After bout with COVID-19, Perlas completes PVL s 10-team cast at Laoag bubble
Perlas Spikers will be the last to come into the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) bubble in Laoag, Ilocos Norte after battling and surviving COVID-19 that hit seven of its player and a coach two weeks ago......»»
TNT completes PBA playoff cast, drubs Phoenix as Pogoy returns
Drawing a prolific performance from import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson and welcoming back star Roger Pogoy from a health scare, TNT secures the No. 8 seed in the quarterfinals.....»»
Indonesia’s three-way presidential race set as deadline nears
The candidates for next year's Indonesian presidential election were set Wednesday, with septuagenarian former special forces general Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, the president's son, seen as the frontrunners. Nearly 205 million eligible voters can cast their ballot on 14 February, with the winner set to succeed President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, after he completes the maximum two terms ruling Southeast Asia's biggest economy. Three candidates -- defence minister Subianto, former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan -- confirmed their run for the presidency before Wednesday's midnight deadline. Subianto and Widodo's son Gibran Rakabuming Raka were joined by supporters and a marching band in their journey to the election commission on Wednesday, both dressed in baby blue shirts after attending a concert by tens of thousands at a central Jakarta arena. "We... ask for the blessing from all Indonesians. We are now facing a very important point in the history of Indonesia," said Subianto. "We are at a point where we can rise and become an Indonesia that is great... and an Indonesia where the natural resources are utilised optimally for all." The presence of Jokowi's son on the ticket has fuelled criticism that the president is trying to create a political dynasty in the world's third-largest democracy, an allegation he denies. Just before the registration deadline, the constitutional court -- led by Widodo's brother-in-law -- controversially ruled that candidates under 40 years old can run for office if they have served in a regional position. Thirty-six-year-old Raka, who is mayor of Surakarta city, would otherwise have been ineligible to contest the vice presidency. Several polls have put Subianto, 72, marginally ahead of his nearest rival Pranowo. This is his third run at the top office after losing to Widodo in the previous two elections. The incumbent defence chief, a former son-in-law of Indonesia's late dictator Suharto, remains dogged by allegations of his role in human rights abuses in Jakarta, restive province Papua and breakaway nation East Timor, but has never been charged. Widodo's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle has chosen Pranowo as its candidate. He is viewed as a figure from a humble background and was initially touted as the favourite, but his popularity fell after he opposed Israel's participation in this year's U20 World Cup, with FIFA subsequently stripping Indonesia's hosting rights. He has announced chief security minister Mahfud MD as his running mate. The third challenger Baswedan is favoured by conservative Muslims in the Muslim-majority country and chose the chairman of the Islamist National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar, as his running mate. The next president will be sworn in next October, the elections commission said. The post Indonesia’s three-way presidential race set as deadline nears appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ryan Bang tuwang-tuwa nang makasama sina Bitoy at Paolo sa ‘Bubble Gang’: ‘Kaya abangan n’yo!’
PROUD na ibinandera ng TV host na si Ryan Bang ang kanyang kaabang-abang na TV guesting sa isang comedy show ng GMA. Sa pamamagitan ng Instagram Stories, excited na ipinasilip ni Ryan ang ilang behind-the-scenes moments habang nagte-taping sa “Bubble Gang.” Makikita na nakasama niya sa nasabing programa ang ilang cast members. Kabilang na riyan.....»»
Omega Esports rips TNC, completes MPL playoffs cast
Fan-favorite Omega Esports secured the last spot in the playoffs following a sweep over TNC Pro Team on Week 8 Day 2 of MPL PH Season 11 regular season Saturday evening. Composed of Renzio, Stowm, Kelra, Raizen, and Mikko, Omega Esports played with confidence throughout the series to muster a 2-0 win over the bottom seed TNC. “We had to reset the players right away after losing to ECHO yesterday and prepare for our match against TNC. It was important to prepare for this and move on,” said E2MAX. “We have experienced pressure for many seasons, but this one we told the players not to think about the outcome just think about showing how they play,” he added. Their win ultimately removed Nexplay EVOS from playoffs contention too, as Omega Esports currently sit at the no.6 of the ladder with a 6-8 standing and 18 points. The post Omega Esports rips TNC, completes MPL playoffs cast appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ateneo steps in for San Beda as NBTC completes 24-team cast for National Finals
The young Blue Eagles, who finished joint fifth in the UAAP Season 85 boys' basketball tournament, step in for San Beda after the latter begged off a day after clinching a spot in the elite tournament to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena from March 15 to 19......»»
7 sikat na vloggers susugod sa 27th anniversary special ng ‘Bubble Gang’; Bitoy kumasa sa ‘Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw’ challenge
TULUY-TULOY ang tawanan sa longest running gag show sa bansa, ang “Bubble Gang”. And this month, ipagdiriwang ng show ang kanilang 27th anniversary sa pamamagitan ng special episodes na mapapanood sa November 18 at 25. Tampok sa #BGVenti7 ang powerhouse cast ng “Bubble Gang” kasama ang ilang sikat na content creators gaya nina Christian Antolin, […] The post 7 sikat na vloggers susugod sa 27th anniversary special ng ‘Bubble Gang’; Bitoy kumasa sa ‘Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw’ challenge appeared first on Bandera......»»
PBA targets return in Pampanga semi-bubble
Nothing is cast in stone yet but the PBA is in talks with the familiar local government unit (LGU) that already served as its venue last year for a possible return there at the end of the month......»»
Manuel completes Phoenix LPG& rsquo;s loaded starting unit
Phoenix Super LPG was one win away from making the championship round of the recent PBA Bubble tournament and the team didn’t lose its promise even after losing Calvin Abueva. .....»»
Expanded cast expected in next PFL tourney
The Philippines Football League is looking to sustain the gains from its successful bubble tournament last year as it gears up for its fifth season with possibly an expanded cast......»»
Crown belongs to whom in June Mar’s absence?
Pampanga’s pride Jayson Castro of TNT KaTropa and top contenders to the throne of absentee MVP June Mar Fajardo lead the cast raring to shine in the coming PBA bubble in Clark......»»
James and Lakers advance with 131-122 win over Trail Blazers
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — While the ultimate objective is to win a title, LeBron James said the Los Angeles Lakers achieved a key goal against the Portland Trail Blazers — and it wasn't simply to win the first-round playoff series. It was improvement. “We got better throughout the course of the series,” James said. “We knew we were coming into a series versus a hot Portland team that was playing the best basketball inside the bubble along with Phoenix. So we wanted to just come in and try to work our game, get better and better as the games went on, as the series went on. And I believe we did that.” James had 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and the Lakers advanced to the Western Conference semifinals, beating the short-handed Blazers 131-122 in Game 5 on Saturday night (Sunday morning in the Philippines). Anthony Davis had a playoff-best 43 points for the top-seeded Lakers in their first playoff appearance since 2013. The Lakers hadn't won a playoff series since 2012. James has never lost a first-round playoff series, going 14-0. The Lakers will play the winner of the series between Houston and Oklahoma City. The Rockets took a 3-2 lead with a 114-80 victory earlier Saturday. CJ McCollum had 36 points for the surprisingly scrappy Trail Blazers, who played without injured All-Star guard Damian Lillard. Carmelo Anthony added 27 points. Down 14 in the third quarter, Portland got to 100-97 on McCollum's layup and tied it on Anfernee Simon's 3-pointer to cap an 8-point run with 9:46 left. James answered with a 3. Gary Trent Jr.'s 3-pointer tied it at 109 with just under seven minutes to go. Again the Lakers held off Portland with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's 3. After Trent's 3-pointer closed it to 114-112 with 4:53 left, Davis had a personal 11-0 run to put Los Angeles up 123-112 and all but seal it. The game was originally set for Wednesday night, but players collectively decided not to play in the three playoff games scheduled for that day to protest racial injustice following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Games on Friday were also postponed. James said he hopes the past few days made a difference. “Obviously, the bubble season will never be forgotten. In sports this is the first time we’ve been able to do something like this, but this moment is so much bigger than us playing basketball,” James said. “Hopefully, years on down the line, when America is in a better place, you can look back to this moment and be like, that was one of the catapults that kind of got it going.” Lillard injured his right knee in Game 4 that prompted him to leave the bubble in Florida and return to Portland to see team doctors. Lillard was named MVP of the seeding games heading into the playoffs, averaging 37.6 points and 9.6 assists in eight games. Trent Jr. took his Lillard's spot in the opening lineup. But because of injuries the eighth-seeded Blazers had just nine players available for the game. “All you can do is hope to hang around and make it a fourth quarter game and win in the end, and we didnt quite win it in the end," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. Portland's lone win in the first-round series came in Game 1. TIP INS Trail Blazers: In addition to Lillard, Portland was without Zach Collins because of left ankle inflammation, Nassir Little with dehydration and Wenyen Gabriel with right quad tendonitis. Lakers: Rajon Rondo practiced on Friday but remained inactive for Game 5 as he recovers from a fractured right thumb and back spasms. ... Dion Waiters was game-time decision with a migraine but was available. MOURNING UNCLE CLIFFY: There was a moment of silence before the game for former Trail Blazer Cliff Robinson. He died Saturday at 53. Robinson played 18 seasons in the NBA, his first eight in Portland, and later made the city his home. Portland players also wore headbands during the game in his honor. “His personality and energy were unmatched, and his contributions on the court were unmistakable, helping the Trail Blazers into the playoffs each of his eight seasons with the team,” the Blazers said in a statement. The moment of silence also recognized former Arizona coach Lute Olson and actor Chadwick Boseman. CIVIC DUTY: The Lakers announced before the game than that Staples Center will serve as a voting center for the upcoming general election. Voters can cast ballots at the arena from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3. The arena will also serve as a drop-off site for ballots......»»
PBA: 'Due process' ongoing for Blackwater s own protocol breach
The ongoing "Sorsogon Bubble" saga surrounding the UST Growling Tigers has cast a light on supposed quarantine violations by sports teams in the Philippines. UST is the first major case for amateur teams but Blackwater already made headlines last month when it comes to PBA teams. The Elite got into hot water for allegedly breaking quarantine protocols for having players work out. Things got so bad that team owner Dioceldo Sy put the team up for sale for P150 million. The team ended up taking a P100,000 fine from the PBA after Sy issued statements seen as detrimental to the league. The issue has died down quite a bit, with the Elite actually officially practicing this week as PBA teams were finally allowed to do so. As for the final resolution on the Blackwater saga, the team's case is pending as far as the PBA Board is concerned. "To be transparent, we're going through the process. What is important is due process." Chairman Ricky Vargas said about the Blackwater issue during the recent PSA forum. "What is also important is to ascertain that the decision that is going to be made, or has been made, is not contrary to the constitution and by-laws of the PBA," he added. Since the Blackwater issue first hit mainstream, Vargas says all concerned parties have maintained constant communication. However, the topics being discussed are not to be made public just yet. "This is a very sensitive issue that we are looking into. Exchanges of letters have been happening, we are awaiting for Blackwater to bring this matter up to the Board," Vargas said. "We choose to remain quite about this at the moment, I hope you could respect that. Both parties agreed to keep the discussion private. The whole Board will be part of this process. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Laughter is still the best medicine
Doing an online chat with the cast of Bubble Gang was such a breather. Imagine they were your friends and you regularly zoom chat with them. It’s a guarantee that you’d forget all your worries brought about by the effective lockdown because they would make you laugh even in a bad situation......»»
‘Robocop’ from Negros on a mission
By Nick Giongco Unheralded Filipino fighter Reymond Yanong returns to the ring just 12 days after his successful debut in the coronavirus era as the puncher nicknamed Robocop takes on Genaro ‘El Conde’ Gamez in an eight-round welterweight bout at The Bubble inside the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. During the official […].....»»
Philippines beats India for back-to-back wins in women’s Asia ice hockey tiff
The Philippine women’s ice hockey team picked up where they left off after their opening win in the 2024 IIHF Women’s Asia and Oceania Cup with a 7-0 shutout of India at the Bishkek Arena in Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday......»»
PNVF forms coaching sataff for world meet
Seasoned coach Dante Alinsunurin will make a comeback as one of the deputies for the national men’s team as host Philippines pulls out all the stops to parade a competitive squad against the best of the best in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025......»»
Creamline still team to beat
Creamline’s dramatic, come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed that it’s still the superpower in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.....»»
Revisiting Uniteam (Last of 2 parts)
THE Uniteam coalition of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, described by many political analysts as the "dream team", had come a long way since sweeping the 2022 elections......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
Rest of PVL catching up to perenially dominant Cool Smashers?
Creamline’s dramatic come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed it remained the team-to-beat in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference......»»