Sports

NBA: Jalen Brunson fires 44, Knicks rout Pacers for 3-2 edge

NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson scored 44 points, reaching 40 for the fifth time in this postseason, and the New York Knicks moved a win away from their first NBA Eastern Conference finals trip since 2000 by beating the Indiana Pacers 121-91 on Tuesday night in Game 5. The Knicks rebounded from a blowout loss on Sunday and guaranteed themselves at least one more game at Madison Square Garden in front of their roaring fans who have been aching to see...

Fit-again AJ Edu set for Gilas comeback

(UPDATE) GILAS Pilipinas is assured of a solid defensive stopper at front court as Filipino-Cypriot AJ Edu is slated to make his comeback with Gilas Pilipinas when the national team begins its training on June 21 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna. Gilas coach Tim Cone said he just had a recent chat with Edu, who is at the tail end of his recovery since tearing his meniscus while playing for the Toyama Grouses in the Japan B....

Nuggets outgun Wolves to level playoff series

(UPDATE) LOS ANGELES – The defending champion Denver Nuggets outgunned the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-107 to level their NBA playoff series on Sunday (Monday in Manila) as the Indiana Pacers pulled even with the New York Knicks. The Nuggets, fueled by 35 points from NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon's 27 points on ruthlessly efficient 11-of-12 shooting and 19 points from Jamal Murray, claimed a second straight win in...

Guiao on how formidable SMB is: 'Tatlong grupo 'yung first five'

One short CYG sentence to show the tough task RoS is facing in the PBA semis

NBA: Nets retiring Vince Carter's No. 15 jersey

Vince Carter spent a lot of time soaring above the court when he starred for the New Jersey Nets. His No. 15 jersey will now hang there permanently, the Brooklyn Nets announced on Wednesday. The high-flying guard, a member of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2024, averaged 23.6 points in four-plus seasons with the Nets from 2004-09. He is the seventh Nets player to have his number retired, joining Julius Erving, Jason Kidd, Buck Williams, Drazen...

NBA fines Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert $75,000 for gesture at refs

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was fined $75,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for what the league called “making an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture” questioning “the integrity of the league and game officials.” Frenchman Gobert was seen by television cameras rubbing his thumb on his fingers in a “money-sorting” gesture during Minnesota’s 115-107 loss to defending NBA champion Denver on Sunday at Minneapolis. The move came after...

PBA: Rain or Shine ousts TNT to set up semis duel vs San Miguel

Rain or Shine staved off TNT’s fourth quarter comeback to eke out a 110-109 victory Wednesday and a trip to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Elasto Painters will take on the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen after taking the deciding game of their best-of-three series behind a conference-high 25 points from Gian Mamuyac, who came through with the biggest shot of the evening. Mamuyac’s triple with 39 seconds left gave...

Championship against UST the sweetest victory for NU, says Belen

MANILA, Philippines — Winning the championship against the UST Golden Tigresses is the sweetest accomplishment of the NU Lady Bulldogs, according to Bella Belen. Belen and company defeated the UST side, 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16, in Game Two to sweep their UAAP Season 86 best-of-3 championship series at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, May 15. "We're very happy because we worked hard in training and I saw our labor bore fruits. The emotions...

NU sweeps UST, regains UAAP women's volley crown

MANILA, Philippines — Redemption tour complete. The NU Lady Bulldogs subdued the UST Golden Tigresses in Game Two, 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16, to sweep their UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Finals series at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, May 15. Sheena Toring delivered the match-clinching hit as NU reclaimed the championship that it lost to De La Salle last year. The Lady Bulldogs overcame the Golden Tigresses in the thrilling extended...

Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel excited to play with Jia De Guzman

MANILA, Philippines—La Salle’s Julia Coronel and Thea Gagate have a lot of reasons to smile on Wednesday and it goes beyond more than being included in the Philippine national women’s volleyball team. Other than being awarded the bronze medal of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, Lady Spikers Coronel and Gagate were announced to be part of the newly-monikered Alas Pilipinas earlier this morning. They are also ecstatic with the...

Solomon looks to be unpredictable in Game Two

MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Solomon wreaked havoc against UST as she powered NU to a 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 Game One win in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Finals last Saturday. Solomon banged 17 points on 14 attacks and three blocks to lead the Lady Bulldogs past the Golden Tigresses and put them on the cusp of the championship. The 6-foot-2 wing spiker knows that UST is going to devise a plan to limit her in Game Two on Wednesday, but...

National University star Bella De Belen is excited to play for the national team

National University star Bella De Belen is excited to play for the national team which will compete in the 2024 AVC Cup at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila. The 21-year-old Belen is set to play with Chery Tiggo's Sisi Rondina and La Salle's Angel Canino in the May 22-29 tilt. | Mark Rey Montejo #MBSportsOnline #UAAPSeason86

Canino, Dongallo banner PH squad in Challenge Cup

(UPDATE) TWO of the brightest UAAP stars in La Salle's Angel Canino and University of the East's Casiey Dongallo bannered the Philippine women's volleyball team that will compete in the AVC Challenge Cup slated from May 22 to 29 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) revealed the lineup on Wednesday, May 15, with Canino's Lady Spikers teammates Julia Coronel and Thea Gagate completing the collegiate...

NBA: Nuggets apply even more pressure to Anthony Edwards in Game 5 win

DENVER — Anthony Edwards was seeing double everywhere he turned. All by design as the Denver Nuggets doubled the attention on Minnesota’s standout guard. It was yet another wrinkle for the Nuggets, who held Edwards to 18 points — 15 below his average in this series — in their 112-97 win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday night in Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference semifinals series. “We knew we had to do something different with Anthony...

Knicks bounce back to crush Pacers

(UPDATE) NEW YORK – Jalen Brunson was back to his best on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) as the New York Knicks dominated the Indiana Pacers, 121-91, to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal Game 5. A win on Friday night in Indianapolis will see the Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 24 years. After losing Game 4 by 32 points, it was an emphatic response from the Knicks, with Brunson piling up 44...

Who is every NBA team’s best player of all time?

Agony of defeat drives Flying Titans to keep dreaming

A Premier Volleyball League crown remains elusive to Choco Mucho. But despite the latest bridesmaid finish, the search for glory continues for the Flying Titans. “I always tell my teammates every time we play, [we have] to believe, trust [each other] and win,” Sisi Rondina, one of the conference’s best outside spikers, said in Filipino after Choco Mucho fell to a traditional conqueror in Creamline for the second consecutive Finals on Sunday. “As...

NBA: Stephen Curry wins 2023-24 Magic Johnson Award

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is the winner of the 2023-24 Magic Johnson Award, the Professional Basketball Writers Association announced Wednesday. The award is voted on by more than 200 writers and editors who belong to the PBWA and honors the NBA player who excels both on the court and in displaying "cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans," according to the organization. It's the second Johnson award for Curry,...

F1 drivers call for review into "joke" penalty points system

Logan Sargeant and Sergio Perez have led calls for a review into Formula 1's "joke" penalty points system.

NU Lady Bulldogs sweep UST Tigresses to regain UAAP volleyball title

Alyssa Solomon slid from the back row and knelt before setting up Bella Belen for an authoritative cross court hit, bringing the National University Lady Bulldogs a point away from collaring the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. The Lady Bulldogs eventually completed their chase for redemption by defeating the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16, before 22,515 screaming souls at the Mall of Asia Arena on...

Former Freemantle Docker Cam McCarthy tragically dies aged 29

Creamline somehow still found way to remain on top of PVL

Creamline’s most recent campaign in the Premier Volleyball League was far from perfect. But despite going through a lot of ups and downs in the All-Filipino Conference, the Cool Smashers proved that they are still the queens of volleyball after successfully defending their throne against sister team Choco Mucho, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11, in front of 23,162 witnesses on late Sunday night. “It wasn’t easy. We really had a difficult time...

Settling the Jokic vs SGA debate

It was not even close. Nikola Jokic got 79 out of 99 first place votes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only had 15. That was honestly shocking, more than the heated debates that eventually came out. Every year, the NBA Most Valuable Player award is awarded, and there will always be a debate, it is always the wrong choice. Some arguments are weak, and some seasons had a clear cut MVP. The 2000 Shaquille O' Neal and 2015 Steph Curry wins are examples....

Dyip look to complete QF upset vs SMB

UPSET-CONSCIOUS Terrafirma tries to get the job done by knocking out top seed San Miguel Beer in their PBA Philippine Cup rubber match on May 15 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The eighth-seeded Dyip and the Beermen square off at 4:30 p.m., followed by another do-or-die game featuring Rain or Shine and TNT at 7:30 p.m. Playing with their backs against the wall, Terrafirma leaned on the solid quartet of Stephen Holt, Juami Tiongson, Isaac Go and...

PVL: Sister teams Akari, Nxled trade coaches, players–sources

MANILA, Philippines — In an attempt to fill each other’s needs, sister teams Akari and Nxled have traded players and coaching staff with Japanese coach Taka Minowa now taking over the Chargers, bringing Ivy Lacsina and some of his key players for Dindin Santiago-Manabat and four others ahead of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference. Multiple sources revealed to Inquirer Sports that sister teams Akari and Nxled have undergone a major shake-up in...

Alpha predators rule

MANILA, Philippines — The Creamline Cool Smashers, like everybody else, will get the rest that they deserve following one of the toughest, if not the toughest, conferences in PVL history. But there is a certain feeling among the Cool Smashers that when they return from their much needed respite, they will be back as the alpha predators, preying on opponents and collecting championships. “For now, celebrate muna, bawas stress, wala muna isip sa...

Japeth to take spot of injured Jamie Malonzo for Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Tim Cone is looking at tapping Barangay Ginebra's veteran big man Japeth Aguilar to fill in the spot of injured wingman Jamie Malonzo as Gilas Pilipinas is set to prepare for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament by June. Cone shared his thoughts during his interview with veteran sports caster Carlo Pamintuan at the Youtube sports channel Gilas Nation on Monday. "We are looking for Japeth again to try to come and be a part...

NBA: LeBron James attends Celtics-Cavaliers Game 4 in Cleveland

CLEVELAND — LeBron James attended Cleveland’s playoff game against the Boston Celtics on Monday night, an appearance certain to drive conversation about the superstar’s future. James, who can opt out of his contact with the Los Angeles Lakers and become a free agent this summer, played two stints in Cleveland. He led the Cavs to their only NBA championship in 2016 before leaving two years later. The league’s career scoring leader, James has...

Tyson says comeback at 57 was 'no-brainer'

NEW YORK – Former heavyweight king Mike Tyson said Monday (Tuesday in Manila) his decision to step back into the ring at the age of 57 was a "no-brainer," brushing off recent criticism that he was too old to make a comeback. At a press conference in New York to promote his upcoming bout against YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul, Tyson admitted training for his return had taken a toll. "I'm doing great but my body is shit right now, I'm sore, I'm...

Bella Belen wins second UAAP women’s volleyball MVP in three seasons

MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen was crowned UAAP MVP for a second time hours before Wednesday’s Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals where National University is looking to complete its title redemption tour against University of Santo Tomas at Mall of Asia Arena. Belen became the first NU women’s volleyball player to become a two-time MVP — her second top individual honor in three seasons. The do-it-all outside spiker has...

Dela Rosa: Arrest warrant likely if Ochoa skips PDEA probe again

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa said a warrant of arrest may be issued against former Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. if he fails to attend for the third time the public hearing on allegedly leaked drug documents. Dela Rosa said another subpoena shall be sent to Ochoa, who again did not appear before the Senate hearing on Monday due to COVID-19. The senator said they will give the former Palace official one week to...

Cone has high expectations on Boatwright at Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Tim Cone has high expectations for Bennie Boatwright once he secures his Philippine citizenship so the former USC Trojan can play for Gilas Pilipinas. Though the 27-year-old Boatwright is still in the initial stage of the naturalization process, Cone is convinced that the sweet-shooting American forward can make an immediate impact at Gilas. "Bennie's a great player. I wish he was in our (Ginebra) team so we could teach him...

Perpetual Help wins NCAA girls volleyball championship

UIniversity of Perpetual Help System Dalta bagged the girls volleyball championship of NCAA Season 99 on Wednesday, May 15, after escaping with another 5-set victory over Arellano University at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan City. University of Perpetual Help celebrates after sweeping Arellano University in the finals of NCAA Season 99 girls volleyball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center on Wednesday, May 15, in San Juan City. PHOTO BY...

Bulldogs champs; Bella beats Poyos in tight MVP race

The Bulldogs wasted precious little time closing out University of Santo Tomas (UST). “I saw in my players going into this game that they really wanted to win today,” NU coach Dante Alinsunurin said on Wednesday, after a 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 25-15 Game 2 victory over the TIger Spikers handed the Bulldogs a fourth straight crown. Before that game, the Lady Bulldogs had their moment of triumph, with Bella Belen notching a second MVP award,...

Tyson Fury's father John suffers cut to head as Oleksandr Usyk fight week begins

**Warning: Contains strong language throughout** John Fury has been left bloodied after Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk's camps clashed in Riyadh ahead of Saturday's fight.

Angel Canino fulfills dad’s dream with national team call-up

MANILA, Philippines — Angel Canino is thrilled to follow in the footsteps of her father and former national team member Rodel as she teams up with fellow La Salle stalwarts Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel and UAAP rivals including Bella Belen of National University to lead Alas Pilipinas in the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup. Canino is honored to receive a call-up from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) for the Alas Pilipinas women...

Six undisputed world heavyweight champions

Paris - Victory for either Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) will create the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in 24 years.The ever-bubbling alphabet soup of boxing sanctioning bodies -- a winner in Riyadh would become the first four-belt heavyweight champion -- means that becoming, and remaining, undisputed champion requires not just skill and toughness in the ring, but acumen outside it.A winner will...

COLUMN: Can Arwind catch career second wind at age 42?

Perhaps, but no longer with SMC or any powerhouse PBA team. Here's why

PH national volleyball teams to be called Alas Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines — Call the Philippine volleyball teams, Alas Pilipinas from now on. The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and main sponsor Cignal unveiled the men’s and women’s squads’ new monicker on Wednesday at TV5 Media Center. As the Filipino spikers begin their road to the country’s hosting of the 2024 FIVB Men’s World Championship, Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, who are champion players overseas, will banner the...

Strong Group to represent PH in Jones Cup

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines will be represented by Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the 43rd William Jones Cup slated from July 13 to 21 in Taiwan. Charles Tiu, who will call the shots for SGA in the upcoming tournament alongside Rajko Toroman, said the goal is to bring the Jones Cup title back to the Philippines. “I am hoping to bring back the Jones Cup championship to the Philippines after some time. It would be a moment of immense...

SMB throws weight in massive 2nd half run to whip Terrafirma, seals semis spot

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer rediscovered its form that made the team the top seed, torching Terrafirma, 110-91, in their knockout quarterfinal duel to seal a spot in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-five semifinal series on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Forced to a nip-and-tuck first half, the Beermen flaunted their full offensive might in the last two periods to deal the knockout against the pesky Dyip and avoid the ignominy of...

Noynay takes on Japanese knockout artist in Tokyo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Joe “Jaw Breaker” Noynay and Japanese Jin Sasaki passed the official weigh-in for their double regional title showdown at the Korakuen Hall scheduled in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, May 16. Noynay, a native of Bogo City in northern Cebu, will battle Sasaki for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific welterweight title. Also up for grabs in this 12-rounder bout is the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF)...

UAAP: Bella Belen, NU get perfect ending after rough start to season

MANILA, Philippines — The title redemption tour was sweeter for Bella Belen and the NU Lady Bulldogs, proving their doubters wrong after starting the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball season off on the wrong foot, A sweep loss to the University of Santo Tomas started the Lady Bulldogs’ title redemption bid filled with doubts, but that didn’t stop Belen and the team from slowly but surely returning to the top capped off with the UAAP...

Kai Sotto doing 'some NBA things' prior to joining Gilas, says Cone

Kai in 'an NBA camp' as we speak, says Gilas coach

With ‘winner’s mentality,’ Beermen finally dispose of fighting Dyip

Marcio Lassiter was confident that San Miguel Beer would get the job over Terrafirma that the prospect of being a top seed eliminated by the No. 8 seed in the quarterfinals was far from his mind. Never mind if he was once a part of a stunning upset of the same proportion. “Obviously, [having] a winner’s mentality, you don’t want to think that,” Lassiter, who in his rookie season in 2012 was part of Powerade’s shock ouster of B-Meg in the PBA...

Marcial: PBA’s real problem is translating large TV viewers into live audience

The PBA Philippine Cup playoffs has not been short of competitiveness with two quarterfinal pairings even going its three-game distance. Unfortunately, the league could only hope that it could say the same thing about live attendance. “It’s a reality for us,” commissioner Willie Marcial told the Inquirer, referring to the increasing number of empty seats in PBA games of late.“Our games are dependent on many things after all—like venues and...

Notable People who died in 2024

Medvedev out as Swiatek cruises in Rome

ROME – Daniil Medvedev's Rome Open title defense came to an early end on Tuesday after the world No. 4 was knocked out at the last-16 stage by Tommy Paul, while Iga Swiatek cruised into the women's semifinals. Second seed Medvedev has never successfully defended an ATP Tour crown and was well below his best, stunned in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 by American Paul, who claimed his first win against the former US Open champion. "Mentally, I had to be...

Watch out for these 3 G-League prospects heading into the 2024 NBA Draft

British boxer Sherif Lawal dies after being knocked down in pro debut

LONDON — A British boxer has died after he lost on his professional debut in London. Sherif Lawal was knocked down by a blow to the head from Malam Varela in the fourth round of a scheduled six-round middleweight fight on Sunday at Harrow Leisure Centre. READ: Mexican teen boxer dies of injuries suffered in ring The referee waved it off to allow paramedics to attend to Lawal. He was taken to hospital but died. He was 29. “The British Boxing...