LONDON, United Kingdom – Grigor Dimitrov set his sights on winning his first Grand Slam after his dramatic victory at the ATP Finals on Sunday, November 19, gave him the biggest title of his career.

The Bulgarian 6th seed held his nerve to beat Belgium's David Goffin 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in a gripping contest at London's O2 Arena, finally sealing the match with his 5th championship point.

The victory takes the 26-year-old to the dizzy heights of 3rd in the rankings behind only Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as he begins to deliver on his rich promise.

Nicknamed "Baby Fed" early in his career for the similarity of style in his game to the Swiss, Dimitrov has struggled to live up to the comparison and was as low as 40th in the world in mid-2016.

But he has bounced back strongly to enjoy the best season of his career in 2017, winning 4 titles in all, including his first Masters title in Cincinnati.

Dimitrov has never been beyond the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, reaching the last 4 at Wimbledon in 2014 and repeating the feat in Australia earlier this year.

"I'm still trying to think about what I just did," said the Bulgarian after his victory against Goffin. "I think now definitely we going to sit down with the team and reassess the whole year, see what we've done good, what we can improve."

"Of course, one of my main goals is to win a tournament, you know, a Grand Slam tournament. This has always been, again, a dream of mine. Now slowly I think this thing is getting there."

"I think I've had good results in the past, but now, as I said, I need to be even more consistent on those kind of events, and in the same time raise up my level on occasions like this. Obviously, this is a great, unbelievable achievement for me, yes. But, yeah, I just still have a lot to give."

'Big Four'

The ATP Finals have had an unusual flavour this year, missing Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic while world number one Nadal was forced to pull out injured after his opening round-robin match.

In a huge shock, Roger Federer was ousted in the semi-finals by Goffin.

But Dimitrov said it was too soon to proclaim a new era and write the obituaries of the "Big Four" who have dominated tennis over the past decade and more.

"Next year I think is going to be obviously pretty interesting, especially the beginning of it," he said. 

"There's still quite a few names that are going to come back and play. That's just obvious. You should never count them out."

The Bulgarian said his win in London had lifted him into the conversation about the top players but he had to work hard to capitalize on that.

"Am I one of those guys? Well, right now I'm right here. I'm the winner of the tournament. So, yes, I'm happy with it."

"But that's about it. Like, the important thing is just to stay on the ground and put your head down, even work harder because once you get to that point, everything becomes so narrow for you."

"I just want to keep the same line. I don't want to get too hyped up because I've done well, now I'm number 3 in the world. No, this makes me even more I think locked in, more excited about my work, and for what's to come." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Elias Tolentino, the 1960s basketball star with the picture-perfect jumpshot, passed away on Sunday, November 19, in the afternoon, said his former national teammate Ed Roque.

Tolentino, 75, died of a lingering illness which he battled for two years, said Roque who was at his bedside. He was a councilor of Makati City for a long time.

6-foot-2, and with his thick black pomaded hair which stayed in place despite tension on the court,  Tolentino's perimeter jump shot was like a dagger to the opposing team.

Legendary sportscaster Willie Hernandez of Manila Broadcasting Co., called Tolentino "The Mikado Man" after a brand of pomade sold in the country every time he sank a basket, collared a rebound or blocked a shot.

His skill and good looks made Tolentino a big draw for female basketball fans along with his Yco teammates Sonny Reyes and Edgardo Gomez.

Tolentino shone in an era where Philippine basketball players were feared for being skillful and tough. "He never backed down," said Roque, who played with Tolentino for national teams since from 1963 to 1968, including the 1967 squad, nicknamed "The Dirty Dozen," that won the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC). The ABC was the forerunner of today's FIBA-Asia. 

He also made the 1968 Mexico Olympic team and missed suiting up for the 1972 Munich Olympiad.

Tolentino, in an interview with a forthcoming basketball book, said he worked out on his own near his home in Makati, when much of it was rural. "I shot 50 times a day. I jogged. I did it because I wanted to play in the commercial league."

The 18-year-old Jose Rizal University center-forward showed his wares by playing for the Crispa team that placed second in the 1960 National Open. The Yco Painters, needing new talent to head off the challenge of Ysmael Steel, recruited him.

With most forwards or players his height preferring the inside game, Tolentino's outside shooting was quite rare for a big man.  When he launched his jump shot, his backspin was well executed. " You can list it down as a field goal but we had to screen him," said his teammate Arturo Valenzona, who later became a top coach.

Tolentino stayed with Yco for more than 14 years but when the Philippine Basketball Association began in 1975, Tolentino played for Toyota. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing may look like a brutal and difficult sport, but Gameplan host Katz Salao and working mom Trixie Monteron learned that there's actually a boxing workout for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

"Boxing is perceived to be a male sport. But I think women nowadays – we have more choices in the workouts that we do. We can also do it," said Trixie.

"Normally when you say boxing, it's very intimidating for beginners," shared Adrian Enciso, a strength and conditioning coach.

But there are great benefits to trying this sport out.

Boxing for newbies

Boxing helps develop form, coordination, and footwork. It improves cardiovascular health and overall body strength. Plus, it's also a great outlet to release stress.

"Office work is really sitting down a lot, and with motherhood, we don't really get a steady state of movement. But here, the coach encouraged us to move our feet, to be quick, to be nimble, to move our arms, to be fast. He really pushed us to our limits," said Trixie.

"We always tell beginners to follow the coach's program. We start with dynamic warm-ups to promote blood circulation and to prevent further injury. After that, we develop endurance through skip rope and a lot of shadow boxing," explained Coach Adrian.

#JustStart

It may be difficult at first, but trying to be the best version of yourself for the people that you love can be the best motivation. Like Trixie, you just have to believe that you can #JustStart.

"Sometimes I doubt myself. But I just psyche myself to say you know, small steps and I'll get there. I'm thinking, to be the best version of yourself for your family and for your kids is something that you want. I'm thinking, 'I can do this.' And I will do this," said Trixie.

What's great about boxing is the satisfaction that you feel when you do an exercise right. It's not just about punching your doubts and fears away. It's also about getting in the groove of things and feeling like you're slowly becoming the best version of yourself.

"After the workout, I felt like a champ. The best thing about boxing is that sound when your gloves hit the mitt. And that power, and you know that's your energy. That's you giving it your all," said Katz.

"Find your pace, find your rhythm, and then next time you can progress from there. This experience really taught me that you can't be perfect all the time. It's a gradual improvement of oneself. And I'm really happy to be part of this journey," added Trixie. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – US President Donald Trump continues his dramatic saga with sports figures this 2017. 

After successfully intervening in the shoplifting case of UCLA players LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jaden Hill, Trump released his frustrations on Twitter of LaVar Ball – LiAngelo's father – who was "ungrateful" for his son's release in China. 

"LaVar Ball, the father of LiAngelo, is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal. I should have left them in jail!," Trump tweeted. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now that the three basketball players are out of China and saved from years in jail, LaVar Ball, the father of LiAngelo, is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal. I should have left them in jail!</p>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/932303108146892801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The US President said he had personally asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to look into the case of the UCLA players during his first Asia-Pacific tour in November 2017. Because of his intervention, Trump said, the basketball players were spared sentences of 5 to 10 years. 

{source} 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shoplifting is a very big deal in China, as it should be (5-10 years in jail), but not to father LaVar. Should have gotten his son out during my next trip to China instead. China told them why they were released. Very ungrateful!</p>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/932392209445457920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source} 

Trump's tweets were in response to LaVar's interview with ESPN's Arash Markazi, where he downplayed the US President's efforts to free the LiAngelo and his team mates. 

"Who? What was he over there for? Don't tell me nothing. Everybody wants to make it seem like he helped me out," said LaVar on Friday, November 17.

After claiming to not be interested in making any more statements on the matter, LaVar fired another verbal jab on the president on Sunday, November 19 

“Did he go visit them in jail?” Ball asked. “Did you go visit them in jail? If you went to visit them in jail then I would say, ‘thank you’."

The once-detained UCLA players arrived in Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, November 14, but are indefinitely suspended by the team after they addressed the media on the following day. 

"I’d like to start off by saying sorry for stealing from the stores in China," said LiAngelo in the press conference.

"I didn’t exercise my best judgement and I was wrong for that. I apologize to my family, my coaches, my team mates and UCLA for letting so many people down. I also apologize to the people in China for causing them so much trouble."

The second Ball brother  also extended his gratitude to Trump for their kind assistance in bringing them home. The US President then sent out tweets in response, asking them to also thank President Xi and the Chinese government. 

{source} 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">To the three UCLA basketball players I say: You&#39;re welcome, go out and give a big Thank You to President Xi Jinping of China who made.....</p>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/931122234437046272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source}

{source} 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">....your release possible and, HAVE A GREAT LIFE! Be careful, there are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life!</p>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/931123400810037248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source} 

– Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA – Caeleb Dressel and Katie Ledecky were honored as USA Swimming's top male and female athletes of 2017 at the Golden Goggles awards on Sunday, November 19.

Dressel, who joined Michael Phelps as the only swimmers to win 7 titles at a single World Championships with his stunning campaign in Budapest in July, won the men's award over double medley world champion Chase Kalisz.

Distance freestyle great Ledecky won the women's award for the 5th straight year, beating out a field that included women's 100m freestyle world champion Simone Manuel and breaststroke sensation Lilly King.

Ledecky's Budapest campaign included gold in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle as well as relay golds in the 4x100m and 4x200m free. She also picked up a silver in the 200m freestyle.

The 20-year-old – who took her tally of world titles to 14 – accepted her award from Phelps and retired NBA great Kobe Bryant at the at the gala awards ceremony in downtown Los Angeles.

Dressel, 21, emerged from the shadow of his idol, Phelps, in Budapest, where he became the first swimmer to win 3 world championships gold medals in a single day.

His 7 golds, which included individual titles in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly along with 3 relay titles, matched Phelps's record tally from the 2007 world championships.

He and Kalisz were the only nominees for the male athlete of the year honor.

Kalisz won his first career international golds with world championship victories in the 200m and 400m individual medley. He was the first swimmer since Ryan Lochte in 2011 to capture both at the world championships.

Dressel also won for men's race of the year for his wire-to-wire 100m fly win in Budapest. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Women's National Football Team (PWNFT) coach Letecia "Buda" Bautista was shortlisted for the women division's Coach of the Year Award in the AFC annual awards 2017. 

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The gala night will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday, November 29, where Bautista will be going up against 4-time winner Nadeshiko Japan's head coach Asako Takakura and China's U-16 head coach Gao Hong.

The last Filipino individual who won an AFC award was Mary Catherine Rivilla-Nazareno, who took the Match Commissioner of the Year honors in 2003. 

Bautista led the women's national team to secure a berth in the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup last April 2017. The team won against the United Arab Emirates (4-0), Iraq (4-0), Tajikistan (8-0), drew with Bahrain (1-1) and lost to Jordan (5-1). 

The Bautista-led PWNFT is set to compete with Japan, South Korea, Australia, China, Thailand, Vietnam and host nation Jordan from April 6 to 20, 2018. 

Bautista assumed the head coaching post for the PWNFT in 2015, but was succeeded by Marnelli Dizon in July 2017 who coached the women's national football team in their SEA Games 2017 stint. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Adamson Univerisity (AdU) Office of Athletics and Recreation filed a complaint on Monday, November 20, with UAAP Season 80 executive director and commissioner Rebo Saguisag regarding the "lamentable" calls made during the De La Salle Univeristy (DLSU) vs Adamson game last Saturday, November 18. 

In the letter, AdU called on the UAAP board to take immediate action for the "revolting" calls made by the referees, which were consistent with Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren's complaints about what he termed as the "worst officiating" in the match.

"Statistics do not lie. Watching it either live or on television reveals a dubious officiating by the referees, all in favor of La Salle and prejudicial to Adamson." 

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Saguisag immediately sent a reply to AdU, mentioning that he also shared the same sentiments with the San Marcelino-based school. Public uproar had already prompted him to call for a meeting to address the referee issue. 

"First of all you are not alone," wrote Saguisag. "I called for an emergency meeting the very next day to address the seemingly public outrage over said game."

The letter included also said that host/tournament director Mark Molina and Ateneo's Erika Dy, along with their respective coaches, were invited to the said meeting. 

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While the evaluation of the match is ongoing, the officials present during the DLSU-AdU game are suspended. Saguisag also hinted that there are two individuals who might even be banned from the UAAP to "preserve public confidence in the league." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Football Federation (PFF), together with the CSR-arm for sports of the MVP Group of Companies, MVP Sports Foundation will hold the first Football Coaches Conference from December 1 to 3 at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in Pasig City. 

The conference aims to bring together Filipino football educators and enthusiasts, where the topics will focus on developing football in the Philippines, especially the grassroots program. 

The PFF has invited international speakers including Tuan Hoang Anh who led the U-19 team of Vietnam to qualify for this year’s U-20 World Cup Championship, Football Federation Australia Technical Director Eric Abrams, Japan Football Association Coach Education Director Kawamata Noriyuki, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Deputy Technical Director Wim Koevermans and Japan Football Association Academy Coach Sakao Miho. 

Joining the conference are Azkals’ coach Thomas Dooley, Philippine Women’s National Team coaches Letecia Bautista and Marnelli Dimzon, PFF Grassroots Director Aquilino Pastoral III, PFF Technical Director Marlon Maro and PFF Coach Education Head Jose Ariston Caslib, who have been actively contributing to the situation of Philippine Football. 

There will also be a forum on youth players with coaches Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong, Jose Maria Aberasturi, Bongbong “Roxy” Dorlas, Marielle Benitez and Joyce Landagan comprising the panelists. 

“One of the aims of this Football Coaches Conference is to help Filipino coaches understand the current trends in club, youth, women’s, and grassroots coaching by listening to experts in the field, with foreign and local, and be appeased of the best practices in the region and in the world.,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes in an article made by the PFF. “There are many aspiring coaches in the country and we hope that they can learn from these experts and apply what they will learn.”

The conference fee (Php 2,000 regular rate) excludes meals, transportation and accommodation.

To inquire or register, please send email to coachesconference2017@gmail.com.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Generika-Ayala Lifesavers sapped strength from Katarina Pilepic to make quick work of the Victoria Sports-UST Golden Tigresses, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23, in the 2017 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Arena in San Juan Tuesday, November 21.

Pilepic dropped a game-high 22 points, built on 18 kills, 2 blocks and 2 serves, to help give the Lifesavers their third win in 7 outings and give UST its fifth loss in as many games.

UST was on the verge of forcing a fourth set after leading 22-21, thanks to Tin Francisco’s back-to-back hits and Alina Bicar’s ace, before Darlene Ramdin and Pilepic scored consecutive points for a 23-22 Generika advantage.

Dim Pacres powered an off-the-block hit to tie the set at 23-all. However, a Pilepic attack and a Tigresses error secured the sweep for Generika.

Lifesavers coach Francis Vicente gave his locals ample playing time and it paid off as Chloe Cortez added 9 points while Angeli Araneta and Mikaela Lopez combined for 8 markers. Import Ramdin had 6 points.

“Kailangan din gamitin mo ‘yung ibang mga player mo. Wag lang tayong magrely masyado sa mga import. Magaling naman tayong mga Pilipino, kailangan lang natin, pokusan ‘yung ginagawa natin,” said Vicente.

(We also need to use our other players. We cannot just rely heavily on our imports. Filipinos can play as well, we just need to be focused on what we do.)

The Tigresses trailed by just two points late in the second set, 19-21, but could not complete the comeback as the Lifesavers scored 4 straight points for a 2-0 set lead.

Pacres paced UST with 10 points while Francisco and Carlo Salvador chipped in 8 and 7 markers, respectively. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The top-seeded Ateneo Blue Eagles experienced their second bump on the road last Sunday, November 19, where the 4th-seeded Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws pulled off a shocking win to force a do-or-die match on Wednesday, November 22, 4 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Katipunan-based squad failed to bounce back from their 76-79 loss to the defending champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in the second elimination round game, skidding down to a two-game losing streak after Sunday's game. 

One Big Flop

Before their loss to DLSU, the Blue Eagles were en route to sweeping the elimination round until the 4th quarter of the game against their archrivals. The Blue Eagles blew their 3rd quarter lead over the Green Archers in the final frame, which was punctuated by the Taft-based squad's 10-0 run.

Come the semi-finals, the FEU Tamaraws – who were once on the verge of losing the 4th seed to National University and the University of the Philippines – played the game of their lives by giving the Blue Eagles the taste of their own medicine. 

The Tamaraws surprised Ateneo with incredible defense, forcing the Blue Eagles to take outside shots that gravely brought down Ateneo's field goal percentage to a mere 36.62% at the end of the game. The Blue Eagles took 17/57 jumpshots and registered a 10-of-32 shooting from the 3-point range that resulted to the lowest output of 67 points in their UAAP Season 80 campaign.  FEU wrapped up the game, 80-67, to arrange the sudden-death Wednesday.

Coach Tab Baldwin and his team even gave credit to the Olsen Racela-led Tamaraws for executing their game plan very well that night. 

"Tonight [November 19], FEU was a good offensive team," praised Coach Tab Baldwin. 

"FEU played great. There was a different FEU in this game and we have to prepare for that. It’s going to be the same thing on Wednesday. If they’re going to play more intense, then we have to prepare ourselves," added Thirdy Ravena. 

Despite the success of FEU on that night, the Blue Eagles were also at fault on their end as the Tamaraws definitely caught them on a bad day, surprising many that they weren't "themselves" during the game. 

"We had open shots particularly in the first half we didn’t hit them," said Baldwin. "Then in the second half we started forcing it. I think our offense got worse 'cause we tried to force shots and I mean you just don’t see our guys shoot airballs tonight. Can’t really tell you why, we just shot the ball badly. I thought we executed well in the first half, but our big issue was our defense." 

Confidence and trust

After almost finishing with a clean season, but getting bulldozed by two straight losses, it was inevitable that the players of the blue and white suffered from a lack of confidence. What was surprising, however, was that Coach Baldwin also acknowledged the resurfaced feeling of a loss and even sympathized with his players.

"I was thinking to myself: 'Gosh, I haven’t been in this mode of thinking in a long time. Like over a year.' And for our players, [it's] probably the same thing," explained Baldwin. 

Despite the low morale during the second half of the game, Baldwin and his team have a strong belief that they are capable of bouncing back from the losses. 

"We have to accept the humility of the scenario, we have to get back to understanding what we do well and sort of rediscover who we are and it’s there," added Baldwin. 

"But today, I thought we played like a young team and we shouldn’t. Yes there is youth there but we’ve been together long enough,  we shouldn’t play like a young team. "

In response to the situation, the coaches immediately conducted a meeting after Sunday's game. It ingrained in the Blue Eagles that they have to also play their part by trusting their coaches despite only having two full days of crunch time. 

One of the Blue Eagles who lifted the team during this difficult game was Mike Nieto. Compared to the rest, Nieto was consistent with his shooting during the game, chipping in 13 points behind Ravena's 17-point outing. 

"Nasanay na rin kami eh. Kaya yan two days," brushed off Nieto.

(We're used to it already. It's possible in two days.)

"Yung coaching staff namin actually mag-meemeeting na sila tonight and come tomorrow, we will study the things that we didn’t do well this game and be ready come Wednesday. 

Proving the '13-1'

3rd year player Nieto, who is considered to be one of the leaders of the team, promises to carry what he has learned over the years of playing in seniors basketball to this tough situation they're in now. 

"That’s life eh. You have to move on from a loss especially now that we’re in a tough situation in a do-or-die sa Wednesday, but you just gotta enjoy those kinds of moments. Last year, ganito rin nangyari sa amin so we’re gonna use last year’s lessons and idadala namin sa Wednesday, so we just have to enjoy it," said Nieto. 

(Last year, this is what happened to us, so we're gonna use last year's lessons and bring them on Wednesday, so we have to enjoy it.)

Nieto is also confident that the Blue Eagles will get back on track to prove to everyone, especially FEU, why they are deserving of the 13-1 elimination round record. 

"Ipapakita rin namin sa Wednesday bakit kami nag-13-1 record and siguro laking tulong din naman kasi we deserved 13-1 record kasi kung hindi kami nag-top 2, tanggal na kami ngayong final 4.

(We're going to show them on Wednesday why we got a 13-1 record and I guess it's a big help also that we deserved the 13-1 record because if we didn't reach top 2, then we'll be eliminated from the final 4 already.)

It has been a great run for the Blue Eagles this Season 80, but the challenge for them is to find their old selves and stay hungry for the championship that is so near yet so far. 

"It’s there. And the players know that it’s there and they have a successful season to fall back on in terms of looking for confidence," said Baldwin. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers cruised into their 6th straight victory following a 25-22, 25-13, 25-12 rout of the Cignal HD Spikers in the 2017 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Arena in San Juan Tuesday, November 21.

Leading by just a point early in the third set, 8-7, the Cargo Movers, who still sit atop the standings with a 6-0 card, unloaded a 13-1 run for a 21-8 lead. A back-to-back Cignal error secured the sweep for the F2 Logistics.

Despite remaining unbeaten, F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus wants his team to lose as early as possible to see how they will react to it rather than be defeated late in the tournament.

“Medyo nakakatakot kasi puro panalo. Sana kahit papaano, manggaling kami sa hindi maganda tapos biglang maka-bounce back di ba. Hindi pa naman na-eexperience yung ganun so gusto naming maexperience na,” said de Jesus.

(It is actually scary when you always win. At the very least, I want us to go down and bounce back. We have not experienced that and I want to experience it this early.)

Imports Maria Perez and Kennedy Lynne Bryan did most of the heavy lifting for the Cargo Movers as they finished with 17 points apiece while Kim Fajardo added 9.

The La Salle triumvirate of Aby Marano, Majoy Baron and Kim Dy combined for 12 markers for F2 Logistics.

Just like the 3rd set, the HD Spikers were trailing by just 3 points in the second, 7-10, before the the Cargo Movers pulled away for good with a 10-2 blitz, sparked by back-to-back points from Perez, 20-9.

Alexis Mathews and Beth Carey had 7 points each to lead Cignal, which now has a 2-4 record, while Rachel Anne Daquis chipped in 6 markers. – Rappler.com

SYDNEY, Australia – An emotional Ange Postecoglou quits as Australia's coach Wednesday, November 22, just days after guiding the team to a World Cup spot and leaving them only months to find a replacement for the tournament in Russia.

The 52-year-old Australian did not reveal the reason behind his decision, which had been widely expected after he repeatedly refused to deny reports he was about to step down.

His departure, at the end of a 5-year contract, leaves the Asian champions in turmoil ahead of the June-July World Cup, where they will hope to improve on their 3 straight defeats in 2014.

Postecoglou gave no details about his future plans, beyond saying he hoped to coach a club overseas. But he said he felt it was "the right time" to leave. 

"After a great deal of thought and soul-searching, I've decided that the journey for me ends as Socceroo coach," he told a press conference in Sydney.

"It's been the biggest privilege of my life and probably not the ending I had envisaged when we started, but at the same time, knowing it's the right time for me and the right decision."

Postecoglou brushed aside questions about whether he had been affected by media criticism, and denied any conflict with Football Federation Australia (FFA).

'Still a bit puzzled'

FFA chief executive David Gallop said he was "disappointed and I guess still a bit puzzled", but added: "I'm supportive of the notion that sometimes you reach a point where you just know that you need to do something new."

"As for the process going forward, we won't be rushed," said Gallop, sitting alongside Postecoglou. "It's important that we get the right person to fill the big shoes... there's enormous advantages in having an Australian in this position".

The Socceroos, who beat Syria and then Honduras in two-legged playoffs to seal their World Cup spot, do not play again until March. 

Gallop said it was too early to say if the FFA would appoint an interim coach to guide the team through the World Cup, or opt for a longer-term appointment.

Sydney FC coach and Australian Graham Arnold has been seen as one of the top contenders to replace Postecoglou.

Arnold worked under the Socceroos' Dutch coaches Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek, and managed the team during the 2007 Asian Cup.

Postecoglou avoided giving details of where he would coach next, only saying that "I don't want to be unemployed for too long".

"I want to coach abroad. Part of me... is pretty keen to get stuck back into club football, working day to day," he said. 

"I have loved this job. But it's been all-encompassing.

'Bitter aftertaste'

The lack of a clear reason for Postecoglou's departure has left commentators and fans scratching their heads.

"We find you in the walk-in pantry of men and women who could not face the ultimate examination of their skill and temperament," wrote Patrick Smith in The Australian.

"We hope desperately that is not the reason you shoved the job as national coach but you leave your fellow Australians little option... You could have been one of our greatest sporting treasures. But all we can see is a man looking for a cool room."

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Dan Colasimone described Postecoglou's resignation as "weird" and said it had left a "bitter aftertaste".

"Why would he decline the chance to coach his national team on the biggest stage after spending years forging it to fit his footballing philosophy?" Colasimone asked.

Australia sealed their 4th straight World Cup spot in Sydney last week after defeating Honduras 3-1 in the second leg.

The win capped a gruelling, 22-match, 29-month qualifying campaign that criss-crossed Asia, the Middle East and Central America.

Under Postecoglou, the Socceroos won 22 matches out of 49, drawing 12 and losing 15.

Greek-born Postecoglou, who migrated to Australia as a 5-year-old, was flung into the coaching hot seat just months before the last World Cup.

He was given a 5-year contract by the FFA after the sacking of German Holger Osieck, becoming the Socceroos' first full-time Australian coach in 9 years. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The SMART Gilas Pilipinas will open their campaign against Japan on Friday, November 24, at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gym in Tokyo, Japan. 

The Philippines is ranked No. 5 in Asia and 30th in the world. Japan, meanwhile, is at 8th place in the Asian rankings and 50th in the world. 

Both countries are in Group B of the first round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Game time in 5 pm (Manila).

Follow @RapplerSports on Twitter for live updates of the game. 

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MANILA, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses will live for another day with a 63-53 win over the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 80 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, November 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UST, which dispatched Far Eastern University to advance in the stepladder, will meet the Lady Warriors again on Saturday, November 25, at the same venue in an attempt to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage and arrange a championship showdown against the undefeated National University Lady Bulldogs.

The Tigresses held a 16-point lead midway the payoff period, 56-40, before the Lady Warriors ignited an 8-3 run courtesy of Anna Requiron to cut their deficit to single digits, 46-59.

Back-to-back UST turnovers led to a Ruthlaine Tacula triple and layup as UE, which trailed by as much as 18 points in the second quarter, came within 6 with 1:40 left in the game, 53-59.

However, UE’s comeback attempt went for naught after Kikay Gandalla drilled a triple with 11.9 ticks left that gave the Tigresses enough cushion to force another do-or-die battle.

“We turned the ball so many times. I think doon nag-catch up 'yung UE so sabi ko sa kanila, we have to take care of the ball and defend in the last two, 3 minutes. Sabi ko, what matters most is our defense. Luckily, we got hold off the rebounds and they’re missing shots so we pulled off,” said UST coach Haydee Ong of her wards who committed a woeful 25 turnovers.

(We turned the ball so many times. I think, that paved the way for UE to catch up so I told the players that we have to take care of the ball and defend in the last 2, 3 minutes. I told them what matters most is our defense.) 

Anjel Anies powered the Tigresses with 21 points, 7 coming in the 4th quarter, while Jhenn Angeles flirted with a triple-double behind a statline of 12 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and two steals.

Sai Larosa added 12 points and 9 boards for the UST while Tata Jerez chipped in 10.

Shots were simply not falling for UE as the Lady Warriors missed 63 of their 80 attempts for an atrocious 21.3 percent shooting from the field.

Tacula paced the Lady Warriors with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Love Sto. Domingo made her presence felt for UE with 12 markers and 12 caroms while Requiron scored 11 and hauled down 9 rebounds.

The Scores

UST (63): Anies 21, Angeles 12, Larosa 12, Jerez 10, Gandalla 6, Aujero 1, Capilit 1, Portillo 0, Sanggalang 0, Rivera 0, Penaflor 0, Isanan 0, Magat 0.

UE (53): Tacula 14, Sto. Domingo 12, Requiron 11, Chan 5, Gayacao 4, Cortizano 4, Ramos 0, Francisco 0, Antonio 0.

Quarter scores: 17-9, 33-21, 47-35, 63-53. 

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Ateneo Blue Eagles exacted their semis game one revenge on the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 88-84, via overtime on Wednesday, November 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

A nail-biting 4th quarter saw the Tamaraws take the lead in the final frame as Wendell Comboy sank a triple to see them up by two points. The Tamaraws then made a 6-0 run, but the Blue Eagles rallied back and tied the game again at 69-all via Mike Nieto's triple. The drama reached its climax when the regulation time ended at 75-all. 

A dagger three by Matt Nieto with 46 seconds left in the overtime gave Ateneo the insurance 85-80. 

Richard Escoto countered with a midrange jumper to get within 3 points (85-82), but Isaac Go became the hero of the game as he went down on the floor but still managed to score his only two points in the overtime, sealing the win for the Blue Eagles (87-82). 

It is another repeat of the Season 79 semi-finals, where Ateneo held the twice-to-beat advantage in the final 4, but had to extend the semi-finals series to a second game against FEU via an overtime win. The Katipunan-based squad once again bested the Tamaraws to secure a UAAP Season 80 men's basketball finals berth against archrivals and defending champions, De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers. 

Four Blue Eagles racked up double digits with Thirdy Ravena leading the team with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Matt Nieto and Chibueze Ikeh chipped in 16 points apiece with the Nigerian center grabbing 11 boards. Go almost recorded a double-double as he made 13 points and 9 rebounds. 

On the FEU's end, four players also recorded double digits with Jasper Parker topping the Tamaraws with 19 points. Arvin Tolentino came out with 13 points, Wendell Comboy had 11 and Prince Orizu tallied 10 points. 

The Blue Eagles had the upperhand early in the match as the Tamaraws drowned in fouls in the first quarter alone. Arvin Tolentino picked up two fouls in one sequence, including a unsportsmanlike foul for an unnecessary push on Chibueze Ikeh when he was down on the floor with Prince Orizu. 

Ateneo capitalized on FEU's errors despite struggling to break through their zone defense that limited the Blue Eagles to a 38.24% field goal percentage at halftime. 

However, this saw the Blue Eagles redeem themselves from the 3-point range. The Katipunan-based squad made 7 triples in the first half, including an Isaac Go's buzzer-beating triple that put the Blue Eagles up by 7 points at the half (40-33). 

The Tamaraws had a 7-0 start to the second half, but Barkley Eboña was then fouled out of the game. The Blue Eagles managed to pull away the lead but the Tamaraws capitalized on their free throws to inch closer to the Blue Eagles. 

The first game of the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball finals series will be on Saturday, November 25, 4PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores

Ateneo (88) – Ravena 17, Nieto Ma 16, Ikeh 16, Go 13, Mendoza 5, Tio 5, Nieto Mi 4, Tolentino 3, Black 3, Mamuyac 2, Verano 2, Porter 2, Asistio 0.

FEU (84) – Parker 19, Tolentino 13, Comboy 11, Orizu 10, Escoto 6, Inigo 6, Trinidad 6, Cani 5, Dennison 4, Ebona 2, Tuffin 2, Bayquin 0.

Quarter Scores: 21-15, 40-33, 57-53, 75-75, 88-84 (OT).

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino mixed martial artist Rolando Dy found himself in a do-or-die situation when the Ultimate Fighting Championship sent him an email last month, telling him that he was going to be cut from the roster.

However, the 26-year-old was given a second – or third – chance when he heard back from UFC, asking him to fight with a two-week notice, in the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs Gastelum. Dy grabbed the opportunity as it was his dream to fight in the premier MMA league “since day one”.

“I call this a suicide mission,” said Dy, “I really need to win this fight because they’ve already cut me before [this].”

This Saturday, November 25, Dy will face China’s Wuliji Buren in Shanghai, where the crowd will undeniably root against him. To keep his dreams alive, Dy will have to overcome the odds by walking into his opponent’s home soil, having only a few days of preparation – instead of the usual six months – and pull-off a victory.

Asked if he’s bothered that he will be fighting with limited training time, Dy answered, “That’s life. I can’t blame anybody for my failures.”

“As a professional, they gave me two weeks for this fight, [so] I will condition myself and I will do my best to train hard in two weeks. Then after that I will perform and that’s it. I won’t have bitter feelings.”

Parrallels to the Patriarch

Dy is the son of Filipino boxing icon Rolando “the Bad Boy of Dadiangas” Navarrete. And although, Dy only met his father once, he inherited the former champion’s love for fighting along with his first name.

“I’m proud that my father was a champion but it was not my goal to follow his footsteps,” Dy revealed. “It just so happened that I love combat sports too,” the UFC featherweight added.

The Filipino striker lost his first two fights inside the ‘Octagon’. He fell to veteran Alex Caceres via TKO in his debut last June; then he got bested by Japanese Teruto Ishihara three months later. With a 0-2 start in the UFC, Dy knows that he badly needs to rack up some victories to prevent getting sacked.

“This win is very important because this is my ticket to remain in the UFC. Plus, they will pay me more in my next fight if I win,” Dy stated. “I will also have a win bonus if I’m victorious. This fight is for my family; for my future wife, my fiancée,” he stressed.

Fighting Your Heart Out

Dy is aware that the advantage belongs to Wuliji because of his limited training camp. “To be honest, because I only had two weeks of preparation, I only focused on my conditioning,” Dy admitted, “I don’t have time to add a weapon in my arsenal.”

Dy believes, however, that his two-week training will be enough to snatch a win over his Chinese foe. “Experience and heart” is his advantage according to the man known as 'Dy Incredible'. “This will not be easy for me but this will not be easy for him too,” Dy stated. “The first one to break will lose and my will does not shatter,” he continued.

For Dy his mental toughness is going to lead him to a triumphant return. “[You’ll] need to kill me before you win. [You’ll] need to break me to the point that I can no longer move before you win. And I don’t break easily,” is Dy’s message to his opponent. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – It seems likely now that the UAAP’s source of clutch had always hidden in Katipunan Avenue.

After winning a league-best 13 straight games to open Season 80, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles suddenly found their campaign in a very unfamiliar and unexpected place – down 3 points, 75-72, with 24 seconds left against the 7-7 4th seed Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws. Already in the midst of a two-game losing streak, the Eagles were on the brink of being denied the opportunity to redeem last year’s Finals loss against mortal rival De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers.

An elated and raucous FEU fan base bust out a Mexican wave during the Eagles’ final timeout. Why shouldn’t they? They were less than a minute away from the Finals.

In a time of distress, Coach Tab Baldwin turned to the same man who blew his chance to punch Ateneo’s ticket to 14-0 and an outright Finals spot: Isaac Go. Had he nailed his hook shot back then against La Salle, they probably wouldn’t be in this dire position in the first place. Down by 3 with little time left, the Eagles’ entire season now depended on a tying trey. It was Finals or bust.

When play resumed, Go received the inbound pass and dumped it off to Matt Nieto, their primary perimeter threat. He then screened and backed off behind the line as help defense collapsed on Nieto. With Go left open, Nieto flung the ball towards him. Ron Dennison flew in his direction to block. Go faked and pulled up.

Splash. The last Finals spot hung in the balance at 75-all.

With 8 seconds left, former Eagle Arvin Tolentino called for an isolation. He dribbled the clock away only to fumble at the very last second.

Season 80’s first-ever overtime couldn’t have arrived at a more crucial time.

In the final minute of the extra period, Ateneo created enough breathing room, 85-80, off a Matt Nieto trey. However, Richard Escoto promptly answered for FEU with a pull-up mid-range jumper off the inbound pass.

30 seconds left, Nieto put up a difficult turn-around 3. Just when everyone thought Go couldn’t best his tying shot at regulation, he grabbed the offensive board falling down and somehow sank a Hail Mary banked shot while kneeling on the floor.

Before anyone could make any sense of what just happened, Ateneo went up 5, 87-82, and successfully ran away straight back to the UAAP Finals. Ron Dennison’s career was over and Olsen Racela once again ate up a late-game loss to end his first coaching season.

As the dust settled, an overjoyed Go had time for jokes before getting back to work against another DLSU showdown.

“Gusto ko sana parang kay Paul [Desiderio] eh, “Atin ‘to,” pare!” (“I wanted to go like Paul, “This is ours!”)

On a more serious note, however, Go beforehand gave credit to the Tamaraws for fighting back from almost being eliminated from Final 4 contention.

“They were a 7-7 team, but they played better than their record,” said the sweet-shooting big man.

Regarding the off-the-floor dagger shot in overtime, Go said that he’d rather put it up than lose it in a scuffle against the scrappy Tamaraws.

He also thanked Coach Baldwin for still believing in him despite what happened to him in their previous match against La Salle.

“I just have to thank Coach Tab,” he said. “He showed belief in me. Like throughout the season, my three wasn’t consistent [and] I missed the shot [against] La Salle, but he still believed in me. He was more confident in me than myself.”

Ateneo now rides its clutch-boosted momentum to its best-of-3 Finals rematch against the De La Salle this Saturday afternoon, November 25. Despite a major bump to their otherwise smooth season, the Blue Eagles ended up perching back on top after all. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON, United States – President Donald Trump enjoys playing golf – but his favorite contact sport is Twitter.

And though Trump is an avowed sports fan, athletes are among his preferred opponents on his now 280-character bullhorn.

Since entering the White House, Trump has tangled with American football players and basketball superstars in a series of recurring feuds.

"Great disrespect!" he barked at the NFL's Marshawn Lynch, who protested during the US national anthem at a game in Mexico.

As for LaVar Ball, the Los Angeles entrepreneur with three basketball prodigy sons who calls himself the "Big Baller" – and whose middle child LiAngelo was arrested in China for shoplifting – Trump labeled him an "Ungrateful fool!"

Some critics have criticized Trump's repeated attacks for alleged racial overtones; others say it's just part of his no-holds-barred style – and totally in character for the outspoken former television reality star.

'Disrespectful' protests or free speech?

Trump, whose own efforts to buy a National Football League team were rebuffed three years ago, has urged NFL owners to fire any "son of a bitch" who stages a protest during "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protests by kneeling during the anthem last year to draw attention to police brutality and racial injustice.

Trump insists that the protests are "disrespectful" to the anthem, flag and country, and his call for a boycott of the league has drawn some support.

In September, the president again courted controversy, this time with the National Basketball Association (NBA) – popular not only in the US but worldwide.

He withdrew a White House invitation for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors after star guard Stephen Curry, a critic of Trump's policies, said he was reluctant to make the traditional visit.

And now, Trump's latest sports foil? Ball.

Trump has blasted the outspoken father for not adequately thanking him for helping get LiAngelo returned to the United States from China, where he was arrested along with two UCLA teammates for shoplifting designer sunglasses.

"It wasn't the White House, it wasn't the State Department, it wasn't father LaVar's so-called people on the ground in China that got his son out of a long term prison sentence - IT WAS ME," Trump tweeted Wednesday from his Thanksgiving vacation in Florida.

'Ungrateful fool!'

"LaVar is just a poor man's version of Don King, but without the hair," Trump added in a reference to the flamboyant, electric-haired boxing promoter.

"Just think LaVar, you could have spent the next 5 to 10 years during Thanksgiving with your son in China, but no NBA contract to support you," Trump continued.

"But remember LaVar, shoplifting is NOT a little thing. It's a really big deal, especially in China," Trump said, before calling the Ball patriarch an "Ungrateful fool!" in a parting shot.

After a brief lull, Trump also returned this week to his war of words with the NFL over protesting players.

Lynch "stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem," Trump tweeted on Monday.

"Great disrespect! Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down," he tweeted.

Trump also went after the NFL again on Wednesday following a report the league may keep teams in the locker room next season during the playing of the national anthem.

"That's almost as bad as kneeling!" he tweeted. "When will the highly paid Commissioner finally get tough and smart? This issue is killing your league!"

Most of the NFL players who have taken part in the protests are African-American, and Trump's repeated attacks against them have drawn sharp fire.

"Donald Trump's favorite sport is attacking black athletes on Twitter," Tommy Vietor, a former National Security Council spokesman for President Barack Obama, tweeted on Wednesday.

After the Warriors were disinvited to the White House, NBA superstar LeBron James took to Twitter to call Trump a "bum."

"@StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!" James tweeted.

James, who campaigned for Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016, went on to accuse Trump of using sports to divide Americans.

"For him to try to use this platform to try to divide us even more is not something I can stand for and is not something I can be quiet about," the Cleveland Cavaliers star added.

Jemele Hill, a host on the ESPN sports channel, went so far as to brand Trump a "white supremacist," prompting the White House to call for her firing and Trump to attack her personally.

James may be Trump's most prominent critic in the NBA but he is far from the only one.

Two NBA coaches – Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs and Steve Kerr of the Warriors – have been biting in their criticism of Trump but have yet to be the target of his Twitter ire.

Popovich blasted Trump last month as a "soulless coward" who was "unfit intellectually, emotionally and psychologically" to be in the White House. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – All eyes will again be on the dream finals matchup between archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles and De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers on Saturday, November 25, 4 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Green Archers slew the Adamson Soaring Falcons in one game to secure a finals spot. Meanwhile, the Ateneo Blue Eagles survived a two-game semis series vs the FEU Tamaraws who came close to overcoming their twice-to-beat disadvantage. 

This will be the 5th Ateneo vs La Salle finals series in the UAAP final 4 era. Both schools are tied at two wins and two losses in their championship clashes over the past 16 years. 

Tune into RapplerSports on Twitter for live updates of the game. 

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– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Who knew that the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball final 4 series would be an almost exact repeat of that of Season 79?

As the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers catapulted themselves after one game past the Adamson Soaring Falcons, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws had to fight tooth and nail in two semis games.  

FEU forced Ateneo into a do-or-die second semis meeting, which resulted to an overtime again due to Blue Eagle Isaac Go's wide open triple that tied the 4th quarter at 75-all with 8.5 seconds left in regulation time. 

The cardiac overtime period saw the Blue Eagles nab the lead and seal the win via the heroics of Matt Nieto and Isaac Go in the dying seconds of the match. 

The Blue Eagles celebrated arranging another UAAP finals battle against their archrivals, proving they deserved the 13-1 record in the semis. The overachieving Tamaraws bade farewell to their graduating stalwarts Ron Dennison and Jojo Trinidad in their Season 80 exit. 

– Rappler.com