TnT Tropang Giga try to take 2-0 lead over Magnolia in finals

October 21, 2021 | 7:36 pm

Pogoy — THE TnT Tropang Giga go for a 2-0 lead over the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots in their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals series when they reengage for Game Two on Friday in Pampanga. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE TnT Tropang Giga go for a 2-0 lead over the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots in their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals series when they reengage for Game Two on Friday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Lorded it over the Hotshots in the series-opener, 88-70, the Tropang Giga are looking to sustain the momentum they have built and propel further their push for the title in the season-opening tournament of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Rookie Mikey Williams led the way for TnT in the Game One victory, which saw them go to a fast start and never seriously threatened after.

The fourth overall pick in this year’s rookie draft finished with all-around numbers of 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

The Tropang Giga opened the proceedings with a 7-0 run in the first two minutes of the match, which it used to build a 24-14 advantage after the first quarter.

In the second frame, the Hotshots continued with their offensive struggles and TnT capitalized on it to build an even bigger lead by the half time break, 53-34.

TnT’s juggernaut continued at the start of the second half, with the team outscoring Magnolia, 20-7, in the opening seven minutes of the third quarter to extend its lead to 32 points, 73-41.

Magnolia would not recover after that.

Big man JP Erram had 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for TnT while Kelly Williams had 10 points.

“We wanted our focus, our energy, our preparation to be according to the rhythm we’ve established. Our concern now is to be better. We wanted to be better in the finals than in the semis. I thought if we came into the finals and just put the same game we put in the semifinals, we would be in trouble,” said TnT coach Chot Reyes, in the postgame press conference, of the mindset they have in the finals.

A concern though for the team is the status of Kelly Williams, who failed to finish the game after reportedly straining his back. The former league most valuable player was going for a dunk when he got hurt. He was brought out of the DHVSU Gym after the game on a stretcher.

Mr. Reyes said Mr. Williams was up for assessment and that they would just adjust playing without him in Game Two if ever.

Magnolia, for its part, is seeking to bounce back big time after absorbing a thorough beat-up in Game One.

As a team, the Hotshots only shot 27% (16-of-53) on the field, which according to the league was one of the worst in PBA finals history.

Paul Lee and Jackson Corpuz top-scored for Magnolia with 12 points each while Calvin Abueva had a double-double of 11 points and 11 boards.

After them, no other Hotshot scored in double digits, including starters Ian Sangalang (five points) and Mark Barroca (four points).

It was reported, however, that Mr. Sangalang suffered back spasm, which was why he was limited to just 10 minutes of play. His status for Game Two is still to be determined as of this writing.

Game Two of the PBA finals is at 6 p.m.

New York Knicks outlast Boston Celtics, 138-134, in double overtime season opener

October 21, 2021 | 7:36 pm

EVAN Fournier scored a career-high 32 points and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 56.1 seconds left in the second overtime on Wednesday night for the host New York Knicks, who squandered an 11-point lead late in the fourth quarter before edging the Boston Celtics, 138-134, in an entertaining season opener for both teams.

Fournier, who spent last season with the Celtics, scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and both overtimes as he became the first player in Knicks history to score 30 points in his debut for the team.

Jaylen Brown, who was activated from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) list prior to the game, scored a career-high 46 points for the Celtics — the most by a player in a season opener in franchise history and one point shy of Larry Bird’s record for the most points scored by a Boston player against New York.

Julius Randle scored 35 points and added nine assists and eight rebounds for the Knicks, who made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2012-2013. Mitchell Robinson (11 points, 17 rebounds) had a double-double while RJ Barrett had 19 points, all after half time. Obi Toppin scored 14 points off the bench and Kemba Walker, who also played for the Celtics last year, added 10 points.

Jayson Tatum (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Robert Williams III (16 points, 10 rebounds) each had double-doubles for the Celtics, who played their first game under new head coach Ime Udoka. Grant Williams and Marcus Smart had 15 points each while Dennis Schröder (12 points) and Romeo Langford (10 points) each got into double figures off the bench.

The Knicks took their biggest lead on Randle’s dunk with 4:28 left in the fourth quarter before the Celtics stormed back, ended regulation on an 18-7 run and forced overtime when Smart hit a wide-open corner 3 as time expired.

Brown and Fournier traded 3-pointers to open overtime. The teams combined to hit four 3-pointers — two apiece — in a 44-second span before going scoreless over the final 2:58, a stretch in which they missed 10 shots, including an off-balance jumper hoisted just before the buzzer by Smart.

Brown began the second overtime with a 3-pointer. The teams traded the lead on three-point plays by Randle and Tatum before Fournier answered the latter with his go-ahead 3-pointer. Tatum missed a layup on the Celtics’ next trip and Derrick Rose banked one off the glass with 22.2 seconds left before Boston missed three 3-pointers on its final possession. — Reuters

Medal opportunities for gymnast Caloy Yulo at worlds this weekend

October 21, 2021 | 7:35 pm

FILIPINO gymnast Carlos “Caloy” H. Yulo has a number of opportunities to win medals at the 50th International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Japan following a solid showing in the men’s all-around qualifiers on Wednesday night.

Twenty-one-year old Mr. Yulo, who represented the Philippines in this year’s Olympic Games, advanced to the finals of three events in the ongoing gymnastics meet happening at the Kitakyushu City Gymnasium.

Mr. Yulo is through to the finals of the floor exercise, where he is the defending champion, as well as in the parallel bars and the vault.

The Philippine bet landed in the top eight in each of the three events to book his place in the medal round.

He topped the floor exercise with 15.166 points, ahead of Italy’s Nicola Bartolini (14.966) and Japan’s Minami Kazuki (14.966).

It is the same event that he ruled in 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany, which also secured him a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The finals of the floor exercise in the 2021 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships is set for Saturday.

Mr. Yulo also topped the qualifiers in the parallel bars with 15.566 points, ahead of China’s Zhang Boheng (15.300) and Hu Xuwei (15.233).

He placed third in the vault with 14.808 points.

The finals for both the parallel bars and vault are on Sunday.

Mr. Yulo made it known that the world championships is part of his redemption tour after a disappointing showing in the Tokyo Olympics where he only qualified for one event (vault). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Manila HeiHei tops Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Invitational

October 21, 2021 | 7:35 pm

CHOOKS-to-Go Pilipinas successfully held its 3×3 Invitational tournament on Wednesday in Pampanga, with Manila HeiHei claiming the title.

Led by Mac Tallo, the Manila squad defeated the Pasig Kingpins in the finals, 21-6, with still 5:19 to spare, to emerge as the champion of the one-day tournament held at the Laus Events Center in San Fernando.

Mr. Tallo, a second-generation professional basketball player, tallied 13 points in the championship game. He jump-started things for his team, scoring seven of their first eight points to take a commanding 8-1 lead.

They would not be threatened after en route to the huge win.

Zach Huang finished with five points for Manila, with Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu adding two points and veteran Chico Lanete one point.

For Pasig, it was Toba Eugene who led with three points, with Ryan and Nikki Monteclaro and Jaypee Belencion adding a point each.

Essen Immunoboost Sarangani finished third.

“Happy that this tournament happened,” said Manila head trainer Aldin Ayo as the team is set to compete in the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Masters on Oct. 29.

“I hope that they were able to get the confidence and the rhythm they need. It’s important that we simulate the actual situations and we can’t do that in practice,” he added.

For winning the invitational tournament, Manila took home the P100,000 top prize.

The tournament was held under strict health and safety protocols. It was regulated by the Games and Amusements Board and endorsed by FIBA 3×3 as well as supported by Gatorade, Chooks!, Uling Roasters, and Adobo Connection.

It marked the return of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas after a one-year hiatus because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Sixth AIMAG in Thailand moved to November 2023

October 21, 2021 | 7:34 pm

THE sixth edition of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) supposedly taking place in Thailand in the first quarter next year has been moved to November 2023.

This was confirmed by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham N. Tolentino on Thursday after receiving official word from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

The Thailand government and its national Olympic committee (NOC) sought for deferment of the sporting meet — originally set for March 10 to 19, 2022 — on COVID pandemic-related concerns.

“The OCA fully understands and respects the decision of the NOC of Thailand, Thailand AIMAG Organizing Committee and the Royal Thai government to postpone [the Games]… due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic,” said OCA acting president Raja Randhir Singh on the postponement of the quadrennial continental competition.

With the postponement, Mr. Tolentino said they would use the added time to good use.

“The postponement would allow our athletes to be better prepared for the AIMAG, which ranks as one of the most important multi-sport competitions in the continent,” the POC head said.

Earlier, the POC planned to send a 160-athlete delegation to the Thailand AIMAG, competing in 21 of the 31 sports programmed by organizers.

The Thai edition of the AIMAG is to be hosted by Bangkok and Chonburi.

In 2017 in Turkmenistan, the Philippines won a total of 30 medals — two gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals.

The gold medals were care of jiu-jitsu athletes Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez. — MASM

Astros bash Red Sox again, head home up 3-2 in ALCS

October 21, 2021 | 7:29 pm

BOSTON — Framber Valdez gave the Houston Astros the kind of start they desperately needed in their biggest moment of the season on Wednesday night.

Valdez kept the Boston bats at bay with eight innings of one-run, three-hit ball as Houston coasted to a 9-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox to take a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

Prior to Valdez’s outing, the Astros’ starters had allowed 16 runs (14 earned) in a combined 6 2/3 innings over the first four games of the series. None of the four — including Valdez himself in Game 1 — had made it past the third inning.

In his Game 1 start, Valdez yielded three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings during an eventual 5-4 Houston win.

“I felt humiliated after that first outing and I set my mind on not letting that happen again,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “I did everything I could to work as hard as I possibly could to come back and have success in this outing, because I didn’t want to feel something like that again.”

At age 27, Valdez (1-0) became the youngest starter to log eight or more innings while allowing one run or none in a postseason starts since Madison Bumgarner did so for the San Francisco Giants in 2016.

Yordan Alvarez (3-for-5) provided the offensive punch for the Astros, hitting a second-inning solo homer before adding a two-run double in Houston’s five-run sixth. Yuli Gurriel also had three RBIs while Jose Siri had a two-run single and Michael Brantley drove in a run.

Houston will look to close out the best-of-seven series when it shifts back to Texas for Game 6 on Friday night. Game 7, if necessary, would be played on Saturday.

Game 5 winners in best-of-seven postseason series that were tied after four games have gone on to win the series 70% (44 of 63) of the time.

“We lost the (Game 3), but we were able to get the next two,” Alvarez said through an interpreter regarding the Astros’ three-game run in Boston. “Now, we’ve got to go home and just look for one game, and we hope to be able to do it to win it all.”

Rafael Devers had a solo homer and a single for the Red Sox. It was the eighth career postseason home run for the 24-year-old third baseman, who tied Mickey Mantle, Albert Pujols and Houston’s Carlos Correa for the most ever before turning 25.

After totaling five hits in a 9-2 loss in Game 4 on Tuesday, the Red Sox finished with just three on Wednesday. Boston racked up 22 hits and outscored Houston 21-8 while winning Games 2 and 3.

“We got to win two games to go to the World Series. That’s the bottom line,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It’s not the first time we’ve been in this situation that is a must-win. We did it in (game) 162, and we did it in the wild card game.”

Sale fell to 1-3 in his postseason career after allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

“I was good for five (innings), and then I sucked for one,” Sale said. “(We’re) not in a good spot going back to Houston. There’s no denying that, but this team has won two games in the playoffs back-to-back before, and we think we can do it again.”

Alvarez’s sixth-inning double made it 3-0 before Gurriel added an RBI double and Siri smacked a two-run single.

Brantley’s RBI single in the seventh made it 7-0 before Devers homered later in the inning. Gurriel’s two-out, two-run single in the ninth capped the scoring. — Reuters

Déjà vu: Braves take 3-1 NLCS lead on Dodgers

October 21, 2021 | 7:27 pm

LOS ANGELES — Eddie Rosario had two home runs among his four hits and the Atlanta Braves moved one game from their first World Series berth since 1999 with a 9-2 victory on Wednesday over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rosario finished a double shy of the cycle while Adam Duvall and Freddie Freeman added home runs as the Braves took a 3-1 lead in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Atlanta would wrap up the best-of-seven series with a victory in Game 5 on Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

The Braves also had a 3-1 NLCS lead on the Dodgers last season, but were unable to get one last victory as Los Angeles moved on and eventually won the World Series.

AJ Pollock had a two-run single for the Dodgers, who were held without a hit until the fifth inning.

Los Angeles starter Julio Urias (0-1) gave up three home runs in five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out three. Urias also coughed up a two-run Dodgers lead in the eighth inning of Game 2 during a relief assignment.

Braves right-hander Huascar Ynoa was scheduled to start on Wednesday’s bullpen game, but was removed from the roster because of shoulder inflammation. Jesse Chavez started instead and pitched a scoreless first inning.

Drew Smyly (1-0) gave up two runs in 3 1/3 innings and was credited with the win. He was the second of six Braves pitchers who shut down Los Angeles.

Rosario and Duvall got the offense started, hitting consecutive home runs to open the second inning. It was the first time Atlanta hit back-to-back long balls in a playoff game since Javy Lopez and Vinny Castilla in the 2002 NL Division Series.

Freeman made it 3-0 in the third inning with his home run to right-center field. Joc Pederson haunted his former team again with an RBI single in the third, and Duvall gave Atlanta a 5-0 lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly.

Pederson, who helped the Dodgers earn the title last season, has five hits and four RBIs in the series.

Pollock’s two-run single in the fifth got the Dodgers within 5-2, but unlike Game 3, Los Angeles was not able to rally from the same deficit. Freeman’s RBI double in the ninth was followed by Rosario’s second home run to give him four RBIs.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner departed after the seventh inning with an apparent left leg injury. — Reuters

Ronaldo header seals United comeback win over Atalanta

October 21, 2021 | 7:27 pm

MANCHESTER, England — Cristiano Ronaldo headed in an 81^st-minute winner as Manchester United came from two goals down to beat Atalanta 3-2 in a pulsating Champions League Group F match at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

After a poor first-half display, with Atalanta taking a 2-0 lead in at the break, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s team turned the game — and possibly their season — around with a thunderous performance.

The pressure was on Solskjær after Saturday’s 4-2 Premier League defeat at Leicester City and he opted to drop Paul Pogba to the bench, but there was little sign of improvement from that switch.

United were disjointed and dispirited in the opening 45 minutes, but raised their tempo and the volume from the Stretford End with a relentless push to victory that culminated in the Champions League’s record scorer demonstrating his brilliance in front of goal yet again.

Mario Pašalić put Atalanta ahead in the 15^th minute, turning in Davide Zappacosta’s low ball from close range and United, with just one win in their last five games in all competitions, looked drained of belief.

It was no great surprise when the Italian side doubled their lead in the 29^th minute with Merih Demiral rising at the near post to glance in an angled header from a Teun Koopmeiners corner.

Fred and Marcus Rashford missed good chances for United before the break, but the home side got themselves back into the game in the 53^rd minute.

A clever ball from Bruno Fernandes allowed Rashford to cut in from the left and he picked his spot with a shot into the far corner.

Scott McTominay struck the post after connecting with Ronaldo’s cross, but although United were pushing for a leveler, the Italians were still a threat and the hosts were thankful to keeper David De Gea for a superb double save to keep out a drive from Duván Zapata and follow-up from Ruslan Malinovskyi.

The pressure paid off for United, though, when they drew level with Harry Maguire drilling the ball home at the back post after the static Atalanta defense failed to intercept a Fernandes ball across the box.

Then came the winner as Luke Shaw whipped in a superb cross from the left and Ronaldo rose superbly, timing his jump and his header perfectly to power the ball past Musso.

“I was right behind him. His leap, his timing, it was perfect right in the corner,” Maguire said.

“We see it day in, day out in training and in the goals he has scored throughout his career. He has come up with a massive goal for us again in the Champions League,” he added.

“We got the goals we needed and deserved and I think we deserved the win in the end. Yes, we made it difficult, but it is a tremendous victory in the end.”

United tops the group after three games on six points with Atalanta and Villarreal two points behind. — Reuters

PSC continues MSU partnership with sports facilities rehab

October 21, 2021 | 7:26 pm

Continuing its partnership with Mindanao State University (MSU), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to rehabilitate the university’s swimming pool this year, as part of the national government rehabilitation program for Marawi City.

PSC engineer Eduardo Clariza and architect Noel Elnar had already conducted initial inspection at the MSU Marawi campus early this week, and assessed the status of the swimming pool, which played host to several national competitions in the 1980s as well as other regional meets.

“The plan is to rehabilitate the facility to meet international standards for competition. A covered pool is being designed in consideration of the environment and cultural sensitivity of Islamic practices,” said Mr. Clariza.

The agency’s technical staff also inspected the newly rubberized MSU Track Oval, which was also refurbished with PSC support.

During the courtesy visit of the PSC experts to his office, MSU President Habib Macaayong expressed thanks and appreciation for the all-out support of the PSC and the national government to MSU and the people of Lanao,

The PSC is looking forward to the completion of the rehabilitation of both sports facilities this year, and its designation as a “Center for Sports for Peace and Development” in Mindanao.

Last September, the MSU Marawi Campus conferred Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa to PSC Chairman William Ramirez for his contribution to the Mindanao Sports for Peace movement, during the university’s celebration of its 60th founding anniversary.

Athletes promote mental health in Better Today program

October 21, 2021 | 7:26 pm

Filipino athletes take part in meaningful conversations on TikTok by way of the Better Today program.

Powered by PLDT Inc., (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and done in collaboration with the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF), the program is designed to promote wellness, safe spaces, and change-making in the digital world.

For its third series, Better Today will have Olympic gold medalist and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, Olympic silver medalist and boxer Nesthy Petecio, basketball stars Dwight Ramos and Kai Sotto, esports player Jhayzee Rivera, and PLDT Home Fibr Hitters setter Rhea Dimaculangan headlining Power Move: Better Today.

The conversations this time around will revolve around sports and mental resilience.

The Power Move Project follows those of Better Today Conversations in 2020, and Better Today Time Capsule Project 2021 earlier this year. Combined, the two have recorded 186,000 views.

“We are proud to be driving inter-generational conversations on mental health awareness anchored on our advocacy on sports through the Power Move Project,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT and Smart President and CEO, in a release.

“We Filipinos love sports so much that it has the power to bring us together as a nation. It gives us a deep sense of community, camaraderie, and pride. We want to share a message anchored on a deep sense of connection, and more importantly, a message of hope that you are not alone,” added Mr. Panlilio, who also serves as the president of MVPSF and first vice-president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Catch the Power Move Project on Better Today’s Facebook and Instagram. For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph.

Fighting Maroons get commitment from one-and-done prospect Galinato

October 21, 2021 | 7:26 pm

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons officially got the commitment of one-and-done prospect Henry Galinato to play for them.

Mr. Galinato, a 6’6” forward who played at Benedictine University Mesa in the United States, is already eligible to suit up for UP in University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 and excited to help the Maroons in their next campaign.

While with the Mesa Redhawks, Mr. Galinato averaged 13 points and 9.6 rebounds in his senior year.

He joins a bevy of UP recruits, which include Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea.

UP men’s basketball team head of basketball operations Bo Perasol sought the help of Fil-Am Nation Select to help facilitate for a private workout with Mr. Galinato and two other prospects and was impressed at what he saw.

The UAAP is targeting a February 2022 start for Season 84 basketball, nearly two years since calling a halt to activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The league is currently awaiting approval from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), the Department of Health (DoH), and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for its student-athletes to resume training in a bubble setup later this year.

As per UAAP coaches, they would need at least three months of training for the basketball players to be in game shape.

The league said all of its basketball athletes are already fully vaccinated and facilities of member-schools have been retrofitted in preparation for training resumption. – Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Hyde side

October 21, 2021 | 7:25 pm

Russell Westbrook was most definitely not a happy camper in the aftermath of his debut in purple and gold the other day. It wasn’t simply that the Lakers lost, although he did touch on that briefly — make that very briefly — when he met members of the media. His requisite post-mortem lasted all of five questions, and his responses were clipped and delivered with a long face; if nothing else, these were telling indications of his state of mind. He had wanted to start the rest of his National Basketball Association career with flourish; instead, he wound up with an embarrassing stat line, his game-worst minus 23 in 35 minutes on the floor underscoring his ineffectiveness.

To be sure, Westbrook has been legendarily hard on himself. The very traits that make him a singular force in a league full of marquee names likewise accentuate his Hyde side. It’s why his acquisition by the Lakers will be under constant scrutiny, and why resident stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis took pains to talk to him and reassure him of his importance to the cause. Considering his predilections, however, it predictably proved to be an exercise in futility. It’s not in him — and just not him — to lighten up. His constant quest for perfection through the use of a skill set that essentially makes it a pipe dream keeps him in a constant state of flux.

It’s too early to say the Lakers are doomed to fail in its grand experiment. One setback does not an entire season make. That said, the roller-coaster ride they took in succumbing to the Warriors at home highlights the need for them to adjust, and fast. It wasn’t that James and Davis played atrociously. It was that they played extremely well and still had to take the L. That’s alarming, especially given the potential of the supporting cast. Bottom line, Westbrook has to pull his weight.

Outcomes change dispositions, of course. Steph Curry, for example, could not help, but describe his effort as “trash,” the triple-double notwithstanding. Yet, he was all smiles when the battlesmoke cleared. It’s precisely what James and Davis want Westbrook to do; sometimes, in the midst of all the garbage, he would do well to stop and smell the roses.

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.