De Brito extension raises questions on Veloso status

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Jorge Souza de Brito leaves up his post as Akari coach. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

With Jorge Souza de Brito earning an extended stay with the women’s Alas Pilipinas, there has been some ambiguity as to what will happen to the supposed reshuffling of the national team coaches.

“After careful thought, consideration and consultation with the PNVF (Philippine National Volleyball Federation) board, I would like to officially announce that we would like to retain coach Jorge until the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games 2025,” PNVF president Tats Suzara said in a statement released to the media.

Sergio Veloso was touted to take the place of de Brito when his contract end with Italian Olympic mentor Angiolino Frigoni supposedly taking the coaching duties for the men’s team up to the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) World Championships here in 2025.

READ: Jorge Edson Souza de Brito stays on as Alas Pilipinas coach

So the question arises: What will happen to Veloso now?

“I will be able to give you some information after the meeting with the PNVF,” Veloso told the Inquirer when asked about his fate.

Unprecedented bronze

De Brito led a hastily built women’s national team to a historic and unprecedented bronze medal finish in the previous Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup held here.

The women Nationals, composed of young and seasoned players led by skipper and playmaker Jia de Guzman, knocked down all of their preliminary assignments before Kazakhstan halted their winning streak but managed to still finish on the podium after defeating Australia.

That prompted the PNVF to extend de Brito’s stay even before his contract was set to expire at the end of this month.

Veloso, on the other hand, achieved only moderate success with the men’s squad, which had a lackluster stint in the recently concluded AVC Challenge Cup in Manama, Bahrain.

The Alas men’s team was swept by China and the host in their preliminary meetings before earning its lone win against Indonesia in the classification round.

The Filipinos then ended up in the tenth spot like last year after losing to Asian powerhouse Thailand, also in the classification phase.

For now, Veloso will still get to stay in the country as he also calls the shots for the Ateneo women’s volleyball team in the UAAP. INQ

UP finds needed push from previous Finals defeats

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FILE–UP Fighting Maroons’ CJ Cansino . –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Losing only a few members from its core, University of the Philippines (UP) still looks like the formidable crew that fought in the last three championship series of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

But the Fighting Maroons had only reached the throne once in those Finals appearances after folding to Ateneo two years ago and against La Salle in Season 86.

“Coming short the last two seasons—that’s where we are coming from. We’re not gonna lie about that,” assistant coach Christian Luanzon said on Sunday after UP ousted Far Eastern University with an 89-77 victory in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup knockout semifinals.

The Maroons, also the defending champions of this preseason tilt, have been dominating the competition made up of squads from both UAAP and NCAA and are currently in an eight-game winning streak.

‘Everyday grind’

Guard CJ Cansino and former Most Valuable Player big man Malick Diouf exhausted their playing years while Luis Pablo and Cyril Gonzales transferred, but UP still has the services of mainstays such as JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano and reigning Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez as well as a bunch of recruits.

But from its experience in those last two seasons, UP is not getting complacent with how it is playing so far especially with last season’s tormentor La Salle meeting them once again in the Finals.

Despite squandering a 24-point lead, the Green Archers survived the late-game efforts of Letran, 91-87, in the other semifinal pairing to advance to the championship with sophomore forward Jonnel Policarpio’s 19 points.

“We know that it’s not going to be easy to [reach the top] but there’s a process to that and it starts with our everyday grind during practices and building our habits and chemistry,” Luanzon said.

“[We are honing] the culture that we want and the standard that not only coach [Goldwin Monteverde] wants but the standard that the players put on themselves as a team,” he added.

That standard can be seen through powerful forward Lopez, who delivered a 22-point performance from eight-of-12 field goals apart from seven rebounds. Graduating guard Cagulangan led his crew with 13 points, nine assists, five rebounds and four steals.

“This is our team so the standard that we uphold in practice and games should fully be translated inside the court, that’s the most important thing,” Luanzon said. INQ

Motivations may differ, but dream remains the same

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MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The perilous side of sustained excellence is that it tends to become monotonous for some.

But not to San Miguel Beer’s seasoned veterans, who have always found a way to make each run interesting.

For Chris Ross, there’s no more repulsive feeling than losing. The defensive ace, who has won 10 titles with the vaunted club, is raring to keep on winning until he has long forgotten that loss he suffered in the past.

“The thing that pushes me the most is that one championship we lost. It was a horrible feeling when we lost to Ginebra,” the Beermen skipper told the Inquirer.

“We had [Renaldo] Balkman. We lost to those guys (Gin Kings) in six. That feeling of losing was worse than the height of winning. It just felt bad.”

Ross was referring to the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup championship series with the Tim Cone-coached Gin Kings who were then backstopped by the well-loved Justin Brownlee.

That loss remains as the only stain in Ross’ trips to the championship stage—a record shared by Lassiter who has just as many titles.

Lassiter, however, has a slightly different drive. One that is steeped in pressure.

“If you really uncover the ‘why,’ I just understand that the expectations for both teams are a lot different. If you understand Meralco’s, this is their first time. So they are excited ‘cause they just made it [to the Finals this conference]. So their expectation, obviously, is to win,” he said.

“For us, every conference, our organization wants us to win a championship. So there’s pressure even from the beginning, when the conference starts, to get to that peak, to that top of the mountain.”

However different their motivations sound, there’s no denying that the goal is just the same: To deliver the franchise’s 30th championship.

San Miguel currently has a veritable chokehold of titles in the PBA, accounting for 29 crowns. Its closest pursuer is the Barangay Ginebra franchise which has 15—only a little over half of the Beermen’s collection.

The two will have their work cut out for them, however, after the Beermen suffered a setback in Game 3 of the ongoing Philippine Cup Finals, falling behind in the series after a 93-89 defeat on Sunday night. INQ

PH baseball eyes bigger prize

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Returning to the international stage last year with a flourish, the Philippines brought home the Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) East Asia Men’s Baseball Cup and looks to do so again with higher stakes on the table.

The Filipinos ruled the 2023 version of the tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, and a repeat act in Clark, Pampanga, from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3 will galvanize their participation in the Asian championships, which offers a possible route to the world championships.

“If there’s a tournament where we want to compete in, this certainly is the one,’’ said Philippine Amateur Baseball Association president Chito Loyzaga in hosting the continental qualifier.

The two best countries in the seven-nation meet will advance to the 2025 BFA Asian Baseball Championships where world No. 1 Japan awaits them along with South Korea, Chinese Taipei and China.

Beside the Philippines, national squads from Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia are vying for those spots.

“We have the advantage. Besides playing on our field, we ranked better against these countries,’’ said Loyzaga.

“But we shouldn’t be too confident, we know that these nations are building up for the tournament, especially Hong Kong and Thailand,’’ he added.

Two more teams from the west Asian region will join the eight-country continental championships, after which the medalists progress to the U-23 Baseball World Cup 2026.“The group where we will land in the Asian championships is critical. If you ask me, I prefer us to be grouped with China, which will give us a chance,’’ said Loyzaga. INQ

Meralco hopes to hold on to 2-1 lead this time around

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Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome shoots during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the San Miguel Beermen.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Meralco is once again in familiar territory after preserving its lead in the end this time to take a 2-1 advantage over San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

What the Bolts don’t want to repeat after Sunday’s 93-89 victory, thanks to the clutch plays of Chris Newsome at Smart Araneta Coliseum, is for another golden opportunity to slip away.

“We’re definitely been here before,” Newsome after his three with 34.1 seconds left in the fourth brought Meralco to the lead. “But the results didn’t pan out the way we wanted to.”

The Bolts learned from the mistakes of their collapse in Game 2, when a four-point lead with 26 seconds left disappeared before ending up losing what looked like a sure win.

Now Meralco hopes to experience something it has never experienced before in a championship series—a commanding 3-1 lead which the Bolts can pull off on Wednesday at the same venue.

It’s the third time that Meralco took two of the first three games of the Finals, first in the 2016 Governors’ Cup and in the 2022 edition of the same conference, both against crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra.

And on both occasions, Meralco couldn’t sustain its hold on the driver seat, with Ginebra winning three straight in each of those title meetings.

‘Team of the decade’

Newsome, Cliff Hodge and current assistant coach Reynel Hugnatan have witnessed those past debacles. All of them are hoping to see the current makeup of the Bolts roster to author a different outcome, regardless of what happens moving forward.

“For those guys who were with us during those 2-1 leads and those lapses, those are actually the most vocal in our locker room,” said Newsome. “Those are the guys that have been through it. We had those heartbreaks, and we’re passing that knowledge now, and the things that we thought we could have done better during our 2-1 leads to capitalize on the situation and turn it into a 3-1 lead.

“I mean, this is a series, we’re going up against San Miguel who’s the best team of the decade and they’re playoff ready. They’ve been through a lot of series so it’s gonna be tough to go up 3-1 against them, especially after this win by us. They’re gonna be hungry.

“Again, it’s up to our veterans to be vocal about it. But when it’s all said and done, it’s not about what you’re saying, it’s what you do. We can say anything about doing this and doing that but what matters is stepping onto that court and getting that job done,” he added.

Newsome posted 26 points, leading a starting crew that all scored in double-figures, including Raymond Almazan, who had 15 points before fouling out after laying a dud due to foul trouble in Game 2. INQ

NBA Finals 2024 Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, fends off Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving during the second half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals 2024 on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks dispute the Larry O’Brien Trophy in a best-of-seven NBA Finals series.

The Celtics, who finished with the best record this NBA season, hold the home-court advantage in the series against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, who are back in the Finals for the first time since 2011.

Boston reached the NBA Finals after sweeping Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference while the Mavericks disposed of Minnesota Timberwolves in five games over at the West.

Kings’ Montessori beats NU for Shakey’s Girls volleyball bronze

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Kings’ Montessori School during the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League against National University-Nazareth School.–Photo from SGVIL

MANILA, Philippines — Sisters Shekaina and Shahanna Lleses powered the Kings’ Montessori School past National University-Nazareth School, 25-18, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22, to bring home the bronze medal of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) on Sunday at Adamson Gym.

Shekaina unleashed a game-high 28 points off 25 attacks and three aces, while her sister Shahanna backstopped her with 14 points to stun the UAAP runner-up in one hour and 57 minutes.

“It’s very heartwarming to see these kids [win against] top school NU. They worked hard for it and this bronze is the result of their hardships and sacrifices,” said KMS assistant coach Glenn Gomez, attributing their victory to head coach Onyok Getigan, who is in Japan for Farm Fresh’s training camp.

READ: UAAP rivals arrange KO semis in Shakey’s Girls volleyball

“This is for coach Onyok. This result is because of his knowledge and guidance. He even called us from Japan to talk to the players.”

Aiana Jumawan ran the plays as Justine Decena chipped in seven points, while Kriska Gindap and Mhyne Escote added six points each.

Kings’ Montessori fell to finalist Bacolod Tay Tung, 25-18, 25-14, 25-23, in the knockout semifinal on Thursday.

NUNS settled for fourth place for the second straight year with Diza Marie Verayo leading the team with 22 points off 19 attacks and three aces. Joseline Salazar contributed 12 points off eight attacks, two blocks, and a pair of aces, while Mardy Tayag added 11 points.

Meanwhile,  Far Eastern University-Diliman cruised past Arellano University, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, for a fifth-place finish.

READ: New-look California Academy begins Shakey’s Girls title defense

Riane Alonzo led the Lady Baby Tamaraws with 11 points, while Shiela Pascual and Clarisses Loresco added 10 points each, combining for 18 of FEU-Diliman’s 38 attack points.

“I’m happy that they brought out their A game. They just needed a little more push and better communication inside the court,” said FEU coach Joanne Bunag.

Samantha Maranan was the lone bright spot for the Lady Braves with 15 points.

Shane Reterta poured in 27 points as Bethel Academy College overcame  Lyceum of the Philippines University, 22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20, for a seventh-place finish.

Reterta pounded 25 kills and had two aces. Trisha Porto added nine points while Andrea Dinglasan and Jerrize Armintia had combined 11 markers for the Bethelites, who had a good run in their first GVIL foray.

Philip Gancia and Charle Rutaquio posted 14 and 12 points, respectively, but weren’t enough to save the Junior Lady Pirates. 

Meralco escapes San Miguel for 2-1 series edge

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Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome shoots during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the San Miguel Beermen.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco played splendid basketball on both ends on Sunday night for a gutsy 93-89 Game 3 victory over San Miguel and a 2-1 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven championship series.

The Bolts saw all of their starters finish in double-digit scores while clamping down on the Beermen’s top guns in yet another tightly-contested duel at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“Looking at the stats, 15 lead changes, 16 times tied. You could just see how close these games are. I thought we were OK with our execution [tonight],” said coach Luigi Trillo, whose charges aptly rebounded after narrowly losing to the defending champions, 95-94, in the previous encounter last Friday night.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

Chris Newsome delivered 26 points, including an open corner triple and two charities late in the game that proved to be the cushion that Meralco needed to prevail.

Raymond Almazan had 17 points–his finest this series–and had 13 rebounds. Bong Quinto chipped in 16 more into the scoring effort while Chris Banchero and Cliff Hodge pumped in 10 each.

Mo Tautuaa had 19 points to lead all of the Beermen, while CJ Perez was limited to just 18 points after top-scoring with 34 in the previous meeting.

READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel survives Meralco to tie series

Game 2 hero Marcio Lassiter and reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo added 12 points each, while Don Trollano and Jeron Teng also finished in twin-digit scores.

“We won, but we’re not satisfied with our last three, four minutes,” said Trillo, who pointed out how much tidying up Meralco has to do to sustain their run in this showdown for the prestigious Jun Bernardino trophy.

Meralco will try to annex a second-straight win and put its fancied foe in a bind in Game 4 set this Wednesday, again at the Big Dome.

The Scores:

MERALCO 93 – Newsome 26, Almazan 17, Quinto 16, banchero 10, Hodge 10, Maliksi 8, Torres 2, Pascual 2, Bates 2, Rios 0, Caram 0

SAN MIGUEL 89 – Tuatuaa 19, Perez 18, Lassiter 12, Fajardo 12, Trollano 11, Teng 10, Cruz 7, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Enciso 0

Quarterscores: 28-24, 48-46, 71-70, 93-89

Rest heading into Game 4 vital for SMB, says CJ Perez

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San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the Meralco Bolts.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Unlike the first three games of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, San Miguel and Meralco will have more time to prepare and recover heading into Wednesday’s Game 4.

That’s exactly what the Beermen need, especially June Mar Fajardo, according to CJ Perez after a 93-89 loss in Game 3.

“The two days of rest will be huge for us, of course especially for June Mar,” said Perez in Filipino, referring to the seven-time MVP who had 12 points and 15 rebounds but committed seven turnovers.

READ: PBA Finals: Newsome, Meralco deliver own dagger in Game 3

“June Mar’s really having a hard time so rest is really needed now.”

Despite having Fajardo in tow, San Miguel struggled in the rebounding department which could be attributed to Meralco having the fresher legs.

June Mar Fajardo San Miguel Beermen Game 3 PBA Philippine Cup Finals

San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“We just need to have a lot of energy to beat Meralco. That’s where we’re losing, also in the rebounding department, they had a lot more rebounds because of their hustle,” said Perez, who was held to just 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco escapes San Miguel for 2-1 series edge

Aside from the rebounding woes, San Miguel also shot itself in the foot with missed opportunities at the free throw line, going just 23-of-35 in that area.

“The free throws were the most crucial. We missed seven late in the game and that made the difference. They also had a lot of offensive rebounds.”

Winning rebound battle key for Meralco in PBA Finals

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Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the San Miguel Beermen.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco has been doing almost everything right in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals so far.

The Bolts on Sunday regained the upper hand in their best-of-seven series with the San Miguel Beermen after a pulsating win in Game 3 and while it was Chris Newsome’s late 3-pointer that propelled them to victory, winning the rebounding battle was another reason why they’re halfway there to a breakthrough championship.

“It’s definitely a focus of interest for us. We know that if we can dominate the rebounding, we’ll have a great shot at winning the game,” explained Hodge after Meralco’s 93-89 squeaker over San Miguel.

READ: PBA Finals: Chris Newsome, Meralco deliver own dagger in Game 3

“All the bigs have to guard June Mar (Fajardo) and try to slow him down. I mean he’s the best, the GOAT of the PBA and it’s a hard job for them to slow him down and they gotta box him out so I’m just trying to get as many rebounds as I can.”

Hodge came up big for the Bolts anew, notching a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, six of which on the offensive end.

Raymond Almazan also held it down for Meralco in the shaded area, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out in the final minute.

READ: PBA Finals: Rest vital for SMB heading into Game 4, says CJ Perez

With Hodge and Almazan making their presence felt, the Bolts out-rebounded the Beermen, 57-50, which had been the case for the first three games of the finals.

Meralco had 22 offensive rebounds overall that led to 22 second-chance points.

Hodge, though, is fully aware that the battle is still far from over.

“We’ll definitely watch the viewing. I honestly don’t think we played that great of a game. [We] had a lot of mistakes defensively.”

“[We’ll] just clean up our game plan and clean up all our mistakes and focus on the next game. That’s about it.”