Tag: mma betting

Johann Chua reaches semis of World Pool Championship

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Johann Chua. Photo from Matchroom Pool

Johann Chua posted twin victories Friday to march into the semifinals and close in on becoming the latest Filipino winner of the World Pool Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Chua defeated Syria’s Mohammad Soufi, 11-8, and China’s Dang Jin Hu, 11-3, at Green Halls to become the country’s lone hope of capturing the prestigious nine-ball competition.

The 2021 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and 2023 World Cup of Pool co-winner will take Albania’s Eklent Kaci in Saturday’s semifinal.

READ: Filipino bets advance in World Pool Championship

If Chua wins, he’ll face either Poland’s Wojciech Szewczyk or 2019 champion Fedor Gorst, the Russian-born pool player who now represents the United States, for the title later in the day.

A top purse of $250,000 is at stake in the tournament.

Jeffrey Ignacio and Anton Raga won their round-of-16 matches, but were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

READ: Johann Chua, James Aranas lead PH to record fourth World Cup of Pool title

Ignacio beat Spain’s David Alcaide, 11-4, but bowed to Kaci, 11-7, in the quarters, while Raga downed 2018 winner Joshua Filler of Germany, 11-7, only to be shown the door by Gorst in his next match, 11-4.

The two Filipino cue artists will take home $27,000 each for making it to the last eight.

Unlimited height for next season’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup

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PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial during a press conference before the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 1. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—There will be some notable changes in the PBA’s rules when it comes to imports next season.

The Commissioner’s Cup will now allow unlimited height for imports, scrapping the previously imposed limit of a 6-foot-9, according to league chief Willie Marcial.

This change could pave the way for the likes of former Gilas Pilipinas player Andray Blatche and ex-NBA standout Dwight Howard to suit up for teams in the mid-season tournament.

READ: PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial: Fans are not leaving

“The board has agreed with my proposal to have unlimited height for the Commissioner’s Cup,” said Marcial before Game 1 of the PBA Finals last Wednesday, also announcing that the PBA is returning to the three-conference format: Governors’ Cup, Commissioner’s Cup then Philippine Cup.

The other import conference–the Governors’ Cup, which will usher in the new PBA season on August 8–will remain with a cap of 6-foot-6 for the reinforcements.

There will also be a whole new format for the first conference, adding more flavor to the upcoming season.

The 12 PBA teams will be divided into two pools. Teams in each pool with play in a double round-robin format while facing the other pool’s teams once in the elimination round.

READ: PBA’s problem: Translating large TV viewers into live audience

The playoffs format will have the same implications, minus the twice-to-beat advantages.

“There’ll be a new format. Governors Cup will have six and six [teams] in two groups… They’ll face their group mates twice and the other side’s teams once for a crossover. Quarterfinals will be best-of-five, semifinals will be a best-of-seven and Finals will be best-of-seven.”

“The other two conferences remain the same. Single round.”

Marcial also said he proposed the possibility of teams having two imports for the Commissioner’s Cup if the PBA successfully invites a guest team.

“There’s a proposal to maybe have two imports. It’s still a ‘maybe’ now because it will depend on whether a guest team would join, “Marcial said.

“Teams will have two imports if the team we’re talking to right now agrees to join. It’ll be a foreign team and we’re still talking.”

Marcio Lassiter just needed small opening for winner

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Meralco Bolts’ Marcio Lassier during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 2 against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—Just a clear look at the basket. That was all Marcio Lassiter needed to bring the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel and Meralco to a 1-1 deadlock

At the tail-end of a thrilling Game 2 between the Beermen and the Bolts, Meralco held a precarious two-point lead, 94-92, with 20 seconds to go in the fourth.

When San Miguel needed someone to pull them out of the gutter, Marcio Lassiter reminded everyone why he’s closing in on being the player with the most made three-point baskets in the PBA.

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

“Coming down, I was just thinking; if the shot’s there, just take it,” said Lassiter after the 95-94 victory for the Beermen.

“I think CJ (Perez) even told me to be ready when he (Chris Banchero) was at the free throw line. I just knew if I can get to my spot, read the defense and pump fake, I can be open. I got a good look at the basket and that’s all I really need.”

Meralco had several chances to seal the deal and take a 2-0 lead, but the game breaks cost the Bolts big time.

Banchero, who finished with 16 points, could’ve given Meralco a 3-point cushion but split the all-important freebies after Lassiter fouled him in the dying seconds of the game.

Lassiter saw that as the perfect opening—and that’s all “Super Marcio” ever really needs.

“Anytime I can get a good look and see the rim, I really feel like I can make it. A few times before, I was able to stay poised and when given an opportunity, I take it. Credit to CJ for keeping his head up and finding me in the corner.”

READ: PBA record can wait as Marcio Lassiter shoots for another title

Lassiter only finished with six points and before his game-winner, the  Gilas Pilipinas gunner struggled the field with a 1-for-7 shooting clip.

Lassiter understood the situation, saying Meralco had good things in mind by limiting the Beermen from shooting perimeter buckets.

“There’s nothing you can do to stop all of us but you can contain certain things and they wanted to contain some outside shooting today, it seems like… If there was a slither or opening, that’s when I have to be ready and take that shot,” he said.

With the series tied at one game a piece, Lassiter understands that the series is far from over, with both games in the Finals so far, having a point differential of below double digits.

Only one squad will take the 2-1 advantage this Sunday at the same venue, though, and the sharpshooter expects nothing more than another dogfight come Game 3.

“It’s too early. We know it’s going to grind out games this whole series. We can’t expect them to just roll over, they’re a good team. That’s why they’re in the Finals. They’re well-coached and we have to make adjustments.”

One of Taka Minowa’s goals is to help PH volleyball reach Olympics

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Alas Pilipinas girls coach Taka Minowa.–Photo from SMM Volleybal

MANILA, Philippines — New Alas Pilipinas girls coach Taka Minowa believes providing more international exposure to the country’s grassroots program is crucial to the development of Philippine volleyball.

The Japanese coach, who was tasked to handle the youth team, is eager to help young Filipino players tap into their full potential beginning in the ongoing 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship and the upcoming Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship from June 16 to 23 both happening in Thailand.

Minowa stressed the importance of developing a young national team, saying that competing internationally as frequently as possible could eventually lead to Philippine volleyball improving its standing in Asia and finally reaching the Olympics.

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

“Our goal is to assess the level of Asian volleyball and gain experience playing volleyball while representing our country with pride,” Minowa told Inquirer Sports.

“This is the initial step in strategizing how we can reach the top tier of Asian volleyball and eventually compete in the Olympics.”

Minowa, the husband of former national team star Jaja Santiago, had a winning debut as Alas u18 coach after demolishing Singapore, 25-14, 25-6, 25-12, in the Princess Cup opener on Saturday in Thailand 

The Akari coach is calling the shots for a young team composed of University of Santo Tomas stars Kimberly Rubin, Jaila Adrao, Maile Salang, Aneeza Santos, Lianne Penuliar, Avril Bron, and Chasliey Pepito, as well as National University-Nazareth School standouts Denesse Daylisan, Akeyla Bartolabac, Harlyn Serneche, and Bubay Belen as well as Samarah Gillian Marzan of La Salle-Zobel and Ashley Macalinao of Kings’ Montessori School.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls set for two U18 tournaments

“I am looking forward to working with this talented group of individuals and helping them reach their full potential on the court,” he said.

Minowa is honored to handle the girls’ team after the appointment of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, led by president Tats Suzara, and Akari, which backed his squad in their two international tournaments.

The PVL coach is tempering his expectations as they are just getting started but he knows that he has a competitive team, who will fight every game for the country’s pride.

“[I expect] to instill a sense of pride in the players who have the privilege of representing the national team,” said Minowa. “I don’t expect too much from these young girls but for now, I want to show and share my coaching program and hopefully, eventually they will learn and adapt it.”

Zverev beats Ruud to set up French Open final with Carlos Alcaraz

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Germany’s Alexander Zverev plays a shot against Norway’s Casper Ruud during their semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Friday, June 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Alexander Zverev exacted revenge on Casper Ruud at the French Open on Friday to reach his second Grand Slam final and first since 2020, with Carlos Alcaraz standing between him and the title.

Fourth seed Zverev, who had lost in the semi-finals at Roland Garros in each of the past three years, fought back to beat Ruud 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in a repeat of their last-four clash 12 months ago.

Zverev won just seven games when the pair met in the 2023 semis and a similar story was on the cards after Ruud cruised through the opening set.

READ; Alexander Zverev reaches French Open semifinal as trial proceeds

But the German raised his game, reaching his first French Open final and keeping his hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title alive.

Zverev holds a career 5-4 winning record against Alcaraz, including a victory in their only previous Roland Garros meeting in the 2022 quarter-finals.

Alcaraz earlier battled past incoming world number one Jannik Sinner in five sets.

“If you’re in the final of Roland Garros, you deserve to be there. That goes for him, as well,” said Zverev.

“He played a fantastic match today. Played a fantastic tournament in general, I think. I’m expecting a very difficult match.”

READ: Carlos Alcaraz embraces ‘suffering’ to reach French Open final

There will be two first-time finalists for the first year since Rafael Nadal defeated Mariano Puerta for the first of his 14 titles in 2005.

The 27-year-old Zverev’s only previous major final appearance saw him blow a two-set lead to lose to Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open.

“I was not ready then to win my first Grand Slam final,” said Zverev, the first German man to make the final since Michael Stich in 1996.

“I’m definitely not a kid any more, I’m a little older. If not now, then when?”

A German court dropped a case against Zverev over allegations he assaulted an ex-girlfriend earlier on Friday, after a settlement was agreed.

Ruud was targeting a fourth Grand Slam final, but the two-time Roland Garros runner-up was well below his best and struggling with illness.

“I wasn’t able to play with the kind of tennis I like to play with intensity because I was kind of limited with my stomach,” said Ruud. “I don’t want to make an excuse or excuses, but it’s frustrating and disappointing.”

 Zverev fights back

Alexander Zverev French Open

Germany’s Alexander Zverev clenches his fist after winning the third set during his semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament against Norway’s Casper Ruud at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Friday, June 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

The Norwegian seventh seed had not played since Monday after enjoying a walkover in the quarter-finals due to Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the tournament with a knee injury.

Zverev had spent more than eight hours on court during two five-setters in the third and fourth rounds, before beating Alex de Minaur in the last eight.

“To go deep and to win a Grand Slam, you have to go through difficulties and you have to go through a lot of ups and downs,” added Zverev.

“You’re not going to win a Grand Slam by winning every match in straight three sets. Some players do, like Roger (Federer) did, Rafa (Nadal) did a few times, but normally to win a Grand Slam you have to go through battles.”

Ruud looked the fresher of the two as he raced into a one-set lead.

But Zverev was much improved in the second set, breaking twice while hitting 15 winners against just four unforced errors to level the match.

A break in the fifth game of the third set put him in control against a struggling Ruud.

He served it out for a 2-1 edge in sets, despite briefly faltering with successive double-faults and having to save a break point.

Ruud took a trip to the medical room after the third set.

But he was broken again in the first game of the fourth before Zverev moved to the brink of the final by giving himself breathing space with another break for a 5-2 lead.

He showed no signs of nerves, confidently serving it out at the first opportunity with an ace.

ONE 167: Denice Zamboanga dominates Noelle Grandjean

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Denice Zamboanga triumphs in ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II. –ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Denice Zamboanga put on a clinic in ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday.

Zamboanga reigned victorious over Noelle Grandjean via unanimous decision in what turned out to be a masterclass outing for the Filipino striker.

In what was supposed to be her coming out party for the ONE Atomweight Championship, Zamboanga vented her ire on Grandjean with a flurry of strikes that damaged her Thai-French judoka.

READ: ONE: It’s Denice Zamboanga’s time, says Joshua Pacio

In the early parts of the fight, Zamboanga kept catching Grandjean with concise hits in the head, resulting in an early-fight damage in the form of a swollen right eye.

With Grandjean’s vision slightly compromised, Zamboanga took advantage and landed even more strikes.

Grandjean had glimpses of chances over Zamboanga when she took the fight to the ground but even then, the T-Rex MMA fighter found counters to avoid submission grapples.

READ: ONE: Denice Zamboanga gets elusive title shot vs Stamp Fairtex

The victory was Zamboanga’s third straight win. She improved to a 11-2 record in ONE Championship.

Prior to ONE 167, Zamboanga was supposed to face division champion Stamp Tairfex for the atomweight crown but the Thailand-based fighter suffered a torn meniscus three weeks ago.

Now with another dominant win under her belt, Zamboanga left no doubt that she deserves the Tairfex match once she returns from injury.

In the main event, ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK. Saenchai defeated Jo Nattawut via majority decision to keep the crown in his waist.

Tested warriors carry PH fight in Subic Bay

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John Alcala. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A total of 54 countries will be represented when more than a thousand athletes answer the starting gun on Sunday in the backbreaking Ironman Philippines and IM 70.3 events at Subic Bay Boardwalk where the host country will be fielding some of its best.

John Alcala will banner the local charge in the full Ironman, which will be over a 3.8-kilometer swim, a 180-km bike and 42.2-km run race with the most scenic spots in Subic Bay as backdrop even as August Benedicto returns to the country seeking another 70.3 win in two years.

But before that, the Ironkids race will be held on Saturday with boys and girls from six to 15 years old disputing trophies in several categories. The distances for the kids depend on the age range, with those in the 13-15 division tackling a 250-meter swim, 6-km bike and 2-km run race.

Benedicto, who now calls Germany home and comes over to participate in selected events, triumphed in the Cebu edition in 2022, ruling the 1.9-km-swim, 90-km bike and 21.1-km run race that took the athletes atop of the CCLEX bridge twice.

The centerpiece event also offers World Championship slots to the top 25 male athletes for the Kona, Hawaii, event, with the women seeing action in the 70.3 disputing 15 slots to its version of the global championship slated in Nice, France, in September.

Beermen square PBA Finals with gutsy Bolts after Game 2 thriller

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Composure will be crucial for CJ Perez from this point of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals series that went back to square one following San Miguel Beer’s Game 2 escape act Friday night.

“I have to sustain my composure, especially in the endgame,” Perez told the Inquirer shortly after the Beermen avoided a dreaded 0-2 hole by rallying from four points down with 27 seconds to go for a 95-94 victory over the Meralco Bolts at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Perez’s three-pointer set up that unbelievable comeback as San Miguel took advantage of a split from Chris Banchero from the foul line, with Marcio Lassiter knocking down the go-ahead triple for the eventual scoreline.

San Miguel bounced back from dropping the series opener, 93-86, two nights prior where Perez endured foul trouble and disappointment towards some of the calls.

He was once again in early foul trouble, but wound up with a playoff-high 34 points this time, capped by a triple of his own with 22 seconds left that made the comeback possible.

“As a player, we can’t see everything with regards to the calls. So for us, we have to adjust and avoid complaining too much,” said Perez, who after Game 1 didn’t hide his disappointment towards calls that “shouldn’t be called in the Finals.”

Critical miss

The Finals Most Valuable Player when San Miguel captured the Commissioner’s Cup title last February was also glad to atone for an earlier missed three with Meralco holding on to a 90-89 lead.

That miss led to Banchero’s three-pointer that extended the Bolts’ advantage to 93-89, and it appeared that the Bolts were just one stop away from going two-up on the tournament favorites.

But Perez was glad to make good on his second chance.

“Our coaches really trust me to make shots,” Perez said. “If I miss those, it’s okay. If I make it, good for me.”

Lassiter scored with 13 seconds left following Banchero’s trip to the line, putting him closer to Allan Caidic and career leader Jimmy Alapag on the all-time list.

At this point, that triple could create a shift in the complexion of the championship tussle, with Game 3 set Sunday at the same venue.

Banchero had a chance to put Meralco ahead. He had a good look driving into the lane, but couldn’t convert on a layup that would have put the Bolts back in front and saved them from a gut-wrenching defeat.

Cliff Hodge produced 25 points for the Bolts, who once again drew worthy performances from almost everyone inserted on the floor.

June Mar Fajardo had 17 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks after another difficult battle against rookie Brandon Bates and the Meralco frontline.

Chris Newsome had 14 points for the Bolts, who led by eight points at one point.

Filipino bets advance in World Pool Championship

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Filipino cue artist during the World Pool Championship

Filipino cue artist during the World Pool Championship. –HANDOUIT PHOTO

Three Filipino cue artists are still in the title hunt after reaching the round-of-16 of the World Pool Championship with victories Thursday in Saudi Arabia.

Johann Chua, Jeffrey Ignacio and Anton Raga won two matches each to progress further in the knockout stages that began at Green Halls in Jeddah.

Chua defeated Chinese-Taipei’s Ko Ping Han, 11-5, before edging out Austria’s Max Lechner, 11-10, while Ignacio ousted Spain’s Jonas Souto Comino, 11-10, and fellow Filipino Patric Gonzales, 11-7.

READ: Carlo Biado adds World 10-Ball Championship to collection

Raga kept his dreams of winning the best title of his pool career by prevailing over Chinese-Taipei’s Liu Ri Teng, 11-3, and Austria’s Mario He, 11-10.

The round-of-16 is set late Friday with Chua facing Syria’s Mohammad Soufi, Ignacio playing Spain’s David Alcaide and Raga battling Germany’s Joshua Filler, who was champion in 2018.

The quarterfinals will be held on the same day.

All three are aiming to become the first Filipino winner of the prestigious nine-ball event since Carlo Biado ruled the 2017 event in Doha.

Efren “Bata” Reyes (1999), Ronnie Alcano (2006) and Francisco “Django” Bustamante (2010) are the other Filipinos who have won the tournament. Alex Pagulayan was also victorious in 2004 while representing Canada.