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Falcons kept potential playoff vs Blue Eagles out of mind during crucial UE clash, says Nash
The Adamson Soaring Falcons weren’t about to be caught looking past the gritty UE Red Warriors as they are now poised to face off against the Ateneo Blue Eagles for the final semi finals spot in UAAP Season 86 this Wednesday......»»
Playoff implications for Argentina-Serbia FIVB Nations League match
With four matches remaining in the preliminary round of the 2023 FIVB Men’s Nation’s League, Argentina (sixth spot, 5-3) would like to solidify their spot in the final round when they take on Serbia (ninth, 4-4)......»»
Lady Spikers go for twice-to-beat
League-leading De La Salle University sets its sights on securing a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage in a clash with Adamson University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Ahead of the pack sporting a 10-1 win-loss record, the Lady Spikers only need to hurdle the Lady Falcons in their 2 p.m. encounter to assure themselves of a Top 2 finish with just two weeks left before the elimination round closes. On the other hand, Adamson, which shares the second to fourth spot in the standings with an 8-3 card tied with idle University of Santo Tomas and defending champion National University, shoots for a semis berth. La Salle bounced back mightily from a sorry four-set setback at the hands of UST before the Holy Week break with a convincing, 25-15, 25-16, 25-16, win over University of the Philippines last Sunday. Rookie Angel Canino is expected to show the same aggressiveness she displayed in the Lady Spikers’ first round win over the Adamson, 22-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-19, last 19 March when she dropped 21 points. Aside from Canino and usual scorers Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma and Jolina dela Cruz, La Salle has also a new weapon in rookie opposite spiker Shevana Laput. The 6-foot-1 winger made an immediate impact in her first start last game as she poured in nine points. But despite their height and depth advantage and with the semis bonus within reach, Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo doesn’t want his players to look too far ahead. “We need to continue the right things we are doing. Just take it one game at a time. Our mindset right now is to finish the second round the right way,” he said. The Lady Falcons are fresh from a 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 27-25, victory over University of the East last Saturday. Adamson will rely on Kate Santiago, Trisha Tubu, Lorene Toring and setter Louie Romero to get back at La Salle. Meanwhile, Far Eastern University tries to salvage its semis bid in a must-win game against Ateneo de Manila University at 12 p.m. Holding a 5-6 card, the Lady Tamaraws need to sweep all of their remaining three games wish that one from the Lady Falcons, Tigresses and Lady Bulldogs won’t reach nine wins to force a playoff for the last Final Four seat. FEU beat Ateneo in five sets in the first round. Both teams are coming off setbacks with the Lady Tamaraws bowing down to the Lady Bulldogs in straight sets while the Blue Eagles missed the semis for the first time in 14 years after losing to the Tigresses in four frames. A win by Ateneo (4-7) will put the semis race to a close. In men’s play, Ateneo (5-6) and FEU (6-5) at 10 a.m. while La Salle (6-5) and Adamson (1-10) meet at 4 p.m. The post Lady Spikers go for twice-to-beat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kings shame Warriors
WASHINGTON (AFP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 38 points and Malik Monk added 32 off the bench in leading the Sacramento Kings to a 126-123 victory over Golden State for their first National Basketball Association playoff triumph in 17 years. The Kings, who had not reached the post-season since 2006, seized a 1-0 lead over the defending champions in a Western Conference best-of-seven first round series that continues in Sacramento on Monday. In Eastern Conference playoff series openers on Saturday, the New York Knicks edged host Cleveland 101-97, Boston routed Atlanta 112-99 and Philadelphia beat Brooklyn 121-101. Fox made 13-of-27 shots in his playoff debut, 4-of-8 from 3-point range, and 8-of-12 free throws then after the victory pushed the button to send the Kings’ laser light — symbolic of a Kings victory — from the outside of the arena. Monk sank 8-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-4 from 3-point range plus all 14 of his free throws. He made two late free throws to create the final margin and Stephen Curry missed a final 3-point shot for the Warriors to force overtime. Reserve Trey Lyles added 16 points and NBA rebounds leader Domantas Sabonis had 12 points and 16 rebounds for Sacramento. “Our bench came in and they did a hell of a job tonight, especially Malik and Trey. They ignited us,” Fox said. “We knew we had to go out and be physical — try not to foul because this is probably the best free throw shooting team in the league — and get it done on the defensive end and we got some key stops.” Fox caught fire in the second half and Sacramento used a late 7-0 run for a 119-114 lead that put the hosts ahead to stay. “In the second half, I got into a rhythm, my teammates continued to hit me in my spot and I just did what they want me to do,” Fox said. Curry led Golden State with 30 points while Klay Thompson added 21. At Cleveland, Jalen Brunson scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half to lead New York’s victory while the Cavaliers were led by 38 points from Donovan Mitchell. A late Brunson miss was rebounded by New York’s Julius Randle, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and that set up two clinching Knicks free throws by Quentin Grimes. “They just kept fighting,” Brunson said. “We kept our composure. Made plays down the stretch, made a couple of huge stops. We just kept fighting, kept sticking together and stayed poised.” NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid had 26 points while NBA assists champion James Harden added 23 points and 13 assists in the Sixers’ romp. The host Sixers, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, sank a club playoff record 21 3-pointers in 43 attempts. “(That) was a good win for us,” Harden said. “We’ll be watching film. Game two is going to be the toughest game of the series for us. We’ll be ready to go.” Cameroonian star Embiid went 7-of-15 from the floor and 11-of-11 from the free throw line. Harden hit 7-of-13 from 3-point range and helped eight Sixers in all make 3-pointers. “Just finding ways to impact the game possession by possession,” said Harden, a former Nets backcourt star. “It’s the playoffs. Things don’t go the way you want as much as you want them to. You’ve got to keep pushing, keep fighting, and I’m happy we got a win.” Philadelphia made a club one-half playoff record of 13 3-pointers on the way to a 67-58 halftime edge. Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges scored a game-high 30 points, but only seven in the second half. The Celtics ripped visiting Atlanta 112-99 behind 29 points and 12 rebounds from Jaylen Brown and 25 points and 11 rebounds from Jayson Tatum. Brown played with a wrapping on cut fingers and a protective mask he has had for two months due to a facial fracture. “Got to come out and be ready to go,” he said. “My team depends on me. My city depends on me. I don’t make no excuses. I come out and play ball.” The post Kings shame Warriors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NU boosts semis bid
Games Wednesday: (Mall of Asia Arena) 10 a.m. — FEU vs Ateneo (men’s) 12 p.m. — FEU vs Ateneo (women’s) 2 p.m. — La Salle vs Adamson (women’s) 4 p.m. — La Salle vs Adamson (men’s) Defending champion National University narrowed the Final Four race after a convincing win over Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-14, 25-23, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Lady Bulldogs assured themselves of at least a playoff for a semis seat with their third straight win that put them in a three-way tie at the second spot together with idle University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University with an 8-3 win-loss record. Alyssa Solomon showed the way in NU’s win that gifted league-leading De La Salle University an automatic ticket to its 13th straight Final Four appearance while booting out Ateneo de Manila University (4-7) of contention. Solomon, the reigning Best Opposite Spiker, dropped 18 points, including 17 attacks. “I’m happy with the result and, at the same time, we still have a lot to improve on. We should never be tired of learning. We also need to be confident every game,” Solomon said as she and skipper Ces Robles faced the media after head coach Karl Dimaculangan declined to grant an interview for the third straight time. Season 84 Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Bella Belen got 14 points and accounted for 13 of the Lady Bulldogs’ 48 attack points while freshman Vange Alinsug chipped in with 12 markers, 12 digs and two excellent receptions. The Lady Tamaraws were pushed to the brink of elimination in the semis race as they slid to a 5-6 card but not after giving the Lady Bulldogs a scare in the third set. ‘I’m happy with the result and, at the same time, we still have a lot to improve on. We should never be tired of learning. We also need to be confident every game.’ FEU took a 23-21 lead on a Jovelyn Fernandez hit followed by a Solomon attack error. Back-to-back errors by the Lady Tamaraws tied the set at 23 before Belen and Robles sealed the sweep with consecutive attacks. Fernandez and Chenie Tagaod had seven markers each to lead the Morayta-based squad. The Lady Tamaraws still have an outside chance of making it to the semis if they win their last three games in the eliminations and pray that one from UST, Adamson and NU won’t reach nine wins to force a playoff for the last Final Four seat. FEU will face Ateneo, who missed the semis for the first time in 14 years, on Wednesday. In men’s play, three-peat-seeking and unbeaten Bulldogs grabbed a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage after beating the Tamaraws, 28-26, 25-21, 26-28, 25-23, for their 11th straight win. Buds Buddin led four other NU players in double figures with 24 points with all but one coming from attacks and had 22 excellent receptions. Nico Almendras and Kennry Malinis got 17 and 13 markers, respectively, while Obed Mukaba and Gerard Diao finished with 12 each for the Bulldogs’ 29th straight win overall since 2019. “It was a great game. Both teams gave their best, it’s just that we were able to exploit our advantage. Hopefully, we’ll be able to sustain our momentum in our next game,” NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin said. The Bulldogs’ win drew the team to just three more wins to complete an elimination sweep for an outright Finals berth. A sweep by NU will force a step-ladder semifinals. The post NU boosts semis bid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kings edge Warriors in NBA playoff thriller as Sixers, Celtics roll
De'Aaron Fox scored 38 points and Malik Monk added 32 off the bench in leading the Sacramento Kings to a 126-123 victory over Golden State for their first NBA playoff triumph in 17 years. The Kings, who had not reached the post-season since 2006, seized a 1-0 lead over the defending champions in a Western Conference best-of-seven first-round series that continues in Sacramento on Monday. In Eastern Conference playoff series openers on Saturday, the New York Knicks edged host Cleveland 101-97, Boston routed Atlanta 112-99 and Philadelphia beat Brooklyn 121-101. Fox made 13-of-27 shots in his playoff debut, 4-of-8 from 3-point range, and 8-of-12 free throws then after the victory pushed the button to send the Kings' laser light -- symbolic of a Kings victory -- from the outside of the arena. Monk sank 8-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-4 from 3-point range plus all 14 of his free throws. He made two late free throws to create the final margin and Stephen Curry missed a final 3-point shot for the Warriors to force overtime. Reserve Trey Lyles added 16 points and NBA rebounds leader Domantas Sabonis had 12 points and 16 rebounds for Sacramento. "Our bench came in and they did a hell of a job tonight, especially Malik and Trey. They ignited us," Fox said. "We knew we had to go out and be physical -- try not to foul because this is probably the best free throw shooting team in the league -- and get it done on the defensive end and we got some key stops." Fox caught fire in the second half and Sacramento used a late 7-0 run for a 119-114 lead that put the hosts ahead to stay. "In the second half, I got into a rhythm, my teammates continued to hit me in my spot and I just did what they want me to do," Fox said. Curry led Golden State with 30 points while Klay Thompson added 21. At Cleveland, Jalen Brunson scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half to lead New York's victory while the Cavaliers were led by 38 points from Donovan Mitchell. A late Brunson miss was rebounded by New York's Julius Randle, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and that set up two clinching Knicks free throws by Quentin Grimes. "They just kept fighting," Brunson said. "We kept our composure. Made plays down the stretch, made a couple of huge stops. We just kept fighting, kept sticking together and stayed poised." The Celtics ripped visiting Atlanta 112-99 behind 29 points and 12 rebounds from Jaylen Brown and 25 points and 11 rebounds from Jayson Tatum. Brown played with a wrapping on cut fingers and a protective mask he has had for two months due to a facial fracture. "Got to come out and be ready to go," he said. "My team depends on me. My city depends on me. I don't make no excuses. I come out and play ball." The post Kings edge Warriors in NBA playoff thriller as Sixers, Celtics roll appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NU boosts semis bid
Games Wednesday: (Mall of Asia Arena) 10 a.m. -- FEU vs Ateneo (men’s) 12:00 p.m. -- FEU vs Ateneo (women’s) 2 p.m. -- La Salle vs Adamson (women’s) 4 p.m. -- La Salle vs Adamson (men’s) Defending champion National University narrowed the Final Four race after a convincing win over Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-14, 25-23, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Lady Bulldogs assured themselves of at least a playoff for a semis seat with their third straight win that put them in a three-way tie at the second spot together with idle University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University with an 8-3 win-loss record. Alyssa Solomon showed the way in NU’s win that gifted league-leading De La Salle University an automatic ticket to its 13th straight Final Four appearance while booting out Ateneo de Manila University (4-7) of contention. Solomon, the reigning Best Opposite Spiker, dropped 18 points, including 17 attacks. “I’m happy with the result and, at the same time, we still have a lot to improve on. We should never be tired of learning. We also need to be confident every game,” Solomon said as she and skipper Ces Robles faced the media after head coach Karl Dimaculangan declined to grant an interview for the third straight time. Season 84 Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Bella Belen got 14 points and accounted for 13 of the Lady Bulldogs’ 48 attack points while freshman Vange Alinsug chipped in with 12 markers, 12 digs and two excellent receptions. The Lady Tamaraws were pushed to the brink of elimination in the semis race as they slid to a 5-6 card but not after giving the Lady Bulldogs a scare in the third set. FEU took a 23-21 lead on a Jovelyn Fernandez hit followed by a Solomon attack error. Back-to-back errors by the Lady Tamaraws tied the set at 23 before Belen and Robles sealed the sweep with consecutive attacks. Fernandez and Chenie Tagaod had seven markers each to lead the Morayta-based squad. The Lady Tamaraws still have an outside chance of making it to the semis if they win their last three games in the eliminations and pray that one from UST, Adamson and NU won’t reach nine wins to force a playoff for the last Final Four seat. FEU will face Ateneo, who missed the semis for the first time in 14 years, on Wednesday. In men’s play, three-peat-seeking and unbeaten Bulldogs grabbed a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage after beating the Tamaraws, 28-26, 25-21, 26-28, 25-23, for their 11th straight win. Buds Buddin led four other NU players in double figures with 24 points with all but one coming from attacks and had 22 excellent receptions. Nico Almendras and Kennry Malinis got 17 and 13 markers, respectively, while Obed Mukaba and Gerard Diao finished with 12 each for the Bulldogs’ 29th straight win overall since 2019. "It was a great game. Both teams gave their best, it’s just that we were able to exploit our advantage. Hopefully, we’ll be able to sustain our momentum in our next game," NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin said. The Bulldogs’ win drew the team to just three more wins to complete an elimination sweep for an outright Finals berth. A sweep by NU will force a step-ladder semifinals. The post NU boosts semis bid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Croatia tops Morocco 2-1 to clinch third spot at World Cup
DOHA – Croatia beat injury-hit Morocco 2-1 in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday to leave Qatar on a high after again surpassing expectations following their run to the final in 2018. Despite defeat, Morocco also leave with heads aloft after becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final. Mislav Orsic’s late first-half […] The post Croatia tops Morocco 2-1 to clinch third spot at World Cup appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Archers survive Tigers to keep Final Four hopes alive
In a must-win game to keep themselves in the picture for a possible playoff with the Adamson Soaring Falcons for the last spot in the semifinals, the Archers ended the contest with a 17-3 run to finish their elimination round at 7-7......»»
Bulldogs near Last Four Archers win on Austria’s buzzer-beater
National U firmed up its grip on second spot and secured at least a playoff for one of the Final Four slots while La Salle stayed in the thick of the heated race with separate big wins in the return of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
Ohio State wins the Big Ten title as Texas A& M makes final case for college football playoff spot
The conference championship schedule concluded on Saturday, among other regular-season games. Entering the day, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State occupied the top........»»
WHAT IF Marck Espejo played for DLSU?
We all know what Marck Espejo brought to Ateneo when he donned the Blue Eagles jersey in the UAAP. He led the blue and white to three straight titles in five consecutive Finals appearances in indoor volleyball and captured Ateneo’s first and so far lone championship in beach volleyball. As a player, Espejo achieved a feat difficult to surpass if not replicate. A Rookie of the Year award, five straight Most Valuable Player honors aside from other individual accolades. The Marikina pride even registered the league’s most points in a game with 55 during his last tour of duty with the Blue Eagles in Season 80. Espejo’s impact left a lasting imprint not only to the Blue Eagles but also to the entire league. Arguably, his persona could even also be attributed to the renewed popularity of men’s volleyball in the country which for years failed to bask in the same limelight enjoyed by women’s play. Indeed, Ateneo found a precious gem in Espejo. But what if Espejo decided to take his talents to a different school? Let’s say, De La Salle University. After all the green and white was actually one of Espejo’s options heading into college. [Related story: DID YOU KNOW? Marck Espejo almost played for DLSU] If Espejo played for the Green Spikers, he would definitely be a game changer. The Ateneo-National University championship rivalry wouldn’t have happened. Instead, it would’ve been the Bulldogs and Green Spikers duking it out for the crown during Espejo’s UAAP stint. “Kung sa amin siya naglaro panigurado malaki ‘yung impact sa team namin kasi alam naman natin si Marck malakas talaga siya kahit buong team kaya niyang dalhin,” former DLSU setter and now assistant coach Geuel Asia told ABS-CBN Sports. Asia, who played for the Green Spikers from Season 75 to Season 79, added that he’s very familiar with Espejo's game as they were teammates when the National Capital Region ruled the 2012 Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan. “So malakas ang impact niya sa DLSU kung sakali. Power and mind maglaro si Marck so malaki ang matutulong niya sa DLSU,” said the former national team playmaker and Espejo's Cignal HD Spikers teammate. "Fit din siya sa system. Kahit na anong sistema aayon sa kanya, magiging comfortable siya." In fact, with him on board DLSU in Season 76, the Green Spikers might have even gotten a trip to the Final Four. The Green Spikers, who finished third n Season 75, were eliminated by Adamson University in the playoff for no. 4 spot the following season. Imagine Espejo adding more firepower to DLSU, which already had Season 75 MVP Red Christensen, Raymark Woo, Aaron Calderon, Ralph Calasin and Philip Cerveza. “Sobrang lakas talaga kung nangyari ‘yung ganun. Kasi yun din time na yun malakas si Woo eh,” said Asia. With Espejo, who was second in scoring in his rookie year and was in the top 10 in spiking, blocking, service and digs, DLSU might not even need to go to the playoff for a semis spot. Heck, the Green Spikers might even land at no. 2 - just like how Espejo led Ateneo into the Finals in Season 76 to face NU – considering that Christensen, Woo and Cerveza that year were consistently producing big numbers and contributing well on defense. Of course, that team would still find it difficult to surpass the powerhouse Peter Torres-led Bulldogs in the championship. But at least that would’ve given DLSU the much-needed championship experience. Let’s say Woo didn’t suffer a knee injury during the pre-season while playing in a ligang labas that forced him to sit out year, then DLSU would have remained a solid contender in Season 77. There might even have been the possibility that the Green Spikers ended a decade-long title-drought that year as they would have been parading an experienced and solid lineup composed of Espejo, Woo, setters Brendon Santos and Asia, libero Jopet Movido, Calderon, Christensen, Mike Frey, Arjay Onia, Cris Dumago and Calasin. The possibility of DLSU winning another title or two in the next three seasons with Espejo at the helm might not be far from reality. But then of course Season 80 would be a different story. That year the Green Spikers would’ve parted ways with most of its veterans leaving Espejo, Onia, Dumago and Frey leading a young team piloted by third year setter Wayne Marco. Even if DLSU did manage to crawl its way back into the Finals in Espejo’s last year, it would be extremely difficult to hurdle the Bulldogs parading a tall and very talented crew led by ace hitter Bryan Bagunas, Kim Malabunga, Madzlan Gampong, James Natividad, Francis Saura, setter Kim Dayandante and libero Ricky Marcos. But then again, a DLSU squad bannered by Espejo in the UAAP would have definitely been a sight to behold. Too bad we could only imagine the what ifs. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
NBA Playoffs LIVE UPDATES - West Round 1: (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers Game 1
The playoff picture is set. It's time for the most exciting part of the NBA season! Back in the postseason for the first time since 2013, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, return to the playoffs in style by clinching the top seed in the Western Conference. Looking to continue their Cinderella-run by taking down the best in the West are the eighth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers, who clawed their way into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference thanks to the stellar play of Bubble MVP Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. In their three meetings in the 2019-2020 season, the Lakers won twice, both by big margins. Tip off is on Wednesday, August 19th at 9:00 AM! Join us for LIVE UPDATES! .....»»
Trailblazers eliminate Grizzlies, clinch final playoff spot
Damian Lillard and the Blazers earn the right to face LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs......»»
Spurs keep playoff hopes alive with 123-105 win over Rockets
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The Spurs aren’t out of it yet. Keldon Johnson had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and San Antonio kept alive its chances of becoming the first team in NBA history to make 23 consecutive playoff appearances with a 123-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday (Wednesday in the Philippines). San Antonio has won three straight and five out of seven since arriving in the Florida bubble. DeMar DeRozan added 23 points. Jakob Poeltl finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. A total of seven Spurs reached double figures. Johnson said his mindset since the season restarted has been to fill in whatever role is asked of him. “Whether it's hustling, running the floor — just doing whatever I need to do to help us win,” he said. “Help from my teammates has definitely helped the game slow down for me." Popovich said Johnson is playing with the confidence they saw when they drafted him 29th overall last year. “That’s what he does," Popovich said. "He’s a high-energy guy. He's very physical. Very competitive. Very coachable. He’s just a winner.” The Western Conference is guaranteed to have a play-in for its final playoff spot, with Memphis beginning the day with just a half-game lead over Portland and one game ahead of Phoenix and San Antonio. The Spurs will need help to be one of the teams playing this weekend for the final spot in the West, but made sure they couldn't be eliminated Tuesday with their win. Russell Westbrook had 20 points and seven turnovers in his first game back in the lineup for Houston after missing two games with a bruised right quadriceps. Jeff Green had 17 points. Ben McLemore added 16. The Rockets played without guards James Harden (rest) and Eric Gordon (ankle). Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said the most important part of their final two games before the playoffs will be getting Westbrook some quality minutes so that he is fresh. “Get some of the rust off, build up his legs a little bit,” D'Antoni said. “We'll try to get through these two games and just try to get guys physically ready to go next week.” Westbrook said he isn't worried about finding his timing before the playoffs begin. “I'll get it back,” he said. The Spurs took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Rockets 35-24. San Antonio led by as many as 29 points. San Antonio built a 19-point lead in the first half. DeRozan set the tone with 15 points in the opening 24 minutes, with Lonnie Waker IV, Poeltl and Johnson each scoring 10. TIP-INS Rockets: Went 14 of 48 from the 3-point line. ... Danuel House Jr. sat out with a toe injury. Spurs: Patty Mills (rest) missed his third straight game. WIN-WIN Regardless of whether the Spurs make the playoffs, Popovich is proud of how his young players have stepped up in during their time in the bubble. “Part of it is you have to be realistic,” Popovich said. “I don’t think our chances of winning the championship were great at the beginning of this, nor are they now. If that’s a fact, then you need to do everything you can to develop and be prepared for next season. “The development has been off the charts. We’re thrilled with it. So it’s a win-win no matter what.” Popovich said it would be “thrilling” to get some help and have a chance to extend their season, but he’s not using it as a measuring stick for the season. “We’ve already accomplished what we thought we were capable of accomplishing, that’s what’s important. If we got in now it would be icing on the cake.” UP NEXT Rockets: Play Pacers on Wednesday (Thursday in the Philippines) Spurs: Conclude their seeding schedule Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) against Utah......»»
Westbrook scores 31 as Rockets get 120-116 win over Bucks
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 31 points and the Houston Rockets used strong defense down the stretch for a 120-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night. It was the 36th straight game with at least 20 points for Westbrook, who led Houston’s offense on a night James Harden scored 24. Houston tied an NBA record for most 3-point attempts in a regulation game with 61, making 21 of them, and forced 22 turnovers. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists for Milwaukee. He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to have 15 games with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a season in the last 50 years. Khris Middleton scored 27 points and Brook Lopez added 23 as the Bucks missed a chance to clinch the best record in the Eastern Conference. SPURS 108, GRIZZLIES 106 DeMar DeRozan made two free throws with a second to play, giving San Antonio a victory over Memphis that moved the Spurs into ninth place in the Western Conference. The Spurs built an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, then needed a bunch of big plays down the stretch from DeRozan after the Grizzlies rallied. The final one came when he brought the ball down court after Jaren Jackson Jr. tied it for Memphis with a corner 3-pointer with 10.6 seconds to play. DeRozan pump-faked Dillon Brooks into the air and drew the foul, then knocked down the foul shots. Jackson missed a long 3 on the final possession. The Spurs are trying to qualify for the postseason for what would be an NBA-record 23rd consecutive season. They arrived at Walt Disney World in 12th place in the West, but after victories over Sacramento and Memphis are just two games behind the eighth-place Grizzlies. Dejounte Murray had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs. Derrick White added 16 points and DeRozan had 14. Morant finished with 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Jackson scored 21 points. CELTICS 128, TRAIL BLAZERS 124 Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, Jaylen Brown added 30 and Bostons built a big early lead before holding off Portland. Tatum, who added a career-high eight assists, rebounded from a terrible performance in a loss to Milwaukee on Friday when he scored just five points on 2-of-18 shooting. Damian Lillard had 30 points and 16 assists for Portland. Jusuf Nurkic added 30 points in his second official game back after breaking his leg in March 2019. SUNS 117, MAVERICKS 115 Devin Booker scored 30 points and Phoenix erased a double-digit deficit while the All-Star guard was on the bench with foul trouble, rallying to beat Dallas. The Suns have won both games in the restart after coming in with the worst record in the Western Conference. They’re still long shots for the playoffs, while the Mavericks clinched their first postseason berth since 2016 by virtue of Memphis’ loss to San Antonio earlier in the day. Luka Doncic had 40 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Mavericks. whose hopes of moving up from the seventh seed are fading with an 0-2 start in the eight-game seeding round. MAGIC 132, KINGS 116 Nikola Vucevic had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Aaron Gordon scored 19 of his 22 points in the first half and Orlando continued its strong restart with a victory over Sacramento. Terrence Ross added 25 points to help the Magic win a season-best fifth straight game going back to before the pandemic-forced shutdown in March.Orlando won the last three before the hiatus and beat Brooklyn, the team it is battling for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, to open the restart. De’Aaron Fox scored 13 points after a career-high 39 in the restart opener for the Kings, who have lost both games in the bubble as they try to get in position for a shot at the final playoff spot in the West. Harry Giles III led Sacramento with a career-high 23 points. NETS 118, WIZARDS 110 Caris LeVert scored 14 of his 34 points in the final seven minutes to help Brooklyn beat Washington. Joe Harris scored a season-high 27 points and Jarret Allen added 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Nets. They rebounded from a loss to Orlando in their first seeding game to move seven games ahead of ninth-place Washington in the Eastern Conference standings. Thomas Bryant had a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds, and Troy Brown Jr. added 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Wizards......»»
Trail Blazers rally to force OT, beat Grizzlies 140-135
By The Associated Press LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 33 points, teaming with Damian Lillard for 11 of Portland’s 16 in overtime, and the Trail Blazers pulled out a desperately needed victory to resume their season by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 140-135 on Friday. Lillard finished with 29 points and nine assists to help the Trail Blazers boost their hopes for a seventh consecutive playoff appearance. Carmelo Anthony added 21 points as Portland moved within 2 1/2 games of the Grizzlies for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference. McCollum started fast, scoring 19 points in the first half, and finished strong with two crucial 3-pointers in overtime. The first one to open the extra period gave Portland the lead for good, and he added six assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 33 points and rookie Ja Morant added 22 points and 11 assists for Memphis. Memphis rallied from a 13-point, third-quarter deficit to take an 11-point lead, then gave it away almost as quickly. When the Grizzlies recovered to take a 112-103 lead with 6:01 left in regulation, it appeared the Grizzlies might pad their lead in the standings. Instead, Anthony’s 3 with 37.5 seconds left tied it at 124 and Morant fell on a last-second fast break, sending the game to overtime. MAGIC 128, NETS 118 Evan Fournier scored 24 points, Nikola Vucevic had 22 and Orlando picked up where it left off before the NBA season was suspended, beating Brooklyn. Playing as the designated road team not far from their arena, the Magic looked right at home at Disney — whose name they wear as their jersey patch. They extended their winning streak to four and moved back ahead of the Nets into seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn also won its last three before the stoppage, but the decimated team that returned is a shell of the one that beat the Lakers in Los Angeles in its final game. The Nets are missing Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan and Taurean Prince after they tested positive for the coronavirus. They are already playing without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who had season-ending surgery. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored 24 points for the Nets. SUNS 125, WIZARDS 112 Devin Booker scored 27 points, Deandre Ayton added 24 points and 12 rebounds and Phoenix beat Washington. Booker made all nine of his free throws and the Suns hit 30 of 32 from the line. They shot 52% from the field, with Ayton hitting two of three 3-pointers and going 11 of 14 overall. Rui Hachimura scored 21 points and Jerome Robinson added 20 for the Wizards on coach Scott Brooks’ 55th birthday......»»
Antetokounmpo, Bucks hold off Celtics in restart opener
By The Associated Press LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo converted a tiebreaking three-point play with 1:28 left on an overturned call that kept him in the game and helped the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics 119-112 on Friday night. Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in the Bucks’ first game in the restart. Milwaukee improved the NBA’s best record to 54-12 and moved within a victory of clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year. Boston overcame a poor start to tie it at 107. Antetokounmpo was then called for a charging foul, appearing to negate his basket and giving him a sixth foul. The call was changed to a blocking foul on Boston’s Marcus Smart after review, and Antetokounmpo made the free throw to make it 110-107. Khris Middleton then knocked down a 3-pointer for a six-point advantage. Middleton added 18 points for the Bucks, who played without Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton while they work on their conditioning after testing positive for the coronavirus. Marvin Williams sat out with a strained left groin. Smart scored 23 points for the Celtics and Jaylen Brown had 22, but star forward Jayson Tatum had a nightmarish restart. He had five points on 2-for-18 shooting — though he actually only made one basket. Kemba Walker scored 16 points but played just 19 minutes as the Celtics look to keep the All-Star guard healthy after he’s been battling a sore knee. TRAIL BLAZERS 140, GRIZZLIES 135, OT CJ McCollum scored 33 points, teaming with Damian Lillard for 11 of Portland’s 16 in overtime, and the Trail Blazers pulled out a desperately needed victory to resume their season by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 140-135 on Friday. Lillard finished with 29 points and nine assists to help the Trail Blazers boost their hopes for a seventh consecutive playoff appearance. Carmelo Anthony added 21 points as Portland moved within 2 1/2 games of the Grizzlies for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference. McCollum started fast, scoring 19 points in the first half, and finished strong with two crucial 3-pointers in overtime. The first one to open the extra period gave Portland the lead for good, and he added six assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 33 points and rookie Ja Morant added 22 points and 11 assists for Memphis. Memphis rallied from a 13-point, third-quarter deficit to take an 11-point lead, then gave it away almost as quickly. When the Grizzlies recovered to take a 112-103 lead with 6:01 left in regulation, it appeared the Grizzlies might pad their lead in the standings. Instead, Anthony’s 3 with 37.5 seconds left tied it at 124 and Morant fell on a last-second fast break, sending the game to overtime. MAGIC 128, NETS 118 Evan Fournier scored 24 points, Nikola Vucevic had 22 and Orlando picked up where it left off before the NBA season was suspended, beating Brooklyn. Playing as the designated road team not far from their arena, the Magic looked right at home at Disney — whose name they wear as their jersey patch. They extended their winning streak to four and moved back ahead of the Nets into seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn also won its last three before the stoppage, but the decimated team that returned is a shell of the one that beat the Lakers in Los Angeles in its final game. The Nets are missing Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan and Taurean Prince after they tested positive for the coronavirus. They are already playing without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who had season-ending surgery. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored 24 points for the Nets. SPURS 129, KINGS 120 DeMar DeRozan scored 17 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to help San Antonio beat Sacramento. Before the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and assistant Becky Hammon stood for the national anthem while the remainder of the coaches and players for both teams knelt. DeRozan shot 10 of 13 and had 10 assists, and the Spurs shot 53.3% from the field. Derrick White matched a career high with 26 points in San Antonio’s first game of the restart. The Spurs needed to find offense because LaMarcus Aldridge, the team’s No. 2 scorer, had shoulder surgery in April and will not play in the restart. De’Aaron Fox scored a career-high 39 points for the Kings. SUNS 125, WIZARDS 112 Devin Booker scored 27 points, Deandre Ayton added 24 points and 12 rebounds and Phoenix beat Washington. Booker made all nine of his free throws and the Suns hit 30 of 32 from the line. They shot 52% from the field, with Ayton hitting two of three 3-pointers and going 11 of 14 overall. Rui Hachimura scored 21 points and Jerome Robinson added 20 for the Wizards on coach Scott Brooks’ 55th birthday......»»
WHAT IF… Alvin Pasaol played his last year in UE
History lesson: University of the East had a ready-made replacement for Alvin Pasaol when he decided to forgo his fourth and final year in red and white. In Rey Suerte, the Red Warriors had another super scorer who could come up clutch game in and game out. The Cebuano put up per game counts of 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals on his way to a spot on the UAAP 82 Mythical Team. A season earlier, Pasaol averaged a double-double of 24.4 points and 11.0 rebounds on top of 1.9 steals and was a Mythical selection himself. Now, imagine if those two were teammates. Now, just think if UE had two super scorers who could come up clutch game in and game out. If the big-bodied scoring machine would have come back for one last ride, he and Suerte would have formed the fieriest 1-2 punch in all of the league - at the offensive end, at the very least. At the same time, Pasaol would have been under his third coach in four years, with the late Bong Tan - and active consultant Lawrence Chongson - following Derrick Pumaren and Joe Silva. Still, he would have been, without a doubt, option no. 1 for UE. Their one-and-done prized prospect, meanwhile, would become more dangerous as he slides to option no. 1A. With those two, the Red Warriors could score on anyone and everyone and would truly transform into darkhorse contenders not only for the Final Four, but for the Finals itself. Don't forget that alongside those two, Senegalese banger Adama Diakhite would also be there as well as steady Philip Manalang running the point. That top-heavy team would then no longer be just a tough-out, but a legitimate candidate for a place in the playoffs. It's still tough to take Recto over third-seeded Far Eastern University with L-Jay Gonzales running the show or fourth-seeded University of Sto. Tomas fronted by Season MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo and Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy. However, that top-heavy team would, for sure, pose problems for fifth-running De La Salle University. Remember, UE upset the Green Archers in the first round - and did it without Pasaol. With the 49-point man there, it's not that farfetched to see them vaulting over the green and white in the standings and then threatening the Tamaraws and the Growling Tigers for the last two playoff berths. Ultimately, the Red Warriors would fall short, but a seven- or six-win season would still be the best finish for Pasaol in his collegiate career. And hey, just right outside the playoff picture is, of course, an improvement from their bottom-third finishes from years past. At year's end, Pasaol and Suerte still move forward to greener pastures - the former the face of 3x3 and the latter a fixture on the Gilas Pilipinas pool. And at year's end, the UE Red Warriors would do nothing but build on their best finish in recent history. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Rahm s wild day ends with Memorial win and No. 1 ranking
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — The drama was more than Jon Rahm wanted. The result was what he always imagined. Rahm became the No. 1 player in the world Sunday with a victory in the Memorial in which he watched an eight-shot lead at the turn shrink to three shots with three holes to play, and then hit what he called the greatest shot of his life that turned into a bogey because of a penalty. All that mattered was that fist-bump — not a handshake — with Jack Nicklaus, and taking his place along his idol Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to reach No. 1 in the world. With a two-shot penalty for his ball moving the length of a dimple on his chip-in behind the 16th green, Rahm closed with 3-over 75 for a three-shot victory over Ryan Palmer. Rahm got up-and-down on the final four greens, which made it feel even sweeter. “One of the best performances of my life,” Rahm said. “Yesterday was probably one of the best rounds of my life, and finished today with some clutch up-and-downs. As a Spaniard, I'm kind of glad it happened that way.” The fiery emotion is his hallmark. He showed it with a tee shot that sailed left into a creek on the 11th hole, Rahm slamming his club into the ground in a pique of anger. And it was evident with that ferocious fist-pump when his flop shot from deep rough behind the 16th green rolled into the cup. Birdie or bogey, it was a winner, a shot that would have made Ballesteros proud. “I still can't believe it, I'm not going to lie,” he told Nicklaus off the 18th green. With the penalty — Rahm had no idea it was an issue after his round, but accepted the penalty when he saw a video that zoomed in close on the ball — he finished at 9-under 279 for his 10th career victory, fourth on the PGA Tour. Muirfield Village played its toughest in 42 years, with only five players under par, the fewest for the final round since this tournament began in 1976. Rahm's 75 was the highest finish by a winner since Roger Maltbie shot 76 the inaugural year. The rough wasn't cut all week. The greens were allowed to go to the edge because they are being replaced. Crews already had stripped the entire fifth green as the leaders were on the back nine. Rahm looked to be playing a different course. He played bogey-free on the front nine with birdies on the two par 5s. That put him eight shots clear on his way to No. 1. And then he made bogey on the 10th. Not a problem. He yanked his tee shot into a creek on the par-5 11th, and that was a bigger problem based on how hard he slammed the club into the ground in a pique of anger. He made double bogey. Palmer made birdie on the 12th, and then Rahm made another bogey from the bunker on the 14th. Just like that, the lead was three shots. Only a week ago at Muirfield Village for the Workday Charity Open, Justin Thomas had a three-shot lead with three holes to play and wound up losing in a playoff to Collin Morikawa. Rahm was worried his tee shot might find the back bunker, though the rough was not a great option with how fast the greens were running. Rahm was thinking anything inside 10 feet would be good. This was perfect, the ball landing on the fringe and sliding down the slope into the cup. As for the penalty? “It doesn’t change the outcome of the tournament,” he said. “It just puts a little bit of an asterisk in it in the sense of I wish I could just keep that birdie because it was one of the greatest shots of my life, right?” The chip was similar — but from a different angle — to Tiger Woods chipping in from behind the 16th green when he won the Memorial for the fifth time in 2012. Woods, in his first competition since Feb. 16 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, shot 76 and tied for 40th. “Tough, tough conditions to start out my first week back, Thursday and Sunday,” Woods said. “But it was good to get the feel and the flow of competing again.” Matthew Fitzpatrick had a 68 for the low score of the final day to finish third. The consolation prize went to Palmer (74) and Mackenzie Hughes (72), who earned spots in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in September as the leading two players from the top 10 who were not already eligible. Henrik Norlander could have taken the final spot with a par on the 18th, but he missed the fairway well to the right, couldn't reach the green and made bogey. Norlander and Hughes tied at 3-under 285, but the spot went to Hughes because he had the better world ranking. That ranking now starts with Rahm, who only four years ago was at the Memorial to receive the Jack Nicklaus Award as the nation's best college player. Now he's the best in the world, a ranking that McIlroy had since Feb. 9. “He deserves it,” McIlroy said after his tie for 32nd. “He's been playing great for a long time. Even the display this week, it's pretty impressive.”.....»»