San Miguel routs TnT in Game 4

October 10, 2021 | 7:22 pm

Tautuaa — MO TAUTUAA and the San Miguel Beermen routed the TnT Tropang Giga, 116-90, in Game Four of their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series on Sunday to level the affair at two games apiece. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE San Miguel Beermen routed the TnT Tropang Giga, 116-90, in Game Four of their best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinal series on Sunday to level the affair at two games apiece.

San Miguel used a fiery opening half where it took control on both ends of the court to establish a commanding 27-point lead, 57-32, at the break.

It continued to pound on the Tropang Giga in the second half, stretching its advantage to its highest at 37 points, 81-44, at one point in the third quarter en route to the big victory.

Mo Tautuaa led the Beermen’s thorough attack, finishing with a game-high 25 points, 19 coming in the telling first half where they buried the Tropang Giga, to win player of the game honors. He also had nine rebounds.

Terrence Romeo added 16 points for San Miguel, with Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo each scoring 13 points.

“We wanted to have a strong start. In the first three games, we played catch-up throughout and we did not want that to happen in this game,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria in the postgame press conference, describing the mindset they had entering the contest.

“We also worked on our defense. It was important for us to limit the offense of TnT to give us a better chance of winning,” he added.

But Mr. Austria was quick to point out that they should not celebrate much as there are still games left to be won and that the Tropang Giga are only expected to come back stronger and more determined.

For TnT, it was Jayson Castro who top-scored with 15 points, followed by Glenn Khobuntin with 13 and rookie Mikey Williams with 11.

Roger Pogoy struggled all game long for the Tropang Giga, finishing only with two points on a poor 1-of-10 shooting from the floor.

Making matters worse for TnT was big man JP Erram unable to finish the match after suffering a head contusion in the second quarter and was taken to the hospital for further tests. He had three points, two rebounds and one block before getting hurt.

Game Five of the San Miguel-TnT Philippine Basketball Association semifinal series will be on Wednesday, still at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Volleyball young gun Belen savors chance to showcase talent with national team

October 10, 2021 | 7:21 pm

UP-AND-COMING volleyball star Mhicaela Belen had it eventful in the recently concluded 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand, something she said she is grateful for and looking to build on moving forward.

The youngest player on the Philippine team at 19 years old, Ms. Belen, a star at National University, made her national team debut as part of the Rebisco women’s team in the Club Championship.

She was one of the bright spots for Rebisco in a campaign which proved to be rough for the team, which went winless in five matches, but nonetheless lesson-filled.

Outside hitter Ms. Belen averaged seven points throughout the competition, including a 13-point showing in the team’s opening game in Pool B against eventual champion Altay of Kazakhstan.

“I am both blessed and honored that I was given the chance to be part of the national team that gave me the opportunity to play with some of the country’s great and respected players,” said Ms. Belen on the eve of the Philippine delegation’s flight home from Nakhon Ratchasima.

“As the matches progressed, I had my fair share of the team’s ups and downs, but through it all, the experience was very fulfilling,” she added.

And the development continues for her, Ms. Belen vowed, as she looks forward to more opportunities to grow her game and play for flag and country.

“I believe that there is always room for improvement for someone who is willing to learn and after the recent tournament, I know that my skill set is not yet sufficient; thus, I will continue to work hard to improve my attacks and my defense particularly my blockings,” she said.

“I aim for perfection and I have a passion for volleyball.. I will continue to grind and seek support and advice on how to better my game and with that, I am confident that I will be another force to be reckoned with.”

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Meanwhile, the Rebisco men’s team is currently competing in the 2021 Asian Club Volleyball Championship also in Nakhon Ratchasima.

It dropped its first two assignments against Iran’s Fooland Sirjan Iranian, 0-3, on Oct. 8, and Uzbekistan’s AGMK, 1-3, on Oct. 9 to fall to the bottom of the five-team Pool B.

The team was looking to regain some ground in a matchup Qatar’s Al-Arabi later on Sunday.

The ongoing tournament is the Dante Alinsunurin-coached squad’s first international competition since its historic silver medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.

In the Club Championship, the top two teams in each pool after the preliminaries will make the semifinals. The winner of the week-long tournament, meanwhile, will qualify for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship in a venue to be announced later.

The Rebisco men’s and women’s teams as well as the Choco Mucho women’s squad, which also saw action in the Club Championship, were assembled by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). The federation is using the continental club competition as part of its plans to shore up its national team program. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Yuka Saso still in the mix at Cognizant Founders Cup

October 10, 2021 | 7:21 pm

FILIPINA golfer Yuka Saso ascended to joint second with a 4-under 67 in the penultimate round of the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey, to stay on track for her second LPGA title. — REUTERS

FILIPINA golfer Yuka Saso was still in the mix at the Cognizant Founders Cup at West Caldwell, New Jersey, after the third round on Saturday (Manila time).

The Philippine Olympian, who is also the reigning US Women’s Open champion, ascended to joint second with a 4-under 67 in the penultimate round of the tournament being held at the Mountain Ridge Country Club, to stay on track for her second Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) title.

Entering the final round set for later on Sunday, 20-year-old Ms. Saso had a total of 9-under 204, four strokes down leader Jin-Young Ko of Korea (13-under 200).

At joint second with Ms. Saso were Korean So Yeon Ryu and Americans Elizabeth Szokol and Lindsey Weaver.

In the first two rounds, the Philippine bet carded scores of 67 and 70.

Ms. Saso is looking to improve on her joint 19^th-place finish in the ShopRite LPGA Classic also in New Jersey last week.

Since winning the US Women’s Open in June, Ms. Saso, the seventh-ranked women’s golfer in the world, has been consistently finishing inside the top 40, including three in the top five, in LPGA tournaments she has competed in.

In the Olympics in August, she finished joint ninth. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Braves shut out Brewers behind Max Fried, even up NLDS

October 10, 2021 | 7:18 pm

MAX Fried allowed three hits over six scoreless innings and the Braves mustered enough timely hitting for a 3-0 victory over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, sending the National League Division Series (NLDS) to Atlanta tied at a game apiece.

“We’ve got two at home,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “So, we like our chances. Obviously, we like playing at home. So we’re going to go back to Atlanta and get ready for this stretch and try to win the best two out of three.”

Fried was in control throughout, yielding singles in the second and fourth, and a two-out double to Willy Adames in the sixth. Fried, who won his last seven decisions to finish 14-7, struck out nine with no walks.

“I think the last year’s postseason experience probably was great for him today,” Snitker said. “You can just see Max. I mean, as the game wears on, I mean he just feeds into it. I mean he’s, like you say, really good. He’s been really good for a long time now.

“And it was fun to watch. He’s fun to watch when he’s got it going, because he pitches. I mean, he’s got the arsenal, the assortment, spins the ball so well. And it was a great outing.”

Milwaukee had two runners on in each of the three final innings, but failed to convert.

“Yeah, gave ourselves a chance,” Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich said. “And that’s what you want in those situations when you’re chasing a few runs. Just give yourself a chance to tie it with one swing of the bat. And it didn’t really work out for us tonight. But it happens. We kept after it, kept putting the pressure on them and they did a good job making pitches when they had to.”

Atlanta, whose only run in Friday’s 2-1 opening loss came on Joc Pederson’s pinch-hit homer in the eighth, bunched three consecutive hits for two runs in the third inning off Brandon Woodruff.

Jorge Soler doubled with one out and Freddie Freeman followed with an RBI single to right. Ozzie Albies then doubled off the top of the wall in right.

Austin Riley, who had 33 homers during the regular season, put the Braves up 3-0 with a 428-foot solo homer to right-center with one out in the sixth.

The Brewers threatened in the seventh when Luis Urias singled with two outs and Lorenzo Cain walked, but Tyler Matzek relieved and struck out pinch-hitter Tyrone Taylor.

Jace Peterson walked and Kolten Wong singled to open the Brewers eighth, but Matzek retired the next three.

Will Smith, who converted 37 of 43 save opportunities this season, allowed a walk and single to open the ninth, but got a fly out and double play for the save.

Milwaukee again offered little support for Woodruff, who was 9-10 despite a 2.56 ERA that was fourth-best in the majors. Woodruff allowed three runs on five hits in six innings, striking out seven and walking one.

“I thought it went well,” Woodruff said. “Runs matter in the postseason. You can’t always be perfect. Basically, two pulled change-ups. Albies did a good job. It was well below the zone, and he was able to get a barrel on it.

“And the one to Riley kind of just stayed middish and that’s kind of what he hits really well. And it was not executed. So, you tip your hat to them. They put up some good at-bats.”

Rowdy Tellez’s two-run homer on Friday accounted for the only Brewers runs in the two games.

The series resumes on Monday in Atlanta. Right-hander Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Braves, while Milwaukee has not named a starter. Right-hander Freddy Peralta (10-5, 2.81 ERA) has been the Brewers usual third starter. — Reuters

Grealish opens England account in 5-0 win over Andorra

October 10, 2021 | 7:17 pm

ANDORRA LA VELLA — Jack Grealish came off the bench to score his first goal for England and complete a 5-0 rout of Andorra on Saturday which edged his side a step closer to sealing their place in next year’s World Cup finals.

Manchester City’s Grealish, who came on for his 16^th cap in the 73^rd minute, produced a trademark dribble and finish to round off a satisfactory night for England manager Gareth Southgate who rested most of his big guns.

Ben Chilwell began the scoring in Andorra’s tiny national stadium, also with his first England goal, and Bukayo Saka made it 2-0 shortly before the interval.

AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham, given a first start for four years, made it 3-0 with a tap-in and James Ward-Prowse then had a 79^th-minute penalty saved before converting the rebound.

But the best was saved for last as Grealish dribbled around a tiring Andorra defense before slotting in a low shot.

“It has been a long time coming and it’s about time that I scored because everyone has been saying it to me,” Grealish said. “I’m just delighted that I’ve got off the mark.

“In the back of my mind, there has been that feeling that I’ve just wanted to score, just to get off the mark. I’ve done that tonight, I’m delighted and it’s a night I won’t forget.”

In another mismatch, similar to England’s 4-0 win at Wembley last month, Andorra offered hard graft and defended robustly, but were no match for Southgate’s much-changed side who eased to their sixth win from seven matches in the group.

England now have 19 points, four more than Albania, who won in Hungary, and five more than Poland. Two wins from their last three games, at home to Hungary and Albania and away to San Marino, will book their place in Qatar.

It was a night for England’s peripheral players to make a mark and several will be happy with their night’s work.

Midfielder Phil Foden, playing in a deeper role, was the architect of much of England’s best work while Jadon Sancho also impressed after a slow start to his Manchester United career.

It was Foden’s ball which picked out Sancho in the 17^th minute and the Manchester United player then teed up Chilwell to slot past Andorra’s keeper Josep Gomes.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but with all eyes on referee Kateryna Monzul, the first female official to take charge of a senior England international, she overturned the decision after a VAR check.

England had to wait until nearly half time to double their lead with Foden picking out Saka to finish clinically.

After a messy start to the second half, England got back into their rhythm and Sancho delivered a cross from the left which an unmarked Abraham prodded in.

There was more work for Monzul when Chus Rubio sent Grealish tumbling in the box, the Ukrainian official pointing to the spot. Gomes made a great save, but Ward-Prowse made no mistake when the ball popped back out.

Grealish put the icing on the cake of a lively cameo when he was picked out by a long throw out by England keeper Sam Johnstone before bamboozling Andorra’s defense and firing a low shot through a crowd. — Reuters

Schwartzman survives scare; Muguruza sent packing at Indian Wells

October 10, 2021 | 7:16 pm

DIEGO Schwartzman saved two match points to survive American qualifier Maxime Cressy (6-2, 3-6, 7-5) on Saturday, advancing to the third round of Indian Wells.

The Argentine recovered from a 15-40 deficit in the 10^th game of the third set to break Cressy’s serve, putting up just two double faults compared to 14 from his competitor across the two-hour and 38-minute thriller.

Briton’s Daniel Evans outlasted Japan’s Kei Nishikori (4-6, 6-3, 6-4) winning 80% of his first-serve points in a strong defensive effort that saw him save 10 break points.

“It was satisfying how I dealt with a bit of adversity after the first set,” said Evans, who claimed his maiden ATP title at Murray River Open in February. “It was nice to come through in a good, tough match.”

It was largely business as usual at the California tournament, where number one seeded Czech Karolína Plíšková defeated Polish qualifier Magdalena Fręch (7-5, 6-2) and eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz broke down the stubborn resistance of Alexei Popyrin to secure a (6-1, 7-5) win under warm, dry conditions.

Reilly Opelka fired off 11 aces in a (7-5, 6-3) win over Japan’s Taro Daniel as he advanced to the third round.

The 24-year-old American, who enjoyed his best Grand Slam showing last month when he reached the fourth round of the US Open, won more than 90% of his first-serve points and never faced a break point as he made light work of Daniel.

Australian Ajla Tomljanović secured the sole upset of the early matches, recovering from a rocky second set to send fifth seed Garbiñe Muguruza packing (6-3, 1-6, 6-3).

“I was really looking forward to playing Garbiñe because I did lose last couple of times, but I did try to focus on that one time I beat her and channel that energy, so I was really happy I got through today,” Tomljanović said in a post-match interview.

Canadian Vasek Pospisil was forced to retire in the first set against compatriot Denis Shapovalov, seeded ninth at the tournament after reaching the Wimbledon semifinal earlier this year, and Norwegian sixth seed Casper Ruud made quick work of Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena (6-1, 6-2).

US Open champion Daniil Medvedev showed no signs of a Grand Slam hangover with a business-like (6-4, 6-2) win over Mackenzie McDonald to advance into the third round at Indian Wells on Saturday.

All aspects of the top-seeded Russian’s game were clicking as he improved to 5-0 in head-to-head matches against the American.

The 25-year-old was sharp from the outset, breaking McDonald to open the match on a warm night in the Southern California desert. — Reuters

Sky faces red-hot Mercury as WNBA Finals kick off

October 10, 2021 | 7:16 pm

THE Chicago Sky takes on the red-hot Mercury in Phoenix to kick off the best-of-five Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals on Sunday, hoping to keep their Cinderella story on track to hoist the trophy for the first time.

Chicago overcame seven straight losses earlier this year to end the regular season 16-16, before stunning the top-seeded Connecticut Sun in the semifinals, and will need everything in its arsenal to avoid repeating history after the Mercury swept them in the 2014 Finals.

“Our big focus this postseason… has been about our defense, our rebounding, our ability to move and share the ball,” two-time league MVP Candace Parker told reporters.

“I think if we do that — it’ll still be hard — but I like our chances.”

Parker signed with her hometown team this year after 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, joining veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot, who put up the league’s second-ever postseason triple-double last month and All-Star Kahleah Copper, who averaged 18.2 points per game in the playoffs.

But to seize the WNBA crown, the Sky will have to take down titans including all-time scoring leader and 10-time All-Star Diana Taurasi, who put away 14 points in the fourth quarter of the Sky’s 87-84 win on Friday over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the semifinals.

There is also the 6’9” impenetrable force of nature Brittney Griner, the best center in the league, who finished second in MVP votes this year behind Sun forward Jonquel Jones and put up 21 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in the playoffs.

“She’s just been so incredible all year for us,” three-time champion Taurasi said of Griner in a televised interview. “We’ve asked her to do everything: Play 40 minutes, defend the best player, help, block shots, score, rebound — she’s incredible.”

Taurasi already has plenty to celebrate after her wife, retired WNBA player Penny Taylor, gave birth to their second child on Saturday morning.

The team will have to do without Canadian point guard Kia Nurse, who tore her ACL in Game 4 of the Mercury’s semifinal series against the Aces.

The WNBA Finals kick off on Sunday. — Reuters

Hamilton qualifies quickest, but Bottas takes pole

October 10, 2021 | 7:15 pm

ISTANBUL — Lewis Hamilton qualified quickest for the Turkish Grand Prix on Saturday, but a 10-place grid penalty for the Formula One championship leader meant Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas took pole position.

Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen, two points behind the Briton with seven races remaining, qualified third for Red Bull and will join Bottas on the front row at Istanbul Park on Sunday.

The pole was a first since Portugal in May for Bottas, and the 18^th of his career, but Hamilton was fastest in every phase of qualifying after taking the hit for a new engine that exceeded his season’s allocation.

“Tomorrow is going to be difficult, but I’ll give it everything,” said Britain’s seven times world champion Hamilton of the task ahead.

“We’ve got the long straight down the back, we’ll see what we can do. Hopefully, we can give the fans here a good race.”

Verstappen took a grid penalty at the previous race in Russia and finished second after starting at the back of the field, his progress helped after late rain caused problems for others.

Mercedes will be looking to Bottas, who is leaving the team for Alfa Romeo at the end of the season, to keep Verstappen behind him while Hamilton sets about fighting through from 13^th.

“I’ll focus on my own race tomorrow, that’s the way to go when you start in front, and try to keep up a good pace,” said the Finnish.

Verstappen struggled with the setup in Friday practice, with the track far grippier than last year’s slippery surface, but said the team had made “a decent recovery.

“Tomorrow, lining up in second, let’s wait and see what the weather will do, but overall I’m pretty happy,” said the Dutch 24-year-old.

“Let’s see how competitive we will be in the race. The tyre wear seems quite high around the track, but it’s quite fun to drive.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will share the second row with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly, who will be expected by Red Bull to make life difficult for Hamilton as a driver for their sister team.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso, for Alpine, and Verstappen’s Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez line up together on row three and will also be hard to get past.

McLaren’s Lando Norris, on pole in Russia and leading until the final laps, was eighth fastest and starts seventh with Lance Stroll alongside for Aston Martin.

Hamilton will also have to get past AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and four times world champion Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin.

Further back, Mick Schumacher got his Haas into the second phase with an impressive lap and lines up 14^th for the only team yet to score a point this season.

McLaren’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo, winner of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, qualified 16^th with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz keeping him out of the second phase right at the end.

Sainz, who starts at the back of the grid due to an engine change, also gave teammate Leclerc a useful aerodynamic tow to help the Monegasque into the final phase. — Reuters

Construction of National Academy of Sports in Tarlac has begun

October 10, 2021 | 7:15 pm

NAS-photo — (FROM LEFT) BCDA Senior Vice-President Engr. Joshua Bingcang, Capas Mayor Rey Catacutan, Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, NAS Executive Director Josephine Joy Reyes, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Education Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma, and NAS Deputy Executive Director Emil Arroyo at the unveiling of NAS’ architectural renders. — BCDA

THE construction for the P557.8-million first phase of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) has begun, with the marker and architectural renders unveiled at the weekend.

Born under Republic Act (RA) 11470, which was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in June 2020, the NAS is a green and climate-resilient learning center and training ground for deserving Filipino scholar-athletes, to be built at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

As per the timeline set by proponents, academics and administrative buildings as well as a multi-purpose gym will be completed in February 2022 under NAS Phase 1.

It is in line with the effort to prepare the pioneering and future students of NAS once face-to-face learning resumes, equipping them with a conducive environment for academics, sports training and character development.

To usher in the construction of the first phase, officials of NAS, Department of Education (DepEd), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), on Saturday, unveiled the ceremonial marker and architectural renders of the soon-to-be home of Filipino student-athletes and professionals.

“This momentous and historical event marks the beginning to showcase not just a physical structure, but an institution that will provide the educational advancement and development of high-quality sports programs, training and experience to our future world-class student-athletes,” NAS Executive Director Josephine Joy B. Reyes during the unveiling ceremony.

The construction also comes on the heels of NAS formally opening classes on Sept. 13, welcoming its first batch of student-athlete scholars who are enrolled in a specialized sports-oriented education curriculum via remote learning modalities amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Authors of RA 11470 at the Senate expressed their excitement over the start of the construction of NAS and said that they hope the vision of the academy of providing support for the academic and skills development of future Filipino athletes will be realized now and moving forward.

For the BCDA, to have NAS inside the New Clark City is a welcome addition as it complements the thrust it has set for the P9.5-billion sports complex.

“Our athletes have waited so long for world-class sports facilities. BCDA is thrilled to be part of the creation of the National Academy of Sports, and the development of the country’s athletes who will study and train there. With a sports-centered academic program and facilities at par with international standards, we envision NAS to be a cradle for future world champions,” said BCDA President and CEO Vivencio B. Dizon in an earlier e-mail interview with BusinessWorld.

The complex includes a 20,000-seat Athletics Stadium with an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)-certified track; a 2,000-seat International Swimming Federation (FINA)-certified Aquatics Center; and an Athletes’ Village. It was built to serve as the showpiece of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games in December 2019.

It, too, is the first major sports hub developed by the government since the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was built in 1934. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

UNICEF’s move-a-thon for a cause ongoing

October 10, 2021 | 7:14 pm

UNICEF Philippines has partnered with RUNRIO Events to bring Filipinos together for a virtual move-a-thon for a cause — Heroes for Children.

Kicked off on Oct. 1, the activity will go on until Oct. 31, with the hope of raising funds to support vulnerable Filipino children especially during this time of the pandemic.

First launched in 2015 by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Anne Curtis, the Heroes for Children campaign has been made to adapt because of the prevailing current conditions, taking the form of a virtual move-a-thon this time around, where anyone can bike, run, walk, dance, or exercise at their own pace and at the same help children in need.

The move-a-thon is open to all individuals, friends, families, persons with disabilities, and even fur babies both here and abroad. It is designed for participants of every fitness level to take part in the activity for a cause done in the safety of their own homes and communities.

Participants can choose a category and activity, and complete their distance goals within the whole duration of the virtual move-a-thon.

Registration is ongoing at the Race Roster website or visit bit.ly/UNICEFHeroes2021. Particulars can also be found on said sites.

This year’s iteration of the Heroes for Children campaign is being held in commemoration of UNICEF’s 75th anniversary.

Lady Aces roll to third straight win

October 10, 2021 | 7:14 pm

Mary-Joy-Galicia,-Parañaque — The Paranaque Lady Aces remained unbeaten as they defeated the Glutagence Glow Boosters, 76-67, in WNBL Season 2021 action on Sunday. — WNBL

The Paranaque Lady Aces remained unbeaten on Sunday as they defeated the Glutagence Glow Boosters, 76-67, in the Pia Cayetano WNBL Season 2021 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Lady Aces reasserted their spot at the top of the standings with a 3-0 win-loss record beating the Glow Boosters, who suffered their second straight loss to go down to 3-2.

Paranaque won in a collective effort with Jhenn Angeles finishing with 13 points and six assists, and Mary Joy Galicia contributing 13 points and six rebounds.

Blanche Bahuyan had nine points, and Allana Lim scored eight points and hauled 16 rebounds. April Siat and Marydyn Tingcang also had eight points apiece, as Angeli Gloriani dished out eight assists.

The Lady Aces also spoiled the gallant stand of Raiza Palmera-Dy, who waxed hot with 34 points, 11 rebounds and three steals to lead the comeback attempt of the Glow Boosters after trailing by as many as 20 points.

Paranaque outscored Glutagence, 19-7, in the second quarter for a 37-24 halftime lead. They went on a 10-3 burst, 47-27, midway in the third.

Ms. Palmera-Dy had 22 points in the final canto but her efforts proved short as the Glow Boosters lost in two consecutive days after they dropped a 71-61 decision against Pacific Water last Saturday.

Sky vs Mercury

October 10, 2021 | 7:13 pm

To argue that the Chicago Sky have had an up-and-down campaign would be an understatement. They began with high hopes; the arrival of proven winner Candace Parker had them eyeing the hardware with optimism before a game had even been played. And then bad luck set in; the former Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year awardee was injured in the opener, and her absence in the next eight contests had them reeling. When she returned, however, they looked every bit ready and able to meet expectations, reeling off seven straight matches. Still, a swoon at the end of the regular season had pundits fretting about their playoff chances.

Considering how the Sky managed to stay upbeat despite the ebbs and flows, it’s no surprise that they’re in the Finals against the odds. Parker’s numbers haven’t been spectacular, but they remain solid and, more importantly, complementary of those around her. And if there’s anything she brings that don’t show up in her stat lines, it’s the confidence to perform under pressure. Even as they have been tested throughout their postseason run, she has proven to be a rock on which her teammates, and head coach James Wade, all too gladly lean.

That said, it’s clear that Parker continues to shine when needed. In Game Four of the semifinals, she put up an outstanding effort on both ends of the court, securing for the Sky a Finals slot and, in the process, eliminating the top-seed Connecticut Sun, starring reigning MVP awardee Jonquel Jones. Wade’s prognosis upon her hiring — that she brings with her invaluable experience — was spot on. As Courtney Vandersloot, one of the WNBA’s best point guards, noted, “We were missing one piece, and it was Candace Parker.”

Up next for the Sky are the equally resilient Phoenix Mercury, featuring all-time great Diana Taurasi. Under the circumstances, it’s but fitting that they’ll be doing a reprise of the Finals in 2014, when they last did battle for the crown — and when they likewise did so with a sub-.500 record. There’s at least one difference — and make that a significant one. This time around, they have Parker, and they feel it’s their time as a result.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.