Chris Paul, Suns close out Clippers in Game 6 to clinch NBA Finals berth
The Phoenix Suns are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993 and only their third appearance overall......»»
Sixers sweep Nets to advance, Suns on brink as Heat burn Bucks
The Philadelphia 76ers shrugged off the absence of Joel Embiid to complete a 4-0 sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA playoffs on Saturday as the Phoenix Suns edged closer to a second-round berth by beating the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers advanced to an Eastern Conference semi-final showdown against either Boston or Atlanta with a dominant second-half display to seal a 96-88 victory in Brooklyn. Elsewhere in the East, the Miami Heat thrashed the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks 121-99 to edge ahead of the top seeds 2-1 in their best-of-seven series. In Brooklyn, the Sixers trailed by 11 points early in the third quarter but transformed the contest with an 18-4 run to take the lead before closing out victory with a fourth-quarter rally. The Sixers' win was all the more impressive given the absence of star center Embiid, who suffered a right knee sprain in Thursday's 102-97 victory in game three. Embiid led the NBA with 33.1 points a game and is a finalist for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Paul Reed stepped in to fill the void and finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Tobias Harris led the scoring for Philadelphia with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while De'Anthony Melton came off the bench to produce 15 points and lead the fourth-quarter surge. Harris said the Sixers were determined to use Embiid's absence as a motivator. "He's the MVP. And when we heard he wasn't playing, I think it was an opportunity for everybody else to really step up and understand that we've got to get a win without the big fellow," Harris told the TNT television network. "The whole group came together today. It's a great win for us and a great way to sweep the series." Asked what his message to the injured Embiid would be, Harris replied: "Hurry up and get your ass back out here." The 4-0 series victory was Philadelphia's first playoff sweep since 1991. Spencer Dinwiddie led Brooklyn's scoring with 20 points while Nic Claxton had 19 points with 12 rebounds. "Getting swept is trash," a dejected Claxton said. "It's not a good feeling." Suns on the brink In Los Angeles, Kevin Durant finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to help Phoenix beat the Clippers 112-100 for a 3-1 series lead. Devin Booker plundered 30 points and veteran Chris Paul added 19 in a late burst of scoring as Phoenix bagged their second straight win in Los Angeles. "I'm in a good place and I'm enjoying playing ball," Durant said. "I've been out a few months this season, and I'm just happy I'm out here where the ball is." It means the Suns need just one more win to book their place in the Western Conference semi-finals, with game five set for Phoenix on Tuesday. The Clippers' hopes of squaring the series had been dealt a blow by the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who joined Paul George on the injured list. Russell Westbrook produced one of his best performances for the Clippers with a 37-point display. In Miami, the Heat took full advantage of the absence of Milwaukee's two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, leading by double digits much of the night. Jimmy Butler scored 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting before departing late in the third quarter after taking a hard fall. After visiting the locker room he returned to the bench but with the game in hand did not go back on the floor. Duncan Robinson scored 20 points and fellow reserve Kyle Lowry added 15 as the Heat bench delivered 59 points. "We just came out here and played with some intensity," Lowry said. The Heat will try to level the series on Monday, but Lowry said he knows they'll face a tough task. "Every game is a different game," he said. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said the team would continue to "monitor" Antetokounmpo, who suffered a back contusion in game one, missed game two and was a late scratch on Saturday. In the late game the Memphis Grizzlies welcomed star guard Ja Morant back after a hand injury as they visited the Los Angeles Lakers with their series knotted 1-1. The post Sixers sweep Nets to advance, Suns on brink as Heat burn Bucks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sixers advance after Nets sweep, Suns on brink as Clippers downed
The Philadelphia 76ers shrugged off the absence of Joel Embiid to complete a 4-0 sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA playoffs on Saturday as the Phoenix Suns edged closer to a second-round berth with a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers advanced to an Eastern Conference semi-final showdown against either Boston or Atlanta with a dominant second-half display to seal a 96-88 victory in Brooklyn. The Sixers trailed by 11 points early in the third quarter but transformed the contest with an 18-4 run to take the lead before closing out victory with a fourth-quarter rally. The Sixers' win was all the more impressive given the absence of star center Embiid, who suffered a right knee sprain in Thursday's 102-97 victory in game three. Embiid led the NBA with 33.1 points a game and is a finalist for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. With Embiid out, Paul Reed stepped in to fill the void and finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Tobias Harris led the scoring for Philadelphia with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while De'Anthony Melton came off the bench to produce 15 points and lead the fourth-quarter rally. Harris said the Sixers had been determined to use Embiid's absence as a motivator. "He's the MVP. And when we heard he wasn't playing, I think it was an opportunity for everybody else to really step up and understand that we've got to get a win without the big fella," Harris told the TNT television network after the win. "For us to come out here and get this victory, it feels great for the whole group. "The whole group came together today. It's a great win for us and a great way to sweep the series." Asked what his message to the injured Embiid would be, Harris replied: "Hurry up and get your ass back out here." The 4-0 series victory was Philadelphia's first playoff sweep since 1991. Spencer Dinwiddie led Brooklyn's scoring with 20 points while Nic Claxton had 19 points with 12 rebounds. In Los Angeles, Kevin Durant finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to help Phoenix take a 3-1 series lead over the Clippers with a 112-100 victory. Devin Booker plundered 30 points and veteran Chris Paul added 19 in a late burst of scoring as Phoenix bagged their second straight win in Los Angeles in the best-of-seven series. It means the Suns need just one more win to book their place in the Western Conference semi-finals, with game five set for Phoenix on Tuesday. The Clippers' hopes of squaring the series had been dealt a blow by the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who joined Paul George on the injured list. In their absence, Russell Westbrook produced one of his best performances for the Clippers with a 37-point display but ultimately it was not enough as the greater depth of the Suns' line-up proved too much. "I'm in a good place and I'm enjoying playing ball," Durant said after the win. "I've been out a few months this season, and I'm just happy I'm out here where the ball is." In later playoff games on Saturday, the Milwaukee Bucks travel to Miami looking for a win on the road over the Heat with the best-of-seven series finely balanced at 1-1. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out game two after suffering a back injury in game one, was listed as questionable for Milwaukee. In the late game, the Memphis Grizzlies travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers with their series knotted at one game apiece. The post Sixers advance after Nets sweep, Suns on brink as Clippers downed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lakers close out Nuggets, clinch Finals berth
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rest of the Lakers squad proved too much for the "Comeback Kids" and are bringing LA to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010......»»
Minglanilla ends 22-year title drought, wins Gullas Cup in dominating fashion vs. Talisay
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Abante Minglanilla hoisted the Rhea Gullas Cup 2024 First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament title after routing the visiting Talisay Aksyon Agad, 72-58, on Saturday evening, March 23, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Minglanilla, also known as the Archangels, beat Talisay in their do-or-die Game 3 of the finals, and.....»»
Minglanilla’s ‘6th man’ crucial for Gullas Cup finals— Velez
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Jesus “Boyet” Velez, the head coach of Abante Minglanilla, admitted that their sixth man, their home crowd, would be a massive factor for the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Rhea Gullas Cup First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament Best-of-Three finals on Saturday, March 23, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Talisay Aksyon.....»»
Scorpions, Dragons dispute UCAL crown
Centro Escolar University enhanced its bid for a first-ever back-to-back championship when it outlasted Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, 71-64, to clinch the first finals berth in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 yesterday at the Paco Arena in Manila......»»
CEU, Diliman seal UCAL title showdown
Centro Escolar University enhanced its bid for a first-ever back-to-back championship when it outlasted Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, 71-64, to clinch the first finals berth in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6......»»
Ladon inches closer to Paris berth, Marvin also advances in Olympic boxing qualifier
Rogen Ladon advances to the third round, while John Marvin emerges triumphant in his opening bout as they both clinch stoppage wins in the World Qualification Tournament for the Paris Olympics.....»»
CEU wallops Guang Ming to clinch UCAL semis berth
Defending champion Centro Escolar University made quick work of Guang Ming College, 83-57, to book the first ticket to the semifinals in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6......»»
Coldplay s Chris Martin makes fan s Everglow dream come true
The return of British pop-rock band Coldplay to the Philippines was a welcome sight to many Filipinos, but it was particularly special for one fan who had waited years to see them up close......»»
Rhian Ramos, Celeste Cortesi have high hopes for Michelle Dee
The close friends of Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee have full confidence in her to clinch the fifth Miss Universe crown for the country......»»
CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN CONVENTION — Trump exudes winner’s confidence
ANAHEIM (AFP) — Donald Trump received a rapturous welcome at California’s Republican Party Convention on Friday (Saturday in Manila), mocking party rivals and dishing out red meat for an adoring audience in this Democratic stronghold. The former reality TV star, who holds a commanding poll lead in the race to become the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, called rival Chris Christie a “loser” and claimed credit for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s electoral victories. “I’m the one that turned Florida red, not him,” the 77-year-old told party members in Anaheim, days after he skipped the Republican presidential debate in nearby Simi Valley. “Without me, he was dead,” Trump said, a reference to the endorsement he gave DeSantis before he was swept to the governor’s mansion in 2018. DeSantis, who was due to speak at the gathering later Friday, is currently a distant second in the contest to capture the Republican nomination, polling at just 16 percent against Trump’s 59 percent, according to an NBC News survey. “They told me, ‘Don’t hit him, he’s a Republican.’ I don’t give a damn. I hit him hard and now he’s like a bird that is seriously wounded,” he said. At the Republican debate earlier this week, DeSantis and Christie both launched broadsides against the former commander-in-chief, demanding to know why he was ducking questions over his record and his divisiveness. But none of the six men and one woman on the stage on Wednesday landed any knock-out blows. Trump is favored to win California’s Republican Party primary, which, because of the size of the state, could put him on a path to quickly clinch the national nomination. Homelessness His 90-minute speech on Friday focused on the US-Mexico border, where thousands of people are crossing illegally every day, as well as rehearsing some of his regular lines about dismantling the “radical prosecutors” who are coming after him in his multiple legal cases. He also touched on issues dear to the hearts of Californians, including the exploding homelessness crisis in Los Angeles and San Francisco, water resources and moves to transition to green power. Attendees at the event, which runs until Sunday, were enthusiastic for the former president, with some bashing party bigwigs for not showing sufficient fealty. “It’s unfortunate that the mainstream Republican Party that’s sponsoring this convention is not doing more to support President Trump,” Karen Anthoupoulos told AFP. “They do more to sabotage him, really,” the 62-year-old said. “I’m afraid there are some Republicans-in-name-only,” agreed Sharon Lyn Stein, 73. “And I wish they would not be so unsupportive of a man who had the best four years in our country’s history.” The post CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN CONVENTION — Trump exudes winner’s confidence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl glitters after Gilas routs China
Although the aspirational campaign of the Philippines for a berth in the Paris Olympics in 2024 is all over, the 38,155 Filipinos and millions of others are hurting. Why should Gilas Pilipinas suffer four straight losses before waking up to the reality that we are the host of the world’s most prestigious basketball tournament? National interest should have been the guiding principle in preparing for this global affair that our people love so much. In deference to the presence of our guests let us wait after they have left to discuss in this column the various other interests that may have spoiled our preparation for FIBA World Cup 2023 Philippines. Meanwhile, let us share and enjoy together the blessings that this thing called sport has provided us in celebration of humanity in our country. It was midway through the third quarter before Jordan Clarkson took over with his fantastic shooting, with four straight three-point shots that put Gilas ahead 73-51 at the end of the third, maintaining that lead until the end of the fourth, with the final score, Philippines 96, China 75. Clarkson scored 34, Rhenz Abando 14, Kai Sotto 12, Dwight Ramos 11, Jun Mar Fajardo 9, Roger Ray Pogoy 7, AJ Edu 5, Scottie Thompson 4, Kiefer Ravena 0, Japeth Aguilar 0. This situation was similar in the first game of Gilas with the Dominican Republic, except that had Chot paced Clarkson and allowed him some rest before the fourth quarter, the inaugural game could have been an easy win for the home team. The colossal defeat devastated the 38,115 basketball-crazy fans present. The attendance at the world’s largest indoor coliseum in the country registered in the Guinness World Records the biggest numbers for a single FIBA World Cup basketball match. It took Chot and his players to play “and practice” four times and lose on thin margins — in the Philippine Arena, Mall of Asia, and Araneta Coliseum — before the watchful eyes of basketball enthusiasts from all over the sports capitals of the world. It was only after the fourth loss that Chot gained mastery of the plays that could clinch a victory, and he did it wonderfully. It was a massacre. Gilas registered its biggest win ever, at home, in FIBA World Cup history. The fault, perhaps, for Gilas’ four losses lay in a lack of practice. Had the team had sufficient time to practice their winning combinations, it might have been a different story. No sports team in the world can win a championship without practice. Practice makes perfect. Jordan Clarkson saved the Philippines from another winless FIBA World Cup run, salvaging a lackluster team performance. The third-place finish of the national team in the 1954 FIBA World Cup in Brazil has remained unsurpassed by any Asian country until now. The 1954 squad will always be remembered for having been inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame of the Philippine Sports Commission. The feat of the immortal squad included winning six and losing only two. The Philippines beat the following countries: Paraguay 64-52; Taipei 48-38; Uruguay 67-63; Canada 83-76; Israel 90-56; and France 66-60. The Philippines lost to: Brazil 62-99; and USA 43-56. The scoring leader was Carlos Loyzaga with an average score of 16.4 points per game. The captain ball was Lauro Mumar and the coach was Herminio Silva. Player and senator-to-be Ambrosio Padilla headed the 1954 national basketball team. The post Phl glitters after Gilas routs China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Warriors clinch UCBL semis berth
University of the East expectedly downed Centro Escolar University Team B, 85-71, to book a semis berth in the PG Flex Linoleum-UCBL Invitational Tournament Tuesday at the SGS Gym in Quezon City......»»
Blu Boys punch WC berth
The Philippines repeated over Hong Kong, 7-0, yesterday to clinch third place in the WBSC Men’s Softball Asia Cup in Kochi, Japan and a spot in the prestigious World Cup......»»
Elon Musk reclaims position as world’s richest person
Technopreneur Elon Musk is once again the world's wealthiest man, based on the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index released on Thursday. The CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and Twitter has recorded an estimated net worth of $192 billion, surpassing LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault’s $187 billion. The two have been neck-and-neck for the number-one spot for months. Completing the top five were Microsoft's founder Bill Gates at number three, Oracle's chief technology officer Larry Ellison at number four, and former Microsoft CEO now the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise in the NBA Steve Ballmer at fifth place. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index is a daily ranking of the world’s richest people whose net-worth figures are updated at the close of every trading day in New York. The post Elon Musk reclaims position as world’s richest person appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pence to vie for Republican nomination
Donald Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, is challenging the ex-president for the Republican nomination. Pence, 63, is announcing his presidential bid on 7 June with a speech in Iowa, the midwestern state that traditionally kicks off the primary season, NBC News and other outlets said. After years of unwavering loyalty, the former vice president has been at loggerheads with Trump since refusing to go along with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and remain in power. In remarks at the annual Gridiron Dinner in Washington in March, Pence, a staunch conservative from Indiana, said that history would hold Trump “accountable” for his role in the Capitol riot. “President Trump was wrong,” Pence said. “I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day.” In April, Pence testified in the federal investigation examining Trump’s role in the assault on the Capitol, one of a number of legal cases facing the former president. Meanwhile, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, 60, is also expected to join the race next week. Christie was a former close associate of Trump but has been sharply critical of the former president over the January 2021 assault on the US Capitol and his refusal to concede the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. Pence and Christie’s presidential bids crowd the field seeking the Republican presidential nomination. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 44, jumped into the contest last week. The post Pence to vie for Republican nomination appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
San Beda bags D-League semis berth
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda repulsed Centro Escolar U, 81-72, to clinch the top spot and an automatic semifinals ticket in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan......»»
Gilas out to rebound from Cambodia defeat, eyes semis berth
Gilas Pilipinas tries to bounce back and clinch a semifinals berth when it faces Singapore Saturday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament......»»
Nuggets, Suns advance to NBA semis
Top-seeded DenNuggets squeezed home 112-109 against the Minnesota Timberwolves to complete a 4-1 series win while the fourth seeds Phoenix Suns wrapped up their series with the Los Angeles Clippers by the same margin with a 136-130 victory in Arizona. The Nuggets, who will face Phoenix in the conference semi-finals, were made to work hard for their win by a Timberwolves team who jumped out to an early 15-point lead in the first quarter before gradually being reeled in. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets scorers with 35 points while reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic bagged his second triple-double of the series with 28 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists. Minnesota's Anthony Edwards missed a three-point attempt on the buzzer that would have forced overtime as the Timberwolves' season came to an end. Edwards finished with 29 points while Karl-Anthony Towns added 26. In Phoenix, Devin Booker erupted for 47 points while Kevin Durant poured in 31 points to spark the Suns to victory over the short-handed Clippers. The Clippers, missing the injured Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, fought bravely to lead by 10 early in the second half. But when Booker took over with 25 of 50 Phoenix points in a lopsided third quarter, the Clippers were left chasing the game. Los Angeles somehow managed to close to within two points with just under two minutes remaining before Durant settled Phoenix with a layup and two free throws to make the game safe. "Those guys don't stop fighting," Booker said of the Clippers afterwards. "That's been the story of the whole series. Even though they were down men, we knew they were going to bring it." The post Nuggets, Suns advance to NBA semis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»