NEW ORLEANS, United States – Star wattage abounded in New Orleans on Thursday, November 16, as A-list celebrities gathered for the wedding of tennis superstar Serena Williams and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Despite the media frenzy, the happy couple released few details of their ceremony. But unnamed sources told People magazine and the Daily Mail that some 250 guests were invited to the festivities at the southern US city's Contemporary Arts Center.

Music royalty Beyonce, legendary Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, actress Eva Longoria and singer Ciara were all also seen arriving at the arts complex.

Security for the event, anticipated to last into the wee hours, was tight. An entire block in the Big Easy – a city known for its jazz music, good food and party atmosphere – was closed to traffic.

A steady train of black SUVs brought members of the wedding party to the event, as workers hurried final preparations for the festivities.

According the entertainment website ETonline, the wedding was to have a "Beauty and the Beast" theme. It said the tennis star's sister Venus was seen late Wednesday leaving the arts center.

Workers could be seen early Thursday transforming the arts complex for the ceremony, while the parking lot beside the building was full of tents and trucks unloading flowers, tables, carpets, wardrobe, and musicians.

The locally popular New Orleans funk and jazz band Naughty Professor was seen arriving in the late afternoon, as was the traditional Paulin Brothers Brass Band.

Chefs cooked in an outdoor tent, with feasting options including two food trucks as well as an outdoor bar.

The Daily Mail said the event would cost more than $1 million and guests would be asked not to bring their cell phones, because an exclusive photo deal had been signed with Vogue.

Williams, 36, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, and Ohanian, 34, welcomed their first child, daughter Alexis Olympia, on September 1.

They announced their engagement in December after meeting in 2015 in Rome.

While New Orleans was no stranger to celebrities and weddings, the star wattage Thursday stirred up extra excitement in the city.

Linda Davis and Cora Riley drove four hours from the small Louisiana town of DeRidder just to get a glimpse of the tennis champion. They waited outside the arts complex for hours.

"We love her. She's classy. She and Venus. They never complain," Riley told AFP.

"We're so glad she found happiness. Little baby Alexis is so precious," said Mary Huber, who was among a small group who took a break from work to observe the hectic scene.

Williams won this year's Australian Open while pregnant, and is expected to defend her title in Melbourne in 2018 – just four-and-a-half months after giving birth to her child.

The Contemporary Arts Center is a large, four-story, multi-disciplinary complex boasting approximately 10,000 square feet (929 square meters) of gallery space. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – It’s just the tip of the iceberg for the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates.

That is what coach Topex Robinson wants his wards to believe after the Pirates were swept by the San Beda College Red Lions in the best-of-3 NCAA Season 93 finals Thursday, November 16.

After all, Lyceum finished at ninth place last year before undergoing a major revamp this season en route to the top spot with an unscathed 18-0 card.

The Pirates were touted to be crowned the next NCAA kings following their season sweep but San Beda, which won its 21st NCAA title, banked on its championship experience to prevail.

Despite the loss, Robinson chose to look at the silver lining that the experience they gained in the finals will be pivotal for their mission in the long run.

“If that’s the result, I’m still going to take that experience. We will carry on that experience as we go along on our journey to be one of the respected programs in the Philippine college basketball.”

The Lyceum faithful will have nothing to worry as the Pirates will maintain an intact core next season.

Only Edcor Marata and Wilson Baltazar will graduate while Most Valuable Player CJ Perez, Mike Nzeusseu, the Marcelino twins of Jaycee and Jayvee and Jesper Ayaay will be returning next year for another potential run to the finals.

“The experience we gained here is just going to make us better. It’s just going to make us a better team and most importantly, it’s going to make us better individuals,” Robinson said.

“I told the team that we’re building a culture. The culture is not an overnight thing, it’s a compilation of years and years of what we’re doing. We’re excited for what lies ahead of us and I always tell them it’s just the tip of the iceberg for us. We have so many basketball to play and so many people to inspire.”

The veteran tactician added that if losing this season resulted in earning people’s respect, he would gladly take it.

“With the people that texted us, even the San Beda alumni that came up to me, ‘You guys really played well.’ That’s more important to me than winning. The respect, the coaches from the other team, the respect that we gained I guess something could overcome winning. I’m excited for today. I know a lot of friendship will be made. I’m excited for that.”

What’s next for the Pirates? It is going back to classes, Robinson said. – Rappler.com

MIAMI, United States  – Boxing legend Muhammad Ali's physician and cornerman, "Fight Doctor" Ferdie Pacheco, died Thursday, November 16, at his home in Miami, his family announced. He was 89.

Pacheco, who earned a medical degree from the University of Miami, met Ali in the early 1960s at Miami's Fifth Street Gym when the future icon was known as Cassius Clay and working with legendary trainer Angelo Dundee.

Working in Ali's corner with Dundee in the 1960s, Pacheco kept his place in Ali's inner circle during most of the superstar's reign as boxing's heavyweight champion.

Pacheco, an American of Cuban and Spanish heritage, played a key role in Ali's 1964 title fight against Sonny Liston.

Ali's blood pressure rose at the weigh-in and Pacheco was asked to examine the fighter away from the rowdy atmosphere. Ali admitted to Pacheco he was acting "crazy" to scare Liston and when Pacheco examined him, Ali's reading was normal. He went on to win the fight.

Pacheco became worried about the years of punches Ali absorbed and voiced his concern after the 1975 "Thrilla in Manila" when Ali kept his crown by defeating Joe Frazier.

After Ali beat Earnie Shavers in 1977, Pacheco urged Ali to retire. When he didn't leave the ring, Pacheco left Ali's team.

Ali's boxing career ended in 1981 and soon after he began a 32-year fight with Parkinson's disease until his death at age 74 in June 2016. Ali finished 56-5 with 37 wins by knockout.

Pacheco, who became a television boxing analyst in the 1980s and 1990s, assisted Dundee with 12 boxing world champions in addition to Ali. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Finding time in your busy schedule to drop everything and work out can be a bit hard especially when it’s been a while since you last tried to do anything that screamed physical fitness. Gameplan host Katz Salao joins our working mom, Trixie Monteron, as she starts her fitness journey by trying out Reformer Pilates.  

Reformer Pilates is a low impact, beginner-friendly workout that focuses on the core muscles with the help of equipment. 

“Basically, it’s a bed that has a lot of springs. With the use of the springs, when you do certain exercise movements, it gives you resistance and feedback so that your body can move better,” said Tanya Aguila, a Pilates Instructor at OneLife Studio.  

“At first the machines were really intimidating. Once I got on it, and when she started saying, ‘Okay this is where you put your hands, this is where you put your feet, you have to arch your back,’ I really felt comfortable,” shared Trixie.

Reformer Pilates for Beginners

Pilates is a workout that starts you off very gently so that when you go a little bit harder, you will be in a safe place, making sure that you won’t strain any muscles. The workout focuses mainly on correcting your form and strengthening your core. Some of its benefits include flexibility, coordination, and balance. 

Unlike other workouts, Reformer Pilates won’t leave you exhausted after a whole session.

“My favorite part of the workout was lying down. Because it brought you back to neutral spine. It’s a position that we often ignore. Just being able to lie there and adjust myself, it made me feel good,” shared Katz.

“Right now, I feel tingly. Knowing that you’ve actually done something, your muscles were awakened, but it didn’t hurt,” said Trixie.

“I feel great. It’s a different feeling from other workouts because I don’t feel exhausted, and I don’t feel like I’m dying,” added Katz.

#JustStart

Taking the first step towards health, fitness, and wellness can sometimes be intimidating. For Trixie, there were doubts as to whether or not her body can handle the exercise. “That’s what I’m probably scared of – doing the poses, if I’m doing it right, if my body is still up for it,” she shared.

“The first thing I tell everybody who’s thinking of even beginning to work out is that healthy looks different on everybody. You have to set in your mind that your benchmark is you, not anybody else,” Tanya explains.

“We have to remove that mindset that we have to be fit enough before we go to the gym, or to try out a new sport. We should just start it,” added Katz. – Rappler.com

HOUSTON, TX, USA—I’ll give the WWE credit for one thing: even though we still don’t really know the actual stakes both brands are fighting for this Survivor Series, they’ve done a good job of building up the drama and urgency. If this comes back around next year, we’ll remember everything that’s happened in 2017 and say it was a good feud.

I mean, I’m hooked. Aren’t you? This may be saying a lot, but it’s the first time in NXT’s Takeover history that the build for a main show PPV actually eclipsed the build for an NXT Takeover—especially one that’s bringing back the legendary WarGames. It helps that WWE’s stacking the deck all the way to the top by adding three legends in the main event, and pulling out all the stops they could. Sometimes it’s approaching the point of being too hokey, but the star-studding works just because Survivor Series was designed to be led by an ensemble cast.

Let’s take a look at how I think the show’s going down:

Enzo Amore vs. Kalisto for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in a kickoff match

Still think they should’ve just gone all in and had a cruiserweight elimination match to prolong the feud. They’re a bit trapped in the corner here in a Neville/Austin Aries situation; Amore still needs the title to help build up face contenders, but if Kalisto loses here he’ll be a sitting duck. I hope someone debuts and interrupts—maybe a Japanese guy we haven’t seen in NXT in a while?

Winner: Enzo Amore

The Usos vs. Sheamus and Cesaro in a tag team match

Last year there were enough tag teams in both divisions for a huge 10-man elimination match; now we’re reduced to having the champions represent the brands. Maybe it’s for the better, anyway. The Usos need to take this one home and establish themselves as one of the best teams in the entire company.

Winner: The Usos

The Miz (with the Miztourage) vs. Baron Corbin

This little interbrand champion vs. champion feud has developed in an interesting way. There was a nice little tease with the WWE attempting to cast some doubt over the Intercontinental Championship scene on SmackDown by having Sin Cara challenge for Baron Corbin’s title, but now we’re left with a clear heel vs. heel matchup. Miz will have to work pseudo-face by default here, as he’s the one with more to defend. If that’s the case, I’d like to see Corbin beat him despite the presence of the Miztourage and move Miz toward being a more organic face.

Winner: Baron Corbin

Team RAW Women (Alicia Fox, Nia Jax, Asuka, Bayley, and Sasha Banks) vs. Team SmackDown (Becky Lynch, Carmella, Naomi, Tamina, and TBA)

The real question here is who exactly Team SmackDown’s 5th member would be after Charlotte Flair won the SmackDown Women’s Championship from Natalya this week. The easy money would be on Natalya, the former champion she just replaced. Rumors are swirling that the 5th spot is reserved for the return of the embattled Paige; and while that makes sense, I just don’t see that happening when Natalya is really right there. Or it could just be Lana, who knows.

The winner of this match would depend on who that 5th woman really is. If it’s merely Natalya, I think Team RAW’s got this match to lose, especially with Asuka on their roster.

Winner: Team RAW Women

The Shield vs. The New Day in a 6-man tag match

This match is a prime example of overloading the card to maximize it. All members of the Shield were supposed to represent RAW elsewhere, with Roman Reigns originally being on Team RAW and Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose being RAW tag champs. This is a much better use for them and the New Day since we know they’ve got the highest chances of stealing the show. There are people who think the New Day are breaking up after this match, and there’s a possibility of that happening as the Shield have to win here to get back the momentum of their would-be reunion.

Winner: The Shield

Alexa Bliss vs. Charlotte Flair

Alexa Bliss has been a sitting duck for a while now since her feud with Mickie James, and while she’s waiting for the eventual rivalry with Asuka to happen and take the championship from her, I think she needs the win more. Flair already had her hometown victory moment with her dad.

Winner: Alexa Bliss

Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs. AJ Styles

This may be the low-key most interesting storyline heading into Survivor Series. Everyone knows former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal was the guy who started this interbrand rivalry by challenging Brock Lesnar to a match. Now that AJ Styles ended up taking the championship from him two weeks ago on SmackDown Live, it’s gotten even harder to predict who should win this match. Although it’s easy to bet on Lesnar winning with the help of interference from Mahal, it doesn’t help Styles at all to lose to Lesnar, even if it is Lesnar. My most favorable scenario is Mahal comes in and causes a no-contest, but we also know that’s not gonna go over well with the universe. Isn’t it sad that we’re really not expecting Styles to win clean here?

Winner: Brock Lesnar

Team RAW Men (Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Triple H) vs. Team SmackDown Men (Shane McMahon, Randy Orton, Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura, John Cena)

When you really think about it, this match might be the most main event-y main event in the WWE this year. All of the company’s biggest names (save for their champions) are included in this match, and the level of talent should make this elimination match one for the ages. However, it’s also pretty easy to predict—RAW’s been the underdog in this entire feud, and SmackDown’s got a lot of karma waiting around for them in the form of Shane McMahon’s hubris and Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s pettiness. This is team RAW’s to take.

Winner: Team RAW Men

Let me know what your predictions are in the comments!

*****

Local wrestling blog Smark Henry and Philippine Wrestling Revolution are having a Survivor Series viewing party! It’ll be on Monday morning, November 20 at Skinny Mike’s Sports Bar! For only P300 you get a free drink and one of the best live pro wrestling experiences this side of the Pacific Ocean! Check out the event details here

*****

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 PWR General Manager Stan Sy, wrestling writer and Wrestling God Romeo Moran, and all-around multimedia person and former voice of PWR Raf Camus! On their latest episode, the boys talk to recent PWR visitors So Sai King of 4 Front Wrestling, and Tengu and Dr. Hertz of London Lucha League’s The Regime! Listen to it here! 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The tides have turned in UAAP taekwondo as the National University reigned supreme in both men’s and women’s divisions this Season 80 at the Blue Eagle Gym in the Ateneo de Manila University from November 15-17. 

Both teams went undefeated in the tournament as the men’s squad nabbed its first UAAP title while the women’s team defended the crown it won last year. 

“History, hindi ako makapaniwala until now dahil napakalakas ng mga teams na natalo namin, especially UST,” said NU coach Jeffrey Figueroa. 

(History, I still cannot believe because we defeated strong teams, especially UST.) 

UP had its best finish in recent years in the men’s division by bagging silver while 4-peat-seeking UST slipped to third place. 

Ateneo landed second place in women’s play while UP clinched 3rd, leaving perennial podium-winners UST at 4th place. 

NU’s Arven Alcantara and Rheza Aragon were named Most Valuable Players in their respective divisions. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas has yet to decide on the final roster it will send to the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, as naturalized player Andray Blatche will only be arriving Saturday evening, November 18, said head coach Chot Reyes.

Blatche was supposed to arrive in the Philippines last Sunday, November 12, but was not allowed by his Chinese Basketball Association team, Xinjian Flying Tigers. Reyes said the 31-year-old had to play for the Tigers' final two games last November 15 and 17.

"That's one of the main reasons why we're not releasing any lineup. Unless Andray is actually here then we cannot make any final pronouncements," said the longtime national team tactician.

Aside from Blatche, the other members of the 16-man pool that will be trimmed to 12 are June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Carl Bryan Cruz, Kiefer Ravena, Kevin Alas, Matthew Wright, Roger Pogoy, Mac Belo, Troy Rosario, Allein Maliksi, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, and Jayson Castro.

According to Reyes, Castro suffered from back spasms but is expected to return to practice Sunday, November 19, while Romeo is still not 100% healthy. Abueva, on the other hand, has fever.

"Questions on the lineup, we really don’t know yet at this point, we will make the final lineup the night before the deadline is due," Reyes added.

If Blatche fails to arrive in the Philippines soon or if Gilas decides not to put him in the final lineup, Reyes said that his wards are ready to go all-Filipino.

"While it's good to have a naturalized player, we have to prepare as if we don't have a naturalized player. If we have to go through the game against Japan with all Filipinos, then so be it."

Gilas will be leaving for Japan on Tuesday, November 21, to face the home team on Friday, November 24, at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium before returning home to battle it out against Chinese Taipei on Monday, November 27, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers defeated the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 82-75, via a come-from-behind win on Saturday, November 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

After trailing the Falcons for most of the game, the Green Archers went on a 14-0 run that stopped Adamson from scoring for the first 5 minutes of the final frame.

Kristian Bernardo ended the scoring drought with back-to-back baskets and reignited the Adamson offense to allow the Falcons to get within one in the last 3 minutes of the game. 

However, the Green Archers answered back with a 8-0 run that sealed the win, which saw that Jerrick Ahanmisi's late triple was not enough to take the lead. 

Adamson broke its undefeated streak of winning the game while leading at halfitme (8-1), as they were also on their way to securing their first playoff win in 21 years. 

Ben Mbala led DLSU with a double-double of 27 points and 14 rebounds, while making two steals. Santi Santillan followed with 15 points and 8 boards. 

Despite coming off an injury, Ahanmisi scored 17 points to top score for the Soaring Falcons, while Robbie Manalang followed with 16 points. 

As Ahanmisi and Jerie Pingoy were healthy enough to return to the game, they sparked the Adamson offense and allowed the Soaring Falcons to pull away from the Green Archers in the first half. 

Ricci Rivero – who had been quiet in the first quarter – powered the Green Archers to get within 3 points (36-33) as he sliced past the Adamson defense for a tough layup during the second quarter. 

Not only were the Soaring Falcons able to hold down Green Archers to only 11 points at the end of the first quarter (21-11), they were also to limit DLSU to zero triples at the end of the half. 

The Scores

DLSU (82) – Mbala 27, Santillan 15, Ricci Rivero 14, Melecio 7, Montalbo 5, Caracut 4, Tratter 3, Go 3, Prince Rivero 2, Baltazar 2, Paraiso 0.

AdU (75) – Ahanmisi 17, Manalang 16, Hill 10, Lojera 7, Sarr 6, Bernardo 6, Manganti 5, Espeleta 4, Pingoy 2, Zaldivar 2, Ochea 0.

Quarter Scores: 11-21, 33-39, 54-63, 82-75. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Isaiah Austin's chances of being Gilas' next naturalized player hang in the balance.

Austin, who played as an import in Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas' 5th-place finish in the recently concluded FIBA Asia Champions Cup, has been touted to join Marcus Douthit and Andray Blatche as the Philippines' naturalized players. 

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said in a national team send-off Saturday, November 18, that Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas vice chairman Robbie Puno is handling the paperwork of the former Baylor University star's naturalization, but noted that the process will take time.

"Realistically, we don't see Isaiah being available. I think the earliest is going to be middle of next year. Perhaps in the June window. But things are moving. He has cooperated. He has expressed his desire so that's that," Reyes said of Austin, who is currently playing in Taiwan.

But Puno clarified that while Austin is at the forefront of the naturalization program, they cannot just pull the trigger since it is a "tedious" and "very expensive" process. 

"As we naturalize players, the more we naturalize, the more difficult it becomes because the argument that we are frequently confronted with is the argument that we have too many naturalized players," Puno said. 

Puno added that former Pampanga congressman and present NLEX Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao even said that the naturalization program should be a "temporary fix" to the Gilas situation. 

"We can't naturalize indefinitely. There's got to be a time that it is going to stop. There is a question there in Congress as to when it is going to stop." 

"We have to be very careful with whom we decide to launch this program for. Whenever we launch this naturalization program, it includes a lot of things. Not just the bills that we file but also a lot of support." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After a comeback 82-75 victory by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers over the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons in the opening UAAP Final 4 match, Rob Manalang was robbed of the opportunity to make the most out of his final playing year.

The 24-year-old floor general was on point early into the match, despite the late 4th quarter collapse that saw Adamson give up a game-clinching 12-0 run to the defending champions. Manalang hit everything, including step-back threes, pull-up shots, and contested fadeaways. By halftime, he already had 11 points to lead the Falcon charge. Incidentally, Adamson led 39-33 at intermission.

After 3 quarters, Adamson still led by 9, 63-54. However, the trademark "Mayhem" playstyle by La Salle finally showed up as the champs snatched away the game and further championship aspirations from the Falcons. Unfortunately for Manalang, he couldn't follow up his stellar first half and finished his UAAP career with a still-respectable 16 points and 4 assists, 12 points coming from beyond the arc.

Despite only finishing his sophomore year, he could no longer play collegiate basketball because he would be 25 years old next season – one year over the maximum allowed by the UAAP.

After a long wait after the game, a dejected Manalang emerged from the locker room with fellow stars Papi Sarr, Jerrick Ahanmisi, and Jerie Pingoy. The outgoing point guard only had praises for his teammates and the Adamson basketball program despite being upset by the way his career ended.

"Honestly it's a tough loss. Heartbreaking, especially for me 'cause it's my last game as a Falcon," he said. "But I'm extremely proud of my teammates. They gave their whole heart. To my coaching staff, they taught to me so much about being a point guard and being a man. I'm just very lucky, very blessed to be a part of this."

Manalang also revealed that he clamped on a do-or-die mentality against La Salle since he was playing to save both the Falcons’ season and his collegiate career, which explains his gunslinger act in the first half.

"Being in my last game, I didn't care if I made mistakes or anything like that," he said. "I was just trying to play as hard as I can – trying to help the team in any way that I can. I just tried to stay aggressive."

As a farewell speech to an emotional Falcon squad, Manalang said, "I told my teammates I'm extremely proud of them and to keep their head up high because they tried their best and that’s all you can do at the end of the day."

"I thought we were gonna go all the way," he added. "Since day one, I believed that, but you know, that's life. Sometimes things don't go your way."

Things didn’t go their way indeed, at least according to head coach Franz Pumaren, who audibly complained of the game’s officiating at the locker room area immediately following the loss.

Regardless of the controversial officiating or its subsequent results, Manalang looks forward for the continued rise of the Falcon program, especially with the tenacious two-way stud Jerie Pingoy having full reign over the Adamson offense.

"Oh man, he's a great point guard," said Manalang of Pingoy. "I learned a lot from him myself and he's a very crazy competitor. The way he plays, it's contagious."

Pingoy was held to just 2 points on 1/8 shooting in 15 minutes, but still tallied 6 assists with 2 steals and served as a mental and physical pest to the Archers every time he stepped on the court.

"I have nothing but confidence for the team next year. With Jerie running the show, they're gonna be trouble. They’re gonna be a well-oiled machine by next year."

Manalang rides off into the sunset with averages of 9.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.9 steals as the Falcons' 6th man and primary backup guard. – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA - Jerwin Ancajas was at his most destructive in his third title defense, dropping Jamie Conlan in the first, third and sixth rounds to retain the IBF junior bantamweight championship on Saturday, November 18 at the SSE Arena in Conlan's hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

There was also what appeared to be a clean knockdown on a straight left to the body in the fifth round which British referee Steve Gray ruled a low blow and deducted a point from Ancajas, but the penalty proved moot when a right hook to the head sent Conlan down, at which point Gray decided he'd seen enough.

Ancajas (28-1-1, 19 knockouts), a native of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Philippines now residing in Kawit, Cavite, scored the first knockdown two minutes into the fight under bizarre circumstances, when Conlan took a knee after a hard-to-see right hook under his elbow caused him to go down on a delayed basis.

The fight didn't get any easier from that point as Conlan (19-1, 11 KOs) was cut by an accidental headbutt - not a rare occurrence for him - in the second round.

The second knockdown came from a body shot once more as Conlan doubled over in pain from a straight left before another shot put him down. But Conlan rose up, as he had done at least 5 previous times before Saturday, and was met with a barrage of two fisted body blows which had Conlan exhaling deeply when the bell sounded.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jerwin Ancajas TKOs Jamie Conlan in the sixth round to retain the IBF junior bantamweight title in Belfast, Ireland <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/boxing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#boxing</a> <a href="https://t.co/1teJ93zUkc">pic.twitter.com/1teJ93zUkc</a></p>&mdash; Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansongalia/status/932012275694817281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

The low blow ruling in the fifth was proceeded by a right hook to the body near the bell which nearly caused Conlan to take another knee.

"We were very afraid," Ancajas' trainer/manager Joven Jimenez tells Rappler of the point deduction. "I gave the instruction: no more body punches."

MP Promotions matchmaker Sean Gibbons had said prior to the fight that Ancajas, 25, will be invading the United States for his next fight. Manager/trainer Joven Jimenez says he expects Ancajas' next fight to be in February, and is hoping for a unification bout with WBO 115-pound champion Naoya Inoue.

Ancajas, who made a career-high $80,000 USD for this fight, is one of 3 current world champions from the Philippines, with the other two being IBF flyweight titleholder Donnie Nietes and IBF junior flyweight titleholder Milan Melindo. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After leading the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers to multiple titles in the 2000s, Adamson University (AdU) head coach Franz Pumaren now finds himself on the receiving end of DLSU’s success for two years in a row after taking a season-ending 82-75 defeat in the UAAP Season 80 Final 4 playoff opener, Saturday night, November 18, at the Araneta Coliseum.

But Pumaren did not take this year’s repeat elimination of Adamson quietly, as he let his thoughts be heard in the locker room area immediately following the game.

“Worst officiating!” bellowed the tenured coach towards the referees’ holding room. “Di niyo kami pinalaro!” (“You didn’t let us play!”)

Adamson assistant coach and former PBA star Renren Ritualo followed suit: “Sinira niyo yung laro!” (“You ruined the game!”)

To anyone who were not able to watch the game, one look at the stat sheet would answer the question on why the Falcons’ coaches were fuming. For the game, DLSU got 39 free-throw attempts off 33 Adamson fouls and converted 26 charity stripe shots. Adamson, on the other hand, only got 5 attempts off 12 La Salle fouls and converted 2.

While this could be pointed to the fact that the Falcons’ offense was more perimeter-oriented than the Archers and that La Salle went on a 12-0 4th quarter run to take the lead, the free-throw discrepancy still riled up a lot of people on social media.

After the Falcons have finished their post-game locker room huddle, Pumaren let loose in the media room.

“Even my friends from La Salle – friends whom I’ve not been in touch for the longest time, they can’t even celebrate the victory,” he said. “I pity my players. They worked so hard for this. Everybody saw the game. Everybody knows what happened.”

"During my time, I didn't get that kind of calls," he added, referring to his long stint as DLSU head coach from 1998-2009 where he won 5 championships, including a 4-peat from 1998-2001 and one more in 2007.

Pumaren then lamented in particular a costly play approaching the endgame: “Isa na nga lang na tawag – nasupalpal si [Jerie] Pingoy, last touch [ng La Salle] yun. Blocked shot yung kay Pingoy, tapos binigay sa kanila?” (“Even just one call – Pingoy got blocked, that’s last touch by La Salle. Pingoy got blocked but they got the possession?”)

He was referring to a crucial call on a 3-point attempt by Pingoy during the closing minutes where La Salle was up by 4, 74-70. The ball didn’t come close to the rim and sailed out of bounds, right into the Archers’ possession. Allegedly, the shot was blocked by star Archer Ricci Rivero.

Pumaren went on to say that some UAAP coaches, whom he refused to name, texted him in the aftermath, saying that it was a “sad day for the UAAP.”

However, he ended on a light note, saying that the program has ultimately gone well under his watch.

“Modestly speaking, now people are talking about us,” he said. “We’re no longer the perennial whipping boys. We make sure that we’re competitive year in and year out.” At least now, we’ve got the respect of the other schools.” – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA - Gone in 11 seconds.

Zolani Tete needed just one punch – his first punch of the fight – to put down Siboniso Gonya for good and retain his WBO bantamweight title Saturday, November 18 at SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Tete (26-3, 21 knockouts) showed why top fighters aren't lining up to fight the South African as he stepped in with one right hook to the jaw, flattening his compatriot in record time, surpassing the 20-second mark set by Gerald McClellan over Jay Bell to retain the WBC middleweight title in 1993.

In case you were interested in how that looked, here it is:

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The 5-foot-9 southpaw Tete won the title in April when he decisioned Filipino fighter Arthur Villanueva in what was an interim title fight, and within a day he was elevated to full champion when Marlon Tapales was stripped of the title for failing to make weight for his defense against Shohei Omori.

Tete is in a hot division with WBC champion Luis Nery and future Hall of Famer still being names in the division, but promoter Frank Warren is openly targeting a unification fight with WBA/IBF titleholder Ryan Burnett, a fight which would potentially bring together 3 of the 4 major titles. – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA – Harmonito Dela Torre scored a knockdown in the second round but it wasn't enough as he suffered his first defeat as a pro to Tugstsogt Nyambayar at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, November 18.

All 3 judges scored the 8-round fight in favor of the Mongolian Nyambayar, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist, with two judges scoring the bout 78-73 and the third having it 79-73.

It was the first fight in a year and a week for Dela Torre (19-1, 12 knockouts) of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, but he had been in training for several months under trainer Osmiri "Moro" Fernandez in Miami as fights fell through. Dela Torre had remained in camp even as his first child, Selena Christina Dela Torre, was born earlier in the week.

The fight was more competitive than it showed on the cards as Dela Torre (19-1, 12 knockouts) of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines put Nyambayar down near the end of the second round with a right hand as Nyamabayar backed out of an exchange.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dela Torre scores a knockdown in the final seconds of round 2 against Nyambayar!  <a href="https://t.co/Z2v9zjvbte">pic.twitter.com/Z2v9zjvbte</a></p>&mdash; PBC (@premierboxing) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierboxing/status/932072972784869376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

Nayambayar (9-0, 8 KOs), despite being forced to go to the scorecards for the first time as a pro, looked impressive, returning to his counter-punching game plan and catching the lanky, awkward Dela Torre with right hands through his guard.

Dela Torre had another solid round in the fourth, landing a right and an uppercut in close, but Nyambayar knocked the mouthpiece out from Dela Torre's mouth in the seventh and had him stunned again early in the eighth.

Dela Torre also suffered a cut in the fifth round which required 6 stitches at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada later in the night. Despite the loss, Dela Torre's promoter Jim Claude Manangquil is hopeful that Dela Torre's gutsy performance gets him more opportunities.

"I felt we had the fight after [the knockdown]. Harmonito was looking for the knockout after that; that's why he was stiff. Harmonito was rusty but hats off to Nyambayar, he adjusted."

The fight was televised in the United States as part of a Premier Boxing Champions broadcast on Bounce TV. – Rappler.com

LONDON, United Kingdom – David Goffin shocked overwhelming favorite Roger Federer on Saturday, November 18 in the last 4 of the ATP Finals and will face Grigor Dimitrov for the title in the season finale.

Belgium's Goffin had never previously beaten the Swiss 19-time Grand Slam champion in 6 attempts and was in deep trouble after losing the first set but he stormed back to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

In the later semi-final, Bulgarian 6th seed Dimitrov ended Jack Sock's fairytale late-season run 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 in a battle pitting the American's big forehand against Dimitrov's rapier-like backhand.

Goffin will be hoping for a different outcome from the round-robin meeting earlier in the week, which Dimitrov won 6-0, 6-2.

The Belgian had his work cut out against a pro-Federer crowd at London's O2 Arena as the Swiss was quickly into his stride, picking up volleys off his shoestrings and lacing backhands down the line.

World number two Federer, 36, won his 9th consecutive set against his 26-year-old opponent in just 33 minutes.

But the 7th seed, who 24 hours earlier admitted he did not have a clue how to beat Federer, hit back early in the second set to break and, rejuvenated, knocked his illustrious opponent out of his rhythm.

Federer, suddenly looking vulnerable and unable to dominate, was powerless to stem the tide as Goffin went on to level the match before breaking again early in the decider.

"I started to feel the ball better at the end of the first set, so I wanted to be more aggressive," said Goffin.

"As soon as I had the chance to go for the shot from the return and from the serve, (that) was the key, to go for the shot."

Goffin is only the 6th player ever to beat Rafael Nadal and Federer in the same tournament and the first since Novak Djokovic at the 2015 ATP Finals.

The Belgian, who beat Nadal in his round-robin opener, described his victory against 6-time champion Federer as the best of his career.

Nadal, Federer wins 

"Both are really special," he said. "It was the first time against Rafa. Then the semi-final for the first time for me here, and to beat Roger for the first time here in such a big event, big tournament, it was the perfect moment. Yeah, it is the best win of my career, for sure."

A disappointed Federer missed out on the chance to apply a final flourish to a brilliant season in which he won the Australian Open and a record 8th Wimbledon.

"It's a bit disappointing for me because it's indoors, it's a court I like to play on," he said. "But I had my chances and missed them. When he had them, he was very committed. I think that was the difference today."

It was the first time in the tournament's history that 3 debutants reached the semi-finals.

With Djokovic and Andy Murray missing from the 8-man field and Nadal forced to pull out injured after his loss to Goffin, Federer was strongly fancied to romp home.

But his departure means there will be a new name on the trophy on Sunday, November 19.

That could be Dimitrov, who roared into a 3-0 lead in the first set before Paris Masters champion Sock won 6 games out of 7 to take the first set.

Undaunted, Dimitrov, 26, stepped up his game and bagelled the 25-year-old 8th seed in the second set in just 22 minutes to take the match into a decider.

In an enthralling 3rd set, neither player was able to force a break until the crucial 8th game, when Dimitrov hit a forehand winner down the line to lead 5-3 after a double-fault from Sock.

He held his nerve to seal the contest on his 4th match point in a game lasting around 10 minutes.

"I was very composed with myself, I didn't let any negative thoughts come into my head," said Dimitrov. "Things went my way tonight and I'm more than happy."

"I'm so humbled to be in the final tomorrow. It's another match – I just need to keep on playing. It's the last match of the season so full house, and we're on." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses advance in the UAAP Season 80 women's basketball stepladder playoffs by defeating Far Eastern University (FEU), 86-72, on Sunday, November 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The two teams went neck-and-neck for a 19-all deadlock after the first quarter. UST’s Jem Angeles scored 10 of her team’s 19 opening points while FEU’s Precious Arellado scored 8 points.

After a blazing first period, both teams went scoreless for much of the second quarter until FEU made a short 4-0 burst around the 5-minute mark. However, UST responded with a massive 18-0 run on the back of Lon Rivera’s 6 2nd quarter points and Anjel Anies’ punctuation trey to swing the game hard into their favor by halftime, 37-29.

Come second half, it was the Anjel Anies show. Despite an 11-3 run by FEU led by graduating Angel Arellado that narrowed their deficit to a deuce, 56-54, Anies and Tata Jerez salvaged the quarter by making it a two-possession game, 60-55, entering the final period.

UST’s Sai Larosa saved her best for last, as she sank all her 10 points in the final 10 minutes in a shootout with teammate Anies, who scored 9 more of her 18 2nd half points. FEU had no answer outside Camille Taguiam, who had 11 4th quarter points of her own.

The Tigresses clamped down hard on Arellado, resulting with her going scoreless in her final UAAP quarter. Fittingly, Anies sealed the deal for the Tigresses with a final-minute floater.

UST now moves up the stepladder to face the twice-to-beat UE Lady Warriors on Wednesday, November 22.

The Scores

UST (86) – Anies 24, Angeles 14, Gandalla 11, Rivera 10, Larosa 10, Penaflor 8, Jerez 7, Portillo 2, Aujero 0, Capilit 0, Sanggalang 0, Isanan 0.

FEU (72) – Arellado 19, Gerner 12, Taguiam 11, Balleser 11, Jumuad 4, Antiola 4, Bastatas 4, Ouano 3, Quiapo 2, Okunlola 2, Mamaril 0, Payadon 0, Bahuyan 0.

Quarter Scores: 19-19, 39-31, 60-55, 86-72

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws stunned the top seeded Ateneo Blue Eagles, 80-67, on Sunday, November 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Tamaraws repeated a page in their Season 79 final 4 story against the Blue Eagles, forcing a game 2 of the semi-finals that will be held on Wednesday, November 22. 

The Ateneo Blue Eagles failed to bounce back from their elimination round loss against the Green Archers as the FEU Tamaraws capitalized on Ateneo's lackluster performance in the whole game and held them down to a 36.62% field goal percentage. 

FEU captain Ron Dennison racked up 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Former Blue Eagles Arvin Tolentino and Hubert Cani chipped in 13 points and 11 points, respectively. 

Thirdy Ravena led the Blue Eagles with 17 points and 6 rebounds while Mike Nieto followed with 13 points. 

Both teams were sharp from the perimeter, as 7 straight triples were made in the first half starting from Isaac Go's top-of-the-key triple (15-all) to Mike Nieto's back-to-back 3-pointers (24-all). 

The 3-point range scoring affair resulted in Tolentino sinking the first free throw of the game in the 4:51 mark of the second quarter off an and-1 play. 

Dennison's triple in the second period sparked FEU's hot shooting which saw it pull away with the lead. The Blue Eagles countered to get within one point, but failed to tie the score before the half ended. 

The Ateneo post suffered all the more in the third quarter, as the Tamaraws sliced with ease through the Blue Eagles' defense. The Tamaraws made a 13-2 run that saw FEU leading by double digits in the third quarter. 

The Scores

FEU (80) – Dennison 17, Tolentino 13, Cani 11, Orizu 10, Escoto 9, Inigo 8, Trinidad 5, Parker 4, Ebona 3, Comboy 0, Bayquin 0, Ramirez 0, Stockton 0, Tuffin 0.

Ateneo (67) – Ravena 17, Nieto Mi 13, Nieto Ma 11, Go 9, Tolentino 5, Mendoza 4, Asistio 3, Tio 3, Verano 2, Ikeh 0, Black 0, Mamuyac 0, Mallillin 0.

Quarter Scores: 21-15, 38-35, 59-48, 80-67.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – All season long, people have been wondering what it would take to defeat the once-unbeaten Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles. Their eternal rival De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers even had to mount a 10-0 comeback last Sunday, November 12, just to escape with a 3-point victory.

As it turns out, it takes a group of former Eagles to take down the current Eagles, namely Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela, Arvin Tolentino and Hubert Cani.

In his Final 4 coaching debut, “Rahrah” Racela evenly distributed playing time throughout his roster, and it was the former Ateneo role players behind leading scorer Ron Dennison who delivered the most.

Tolentino did most of his damage in the first half, preventing the struggling Blue Eagles squad to regain any kind of momentum to run away with the lead like they did in their first round matchup. When his feared perimeter shots weren’t falling, the 6-foot-5 power forward took his game to the post with a series of spinning layups and hooks.

Cani meanwhile, answered the call in the second half, stretching the floor with his perimeter shooting. Along with fellow guards Jojo Trinidad, Jasper Parker and Wendell Comboy, the FEU backcourt shut down Ateneo’s main offensive engine led by Matt Nieto, who was held scoreless in the Eagles’ 13-point 3rd quarter. For the 2nd half, Ateneo’s backcourt was held to 3/17 from 3-point territory.

With momentum on Morayta’s side, the Tamaraws held their ground with 15 2nd chance points – all coming in the 2nd half. Riding the rousing chorus of elated fans, Cani pulled up for a dagger trey to put his new team up 15, 75-60, with less than 3 minutes remaining. Ateneo’s final 7 points didn’t matter anymore as FEU coasted to negate their twice-to-beat advantage and force a do-or-die match on Wednesday, November 22. When it mattered the most, the Tamaraws fixed their season-long problem of finishing games and finished well.

Despite the magnitude of their upset and overall storyline this season, however, Coach Racela always reminded his players to keep their head down.

“One game. One game,” the former Ateneo guard and 9-time PBA champion emphasized. “Sabi ko sa kanila (I told them), just narrow your focus and focus on today’s game. Don’t think about what happened in the past or how we got to the Final 4. Don’t think about the next game – just think about today’s game.”

Clearly, this mentality has already been absorbed by Racela’s players, including the former Eagle duo of Tolentino and Cani.

“Masarap manalo,” said Cani after being asked whether this victory against his old team was sweeter than others. “Pero gaya nga ng sabi ni Coach Olsen – next play, so itong game na 'to, tapos na 'to, so iniisip na lang namin yung next game.” (“It feels nice to win. But like what Coach Olsen said – next play, so this game is over and we’re just thinking of the next game.”)

After being in danger of falling out of Final 4 contention as late as their final regular season game, the FEU Tamaraws are now just one win away from returning to the Finals. One game, indeed. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Phililppines – Andray Blatche is back in the Philippines to reinforce the SMART Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, which will begin on Friday, November 24, in Tokyo, Japan. 

Blatche arrived early in the morning on Sunday, November 19, and immediately joined the team's morning practice. His arrival was delayed due to his participation in the last two games with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) regular season. 

Despite recovering from a right calf injury, Blatche is confident in his performance, mentioning that his familiarity with the Philippine team is helping him get back into groove. 

"We had one practice earlier and I’m confident about the offense, the defense and the players and the coaches so it’s a quick adjustment," said Blatche.

"I’m great. I’m in good shape. Definitely from starting over this season, getting back from my injury, just being on the court and playing."

The former NBA player also dismissed the conditions set up by the new home-and-away format of the qualifiers, saying that his love for the game will allow him to break the odds. 

"If you love the game of the basketball so you just keep on playing and playing, and it’s fun. You practice so long for a game so when the game is coming, you just roll with the punches." 

Blatche's last stint with Gilas Pilipinas was in the Southeast Asian Basketball Asssociation tournament, where the Philippines swept the competition. He was also part of the roster in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championships held in China. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Christian Standhardinger hit timely buckets down the stretch to help the Hong Kong Eastern Sports Club survive Alab Pilipinas, 92-89, on Sunday, November 19, in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Standhardinger, who serves as the Heritage import, scored 6 straight points to give Hong Kong a 92-89 lead with 5 seconds left in the game. 

Josh Urbiztondo heaved a shot from half court for a potential game-tying triple for Alab but it rimmed out. 

Hong Kong led 90-86 with a little under 30 seconds left before Ray Parks Jr. completed an and-one play to bring Alab within one, 89-90, with 10 seconds remaining. 

However, Standhardinger’s short stab after proved to be what Hong Kong needed to start its title-retention bid on a high note. 

"If we would have played with the sense of urgency like we did in the second half in the first half, I thought the outcome could have been different," said new Alab coach Jimmy Alapag.

After being down by as much as 15 in the second half, Alab regained its bearings and took a 74-73 lead midway the fourth quarter behind an 8-0 spurt. 

But Hong Kong answered with its own 14-5 run, highlighted by back-to-back blocks and back-to-back baskets from Ryan Moss, to lead 87-79. 

Standhardinger finished with team-highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds on top of 4 assists and 2 steals.

Hong Kong’s Marcus Elliot flirted with a triple-double after dropping 25 points, 9 assists and 8 boards while Tyler Lamb made his presence felt with 23 markers, 4 steals and 3 assists. 

Reggie Okosa paced Alab with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks while Ivan Johnson had 17 points and 15 rebounds. 

Parks added 17 for Pilipinas. 

Alab will face the Singapore Slingers on Wednesday, November 29 at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex. 

The Scores: 

Hong Kong (92): Standhardinger 26, Elliot 25, Lamb 23, Okosa 10, Xu 4, Lee 2, Tang 2.

Alab (89): Okosa 28, Johnson 17, Parks 17, Urbiztondo 14, Sumalinog 9, Domingo 2, Maeirhofer 2. 

Quarter scores: 24-18, 54-43, 73-68, 92-89.

 – Rappler.com