LOS ANGELES, USA – Clayton Kershaw pitched 7 scorching innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros in game one of the World Series on Tuesday, October 24.

Backed by Justin Turner's two-run home run and Chris Taylor's lead-off homer, Kershaw steamrolled the vaunted Astros offense.

The temperature at first pitch of 103°F (39°C) was a record for a Major League Baseball playoff game, and a fitting cauldron for the opening clash in the best-of-7 series between teams that each won more than 100 regular-season games.

Kershaw set the tone by retiring the first 3 Astros batters.

Then Dodgers centerfielder Taylor smacked a towering homer off the first pitch thrown by Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel to put Los Angeles up 1-0.

It was only the 4th leadoff homer ever recorded in a World Series game one.

Keuchel, the 2015 American League Cy Young award-winner, settled down to retire Turner, Cody Bellinger, and Yasiel Puig and the duel between Kershaw and Keuchel was on.

"I felt good," said Kershaw. "CT getting that monkey off our back and getting that first run across the board was huge."

Three-time Cy Young award-winner Kershaw, making his first World series start, had faced just one batter over the minimum through the first 3 innings when Astros 3rd baseman Alex Bregman broke through with a solo homer to lead off the 4th.

Bregman pounced on a waist-high fastball and powered it over the left field fence, drawing a grimace from Kershaw, who promptly struck out the next 3 batters.

It was the only hiccup for Kershaw, who surrendered 3 hits in 7 innings with no walks and 11 strikeouts – one shy of his playoff record of 12. He threw 57 of his 83 pitches for strikes.

"I think [Houston] is a really good hitting team. They hit a lot of homers and don't strike out. There's little room for error," said Kershaw. "So it's important for me to establish pitches, be able to throw multiple things for strikes, and I'm thankful I was able to do that tonight.

"I made a few mistakes," he added. "Obviously Bregman got me ... For the most part, though, I'll take it."

After Bregman's homer, Kershaw struck out the next 3 batters to get back on track.

'Special night'

"Tonight was one of those nights, I think the first time in awhile, where we've seen all 3 of his pitches synched up," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He just was repeating the delivery, held the velocity. Was throwing the baseball where he needed to, where he wanted to.

"Very talented team over there," Roberts added. "For him to get ahead, keep them off balance, work them from front to back, up and down, to all quadrants – this was a special night for Clayton."

Keuchel delivered a solid performance himself. After giving up the first-pitch homer he retired 12 of the next 15 hitters he faced.

But after walking Taylor with two outs in the second he surrendered a two-run home run to Turner – the walkoff hero of the Dodgers' game-two win over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship series.

"I didn't know if it was going to be a home run or not," said Turner, who said he thought the heat made the ball travel further.

"That was a good at-bat," Roberts said. "Grinded, got two strikes, behind the count and Keuchel tried to come in with a cutter and left it out over [the plate] a little bit. Really took a great swing."

"Gosh JT has had so many big hits for us this year," added Roberts of Turner, whose 4 home runs in these playoffs are one shy of the Dodgers club record.

Astros manager AJ Hinch lifted Keuchel with two outs in the 7th, after he gave up a deep single to Corey Seager.

"Keuchel was really good tonight," Hinch said. "He was just a pitch or two less than Kershaw. He wasn't as fancy with the punch-outs."

Dodgers relief pitcher Brandon Morrow retired the side in the top of the 8th and closing pitcher Kenley Jansen set down 3 in the top of the 9th to send the crowd of 54,253 at Dodger Stadium into a frenzy.

The Dodgers, in pursuit of a 7th World Series title and their first since 1988, will try to build on their 1-0 lead when they host game two on Wednesday, October 25.

The Astros are seeking a first World Series crown in their second appearance. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The De La Salle Univeristy (DLSU) Green Archers secured their final 4 spot with a win over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 99-78, on Wednesday, October 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Green Archers prevented a repeat of Alvin Pasaol's record-breaking game against them in the first round. The Red Warriors also failed to ride on the momentum of their win against the Fighting Maroons with their lackluster offense in the Wednesday game. 

The Green Archers got off to an early start that saw Ricci Rivero put DLSU up by 10 points (14-4) with 5:40 left in the first. Alvin Pasaol then led the Red Warriors to chase the Green Archers with a 10-0 run, punctuated by the two triples he made in the quarter alone. 

Ricci Rivero and Kib Montalbo immediately buried triples of their own and Justin Baltazar makes a buzzer-beating bucket to cap off the 8-2 run late in the first frame. 

Despite being able to pull away the lead in the second period, Ben Mbala also picked up a technical foul with 4:31 left in the first half as he threw down the ball towards Philip Manalang. 

The Green Archers held onto the lead throughout the second half as the third quarter saw Santi Santillan slam it home via a nifty assist from Andrei Caracut to make it a 25-point lead for DLSU. 

Jason Varilla attempted to salvage the Red Warriors by draining back-to-back corner triples, but Baltazar and Josh Gonzalez also shot from the deep to close out the 3rd period. 

Pasaol's efforts to cut the deficit were not enough to come close to the Green Archers' score, as the DLSU ended the game with a 21-point cushion.

This sends the Red Warriors in danger of falling out of the final 4 contention. A loss against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, October 28, will end their hopes of getting in the final 4. 

Mbala continued to lead the Green Archers, recording a double-double fo 25 points and 14 rebounds, whille passing 2 assists and making 1 steal. Santillan also registered a double-double behind Mbala where he tallied 14 points and grabbed 11 boards. 

Pasaol scored higher than his average as he had a 23-point outing and grabbed 9 boards, 5 of which are offensive. Mark Olayon followed with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists. 

This win puts the Green Archers at a 9-2 record, while the Red Warriors fall to 3-8 in the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament.

The Scores

DLSU (99) – Mbala 25, Santillan 14, Ricci Rivero 13, Baltazar 13, Melecio 7, Tratter 6, Montalbo 5, Prince Rivero 4, Caracut 3, Go 3, Gonzales 3, Paraiso 2, Tero 1, Capacio 0.

UE (78) – Pasaol 23, Olayon 18, Derige 9, Varilla 8, Maloles 6, Acuno 6, Cullar 4, Bartolome 2, Cruz 2, Manalang 0, Conner 0, Gagate 0.

Quarter Scores: 28-18, 53-34, 77-55, 99-78.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons survive a scare from the winless University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 75-70, on Wednesday, October 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The final frame saw a chance for the Growling Tigers to earn their first win despite being eliminated from the final four contention.

But Papi Sarr's perfect outing from the line and Jerrick Ahamisi's jumper before the last minute of the game sealed the win for the Soaring Falcons, even though Carlos Escalambre made a triple with 14 seconds left in the game. 

Regie Basibas lifted the Growling Tigers with 8 points early in the first quarter to take the lead and make attempts to tie the score after the Falcons led by two points. Sean Manganti's triple, however, erased the Growling Tigers' early lead.

After Robbie Manalang opened the second period with a triple, the game went into a scoring drought for 4 minutes until Jeepy Faundo ended it with a putback. Escalambre's and Basibas' efforts then allowed UST to get within one point.

With 1:40 left in the first half, Escalambre's baseline jumper nabbed the lead for the Growing Tigers but the Falcons answered back with two triples not long after to still hold the lead for Adamson at the half (37-33).

The second half featured a tighter battle between both teams, as UST's efforts tied the score thrice before Jordan Sta Ana completed a 3-point play that got the Growling Tigers ahead by one (48-47).

Ahanmisi came up big for the Falcons scoring a total of 21 points, but his heroics mattered more when he made 11/21 points in the final frame. Sarr followed by registering a double-double of 12 points and 14 boards. 

Basibas broke out with 17 points, followed by Jeepy Faundo and Steve Akomo who recorded double-doubles (points-rebounds) of 12-12 and 10-17, respectively. 

This win continues to seal the Falcons at 3rd seed with a 7-4 record, while the Growling Tigers fall to 0-11 in the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament.

The Scores

AdU (75) – Ahanmisi 21, Sarr 12, Pingoy 7, Ochea 7, Espeleta 6, Manganti 5, Lojera 5, Camacho 4, Manalang 3, Mustre 3, Hill 2, Bernardo 0, Zaldivar 0, Chua 0.

UST (70) – Basibas 17, Faundo 12, Akomo 10, De Guzman 9, Escalambre 8, Sta. Ana 7, Caunan 4, Lee 3, Macasaet 0, Garcia 0, Romero 0.

Quarter Scores: 22-19, 37-33, 48-49, 75-70. 

– Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – When you’ve scored 49 points against a team before, you’re allowed to be confident against them.

If you’re the team who got scored 49 on, however, you really need to fix that problem next time out.

That is exactly what happened in the second round rematch between the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, where the champs emphatically shut down the feisty 7th seeded Red Warriors, 99-78.

The one man who could not be emphatically shut down, however, was that 49-point man and the new talk of the town, Alvin Pasaol, who still tallied a respectable 23 points and 9 rebounds against the imposing defense of versatile center-forward Ben Mbala.

As of October 22, Mbala (26.5 PPG) and Pasaol (22.2 PPG) hold the first and second spots, respectively, in the scoring leaderboards for Season 80.

Sure enough, after the game, the 6'3" Pasaol said he didn’t sweat the 6'7" star in front of him.

"Okay lang naman,” he said. “Siguro mai-intimidate ka rin, sobra lang talaga siyang malaki. Siya 25 [points] 'ata eh, 23 ako. Not bad naman."

(It was okay. I guess you’d also be intimidated; he’s just so big. I think he got 25 points and I got 23. Not bad.)

"Tao lang naman din siya eh, nagkakamali rin siya,” Pasaol added. “Tinake ko lang din yung advantage." (He’s just a man and he also makes mistakes. I just took the advantage.)

La Salle’s heartthrob highlight machine Ricci Rivero can also attest to Pasaol’s offensive prowess, saying there’s no one way to guard the bulky but deceptively quick UE star.

"Actually, kay Pasaol kasi, straight up ka lang talaga eh," he said. "Di ka puwedeng parang force right mo siya or force left kasi both sides, nakaka-penetrate siya. May catch and shoot tapos off the dribble, nashoo-shoot niya, and may post din, so kailangan talaga honest D lang."

(Actually, with Pasaol, you have to go straight up. You can’t force him to his right or left side because he can penetrate both ways. He can catch and shoot, shoot off the dribble, and shoot from the post too, so you just have to play honest D.)

Back to business, Pasaol said they cannot allow themselves to be intimidated again in their next match against 10-0 Ateneo, where one more loss means they would be eliminated from Final Four contention.

"Di naman mananalo yung isang team kung hindi magtutulungan," said the UE stalwart. (A team won’t win if they don’t help one another.) – Rappler.com

BOCAUE, Philippines - The Meralco Bolts clicked on all cylinders to churn out a 98-91 win over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game 6 and force a do-or-die Game 7 in their Governors’ Cup finals series at the Philippine Arena Wednesday, October 25.

It was a complete team effort for Meralco as Allen Durham, who had another monster performance of 28 points and 19 rebounds, got the help he needed with 3 other Bolts finishing in double figures.

Reynel Hugnatan continued to impress for the Bolts as he notched 24 points on 6 triples while adding 7 rebounds and 4 steals.

Ginebra, which trailed 86-90 with more the 3 minutes to go, still had a chance to mount a comeback but Meralco unloaded a game-clinching 8-2 run to extend the series. 

Game 7 of the finals will be on Friday, October 27 at the same venue.

Scores:  

Meralco (98): Durham 28, Hugnatan 24, Lanete 15, Newsome 10, Dillinger 9, Amer 6, Hodge 6, Caram 0 

Ginebra (91): Brownlee 23, Slaughter 18, Tenorio 12, Thompson 12, Devance 11, Aguilar 6, Caguioa 6, Ferrer 3, Taha 0 

Quarter scores: 29-17, 54-37, 75-69, 98-91. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - With the Governors’ Cup nearing its conclusion as Barangay Ginebra and Meralco Bolts dispute for the title in a winner-take-all Game 7, people would expect the players and coaches to have built a certain animosity towards one another.

But that isn't the case with Ginebra coach Tim Cone and Meralco tactician Norman Black.

The two rival coaches were at the middle of a heated exchange in Game 3 of the finals but that did not prevent Cone from expressing his deep regard for Black after the Bolts pulled off a 98-91 win in Game 6 that forced a rubber match. 

“He’s taken, it’s a good team but it’s not a great team, it’s not a San Miguel, it’s not a Talk N Text, but he’s brought them all the way here to Game 6 in the finals,” said Cone.

Admittedly, Cone said he tried to pattern himself after Black when he entered the league as head coach for Alaska in 1989, the year Black he led San Miguel to a grand slam.

“He was the guy I emulated and copied as I took my coaching career forward. Honestly, if he didn’t spend all those years at Ateneo, he’d probably be the winningest coach right now, not me.” 

But Black, who won a total of 5 championships with the Blue Eagles in the UAAP, downplayed Cone’s remark, saying the 59-year-old is “the winningest coach for a reason.”

“I myself and all the other coaches in the league are trying to catch him,” Black said. “He adjusts well every game, we can’t do the same thing twice against him because he’ll figure it out and he’ll find a way to beat you. He’s a competitor, there’s no question about that.”

The former PBA Best Import shared he and Cone have always been “friendly rivals,” going back to their years in college when Cone, according to Black, was part of the Team B at the American University that competed against his St. Joseph’s University.

In the PBA, the two coaches have faced each other for more than a decade with Cone winning 19 championships and Black garnering 8 titles.

“I can’t say we’re the type of friends that go out to dinner every night together, that’s not true. But whenever we have an opportunity to talk, whenever we have an opportunity to be around one another, we always have very good conversations and we’re always very nice to one another,” Black said.

Game 7 will be on Friday, October 27 at the Philippine Arena and Black said the winner will be decided by whichever team executes better.

“We’ve both done a lot this series, it’s the seventh game already. I don’t know how much more we can pull from our bag of tricks at this point, it may come down to just really executing well what we’ve done so far but I know for sure what we did tonight would be prepared for.” – Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA - The Houston Astros out-dueled the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 in an 11-inning thriller on Wednesday, October 25 (Thursday Manila time) to level the World Series at one game apiece.

George Springer smashed a two-run homer in the top of the 11th to cap the Astros' late charge.

It proved just enough as the teams combined for an astonishing 5 extra-inning home runs - a record for a Major League Baseball post-season game.

"That's an incredible game on so many levels, so many ranges of emotion," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch. "That's one of the most incredible games you'll ever be a part of."

With the win the Astros head home on level terms for games 3, 4 and 5 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Marwin Gonzalez homered for the Astros in the ninth to tie it at 3-3 after the Dodgers had seemingly been heading for victory.

Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa ripped back-to-back homers in the top of the 10th to put Houston up 5-3.

Undaunted, the Dodgers responded in the bottom of the 10th with a lead-off homer from Yasiel Puig.

With two outs in the 10th, Astros relief pitcher Ken Giles walked Logan Forsythe, who reached second on a passed ball and raced home when Enrique Hernandez belted a single to right field.

With the score at 5-5, Dodgers relief pitcher Brandon McCarthy surrendered a single to Cameron Maybin to open the 11th.

Springer followed to put the Astros ahead for good -- although the Dodgers pulled within 7-6 with Charlie Culberson's homer in the bottom of the 11th.

"It was an exciting baseball game," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "It was an emotional roller-coaster."

Astros ace pitcher Justin Verlander pitched 4-plus innings of no-hit ball.

But the two hits he surrendered in six innings were home runs to Corey Seager and Joc Pederson that gave the Dodgers the early advantage.

Pederson rewarded Dodgers manager Dave Roberts's faith with a game-tying homer to right field with two outs in the fifth.

Pederson, picked to start in left field over Andre Ethier because Roberts said he liked Pederson better against Verlander's velocity, connected on an 88 mph (141.62 Km/h) slider to level the score at 1-1.

Seager made it 3-1 in the sixth with a two-out home run to left field off Verlander that also scored Chris Taylor, who had walked.

Houston had opened the scoring in the third inning, when Josh Reddick singled off of Dodgers starter Rich Hill and advanced to second on Verlander's sacrifice.

A single from Springer put runners on the corners. Alex Bregman followed with a sharply hit single to center field, where the ball eluded diving Dodgers center fielder Taylor, knocking the brim of his cap.

Reddick scored, but the ball bounced toward Pederson, who corralled it to hold Springer and Bregman on base. Hill then struck out Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa to end the inning. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Edward Heno, who had previously been stripped of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior flyweight title, was reinstated as champion on Thursday, October 26, after the two fighters slated to fight for the vacant title withdrew their bids.

OPBF secretary general Ramon Guanzon told Rappler that Ivan Soriano and Rey Loreto would no longer be fighting on the OPBF Convention show slated for November 10 in Palawan, "therefore we decided that it is only fair that the champion be reinstated."

The undefeated Heno (11-0-5, 5 knockouts), a San Pedro, Laguna native who trains out of Baguio City, was ecstatic with the news. 

"I'm very happy to be champion again," said Heno, 25. 

Heno was removed as champion after declining to fight on the OPBF Convention show slated for November 10, just two months after knocking out Seita Ogido on September 10 in Japan to win the vacant title. Guanzon had previously told Rappler that the vacant title fight was sanctioned under the agreement that the winner would defend the title on the OPBF Convention, while OPBF rules only dictate that the winner of a vacant title fight defend the belt within 90 days of first obtaining it. 

Guanzon claimed that both parties had agreed to that stipulation, but Heno's manager Anson Tiu Co said he had not been informed of that obligation, and had brokered the deal through an intermediary. Tiu Co told Rappler that Heno had no objection to fighting a mandatory challenger, but was unable to train immediately due to his son's hospitalization. 

The stripping of Heno prompted an "emergency meeting" by the Philippine Promoters and Managers Association last Saturday, October 21, to discuss the matter.

"Everybody woke up on the right side of the bed, I guess," said Tiu Co of the development. 

Guanzon said Tiu Co has been "verbally informed" that Heno must make a mandatory defense against the number one contender within a 3-month period. 

"We'll see who comes up in the next ratings and plan from there," said Tiu Co. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philiipines – One final game to determine the champion.

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco Bolts will go at it in a winner-take-all Game 7 of the 2017 PBA Governors' Cup Finals on Friday, October 27, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Game starts at 7 pm.

The Bolts are fighting for the franchise's first PBA championship. Barangay Ginebra, meanwhile, are hoping for a back-to-back Governors' Cup title. In Game 6, Meralco clicked on all cylinders to churn out a win over Ginebra and force a decider. (READ: Meralco trips Ginebra to force do-or-die Game 7 in Govs' Cup finals)

See the schedule of the PBA Finals below:

Follow all the action via Rappler's live blog here:

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– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - After recording a lackluster 17-27 record for the Phoenix Fuel Masters, head coach Ariel Vanguardia and assistant coach Justino Pinat have resigned from their respective posts, according to a team statement made Thursday, October 26.

“After evaluating the performance of the team this past season, Ariel Vanguardia and Justino Pinat have earlier stepped down from their coaching positions with the best interest of the team in mind.”

According to the statement, they are replaced by Louie Alas as head coach, and Topex Robinson, as assistant head coach. 

Phoenix spoke highly of the two, saying, “The two coaches represent two of the brightest coaching minds in the game today and we feel fortunate that they will be leading the future of our team as well as other basketball related activities.” 

Alas last coached in 2012 as the head honcho of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights while Robinson is currently making headlines as the upbeat leader of the 18-0 NCAA Season 93 finalist Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates.

Aside from the coaching changes, the Fuel Masters are slated to pick 4^th in the highly-controversial 2017 PBA Rookie Draft as part of their ongoing rebuilding efforts. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - More than anything, Allen Durham just wants to be a part of the team that will give the Meralco Bolts their first PBA championship. 

After failing to complete his mission on his first try when the Bolts fell in 6 games to Barangay Ginebra in the Governors’ Cup finals last year, Durham knows this is the best time to win it all: in a Game 7. 

Durham prevented history from repeating itself on Wednesday as he anchored Meralco to a 98-91 Game 6 win with 28 points and 19 rebounds in 48 minutes of play. 

This will be the first time the two-time Best Import will see action in a Game 7 and he said he is excited for it.  

“I told the guys, it was last week or something like that, ‘We have a real, real good opportunity to make history, to have that first championship for Meralco. They can go on and win 15, 10 championships after us but it’s going to be us who will be the first team that won the first one,’” said Durham.  

But Durham’s journey back to the finals has not been easy, especially since it was him who defended Justin Brownlee’s title-clinching, game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 6 last year that ended Ginebra’s 8-year title drought. 

Hungry to turn things around this time, Durham returned as the Bolts import this year. 

“This is why I came back, I came back to have another opportunity and we were so close last year. We are in the same situation now, we just got to all step up and finish it. That’s what I’m looking forward to do on Friday.” 

The winner-take-all Game 7 will be on Friday, October 27, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. – Rappler.com

SINGAPORE, USA - Swiss tennis great Martina Hingis announced her "definite" retirement on Thursday, October 26 (Friday Manila time) signaling the end of a career which took her from 1990s teenage superstar to doubles world number one some 20 years later.

The 37-year-old "Swiss Miss" has retired twice before - once after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine - but she said the ongoing WTA Finals in Singapore will be her last tournament.

"I think now it's definite. It's different, because before I walked away thinking I might come back," Hingis told reporters after her 6-3, 6-2 doubles win alongside Chan Yung-Jan over Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Kveta Peschke. 

"After a season like this, I think it's also perfect timing. You know, you want to stop on top and not when you're already going backwards. 

"I couldn't ask for a better finish."

Hingis could end her career on a high in Singapore, with a semi-final looming against Timea Babos and Andrea Hlavackova. "We have a pretty decent chance. I think we are the ones to beat right now," she said.

Slovakian-born Hingis took the tennis world by storm when she won her first three major titles, the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open, in 1997 at the age of just 16, opening a period of dominance when she spent 209 weeks as world number one.

It was a run that inspired a young Roger Federer, the leading light of the group of Swiss players - also including Stan Wawrinka and Belinda Bencic - who followed Hingis onto the world stage.

'The time has come'

Hingis, coached by her mother, Melanie Molitor, had five Grand Slam singles titles to her name when injuries drove her into her first retirement in 2003, when she was just 22.

She returned two years later but the comeback was short-lived and Hingis stepped away from the sport again after failing a drugs test at Wimbledon in 2007.

But she has enjoyed considerable success since her reincarnation as a doubles specialist, and ends her career at the top of the rankings and with 20 major titles in doubles and mixed doubles.

"Here we are for the third, and final time," Hingis posted on Facebook. "Looking back now, it's hard to believe that almost exactly 23 years ago I made my professional debut. 

"The years that followed have been some of the most rewarding years of my life, both personally and professionally, but I believe the time has come for me to retire, which I will be doing after my last match here in Singapore."

Hingis said she would remain involved in the sport, perhaps in a coaching capacity - which could raise questions over a potential match-up with Federer.

"I'll always be part of the game of tennis," she said. "Somehow we will be connected. I will definitely take some time out. I have done coaching before. I can help my mom, her tennis school.

"I'm definitely not going to miss that day-in, day-out grind." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After 7 long years, The De La Salle University Lady Shuttlers are the UAAP Season 80 Women's Badminton champions.

The Lady Shuttlers brought their first title back to Taft since Season 72 on Saturday, October 21 as they bested the 3-time defending champions University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in the finals showdown.

Rappler visits Lady Shuttlers captains Lin Javier and Alyssa Leonardo, along with Season 80 women's badminton Most Valuable Player Nicole Albo on their homecourt to discuss their championship win. 

– Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA - Kyrie Irving and Al Horford propelled the Boston Celtics to their third straight victory on Thursday, October 26 (Friday Manila time) with a 96-89 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Horford scored 27 points while Irving chipped in with 24 as Boston improved to 3-2 in the Eastern Conference to climb to sixth place.

Together Horford and Irving went 21-for-32 from the floor but their efforts masked another poor display overall by the Celtics' offense.

Milwaukee talisman Giannis Antetokounmpo meanwhile was held to fewer than 30 points for the first time this season, but still weighed in with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals.

Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon scored 15 points each as Milwaukee 45 percent at the Milwaukee Arena.

Elsewhere Thursday, center Marc Gasol was the star as the Memphis Grizzlies held off a rally by the Dallas Mavericks to win 96-91 at FedExForum.

Gasol scored 25 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lay the foundation for a nail-biting win in Memphis. Point guard Mike Conley added 22 points and 4 assists as the Grizzlies improved to 4-1.

Forward Harrison Barnes top-scored for Dallas with 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Mavericks threatened to claim back-to-back wins over the Grizzlies following their win in Dallas on Wednesday.

The Grizzlies looked to be cruising to a straightforward win on Thursday after building a 19-point lead at half-time.

But the Mavericks gradually clawed their way back into the contest and sneaked into the lead in the fourth quarter at 86-84 following J.J. Barea's 3 free throws.

Conley however scored a crucial three-pointer to reclaim the lead and then produced a driving lay-up to give the Grizzlies a three-point cushion that ultimately proved decisive.

In Chicago, the Bulls edged the Atlanta Hawks 91-86 after double digit contributions from Robin Lopez and David Nwaba.

Lopez scored 16 points while Nwaba came off the bench to 15 points with 11 rebounds in a hard-fought first win of the season for the Bulls.

Six players reached double figures for the Bulls, including rookie Lauri Markkanen (14) and Justin Holiday (13).

Markkanen, who had a disappointing night of shooting with 5-of-13 attempts, produced three-pointer with 48.5 seconds left to give Chicago a 90-86 lead.

Marco Belinelli led Atlanta's scoring with 23 points, while Kent Bazemore finished with 16 points and Mike Muscala 14. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - At a time where foreign student-athletes dominate the collegiate basketball scene, local talents are still bringing their A-game in the hope of getting hard-earned victories for their school. In the UAAP, these local stars are proving that foreign-born players are not the end-all, be-all of their team identity. 

If the league had an All-Filipino star lineup, this is probably what it would look like:

1. Alvin Pasaol, Forward, UE Red Warriors

Season Averages: 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.9 blocks, 42.9% shooting

One of the most pleasant surprises for this season is Alvin Pasaol, the 6-foot-3 sophomore forward of the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors. Of course, by now, everyone associates him with his improbable 49-point performance in a 106-100 loss against the defending champion De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers.

However, Pasaol proved right after that this magical night was not a fluke, as he continued to explode for 20- and 30-point games with his amazing catch and shoot threes and powerful drives. Most recently, he still scored an above-average 23 points against the imposing defense of 6-foot-7 runaway repeat MVP Ben Mbala in a 99-78 loss against DLSU. His 22.3 points per game record puts him at a solid second to Mbala in the leaderboards, which is no easy feat, given the scoring talent littered across the league.

Although his performances have rarely translated to wins, Pasaol’s drive – metaphorically and literally speaking – have made believers out of the fans and, most importantly, his coach “Manong” Derrick Pumaren.

Moving forward, Pasaol will further establish himself as the new face of rebuilding UE basketball. It’s going to be a fun 2-3 more years, that’s for sure.

2. Ricci Rivero, Forward-Guard, DLSU Green Archers

Season Averages: 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks, 47.6% shooting

Moving on to another sophomore, DLSU’s Ricci Rivero is slowly proving that he’s more than just a pretty face and a flashy dunker. Despite a slow start to the season, the younger Rivero worked his way back up to the trust of decorated head coach Aldin Ayo and is now one of the most important pieces in an already stacked DLSU backcourt.

He proved this with a strong second round bounce-back for the Archers, including a 4-game stretch where he scored at least 17 points. In just his second year, he is already proving to be an all-around athletic stud on both ends of the court.

As if the rest of the league didn’t have enough problems with the men in green, along came Ricci Rivero, and he’s cleared for takeoff.

3. Jayjay Alejandro, Forward-Guard, NU Bulldogs

Season Averages: 17.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 42% shooting

Being the only player in this list who has had a taste of championship glory, the National University (NU) Bulldogs’ captain Jayjay Alejandro isn’t going away quietly and lie down for the young(er) guns.

Boasting averages of 17.1 points (3^rd-best), 6.5 rebounds and a league-best 6.1 assists, the Season 77 champion is still going all out for the 5^th-seeded Bulldogs as they try to sneak one more time into the Final Four. His 6.1 assists average is so far ahead that second-placer Jerie Pingoy of the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons only averages 4.6, which is still impressive by league standards.

Although Alejandro is doing very well himself, he needs the rest of his team to finish the season strong. Hopefully for them, his inspired performances drive the rest to wake up from their slump.

4. Thirdy Ravena, Forward-Guard, Ateneo Blue Eagles

Season Averages: 14 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks, 45.5% shooting

Of course, no “top players” list in the UAAP is complete without a Ravena.

But make no mistake, Thirdy didn’t get here by virtue of namesake. Despite being in a tried-and-tested Tab Baldwin system where no single player is outshining the others, the jacked third-year player of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles is still a reliable Swiss Army Knife and constant double-double threat. Ravena doesn’t let his shorter build stop him from cracking the top ten in league rebounds average – a list that includes 7 foreign-born players who stand at least 6-foot-7.

Sure, the 10-0 Blue Eagles have imbibed the starless culture of Baldwin, but like any other machine, the engine would stop without the cog that is Thirdy Ravena.

5. Mark Olayon, Forward, UE Red Warriors

Season Averages: 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 52.3% shooting

Say it ain’t so! Yes, the 3-8 Red Warriors actually have two high-quality players in their ranks.

Although frequently overshadowed by his hotshot teammate Pasaol, Mark Olayon is quietly becoming one of the reasons why no team can afford to overlook UE. Like NU’s Alejandro, Olayon is a rare triple-double threat in the league with great peripheral stats including surprising top-tier averages in assists (3^rd-best), field goal percentage (4^th-best) and steals (5^th-best). If the UAAP had a fantasy basketball league, Olayon would be surefire first-round pick.

Thanks to immortal names like Baby Dalupan and Robert Jaworski, UE is one of the most decorated squads in UAAP history, and the next generation of Warriors like Pasaol and Olayon are raring to prove it again. – Rappler.com

BASEL, Switzerland - Roger Federer said he wasn't sad to see fellow Swiss legend Martina Hingis announce her retirement, crediting her with helping him become a record-breaking Grand Slam champion.

Hingis, 37, called time on her career, which spanned 3 decades, for a third time on Thursday, October 26.

Federer, who won the 2001 Hopman Cup alongside Hingis, said he heard at the start of the year and again last week that Hingis intended to call it quits for good at the end of the ongoing WTA Finals in Singapore, where she has reached the doubles semi-finals.

"Martina was partially the one who showed me how it was all done," said 19-time Grand Slam champion Federer.

"It was great for Switzerland to have someone of her caliber. We were very lucky. I loved playing with her at the Hopman Cup, she was always super friendly, I love that about her.

"I'm not sad to see her retire, she's been in the game for long enough, she seems at peace with her decision - that's wonderful. I've always been a fan of her and I always will be."

Hingis announced her "definite" retirement earlier on Thursday, signaling the end of a career which took her from 1990s teenage superstar to doubles world number one some 20 years later.

"I think now it's definite. It's different, because before I walked away thinking I might come back," Hingis told reporters after her 6-3, 6-2 doubles win alongside Chan Yung-Jan over Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Kveta Peschke in Singapore. 

"After a season like this, I think it's also perfect timing. You know, you want to stop on top and not when you're already going backwards.  I couldn't ask for a better finish."

Hingis had five Grand Slam singles titles to her name when injuries drove her into her first retirement in 2003, when she was just 22.

She returned two years later but the comeback was short-lived and Hingis stepped away from the sport again after failing a drugs test at Wimbledon in 2007.

But she has enjoyed considerable success since her reincarnation as a doubles specialist, and ends her career at the top of the rankings and with 20 major titles in doubles and mixed doubles. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - The hot streak continues for the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Stags as they eliminate the 3^rd-seeded Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers from contention, 85-73, in the NCAA Season 93 playoffs at the Mall of Asia Arena, Friday, October 27. 

After a slow start to the first quarter, the Stags charged ahead in the second quarter, led by the perfect perimeter shooting of RK Ilagan, who had 15 points off 5-of-5 shooting from downtown. By halftime, San Sebastian had completed a hot 29-point quarter to lead 41-34. 

Instead of slowing down, the Stags revved up more and piled on a huge 30-point third quarter on the hapless Heavy Bombers who could not hold on to the ball. After erupting for 36 points against Letran on Tuesday, Michael Calisaan had another mini-explosion in the third, scoring 9 in that quarter alone.

JRU mounted a comeback effort in the final frame and even managed to cut the lead down to 10, 82-72. However, the Stags held on just enough to secure the victory. All in all, the Bombers’ final rally for the season was a 27-point 4^th quarter compared to the Stags’ 14. 

Ilagan finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists – a notable improvement from his average of 7 points per game. 

Host school San Sebastian now moves on to face defending champion San Beda Red Lions on Tuesday, November 7 in another knockout match for a chance to battle the undefeated Lyceum Pirates in the NCAA finals. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - The San Miguel Beermen are set to get even richer in talent.

PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa said in a press conference an hour before Game 7 of the Governors’ Cup finals that he approved of the trade that would send the Picanto’s No. 1 overall pick to the Beermen.

Kia would get JR Reyes, Rashawn McCarthy, Ronald Tubid and San Miguel’s 2019 first round pick in exchange for the top pick this year which is expected to be either Christian Standhardinger or Kiefer Ravena.

According to the commissioner, San Miguel first offered to give up just Reyes and McCarthy but Narvasa thumbed down the proposal. The Beermen added Keith Agovida and a 2019 first round pick to sweeten the deal but Narvasa rejected it again, saying a veteran should be included in the trade.

Narvasa said he talked to Kia governor Bobby Rosales and San Miguel governor Robert Non to discuss the trade and the Picanto expressed interest in veteran marksman Tubid.

“Robert, si Tubid? Sabi niya medyo hindi yata kasi he is the veteran replacement for (Marcio) Lassiter. Sabi ko, ‘Boss, ito na lang, mukhang okay na si Tubid, kapag hindi niyo binigay si Tubid within one hour, the deal is off. Forget already the deal,’” said Narvasa.

(Robert, is Tubid available? Robert told me it is unlikely since he is the veteran replacement for Marcio Lassiter. I told him, ‘Boss, I think Tubid is okay already, if you do not give Tubid within one hour, the deal is off. Forget the deal already.)

“If you cannot decide within one hour, you can consider the deal rejected. They called me up ng mga 3 o’clock, the deal has been done. They accepted the deal and I have given them the approval already for the deal.”

Narvasa added Kia did not ask for any of the Beermen's starters.

"Based on their philosophy nga diba, mas gusto nila, they wanted to start with people na gutom. Gusto nila 'yung palaban, ayaw na nila 'yung superstars kasi iba na 'yung attitude. They want to mold these people into their culture."

(Based on their philosophy, they wanted to start with players who are hungry to win. They want someone who goes hard. They do not want superstars since they their attitude might not be what the franchise wants. They want to mold these people into their culture.)

The PBA Draft is on Sunday, October 29, at the Robinsons Place Manila. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - After falling out of junior welterweight contention, Jason Pagara will try to jump back into the rankings when he faces undefeated Japanese fighter Hiroki Okada on December 19 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

At age 25, the older Pagara brother is in a make-or-break situation following his dismal draw with late-replacement James Onyango on September 16 in Cebu City, when he was beaten around the ring in the latter rounds following a hot start.

It was his first fight in 10 months, a period of activity his promoter Michael Aldeguer of ALA Promotions says was due to him being “always out of shape.” During that period, the former number one contender for the WBO junior welterweight title slipped down the rankings, and was removed from the top 15 in the sanctioning body’s October 2017 rankings.

Aldeguer previously told Rappler that there had been interest from Las Vegas-based promoter Top Rank to bring Pagara to the United States.

Pagara (40-2-1, 25 knockouts) will try to make up lost ground against the 27-year-old Okada (16-0, 11 KOs), in what will be the toughest test yet in Pagara’s so-far carefully managed career, with the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title will be at stake.

“Jason knows what he has lost; he has not been in shape for a year and he has lost his focus,” Aldeguer tells Rappler.

“We have a lot of fighters who deserve it more and he has to work his way back not just in the world ranking but as one of the fighters to be taken seriously in world level.”

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Okada is ranked number 7 by the WBO, and is coming off back-to-back wins this year over Filipino boxers Rodel Wenceslao and Jheritz Chavez. All of Okada’s fights since turning pro in 2011 have taken place at Korakuen Hall.

Pagara’s expulsion from the rankings comes at an inopportune time, as long-time champion Terence Crawford is moving up to 147 pounds to chase the WBO welterweight title currently held by Jeff Horn. Pagara had previously been in position to fight for the 140-pound belt once Crawford vacated, but now finds himself on the outside looking in on the title picture.

Trainer Edito Villamor says Pagara rested for one week after the Onyango fight before returning to the gym, and expects Pagara to be in better shape for this fight the week before Christmas.

"He learned his lesson in a hard way," says Villamor.

“This should be a huge test for him if he still has what it takes to be a world champion. It’s a division that he can’t play around with,” said Aldeguer. – Rappler.com

BOCAUE, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra San Miguel successfully retained their title after imposing their mastery over the Meralco Bolts, 101-96, in Game 7 of the Governors’ Cup finals at the Philippine Arena Friday, October 27. 

Before a raucous crowd of 54,086, an all-time attendance high for the PBA, the Gin Kings fended off a late comeback scare from Meralco to clinch their 10^th championship in franchise history. 

With Meralco trailing by just 4 points after a Jared Dillinger triple with 47 seconds left in the game, Ginebra milked the clock after Garvo Lanete bricked his three-point attempt, rendering the Bolts's potential fightback for naught. 

This is a breaking story. Please refresh for updates.

Scores: 

Ginebra (101): Tenorio 26, Brownlee 23, Thompson 14, Slaughter 12, Devance 10, Aguilar 10, Caguioa 4, Ferrer 2.

Meralco (96): Durham 26, Dillinger 20, Hodge 14, Newsome 11, Caram 9, Hugnatan 7, Amer 6, Lanete 3.

Quarter scores: 27-19, 52-37, 81-64, 101-96. – Rappler.com