton's woeful home form struck again as they were downed 1-0 by bottom club Sheffield United -- for whom 17-year-old Daniel Jebbison became the youngest player to score on his first Premier League start.
They have now lost nine league games at home this season and have picked up only six points at Goodison Park in 2021.
Defeat left them in eighth spot, three points behind West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
"We played so bad. The only result that could be possible is a defeat. As we usually did at home most of the time, we lost," Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti said. "I have to take responsibly for this but I hope the players do too."
Tottenham beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 with Harry Kane scoring his 22nd Premier League goal of the season as his side moved above West Ham on goal difference.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored Tottenham's second.
In the day's other game Crystal Palace twice came from a goal behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 -- Tyrick Mitchell scoring the winner late on with his first career goal.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Toby Davis)
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/football-alisson-saves-liverpools-season-with-a-goal
Tennis: Nadal beats Djokovic to win 10th Rome title
ROME, Italy -- Rafael Nadal beat world number one Novak Djokovic to win a 10th Italian Open title on Sunday and set down a key marker two weeks out from the defense of his Roland Garros crown.
Second seed Nadal won through 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 in 2hr 49min against the defending champion in the 57th career showdown between the pair.
"It's amazing I have this trophy in my hands for a 10th time, something impossible to imagine," said the world number three who also equalled Djokovic's record of 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles in his 12th Rome final.
"I remember the first final I won here in Rome back in 2005 against (Guillermo) Coria which lasted five hours," recalled the 34-year-old of his five-set battle past the Argentine.
Djokovic and Nadal were facing each other for the 57th time, having last played in the 2020 French Open final which the Spaniard won in straight sets.
The pair have won 15 of the last 17 Rome titles between them, while Nadal leads their head-to-head in finals in the Italian capital 4-2.
"I really wanted this title. This had been one of the most important titles in my career. I'd won 10 in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Roland Garros and really wanted it here too," added Nadal.
Despite losing his opening service game Nadal broke back in the third game hitting twice as many winners as the Serb with 21 in the set.
A dip in form in the second set allowed Djokovic to break twice and get back into the game.
But Nadal got back on track in the third with Djokovic having played nearly five hours on court on Saturday between his rain-delayed quarter-finals and semi-final matches.
The Spaniard saved two break points on his serve in the fifth game and broke for love for 4-2.
Djokovic saved a first match point in the eighth game but Nadal made no mistake on his second chance in the following to seal his 88th career title after winning in Barcelona earlier this month.
"It doesn't get a bigger challenge than playing in the final against Rafa," said five-time Rome winner Djokovic, who leads their overall head-to-head 29-28.
"Overall three hours of high quality tennis. I'm disappointed not to win, but pleased with my level.
"Going into Paris it's a good sensation. I feel like I want to feel on clay. If I play like I did last night and today I think I have a shot in Paris.
"I'll play in Belgrade and then go to Paris ready to rock and roll."
Nadal has now won 10 or more titles at a single event for the fourth time, after Roland Garros (13), Barcelona (12) and Monte Carlo (11).
The French Open gets underway in Paris on May 30 where Nadal will be chasing a record 21st Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, the 2016 champion at Roland Garros, will be hoping to become the first man in over half a century and just the third in history to win all four majors more than once.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/tennis-nadal-beat-djokovic-italian-open
Football: Barcelona thrash Chelsea to win women's Champions League for first time
GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Barcelona became the first Spanish side to win the women's Champions League with a stunning performance to thrash Chelsea 4-0 in Gothenburg on Sunday.
The La Liga champions scored all four goals inside 36 minutes as a Melanie Leupolz own goal, Alexia Putellas's penalty and simple finishes from Aitana Bonmati and Caroline Graham Hansen killed the game as a contest.
Barca have romped to the Spanish title with a 100 percent record after 26 games in La Liga, boasting a 123 goal difference.
"Congratulations, champions, you are unstoppable," tweeted Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
"You are a reference. You are an example. You are one of the big reasons that make Barca more than a club. You moved us with your magnificent victory."
Chelsea had been on course for a quadruple, but even the big-spending English champions were no match for the Catalans' speed of thought and movement.
"Today was difficult because the game was over before it began," said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.
"We will learn from because this is the next step up. I thought we showed some naivety at times.
"We're not quite European champions yet, but we are the second best team in Europe and I'll take that as a step in the right direction."
The Blues were rocked after just 33 seconds when after Lieke Martens's shot came back off the crossbar, Fran Kirby's attempted clearance looped into her own net off the unlucky Leupolz.
Chelsea had the chance to hit back immediately as Pernille Harder, who cost a world record transfer fee when she arrived in London from Wolfsburg in September, fired over from close range.
Jenni Hermoso pulled another big chance wide for Barca before Harder was denied again by a last-ditch tackle in an end-to-end start.
But Chelsea were shell-shocked once Hermoso went down under Leupolz's challenge and Putellas confidently slotted home the spot-kick.
A brilliant team move made it 3-0 as Martens fed Hermoso, who drilled a pass into the path of Bonmati and she beat Ann-Katrin Berger from close range.
Martens was toying with Chelsea right-back Niamh Charles and the Dutch international laid the fourth on a plate for Hansen to tap into an empty net.
Two years ago it was Barca who found themselves 4-0 down after just 30 minutes against a dominant Lyon side in the Champions League final in Budapest.
"We deserve it. It has been a lot of work since the final in Budapest. We had a goal to get back to the final and win it and we've done it," said Bonmati, who won player of the match.
The French giants had won this competition for the past five seasons, but their reign was ended by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals, who were then eliminated by Barcelona in the last four.
Chelsea will be hoping to show similar resilience to come back and win the competition for the first time as they missed out on becoming the first English side to become European champions since Arsenal in 2007.
Sam Kerr missed a number of chances to pull a goal back for Hayes's women in the second-half.
But Barca could afford the luxury of withdrawing Hansen and Hermoso as they cruised towards the title and set a new record winning margin in a women's Champions League final.
NBA: Oshae Brissett drops 31 as Pacers handle Raptors
Canadian-born Oshae Brissett exploded for a career-high 31 points against his country's displaced team Sunday afternoon, and the Indiana Pacers earned a home game in the NBA's play-in tournament with a 125-113 thrashing of the host Toronto Raptors in the regular-season finale in Tampa, Fla.
Brissett completed a double-double with 10 rebounds, while Domantas Sabonis had one of his own with 25 points and 16 rebounds, as the Pacers (34-38) snapped a two-game losing streak to clinch a tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana assured it would finish tied with either Charlotte or Washington, who were playing each other in a contest that finished after the Pacers-Raptors game had ended.
The Wizards secured the win 115-110 over the Hornets.
Being that the Pacers lost the season series to both the Hornets and Wizards, they were assured of losing the tiebreaker to each, and thus clinched the ninth seed in the play-in tournament.
They will host the Hornets on Tuesday night in the single-elimination 9-10 game.
Brissett, a second-year forward from Syracuse who was born in Toronto, shot 10-for-16 overall and 5-for-8 on 3-pointers en route to scoring eight more points than his previous career-high of 23 recorded on April 21 against Oklahoma City.
Brissett had a dunk and Sabonis an interior hoop to begin a 12-2 Pacers burst late in the first half that broke the game open.
Indiana led just 56-50 with 3:33 left in the half before the run, which also featured a second hoop by Sabonis, two free throws by Brissett, and baskets by T.J. McConnell and Caris LeVert, the latter wrapping up the run that produced a 68-52 advantage in the final seconds of the second period.
Toronto (27-45), completing a "home schedule" more than 1,300 miles from home, was never appreciably closer in the second half.
Doug McDermott chipped in with 20 points, LeVert and Kelan Martin with 13 apiece and McConnell with 12 for the Pacers, who are seeking to earn a spot into the Eastern Conference playoffs main draw for the sixth straight year.
Malachi Flynn went for 27 points, Stanley Johnson 24 and DeAndre' Bembry 23 for the Raptors, who finished the season on a seven-game losing streak.
Khem Birch (18 points and 14 rebounds) and Aron Baynes (14 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles for Toronto, while Freddie Gillespie grabbed 10 rebounds to complement seven points.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/nba-oshae-brissett-drops-31-as-pacers-handle-raptors
Football: Etheridge, Schröck to join Azkals in Qatar training, says PFF boss
Manolo Pedralvez
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. has confirmed that skipper Stephan Schröck and first-choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge will be with the Philippine Azkals at their training camp in Doha, Qatar, which kicks off Tuesday.
“Neil has just renewed his Philippine passport, while Schrock has already said he will be at the Qatar training camp,” Araneta said of the stint that will serve as a crash workout of the Filipinos before they resume their campaign in the second round of the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
The chief of football’s national governing body said that the rest of 26 players in the national pool that will be in Qatar will be named shortly, “because we are still resolving some passport issues concerning some of the players.”
Among those whose call of duty for the Azkals is being highly anticipated is prolific Spanish striker Bienvenido Marañón, whose naturalization papers have been approved by Congress and is awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
In a virtual press conference two weeks ago, national coach Scott Cooper showed keen interest in having Marañón aboard in boosting the team’s offensive clout but also acknowledged he had to balance the overall needs of the side in their campaign.
"I and all the staff are updating, looking at teams, and making sure the balance is right," the English tactician said then.
Keeper Etheridge, 31, and midfielder Schrock, 34, have served as the backbone of the Azkals in previous international competition, providing the needed experience and stability in their respective key positions.
Araneta said the Philippines were looking for tune-up matches in Qatar since Syria and the Maldives will also be in Doha before proceeding to the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers in Suzhou, China.
The Chinese host the Group A bubble, which comprises the Philippines, Syria, Guam and the Maldives.
The unbeaten Syrians enter with 5 wins, good for 15 points, while the hosts are running second with 7 points with two wins and one draw, while the Filipinos are in third with 7 points after chalking up two wins against one setback and one draw.
With 6 points with two wins against three losses, the Maldivians are in fourth place while the Guamanians hog the cellar after losing all of their five matches.
The group topnotcher will advance outright to the third round of the World Cup and Asian Cup while the runner-up, if it winds up among the 4 best second-placers spread across the 8 qualifying groups, could also make it to the next phase.
The Azkals kick off their stint in Suzhou against Guam on June 3, then face China on June 9 before tackling the Maldives in their last match one 15.
Catching up with Syria is beyond reach, Araneta said, but he was banking on the Azkals repeating over the Guamanians and Maldivians, whom they beat 4-1 and 2-1, respectively, in the first round, to keep their Asian Cup hopes at least alive.
“I know it will be a real challenge, but if we can draw with China then our chances of returning at least to the Asian Cup would be better,” Araneta said.
NBA: Steph Curry takes scoring crown, helps GSW clinch West No. 8 seed
Stephen Curry scored a game-high 46 points en route to his second NBA scoring title and Jordan Poole stalled a Memphis rally with a late 3-pointer Sunday afternoon, as the Golden State Warriors held off the visiting Grizzlies 113-101 in San Francisco to claim the No. 8 position in this week's play-in tournament.
By virtue of their sixth straight win on a regular-season-ending homestand, the Warriors (39-33) put themselves in a position of having to be beaten twice in order to be denied a spot in the eight-team Western Conference playoff draw.
As the eighth seed, Golden State will tip off the play-in tournament on the road on Wednesday night, visiting either Portland or the Los Angeles Lakers, both of whom played later Sunday.
The loss ended Memphis' five-game winning streak and landed the Grizzlies (38-34) in the No. 9 spot in the play-in, where they will host 10th-seeded San Antonio on Wednesday.
The winner of the 7-8 matchup will earn the seventh position in the Western playoffs, while the loser of the 9-10 game will be eliminated. The loser of the 7-8 matchup will play the winner of the 9-10 survival test on Friday night for the eighth and final playoff spot.
With Curry scoring 17 of his 46 points, the Warriors appeared to take command of the game in the third quarter, building an 86-69 lead by period's end.
But Dillon Brooks led a Memphis comeback. Before fouling out, Brooks contributed 13 points to a 22-5 flurry that produced a 91-all with still 6:32 to play.
The Grizzlies went up by two twice after that, the last time at 97-95 with 4:49 to go, before Poole nailed his momentum-changing 3-pointer 21 seconds later.
No longer hounded by Brooks, Curry then led a late Warriors runaway when he completed his big game with three consecutive 3-pointers, giving him nine for the game and a league-best 337 for the season.
Curry finished the season with a 32.0-point scoring average, claiming the league scoring title over Bradley Beal, who returned from a three-game absence to score 25 points earlier Sunday to finish at 31.3.
Andrew Wiggins supported Curry with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Draymond Green just missed a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds and a game-high-tying nine assists.
Poole added 15 points and Kevon Looney a team-high 11 rebounds for the Warriors, who outshot the Grizzlies 49.4 percent to 43.5 percent overall and outscored them 45-18 on 3-pointers.
All five Memphis starters scored in double figures, led by Jonas Valanciunas, who complemented 29 points with a game-high 16 rebounds.
Brooks finished with 18 points, while Ja Morant had 16 to go with nine assists, Jaren Jackson Jr. 14 and Kyle Anderson 10 for the Grizzlies, who also entered last year's play-in tournament -- a single game in the bubble last season -- as the No. 9 seed, only to lose to Portland.
NBA: Beal, Westbrook help Wizards edge Hornets, clinch East 8th seed
Bradley Beal made a go-ahead layup with 2:53 remaining, as the host Washington Wizards posted a 115-110 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday to secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Russell Westbrook collected 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists and Beal added 23 points in his first contest after a three-game absence for the Wizards.
Robin Lopez posted 18 points and Rui Hachimura had 16 for Washington (34-38), which will visit the seventh-seeded Boston Celtics in the play-in round on Tuesday. Charlotte (33-39), which owns the No. 10 seed, will face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
After leading 110-109 with 3:12 to play, the Hornets went through a scoring drought for the rest of the game.
The Hornets have a five-game losing streak for the first time this season despite Terry Rozier's 22 points and LaMelo Ball's 19 points. Miles Bridges had 17 points, Devonte' Graham added 15, Jalen McDaniels notched 13 and P.J. Washington and Cody Zeller both finished with 11.
Beal, who is the league's second-leading scorer, missed his first six shots from the field. In the first half, he was 2-for-11 with three fouls. He shot 8-for-27 for the game.
Charlotte used a 12-0 run in the third quarter to build a 15-point lead. That vanished when the Wizards went up 99-97 on Hachimura's 3-pointer with 7:16 to play.
The Hornets held a 16-point lead in the first quarter. The margin was down to 56-52 by halftime as Charlotte cooled off and made only two of 12 attempts from 3-point range in the second quarter.
It was a strange start for Charlotte, which has been mostly a sluggish team at the beginning of games. The Hornets were coming off Saturday's overtime road loss to the New York Knicks, while the Wizards hadn't played since Friday night.
Washington began the second quarter on a 13-4 run.
Charlotte made 22 of 24 free throws in the game.
NBA: Beal, Westbrook help Wizards edge Hornets, clinch East 8th seed
Bradley Beal made a go-ahead layup with 2:53 remaining, as the host Washington Wizards posted a 115-110 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday to secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Russell Westbrook collected 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists and Beal added 23 points in his first contest after a three-game absence for the Wizards.
Robin Lopez posted 18 points and Rui Hachimura had 16 for Washington (34-38), which will visit the seventh-seeded Boston Celtics in the play-in round on Tuesday. Charlotte (33-39), which owns the No. 10 seed, will face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
After leading 110-109 with 3:12 to play, the Hornets went through a scoring drought for the rest of the game.
The Hornets have a five-game losing streak for the first time this season despite Terry Rozier's 22 points and LaMelo Ball's 19 points. Miles Bridges had 17 points, Devonte' Graham added 15, Jalen McDaniels notched 13 and P.J. Washington and Cody Zeller both finished with 11.
Beal, who is the league's second-leading scorer, missed his first six shots from the field. In the first half, he was 2-for-11 with three fouls. He shot 8-for-27 for the game.
Charlotte used a 12-0 run in the third quarter to build a 15-point lead. That vanished when the Wizards went up 99-97 on Hachimura's 3-pointer with 7:16 to play.
The Hornets held a 16-point lead in the first quarter. The margin was down to 56-52 by halftime as Charlotte cooled off and made only two of 12 attempts from 3-point range in the second quarter.
It was a strange start for Charlotte, which has been mostly a sluggish team at the beginning of games. The Hornets were coming off Saturday's overtime road loss to the New York Knicks, while the Wizards hadn't played since Friday night.
Washington began the second quarter on a 13-4 run.
Charlotte made 22 of 24 free throws in the game.
Pinoy athletes who still have shot at qualifying for Tokyo Olympics
Manolo Pedralvez
As the Olympic qualifying window slowly closes, Philippine contingent chef de mission Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. is still confident that the number of Tokyo-bound athletes will surpass the 13 standard-bearers who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“We still have a good number of athletes who can make it to Tokyo through their respective qualifiers. We just might surpass the 13 campaigners who saw action in Rio,” Araneta, who has been closely monitoring the hopefuls still in the running to make the quadrennial global sports gala, said last Friday.
There were 13 Pinoy bets that saw action in the carnival city of Rio de Janeiro 5 years ago, with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz ending a 20-year-old medal dry spell in the meet in hoisting the silver medal in the women’s 55-kilogram division.
Araneta, also the Philippine Football Federation president, gave the interview shortly after an online meeting with a key staff of the Tokyo Olympic Games Organizing Committee regarding the number of possible athletes the country would send to the greatest sports show on earth.
In all, there are 41 athletes in 13 sports still in the hunt for Olympic slots, Araneta added.
A total 8 Filipinos have so far punched tickets to the Tokyo Summer Games, which hopefully will finally unfold in July after it was rescheduled a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest to qualify is 30th Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Cris Nievarez, who joined the distinguished group after placing ninth overall in the men’s singles sculls of the World Rowing Asia-Oceania Olympic qualification regatta held in the Japanese capital the other week.
Nievarez is the latest rower to represent the country in the Summer Games since Benjie Tolentino took part in the men’s singles sculls in the 2000 edition in Sydney, Australia.
He joined Diaz, pole-vaulter Ernest John Obiena, gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo, and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Irish Magno in the competition set July 23 to August 9 in the Japanese capital.
“We still a lot of hopefuls in taekwondo, karate, judo, skateboarding, BMX golf and surfing, among others, who are set to compete in their respective qualifiers,” Araneta noted.
Among those poised to see action in their respective Olympic qualifiers within the month are rider Patrick Been Coo, the 2019 Asian BMX junior champion; taekwondo jins Pauline Louise Lopez, Rio Games veteran Kirstie Elaine Allora, Arven Alcantara and Kurt Barbosa; and the surfing squad led by 30th SEA Games bronze medalist John Mark Tokong.
Only 19, Coo, who looks up to 2014 Busan Asian Games gold medalist and 2012 London Games veteran Danny Caluag, is now in Bogota, Columbia to see action in the second leg of the BMX World Cup series, an Olympic qualifier, set May 26 to 30 in the Colombian capital.
Comprising six members, the Philippines surfing squad left on Monday to take part in the ISA World Surfing Games scheduled May 29 to June 6 in El Sunzai, El Salvador, while the national taekwondo Olympic hopefuls took flight Thursday to vie at the Asian Taekwondo qualifying tournament slated May 21 to 22 in Amman, Jordan.
The Pinoy jins hope to reach the finals of their respective weight divisions, where the gold and silver medalists will advance to the Tokyo Summer Games.
In the United States are 30th SEA Games skateboarding gold medalists Margielyn Arda Didal and Jericho Francisco Jr., who are set to participate in the Iowa Dew Tour, and Olympic qualifier, scheduled May 20-23 in Des Moines at the Lauridsen Skatepark.
Didal, who also bagged a gold medal in her Asian Games debut in 2018 in ruling the women’s street skateboarding event, will then proceed solo to the Street World Championships from May 30 to June 6 in Rome.
Although ranked No. 14 in the current World Skate Olympic qualifying ratings, the Cebuana could snag an outright slot to the Tokyo Games if she finishes among the top 3 in her pet event at the worlds.
Expected to go through the needle’s eye is the Filipino quartet of PBA star CJ Perez, Joshua Munzon, Santi Santillan and Karl Dehesa at the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifiers scheduled May 26 to 30 in Graz, Austria.
The team is bracketed in the tough Pool C composed of Slovenia, France, Qatar and the Dominican Republic, with the top two squads after the round advancing to the eight-team knockout stage, with the two finalists and winner of the battle for third place advancing to the Tokyo Olympics.
With 4-time SEA Games judo gold medalist Kiyomi Watanabe leading the way, the Filipino judokas are scheduled to compete at the World Judo championships on June 6 to 13 in Budapest, Hungary.
According to judo president Dave Carter, Watanabe has sealed a slot from the Asian continental quota, which has yet to be formally announced by the International Judo Federation so nothing is official yet.
Carter is hoping that Watanabe fares well at the worlds, “so she will go up further in the world Olympic qualifying ratings, paving the way for either siblings Shugen or Kisei Nagano to get the Asian continental slot.”
Also slated to compete in their respective qualifiers in June are the Olympic hopefuls in karate and archery in succession in Paris.
Karatekas bannered by 30th SEA Games gold medalists Junna Tsukii and Jamie Christine Lim and former multi-titled American champion Joan Borbon, a 30th SEA Games bronze medalist, will trade blows with other aspirants at the world karate qualifying tournament set June 11 to 13 in the French capital.
The top three finishers in the four weight classes each in the men’s and weight divisions each advance to the Tokyo Games.
Lim and Orbon have been training with the national team for the past 2 months in Istanbul, Turkey, while Tsukii has been working out all alone in Serbia while seeing action at World Karate Federation Olympic ranking tournaments.
Karate honcho Ricky Lim, who has been with the Philippines side in Istanbul, said all three female karatekas are his best bets to make the grade and make their debut at the Summer Games, where karate is taking a bow as a medal sport.
Archery will also making its qualifying bid when the recurve team of Riley Silos, Riley Silos, Jason Feliciano, Carson Hastie, Pia Elizabeth Bidaure, Phoebe Amistoso, and Monica Bidaure targeting Tokyo at the world Olympic archery qualifying tournament set June 21 to 27 in Paris.
Pursuing their own individual qualifying campaigns are sprinter and 30th SEA Games double gold medalist Kristina Knott, who is eyeing to compete in the 100 and 200 meter dashes in Tokyo, and golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan.
Largely responsible for a sweep of the women’s individual and team golds together with Lois Kaye Go in the 2018 Asian Games, Saso and Pagdanganan are currently ranked Nos. 22 and 43 in the International Golf Federation Olympic qualifying rankings.
The top 60 in the list at the end of the Olympic cut-off date on June 28 will be eligible to play in Tokyo, with those ranked Nos. 1 to 15 making it outright limited to four per country in the list. The rest will be allotted to the remaining spots limited to two per country.
Also making their individual attempts to qualify are swimmers Luke Gebbie, Remedy Rule and James Deiparine, who was the country’s lone swimming gold medalist in the 30th SEA Games when he won the 100-meter breastroke event at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac.
The Olympic qualifying cut-off for athletics and swimming is also at the end of June.
Araneta said that universality — or so-called wild card slots are available — in the Olympic centerpiece disciplines are available in the event no Filipino qualifies in them.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/pinoy-athletes-eyeing-tokyo-olympics
NBA: Depleted Suns edge Spurs, as West top seed still in play
E'Twaun Moore poured in 22 points, including the deciding 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds to play, to lift the visiting Phoenix Suns to a 123-121 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in the final regular-season game for both teams.
Phoenix (51-21) was without Devin Booker (rest), Chris Paul (rest) and Deandre Ayton (knee) as the Suns opted to keep key players on the bench despite the chance to earn the top spot in the Western Conference.
San Antonio pulled its starters at the end of the third quarter, allowing the two teams' bench players to decide the contest. The Suns' reserves had just enough to secure the win that forced Utah to win in Sacramento later Sunday in order to finish atop of Phoenix in the West.
The Suns hold the tiebreaker over the Jazz because they swept their regular-season series.
Eight Suns players scored in double figures, with Cameron Payne and Jevon Carter scoring 19 points each. Carter (with 10 rebounds) and Frank Kaminsky and Jalen Smith (each with 11 points and 10 rebounds) all had double doubles for Phoenix.
The Spurs have had the 10th position in the conference standings and a spot in the play-in tournament assured since Thursday. San Antonio will play either Memphis or Golden State on the road on Wednesday.
San Antonio's DeMar DeRozan had 23 points while Jakob Poeltl added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Rudy Gay scored 12 points and Quinndary Weatherspoon hit for 11 for the Spurs (33-39), who have dropped four straight games.
Phoenix led by as many as 11 points in the first quarter against the Spurs' regular starters but the game turned early in the second with the help of San Antonio's second unit. The Spurs used a 12-2 run to run to a 48-40 advantage midway through the period and led by as much as 12 points before settling for a 61-52 edge at intermission.
DeRozan led all scorers with 17 points in the first half, with Poeltl hitting for 15 and Gay adding 12 for the Spurs. Payne, filling in for Paul at the point guard position, paced the Suns with 16 points over the first 24 minutes.
The Spurs were still up 69-65 at the 8:14 mark of the third quarter before Phoenix shifted back into high gear, forging a 13-2 run to leap into a 78-71 lead. The Suns took an 89-85 advantage to the final period.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/nba-depleted-suns-edge-spurs-as-west-top-seed-still-in-play
NBA: Knicks beat Celtics, wrap up No. 4 seed in East
RJ Barrett scored a game-high 22 points Sunday afternoon as the New York Knicks completed a resurgent regular season and clinched the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference by hanging on for a 96-92 win over the visiting Boston Celtics.
The Knicks (42-30), who are headed for the playoffs for the first time since 2013, will open the quarterfinals at home next weekend against the fifth-seeded Atlanta Hawks.
The Celtics (36-36) already were locked into the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference and the first seed in the play-in tournament. Boston, which needs to win just once to advance to the playoffs, will play the eighth-seeded Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
Julius Randle had 20 points for the Knicks, who frittered away almost all of a 21-point third quarter lead. Alec Burks had 17 points off the bench and Reggie Bullock added 16.
For Boston, Jabari Parker had 18 points off the bench and fellow reserve Tremont Waters added 17 points as the Celtics lost their fifth game in the past six. Romeo Langford scored 14 points, Grant Williams had 13 and Carsen Edwards added 10.
The Celtics led 24-23 after one period and there were five lead changes and three ties in the second before Barrett's layup gave the Knicks the lead for good at 37-35 with 4:23 left and began a half-ending 19-4 run in which New York scored the final 12 points.
The Celtics pulled within single digits once in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Semi Ojeleye with 7:01 left in the third quarter. The Knicks responded with an 18-6 run to take their biggest lead at 75-54 with 3:10 left. Barrett had 11 points in the surge.
The Knicks opened up a trio of 17-point leads in the fourth before the Celtics mounted a 15-0 run to close within 91-89 on a putback by Langford with 3:07 left. Randle ended an 0-for-7 stretch by New York with a layup on the next trip, but Langford hit a free throw and Waters converted a layup off a steal to pull Boston within 93-92 with 2:13 remaining.
Bullock responded with a 19-footer and the Celtics missed two potential game-tying 3-pointers. Randle iced the win by draining one of two free throws with 12.3 seconds left.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/17/21/nba-knicks-beat-celtics-wrap-up-no-4-seed-in-east
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