BEN MBALA of De La Salle University and Allwell Oraeme of Mapua Institute of Technology, most valuable players in the biggest collegiate leagues in the country, banner the Collegiate Mythical Five selection that will be awarded by the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps later this month.

In an announcement made early this week, Mbala and Oraeme, MVPs in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), respectively, head the five-man cast and to be joined by Jeron Teng of La Salle, Jio Jalalon of Arellano University and Javee Mocon of San Beda College.

Being named to the mythical five, said players are eligible to be named player of the year in the annual awards ceremony organized by the people covering the two marquee leagues.

Played for the first time with the Archers in Season 79 after completing his residency, Mbala was a runaway winner for the UAAP MVP award with averages of 20.7 points, 16 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.5 blocks while helping his team to a near-perfect slate in the elimination round with a 13-1 record.

His presence proved to be a huge difference maker for the Taft-based team, which made its way back to the UAAP summit with the Season 79 crown after missing the final four altogether the previous year.

Oraeme, meanwhile, proved why he is the best big man in the country’s longest-standing collegiate league, winning his second consecutive MVP award in NCAA Season 92.

The title would not go his and the Cardinals’ way but he was instrumental in Mapua making it back to the semifinal round for a second consecutive time with averages of 16 points, 20 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game.

Teng, for his part, took a back step for teammate Mbala for much of the UAAP season but when it came to winning time the King Archer showed the way, leading his team to the title over archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles with norms of 19 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the finals en route to being named best player of the championship series.

Jalalon, now in the pros with the Star Hotshots, made huge waves in his final year in the NCAA, posting stellar numbers of 21.1 points, six boards, 7.4 assists and 2.3 steals in steering his Arellano team to a runner-up finish.

While his numbers were not as staggering as the other mythical five members, Mocon (11.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 3 apg and 1 spg) was a steadying factor in San Beda recapturing the NCAA title. He also stepped up to the plate when top Lions big man Donald Tankoua had his season cut short by a knee injury.

Apart from the Collegiate Mythical Five award, also to be handed out is the Coach of the Year which will go to Aldin Ayo of UAAP champion La Salle and Jamike Jarin of NCAA titleholder San Beda.

Also to be given are the Pivotal Player, Impact Player, Super Senior and Mr. Efficiency awards.

The annual Collegiate Basketball Awards by the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps is backed by Smart, Accel, Mighty Sports, MJM Productions and Chooks to Go.

It happens on Jan. 26 at the Montgomery Place Social Hall in E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

La Salle’s Ben Mbala leads the Collegiate Mythical Five selection of the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps. — Alvin S. Go

NEW YORK — New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek says he’s willing to “look at everything” in a bid to find a winning formula, but Knicks watchers were looking beyond lineup changes Tuesday in a bid to parse the future of the NBA franchise.

A meeting between veteran star Carmelo Anthony and team President Phil Jackson was described variously in US media reports as “contentious” and “calm and business-like” with the New York Daily News reporting that Anthony told Jackson he wants to stay in New York.

Speculation that Jackson wanted Anthony out were fueled by an Internet column by Charley Rosen, a former assistant coach and confidant of Jackson, who wrote that Anthony’s “legs are going, going, almost gone.”

“The only sure thing is that Carmelo Anthony has outlived his usefulness in New York,” Rosen opined.

On Monday, Anthony said he wasn’t interested in waiving his no-trade clause, and that he’d proven his loyalty to the organization.

“I don’t think I have to speak on that,” he told ESPN.com. “I think I’ve proven that over the years, day in and day out.”

Anthony’s comments came after the Knicks dropped a heartbreaker at Madison Square Garden, falling 108-107 to the Atlanta Hawks. It was the Knicks’ 11th defeat in their last 13 games.

Hornacek, who shook up his starting lineup to include rookies Ron Baker and Mindaugas Kuzminskas, said Tuesday he’d look at more changes as he searches for a winning formula.

He said Anthony, who has started at power forward for the past three games as Kristaps Porzingis battles a sore Achilles tendon, could stay there when Porzingis returns, with the Lithuanian starting at center and France’s Joakim Noah coming off the bench.

“We’ve got to look at everything,” Hornacek said. “In the long run, we’ve got to look at hey, when KP comes back, will it change everything altogether and what it will do?”

“Sometimes it’s a chance you have to take, but we continue to look over that. We just need to mix it up maybe a little more.” — AFP

CHRIS LUTZ is worth the gamble.

That’s how Meralco coach Norman Black sums up the decision regarding the acquisition of the talented but injured swingman, who missed most of the games last season due to various injuries.

One of the most talented players to enter the Rookie Draft in 2011, Mr. Lutz was a member of the original Smart Gilas team in 2008 and went on to play for the national squad for three years.

He was selected third overall in the 2011 Rookie Draft behind JVee Casio and Paul Lee and had a splendid season in his freshman year. His average would go down following the acquisition of Marcio Lassiter, his former teammate, who shares the same position with the former Marshall University player.

Over the past two seasons, Mr. Lutz hit rock bottom as he had suffered different sorts of injuries — from his knee, his hamstring, his foot and his waist.

Just recently, Mr. Lutz underwent operation and is now on his way to recovery, but he will need more time to rest before plunging back to action.

Merlaco coach Norman Black is willing to take the risk.

“We are aware that Chris is recovering from an injury and will need more time to completely heal,” wrote Mr. Black in a text message. “The time table is for him to be back on the court sometime in March and to be back as an active player as soon as he can get back into playing shape, which we don’t see happening before the month of April.”

Black believes that once Mr. Lutz regained his old, deadly form, he’ll be an asset to Meralco’s future campaign. The Bolts are currently languishing at the bottom of the standings in the Philippine Cup with a tournament-worst 2-7 win-loss record. They are in danger of being eliminated for the second straight season of the same conference.

“Obviously, he’s coming off an injury so it’s somewhat a risk, but we felt it was a risk worth taking and we are looking forward to his recovery. We do know that if he returns to his regular playing condition, he will be a valuable asset to the Meralco team. It’s very rare that you can pick up a player of his talent and experience off the UFA (unrestricted free agent) list. That7;s the rationale,” he added.

Chris Lutz, shown in action against Jericho Cruz of Rain or Shine. — PBA Media Bureau

MELBOURNE — World number one Angelique Kerber gave herself the perfect birthday gift Wednesday by reaching the Australian Open third round, but she had to work hard against fellow German Carina Witthoeft.

The defending champion, who turned 29, battled through 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2 and will next face Czech Kristyna Pliskova, the twin sister of fifth seed Karolina Pliskova.

The prospects looked bleak for the unseeded Witthoeft, who has twice lost to Kerber at Wimbledon including an embarrassing 6-0, 6-0 ‘double bagel’ in 2015.

Witthoeft has never beaten a top 10 opponent but she showed far more fight than at the All England Club, with Kerber taken to three sets for the second match in a row.

The top seed said she struggled with the sun in her eyes at times and admitted to too many silly mistakes.

Kerber stunned Serena Williams in the final last year and also went on to win the US Open, dethroning the American as the world’s top ranked player.

She is not only defending a major title for the first time but also playing her maiden Grand Slam as top seed, admitting she is still getting used to dealing with the extra pressure.

The top seed came out of the gates at full pelt, breaking the 21-year old in the first game when her opponent netted a backhand.

Ranked 89, Witthoeft was pushed around the baseline by the left-hander but some unusually wild shots from Kerber handed her break opportunities, one of which she grabbed to level the match.

It was an aberration as the birthday girl immediately broke back, before turning up the heat to score another break and then holding serve to take the set.

Bidding to be the first woman to defend her Australian title since Victoria Azarenka in 2013, Kerber had an indifferent lead-up to Melbourne with early exits in Brisbane and Sydney this month.

She has slowly been improving as he works her way deeper into the Australian Open and towards a potential quarterfinal against Garbine Muguruza, with Williams seeded to meet her in the final.

Kerber was rattled and lost her opening service game of the third set to love, but she quickly regrouped as the crowd got behind her to break back.

A tired Witthoeft had no response and her previously stern resistance crumbled into surrender.

MEN’S DRAW
In the men’s draw, Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori marched into the third round alongside former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, with both winning in straight sets.

Nishikori was extended to five sets in his first-round win over Andrey Kuznetsov, but he found the going a little easier in his 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Jeremy Chardy.

However, he said he hadn’t completely clicked into gear, complaining of “up and down” form after he was broken three times by the 72nd-ranked Frenchman.

Nishikori, who believes he is due a first major win this year, next plays either Lukas Llacko or Dudi Sela, with Tomas Berdych potentially awaiting in the fourth round.

France’s Tsonga, who is seeded 12th and was runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2008, beat Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to go through.

In the women’s draw, 36-year-old Williams continued her smooth progress when she beat qualifier Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-2 to set up a meeting with China’s Duan Yingying

Williams, the oldest player in the women’s draw, pulled out of the doubles competition with her sister Serena as a precaution to rest a sore elbow.

Russia’s Kuznetsova thrashed Australian wildcard Jaimee Fourlis 6-2, 6-1 to set up a third-round clash with 31-year-old Serb Jelena Jankovic.

World number one Andy Murray plays Russia’s 156th-ranked Andrey Rublev for the first time later, as the five-time runner-up sets his sights on finally lifting the trophy.

Roger Federer, 35, has a similar situation heading into his first career match-up with America’s Noah Rubin, the 20-year-old world number 200. — AFP

Angelique Kerber — AFP

FILIPINO billiards star Lee Van Corteza’s impressive run at the World Pool Series-Molinari Players 8-Ball Championship fell short yesterday as he bowed to Russian Ruslan Chinakhov, 16-6, in their race-to-16 finals at the Steinway Cafe-Billiards in New York City.

After subduing Great Britain’s Darren Appleton, 18-16, in an exciting semifinals earlier in the day, Davao native Corteza found the going tough in the finals against 23-year-old Chinakhov, who continued with his ascent in the billiards circuit with the victory.

Prior to the finals defeat, Mr. Corteza, 36, was on a roll in the tournament, taking down opponents impressively one after another in the preliminary rounds.

He opened his campaign with a dominating 13-3 win over American Carl Khan in the first round of the four-day tournament before holding off Frankie Hernandez of the United States, 13-10, in the second round.

Greece’s Nick Ekonomopoulos was Mr. Corteza’s next victim, falling, 13-8, in the third round.

In the last 16, Mr. Corteza got the better of Finland’s Mika Immonen, 15-13, to earn a spot in the quarterfinals where he edged Japanese Naoyuki Oi, 15-13.

Winner Chinakhov, meanwhile, also had it solid en route to the title, taking down Great Britain’s Lee Creighton, 13-4, in the first round, Israel’s Zion Zvi, 13-8, in the second, and United States’ Brandon Shuff, 16-14, in the third round.

The last 16 saw Mr. Chinahov beat Greece’s Alex Kazakis, 15-10, before taking down British Karl Boyles in the quarters, 15-11.

In the semifinals, Mr. Chinakhov, who was a prodigy player at 13 years old and won the World Jr. 9-ball Championship when he was 15, faced and beat Filipino Johann Chua, 15-8, to effectively thwart what would have been an all-Filipino final.

For his runner-up finish, Mr. Corteza got $8,500 while champion Chinakov got the top prize of $20,000.

Losing semifinalists Appleton and Chua each received $5,250.

Another Filipino Dennis Orcollo reached the quarterfinals but lost to Mr. Appleton, 15-12.

The Molinari Players 8-Ball Championship, which attracted more than hundred cue artists, was the first event of the World Pool Series, and was sponsored by Molinari, Predator, Cheqio, RYO Rack, Aramith, Iwan Simonis, Kamui, Billiards Digest, Ultimate Team Gear, and High Rock.

Proponents said the 8-Ball series is designed for players and fans alike to further underscore the discipline’s standing as the most recognized and most participated around the world. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Lee Van Corteza — JP Parmentier

THE TNT KaTropa wiggled their way out of a telling funk in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday albeit struggled anew in fending off the Mahindra Floodbuster, 104-92, in their opening encounter at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Losers of their last two matches in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association tournament entering the match, the KaTropa halted their skid but not after having made to sweat by an inspired Floodbuster crew.

Took a 29-25 lead at the end of the first quarter, TNT saw things reversed in the second canto as it was outscored by Mahindra, 32-22, to trail by six points, 57-51, at halftime.

The KaTropa though came out firing in the third period with Troy Rosario, Moala Tautuaa and rookie Roger Pogoy leading the way en route to recapturing the lead, 82-78, at the end of the quarter.

Mahindra would go on a blitz at the start of the payoff period, making a 9-6 run to narrow its deficit, 88-87, with seven minutes left.

TNT, however, hit back-to-back triples after, care of Larry Fonacier and Ryan Reyes, to create some distance anew.

With momentum swinging their way, the KaTropa continued to take it to the Floodbuster, building a 10-point lead, 100-90, with three minutes left in the match and never looked back.

Mr. Rosario led TNT with 18 points on top of nine rebounds while Mr. Pogoy finished with 16 markers, four assists and four steals.

Big man Tautuaa had 14 with Mr. Fonacier and Kris Rosales winding up with 11 each and Jayson Castro 10.

Mahindra, meanwhile, was paced by Alex Mallari who had 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

TNT coach Nash Racela said defense was key for them in their skid-busting victory, particularly closing out on Mahindra’s shooters.

“Heading into the game Mahindra was shooting well. So we made a conscious effort to step up our defense in the second half, closing out better on their shooters,” Mr. Racela said.

For Mr. Pogoy, named player of the game, important for them as well in their win was their composure even when they were trailing, something he said they were not able to do in their previous two losses.

“We did a better job handling playing from behind. We just have to trust each other and play our game the way we are capable of,” the TNT rookie said.

With the win, the KaTropa improved to 5-4 for joint fourth place, as of press time, along with the Blackwater Elite. The Floodbuster, for their part, slid to 2-6, good for 10th place.

Next for TNT is a matchup with GlobalPort Batang Pier on Jan. 25 while Mahindra will have a short turnaround and take on the Alaska Aces on Sunday, Jan. 22.

The TNT KaTropa stopped their losing skid yesterday by beating the Mahindra Floodbuster, 104-92. — Alvin S. Go