It's a dreary morning at the Rizal Memorial stadium, and our women's national team is toiling under a light rain and a murky gray sky. 

In a half-field scrimmage a cross is floated into the box and goalkeeper Inna Palacios soars to gather it. But another player challenges the La Sallian for the ball and body-checks her, sending Palacios to the turf. She is slow to get up. 

Sure, it's just a training session, and there is still about 3 weeks to go before the official matches. But roster spots are being contested, and it's clear that competition for them is fierce. 

Coach Buda Bautista is in the process of making the final cuts for the team that will play in the Asean Football Federation Women's Championship for 2016 in Mandalay, Myanmar from late July to early August. The Pinays are in a 4-team group where they play Thailand on July 26, Vietnam two days later, and Singapore on the 30^th. The top two teams meet the best teams from the other group comprising of Australia's U20 side, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Timor Leste, in the semis. 

Australia are the newest member of the Asean Football Federation but, perhaps because of the high development of the game in their county, are only sending youth teams to these senior tournaments. 

The pool of 26 players that was there at practice on Thursday, June 30 are a mix of Filipina-Americans and homegrown stars, mostly from the UAAP. The entire bunch is billeted at the Philsports complex in Pasig, where they sleep on bunk beds, 10 to a room. 

Heather Cooke, Shelby Salvacion, Camille Wilson, all veterans from the 2013 AFF campaign, are back. There are also some very youthful players from the states like Sara Urbano, Krystal De Ramos, Hannah Parado, and Sidra Bugsch. Bugsh is just 17, while the previous 3 are 19 or younger. 

Bautista rates Parado highly, saying she is a box-to-box threat who can distribute the ball as well from the holding midfield slot. 

In the mix as of last Thursday were UP's Cristina De Los Reyes, Mary Rose Obra, Christille Ardiente, and Molly Manalansan. DLSU offered defender Angge Metillo, Sara Castañeda, Irish Navaja, and Palacios. Two more Archer alums, Natasha Alquiros and keeper Haya Ibarra were also at training. One UST Tigress, Junjun Cabalan, was also present. 

Apart from Ibarra and Palacios, there were also two other goalies, Patricia Dull, just 18 years old, and Hazel Arce, a Batangueña from FEU. 

Bautista was set to make her final three or four cuts over this past weekend. She says she doesn't know if she will bring two or three goalkeepers to Mandalay.

Bautista has her work cut out for her, especially since two capable goalscoring threats from past Philippine teams are not in the camp and won't be making the trip to Burma. Joana Houplin is reportedly engaged to be married soon, while Fil-Canadian Jesse Shugg is playing club football in Iceland. Houplin was the top scorer in the 2013 AFF championship with 8 goals. Without those pair of strikers, it may be up to Cooke to move up the formation and be counted on to find the back of the net. 

Bautista says her philosophy will be to “work on the stability of the defense” with Metillo, Dolino, Malanansan, and the youthful Claire Lim repelling opposing attacks. We can expect a 442 formation, with Bautista non committal on whether she favors a flat midfield or a diamond.

Coach Buda is in her second year of handling the women's team. Last year she steered the Philippines to a 1-2 record in the group stage of this same event. The two setbacks came against Myanmar, (4-1), and Thailand, (4-0), while the side won handily against Malaysia, 3-0. The upcoming competition will be part of Bautista's ongoing education, which has been pretty comprehensive. 

Bautista, a former national team player from San Juan, played at the tertiary level for PUP, where she also studied Physical Education.

In the AFC there are numerous coaching licenses. The “C” is the basic course, (there is a Youth Coaching License course below that, previously known as the National Coaching Certificate Course), and then a “B” coaching course after. The “A” license is needed to coach a national team or a club side in the AFC Cup. An “A” will also likely be a requirement for teams in the upcoming national league. 

Bautista had the sheepskin from all of those courses hanging on her wall by 2013. Then she went a step further, by taking the AFC Pro Diploma course. Only PFF technical director Aris Caslib has a Pro Diploma in the Philippines, while Bautista and Marlon Maro are set to complete theirs soon. 

The Pro Diploma is the Ph.D of football instruction, and in taking the course over a long period of time Bautista has traveled to Malaysia, China, Korea, and even Switzerland for seminars, match analysis sessions, and other course work. Naturally, like any Ph.D, you have to do a dissertation as well. 

Being a book-smart coach is one thing; being an effective one on the sidelines in the heat of battle is another. 

“She's very good tactically,” says former team captain Marielle Benitez, who will likely be part of her coaching staff in Myanmar. 

“She's quick to identify options and is able to explain well to the players. She's the type of coach who can joke around with the players but also demand discipline and respect from them. For her coaching staff, she's a good mentor. You'll really be able to learn from her. She makes sure that you can voice out your thoughts and give feedback about players and sessions.” 

Bautista may have that stern, professorial air, but she does have the touch of a player's coach, according to Alquiros. 

“One of the things I like about Coach Buda is she is very patient, and able to handle different personalities and different kinds of girls. She doesn't like to get mad. She knows how to keep her cool and explain rather than shout.” 

And Alquiros intimates an interesting way with which she motivates her charges. 

“She isn't readable, which makes you want to work harder.” 

Bautista certainly wants to keep up the momentum of Philippine women's football after a glorious silver medal in the U14s championship recently. She will have an uphill task. Bautista says that Thailand will be a challenge, since that team competed in the Women's World Cup last year. But she is hopeful of taking points from Vietnam and Singapore. 

When she isn't coaching, Bautista is an avid mountain biker, who often goes to the hills of Timberland in San Mateo with her DLSU biker colleagues. She noted sadly that recently, an unfortunate MTB enthusiast fell off a winding path to his death there. 

Her team is also trying to climb a mountain. There are pitfalls along the way, but also opportunities at bringing football glory to the nation. – Rappler.com 

Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH

MANILA, Philippines – Before the Philippine national basketball team, popularly known as Gilas Pilipinas, faced Turkey on Friday in the final of a series of tune-up games leading up to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila next week, head coach Tab Baldwin wrote one word on the board in the locker room:

Accountability.

At night’s end, following another (though more competitive) defeat to the Turks, Baldwin was still preaching the same message. The national team may have played and looked better than they did compared to their 35-point blow out loss in Istanbul last week, but it was only a small step towards what’s going to be a gigantic climb for a ticket to the Rio Olympics.

Let’s lay out the facts here: for Gilas Pilipinas to win the OQT next week, it will have to defeat 5 other nations, 4 of which are ranked higher than them in the FIBA World rankings, and two (France, Turkey) which are in the top 10. That means that for the Pinoy crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena to see its hometown team win gold at the end of the Qualifiers, the national team is going to have to be nothing short of perfect.

On Friday evening against Turkey, it was not. The same type of showing next week may get them a fighting chance to move past the first round, but forget even advancing by the semifinals. The opposition is too talented and too good; the margin of error way too slim.

“Much better but not good enough,” were Baldwin’s words to the media post game. 

“We still have time to work on that. We expect that France (which Gilas faces first on Tuesday, July 5) will present some different problems than Turkey. Obviously, lessons were learned and improvement was made.”

Gilas actually got off to a good start, leading by 6 in the first half. Andray Blatche played slimmer and better. He was driving in the lane, knocking down outside shots, and even blocking NBA player Omer Asik on the other end. It was almost like watching Draymond Green in the flesh. 

Jayson Castro was his usual silent and cerebral self, and Terrence Romeo provided the offensive spark the team has come expect. Though not packed, the crowd at the MOA Arena was rampant with excitement in the first period, the belief of victory in the air.

And then, slowly but surely, Turkey took control of the game with their international experience in display. A 3-pointer by Geyik Samet at the buzzer of the first half increased the lead to 7, and the Turkish team managed to go up by as many as 17 in the third period.

A lot of that was because of what Turkey was doing - they are ranked number 8 in the world, after all - but truth be told, Gilas was also fortunate with some of the easy bunnies and open 3-pointers the Turks were missing.

Some of the Philippines’ wounds were self-inflicted as well, notably the unforgivable 15-of-26 shooting from the foul line and turnovers. Gilas had only 11 giveaways for the game which seems okay, but many of those were live-ball, leading to 13 easy Turkey points. And in some possessions, Blatche and the national team settled for over-dribbling that led to isolation pull-ups - the opposite of ideal when facing a line-up as big and long as Turkey’s.

Does it seem like nitpicking? Sure. But Baldwin’s words said it best: “We just don’t have a margin for error and those of us that make mistakes, the impact of our mistakes is much greater than the impact of the mistakes that Turkey or France will make.”

The national team isn’t entering the Qualifiers with the expectation of only to compete and give the powerhouses of the world a nudge in the arm.

“Execution is so much better, both ends of the floor,” Baldwin did credit his boys. “Still defensively, we’re reacting a little bit rather than scheming. We have to scheme better, but there’s big improvements in our schemes, but we still get caught sometimes making wrong rotations.

“I’d like to say that it’s all mental, but every single one of us had bad habits. Sometimes you know you’re not supposed to do something but habit takes you where you’re not supposed to go, and we still suffer from that.”

It was clear in Baldwin’s words that he wants to commend Gilas for improving quite a sum in a short period of time, though the caution he was heeding also warned that the preparation they have to still accomplish is far from finished. 

That Gilas was able to trim the lead down to 5 in the fourth period, or was unwavering in their purpose to keep battling until the final buzzer sounded give reason for optimism. It’s more a question of “when” and not “if” Romeo will break the ankles of an international opponent, and his individual brilliance is clearly necessary for when Gilas’ offense stalls. Additionally, he showed flashes of his potential as an elite passer, finding Troy Rosario open under the rim at one point after drawing in multiple defenders.

But, once again, it still isn’t good enough. The promise is there, though as Baldwin describes, it was only “a taste of improvement" and they have a lot of space for more.

“This was a step much closer to the goal that we have, but we’re not there. We can’t kid ourselves that just by being better, we’re good enough. We’re not.”

He later said, “We believe in this team, we believe in the last steps we have to take, but we have to be incredibly uncompromising with ourselves.”

Gilas no longer has months or weeks to prepare for the upcoming battle. It has 4 days, and the first team on the other end of the court ready to deliver a haymaker is France, the most lethal opposition of the Manila OQT. 

Winning gold in the Qualifiers and punching a ticket to Rio would be the perfect storybook ending for the Philippines after years of heartbreak, but in order for that to happen, they themselves will have to be perfect. – Rappler.com

TAMPA, USA — This week on Monday Night RAW, the WWE did something they’ve never done before — in a year already full of things they’ve never done before — by acknowledging Roman Reigns’s 30-day suspension onscreen. And not just any acknowledgment; they’ve actually incorporated it in the ongoing storyline between all 3 ex-Shield members.

And because a guy like Roman Reigns has betrayed the public trust by failing the WWE Wellness Policy, now might be the right time to finally, finally turn Reigns heel. Clearly the Reigns experiment has failed — no matter how Vince McMahon tries to deny it — and this occurrence is a really convenient out they have to take. Even if Reigns took the high road and apologized, he just doesn’t have enough support to sustain his babyface character.

And it only makes sense if they’re going to be malicious and give Roman Reigns a title shot despite getting suspended.

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The only problem is that Reigns cannot turn heel if he isn’t present in the storyline. No matter how much WWE can sway public perception through the actions of others, it’s still the character’s actions that define who he is at the moment. He can only remain righteous or become a dick through his own volition, and this is where the WWE must skirt around its own rules. Have Reigns interact with his opponents via social media. Everyone already does it in 2016, but the impact will be magnified by his absence.

The best way to go about it now? Have him start leaning more into callousness from his already-aloof demeanor. Do it through tweets and short videos online. (It’s already quite easy to be a dick on Twitter.) When he finally shows up again at Battleground, that’s when he continues the mean streak he showed back at Money in the Bank, unleashing the true Big Dog.

He’ll draw (unfavorable) comparisons to Brock Lesnar, but better a budget Lesnar than a failed John Cena.

What they do with Reigns at Battleground is the biggest test WWE faces for the New Era, if he’s still the guy (or one of the guys) they’ll be leaning on to carry the next generation. It seems to be clear that he’ll never be Cena, even though Cena was much-maligned (some of the hate deserving, some of it not) in his prime. He’s not Orton, either, because that’s Seth Rollins’s role. He might as well forge his own path.

Ultima Lucha 2

The second season of Lucha Underground is finally coming to a close over the next 3 weeks. For those who aren’t aware, Lucha Underground’s season finale, Ultima Lucha, are the length of a usual special event — the hours only spread out over weeks.

It’s funny: the last time Lucha Underground was ending a season, we were all anxious about whether they would return for another. A year later, the season finale is coming around again and we couldn’t really care less if we get them back.

In growing its universe, Lucha Underground had mostly stripped itself of the soul that exacted devotion from the believers in the Temple. The original franchise player, Prince Puma, has been relegated to a bit player, even though he’s pit against Rey Mysterio in a dream match. Favorites like Drago and Aero Star have been shuffled down the card, facing guys like Johnny Mundo. Old Mil Muertes, although compelling, has been made the star of the show despite fans clamoring for other stars. Matanza is an impressive athlete, but his emergence was just not built up enough to justify running roughshod over the roster. At the very least, fan favorite Pentagon Jr. is main-eventing the show.

This is all because of the second season getting shortened; it didn’t have nearly enough time as the first season to continue building the world and pacing all its story arcs properly. They plod through half-baked angles, but not because they really want to. It’s a shame, really, as Lucha Underground’s protracted season gave the show so much promise.

Quick predictions:

• Cage wins the 4 A Unique Opportunity Tournament against The Mack, Son of Havoc, and Texano

• Ivelisse defeats Taya

• Black Lotus defeats El Dragon Azteca, Jr.

• Prince Puma defeats Rey Mysterio

• Mil Muertes defeats King Cuerno in a Death Match

• Sexy Star wins the Gift of the Gods Ladder Match against Night Claw, Daga, Killshot, Mariposa, Marty the Moth, and Siniestro de la Muerte

• Drago, Fenix, and Aero Star win the Trios Championships from Johnny Mundo, PJ Black, and Jack Evans

• Pentagon, Jr. defeats Matanza Cueto to win the Lucha Underground Championship

– Rappler.com

Do you listen to podcasts? Would you want to listen to a local podcast about pro wrestling? If the answers to those questions – especially that last one – are yes, then you should check out the cleverly-named Smark Gilas-Pilipinas Podcast, featuring Mellow 94.7 DJ and PWR General Manager Stan Sy, wrestling writer Romeo Moran, and all-around multimedia person and former voice of PWR Raf Camus! This week, they discuss the week in wrestling, and how nothing big really happened! Listen to it here!

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine men’s national basketball team lost a second straight tune-up game against Turkey on Friday, July 1, ahead of the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in Manila next week.

After losing to the same team in Istanbul by 35 last week, Gilas put up a better fight on Friday and lost only by 8 despite trailing by 17 at one point in the third period. The national team even went ahead by 6, 25-19, in the first half.

“I feel like we got better, a lot better,” was what naturalized Filipino and Gilas big Andray Blatche said post game. Blatche led all scorers with 20 points and had 7 rebounds plus 5 assists.

“We executed, we played hard. Even when we got down, we didn’t panic, like we didn’t fall. We stayed to the plan and continued to execute.”

The Philippines managed to cut Turkey's lead to 5 in the fourth period before their run fell short at the end game.

(READ: Gilas shows promise, but there's much room for improvement)

Gilas is slotted in the same group as France and New Zealand in the Qualifiers while Turkey, Senegal, and Canada make up the other group. The Philippines will take on the French first on Tuesday, July 5.

“I feel like everything we did is a good preparation for France,” said the former NBA player Blatche. “Coach Tab is a very smart coach. I’m quite sure everything he did was to get us prepared for France.

“We’ll come in tomorrow, going to start doing film and personnel on France and get ready for the 5th.”

Blatche also said that he doesn’t have a message for the France national team and is instead “more focused on us (Gilas), on what we got to do to win.”

The 29-year-old Syracuse, New York native also said that the national team will need the support of the Filipino crowd next week.

“We’re going to need ya’ll to come out on the 5th and support us.”

He later added, “Like I said before, I think the fans are going to be the sixth man for us, give us energy.”

Even Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin is excited about the energy they will receive from the crowd, saying that the reception they heard on Friday against Turkey was a nice preview of things to come.

“It was pretty good. They made noise when it counted in the second half and I think they helped us. If this is a small taste of what’s coming, it’s going to be great for us.” – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Collegiate League moves on with one regular season matchup and one exhibition match at the Rizal Technological University Gymnasium this Friday, July 01, 2016.

Game 1: DLSU vs CEU

Fresh off a 37-point whooping of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, the undefeated De La Salle University put on another show as they blew out fellow undefeated team Centro Escolar University, 94-59.

The Lady Archers employed what brought them success over the past two-games - crisp ball-movement leading to wide-open shots. CEU failed to answer on the defensive end as the lead steadily ballooned in favor of DLSU.

CEU’s Danice Llosala and Jenina Solis suffered sprains just minutes apart in the closing moments of the game and had to be carried off the court.

Game 2: Blackwater vs RTU-B

Blackwater Perlas Pilipinas suited up in what turned out to be the season’s most lopsided game, a 79-point annihilation of RTU Team B, 103-24.

Perlas went on a crowd-silencing 54-6 run over the course of two quarters, leaving the Lady Thunders scoreless for more than 11 minutes. Three-point shots clanked off the rim one after another as RTU desperately tried to stop the dominance of the National Team.

League founder and 15-year veteran Merenciana “Ewon” Arayi chipped in 12 points via a 4-for-6 clip from 3.

PCL returns on Sunday, July 3, with a double-header. The University of the Philippines will face off against RTU-A and Blackwater will face DLSU. The third matchup involving CEU and PUP was postponed to a later date due to a CEU team-building activity.

PCL STANDINGS (as of July 1, 2016)

Note: Blackwater Perlas Pilipinas is a guest team.

DLSU                    3 – 0

CEU                      2 – 1

UP                        2 – 1

RTU-A                  1 – 1

RTU-B                  0 – 2

PUP                      0 – 3

– Rappler.com

Skateboarders have a distinct stereotype. They have their own culture with taste in music, clothing, and they even have their own language if one doesn’t speak their lingo. 

Filipinos often relate normal situations to heartbreak. Hugot is a Filipino term which means to “to draw from” or “pull out” which they use in the context of expressing emotions. 

A skateboarder’s language may be too foreign for some, but if related to something ss universal as love, then maybe hugot lines can help people understand their language.

(READ: Filipino skaters turn out for Vans Go Skateboarding Day 2016)

Rappler went around and gathered witty hugot lines from skateboarders during Van’s Go Skateboarding Day on June 25, 2016. Here are some memes which hopefully help skaters and non-skaters alike understand each other.

We know skateboarding hurts.

But these guys explained to us why it’s worth it...

Some used tricks to express what’s been done to them...

...And this guy uses his lines to give out advice

Some are made for pick-up lines...

...And apparently some are to annoy your enemies

And just for fun, here are some other memes!

– Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Collapse was no option. 

The Philippine Air Force Jet Spikers formalized their first finals appearance in the Shakey's V-League Open Conference after getting rid of the Laoag Power Smashers in a 5-set thriller, 25-14, 25-20, 19-25, 21-25, 15-10, Saturday, July 2, at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Judy Ann Caballejo exploded with 23 points, while May Ann Pantino and Joy Cases added 17 and 14 markers, respectively. 

The Jet Spikers were ahead by two sets when the Power Smashers suddenly stole the momentum, opening the third set with 10-5. 

Laoag breezed through the third and fourth canto to extend the match to a fifth set. 

Adamson University standout Gemma Galanza scattered 20 points for the Power Smashers. 

Mylene Paat and Jovielyn Prado contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively. 

"Siguro masyadong nagkaroon ng confidence kaya hindi nagtuluy-tuloy," said Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez. (Maybe we were overconfident that's why we almost lost.) 

Jimenez admitted that Laoag capitalized on the collapse of their floor defense. But his squad showed grit and heart down the line as veterans Pantino and Caballejo did the work in the deciding set. 

Air Force is now looking forward to a finals showdown with either Bali Pure or Pocari Sweat.

"Andito na kami. Kailangan ibigay na namin best namin. Either sa dalawa. Parehong malakas 'yan eh." (We're already here. We need to give it our best. Both teams are strong. We are looking forward to face either of them.) – Rappler.com

LONDON, England - Two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic was sent crashing out of Wimbledon by big-serving Sam Querrey on Saturday, July 2 (Sunday Manila time) shattering his dreams of securing the first calendar Grand Slam in 47 years.

The world number one, bidding for a fourth Wimbledon title and 13th major, suffered his earliest loss at a Slam since the 2009 French Open.

The 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) third round defeat also ended Djokovic's Open era record run of 30 successive wins at the majors and his streak of having reached 28 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals.

"Sam played a great match. His game was brutal and I was overpowered," said the Serb, who added that he "wasn't 100 percent healthy".

Djokovic, who completed a career Grand Slam at the French Open, refused to dwell on failing to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win a calendar Grand Slam having won in Melbourne and Paris already this year.

"I managed to win 4 Grand Slams in a row. I want to try to focus on that rather than on failure," he added.

"Coming into Wimbledon, I knew that mentally it's not going to be easy to kind of remotivate myself."

Djokovic added that he would not be playing in the Davis Cup quarter-final against Andy Murray's Great Britain in Belgrade in two weeks' time.

Fate sealed

America's Querrey, the world number 41, built only his second win in 10 meetings with Djokovic on an epic-serving performance over two days after the tie had been suspended with him two sets to the good on Friday.

The 28-year-old sent down 31 aces - 15 in the fourth set alone - and saved 14 of 17 break points while unleashing 56 winners.

His reward is a last-16 clash with 34-year-old Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.

"It's incredible, especially to do it here at Wimbledon. I'm so ecstatic right now and so happy," said Querrey.

Rain had saved 29-year-old Djokovic on Friday. On the resumption Saturday, the US, Australian and French Open champion took the third set 6-3.

In the fourth, he squandered 11 break points before finally breaking through at the 12th time of asking for a 5-4 lead.

But he couldn't convert with the American hitting straight back for 5-5 and holding for 6-5 when the rain returned to cause a second suspension of the day on Court One.

Djokovic served to take the set into the tiebreak and was ahead at 2/0 and 4/3 but Querrey clawed his way to two match points.

The top seed saved the first, but ballooned a forehand wide and his fate was sealed.

Murray cruises through

Djokovic's defeat was good news for second seed Murray who lost to his long-time rival in the Australian and French Open finals this year.

The 2013 champion responded by making the last-16 with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Australia's John Millman under the Centre Court roof.

"What Novak's done in the last 18 months, I don't think we'll see again for a long time. The level of consistency he's had is amazing, but it's impossible to win every match," said Murray.

Murray will play Australian 15th seed Nick Kyrgios or Spain's Feliciano Lopez for a place in the quarter-finals.

That tie was suspended due to bad light at one set apiece.

Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori beat Andrey Kuznetsov 7-5, 6-3, 7-5 to set up a last-16 clash with Marin Cilic, the Croatian ninth seed who eased past Lukas Lacko of Slovakia 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

That will be a repeat of the 2014 US Open final won by Cilic.

In-form American Steve Johnson reached the fourth round of a major for the first time by defeating former semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-2.

The world number 29 faces seven-time champion Roger Federer for a place in the last-eight.

Canadian sixth seed Milos Raonic, a 2014 semi-finalist, defeated America's Jack Sock 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) and next faces Belgium's David Goffin.

Due to the rain-hit first week, two-time champion Petra Kvitova only finished her second round match at 5:30pm (1630 GMT).

The Czech 10th seed, with 43 unforced errors, lost 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) to Russia's Ekaterina Makarova.

Third seed Agnieszka Radwanska, the 2012 runner-up, enjoyed a 6-3, 6-1 win over Katerina Siniakova and next plays Dominika Cibulkova, the 19th seed from Slovakia.

German fourth seed and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber also reached the last-16 with a 7-6 (13/11), 6-1 win over compatriot Carian Witthoeft.

A semi-finalist in 2012, Kerber will next face Japan's Misaki Doi. – Rappler.com

Gilas Pilipinas will go to battle once more. This time, they will fight to end a decades-long dry spell and make the basketball Olympics at Rio de Janeiro for the first time since 1972.

After falling short of the gold at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, the Philippine national men's basketball team will have to go through the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament hosted by Manila.

Gilas, led by head coach Tab Baldwin, will be up against some of the world's basketball powerhouses with its first assignment being France, ranked 5th in the world. New Zealand will be Gilas' last foe in Group B of the 6-nation tilt. Canada, Turkey, and Senegal make up Group A.

The winner of the tournament will go on to the Rio Olympics along with winners of the two other qualifiers simultaneously happening from July 5 to 10.

There will be no room for error for Gilas, and they are more than willing to rise to the challenge.

Meet the 12 men who will again carry the hopes of an entire nation.

{source}

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<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/A90E9BE7FC3F41C08F67DDE73F095662/Aguilar.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas" target="_blank">JAPETH AGUILAR</a><br>High-Octane Dunker</h4></center></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/A138A828AEE04D85A144AF7BA88F6F0E/Blatche.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas/67347-andray-blatche-profile" target="_blank">ANDRAY BLATCHE</a><br>All-Around Offensive Star</h4></center></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/3419E7D625CC48CCB8F1ACF6697EF2D3/Castro.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas/35092-jayson-castro-profile" target="_blank">JAYSON CASTRO</a><br>Asia's Best Point Guard</h4></center></div>
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<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/972B4CE8C5AC4674A7B8D50286EA5F29/Chan.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas" target="_blank">JEFF CHAN</a><br>Deadly Sniper</h4></center></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/9E52C16229A442C2A69D986F4F801EEA/Fajardo.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas" target="_blank">JUNE MAR FAJARDO</a><br>Paint Patroller</h4></center></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/4D99DE8AB3EA4E67AFE19C6D3B2D4B82/Norwood.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas/35095-gabe-norwood-profile" target="_blank">GABE NORWOOD</a><br>Elite Perimeter Defender</h4></center></div>
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<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/5617B3C356BD48428D7B591985C23D11/Ocampo.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas/35099-ranidel-de-ocampo-profile" target="_blank">RANIDEL DE OCAMPO</a><br>Versatile Offensive Weapon</h4></center></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/D5C91A8FF0844B968BF31042AA86C5F8/Parks.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas" target="_blank">RAY PARKS</a><br>A Foreboding Force</h4></center></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/E3FE2F0398364969B6BA3593F0EC704B/Pingris.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas/35102-marc-pingris-profile" target="_blank">MARC PINGRIS</a><br>Interior Defender</h4></center></div>
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<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/933C27C42DFE486DB5A11343FD2F2102/Reyes.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas" target="_blank">RYAN REYES</a><br>Steady Combo Guard</h4></center></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/ECC9D55DC0674E06AE395EBAFF03CD7D/Romeo.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas/106374-terrence-romeo-profile" target="_blank">TERRENCE ROMEO</a><br>Explosive Scorer</h4></center></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/C610989EF6574F1CAFDFD76C3F1449B1/img/703F48E329614F37B3F64A57E618E444/Rosario.jpg" alt=""><center><h4><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas" target="_blank">TROY ROSARIO</a><br>Developing Offensive Threat</h4></center></div>
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<div class="col-sm-4"></div>
<div class="col-sm-4"><img src="http://assets.rappler.com/5FA9D7C3FEAD4A6587B6801E8C1F7362/img/2A8FDB9B522E4F3E93B38D81EE32DC20/Coach-baldwin.jpg" alt=""><center><h4>COACH TAB BALDWIN<br>The Cerebral Coach</h4></center></div>
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RELATED: Final 12-man Gilas roster announced for OQT | Your guide to the FIBA OQT in Manila

Introduction byJane Bracher | Illustrations by Ernest Fiestan | Layout by Dominic Tuazon

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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fighter Eric Kelly suffered a vicious defeat at the hands of Mongolian kickboxer Jadambaa Narantungalag in the main event of ONE Championship’s “Dynasty of Champions 6” card at the Hefei Olympic Sports Centre in Hefei, China on Saturday, July 2.

Jadambaa, a former ONE Championship featherweight titleholder, only needed 44 seconds to finish the job against Kelly, who is widely regarded as one of the most talented products of the Philippine mixed martial arts scene. 

The 40-year-old Mongolian scored an emphatic knockout by delivering an explosive right hand and a thunderous follow-up shot on the ground that forced the referee to halt the contest in less than a minute. 

With the impressive victory over Kelly, Jadambaa improves to a 12-4 professional record and is now riding high on a two-fight winning streak. 

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In addition, Jadambaa earns a date with reigning ONE Championship featherweight kingpin Marat Gafurov. 

ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong told Rappler that the winner of the Kelly-Jadambaa cage confrontation would earn a crack at the featherweight division’s top prize. 

Jadambaa had a grueling history with Gafurov as he relinquished the gold-plated strap to the undefeated Russian via fourth-round submission in November 2015. 

On the other hand, Kelly downgrades his prizefighting slate to 12-3 and loses his second-straight outing. 

Jadambaa is the first MMA fighter to earn a knockout triumph over Kelly. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that originated in Angola, incorporates complex fighting stances in a series of graceful, coordinated movements. 

"You need to understand how your body works. Not just the technique, but how to apply those techniques with the weight of your body so that you can do it properly," shared Gameplan host Mara Lopez who tried doing the sport for the first time.   

MANILA, Philippines - Jonathan Taconing waited 4 years for a second world title shot. His dream of becoming a world champion will have to wait longer.

The Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines native dropped a unanimous decision to WBC junior flyweight titleholder Ganigan Lopez on Saturday, July 2 (Sunday Manila time) at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City, Mexico. The scores were 115-112, 118-109 and 119-108, all for the hometown fighter.

Lopez (28-6, 17 knockouts) established his right jab early as Taconing (22-3-1, 18 KOs) looked to brawl from the outset. Lopez, 5 years older than Taconing at age 34, was dominant for the first half of the fight with his superior boxing technique, which caused Taconing's wider swings to miss.

Taconing began to make an impact with his power in round 7 as he followed a diversionary with the straightest left hand he threw all night, rocking Lopez and forcing him to grab momentarily to collect himself. Lopez came back strong the following round as the predictable nature of Taconing's offense made the bout a counterpunching exercise for him.

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jonathan Taconing&#39;s big left hand in round 7 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/boxing?src=hash">#boxing</a> <a href="https://t.co/z3zNkKgPQF">pic.twitter.com/z3zNkKgPQF</a></p>&mdash; Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansongalia/status/749465448949747714">July 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Lopez sustained a cut on the corner of his right eye due to a head clash, which cost Taconing a point deduction.

The loss ends Taconing's 9-fight winning streak which dates back to his controversial technical decision loss to Kompayak Porpramook in 2012.

Lopez retains his title for the first time after defeating Yu Kimura in Japan to win the belt.

The Philippines currently has 3 world champions, with Johnriel Casimero, Nonito Donaire Jr and Donnie Nietes all in possession of titles. – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA - The salary cap for each NBA club for the 2016-2017 season has been set at $94.14 million, the league announced Saturday, July 2 also establishing a minimum payroll of $84.72 million per team.

Also set for next season was the tax level limit of $113.28 million. While many teams can spill over the salary cap due to exceptions, fewer crack the higher level, which imposes a tax upon clubs for every dollar spent above that total payroll mark.

The new figures go into effect on Thursday.

NBA free agency began Friday and players and teams can agree to the terms of a deal but nothing is official until contracts can be signed late next week.

The current NBA-union deal allows for three different mid-level exceptions to the cap to pay a salary depending on a team's total salary level.

The level for a club not paying the luxury tax is $5.62 million while the taxpayer mid-level exception is $3.47 million and teams under the salary cap have an exception spot of only $2.89 million.

In a tentative deal on Saturday, Al Horford and the Boston Celtics appear to have verbally agreed to terms on a 4-year contract worth $113 million.

Horford, an unrestricted free agent, has played his entire 9-year career in the Atlanta Hawks, who drafted him third overall in 2007.

The 4-time All-Star averaged 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists this past season. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines — France Assistant coach Ruddy Nelhomme confirmed to Rappler that NBA player Nicolas Batum will not suit up for their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament match versus the Philippines on Tuesday, July 5, citing “contract concerns.”

“He’s in our roster but he won’t play. Contract concerns. He also won’t play in our next match versus New Zealand (on July 7),” said Nelhomme, who has been with France head coach Vincent Collet’s staff since 2010.  

Batum just completed a contract renegotiation with the Charlotte Hornets that will pay him US $120 million for the next 5 years. Batum won’t be able to sign his new contract until July 7; the date allowed by the NBA. 

Nelhomme confirmed that Batum will fly to Manila only after the contract is signed. “So if he plays, maybe for our third game. If we make it to the semi-finals,” added the coach. 

“It’s a tough situation,” described the coach, “Not having Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, and other guys. But it is what it is. Life moves on. We play.” 

The 6-foot-8 Batum was drafted 25th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets but was immediately traded to the Portland Trailblazers. The Lisieux, France-born Batum made a name for himself as a two-way guard for the Portland Trailblazers in his first 6 seasons. After a rough seventh campaign for the Oregon-based club, he was traded to Charlotte where he was reborn. 

“We could use him, but for now he is unavailable,” summed up Nelhomme. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Gilbert Bulawan, a forward for the Blackwater Elite in the PBA, died unexpectedly after collapsing during practice, team owner Dioceldo Sy confirmed Sunday, July 3. Bulawan was only 29.

According to Sy, the 6-foot-5 Legazpi, Albay native collapsed right in front of him during practice Sunday and they promptly brought the player to the hospital 10 minutes away.

"Nakayakap kay (He was hugging) Reil Cervantes and fell on the floor. I looked at him, his eyeballs were white and unconscious. Instantly I got scared agad (right away)," Sy told Rappler in a text message.

Sy confirmed Bulawan was dead on arrival at the hospital with the cause of death being "massive cardiac arrest."

"We had team prayer for Gilbert and we all went to the hospital," he said. "The team was in shock. He even answered me in Facebook 7 hours ago. The team was emotional."

Bulawan is survived by his wife. 

"We took care of his hospital (bill) and we [will] wait for his wife’s plan. We will help for sure. Inaanak ko sa kasal, good boy siya (He's my godson, he's a good boy)," Sy added.

"I’m sad. Naiiyak nga ako kanina (I was tearful earlier). I always told him mag-tino ka, maayos asawa mo (be good, you have a good wife). And I always call him Robin Padilla, and he will say Robin Patilla."

PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa also expressed sadness over the news.

"We are very saddened to hear of the passing of one of our beloved players and a member of our PBA family, Gilbert Bulawan," he said in a statement. "On behalf of the PBA I would like to extend our deepeset sympathies to his family and I would like to request everyone to pray for his eternal and peaceful rest."

The PBA will extend financial assistance to Bulawan's family, according to league media bureau chief Willie Marcial.

Bulawan was drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft and played for the Meralco Bolts and the Barako Bull Energy before finding his way to expansion team Blackwater.

He averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds during his PBA career. He leaves behind a wife.

PBA players expressed shock and grief over the sudden death of the former San Sebastian Stag on Twitter.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Heart is heavy hearing the news of Gilbert Bulawan. Prayers go out to his family and loved ones. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash">#RIP</a></p>&mdash; Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) <a href="https://twitter.com/GNorwood5/status/749560056559996928">July 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sad news today. Condolences to the family of Gilbert Bulawan. Rest in peace </p>&mdash; Jeffrei (@jeffreichan) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffreichan/status/749562643535400960">July 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Condolences to the Family of Gilbert Bulawan. Prayers sent to his loved ones. Rest in Peace Gilbert! </p>&mdash; Kevin Louie Alas (@kevinlouiealas) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinlouiealas/status/749564422314528768">July 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just heard the tragic news. Praying for Gilbert Bulawan and his family. </p>&mdash; Josh Reyes (@josh_reyes) <a href="https://twitter.com/josh_reyes/status/749555049030823936">July 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Deepest condolences to the family of Gilbert Bulawan!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPGilbertBulawan?src=hash">#RIPGilbertBulawan</a></p>&mdash; Chris Newsome (@New11New) <a href="https://twitter.com/New11New/status/749565297594494976">July 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh my... During practice pa! Rip Gilbert Bulawan! What sad news!</p>&mdash; Doug Kramer (@DougKramer44) <a href="https://twitter.com/DougKramer44/status/749570303584407552">July 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Man I&#39;m very very saddened to hear about Gilbert Bulawan. Prayers for his wife and family.</p>&mdash; Kel Williams (@KelWilliams21) <a href="https://twitter.com/KelWilliams21/status/749569820828405760">July 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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– with reports from Naveen Ganglani/Rappler.com

The 2016 NBA Free Agency has been filled with twists, turns, and of course, money. According to Bleacher Report, more than one billion dollars have been agreed upon in principle by teams and players in the first day alone, with stars like DeMar DeRozan and Hassan Whiteside committing to deals north of 100 million.

But have all deals made been worth the dough? Let’s weigh in on the contracts agreed upon and see which teams got their money’s worth.

Advanced statistics courtesy of NBA.com/stats.

WINNERS:

1. Los Angeles Lakers – Re-signed Jordan Clarkson for 4 years, $50 million

Here is one of Lala Land’s best moves (we’ll talk about the bad ones later) in free agency’s early stages. The 24-year old Fil-Am combo guard was one of LA’s bright spots in their darkest season yet - where the 16-time NBA Champions experienced their worst regular season record of all time at 17-65 and lost 20-year veteran Kobe Bryant due to retirement.

Clarkson was second to Bryant in team scoring with 15.5 points a game and led the team in minutes played. He also led in field goal percentage for Lakers guards (44%) and was second to D’Angelo Russell in steals per game (1.1) and three-point percentage (35%).

All that upside for just 12 million dollars a year. Chump change in today’s NBA. 

2. Toronto Raptors – Re-signed DeMar DeRozan for 5 years, $139 million

People might argue that $27 million per year is too much for a player who regularly disappeared with teammate Kyle Lowry in big playoff games, which earned him the moniker “DeFrozen.”

However, this signing is crucial for a once-mediocre team well on its way to becoming title contenders – having already reached the Eastern finals last season where DeRozan bounced back with multiple 30-point performances. The Raptors simply can’t afford to lose the face of the franchise when they can afford his services anyway.

For a team that has had a history of letting superstar guards leave for greener pastures such as Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, it’s nice that they kept someone at home for once.

3. Miami Heat – Re-signed Hassan Whiteside for 4 years, $98 million

For a contract 100 times bigger than his last one ($981,000), Hassan “Blockside” is keeping his talents in South Beach.

After a fruitless journeyman career which saw Whiteside suit up for teams such as the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association and Al Mouttahed Tripoli in Lebanon, the NBA finally witnessed the full capabilities of the blocking machine last season, where he registered career-highs across the board, most noticeably in points (14.2) and blocks (3.7 - a league-high and a 1.1 jump from last season). He also entered the playoffs for the first time in his career while playing for the Heat.

Whiteside staying would be a great boon for a franchise missing a legitimate center since Shaquille O’Neal in 2006. Despite winning the NBA Championships in 2012 and 2013, the LeBron James-led Miami Heat severely lacked a reliable post presence and had to gamble on playing small-ball, a once-unused tactic that has since been utilized by the 2015 championship-winning Golden State Warriors.

Eight teams and several countries later, Whiteside is finally where he should have been years ago.

4. Detroit Pistons – Re-signed Andre Drummond for 5 years, $130 million

In a league and era dominated by superstar guards and forwards, a superstar big man is hard to come by, and the Detroit Pistons have found just that.

In just one season, Drummond upped his averages in points (16.2 from 13.8), rebounds (a league-high 14.8 from 13.5) and steals (1.5 from 0.9) – enough to earn him his first All-Star nod. Most importantly, he also led the Pistons to their first playoff appearance since 2009.

With a well-oiled squad of fellow up-and-comers like Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris, Stanley Johnson and Reggie Jackson, Drummond and the Motor City will look to continue revving up in playoff contention and prove that last season’s entry was no fluke.

5. Indiana Pacers – Signed Al Jefferson for 3 years, $30 million

Larry Bird just can’t seem to stop winning.

Amid the pool of max contract signings, the Celtics legend and the Pacers' President of Basketball Operations managed to nab Jefferson from the Charlotte Hornets for cheap. This move comes in the wake of a slew of moves made by the Pacers, surrounding NBA 2K17 cover guy Paul George with quality players like Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young.

Adding a big like Jefferson gives the Pacers a lot of options to work with in case some players go down with injuries, seeing that he had no qualms with being relegated to bench duty during his time with the Hornets. Being a scoring big man, Big Al (12.3 PPG last season) could also serve as the mentor the upstart Myles Turner needs.

With the East jacking up its frontlines with the previously mentioned re-signings of Whiteside and Drummond, Jordan Hill and Ian Mahinmi just won’t cut it if the Pacers look to make a deep playoff push.

Honorable Mentions: Brooklyn Nets – Jeremy Lin (3 years, $18 mil), Milwaukee Bucks – Matthew Dellavedova (4 years, $38 mil), Detroit Pistons – Ish Smith (3 years, $18 mil)

LOSERS:

1. Los Angeles Lakers – Signed Timofey Mozgov for 4 years, $64 million

Here is the other head-scratching move that the Lakers have made and also the bad one. Sure, it has been previously mentioned that it is difficult to find a reliable big man and that the salary cap has gone up, but that doesn’t mean that a team should jump the gun and throw 64 million dollars at the first guy available who is above seven feet tall.

The Russian giant may have significant playoff experience and good stats to back it up, but with numerous big names left in the free agent pool, it’s puzzling why the Lakers would look down the list this early on.

2. Los Angeles Lakers – Signed Luol Deng for 4 years, $72 million

Kobe Bryant must be pissed by now.

One day after committing to signing Mozgov, the Lakers make another eyebrow-raising move to crown Bryant’s replacement at small forward – snatching the 31-year old Deng from the Miami Heat.

Since his All-Star seasons with the Bulls, Deng has been on a steady decline, placing just 8^th in the team’s overall Player Impact Estimate, 10^th in Offensive Rating and 16^th in Defensive Rating.

Having 15 other teammates edge you out on defense is inexcusable when you’re supposed to be a defensive specialist.

3. New York Knicks – Signed Joakim Noah for 4 years, $72 million

The New York Knicks are adding emphasis on the “New” part of their name, being the team to make the first big move of the offseason by trading a slew of players for the Bulls’ mainstay Derrick Rose. Unfortunately for them, that’s where the fun ends.

Now that they have signed the former All-Star Defensive Player of the Year as their starting center to replace Robin Lopez, the Knicks have now the most unpredictable team in terms of health. They could go toe-to-toe with Cleveland in the conference finals or fall like the 2013 Brooklyn Nets super-team.

With their starting lineup now stacked with injury-prone stars like Carmelo Anthony (missed 52 games in two seasons), Rose (missed 244 games in 5 seasons) and Noah (missed 53 games last season), one might wonder if Phil Jackson is putting too much faith in fragile stars.

This team would be competing for championships if only it was 2011 all over again.

4. Atlanta Hawks – Signed Dwight Howard for 3 years, $70 million

LeBron James just won a championship for his hometown. Atlanta will try the same. A product of the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Dwight Howard will now test the waters of his hometown to the tune of 24 million dollars a year.

Howard is just the newest out of the questionable big men signings this offseason, assuming the Hawks never even tried to re-sign Al Horford.

Despite how the Rockets under-utilized him, Howard is not a bad player – far from it. On paper, his imposing size and history of defensive prowess make the 3-time Defensive Player of the Year seem better than Horford. But looking deeper, it is actually Horford who has the better Defensive Rating* (98.4 to Howard’s 105.1).

*Basically, the lower your DefRtg, the better you are as a defender.

Horford is also way better on the offensive end, being able to hit anywhere from the post up to the 3-point line – a rare and valuable asset for a big man. He is also a more reliable free-throw shooter than Howard.

Most importantly, Horford has already mastered the Hawks’ system, having been in Atlanta for his entire 9-year career.

Given all these factors, let’s just hope that Horford rejected an extension from the Hawks. That would make the Howard signing way more sensible.

5. Memphis Grizzlies – Re-signed Mike Conley for 5 years, $153 million

Last but not the least, we turn the spotlight to the biggest contract signed in NBA history so far – a guaranteed $31 million per year for none other than… Mike Conley. Not LeBron James. Not Stephen Curry. Not Kevin Durant. Mike Conley.

Here is a player whose biggest achievements in 9 years with the Grizzlies are an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection and a Western Conference Finals appearance back in 2013.

No All-Star selections. No All-NBA teams. No seasons leading the league in scoring, assists or steals at a ripe age of 28. Multiple early exits in the playoffs despite having Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, two former All-Stars, as teammates (3 if you still consider Vince Carter to be relevant).

This is it. He is in his prime. Mike Conley got his money for being nothing but a good player.

Somehow, the Grizzlies pounced on his free agency as if he is the second coming of Magic Johnson.

(Dis)Honorable Mentions: Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal (5 years, $130 mil), Portland Trailblazers (4 years, $75 mil). Memphis Grizzlies – Chandler Parsons (4 years, $95 mil). – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - France point guard Tony Parker and team assistant coach Ruddy Nelhomme admitted that they are concerned about the Philippines use of the 3-point shot as a weapon ahead of their showdown.

“We know it is a big part of their arsenal and they are very good at it,” said Parker. “If the Filipinos get hot from the outside it will open up the lane for Andray Blatche and those quick point guards of theirs. So we have to guard against that.”

Nelhomme, a long-time assistant to France head coach Vincent Collet said that the French were able to take in Gilas’ match versus Turkey the other evening that ended up in a 84-76 win for “12 Dev Adam.” He said of the game that “the Philippines is fast and you cannot underestimate them.” 

Parker described the Philippine team, which features FIBA Asia Mythical 5 mainstay Jayson Castro and explosive scorer Terrence Romeo, as “fast and talented.”

(READ: France’s Nicolas Batum to miss game vs Gilas)

The French, ranked in the world by FIBA, are in Manila after they lost to eventual champion Spain in the semi-finals of EuroBasket 2015. 

The Philippines is also at this stage of qualification after losing to China in the gold medal match of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championships.   

France and the Philippines, both bracketed in Group B of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament along with New Zealand, open the hostilities on Tuesday, July 5. Over in Group A, Canada, Senegal, and Turkey will also compete for one of the last 3 slots available to the 2016 Rio Olympics that opens this August 5. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - The tall man in a blue suit walked in, spoke in French to someone, then took his place in a table for officials from Peak, the Chinese active wear brand that was holding a press conference at Davao Room of the Sofitel Hotel in Manila on Sunday, July 3. 

A few minutes later, some of France’s coaching staff arrived. They greeted the man in a blue suit in French, shook hands then took their place near the podium to follow the proceedings. 

The man in a blue suit is Tony Parker Sr. The big guest of honor is none other than his son, William Anthony Parker, Jr. or “Tony” to the world at large. 

Tony Jr has been an endorser of Peak since 2013; as part of a stable that includes Dwight Howard and George Hill, to name a few.

“I don’t have to pinch myself to see how my son’s career has unfolded,” proudly said the father.  “I will say this though; it turned out to be unexpected to where it is.”

(READ: France, Parker wary of Gilas’ outside shooting)

Tony Sr played for Loyola University in the 1970s before moving to Europe where he played professionally for 15 years. He eventually settled down in France to raise a family and a brood of 3 boys. Tony Jr was the eldest followed by Terrence and Pierre.  

“I never forced my sons to play basketball. I don’t believe in that. I have 3 sons and I let them grow up giving them the freedom to choose what they wanted to do. Tony chose basketball. But it wasn’t until he saw Michael Jordan play where he finally chose basketball over football.”

The Olympic Qualifying Tournament are the last few games in a French uniform for Tony Jr. The father wasn’t there for his son’s final game on French soil in a Les Bleus jersey, a match versus Japan in Rouen. “I did see his game versus Serbia in Paris (on June 21 before France flew to Serbia for the home-and-away tune-up matches). Hopefully, he can keep on going all the way to Rio. 

“Right now, it's not the time to be sentimental about Tony’s last games. It is not something we need to discuss right now. He’s been to one Olympics (2012 in London where Les Bleus finished sixth) and over a hundred games with the national team. I think his time is done and he’s given so much to the national team. He’ll finish out his years with the San Antonio Spurs.” 

As for Junior’s impact on French basketball, the father downplayed his son’s contributions. “I don’t want to say that my son is the best. All his teammates are like my sons and I don’t like to make comparisons to others. But Tony’s generation changed French basketball. Now players realize they have the potential to play in the NBA."  

How big has his son been to French sports? 

“Two years ago he was voted the number one sports personality in France. So he means a lot to the French people. I never thought he’d arrive at this — these accomplishments with France and in the NBA. So it’s good to see this happen,” shared the senior Parker. – Rappler.com

LONDON, England - Serena Williams clinched her 300th Grand Slam victory as the defending champion raced into the Wimbledon fourth round with a 6-3, 6-0 demolition of Germany's Annika Beck on Sunday, July 3.

Williams' triple century moved the world number one above Chris Evert into sole ownership of second place in the all-time list, with only Martina Navratilova's Open era record of 306 ahead of her.

The 34-year-old has now won 82 matches at Wimbledon as she remains on course to equal Steffi Graf's Open era record of 22 Grand Slam titles with her seventh Wimbledon crown.

She was in peak form on Centre Court, hitting 25 winners and 7 aces as she took just 51 minutes to set up a last 16 clash with Russian 13th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.

"Oh, was it? Cool. Oh, nice. I had no idea. That's awesome, right? I think that's a lot of matches. It's a lot of wins," Williams said when told of her landmark.

"I thought it was good. I still want to get out to a little bit of a faster start but I was really focused and calm.

"Obviously I love having that Sunday off but I'm a little behind in my matches so I guess I had to play an extra day."

For only the fourth time, Wimbledon had thrown open its gates on a middle Sunday and Serena's longevity meant she was one of the few current players who had played on the last extra day 12 years ago, defeating Spain's Magui Serna.

Beck was just 10 then and she had reached the last 32 at Wimbledon for the first time this year thanks in large part to a first round escape act when she saved 3 match points before defeating Heather Watson.

Having avoided her earliest ever Wimbledon exit when she came back to win after dropping the first set against Christina McHale in the second round, Williams had made a point of proclaiming she had a "warrior mentality" that couldn't be broken.

If that was meant to serve as a warning to future opponents, the world number 43 clearly didn't heed it as she grabbed the first break in the third game.

But Serena had only lost to a player outside the top 40 once in 16 Wimbledon appearances and she was quickly into her stride, taking 5 of the next 6 matches to win the first set.

The American raced through the second set, giving the crowd little value for money but providing her with some valuable energy preservation ahead of Monday's clash with Kuznetsova. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - The FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament is two days away yet the action is growing intense and serious…off the basketball court.

One team participating in the Manila qualifier tells Rappler they had caught someone filming its practice on Sunday, July 3.

This team asked for anonymity given the situation. According to the source, the team had an unwanted guest at an additional practice they had scheduled outside the Mall of Asia Arena, where the games are set to take place from July 5 to 10.

The head coach of this visiting team spotted the intruder who was filming the practice from behind some seats. Members of the coaching staff gave chase and the suspect was collared after a brief chase. The team let him off but not before deleting all the videos taken. 

Tournament organizers have been very strict with access to the foreign national squads seeing action in the 5-day competition. Only liaison officers and FIBA officials are allowed access to the practice venue. 

“We wanted to call security,” said a team official. “But we decided to let him off. We just have to be more careful now."  

(READ: Your guide to the FIBA OQT in Manila)

Six teams, including the Philippines, Canada, France, New Zealand, Senegal and Turkey will compete for one spot at the Rio Olympics, which begin August 5. – Rappler.com