FORWARDS from San Beda and Nazareth School of National University (NSNU) head the rankings of the top high school players in the land in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) and lead the 24 players that will see action in the 2020 NBTC All-Star Game.

First off, this much is clear: The Federation Francaise de Tennis was absolutely right to postpone the French Open to a later date. It couldn’t have opened the gates of Roland Garros on May 24 as originally planned given community quarantine protocols in place due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. And with cancellation as an acceptable alternative only in a worst-case scenario, it settled on postponement instead. From its vantage point, it had an obligation to host the major tournament even at the expense of tradition. At least the crown jewel of the clay court season would be moved and not scuttled altogether.

THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) can either bring the best or the worst to an organization. And for ONE Championship there is no way to guide its affairs but to the former.

PUTTING the safety of its stakeholders above all else, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Thursday officially terminated the already-suspended Season 95 over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

DESPITE not yet knowing exactly when his sport will return to action, National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN on Wednesday that the league is considering several scheduling options depending on how long the coronavirus pandemic shutdown lasts, including a potential charity game.

THE AFC Cup 2020 campaigns of local clubs Ceres-Negros FC and Kaya FC-Iloilo were put on hold on Wednesday after organizers decided to suspend all matches over concerns on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Make no mistake. Tom Brady’s exercise of his free agency rights had everything to do with him underscoring his worth. His first choice was to stay with the Patriots, but he had a compensation package in mind, and he no longer wanted to compromise as he routinely did since he turned professional in 2000. With owner Robert Kraft letting head coach Bill Belichick make the final decision, however, the Patriot Way took precedence, thereby making the remuneration he sought untenable in light of his advancing age and seemingly declining skills. For the franchise, sense and sensibility ruled over sentiment and sentimentality.

PARIS -- The organizers of the French Open on Tuesday postponed the claycourt Grand Slam tournament until Sept. 20–Oct. 4 from its May start amid the coronavirus outbreak, with the new dates colliding with numerous events on the scheduled global calendar.

NEW YORK -- Six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady said on Tuesday he is leaving the New England Patriots after 20 years with the team, stunning fans of the National Football League franchise and adding a dramatic twist to the league’s offseason.

NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has tested positive for coronavirus, the Athletic reported on Tuesday, less than a week after the global outbreak prompted the suspension of the National Basketball Association season.

CANADIAN Hayley Wickenheiser, a six-time Olympian, has accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of being insensitive and irresponsible for pushing ahead with the Tokyo Games in the face of a growing threat from the coronavirus outbreak.

This is a continuation of IM Robert Ris’ analysis where he tries to prove that the Philidor Defense has been refuted. We reproduce it here with the special permission of Chessbase.com, which has also very generously agreed to make the video available to our readers. The main article is here.