LUKA Dončić scored 22 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and distributed 12 assists as the Dallas Mavericks earned a 115-104 win over the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday in the first game after the All-Star break for both teams.

The All-Star break has led to a relative dearth of news on the pro hoops front. Naturally, discussions in the absence of relevant updates have focused on the race for the Most Valuable Player award. Terming the process a “race” is, to be sure, erroneous at best. Even though speculation from all and sundry on the award is fueled from the get-go (and even before the season starts), the more proper assessment is done just before a given campaign ends. No supposed frontrunner gets a leg up early on, and any so-called lead is immediately erased in the face of narrative-driven perspectives.

THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was rendered limited in what it was able to do last year because of the pandemic and is now seeking to be “busier” for its Season 46.

FILIPINO flyweight fighter Jenel “The Demolition Man” Lausa will have a new opponent when he makes his Brave Combat Federation (CF) debut on Thursday in Bahrain.

TURIN, Italy — Defiant 10-man Porto upset Juventus to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw despite losing 3-2 to the Italians following extra time in a thrilling clash that went to the wire on Tuesday.

THE scheduled rubber match in the South Division finals of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Lakan Season on Wednesday did not push through in accordance with the league’s health and safety protocols.

NBA (National Basketball Association) stars Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce, WNBA great Lauren Jackson and Villanova coach Jay Wright are among the 14 finalists announced Tuesday for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021.

THE number of hopefuls in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 46 rookie draft narrowed after a number of Filipino-foreign applicants failed to complete their requirements, including potential first-round picks.

NEWLY turned professional association Premier Volleyball League (PVL) saw its roster of competing teams expand further with Chery Tiggo 7 Pro reportedly crossing over to join the league.

FOLLOWING a year-long pandemic-induced break to action, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) resumes its Lakan Season on Wednesday in a “bubble” setup at Subic, Zambales.

THE Brooklyn Nets signed free agent forward Blake Griffin on Monday.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo was brought to Juventus with one goal — to win the Champions League and all eyes are on the Portuguese great to ensure last season’s heartbreak does not repeat itself.