Newsome, Merlaco deliver own dagger in Game 3

On: By: admin


Chris Newsome and the Meralco Bolts after beating the San Miguel Beermen in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco defeated San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals in familiar fashion on Sunday night.

With the game on the line, Chris Newsome drilled a go-ahead triple from the corner with 34 seconds to go that turned out to be the dagger in the Bolts’ 93-89 escape for a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven title series.

“To be honest,  I wasn’t thinking. I was just being in the moment,” said Newsome.

“It felt good that my shot did fall but at the end of the day, you can’t let your guard down until it [the clock] says 0:00.”

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

Newsome’s shot was reminiscent of Marcio Lassiter’s 3-pointer with 13 ticks remaining that capped the Beermen’s late rally in the final 30 seconds of Game 2.

Newsome finished with 26 points, four rebounds and four assists. He came alive in the second half, where he fired 20 points.

Despite his heroics that include a pair of free throws to seal the game, the 30-year-old swingman put more emphasis on playing smarter especially down the stretch.

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

“It’s about staying present and focusing on possessions at hand. I hate turning the ball and having those mental lapses,” said Newsome, who committed a turnover with a minute left that led to a couple of freebies by June Mar Fajardo for an 89-88 San Miguel lead.

“Those are things I could look at after the game and I can’t let that affect me in the next play. My team’s counting on me to be strong for them and to be a leader for them.”

Fortunately for Newsome, he was able to redeem himself in a major way and win it for Meralco.

Adamson caps dominant stint with Shakey’s Girls volleyball crown

On: By: admin


Adamson celebrates during the Shakey’s Girls volleyball final. Photo from SGVIL

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson stamped its class to rule the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League after dominating Bacolod Tay Tung, 25-20, 25-5, 25-22, in the winner-take-all final on Sunday at Adamson Gym.

The Lady Baby Falcons had another perfect campaign, sweeping all of their six matches in the SGVIL capped by a quick win over the reigning Palarong Pambansa champions.

Adamson also swept the UAAP Season 86, winning all of its 14 games.

READ: Kings’ Montessory beats NU for Shakey’s Girls volleyball bronze

Shaina Nitura emerged as the tournament MVP, leaving a winning legacy with another championship before she moves up to college with the Lady Falcons for Season 87 next year.

“It’s not just special for me. It’s special for the team, coaches, our parents and the Adamson community,” said the graduating high school sensation.

“This is a very good opportunity for my teammates, who will be left. They gained confidence and courage for the next leagues, especially for (UAAP) Season 87.”

Nitura delivered 10 points off eight attacks and two aces in her final high school game.

Lhouriz Tuddao led the collective effort of Adamson with 11 points highlighted by five blocks, while Abegail Segui was also instrumental with 10 points.

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

“I told them to renew the right mindset, whenever they are in doubt with what they do so that they can have a better flow of movement,” said Adamson coach JP Yude.

The Baby Lady Falcons, who convincingly took the opening set, unleashed a 14-3 start in the second frame before scoring seven straight points for a 21-4 spread after Nitura’s ace en route to a two-set advantage.

The Thunderbolts’ five points in the second came from the home team’s four service errors and only converted one attack point.

Bacolod Tay Tung refused to play a lopsided championship game, starting the third with a 10-6 lead before Segui scored back-to-back kills to take a 11-10 advantage and force a see-saw battle.

Adamson pulled away after Tuddao’s big block for a 23-20 lead before Nitura’s attack error. Libero Mariana Pineda’s lucky push put the Baby Lady Falcons at match point, 24-21, followed by Segui’s service error.

Setter Felicity Sagaysay nailed the championship-clinching 1-2 play to end the game in just 70 minutes.

It was still a great stint for Bacolod Tay Tung, which improved to silver after a bronze finish last year.

The Thunderbolts won five games before losing the championship, where no one scored in double figures with Rhose Almendralejo leading the way with seven points.

Meanwhile, Shakey’s and organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management Group Inc. (ACES) will stage the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals in July, where the top three UAAP and NCAA teams will compete against college teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The third edition of the preseason championship, featuring 10 NCAA squads and eight UAAP teams, takes place later this year.

Kouame, Abarrientos boost Strong Group’s Jones Cup roster

On: By: admin


FILE–Ange Kouame.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Ange Kouame and RJ Abarrientos bolstered the Strong Group-Philippines roster for the 43rd William Jones Cup set from July 13 to 21 in Taipei.

The local club team on Sunday announced its latest addition to its roster as Kouame is set to make his third appearance in the Jones Cup after playing for Ateneo in 2018 and reinforcing Rain or Shine last year.

“Ange has been like a son to our team owner, Boss Frank (Lao). Finally, I will get the chance to coach him, especially after our Dubai stint where he got sick and had to miss the tournament completely,” said Strong Group coach Charles Tiu.

READ: Strong Group taps ex-PBA import Chris McCullough for Jones Cup

“I know he’s improved a lot and has been healthy, so that’s a good sign. Whenever it comes to playing for the flag, Ange has always been willing.”

The Gilas naturalized center was supposed to play for Strong Group in the 2023 Dubai International Basketball Championship but his team-up with former NBA star Dwight Howard was derailed due to dengue.

Kouame played in France with Nationale Masculine 1 club UB Chartres Métropole, averaging 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 22 games.

“I’m really, really happy to represent the country again. It’s another opportunity for me to win this competition,” said the UAAP Season 84 MVP.

Meanwhile, Abarrientos, armed with his experience with his B.League team Shinshu Brave Warriors in Japan, teams up with Kiefer Ravena and Jordan Heading.

READ: Strong Group brings back Jordan Heading for Jones Cup

“RJ was one of our first options for the point guard spot, but we had to wait until he got clearance from Japan and his agent to play,” said Tiu. “I always like guards who can score, so we are excited to have him on the team. When the opportunity to play for the country arose, he immediately said yes!”

In his debut season with the Brave Warriors, Abarrientos averaged 7.8 points and 2.4 assists per game.

The Far Eastern University product won the 2022-23 Korean Basketball League Rookie of the Year with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis before taking his act to Japan.

“Of course, I’m very excited because it’s my first time on the team, and I’m eager to play with my kuyas and to represent our country again,” Abarrientos said. “I’m also thankful for the opportunity given to me by SGA. I can’t wait to join them and compete on the big stage.”

Chris McCullough and Caelan Tiongson are also part of Strong Group’s roster for the Jones Cup.

Chinese, Leyann Ramo seal Ironman 70.3 Subic glory

On: By: admin


Leyann Ramo.–Photo from Ironman

SUBIC – Chinese Peng Cheng Li and local standout Leyann Ramo delivered outstanding performances at the Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay, demonstrating remarkable speed, strength, and endurance in their victories here Sunday.

Li maintained a commanding lead throughout the race, finishing with an impressive time of 4:20:05. His dominant performance saw him outpace Great Britain’s Christopher Weeks by a substantial margin of 10 minutes in the challenging 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, and 21.1km run event.

Weeks finished in 4:30:18, while August Benedicto, a local favorite, secured third place in 4:34:21.

READ: Filipinos eye strong showing at Ironman, 70.3 races in Subic

Li’s performance was particularly notable during the closing run stage, where he dashed to the finish with an energy that belied the grueling nature of the half-triathlon race.

The Ironman Philippines and the IM 70.3 Subic drew over a thousand triathletes from 54 countries, underscoring the global appeal of the Ironman Group-organized event. The two races also offered qualifying slots for three World Championships, including the ongoing full-distance race featuring a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride, and 42.2km run.

Peng Cheng Li Ironman Subic

Peng Cheng Li.–Photo from Ironman

Li, who placed sixth in the full Ironman Australia last year, set a strong pace early in the swim leg with the fastest time of 28:38, establishing a two-minute lead over Weeks.

Transitioning to the bike leg, the 33-year-old multi-age group winner in 70.3 races extended his lead with a time of 2:21:38. He capped off his performance with a powerful finishing kick during the run, completing it in 1:23:58.

Li’s performance mirrored his winning effort at the Ironman 70.3 Korea in 2019, highlighting the consistent discipline he has maintained over the years.

Meanwhile, Ramo showcased impressive form despite fluctuating weather conditions, including intermittent sunshine and overcast skies. She set the pace with a swim time of 00:30:57, maintained her lead during the bike leg with a time of 02:45:42, and concluded strongly with a run time of 01:47:06, securing the women’s overall crown with a total time of 05:07:33.

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” said Ramo, proudly representing Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.

READ: Svetlana Kovaleva top women’s Ironman PH bet

Winner of the Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa last year, the 31-year-old Tri SND Barracuda spearhead expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family, teammates and province for their unwavering support in her latest triumph.
Israel’s Hadar Shahar finished second with a time of 05:16:04, posting leg times of 00:32:38 (swim), 02:46:26 (bike), and 01:52:53 (run). Hong Kong’s Ruby Cheng claimed third place in 05:23:57, with respective times of 00:29:44, 02:49:23, and 01:58:32 in the swim, bike, and run segments.

Ramo also earned the age-group title in the 30-34 division ahead of Cheng while Shahar topped the 25-29 category, culminating a significant triathlon weekend that included the Underpants Run and the Choco Hero Ironkids.

Weeks began strongly with a swim time of 00:30:26, followed by a bike time of 02:22:41, and concluded the run in 01:33:27, finishing with a total time of 04:30:18. Benedicto, winner of the Ironman 70.3 Cebu in 2022, completed the swim in 00:34:26, the bike in 02:23:48, and the run in 01:32:49, finishing at 04:34:21.

The top three male finishers also ruled their respective age-group categories: Li claimed the 30-34 age group, Weeks secured the 35-39 trophy, and Benedicto won in the 40-44 division.

Benedicto also narrowly edged out Thai top triathlete Jaray Jearnai in both overall and age-group standings, with Jearnai finishing in 04:37:08 with leg times of 00:30:23 (swim), 02:26:56 (bike), and 01:35:16 (run).

Furthermore, the top 25 male triathletes from the ongoing full-distance race earned coveted spots in the Kona, Hawaii World Championship scheduled from Oct. 22-28. Additionally, the top 15 female athletes secured qualification for the IM World Championship in Nice, France, set for Sept. 24-28.

The IM 70.3 Subic Bay also offered 45 age-group qualifying slots for the Vinfast IM 70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand, on Dec. 14-15, with 15 slots reserved specifically for female participants.

In relay competitions, Go for Gold Team I topped the men’s event in 04:05:20, beating Isabela Tri Club (04:10:02) and Go for Gold Team 2 (04:19:17), while Isabela Tri Club topped the mixed relay in 04:25:29, and the Isabela Tri Club Girls ruled the women’s side in 05:04:32.

Other division winners were Kenneth Bonda (4:45:49), and A.R. Toroganan (4:40:05) in 25-29.

PBA Finals Game 3 San Miguel vs Meralco

On: By: admin


2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals schedule (Game 3)

Smart Araneta Coliseum

6:15 p.m. – San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts

FULL SCHEDULE HERE.

San Miguel Beermen swingman Marcio Lassiter celebrates with his teammates late in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the Meralco Bolts.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Frosty for most of Friday night, San Miguel Beer marksman Marcio Lassiter came through in the final moments of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, bailing the much-fancied Beermen out from what would have been a 0-2 hole against hard-fighting Meralco.

Despite a 1-for-7 shooting going into that final play, Lassiter hit a step-back triple from the left wing with 13.2 seconds remaining to give the Beermen the lead. It turned out to be the basket the defending champions needed to ultimately level the best-of-seven championship series to a game apiece.

Chris Newsome CJ Perez San Miguel Beermen Meralco Bolts PBA Finals

San Miguel Beer’s CJ Perez tries to score against Meralco’s Chris Newsome in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

As much as Cliff Hodge described the heartbreaking loss Meralco absorbed in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup as “just one game,” there’s also a reason for the Bolts to pity themselves for the missed chance of getting another win over San Miguel Beer.

“We should have won that. We had them on the ropes,” Hodge said before acknowledging the way the Beermen were able to pull off an escape act, 95-94, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Alas Pilipinas girls off to 2-0 start in Thailand tournament

On: By: admin


Alas Pilipinas girls during a game against Malaysia in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas girls overcame Malaysia, eking out a 25-20, 27-29, 25-22, 25-18 win to stay unbeaten in the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship on Sunday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

The Philippines leaned on Kimberly Rubin and Lianne Penuliar, who stepped up when it mattered most to stave off the tough challenge by the Malaysians.

The young Nationals couldn’t sustain their first set win as their effort to save four set points in the second frame wasn’t enough to stop Malaysia from tying the game at 1-1.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls rip Singapore to open Thailand U18 tilt

Alas was quick to get its act together in the third, taking a 17-10 spread but the Malaysians never wavered as they tied the game at 21.

Rubin and Penuliar restored the order for the Filipinos for a 23-21 breather followed by two consecutive errors from both squads to reach set point, 24-22.

Penuliar delivered the set-clinching attack to take a 2-1 advantage.

The Philippines pulled away from a precarious 17-15 lead in the fourth, scoring eight of the last 11 points capped by Penuliar’s game-winning hit.

Alas earned an early 2-0 lead in the six-team competition, where the top two squads of the single round-robin will clash in a winner-take-all final on June 13.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls set for two U18 tournaments

The Philippines takes on host Thailand on Monday at 5:30 p.m. (Manila time).

The Thais, who were eyeing their second win against Australia as of posting time, dominated Indonesia on Saturday with a 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 win.

National girls’ volleyball team coach Taka Minowa won his first two games, following a 25-14, 25-6, 25-12 demolition of Singapore on Saturday.

The Japanese coach and Alas girls will also compete in the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship from June 16 to 23 also in Thailand.

Malaysia fell to a 0-2 record, losing its first match to Australia, 25-12, 25-18, 25-21.

James Maquilan posts KO win to retain WBC Asia Continental belt

On: By: admin


James Maquilan floors Jason Facularin in their bantamweight bout in the main event of Blow-by-Blow at Cuneta Astrodome.–MP Promotions/Wendell Alinea

MANILA, Philippines–James Noli Maquilan bucked off a slow start to score an electrifying 11th-round knockout of the gutsy Jason Facularin and retain his World Boxing Council Asia Continental bantamweight belt late Saturday night during Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow show at Cuneta Astrodome.

Referee Jerold Tomeldan called a halt to the scheduled 12-rounder at the 1:03 mark upon seeing one of Facularin’s cornermen go up the ring to plead that the fight be stopped immediately as the small but boisterous crowd erupted in cheers.

Representing the Penalosa Boxing Gym of Merville, Paranaque, Maquilan floored Facularin in the fifth with a classic jab-straight combo and late in the 10th round with a perfectly timed left hook.

READ: Blow-by-Blow Maquilan, Facularin fight for WBC Asia Continental title

The win boosted Maquilan’s card to 10-1 with seven knockouts while the loss dropped Facularin’s mark to 8-2 with eight knockouts.

Facularin started strong as he forced Maquilan to the ropes in the first two frames with a furious two-fisted head and body assault.

But Maquilan, known to be a slow starter, found a way to counter his foe’s aggressiveness en route to the smashing win.

READ: Blow-by-Blow: Maquilan stops Alipio for PBF bantamweight belt

Eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao could not help but rave about the fantastic showing of Maquilan and those who fought in the undercard.

“Blow-By-Blow is fully committed to help develop Filipino fighters and I will be leading the way to enable them to fulfill their dreams,” said Pacquiao.

Ex-LSU player Josh Maravich, son of NBA legend, dead at 42

On: By: admin


FILE – LSU senior Josh Maravich, left, shakes hands with coach John Brady as his mother, Jackie Maravich, center, watches during Senior Day events before LSU’s NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt on March 5, 2005, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)

COVINGTON, Louisiana — Former LSU basketball player Josh Maravich, son of late Hall of Fame basketball player Pete Maravich, has died at age 42, the university announced Saturday night.

He died at home on Friday, the LSU statement said. No cause of death has been released.

Josh Maravich was a reserve for LSU, which plays home games in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, from the 2001-02 to 2004-05 seasons under then-coach John Brady.

READ: Bill Walton, Hall of Fame player, dies of cancer at 71

For the younger Maravich, it was a childhood dream to play for LSU, where his father set the men’s NCAA Division I scoring record of 3,667 points between 1967 and 1970.

“I wanted to come here for my dad to make him proud,” Josh Maravich said in a 2005 article in The Daily Reveille, the LSU student newspaper. “I knew I wasn’t going to be a star player, but for me being a walk-on was what I always wanted to do.”

Pete Maravich was a prolific scorer during an NBA career that was cut short in 1980 by lingering effects of a major knee injury a couple years prior.

READ: Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević dies after heart attack

In 1988, at age 40, he died from a heart condition that had gone undetected.

Earlier this year, he was back in the headlines when his Division I scoring mark — which went unmatched by any men’s or women’s player for more than half a century — was surpassed by Iowa star Caitlin Clark (3,951 points).

In 2022, when LSU unveiled a bronze statue of Pete Maravich outside its basketball facility, sculptor Brian Hanlon credited Josh Maravich and his older brother Jaeson Maravich with the idea to depict their father — who was known for his showmanship and creativity — making a behind-the-back pass.

Iga Swiatek cruises to third straight French Open title

On: By: admin


Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates with the trophy after winning against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini at the end of women’s singles final match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day fourteen of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on June 8, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Dunand / AFP)

Poland’s Iga Swiatek extended her French Open reign on Saturday as she thrashed Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1 in the final to win a third successive Roland Garros title.

World number one Swiatek dominated Italian 12th seed Paolini, a first-time Grand Slam finalist, needing just 68 minutes to capture a fourth crown in five years in Paris.

Swiatek has now won all five Grand Slam finals she has contested. Her other victory came at the 2022 US Open.

READ: Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff to reach French Open final

She is the fourth woman in the Open era to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen four times — after Justine Henin, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.

“It’s amazing to be here. I love this place. I wait every year to come back,” said Swiatek, who clicked into gear after saving a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round.

“I was almost out of the tournament,” she said. “I also needed to believe this one is going to be possible, it’s been a really emotional tournament.”

Swiatek becomes only the third woman to win the tournament three years running. Henin, in 2005-07, was the last to do so. Monica Seles also achieved the feat as a teenager at the start of the 1990s.

At 23, her four Roland Garros titles are the same number Rafael Nadal, the record 14-time men’s champion, had at the same age.

READ: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff sprint into French Open quarterfinal

For the 28-year-old Paolini it was a sorry conclusion, at least in singles, to an otherwise brilliant fortnight in the French capital.

The world number 15 had won a total of four matches in 16 Grand Slam appearances before advancing to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.

While she fell short of emulating compatriot Francesca Schiavone, who won the 2010 French Open, Paolini could yet finish on a winning note with her and doubles partner Sara Errani through to Sunday’s final.

“I have to say congratulations to you, Iga,” said Paolini. “I think to play you here is the toughest challenge in this sport.”

“It was tough, but it was lots of fun,” she added.

Paolini’s transformation this season into a player capable of challenging for the biggest prizes stemmed in part from quashing the mindset she needed “a miracle” to beat the best in the sport.

Yet the odds were heavily stacked against her going into the final, with Swiatek unbeaten at Roland Garros since a 2021 quarter-final loss to Maria Sakkari.

Swiatek takes charge

Riding a 20-match winning streak in Paris, and a winner of 18 straight matches this year after titles in Madrid and Rome, Swiatek quickly set about her business.

She powered an ace to hold in the opening game and had Paolini backpedaling down break point, but the Italian ground out a gutsy hold and then broke Swiatek when the Pole flayed a forehand long.

That triggered a searing riposte from Swiatek, who broke to love to get back on serve and then surged 4-2 in front after Paolini coughed up a costly double-fault.

“I got broken at the beginning, so it wasn’t maybe perfect, but I think the level was pretty high,” said Swiatek.

She had her opponent constantly scurrying around the court and the errors began to stack up for Paolini, who conceded the first set with a weak groundstroke into the net.

With Swiatek firmly in the ascendancy, Paolini looked lost for answers as the top seed oozed confidence and repeatedly took control of the rallies.

Had it not been for an astonishing recovery against Osaka in the second round, Swiatek would have suffered her earliest exit at the French Open.

Instead that fright served to ignite her title aspirations, reigning Wimbledon and US Open champions — Marketa Vondrousova and Coco Gauff — in particular powerless to stop the Swiatek offensive.

Swiatek had difficulty putting away Karolina Muchova last year when heavily fancied, but there was no such trouble 12 months on as the Pole dismantled Paolini to underline her burgeoning status as the ‘Queen of Clay’.

The three games won by Paolini were the fewest in the final here since Henin obliterated Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-2 in 2007, which also coincided with the Belgian’s fourth Roland Garros title in five years.

Celtics stars united as Kidd comment stirs debate

On: By: admin


Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, left, and Jayson Tatum jump before Game 1 of the basketball team’s NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

The Boston Celtics, coming off an authoritative game one victory over Dallas in the NBA Finals, aren’t about to let Mavericks coach Jason Kidd get in their heads going into Game 2.

In comments widely interpreted as a bid to sow discord in the Celtics ranks, Kidd twice told reporters on Saturday that Jaylen Brown is Boston’s “best” player — but Brown and star teammate Jayson Tatum didn’t bite.

“No reaction,” Tatum said as the teams spoke to reporters ahead of Sunday’s game two in Boston. “This is a team sport, right. We understand that.

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have JB on our team and we can say that for a lot of guys.

“We have all played a part in getting to where we’re at, and we understand that people try to drive a wedge between us. I guess it’s a smart thing to do or try to do.

READ: NBA Finals: Mavericks plan to get Celtics to fight among themselves

“We’ve been in this position for many of years of guys trying to divide us and say that one of us should be traded or one is better than the other. So it’s not our first time at the rodeo.”

Brown led Boston’s scoring with 22 points and was dominant on the defensive end in Thursday’s 107-89 victory.

“Jaylen is their best player,” Kidd said when asked about the difficulty of containing him. “Just looking at what he does defensively, he picked up Luka (Doncic) full court. He got to the free throw line. He did everything, and that’s what your best player does. Just understanding he plays both sides, defense and offense, at a high rate. And he’s been doing that the whole playoffs.”

Brown and Tatum are familiar with the question of which is the team’s top star — long a favorite topic of media debate.

As always, Brown said, the Celtics are tuning it out, even though this time it comes from a coach whose three trips to the NBA Finals as a player included a championship run with Dallas in 2011.

READ: NBA Finals: Celtics formula leaves Mavericks searching for solution

“We’ve been just extremely focused on what our roles and our jobs are,” Brown said.

“We have all had to sacrifice. Jason (Kidd) has had to do that at the highest of levels, right, and I respect him and tip his cap for it.

“Right now, at this point, it’s whatever it takes to win and we can’t let any outside interpretations try to get in between us.”

Instead, Brown said, the Celtics are focused on finding more ways to unsettle the Mavericks’ star duo of Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

“We’ve got to be ready because they are really good after a loss,” Brown said.

That is just what Kidd is counting on.

“I think there’s no panic with this group,” Kidd said. “We didn’t play well in game one … but it’s a series and we don’t just look to capitalize on just one game.

“We believe that we can respond in game two.”