Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 12075

Iflix launches NSFW Pinoy comedy show

THIS YEAR might be ending in a few weeks but it seems that its end harkens the dawn of the age of stand-up comedy as the latter half of the year saw a number of comic shows produced in the country, from small productions like Laugh It Off at Solaire’s Eclipse lounge, to larger ones like Jo Koy in Manila in Solaire’s The Theater and Waterfront Cebu. Now iflix, the Kuala Lumpur-based video-on-demand service, is taking a stab at this genre with Hoy! Bibig Mo, the company’s first original Philippine production featuring some of the top comics in the country.

The eight-episode series, which premiered on Dec. 1 and is hosted by Ramon Bautista, saw stand-up comics like Alex Calleja, GB Labrador, Tim Tayag, and Mike Unson “tackling taboo subjects you’ve never seen them joke about before,” said a company press release, leading credence to the title, Hoy! Bibig Mo which roughly translates to “Hey, watch your mouth!”

“These are not specials per se, but are designed with the intention of being a returnable series. Moreover, the idea is to build traction for ‘watch your mouth’ and establish it as a franchise so we have the option of spin-offs (such as solo act specials) where opportunities arise, all under the same comedy brand or umbrella,” Mark Francis, iflix global director of original programming, told BusinessWorld in an e-mail interview.

The show is the Filipino version of the Malaysian iflix original called Oi! Jaga Mulut — the company decided to create a Filipino version after “the success of [the show] in Malaysia.”

The Malaysian version was shot in May while the Philippine version was shot in July.

“We’re excited to bring the same boundary-pushing, hilarious stand-up comedy concept to the Philippines and to establish iflix as the destination for the region’s most talented funnymen and women,” Mr. Francis said in a press release, adding “delivering hyperlocal, high-impact content is at the crux of our original programming strategy.”

Iflix also produced an Indonesian version called Oi! Jaga Lambe which was shot in September.

“Stand-up comedy is still nascent in these parts, meaning the community is small. We selected a mix of established, high profile names, but also took pains to introduce raw, less heard of talent. The longevity of this content depends on keeping the talent pipeline fresh,” Mr. Francis said in the e-mail interview.

And if it becomes a hit, Mr. Francis said they are looking at making it a multi-season series.

But iflix is not the only service leveraging on the power of comedy as Netflix, the California-based streaming video service, has already produced comedy specials featuring comics like Amy Schumer and Jo Koy alongside a series called The Standups — six half-hour specials starring Nate Bargatze, Fortune Feimster, and Deon Cole — all the while premiering stand-up specials from Comedy Central, HBO, and Showtime.

“Netflix has a lot of great stand-up but the reality in our region is entirely different, especially since we are targeting local comics and local language over English. For instance, not many comics in our region have an hour of fresh material in their back pockets, and most have a day job to put food on the table,” said Mr. Francis in the interview, noting they started the push towards stand-up comedy in December 2016.

“The industry in Asia is not as mature, but the headroom is very much there for us to grow the scene together. There simply are not enough platforms besides the occasional stand-up club night for these comics to shine and improve their craft, while free to air is heavily censored and regional pay TV focuses on established, English-speaking comics. We believe this is a gap we can serve, but we have to take a longer view and grow it together with the talent, from the ground up,” he added.

Aside from its comedy series, iflix, announced several more original series which are in the pipeline including “a very big, very sexy feature-length film” starring Kris Aquino for the Philippines, and a spin-off of a hit movie drama, Magic Hour, for Indonesia, while Malaysia will soon announce its “first original drama series in collaboration with the country’s leading independent studio, Skop Productions Group,” said Mr. Francis. — Zsarlene B. Chua

‘Rampant’ Singapore piracy prompts Hollywood lobby for crackdown

SINGAPORE, which prides itself on being a haven for law and order, is being called a haven for pirating copyrighted programming by entertainment titans such as Walt Disney, HBO, the National Basketball Association, and the English Premier League.

Viewers in the city-state buy legitimate set-top boxes that also allow unauthorized streaming of thousands of movies, TV shows, and live sporting events, said the Coalition Against Piracy. Its 21 members, including divisions of Sony Corp. and 21st Century Fox, Inc., want the government to block the pirating software inside the devices, which are found at local electronics stores and on e-commerce sites such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Lazada.

“Within the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore is the worst in terms of availability of illicit streaming devices,” said Neil Gane, general manager of the Asia-focused coalition, referring to countries where the boxes are considered legal. “They have access to hundreds of illicit broadcasts of channels and video-on-demand content.”

Singapore, notorious for imposing the death penalty for some drug and firearm offenses, is a focal point in the entertainment industry’s campaign to curb piracy in the region. Online TV and movie piracy will cost the industry an estimated $31.8 billion in global revenue this year, reaching $51.6 billion by 2022, according to London-based Digital TV Research.

The Asia-Pacific region will become the largest for online piracy next year, overtaking North America, the researcher said.

UNCENSORED CONTENT
Singapore ranked ninth in the number of visits per Internet user to piracy Web sites, according to London-based Muso TNT, which tracks such visits. In a separate survey of 1,000 Singaporeans sponsored by industry association CASBAA, about 40% said they were active consumers of pirated content.

“The piracy here is rampant and shockingly so,” said Lise-Anne Stott, Singapore-based head of legal for A+E Networks Asia, a coalition member that offers History, Lifetime, and three other channels there.

The boxes allow Singaporeans to use apps that access programming not shown at home because it’s censored, lacks a licensing deal or requires a subscription fee users don’t want to pay. In some cases, users can stream uncensored versions — with nudity or violence — of locally available shows such as A+E’s Vikings.

“Copyright infringement is not so much about a device or technology as it is about whether that device or technology is used in a manner that is illegal,” the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore said in an e-mail. “Users of such devices should therefore ensure that they are accessing content from authorized content providers.”

ONLINE TUTORIALS
Some of the devices scraping the Internet for unauthorized content come from Chinese vendors such as Unblock and EVPad. The square gadgets can be bought either with the streaming apps already installed for plug-and-pirate use or with embedded links for downloading those apps.

Tutorials to set them up are found on YouTube and Baidu, Inc.’s online forum.

The Singapore government said it didn’t consider the devices themselves to be illegal. The boxes also can view legally available Web sites such as YouTube.

At Sim Lim Square, an electronics market a short drive from the president’s official residence, at least 15 retailers sell the set-top boxes for as little as S$100 ($74). Many storefronts advertise that these boxes can stream content otherwise unavailable in Singapore.

NOT DOWNLOADING
Ken Lee, a salesman, said his store sells 10 to 20 boxes on a typical weekend. During major electronics fairs, sales can reach 300 a day, he said.

Lee said he tells buyers there’s nothing unlawful about using the devices. Since the boxes aren’t downloading copies of programs, they aren’t violating copyright laws, he said.

Unblocktech didn’t respond to requests for comment. EVPad said in an e-mail that customers decide which apps to download, and it cannot be held responsible.

The industry’s efforts include lobbying the Singapore government to eliminate any confusion about legal uses of the devices and to make it easier to take legal action against companies offering pirated content, said John Medeiros, Hong Kong-based chief policy officer for CASBAA, the coalition’s parent organization.

“We continue to engage with the industry on their concerns in relation to the popularity of devices that connect televisions to access online content,” Singapore’s Intellectual Property Office said.

RANKED FOURTH
The coalition also wants Singapore to block streams of illegal content from entering the country. Last year, the country blocked one Web site for offering illegal downloads.

Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam said in August that Singapore has “a strong intellectual-property regime which protects innovations comprehensively and effectively.” The next month, the World Economic Forum ranked Singapore fourth out of 137 countries for protecting intellectual-property rights.

Coalition members Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia and Viacom International Media Networks declined to comment. Walt Disney Co. and HBO Asia didn’t respond to requests for comment.

“This new coalition adds to our efforts to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the NBA and our partners,” said Ayala Deutsch, executive vice-president and deputy general counsel for the league, which earns $2.6 billion annually in broadcast rights from US-based networks alone.

The English Premier League, which generates at least £1 billion ($1.3 billion) a year from international media rights, is “currently investigating” suppliers of pirated content in Asia after helping Thai authorities break up an illegal streaming operation there. Games are available in Singapore with a subscription.

“The Premier League is currently engaged in its most comprehensive global anti-piracy program,” it said. “This includes supporting our broadcast partners in Southeast Asia with their efforts to prevent the sale of illicit streaming devices.” — Bloomberg

Price rollback for diesel, kerosene; gasoline steady

FOR THE second straight week, oil companies are keeping gasoline prices unchanged after the reduction three weeks ago. Diesel and kerosene prices, meanwhile, will both be down by P0.30 per liter (/L). “This is to reflect movements in the international petroleum market,” said Seaoil Philippines, Inc., which will roll back prices at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Other companies will be implementing the price cut at 6:00 a.m today. Last week, the prices of diesel and kerosene rose by P0.35/L and P0.25/L, respectively. Gasoline prices were unchanged last week after a P0.50/L reduction on Nov. 21. — Victor V. Saulon

Netflix OKs Stranger Things 3rd season

NEW YORK — Stranger Things fans, rejoice: more adventures in the Upside Down are on the way.

Netflix said Friday it had renewed its hit 1980s-set nostalgic supernatural drama, which has won critical acclaim and instant fame for its cast of young stars.

“Should we make another season of Stranger Things?” the subscription-only streaming giant teased with an interactive poll on Twitter before adding: “season 3 is officially happening!!!”

No date was given for the season three premiere.

According to Nielsen, around 15.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the first episode of the show’s second season within the first three days of its Oct. 27 launch. Netflix does not release information about viewership.

But those numbers would make Stranger Things one of the most popular television shows in the United States, not far behind AMC’s hit show The Walking Dead.

Stranger Things tells the story of a group of young friends living in a small town in Indiana in the 1980s — and the odd happenings that threaten them all.

It premiered in July 2016 and won five primetime Emmy Awards in 2017. It had earned a whopping 18 nominations, including one for 13-year-old breakout star Millie Bobby Brown. — AFP

Cebu PDRRMO taps cacao planting in disaster risk reduction program

GROWING CACAO trees is now part of the disaster risk reduction efforts of the provincial government. Baltazar S. Tribunalo, Jr., head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said cacao trees are “carbon sinkers”, which help reduce carbon dioxide presence in the air. Mr. Tribunalo added that cacao roots can grow up to three meters, making them good tools in flood and landslide prevention. “It helps lessen the impact of disaster,” he said. Thirty farmers from the Talisay Farmer Scientists’ Association (TAFSA) were recently trained on how to effectively grow cacao trees, which would also be a source of income for them. Mr. Tribunalo said the PDRRMO intends to train more farmers in other parts of Cebu, including Danao and Toledo cities, and the municipalities of Aloguinsan, Pinamungajan, Argao, and Balamban. The training includes the distribution of cacao seedlings purchased by the organization Salamat with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Provincial Agriculture Office, and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. — The Freeman

Mission accomplished

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

IT WAS “mission accomplished” for the Ateneo Blue Eagles as a year-long thrust to better themselves resulted in the team ascending to the top of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball for Season 80 when the smoke cleared.

A year since losing to erstwhile champions De La Salle Green Archers in the finals in Season 79, the Katipunan-based Eagles soared back as champions after they defeated their rivals in their best-of-three finals series, 2-1, on the strength of their 88-86 victory in the winner-take-all Game Three last Sunday.

The title was the ninth for Ateneo in the UAAP, good for joint fourth all time with its conquered foe, and first after five years.

While admitting to not having thought of winning it all this season after losing in the finals last year, Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga said they welcome the championship for it was the fruit of the tremendous effort that everybody in the team put in for improvement.

“We did not know if we will be coming back to this stage in Season 80. After last season where we lost in the finals to La Salle, our emphasis immediately was for us to improve both individually and as team,” Mr. Arespacochaga shared to a group of sportswriters after their title-clinching win.

“Our goal was not to enter the finals right away but if we did, it would be a result of us improving ourselves. And this season our players really showed that. It took a lot of effort from them to adjust to what we want to accomplish. We’re very happy of what they have become,” the Ateneo deputy coach added.

TEAM EFFORT
In winning the title in Season 80, Ateneo banked on a total team effort to seal the victory.

Thirdy Ravena led the Eagles with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists in Game Three en route to winning the finals most valuable player award.

Guard Matt Nieto finished with 14 points while graduating big man Chibueze Ikeh had a double-double of 12 points and 13 boards and Anton Asistio 11 points.

Vince Tolentino had nine markers and Isaac Go, who drained a big three-pointer with 24 seconds to go, finished with seven points.

“That was a tough game. La Salle did not give up and credit to them. It is what it is. I can’t say enough. I’m happy for the team and the community,” said Ravena in the postgame interview.

As for winning finals MVP, Ravena gave credit, too, to the entire team.

“The team deserves the MVP award. I’m just doing my job as well as the other players. Everybody really put time and effort in this and congratulations to everybody,” he said.

The same “collective effort” also stood out for Go, who established himself as one of the clutch players in Season 80 of the UAAP with the way he responded to pressure situations with big plays.

“The team is clutch not only me. One shot does not make a win. It’s a combination of everything. It’s a total team effort,” Go said.

Now back on top, Nieto could not help but look back with amazement and pride at the journey they had to the title.

“It’s mission accomplished. God is good. We went through a lot to get to this point. This was our dream and we did it,” said Nieto with a smile on his face.

More than 11,000 people affected in Maguindanao clashes

HALF-MONTH WORTH of food and other supplies were distributed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 to around 11,600 people in the town of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao who have been affected by fighting between government troops and armed groups. “While the attention over the recent months has been mostly focused on the Marawi conflict, several communities in Maguindanao have also been seriously affected by armed clashes. We remain concerned about their plight as they have been displaced for more than three months,” Tomoko Matsuzawa, head of the ICRC’s office in Cotabato, said in a statement released yesterday. ICRC reported that since early August, the military and various armed groups have been engaged in armed fighting in the area known as the SPMS Box (Barangay Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan — Barangay Pagatin, Datu Salibo — Mamasapano — Shariff Aguak). Nongovernment monitoring organization Conflict Alert, in its 2017 report released last week, said there has been a spread of violent extremism in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, with Maguindanao accounting for the highest number of incidents involving the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The BIFF, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, is a breakaway group from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that has signed a peace agreement with the government. ICRC said “though majority of the displaced families have returned home to plant rice and other crops, they’re staying close to the main roads, ready to evacuate in case the fighting resumes. The remaining families, coming from areas more exposed to repeated armed encounters, have opted to stay in host communities.” — Mindanao Bureau

See related story “2 civilians killed, 7 others hurt in Army-BIFF clash in Maguindanao” on https://goo.gl/7Srhyy

The long winter: Game of Thrones fans in four-day viewing marathon

LONDON — Ice zombies and fire-breathing dragons plague the characters in the hit fantasy TV series Game of Thrones, but for fans who took part in a four-day marathon to watch the series’ 67 episodes back-to-back, a pained rear end posed a greater threat.

The marathon viewing began on Monday evening in London’s Prince Charles Cinema, and concluded on Thursday evening, and was held to mark the upcoming release of the program’s seventh series on DVD on Dec. 11.

“To see (it) all in one chunk will give you something different, that we don’t get when we’re waiting around for the next season to come. They won’t get the irritation that we all get,” said actress Hannah Waddingham, who plays the ill-fated Septa Unella in the series and attended the opening night.

Around 350 people attended some of the screenings over the four-day event, while only seven hard core fans managed to last from start to finish.

One of the participants described the screening as an “endurance race,” and mindful organizers handed out survival kits containing tissues, alcohol gel, and dental supplies.

Game of Thrones tells the story of warring factions in a dragon and zombie filled medieval fantasy world, where winter lasts for years. It has garnered critical praise and a huge international following over its seven series.

The show’s eighth and final series is expected to premiere in late 2018 or 2019, though a release date has not been officially confirmed. — Reuters

Coco and Mexico’s Day of the Dead rule at the N. American box office

LOS ANGELES — The animated Disney and Pixar hit Coco ruled at the North American box offices for a second week, figures out Sunday showed, beating out superheroes, dramas and Christmas comedies.

The film tells the story of a 12-year-old Mexican, Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), who longs to become a musician but faces a generations-old family ban on music. It netted an estimated $26 million for the three-day weekend and $109 million since it opened over the Thanksgiving Day holiday, Exhibitor Relations said.

Coco, which takes Miguel into the magical Land of the Dead, where trickster Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal) helps him unravel a deep family secret, received a rare A+ rating from audiences surveyed by CinemaScore.

In second place again this weekend was Warner Bros.’ film Justice League, with a three-day take of $16.6 million in its third week out. The superhero all-star cast of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, and Jason Momoa — Khal Drogo of Game of Thrones — as Aquaman joining to fend off supervillain Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds).

Third, also in its third week out, was Lionsgate’s feel-good film Wonder, which netted $12.5 million over the weekend. The movie, starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay, tells the story of a fifth-grade boy with a facial deformity who must deal with other children’s shock and bullying when he first attends a mainstream school.

Thor: Ragnarok, from Disney-owned Marvel, claimed fourth place with $9.7 million. The film features the self-effacing humor of Chris Hemsworth as the powerful Norse god and Cate Blanchett as death goddess Hela. Thor has netted $291.4 million since its debut five weeks ago.

In fifth place was the Christmas comedy Daddy’s Home 2 from Paramount, netting $4.5 million over the weekend. It stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as the less-than-competent co-parents of Wahlberg’s kids as they cope with their own visiting fathers (John Lithgow and Mel Gibson). The movie has netted $88 million since its debut four weeks ago.

None of the week’s newly released movies cracked the top 10 list.

Rounding out the list were: Murder on the Orient Express ($6.7 million); Lady Bird ($4.54 million); Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri ($4.53 million); The Star ($4 million); and, A Bad Moms Christmas ($3.48 million). — AFP

Rush to renewables saddling PHL with costly power — DoE

THE PHILIPPINES has embraced renewable energy but may be paying the price in the form of increased power costs, deterring industries from locating here, the Department of Energy (DoE) said.

“We at DoE are trying to find ways to make our electricity more affordable, more competitive,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said in a news conference on Monday. “I’m having a hard time thinking because our electricity tariff is expensive.”

He said climate change has encourage the country to turn to renewables. He added that the Philippines is way ahead of other countries not only in the region or Asia as it has efficiently developed renewable energy sources from hydropower, geothermal, solar and wind.

As of June, renewable energy accounted for 32.6% or 7,038 megawatts (MW) of total installed capacity, with dependable capacity at 31.7% or 6,199 MW.

“Our carbon footprint is only 0.4%,” he said.

However, he said in embracing renewables the country seems to have been penalized with higher electricity tariffs, which is said to be the second-highest in Asia.

“We are uncompetitive in our region,” he said, with investment pouring into other countries “that continue to use coal and nuclear.”

He said although the country is “happy” in promoting renewable energy, it should also be rewarded for doing the right thing.

“Can we not ask also the Climate Change Commission to [tell] manufacturing companies to go to countries where energy is cleaner, the power source is cleaner, even though it is more expensive,” he said.

“Why can’t we have that outlook,” he said in Filipino. “I hope industries eventually prefer to locate in countries where the source of energy is clean.”

He said in wealthier countries, consumers can demand that their electricity distributors supply clean energy. He said the Philippines would need to put up a “smart” grid to allow end-users to elect their preferred power source.

The DoE held the news conference in its headquarters in Taguig City to observe the annual National Energy Consciousness Month, which was attended by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda. During the event, Energy officials unveiled four electric vehicles, four plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and a charging station. — Victor V. Saulon

Dalaguete mayor gets 3-month suspension for negligence

THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension for three months of Mayor Ronald Allan G. Cesante of Dalaguete, Cebu and seven other town officials for neglect of duty arising from the sinking of a boat that was under the local government’s custody. Investigation showed that the fishing boat was in the custody of respondents after it was seized for violation of the Fisheries Code. On Nov. 26, 2014, during the onslaught of typhoon Queen, the boat sank despite persistent pleas and requests to relocate the boat to a safer location by the owners Rusell and Jowleyn Heredia. According to the Ombudsman, “the record establishes respondents’ failure to preserve the vessel seized. Despite repeated requests to transfer the vessel to a safer location amidst the coming typhoon, the respondents have the complainants the run-around to avoid the responsibility of giving the clearance to move the vessel.” The seven others who were found guilty of simple misconduct and neglect of duty were Municipal Administrator Rydal Cisneros, Chief of Police Clito Pia, Division Head Almar Villahermosa, Agricultural Technician Juana Tangpos, Peter Bejarasco, Municipal Deputy Fish Wardens Felipe Calisang and Juan Millan.

Warriors dominate 3rd quarter to thump Miami Heat, 123-95

LOS ANGELES — The NBA champion Golden State Warriors rode a dominant third quarter to a decisive 123-95 victory over the Heat in Miami on Sunday.

Miami took a 36-33 first-quarter lead despite 16 points in the period from Stephen Curry.

The Warriors then saw forward Shaun Livingston ejected in the second quarter after making contact with a game official while arguing a non-call.

But the Warriors roared ahead in the third quarter, opening the second half with a dunk from Kevin Durant en route to a 12-2 scoring run.

The Warriors outscored the Heat 37-17 in the third to take a 99-77 lead into the final frame.

Curry finished with 30 points as the Warriors improved to 3-0 on their current road trip.

Durant added 24 and Klay Thompson scored 19.

The Warriors seemed fired up by the ejection of Livingston, who thought he was fouled on a shot attempt and leaned in to argue with the referee. He bumped heads with the official, who also appeared to be moving forward, and was instantly sent to the locker room.

OKC THUNDER
The Oklahoma City Thunder held off the depleted San Antonio Spurs 90-87, aided by Russell Westbrook’s seventh triple-double of the season.

Westbrook scored 22 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Thunder, who led 90-82 before failing to score in the final 3:34.

A turnover in the closing seconds gave San Antonio a chance to tie the game, but Brandon Paul missed a three-pointer and Oklahoma City’s Raymond Felton grabbed the rebound to seal it.

Steven Adams added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder, whose 20 turnovers made it closer than was comfortable against a Spurs team missing Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Spurs forward Kyle Anderson suffered a sprained knee when he went down hard under the basket in the third quarter. He hit the court in obvious pain and had to be helped to the locker room.

BUTLER LEADS TIMBERWOLVES
In Minneapolis, Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 33 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, as the Timberwolves out-dueled the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-106.

Karl-Anthony Towns notched his league-leading 19th double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Taj Gibson added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who surrendered a fourth-quarter lead before Butler pulled them through.

Austin Rivers scored 30 points for the Clippers, equaling his career-best with seven three pointers.

DeAndre Jordan had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers, who were again without injured starters Blake Griffin, Patrick Beverley, Danilo Gallinari and Milos Teodosic.

The Orlando Magic encountered little resistance in a 105-101 victory over the short-handed New York Knicks.

Nikola Vucevic scored 34 points, Evan Fournier added 20 and Jonathon Simmons chipped in 16 as all five Magic starters scored in double figures.

The Knicks, already without leading scorer Kristaps Porzingis who missed his third straight game with an ankle injury and a apparent flu, announced shortly before tip-off that second-leading scorer Tim Hardaway would be sidelined by a leg injury.

In their absence Michael Beasley led the Knicks with 21 points. Courtney Lee had 19 and Enes Kanter had 18 points with 16 rebounds.

Vucevic dominated his matchup with Kanter, scoring 12 of his points in the fourth quarter as the Magic thwarted a Knicks’ rally.

“I was just being aggressive whenever I got a good look at the basket,” Vucevic said. “In the fourth quarter, we needed to close the game, so I wanted to keep my aggressiveness and carry my team until the end.” — AFP

1...12,07412,07512,076...12,981Page 12,075 of 12,981
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube