Tag: bout today

Justin Gutang joins Seoul Samsung Thunders in KBL

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Justin Gutang.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Justin Gutang has found a new home in the Korean Basketball League with the Seoul Samsung Thunders.

The club welcomed Gutang on Wednesday a week after the Filipino KBL import parted ways with his former team Changwon LG Sakers.

Gutang will be boosting the Thunders, who finished last in the 2023-24 season with a 14-40 record.

The College of Saint Benilde product averaged  8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game last season and led the Sakers to the semifinals but fell to finalists Suwon KT Sonicboom

Changwon bid farewell to Gutang after two seasons and signed Carl Tamayo, who will be playing in South Korea for the first time.

Caitlin Clark, WNBA rookies draw near-record crowds for 1st month

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FILE – Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark signs autographs for fans before the start of WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

NEW YORK — The first month of the WNBA season drew its highest attendance since the league’s second season in 1998 and the best television ratings in its history, the WNBA announced Tuesday.

The figures are the latest evidence of the surging popularity of the WNBA since it added prominent rookies including Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, Chicago’s Angel Reese and Los Angeles’ Cameron Brink, all of whom drew big audiences playing in college.

Across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION and NBA TV, WNBA games are averaging 1.32 million viewers, nearly tripling last season’s average of 462,000, the league said on Tuesday.

WNBA: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever hope break can help turn around season

“What’s happening now in women’s basketball is confirmation of what we’ve always known: The demand is there, and women’s sports is a valuable investment,” said Colie Edison, the WNBA’s chief growth officer. “We’re encouraged by growing engagement across all our verticals, especially as we welcome new and diverse audiences into our fandom. The WNBA continues to experience sustained growth as our league embraces this heightened momentum.”

The WNBA finished May having sold out more than half its games, more than double the number of sellouts last year. Approximately 400,000 fans have attended games, the most through the first month in 26 years.

Arenas have been filled to 94% capacity, a 17% rise from last year, the league said. Some games have been moved to bigger arenas to accommodate increased fan interest, such as Clark and the Fever playing at the Washington Wizards’ downtown arena in front of 20,333 fans last Friday night instead of the Mystics’ usual venue, which seats 4,200.

On the television side, the WNBA said it saw a 96% increase in Hispanic viewers and a 67% increase in Black viewers.

Merchandise sales rose 236% from the same period last year, with Clark, Reese and Brink ranking in the top five for jersey sales during the first week of the season.

‘Natural killer’ Canino stars for Alas despite different role

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Alas Pilipinas’ Angel Canino (12) during the AVC Challenge Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Angel Canino may have played in an unfamiliar position as an opposite spiker in Alas Pilipinas’ historic bronze medal finish in the AVC Challenge Cup but being a “natural killer” made her shine brightly.

“She’s a natural killer,” Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito told reporters. “You can put her in any position and she will [still] do real damage.”

Playing at the opposite didn’t stop Canino from emerging as Alas’ leading scorer throughout the Challenge Cup and earning herself the Best Opposite Spiker of the tournament to cap the country’s first AVC medal in 63 years.

READ: Angel Canino makes her parents and country proud in Alas Pilipinas debut

De Brito said the key to the former UAAP rookie MVP’s stellar play was her determination to play for the country.

“One of the most important aspects is she’s still young, she still has a long way to go in the UAAP. When I brought her inside I told her, look Angel I will try to put you in the opposite. What do you think? [She answered] No problem coach,” the Brazilian coach said. 

“[She said] no problem to be the opposite, no problem to be there, no problem to be the first six, no problem to be someone who’s gonna help us in the second six. I’m just here to help. What more can you ask for someone who just wants to join the national team.”

“She had some ups and downs but it’s part of the process. But for now, I’m really happy because she’s really enjoying the time there to grow. She always asks for help even from the other players in practice. You can see it in her eyes that she’s willing [to] try,” he added.

READ: Jia De Guzman, Angel Canino cop AVC Challenge Cup awards

The La Salle ace expressed how honored she was to play for the country and realize her family’s dream to don the national colors, armed with the advice of her father and ex-national team player Rodel.

De Brito is grateful to La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus for allowing Canino and other La Salle players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel to play for Alas as they also saw action in a friendly in South Korea.

“I’m really thankful because La Salle let her come [and her teammates] especially also coach Ramil,” the Alas coach said. “It’s important that we can help each other if there’s something that we can give back to him, of course, it’s this kind of experience she had here, of course, she’ll bring there (La Salle) to share it with other players and their team. Like the NU players did in the past.”

De Brito has more options now in the opposite as Tots Carlos and Alyssa Solomon join the training pool for the FIVB Challenger Cup from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. But it will still depend on their practice, which started on Wednesday.

Sisi Rondina apologizes after SB19 remark

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Sisi Rondina during the AVC Challenge Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas star Sisi Rondina apologized to the fans of Filipino boy band, SB19, after her comment during the Independence Day celebration in South Korea on Sunday drew the ire of the group’s supporters.

During the event, Rondina and other Alas Pilipinas members were interviewed on stage and asked about which performance they were looking forward to.

Rondina said some of her teammates were looking forward to SB19 but admitted she’s not familiar with the group.

READ: Sisi Rondina pushes away self doubts to help Alas Pilipinas to bronze

“Personally, hindi ko talaga sila (SB19) kilala. I mean, hindi ko alam ba. I’m really sorry,” Rondina said.

Rondina’s remark did not sit well with SB19 supporters including a fan base called A’tin, which went on a social media tirade against the volleyball star.

“Kaya sa lahat po ng na-offend ko, sorry po. Sorry po talaga. Inaatake na po ako ng mga SB19 fans kaya sorry po. Hindi ko po intensyon yun.”

The volleyball community defended Rondina after receiving hateful comments from SB19 supporters.

Two of SB19’s members, Stell and Pablo also urged their fans to stop the hate toward Rondina.

Top college coach Hurley turns down Lakers offer

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (AP Photo))

LOS ANGELES – Dan Hurley has rejected a six-year offer reportedly worth a total of $70 million from the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and is remaining men’s basketball coach at the University of Connecticut, a statement said Monday.
The Lakers would have made the 51-year-old American, who guided the Huskies to US college crowns in 2023 and 2024, among the half dozen best-paid coaches in the NBA.
But Hurley turned down the deal after meeting on Friday with the Lakers.
In a statement released by the University of Connecticut on Monday, Hurley said he would remain in college basketball.
“I am humbled by this entire experience,” Hurley said. “At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut.
“We met as a team before today’s workout and our focus right now is getting better this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships.”
Hurley is 141-58 over six seasons with Connecticut and has an overall college head-coaching record of 292-163. He signed a six-year, $32.1 million deal with the Huskies last year.
The Lakers had a coaching vacancy after firing Darvin Ham last month.
Ham went 90-74 over two seasons in which the Lakers reached the playoffs. But after battling into the Western Conference finals last year before losing to eventual NBA champion Denver, the Lakers were ousted in the first round this time by Denver.
There was some success for the Lakers this past season as they won the first edition of the NBA In-Season Tournament, now called the NBA Cup.
The Lakers last won the NBA Finals in 2020 and hope to rebuild with Anthony Davis and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, who turns 40 in December.

Angel Di Maria on target as Argentina downs Ecuador 1-0

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Angel Di Maria #11 of Argentina celebrates after scoring a goal against Ecuador in the first half during an International Friendly match at Soldier Field on June 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Patrick McDermott/Getty Images/AFP

Angel Di Maria scored the only goal as Argentina warmed up for the defense of their Copa America crown with a 1-0 friendly victory over Ecuador in Chicago on Sunday.

Di Maria, named as captain for the game with Lionel Messi on the bench, bagged his 31st international goal in the 40th minute of an entertaining clash at Soldier Field.

Patient approach play saw Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul play an incisive pass to defender Cristian Romero in an advanced position on the edge of the area.

READ: Brawling fans in stands delay Argentina-Brazil World Cup qualifier

The Tottenham centre-back swiveled brilliantly and picked out Di Maria with a superb reverse pass and the veteran winger darted in before steering a deft low finish past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.

Di Maria made way for Messi on 56 minutes but the Inter Miami star was unable to help Argentina add to the scoreline.

READ: Messi’s Argentina loses first match since World Cup title

Sunday’s game in Chicago was one of two friendlies Argentina has scheduled before they kick off the Copa America on June 20 against Canada in Atlanta.

The reigning world champions face Guatemala in Landover, Maryland, on Friday as they wrap up preparations for the Copa America, which is being staged in the United States this year with teams from Concacaf participating.

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

Newsome, Merlaco deliver own dagger in Game 3

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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.

PBA Finals Game 3 San Miguel vs Meralco

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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 men finish 10th in AVC Challenge Cup

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Alas Pilipinas during a game against Thailand in the AVC Challenge Cup in Bahrain.–AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas settled for 10th place anew in the AVC Challenge Cup men’s division after falling to Thailand, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25, 20-25, on Friday evening in Bahrain. 

The Philippines placed 10th in the Challenge Cup for the second straight year as it couldn’t stop Thailand and its captain  Khonhan Amornthep, who unleashed 30 points in their game that lasted one hour and 56 minutes.

Alas skipper Marck Espejo led the charge with 16 points on a 15-of-30 attacking clip, while Jade Disquitado shone as a starting opposite spiker with 14 points.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men beat Indonesia, advance to battle for 9th

Lloyd Josafat also stepped up with nine points including two blocks. Jau Umandal and Kim Malabunga had eight and seven points, respectively. Noel Kampton made the most of his limited playing time in the fourth set with six points.

Setter Owa Retamar remained grateful to their Filipino fans in Bahrain and thousands of livestream viewers back in the Philippines for supporting them despite the 10th-place finish.

“I would like to thank all of the Filipinos, who supported us. We fell short because we had a short preparation,” said Retamar. “We will come back stronger. We’re very happy because of the support and the level of play here in Bahrain. [The teams are] good and they’re strong. That’s why they are on top.

“We need to build our communication, our pattern in blocking, and our attack,” he added.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men eliminated in AVC Challenge Cup

The Filipino Spikers equalized the game to one set apiece with Espejo ending the close second set with a cross-court kill. But Amornthep was too much in the last two sets, where he scored 20. Jenthaisong Supakorn backstopped their captain with 15 points.

The Philippines gave up 31 errors in the match as Thailand, which only had 22 miscues, took advantage of the former’s error-filled game

The Thais finished 9th after failing to defend their Challenge Cup title last year with a new champion will be crowned between semifinalists Qatar, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and South Korea.

The Sergio Veloso-coached squad had a winless Pool A after losing to World No.32 China and host Bahrain.

Alas drew from its bench players Disquitado and Nico Almendras to advance to the battle for ninth after beating the young Indonesia team in the classification round.