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UST coach says Ramil De Jesus gesture ‘like blessing to win UAAP title’

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus respectfully declined an interview and asked his deputy Noel Orcullo to speak on behalf of the team but the decorated mentor did wish UST coach KungFu Reyes good luck ahead of the Tigresses’ UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals stint. La Salle’s title defense ended in the Final Four following a heartbreaking 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 defeat to UST on Sunday in front of 19,505 fans on...

Mitchell rallies Cavs for series-clinching win

(UPDATE) LOS ANGELES: Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers silenced the young guns of Orlando, beating the Magic 106-94 in Game 7 of their NBA playoffs first-round series Sunday (Monday in Manila) to book a meeting with Eastern Conference top seeds Boston. It was another magisterial performance from Mitchell, who scored 39 points two days after pouring in 50 in the Cavs' game six defeat. This time he had plenty of scoring support from...

NBA: Pat Riley says Miami Heat not sure on Jimmy Butler extension

MIAMI — If Jimmy Butler wants to see more pay, Pat Riley will want to see more play. And in simple terms, that is the entry point to this offseason for the Miami Heat. Butler is almost certainly going to ask the Heat for a two-year extension this summer — it could guarantee him as much as $113 million for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons — and Riley said Monday in his annual end-of-season remarks that he isn’t sure what the team will do when that...

NBA MVP finalists Gilgeous-Alexander, Doncic meet in 2nd round

OKLAHOMA CITY — Two young MVP finalists will square off when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and No. 1 seed Oklahoma City face Luka Doncic and No. 5 seed Dallas in the second round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs. The series matching the high-scoring 25-year-olds begins Tuesday. Doncic led the league in scoring this season at 33.9 points per game. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound guard averaged 29.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists in six first-round...

SCHEDULE: Choco Mucho vs Creamline 2024 PVL All-Filipino Finals

Creamline and Choco Mucho, inarguably two of the most popular teams in the league, face off in a best-of-three 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals showdown starting May 9. The Cool Smashers, the defending champion of the All-Filipino tournament, and their sister team Flying Titans, try to get a headstart in the race of the PVL championship on Thursday in Game 1 scheduled for 6pm. Game 2 is set for May 12, Sunday. If necessary, a...

Busy schedule ahead for Gilas Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines: GILAS Pilipinas has drawn up a tight, busy schedule for the coming weeks as it gears up for the tough FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia in July. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy told the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday the Nationals will first convene on June 22 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna before heading to Turkey and Poland for tune-up games with...

Biden awards trophy to Army and asks 'Where are you, coach?'

Coach Jeff Monken was standing a few feet away in the White House East Room when Biden asked, 'Where are you, coach' during his remarks. Biden was awarding a football trophy to Army.

NBA: Jalen Brunson scores 43, rallies Knicks past Pacers in Game 1

NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson scored 43 points, becoming the fourth player in NBA history with four straight 40-point games in the postseason, and the New York Knicks beat the Indiana Pacers 121-117 on Monday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Brunson had 21 in the fourth quarter, rallying the Knicks after they trailed by nine early in the period, and joined Hall of Famers Jerry West, who had six consecutive 40-point games in the...

NBA: Timberwolves blitz Nuggets for 2-0 lead

DENVER — Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns powered Minnesota’s 106-80 blitz of the Denver Nuggets on Monday night that gave the Timberwolves a 2-0 lead in the NBA Western Conference semifinals over the reigning but reeling NBA champions. Towns and Edwards both scored 27 points as the Wolves improved to 6-0 in the playoffs and gave themselves a chance to close out the fuming Nuggets with wins Friday night and Sunday in Minneapolis. So...

COLUMN: Can Rain or Shine be the 'feel-good' story of this PBA playoffs?

A fast-paced style of play as well as Norwood and Belga's leadership has sparked Rain or Shine's resurgence. Can RoS sustain it in the PBA playoffs?

UST dethrones La Salle, enters UAAP women's volley Finals

MANILA, Philippines: The UST Golden Tigresses dethroned the De La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, May 5 to enter the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Finals. Angge Poyos fired 28 points to lead the Golden Tigresses, who reached their 12th overall Finals appearance which is their first since Season 81 back in 2019. The win-once-armed UST pulled away from a 3-deadlock in the fifth frame,...

NBA: 76ers president Daryl Morey has big plans for Embiid, Maxey

CAMDEN, New Jersey — Say goodbye to the 76ers. No, not Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is sticking around, too. Nick Nurse seems like a perfect long-term fit as coach. But for the rest of the 76ers? It’s time to pretty much wish them well, with just about the entire team — players such as Kelly Oubre Jr., Kyle Lowry and Nic Batum — ending the season with an expired contract. READ: NBA: 76ers waste another season of Joel Embiid’s prime Team president...

Madayag proud of undermanned Choco Mucho's resilience

MANILA Philippines: The wings of the Flying Titans remain sturdy. Choco Mucho team captain Maddie Madayag shared that her squad draws their strength from their teammates who were injured in this Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference "This is for them. I have three teammates who were down this conference. We don't have Kat (Tolentino), Aduke (Ogunsanya), and Des (Cheng). We want to play for them because even though we...

Wembanyama named unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

Victor Wembanyama had a year like no rookie in NBA history. Others scored more points, others grabbed more rebounds, others had more blocks, others made more steals. But never had there been a player who, in Year 1 of his career, posted all these averages — at least 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Until now. The long-expected result became reality on Monday, when the Spurs’ star from France was...

How to watch WRC's Rally Portugal: schedule, line-up and more

Rally Portugal’s gravel stages hosts round five of the 2024 World Rally Championship season, so here is how and when you can watch this weekend’s action.

Nagoya, Ray Parks secure homecourt edge as B.League playoffs begin

See all the pairings when the B.League playoffs begin this weekend

Eala achieves another career-best in world rankings

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala has achieved another career high in her Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. As of May 6, the 18-year-old climbed the world ranks yet again, from 170th on April 22 to 162nd, beating her previous best ranking, which was 169th last April 15. She also placed 239th in the doubles rankings, which is also a career best. Eala was fresh off an appearance at the Madrid Open in Spain, where she...

Finals-bound UST looks to keep history from repeating itself, seeks championship

MANILA, Philippines: Coach Kungfu Reyes and the UST Golden Tigresses dethroned the De La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, in their Final Four match at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, May 5 to enter the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Finals. The win-once UST repeated what it did in Season 81 back in 2019 when the Reyes-mentored team also dethroned La Salle in five sets at the same venue and on the same date the Golden...

Gilas convenes on June 22 to begin buildup for Olympic Qualifiers

Gilas to play tune-up games in Turkey, Poland ahead of Latvia qualifiers

Cricketer Josh Baker, 20, was found dead in his flat by a friend

Josh Baker, a talented Worcestershire spinner, had been playing in his county's second XI just yesterday, and was due back on the field in Bromsgrove today.

Inoue KOs Nery in 6th after 1st round scare to defend titles

Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue said an early scare got him “fired up” after he stopped Mexico’s Luis Nery in the sixth round to defend his titles at the Tokyo Dome on Monday. Around 43,000 fans packed into the famous venue for the first boxing match there since 42-1 underdog James “Buster” Douglas knocked out unbeaten heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in February 1990 in one of the sport’s biggest upsets. Another...

Last shot at last 8

B-Pier, Dyip in Ko Setto MANILA, Philippines — Forget about the bungled attempts to put together the needed six wins to make the quarterfinals outright. For NorthPort and Terrafirma, which finished with identical 5-6 cards, there’s still one more chance to meet their initial objective and all they have to do is make the most of it. That comes tonight at 7:30 p.m. when the Batang Pier and the Dyip engage in a knockout match for the last berth in...

Russia issues arrest warrant for former chess champion Garry Kasparov

NBA mock draft 1.0: Not as weak as initially thought?

Edwards sparks Wolves over Nuggets

LOS ANGELES: Anthony Edwards scored a playoff career-high 43 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves dominated defending champion Denver in the final minutes for a 106-99 victory in Saturday's (Sunday in Manila) NBA playoff series opener. Edwards made 17-of-29 shots from the floor, 3-of-7 from 3-point range, and all six free throws for his third career 40-point playoff game. Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a three point basket...

Ukrainian Olympic hero killed in action fighting Putin’s invasion force

The horrible accident that killed Spanish world champion Isaac Gálvez López

Clasico quarters up

MANILA, Philippines — The incendiary “Manila Clasico” confrontation between sister teams but fiery rivals Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia will headline the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs firing off this week. The Gin Kings took second seeding with a 7-4 card in the eliminations while the Hotshots wound up seventh at 6-5, setting the stage for another edition of their storied rivalry dating back to 1988. As No. 2, the crowd darlings will carry a...

Archers on brink of D-League three-peat

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle overwhelmed challenger Centro Escolar U in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals, 98-72, to zero in on a third straight championship in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup last Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. Without Abdul-Wahab Olusesi for the Scorpions, Henry Agunanne and Jonnel Policarpio dominated inside with 17 points each as the unbeaten Green Archers drew first blood in the...

Collective spirit key to title drive

MANILA, Philippines: As Choco Mucho and Creamline gear up for the Premier Volleyball League's All-Filipino crown, their individual talents are sure to shine, but it's their collective spirit that will ultimately define their quest for victory. With Game One of the best-of-three title playoff set to ignite the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, anticipation is high two days before the league's most popular teams square off for the second...

Former Lakers pick, PG Darius Morris dies at 33

Former Michigan standout and Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Darius Morris has died at 33, his family announced Saturday. No cause of death was given. TMZ reported Morris’ body was found in the Los Angeles area on Thursday. He was an L.A. native. “With great sadness we announce the passing of our dearly beloved son, […]

PH snares 3 golds in HK Athletics Championships

(UPDATE) THE Philippine national athletics team claimed five medals bannered by three golds in the 2024 Hong Kong Athletics Championships. Tokyo Olympian Kristina Knott, Lauren Hoffman and Hussein Lorana ruled their respective events in the May 4 to 5 tournament that offered Paris Olympic qualifying points. Knott clocked in 11.52 seconds to finish first in the 19-athlete field of the women's open 100m category finals, topping her heats time by...

NBA: Mavericks extend coach Jason Kidd’s contract

DALLAS — Jason Kidd found a groove with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving a season after a chaotic ending to the first two months together for the Dallas superstars. The Mavericks coach has his team advancing in the playoffs for the second time in his three years in charge, and the 51-year-old now has a contract extension to go with it. Kidd signed a multiyear deal Monday, the day before Dallas opens a second-round NBA playoff series against Oklahoma...

NU simply succumbed to pressure against FEU, says Belen

MANILA, Philippines: The NU Lady Bulldogs simply succumbed to pressure against the FEU Lady Tamaraws. This is Bella Belen's assessment of the Lady Bulldogs following their stunning 23-25, 17-25, 23-25 loss to the Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, May 4. The fourth seed FEU thus forced a do-or-die game against the top seed and twice-to-beat NU, with the winner getting the...

UAAP: Poyos close to completing her promise as UST nears title

MANILA, Philippines — Behind Angge Poyos’ stellar rookie season was a promise to UST coach KungFu Reyes to do better in college after an underwhelming performance in the UAAP girls’ volleyball tournament last year. In her first collegiate Final Four, Poyos imposed her dominance with a game-high 28 points to propel UST into the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals after a five-year wait with a 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 win to dethrone...

Cone explains endgame benching of C-Stan, Scottie vs NLEX

Nothing to it, says Ginebra coach

Celtics, Cavs clash in NBA playoffs for first time since 2018

BOSTON — One of the things Celtics forward Jaylen Brown remembers about his time inside the NBA Florida bubble in 2020 during the pandemic was his random sightings of Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell, then with the Utah Jazz, seemed to pop up in the common spaces of the bubble at the same time as Brown. It led to humorous fodder on social media between the pair and helped form a friendship between the young stars that continues today. But none of that...

Sarno, Ando going for medals in Paris

MANILA, Philippines: Filipino weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando said that they are going for medals no less at the Paris Olympics. Sarno, making her first Olympic appearance, said that she isn't going to Paris just to get an experience. The weightlifter from Bohol eyes at least a bronze medal no matter how difficult that goal is. "My goal is to win a medal in the Olympics. I want to break the mentality that you should just look for...

Victolero on facing Ginebra: 'We need to prepare hard'

MANILA, Philippines: Chito Victolero is not complaining at all even though Magnolia fell into an early quarterfinal duel with long-time rival Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup. Playing with an injury-plagued roster, the Hotshots fell by as many as 18 points, narrowed the gap in the final period before eventually falling short against the TNT Tropang Giga, 98-93 at the close of the elimination round on Sunday. That loss proved...

Turkey, Poland tiffs up for Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas will embark on training sorties in Turkey and Poland ahead of its stint in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia in July. According to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy, the Nationals will first re-assemble on June 22 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna before flying to Turkey then Poland to play tune-up games with their respective national teams. From there, coach...

Lady Spikers vow fightback next season

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle is not going anywhere. Dethroned and all, there is no way to go but up – and back – for the Lady Spikers as they vow a strong comeback in the next UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. “Siyempre nakakalungkot din po sa nangyari but hindi kami dito titigil. It will serve as a motivation for all of us,” said reigning MVP Angel Canino as La Salle saw their title retention bid come to an abrupt end over the weekend....

Double celebration for Sisi Rondina as Choco Mucho, UST make finals

MANILA, Philippines—Sisi Rondina had a lot of reasons to celebrate on Sunday. For one, her mother club in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) just reached the All-Filipino Conference Finals after defeating Petro Gazz, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20. The finals-clinching victory in the PVL came not long after her alma mater University of Santo Tomas reached the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball title round at the expense of defending champion La...

NLEX prepares for Meralco duel; Cone wary of ‘early’ Kings-Hotshots clash

NLEX coach Frankie Lim did some math on the side on Sunday night and learned that the Road Warriors will have about four days to prime themselves for Meralco and their best-of-three quarterfinal duel in the PBA Philippine Cup. Whether that stretch is going to be enough for his charges, however, is something Lim couldn’t be certain of. And for a good reason. “We’ll have a lot of thinking to do about Meralco,” he said in Filipino on the heels of a...

Criss Cross stuns Cignal to reach Spikers’ Turf Finals

MANILA, Philippines–Criss Cross defied overwhelming odds to crash into the finals in its Spikers’ Turf Open Conference debut, upsetting fancied Cignal, 18-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 17-15, before a stunned Sunday crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The King Crunchers staged a breathtaking comeback against the favored HD Spikers, overturning a two-set deficit to claim the victory in a thrilling encounter that likewise ended Cignal’s imposing...

NBA: Clippers facing big decision with new arena move pending

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers are moving into their new arena in nearby Inglewood this summer. Just who will be on the court and the sideline for them next NBA season are among the decisions facing the team. The health of their superstar Kawhi Leonard also looms large, after he was limited to two postseason games because of inflammation in his right knee that has been surgically repaired twice. Leonard’s absence proved costly when the...

The 10 most overrated NBA players right now, including one big surprise

Notable People who died in 2024

'It wasn't easy': David Beckham talks bringing Lionel Messi to US

David Beckham reflects on bringing Lionel Messi to US team in Miami. Beckham said it 'wasn't easy', but that the contract has been a success thus far.

The 'Dream Team' that has revolutionized women's basketball

Creamline makes quick work of Chery Tiggo, punches finals ticket

MANILA, Philippines: The Creamline Cool Smashers took a much-needed win to advance to the finals after a masterful sweep over the Chery Tiggo Crossoverss, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20, in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, May 5. "We are happy that we are back in the finals again, and we are eyeing to defend our title," coach Sherwin Meneses told the press after the...