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Jimmy Butler pours in 41 as Heat down Celtics in Game 1

JIMMY Butler scored 17 of his 41 points in an epic third-quarter uprising to help the host Miami Heat rally for a 118-107 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday night.

Butler also contributed nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocked shots to help Miami overcome a 13-point, second-quarter deficit. The Heat outscored Boston 39-14 in the third quarter to seize a 93-76 lead entering the final stanza.

Tyler Herro registered 18 points and eight rebounds and Gabe Vincent scored 17 points for Miami.

Jayson Tatum recorded 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Robert Williams III added 18 points and nine rebounds and Payton Pritchard also scored 18 points for Boston.

Game 2 is Thursday night in Miami.

The Celtics played without NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart (right foot) and Al Horford (COVID-19 protocol). Williams started in Horford’s place, returning from a four-game absence caused by a left knee injury.

The Heat were without Kyle Lowry (left hamstring) for the seventh time in the past nine games.

Max Strus scored 11 points and Bam Adebayo added 10 points and four blocked shots for Miami. The Heat shot 48.8% from the field, including 10 of 30 from 3-point range.

Boston made 45.6% from the field and was 11 of 34 from behind the arc.

Miami opened the third quarter with a 22-2 burst to turn an eight-point half time deficit into a 76-64 lead. Boston didn’t make a field goal for the first 7:07 of the period.

After the Celtics scored nine straight points to move within three, the Heat finished the quarter with a 17-3 surge to hold the 17-point edge. Boston shot just 13.3% (2 of 15) from the field in the period.

Herro was fouled while shooting a 3-pointer and made all three free throws to give Miami a 96-76 lead with 10:45 left in the contest. Boston answered with 10 straight points and pulled within 96-86 on two free throws by Grant Williams with 8:21 remaining.

The Heat led by 13 after a 3-pointer by Strus with 3:18 left, but the Celtics scored eight of the next 10 points, with Pritchard’s trey pulling Boston within 114-107 with 1:29 left.

Two free throws by Vincent and a layup by Butler clinched it for Miami.

Tatum scored 21 first-half points as Boston held a 62-54 lead at the break. The Celtics shot a torrid 59.1% from the field in the half. Miami shot 48.8%. — Reuters

Stronger, better-prepared Woods says he can win PGA Championship

TULSA, Oklahoma — Tiger Woods’s comeback after nearly losing his leg in a car crash continues at the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Championship this week and the 46-year-old believes he is capable of hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy for a fifth time.

Very few athletes, especially ones returning from career-threatening injuries, can get away with such bravado, but Woods, as he has proven time and again, is no ordinary athlete.

Woods has long maintained he would never enter an event he did not feel he could win.

The 15-time major winner made the same assessment of his chances last month ahead of the Masters.

At that moment, however, it seemed barely credible, coming from someone who just 14 months earlier was laying in a hospital bed with doctors contemplating the amputation of his mangled leg.

An inspired Woods sent a jolt through the sporting world when he made the cut at Augusta National before running out of steam, closing with six-over 78s on Saturday and Sunday, his worst-ever scores at the Masters.

Back at Southern Hills where he won the 2007 PGA Championship, Woods says he is stronger, better prepared and now the only thing left is to “just go out there and do it”.

“I feel like I can (win) definitely,” Woods told reporters on Tuesday. “I have to do my work.

“I’ve gotten stronger since then (the Masters).

“But it’s still going to be sore and walking is a challenge. I can hit golf balls, but the challenge is walking.”

Living by the motto “no pain, no gain,” Woods took one day off following the Masters and over the five weeks leading up to the PGA Championship has continually increased his work load.

“He’s Tiger,” summed up world number two Jon Rahm. “He’s a competitor. He’s going to try to win every single time, and anytime he tees up, the world wants him to win.”

Whether Woods can win is open to debate but he, like everyone else, will be looking for signs of progress in the five weeks since the Masters, particularly in his endurance and putting, which he feels kept him from contending for another Green Jacket.

“I didn’t have the endurance that I wanted, I shouldn’t expect it (to win) because I didn’t earn it,” said Woods. “I hadn’t done the work.

“As the months pass and it’s going to get better.

“I feel like I’m doing better.

“Taking a step back and looking at the overall big picture of it, it (Masters) was an accomplishment.

“But that other side of me says if I would have done things differently, I could have challenged for that thing (Green Jacket).” — Reuters

Magic win no. 1 overall pick in NBA draft lottery

THE Orlando Magic won the first overall pick in the 2022 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft in Tuesday night’s lottery held in Chicago.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will pick No. 2. The Houston Rockets were No. 3, and the Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons rounded out the top five.

The Magic will pick first overall for the first time since 2004, the year they drafted Dwight Howard.

“It’s so exciting,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said on the ESPN broadcast. “It’s so much to look forward to with this organization, with this group and this fan base. It’s gonna be special.”

The NBA Draft combine is also in Chicago this week, ahead of the June 1 deadline for players to pull out of consideration and return to college. The draft will be held on June 23 in Brooklyn.

Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren, Auburn forward Jabari Smith and Duke forward Paolo Banchero are considered the top three prospects available, without a clear front-runner for No. 1.

Orlando, Houston and Detroit all entered the night with a 14% chance to win the No. 1 pick. Houston posted the league’s worst regular-season record (20-62), followed by Orlando (22-60) and Detroit (23-59).

Oklahoma City had 24 wins last season, giving the Thunder a 12% chance at No. 1 on Tuesday. The Thunder ended up leaping Houston and Detroit. The Kings (30-52) moved up three spots from their pre-lottery position of No. 7.

The Pistons selected Cade Cunningham first overall in 2021. As a bottom-three team, they were guaranteed a top-five pick in the draft under the revised lottery rules — and dropped as far as they could to No. 5.

The Los Angeles Lakers received the No. 8 overall pick, which was sent to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade. The Los Angeles Clippers’ No. 12 pick was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the Paul George trade.

The lottery system identified the teams selecting in the top 14. Regular-season records determine the order of selections 15-30. — Reuters

Lionel Messi to Miami as co-owner, player in 2023

LIONEL Messi will come to play for Inter Miami CF with a 35% ownership stake when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) expires in June 2023, Alex Candal of DIRECTV Sports reported.

That would be roughly $225 million based on current valuation of the team. Per the report, Messi would sign the deal in August.

Messi’s camp denied the claims, per French outlet Le Parisien.

“It is completely false. Leo has not yet decided on his future.”

Messi, 34, joined PSG last summer after 16 seasons playing for FC Barcelona. He has won seven Ballon D’Or — Golden Ball — awards as the best player in the world.

Inter Miami is in its third season of MLS. Co-owner David Beckham posted photos to his social media accounts on Monday with members of PSG in Doha, Qatar, including Messi. — Reuters

Liverpool takes title race down to the wire with win at Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, England — Liverpool kept the Premier League title race alive until the final day of the season after winning 2-1 at Southampton on Tuesday.

The result leaves Liverpool a point behind leaders Manchester City ahead of Sunday’s final round of games. City is at home to Aston Villa while Liverpool host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.

City has 90 points with Liverpool on 89, meaning that victory for Pep Guardiola’s side against Villa would secure its fourth league title in five seasons.

Jürgen Klopp rested nine of the team who beat Chelsea on penalties in the FA Cup final on Saturday and his choice was looking questionable when Southampton took a 13th-minute lead through a wonderful Nathan Redmond strike after the winger had cut in from the left flank.

But Liverpool, who faces Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28, drew level 14 minutes later with Takumi Minamino, making his first league start for the club in 18 months, firing a fierce shot in at the near post.

The goal took the wind out of Southampton’s sails and Liverpool secured the three points when Kostas Tsimikas’ corner was headed in by Joel Matip. — Reuters

Comelec vows to go after candidates involved in vote-buying after proclamations

PHILIPPINE STAR FILE PHOTO

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) will go after candidates — whether winners or losers — who have been accused of vote-buying on election day, according to an election official.  

“We have received more than a thousand complaints on vote-buying from our task force and we will chase after all candidates involved,” Election Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia told CNN Philippines on Wednesday.   

“We were just busy with the preparations for the proclamation ceremony today, but we will go after them, even if these violators have been proclaimed already.”  

Comelec proclaimed the 12 winning senatorial candidates on Wednesday afternoon after processing 172 out of 173 certificates of canvass.  

Senator Aquilino L. Pimentel III told the same program on Tuesday that he had received massive reports of vote-buying on May 9. 

“I received reports of massive vote-buying, there was a sample ballot with an attached bill and then those who want to make sure even add small printouts with their names,” he said.   

“I have heard this many times, but I think the amount is getting bigger,” Mr. Pimentel added in Filipino.  

Election Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino, who heads the election body’s task force against vote-buying, told a press briefing on Saturday they received at least 100 complaints with credible evidence.  

Mr. Garcia warned candidates that those who will be found guilty face disqualification and a sentence of up to six years in prison.   

Meanwhile, the planned proclamation for the president and vice president by May 27 or 28 remains on track as the Senate has received 87% or 150 of 173 election certificates and returns as of Wednesday morning, the legislative body said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

CA’s Singh appointed as Supreme court justice

SUPREME COURT PIO

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh to the Supreme Court, completing the 15-member tribunal, his office confirmed Wednesday.

Ms. Singh replaces former Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, who retired on May 14.

Ms. Singh, like Ms. Bernabe, was a judge at a metropolitan trial court and a regional trial court before her promotion to the appellate court in 2014.

The newly-appointed magistrate earned her law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law. She took her undergraduate degree in English from the University of the Philippines.

In 2012, she also worked as a Supreme Court resource person on judicial reform, which handled updating rules and guidelines for trial court judges.

Ms. Singh also taught law at the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila University.

The new High Court official is a sister of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

DoT launches 2nd phase of sustainable tourism campaign

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

THE PHILIPPINES has launched the second phase of its sustainable tourism campaign aimed at promoting more eco-friendly travels and responsible tourists.   

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said the second phase called “Keep the Fun Going” builds on the “Save our Spots” campaign launched in 2019.

“The DOT has been integrating sustainable tourism principles in its projects, programs and policies, even involving tourists to be part of these efforts. Through the Save our Spots campaign, we aim to raise awareness about responsible travel and emphasize that every small act goes a long way to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from and enjoy nature’s abundance,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

Activities under the new campaign include encouraging travelers to walk, hike, or bike more often; reducing waste by avoiding single-use plastics and always bringing reusable containers; promoting volunteerism in community restoration efforts such as planting, clean-up drives, and wildlife preservation; and motivating tourists to book in eco-friendly accommodations.

The campaign involves a “gamified experience” wherein travelers can participate through social media platforms and win prizes, including a free trip for two to Palawan, one of the country’s most popular destinations. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Preparations start for compensation rollout as Marawi observes Week of Peace

TASK FORCE BANGON MARAWI

INITIAL steps were taken this week for the implementation of a law that will give compensation to Marawi City residents who lost family members and whose properties were damaged during the 2017 siege, according to the head of the government’s reconstruction team.

Housing Secretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario, who chairs Task Force Bangon Marawi, led a meeting on Monday to start preparations for the establishment of the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB).

“We must fast-track our efforts in finalizing the formation of the MCB. It is part of our mandate and responsibility to give just compensation to our Maranao brothers and sisters who lost their lives, were displaced and incurred property damages during the siege,” Mr. Del Rosario said in a statement.

Under Republic Act 11696 or the Marawi Siege Compensation Act of 2022 signed last month, the independent, quasi-judicial board will be in charge of evaluating, processing and awarding claims.

“What we can do for the initial push is to formulate key measures aimed at ensuring the optimum operationalization of the upcoming MCB,” said Mr. Del Rosario, who is visiting the city this week for the observance of the Marawi Week of Peace from May 17 to 23.

The siege of Marawi started on May 23, 2017 when military forces set out to capture Isnlon Hapilon, the head of a militant group that pledged allegiance to the extremist ISIS group.   

The heavy gun battle between government forces and the militants lasted for five months, leaving a central part of the city in ruins.

The compensation law is intended to complement the government’s reconstruction program that focuses on public infrastructure and resettlement housing.

One of the highlights of this year’s week of peace observance is a trade fair showcasing the products of over 30 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the city, including members of the Bangon Marawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Featured products include handwoven products and other handicraft, fresh and processed agricultural goods, and Maranao delicacies, among others.   

“By showcasing these Maranao products through trade fairs such as this, we can show to the other regions in the Philippines, and to the global market as well, that we are at least at par with other growing industries,” said Trade Undersecretary Ameenah Abcede-Fajardo during Tuesday’s opening ceremony.

“The Export Marketing Bureau under the Trade Promotions Group of the Department of Trade and Industry and my Office as the Undersecretary for Special Concerns, have been given the task of promoting a wide range of Philippine products, including Halal products and services,” she said.

Rosslaini Alonto-Sinarimbo, director general of the Bangsamoro region’s Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism noted that MSMEs are a backbone of the local economy.

“We hope to rebuild Marawi City through business and livelihood because this is the backbone of the economy,” she said. “We cannot accommodate all in the government, we have to make it a point for businesses to come back because this will bring sustainability to the economy.” — MSJ

Investment opportunities seen in New Clark City for American businesses

NEW CLARK CITY

THE NEW Clark City being developed in Capas, Tarlac opens investment opportunities for American businesses in sectors such as healthcare, said the Economic Section of the United States (US) Embassy in the Philippines.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which manages the new complex, said the US Embassy’s economic team is optimistic about New Clark City’s potential as a driver of development in the region located north of Metro Manila.    

“New Clark City’s development presents an opportunity to promote prosperity in Central Luzon and beyond,” a US Embassy delegation said in a message to the BCDA during a recent tour in New Clark City.   

“We look forward to continued investment — including by US firms — in key sectors like healthcare, renewable energy, information and communications technology, and infrastructure.”

“Supporting inclusive, sustainable economic growth has been the cornerstone of our bilateral economic engagement in the Philippines. The recent public release of the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific Strategy highlights the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to strong economic partnerships in the region,” it added.

New Clark City is being developed as an alternate government center and investment hub outside Metro Manila. Prospective businesses can move products and services with ease as it is located near Clark International Airport and the Subic Bay Freeport. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Broadcaster Mon Tulfo arrested in Manila for cyber-libel

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

BROADCASTER and print columnist Ramon “Mon” T. Tulfo, Jr. was arrested on Wednesday over a cyber libel complaint, according to the Manila Police District.

A warrant for his arrest was issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Maria Victoria A. Soriano-Villadolid for charges in violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

The police report noted that Lean Cruz, lawyer of the unnamed complainant, sought Mr. Tulfo’s arrest.

Mr. Tulfo is the brother of Senator-elect Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo and television personalities Erwin T. Tulfo and Bienvenido “Ben” T. Tulfo.

“The accused was duly informed of his Constitutional Rights under R.A. 7438 in a language known to and understood by his and the nature of the charged being imputed against him but opted to remain silent,” the Manila Police District said in its report.

“Likewise, accused is currently detained to this office, prior to the return of warrant to court of origin.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Duterte condoles with UAE over President Khalifa’s death

PCOO

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday extended condolences to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the death of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who ruled the middle eastern country for almost two decades.

Mr. Duterte “conveys the Filipino nation’s solidarity with the UAE in this period of great loss and bereavement,” his office said in a statement.

The Philippine leader recalled that Mr. Khalifa, 73, was a bold visionary “whose leadership was crucial in the UAE’s sustained economic transformation and deeper engagement with the international community, including the Philippines.”

More than 679,000 Filipinos live in the UAE, according to Philippine government data.

Filipinos working in the UAE, a federation of seven emirates, sent home a record $31.4 billion cash remittances last year. The UAE was among the top ten countries that accounted for 78.9% of total remittances to the Philippines last year.

ETHIOPIA ALERT
In another development overseas, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has lowered the alert level in parts of Ethiopia, which means mandatory evacuation for Filipinos there will no longer be implemented

Regions that are now under Alert Level 2 from 4 are: Oromia, including the cities of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region; Gambella; Harari; and South West regions.

The DFA earlier raised the alert level in the African nation to level 4 due to intensifying internal conflict.

Alert Level 2 is issued when there are threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from an internal disturbance or external threat to the host country. Filipinos in such areas must restrict their movements, avoid public places, and prepare for evacuation if necessary.

Filipino workers allowed by the Department of Labor and Employment to fly to these regions are limited to those who are returning under existing contracts.

Alert Level 4 remained in effect in the Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions in northern Ethiopia. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

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