Sports

Defending NBA champion Nuggets finish second in West

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Jamal Murray scored 21 points, Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and the defending champion Denver Nuggets secured the No. 2 seed in the NBA Western Conference with a 126-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. The Nuggets (57-25) matched a franchise high for wins and finished with the same record as Oklahoma City, but the Thunder took the top spot in the West because of a head-to-head tiebreaker....

Panayam kay CSC Commissioner Atty. Aileen Lizada tungkol sa modified work schedule ng mga LGU sa NCR

Panayam kay CSC Commissioner Atty. Aileen Lizada tungkol sa modified work schedule ng mga LGU sa NCR

Canada beats USA for ice hockey world crown

NEW YORK: Danielle Serdachny scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lift Canada to a 6-5 victory over the United States in the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship in Utica, New York, on Sunday (Monday in Manila). Serdachny's power-play goal 5:16 into overtime saw the Canadians reclaim the world title from the United States, who triumphed in the gold medal game in Canada last year. She fired home the rebound after a shot from teammate Erin...

Ando and Ceniza receive P200,000 each from UC for qualifying in Paris Olympics

CEBU CITY, Philippines— Cebu City’s very own John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ando got extra motivation after receiving a whopping P200,000 cash incentives from their alma mater, University of Cebu (UC) or qualifying for the Paris Olympics in July. It was officially announced on Monday, April 15, at the UC Main campus. UC President, Lawyer Augusto W. Go, and his daughter, UC Chancellor Candice Gotianuy, announced this incredible news as their way...

Golf: Scheffler dominates back nine to win second Masters title

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler dominated a back-nine shootout to capture his second Masters title on Sunday, taking a four-stroke victory at Augusta National. Scheffler, who also took the green jacket in 2022, won a record $3.6 million top prize after a drama-filled battle with fellow Americans Collin Morikawa and Max Homa and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who made an impressive major debut. “I can’t put into words what it means to win this tournament...

The heat is on

IT is getting more interesting as the season gets deeper. The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) volleyball tournament for women seems to be getting more patronage this year due to unpredictable circumstances. The women's team of National University, a former UAAP champion, upset defending champion De La Salle Lady Spikers in four hair-raising sets last weekend. The win sent NU to a tie with University of Santo Tomas on...

Jonas Sultan moves on from painful loss in Japan, comeback targeted for Manila

Two-time world title challenger Jonas Sultan has moved on from the painful setback he took at the hands of Riku Masuda last February in Japan. Sultan, 33, suffered the first knockout loss in his career after taking a clean punch to the body in round one. More than the loss, Sultan says it was even more painful that he failed to showcase what he was capable of. "I am dismayed over that fight because I did not get to show what I wanted to...

It was year of the comeback in NBA

IT was the year of the comeback in the NBA. Teams rallied from at least 20 points down to win on 38 occasions in the regular season that concluded Sunday, by far the most in NBA history. The previous record for wins after trailing by 20 or more in a game was 30, set last season. To put in some perspective how different this era is, consider that in 2008-09 there were only eight successful comebacks from deficits of 20 or more. Sacramento was...

Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter charged with stealing $16M

LOS ANGELES— Federal authorities charged the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts. Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, a constant presence beside Ohtani in baseball stadiums across the country since 2018, abused the two-way player’s trust in him and exploited the language barrier...

Verstappen: 'Not smart' to pick returning China for F1 sprint weekend

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen thinks it was "not the smartest thing" to hold a sprint event at this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, which returns after a five-year absence.

NBA: Pistons beat Mavericks with Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving out

DALLAS — Rookie Marcus Sasser scored 24 points in his hometown return, including 13 straight Detroit points during a stretch of the third quarter, and the Pistons beat the Dallas Mavericks — playing without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving — 107-89 in the NBA on Friday night. The Pistons (14-67) led for most of the night against a Mavericks team that had won five consecutive games and 16 of 18 to secure a playoff spot. It was their largest win of...

PBA: Jason Perkins sneaker switch briefly gives Phoenix good luck

MANILA, Philippines—Call him superstitious but Phoenix forward Jason Perkins opted to wear a different sneaker on Friday in hopes of changing the Fuel Masters fortunes in the PBA Philippine Cup. And somehow, switching to the Nike Sabrina 1s–a pair he usually wears in practice–worked wonders after Phoenix picked up just its second win of the conference following a 113-107 victory over Converge. “I usually wear them in practice and the Anthony...

Ateneo aims to be the best team outside semis

To the best team outside the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball semifinals. Ateneo head coach Sergio Veloso said this is the Blue Eagles' goal now that they have bowed out of contention for the final four. They put themselves in a good position to do that after defeating their first round tormentors University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, April 14. "Yeah. Our target all the time was...

Expect chaos and lots of it on last day of NBA regular season

Maybe it’s parity. Maybe it’s chaos. Either way, the final day of the NBA regular season should be wild. Oklahoma City, Minnesota and Denver all have a shot at No. 1 in the NBA Western Conference. Every seed from No. 2 to No. 8 is up for grabs in the Eastern Conference. Sunday’s slate, with all 30 teams playing, will see nine seeds get decided, three first-round playoff matchups determined and three play-in matchups set as well. “There’s so many...

Malonzo's injury status still uncertain

BARANGAY Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is keeping his fingers crossed as wingman Jamie Malonzo figured in a freak accident during the dying seconds of the Gin Kings' 95-88 come-from-behind triumph over NorthPort Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila. Scottie Thompson made a long pass from the other side of the court to Malonzo, who appeared to be going for a dunk. But the Filipino American wingman slipped right in front of the...

Rafael Nadal set for return at Barcelona Open

Rafael Nadal said it will be “a joy” to return to action for the first time since January when he takes part in the Barcelona Open next week where he is a 12-time champion. The 22-time Grand Slam winner has played just once, in an exhibition match, since he felt a hip injury flare-up during a quarterfinal defeat by Jordan Thompson in Brisbane on the eve of the Australian Open. “I’m happy to be here, of course, Barcelona is a place that has...

Trailblazhers sue Boston Marathon organizers and Newton police chief

Trailblazhers, an all-female running crew, is suing the Boston Marathon organizers, the city of Newton and the Newton police chief for barricading them from last year's marathon.

Cone looks to Cu, next man as injury bug bites Kings anew

Can’t blame Barangay Ginebra if scraping past a hard-fighting NorthPort squad on Sunday night hardly felt like a win. The crowd darlings pulled out a 95-88 win in a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup showdown at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila, but saw one of its fast-rising stars falling to yet another injury. “It happened literally in the last seconds of the basketball game,” coach Tim Cone said. “I didn’t even had...

PLDT guns for share of PVL lead

PLDT guns for a share of the lead when it takes on Chery Tiggo in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference at 6 p.m. today, April 16, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. The High Speed Hitters (7-1) are currently in third place behind the Choco Mucho Flying Titans (8-1) and the Creamline Cool Smashers (7-2). The Crossovers, on the other hand, are not far behind with a 6-2 record, tied with the Petro Gazz Angels. PLDT...

Spikers’ Turf: Bagunas shows mettle to spearhead Cignal comeback

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Cignal and newcomer Criss Cross ignited a new rivalry in men’s club volleyball following a thrilling encounter in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference before a record crowd Sunday evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Two of the country’s top spikers went face-to-face in a showdown like no other with Bryan Bagunas spearheading the HD Spikers’ charge against the Marck Espejo-led King Crunchers....

Dy confirms Gilas pool set at 14

MANILA, Philippines — After Gilas head coach Tim Cone expanded the national pool from 12 to 14 with the addition of Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos, SBP executive director Erika Dy has ruled out bringing in more players to the group. Dy said Cone will stick to a compact unit. Cone initially set a limit of 12 but later included Aguilar and Amos to cover for injuries or whatever reason that may make players unavailable for Gilas duty. Gilas’ next...

Can the Boston Bruins take the next step during the 2024 NHL Playoffs?

Notable People who died in 2024

PLDT hopes to make record legit with hellish 3-game windup

The worst is yet to come for PLDT, whose coach thinks the team’s current standing is a “scam” and that the team’s true worth in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) will be revealed during “hell week.” “Our 7-1 [win-loss record] is sort of a scam because we haven’t fought the top teams,” High Speed Hitters coach Rald Ricafort said in Filipino after his team continued its roll in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference.“Our last three assignments will...

NBA: Pritchard scores career-high 38 in Celtics win over Wizards

BOSTON — Payton Pritchard scored a career-high 38 points and the NBA-best Boston Celtics rested their entire starting lineup in a 132-122 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday in the teams’ regular-season finale. Svi Mykhailiuk added 26 points and Sam Hauser 16 for Boston, which sat Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday along with top reserve Al Horford. Pritchard added 12 assists with nine...

Beijing half marathon probes 'embarrassing' win by Chinese runner

BEIJING: Beijing half marathon organizers said Monday, April 15, they were investigating after footage shared widely online appeared to show three African runners deliberately allowing China's He Jie to win. Video clips of Sunday's race showed the Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, Dejene Hailu of Ethiopia and home runner He approaching the finish. The three African runners can be seen pointing to the finish line and apparently waving He...

Oklahoma City grabs top seed in West

LOS ANGELES: The unexpected Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the Western Conference top seed ahead of the defending champion Denver Nuggets as the NBA regular season wrapped up on Sunday (Monday in Manila). The youthful Thunder rolled past the playoff-bound Dallas Mavericks — who rested Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving among others — 135-86 to emerge from the trio of teams who went into the final day of action tied atop the West. It marked the first...

Kings bracing for worst on Malonzo’s health issue

MANILA, Philippines — While hoping for the best, Barangay Ginebra is bracing for the worst as it deals with the injury that hit wingman Jamie Malonzo last Sunday. The athletic Fil-Am went down by his lonesome while driving to the basket in the dying seconds of the Gin Kings’ 95-88 win over NorthPort last Sunday. Concerned teammates gathered around Malonzo, who appeared to have hurt his right foot or calf, and had to carry him off to the locker...

NBA: Steve Clifford ends tenure as Hornets’ winningest coach

CLEVELAND — Steve Clifford ended his Charlotte coaching tenure on Sunday as the winningest coach in NBA franchise history. Clifford expects to remain with the franchise as an advisor. He announced in early April this season would be his last, saying the grind of 82 games has become too much for him at 62 years old. “I’m really proud of all of our guys, but tomorrow, for sure, I’ll reflect back on everything,” he said, breaking into a sly smile...

Thunder rout Mavericks for top spot in NBA Western Conference

OKLAHOMA CITY — With about 90 seconds remaining, Oklahoma City’s fans stood in unison and began chanting. O-K-C! O-K-C! As the final moments wound down in a 135-86 win over the Dallas Mavericks, the still-standing Thunder fans celebrated a team that went from winning 24 games two seasons ago to having the best record in the Western Conference this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in one half of action, and the Thunder dominated a...

UAAP: UST, NU, La Salle make last push for Final Four incentive

University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) hopes in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament was always going to run through La Salle. But, no doubt, it was a stunning upset to Far Eastern University (FEU) last Saturday that rocked the Tigresses’ quest for twice-to-beat protection in the Final Four. Even if UST coach KungFu Reyes sees things differently. “We did not lose the game, we learned from it,” said Reyes in Filipino, after dropping a...

Sangalang resurgence, Cu near-triple double highlight Sunday comebacks

As rookie Ralph Cu puts on a head-turning performance, Sangalang shows he's back in his element

Five retired players who look like they can still cut it in PBA

Get this: Dondon still tips the scales at 185 lbs - his playing weight during his long PBA career

NBA: Suns top Timberwolves as both teams set up first round clash

MINNEAPOLIS — Bradley Beal scored 36 points on 6-for-6 shooting from 3-point range and the Phoenix Suns beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-106 on Sunday to stay out of the play-in tournament and set up a rematch in the first round of the NBA playoffs. “It’s a snapshot of what we look like when we can be at our best,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. Devin Booker added 23 points and Grayson Allen had 20 points for the Suns (49-33). They built a...

'Tornado' hits Staffordshire town as strong winds batter the UK

A tornado appeared to hit a town in Staffordshire on Monday as strong winds battered much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Police said they attended the scene in St Giles Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, just before 7.45am on Monday morning after the strong gusts which damaged roofs.

Thinking out of box

In this sequel to last Sunday’s column, coach Norman Black reveals that SBP’s ultimate goal in its nationwide grassroots program is to develop players who could graduate to become competitive pros and national players. “We’re rethinking how we train our kids,” said Black who’s in charge of executing the action plan. “In the past, if you’re 11 or 12 and you’re big for your age, maybe grow to six or 6-1 or 6-2 in a few years, you’re taught center...

NBA: Jalen Brunson carries Knicks into No. 2 in East

NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson didn’t know where things stood around the NBA as the Knicks were deep into their final game of the regular season. A win meant the No. 2 seed and a loss was going to keep them at No. 3. But Tom Thibodeau’s team doesn’t worry about who it plays next week. It just wants to beat the one in front of them that day. “I think when you have competitors, it doesn’t matter. Competitors compete,” Thibodeau said. READ: NBA: Knicks...

Oh brother: Remembering some of MLB’s most notable siblings

Hoffman resets Phl 100m hurdles mark

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic aspirant Lauren Hoffman has made a habit of rearranging national records. On a fair-weathered Sunday in Durham, North Carolina, Hoffman, seeking a ticket to the Paris Games in July, shattered a Philippine mark anew, this time in the women’s 100-meter hurdles where she clocked 13.41 seconds in the Duke Invitational. The reigning Asian 400m hurdles champion smashed the 17-year-old standard set by Sheena Atilano in...

NU Lady Bulldogs temper expectations after win vs La Salle

Still a long way to go in title chase, says Belen & Co.

UAAP, NCAA teams out in full force for Filoil Preseason Cup

UP Maroons, La Salle Green Archers, San Beda Red Lions favored in preseason tournament

Milo vows to keep on producing champs

MANILA, Philippines — Milo vowed to continue nurturing champions in the next six decades and beyond after helping blaze the trail for Filipino world champions – across all sports – in line with its 60th anniversary. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the country’s first and only Olympic gold medalist, headlined Milo’s celebration at the Ayala Malls TriNoma in Quezon City with volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez, karateka star Jamie Lim, basketball...

Komatsu: Gene Haas still keen to invest in F1 team if money not wasted

Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu says Gene Haas remains keen to invest in his Formula 1 team, providing that this money is not wasted.

The NBA play-in games are set

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are staying in New Orleans for a couple more days. Stephen Curry and Golden State will head back to Sacramento to face elimination again. And the Miami Heat are back in the play-in, which started their run to the NBA Finals last year. The play-in field is set. On Tuesday, it’s the Lakers facing the Pelicans for a No. 7 seed in the NBA Western Conference, then the Warriors and the Kings in an elimination...

Brownlee aims to be in best shape possible for Gilas stint in OQT

Two birds with one stone for JB

NBA: LeBron, Lakers take on Pelicans as NBA play-in tips off

LeBron James will be out to extend his 21st NBA campaign on Tuesday when his Los Angeles Lakers open the NBA play-in tournament against the New Orleans Pelicans, the winner booking a playoff meeting with the defending champion Denver Nuggets. The Lakers closed the regular season with a dominant victory over the Pelicans on Sunday. James said the Lakers can’t afford a let-down against a Pelicans team eager to turn the tables. “They’re going to be...

Why the signs were always evident that Sainz could cut it at the top

OPINION: In his first column for Autosport, the 2012 team boss of the yet-to-be-employed-for-2025 Ferrari star recalls his high-pressure season in Formula 3

PLDT, Chery clash in crucial tiff

MANILA, Philippines — How far can the PLDT High Speed Hitters go in a loaded Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference minus their injured big guns – former captain Mika Reyes and blue-chip free agency recruit Kianna Dy? The answer is in a second-best record and a crack at the top spot. “Maganda maturity ng core,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, whose charges tackle an equally resurgent and dangerous Chery Tiggo in today’s critical...

NBA: Warriors defeat Jazz, wind up 10th in West

SAN FRANCISCO — Steve Kerr firmly believes his team still has a shot to make a splash this postseason — facing a familiar foe to start the uphill quest. Klay Thompson scored 25 points with six 3-pointers, Andrew Wiggins added 19 points, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Utah Jazz 123-116 in the regular-season finale Sunday and wound up with the 10th spot in the NBA Western Conference. “We have a really good connection on this team, good...

Lady Bulldogs trip Lady Spikers

MANILA, Philippines — Rampaging National U added reigning champion La Salle to its growing list of victims in an unblemished second-round domination in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. The Lady Bulldogs pounced on the Angel Canino-less Lady Spikers, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-22, to hit a bevy of targets with one shot, none bigger than a tie for the coveted top spot yesterday in front of more than 11,000 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena. Vange...