LOS ANGELES, USA – James Harden scored 26 points and Eric Gordon scored 29 off the bench as the Houston Rockets stretched their winning streak to a season-high 15 games with a 123-120 win over the Boston Celtics.

Houston's winning streak ties the second-longest in franchise history which was achieved two times during the Hakeem Olajuwon-era in the 1990s.

"We're on a wave right now. We've got 20 games left we've got to take it one at a time and try to have fun with it," said Harden after Saturday's victory.

The Rockets best run of success all-time was a 22-game win streak during the 2007-08 NBA season. 

It's their second long winning streak of this season after Houston won 14 in a row beginning in November and stretching into December.

Marcus Morris had 21 points off the bench for the visiting Celtics, who had won 4 consecutive games since the All-Star break.

Houston's Gordon made one of two free throws to make it 123-120 with 2.3 seconds remaining.

Boston tried to answer but Marcus Smart's 3-point heave bounced off the rim at the buzzer to give Houston the victory.

"He almost made a lucky shot," Harden said of Smart's desperate attempt. "That's a very good team over there. We just wanted to compete at a high level."

"Early on in the game they were hot, they made so many threes. We just had to compete, keep fighting for 4 quarters and we got a win."

Harden said that their attention to defense was the difference maker.

"In the first half they were getting a lot of easy looks, they made us scramble defensively. The second half we picked it up a little more," he said.

Elsewhere, Gary Harris scored 32 points, Will Barton added 23 and the Denver Nuggets did most of their damage behind the 3-point line in a 126-117 win over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs sealed their place on top of the standings at the expense of the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons in straight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-17, on Sunday, March 4, at the Filoil Flying V Centre. 

The Lady Bulldogs capitalized on the Lady Maroons' errors, securing a 5-point lead early in the 3rd set, 14-9. NU continued to pull away and later, back-to-back errors by UP gave the match point to NU and Jaja Santiago's attack closed out the match. 

The Lady Bulldogs now have a 6-1 record while the Lady Maroons fell to 2-5 in the UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball tournament. 

This is the first time that the Lady Bulldogs finished the first round with a solo first seed standing.

Santiago tallied a team-high of 17 points and Risa Sato chipped in 10 points while making 6 excellent digs. Jasmine Nabor made 32 excellent sets. 

Tots Carlos led the Lady Maroons with 15 points off 14 spikes and an ace. Isa Molde followed with 11 points off 9 spikes and 2 blocks.

After both teams traded attacks, the Lady Maroons broke the stalemate with Tots Carlos scoring off the block, 16-13. Jaja Santiago sparked the Lady Bulldogs' 7-1 run that was punctuated by a Roma Doromal ace. 

As Roselyn Doria scored off the block to bring NU to set point, UP took 3 straight points capped off by an Ayel Estrañero ace, 24-23. A net touch by UP gave the first set to NU.

The Lady Bulldogs were in control early in the second set but Isa Molde's efforts cut the deficit to one and Carlos' back-to-back attacks edged out NU by one, 18-17. The Lady Bulldogs raced to set point and took a 4-1 run capped off by Santiago's attack, 24-22. 

NU failed to receive Molde's attack but Maris Layug committed a service error that gave NU a 2-0 lead to the match.

The Scores

NU (3) – Santiago 17, Sato 10, Doria 6, Nabor 6, Paran 5, Doromoal 3, Urdas 3, Singh 1.

UP (0) – Carlos 15, Molde 11, Buitre 5, Layug 4, Estranero 2, Cailing 1. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Lady Bulldogs made history in the name of National University (NU), finishing the first round with their best start and at solo first place standing. 

The Lady Bulldogs repeated their 6-1 standing from Season 76 by winning nearly all their matches. Their lone loss was to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in their penultimate match of the first round. 

This is the first time in NU history that they to tow the UAAP women's volleyball field entering the second round. 

"Well, it's really, really important for us. Kasi sabi nga namin, today we'll celebrate kasi first time na nag-rank one tayo (We were saying that today we'll celebrate because it is the first time we ranked number one)" said head coach Babes Castillo.

Castillo is happy with the way that the Lady Bulldogs responded to the loss to FEU. The straight set win was not only a "wake-up call" but it also proved the extent of the team's character. 

"Yung loss namin, hindi lang siya wake-up call, but it says so much about us. Ang daming sinabi tungkol sa amin, kung hanggang saan ba talaga kami, hangga't saan pa namin pwedeng i-push ang sarili namin," said Castillo. 

(Our loss was not only a wake-up call, but it says so much about us. It said a lot of things about us, where we are up to, up to where can we push ourselves.) 

"I'm very happy with how the team is responding sa kanilang mga experience. From Jaja all the way kila Audrey, all the way kila Aiko." 

(I'm very happy with how the team is responding to their experiences. From Jaja all the way to Audrey and all the way to Aiko.)

The Lady Bulldogs don't plan on stopping as they are expecting a more competitive second round. For team captain Jaja Santiago, it's like going "back to zero" with all the changes she is expecting. 

"Actually yung round 2, back to zero naman talaga 'yan. Marami pang magbabago, so siyempre expect pa rin. Kailangan i-expect pa rin ng team namin na babawi at mas lalakas pa 'yung mga makakalaban namin, at magbabago sila ng strategy," said Santiago. 

(Actually the round 2, it's really back to zero. A lot of things can happen so of course we still expect. The team needs to expect that our competitors will make it up and become stronger and their strategies will change.) 

Compared to their previous UAAP campaigns, Santiago believes that the Lady Bulldogs will not collapse in the second round this time with her team's renewed confidence and the new system that Castillo has implemented. 

"Yung new system ni coach na inimplement sa amin, sobrang nakikita ko na talagang andoon na, nage-engage na talaga 'yung lahat. Towards the second round, hindi ko nakikita 'yung team ko na pababa. Mas nakikita ko 'yung team ko na paakyat," said Santiago. 

(With the new system that coach is implementing on us, I really see that it's there, they're all engaging. Towards the second round, I don't see my team going down. I see it more that they'll go up.) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Westports Malaysia Dragons pulled off a stunning upset against the red-hot San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, breaking their league-high 8-game winning streak, 90-89, at the MABA Stadium in Malaysia, Sunday, March 4.

Both teams did not give up ground in the first quarter as they traded multiple leads. As per usual, it was the import tandem of Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee who led the Alab charge and tried to stop the relentless assault of Chris Eversley. Near the end of the quarter, Balkman scored 4 straight points to break the 22-all tie and end the period with a 26-22 lead – already a game-high advantage.

Early in the second quarter, Brownlee silenced the Malaysia crowd with a thunderous jam for the 31-26 lead. After a triple by the Dragons’ Tian Kuek, Balkman answered right back with a three of his own to extend the lead, 34-29. However, Eversley came back barreling for his buckets and tied the game 34-all. This gritty show went on for the rest of the quarter, where Balkman nailed an easy layup to send Alab to halftime with a 47-44 lead.

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And the streak is over!<a href="https://twitter.com/MalaysiaDragons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MalaysiaDragons</a>  with an impressive 90-89 at home to stop San Miguel <a href="https://twitter.com/AlabPilipinas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlabPilipinas</a> &#39; win streak at 8!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABL8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ABL8</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MakeHistory?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MakeHistory</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Ur80vIrlC">pic.twitter.com/4Ur80vIrlC</a></p>&mdash; ABL (@aseanbasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/aseanbasketball/status/970220287554826240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

Eversley kept on gunning for Westports entering the second half, resulting in a big 53-47 lead. However, Alab came flaming right back with an 8-0 run ending in a Brownlee slam to put them back up, 55-53. Once again, both teams fought tooth-and-nail with the Philippine squad ending the quarter with a slim 4-point lead, 69-65.

The action in the final frame reached a tipping point with 4 minutes remaining. With Alab still leading the way, 84-80, Bryan Davis and Joshua Munzon combined for a crucial 5-0 run ending in a steal and dunk for Munzon, 85-84. However, like many other times before, Joshua Urbiztondo once again pulled up for a clutch corner triple to put Alab ahead, 87-84.

After a few more tussles, Munzon drained a triple from way outside with 27 seconds left to put Malaysia up 2, 89-87. Balkman then promptly answered with a game-tying jumper, 89-all. Brownlee fished a foul with 21 seconds left but proceeded to miss both free-throws. On the other end, Munzon drained one of two freebies for the 90-89 lead. With no timeouts remaining, the ball was passed to a wide-open Dondon Hontiveros for the game-winning triple, but the ball clanked in and out as the Malaysia crowd erupted in celebration for the huge upset against the 2nd-placer Alab Pilipinas.

With the win, the Dragons post back-to-back wins and move up to 5-10 in the standings. Meanwhile, Alab’s 8-game win streak is history and they move down to third place with an 11-5 win-loss slate. Thailand’s Mono Vampire moves up to solo second with their 12-5 record.

The Scores

Westports Malaysia Dragons (90) ­– Eversley 36, Munzon 19, Kuek 14, Purdy 11, Davis 9, Wong 1, Teo 0

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas (89) ­– Balkman 33, Brownlee 25, Parks 10, Domingo 7, Urbiztondo 6, Raymundo 6, Maierhofer 2, Sumalinog 0, Hontiveros 0

Quarter Scores: 24-26, 44-47, 65-69, 90-89

STANDINGS (as of March 4, 2018)

Hong Kong Eastern 12-2

Mono Vampire 12-5

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas 11-5

Chongson Kung Fu 9-4

Singapore Slingers 9-7

Saigon Heat 8-8

Westports Malaysia Dragons 5-10

CLS Knights Indonesia 3-13

Formosa Dreamers 1-16

 – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The University of the East (UE) ended the first round with a win over the Adamson Lady Falcons in 5 sets, 25-22, 22-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-13, on Sunday, March 4 at the Filoil Flying V Centre. 

Seth Rodriguez' block brought UE to their first match point of the season and Chiara Permentilla's attack cut the deficit to one, 14-13. Shaya Adorador's offspeed attack surrenders the match to the Lady Warriors. 

The Lady Warriors have one win in their hands, 1-6, while the Lady Falcons fall to a 3-4 record in the UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball tournament. 

Me-an Mendrez topscored for the Lady Warriors with 12 points all from spikes. Adorador made crucial impact in the 5th set as she scored 7 out of her 11 points to lift the Lady Warriors to their first victory. 

Kath Arado took care of the floor defense with 24 excellent digs and 32 receptions. 

Mylene Paat did most of the work for the Lady Falcons, scoring 23 points off 20 spikes and 3 blocks. 

The first set saw Adamson head coach Air Padda experiment with her rotation by replacing her usual starters with May Roque, Bernadette Flora and Chrislyn Uy. The Lady Falcons were trailing 1-5 early in the first set and they managed to rally back with 7 unanswered points to get to an advantage by the first technical timeout. 

The Lady Warriors managed to take the lead again with a Adorador attack, 16-15, and they pulled away with Mendrez giving UE a 1-0 lead to the match. 

Jema Galanza, Eli Soyud and Chiara Permentilla eventually came off the bench in the second set to power the Lady Falcons. Adamson capitalized on UE's errors to get off to a 4-1 start and shift the momentum to their side. 

The Lady Falcons were two points away from taking their first set of the match as the Lady Warriors sparked a 5-1 run to cut the lead to two, 24-22. Joy Dacoron came up big as her attack evened the match at one-set apiece. 

Retaining their second set rotation, Adamson took control of the whole 3rd set with a 10-4 start. Mylene Paat scored 3 straight points that allowed Adamson to go up by 9, 15-6. Paat managed to bring the Lady Falcons to set point and a low attack by Mendrez gives Adamson the advantage in the match, 2-1.

The Lady Falcons collapsed with errors that allowed UE to take a 5-point lead, 14-9. Adamson continued to give away free points to the Lady Warriors, tallying a total of 16 errors which extended the match to a 5th set.

Shaya Adorador's and Me-an Mendrez' heroics pushed the Lady Warriors to a 10-4 advantage in the 5th set. Although the Lady Falcons were not able to recover from their errors, Mylene Paat came up big to cut the deficit to two, 13-11. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – To cap off a historic hosting season, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws were crowned as the first-ever UAAP 3X3 men’s basketball tournament champions, defeating the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in the final round, 21-13, at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, Sunday, March 04.

Wendell Comboy waxed hot when it mattered most, scoring all 10 of his points in the championship round off 5 two-pointers (three-pointers in the 5-on-5 format). This included a game-clinching 8-1 run that saw 4 rainbow-range bombs – 3 from Comboy and one from Kenneth Tuffin.

UE star Alvin Pasaol singlehandedly carried the Red Warriors out of the 3-10 hole and got the game within 3, 12-15, but Comboy and team captain Richard Escoto each drained a two-pointer in succeeding possessions to finally put the game away.

The Red Warriors were no slouch in the eliminations and semifinals, however, as they won two games off buzzer-beating twos from Pasaol and Philip Manalang. They were part of Group A that included the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, Adamson Univeristy (AdU) Soaring Falcons and the De La Salle Univeristy (DLSU) Green Archers.

FEU also had a tough hill to climb to get to the finals, as it barely beat the highly-favored University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the tiebreaking points tally after all Group B teams finished with 1-1 records. The National University (NU) Bulldogs easily led the group and got semis berth with 39 points scored in two games. FEU had 29 while UP was only two points behind with 27. The Tamaraws then downed the similarly favored Green Archers in the semis who featured an ensemble of Aljun Melecio, Andrei Caracut, Santi Santillan and Justine Baltazar.

In the women’s division, the historic powerhouse NU Lady Bulldogs easily won the inaugural tournament thanks to their superteam boasting 3-time MVP Afril Bernardino and Season 80 MVP Jack Animam. They made quick work of the Adamson Lady Falcons in the final match, 14-6, to clinch the title.

After personally overseeing the success of the inaugural tournament, UAAP Commissioner and Executive Director Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag, Jr. said that repeating the 3X3 tournament as a seasonal event would be a “highly recommended” move. Saguisag also hoped in an earlier press conference that the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers would join future tournaments. UST was the only constituent university which did not field a men’s team due to their period of transition under new head coach Aldin Ayo. – Rappler.com

ROME, Italy (UPDATED) – Italy international defender Davide Astori died in his hotel room during the night of Saturday to Sunday, his club Fiorentina said on Sunday, March 4.

"Fiorentina are profoundly shocked to have to announce the death of captain Davide Astori after a sudden illness," the Serie A club said on Twitter. The 31-year-old, who leaves behind a two-year-old daughter, was in Udine to prepare for Sunday's match against Udinese, who announced the game has been postponed.

A club spokesman told Agence France-Presse that he could not give a cause of death ahead of an autopsy. Italian media reported that Astori died of a heart attack during the night.

In addition to the Fiorentina game, Sunday's match between Genoa and Cagliari, one of his former clubs, was called off just before its 1230 (1130 GMT) kickoff.

When Astori's death was announced on the stadium video screen, many of the players warming up walked off the field.

Astori began his career at AC Milan, also playing for Cagliari and Roma before joining Fiorentina in 2015. He played 14 times for Italy. – Rappler.com

LONDON, United Kingdom – Record-breaking British athlete Roger Bannister, the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, has died aged 88, his family announced on Sunday, March 4.

"Sir Roger Bannister, died peacefully in Oxford on 3rd March 2018, aged 88, surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, as he was loved by them," his family said.

"He banked his treasure in the hearts of his friends," they added, in a statement published by the Press Association news agency.

Bannister gained global sporting glory on May 6, 1954, when he ran a mile (1.6 kilometers) 3 minutes 59.4 seconds at the Iffley Road track in Oxford.

Half a century later, the Royal Mint celebrated Bannister's record by issuing a 50 pence coin showing an athlete's running legs against a stopwatch.

But despite being famed for breaking the four-minute barrier, Bannister said he felt a greater sense of achievement winning gold at the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, beating his great rival Australian John Landy in a race later dubbed the "Miracle Mile."

"I think that racing in the Olympics and Commonwealths is more important than breaking records," Bannister said in 2014.

"Vancouver was the pinnacle of my athletics career. It is very difficult to break records during Olympic competition, but winning races was better than holding world records."

The current one-mile record has since 1999 been held by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj with a time of 3:43.13 secondss.

But Bannister's achievement has continued to inspire athletics enthusiasts, with the shoes he wore to break the four-minute barrier selling for a record.

The black-leather pair of shoes sold for £266,500 in September 2015 – about $409,000 at the exchange rate at the time.

By then Bannister was having trouble walking, let alone running, after revealing he was suffering from Parkinson's disease.

The condition progressively damages part of the brain over time and is one Bannister was familiar with, even before he was first diagnosed a few years ago, from his lengthy career as neurologist.

"I am being well looked after and I don't intend to let it interfere – as much as I can," he told the BBC in 2014.

"Just consider the alternatives – that is the way I look at it," he added. "Intellectually I am not (degenerating) and what is walking anyway!"– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – On the brink of elimination, the TNT KaTropa fired on all cylinders and ripped the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 118-97, to claim the last quarterfinal seat in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 4. 

Leading by a mere 5 points after the first half, 54-49, the KaTropa rode on a 21-6 run, sparked by 8 straight Jayson Castro points, for a 20-point advantage, 75-55, midway through the 3rd period.

TNT kept its foot on the gas, extending its lead to as much as 29 points in the payoff period thanks to a 13-0 spurt, 112-83. 

Six TNT players finished in double figures with Castro impressing behind a near-triple-double of 17 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, and two steals off the bench. 

Troy Rosario had a team-high 18 points off 4 triples for the KaTropa while Jericho Cruz made his presence felt with 17 points, 3 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. 

Matthew Wright paced Phoenix with 18 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds against 6 turnovers. 

TNT has a day to rest before facing the pacesetting San Miguel Beermen, who hold a win-once incentive in the quarterfinals, on Tuesday, March 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After 13 straight losses dating back to the previous season, the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors finally tasted victory once again in a 5-set thriller against the Adamson Lady Falcons on Sunday, March 4.

The Lady Warriors now end the first round of the UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball tournament with one win and 6 losses.

When the Sunday match began, the previously-winless UE noticed that Adamson head coach Air Padda benched her usual starters Jema Galanza, Eli Soyud, and Chiara Permentilla.

The Lady Warriors felt they were "belittled."

"Walang team na mamaliitin talaga. Walang gano'n," said Shaya Adorador. "Kasi once na minaliit mo 'yan, doon lalabas 'yung laro ng isang team."

(There's really no team that should be belittled. There shouldn't be anything like that. Because once you belittle a team, that's when their game will really show.)

The Lady Warriors were motivated to bring their A game and win it for UE.

Kath Arado, the UAAP's top digger, made sure that she covered the floor to set up her teammates for a good play – also the product of their long hours of training.

"'Yun lang 'yung mas tumulak sa akin na kunin lahat ng bola. Walang lalapag na bola kasi iniisip ko rin talaga 'yung paghihirap namin sa past training namin," said Arado. 

(That's what made me get all the first balls. No ball was going to go down because I was thinking of our hardships in our past trainings.)

"So sa isip ko, babalewalain ko lang ba 'yung paghihirap ng bawat kasama ko kung hindi namin ipapanalo 'yung game na ito?"

(So I was thinking, would I just throw away all the hardships that each of my teammates had to go through if we didn't win this game?)

Just into his second game with the Lady Warriors, UE board member and interim head coach Rod Roque also added that it was the obedience of the team that became key to winning the game. 

"Kasi una, pag-take over ko, 'pag nagbigay ako ng instructions, susundin lang nila isang beses lang tapos balik naman ulit sila sa dati. Pero sa [last] practice namin tsaka 'yung game na ito, nakinig sila sa instruction namin kaya natutuwa ako," said Roque. 

(At first, when I took over, when I gave instructions, they would only follow once and then go back to their old ways. But in our [last] practice and this game, they followed our instructions that's why I'm happy.)

"'Yung practice namin kahapon napakaganda! Ang ganda-ganda ng galaw nila kahapon. Sabi ko kahapon: 'Team! 'Pag ganito ang laro ninyo sa Linggo, panalo tayo!' Tama [ako]," he added. 

(Our practice yesterday was so good! Their movements were so good yesterday. I said yesterday: "Team! If you play like this on Sunday, we'll win!" I was correct.) 

With the trust built between the Lady Warriors and Roque, they're optimistic heading into their coming games, especially against their very next foe, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses who skidded to their 3rd straight loss at the end of the first round.

UE and UST will open the second round on Wednesday, March 7, at the Filoil Flying V Centre.– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – "Embarrassing."

That was how Adamson head coach Air Padda described the Lady Falcons' game against the previously-winless University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors on Sunday, March 4, that was marred by a whopping 52 errors. 

"For me, it's embarrassing [because] I don't, we don't train them like that. I don't know who that team was out there," said Padda.

The coach pointed to her squad's "complacent" attitude as one of the factors behind their lackluster performance in the 5-setter.

"They showed up with a very weak mindset today. They were really complacent, they didn't respect UE, and they didn't care, they're way too cocky," said Padda. 

"I'm just still trying to take in what happened. I don't understand how we made that many errors. It was almost like they were playing for the other team, like they wanted UE to win, I don't know."

A week after upsetting reigning champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers, the Lady Falcons' "eagerness to win" was nowhere to be found. They were derailed from taking the 4th set of Sunday's game due to 16 errors made in that set alone.

Adamson also dropped the first set to UE, with their starters Jema Galanza, Chiara Permentilla, and Eli Soyud benched throughout. May Roque, Chrislyn Uy, and Bernadette Flora stepped up for the Lady Falcons instead.

Although UE took the benching of Adamson's starters as a sign of belittlement, Padda explained it was because of her starters' absences in practices.

"We just thought other girls deserve an opportunity to play. Eli and Jema weren't even in training this week so I thought they don't deserve a chance to start," the coach said.

According to Padda, Galanza was nursing her ankle from the DLSU match, Permentilla attended to personal matters, and Soyud was sick the whole week.

Despite the criticism, the coach does not regret benching the trio as Roque, Uy, and Flora were able to secure an early lead for Adamson in the first set with a 7-1 run.

"I don't regret it. I don't think it was the reason why we lost. I mean, I have morals as a coach that I have to stick to... and when you're not in training the whole week, you can't just show up and play," she said.

Padda and her squad are still in the process of figuring out how to bounce back as their second round starts on Saturday, March 10. The Lady Falcons will open their second round run against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons at the Filoil Flying V Centre. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Davao Aguilas and Kaya Iloilo shared the spoils in a thrilling opening encounter in the 2018 Philippines Football League as the two teams settled for a 2-2 draw on Sunday, March 4, at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City.

James Younghusband notched a brace in the second half to salvage a point for the new-look hosts following a frustrating start, with the visiting squad dictating the tempo in the first 50 minutes.

"We're disappointed we didn't get 3 points but fair play to Kaya, they're always a tough battle and competitive," said Younghusband.

"They're a really good club. First game of the season, always gonna be a bit shaky start, first half maybe we struggled a bit, in the second half, we calmed down," he added.

Kaya had a solid start to the match, winning the aerial battles and controlling the midfield. They were rewarded in the 18th minute as the returning Alfred Osei opened the scoring off a scramble inside the box.

The visiting side from Iloilo continued to put pressure on Davao as they got their second goal in the 49th minute when Robert Lopez Mendy linked up with newcomer Connor Tacagni who headed in the second goal for Kaya.

That's when Davao finally pushed back with Younghusband scoring two minutes later off a tap-in, pumping in the much-needed boost for Davao and flipping a switch of sorts for his squad.

Younghusband got his brace in the 58th minute, heading in the ball from his brother Phil to finally equalize after what looked like a horror start for the club.

James almost completed a hat-trick but his attempt from inside the box just went a tad wide. The Aguilas had plenty of opportunity to go ahead but the Kaya defense just had enough to hold them off and take a point in the fixture.

"Exciting game. I think it was a good result, a good start, not only for Davao but for both teams. Unfortunately in the second half I think we deserved a 3rd goal but Kaya was able to defend on that when we do our substitution to adjust the games. In the end I think, good start for us," said Davao head coach Marlon Maro.

"The team has the talent. One important thing is I see the true character for my players. From 0-2 we were able to equalize in the second half. It's a good sign to progress in our next matches," he added. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Acquiring Jericho Cruz has translated to nothing but success for the TNT KaTropa.

With Cruz, whom TNT picked up through a trade with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last February 15, the KaTropa have won back-to-back games in convincing fashions and most importantly avoided taking an early vacation. 

TNT annihilated the NLEX Road Warriors by 26 points to stay in playoff contention last February 28 and demolished the Phoenix Fuel Masters by 21 points on Sunday, March 4, to clinch the last quarterfinals slot in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup.  

In those two games, Cruz averaged 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals and a plus-minus of +7.5 in nearly 29 minutes of play. 

"I just want to thank coach Nash (Racela) for giving me all the trust. 'Yung tiwala niya sakin, sobrang big deal nun, sobrang big time nun. Sobrang big deal para sa akin. And you know, without him, I wouldn't be in this position right now," said Cruz. 

(I just want to thank coach Nash for giving me all the trust. The trust he gives me, it is a big deal for me, it is big time. Without him, I wouldn't be in this position right now.)

Cruz, who normed 2.0 points, 1.7 assists and 1.3 rebounds with the E-Painters prior to the trade, admitted he has yet to fully accustom himself to the KaTropa system but feels glad to be where he is right now. 

The 27-year-old suffered a foot injury in the off-season before returning midway the conference. 

"I'm slowly getting there. We're just having fun eh. Lahat masaya sa team eh. Kumbaga, we help each other up. Kung sino 'yung down, 'yun 'yung pinupush naming umangat. Tulong-tulong kami ngayon eh."

(I'm slowly getting there. We're just having fun. We are all happy with the team. We help each other up. When one goes down, we push them up. We help each other.) 

"'Yung para sakin lang gusto ko lang makatulong sa team kasi I'm really happy to be here right now."

(I just want to help the team because I'm really happy to be here right now.)

Cruz's mettle will be tested when TNT takes on the San Miguel Beermen, who hold a twice-to-beat advantage, in the quarterfinals.

"I'm just going to [fulfill] my role. I'm just going to do my best. And syempre, kung anong ipapagawa ni coach Nash, gagawin namin," said Cruz. "I'm just [going to] try and enjoy the game lang."

(I'm just going to fulfill my role. I'm just going to do my best. Whatever coach Nash tells us to do, we will do it.) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Don't expect Matthew Wright to be rooting for another team in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup after his Phoenix Fuel Masters crashed out playoff contention this conference. 

Wright and the Fuel Masters saw their All-Filipino campaign fold up following a 97-118 loss to the TNT KaTropa Sunday, March 4, in their battle for the last quarterfinals berth. 

While the season may be over for Phoenix, it will only be the start of the grueling playoffs for the remaining 8 teams vying for the championship. But Wright does not plan of taking sides. 

"I don't care who wins," said Wright. "I'll let these guys beat up on each other in the playoffs but as far as cheering for teams, I don't cheer for any team except for my team." 

Although the Fuel Masters did not advance to the playoffs like they did in last year's Philippine Cup, Wright said Phoenix has morphed into a team with an identity. 

"I saw a lot of positives from our team, we have an identity now, we have something that we didn't have last year, we have a direction and everyone in the team is a good dynamic." 

The 27-year-old Filipino-Canadian, despite admitting that he wass frustrated with Phoenix's early exit, said that he needed to take a break from basketball.

Aside from being the Fuel Masters' main man, Wright also saw action for Gilas Pilipinas in the two windows of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers last November and February. 

He is set to return to Canada to reunite with his family.

"It's more of just a mental thing. Physically, I felt good, I felt like I was there but I just need to go home and unwind, see my family, see my son, see my girlfriend and come back with a fresh mindset," said Wright. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Akari-Adamson Falcons bounced back nicely from their ugly Che’lu loss by downing the AMA Online Education Titans, 100-89, in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center, Monday, March 5.

Although AMA slid down to a 1-5 win-loss record, one player from their side was still all smiles – their leading scorer Rob Manalang.

This is not surprising, of course, as it has just been a few months since Manalang himself donned the Adamson blue and white in the UAAP. Unfortunately for him, his short two-year stint in San Marcelino ended in controversial fashion after the Falcons lost a hotly-contested playoff game against the eventual finalists De La Salle University Green Archers.

While the memory of his unceremonious exit still pains the hearts of many Falcons fans, Manalang has since moved on, and is making waves in the D-League as a deadeye shooter and floor general. He currently holds the league’s season-high in points after dropping 40 markers with 8/16 (50%) triples in AMA’s lone win against the Batangas EAC Generals. Coincidentally, he’s currently a teammate of the all-time points leader James Martinez, who once dropped 58 points for the Titans.

Of course, such performances did not escape the eye of multi-titled coach Franz Pumaren, especially not after his former point guard dropped a team-high 21 points on his team in a near-upset.

“Well, I’m happy for him,” he said in the post-game interview. “I think he’s in great shape right now. As you can see, he played well. He’s in what we call “game shape” already.”

Manalang could not be happier after hearing about what his former coach had to say about him.

“That’s very high praise,” said the 24-year old guard. “Coach Franz is a hard man to please, and I played for him for two years. He was pretty hard to please, but you get better under Coach Franz, that’s for sure. I just want to thank him and I respect him so much.”

Manalang also enjoyed the challenge brought to him by his peers, especially team captain Jerrick Ahanmisi, who went absolutely lights out with a game-high 26 points and a near-perfect 7/8 (88%) clip from beyond the arc.

“I really like competing against those guys,” he said. “I know that Coach Franz has them ready so I wanted to challenge myself against them. It was fun. Too bad we didn’t get the win, but that’s a good team right there, and I respect them.”

True enough, the Falcons remain as one of the D-League’s most fearsome teams and are now perched back at the top of the standings after their league-high 5th win in 7 games.

Manalang may not be a part of that anymore, but he’s learned enough to remain a winner through and through.

The Scores

Akari-Adamson (100) – Ahanmisi 26, Sarr 16, Lastimosa 11, Maganti 9, Camacho 9, Catapusan 8, Espeleta 8, Pingoy 6, Mojica 4, Lojera 4, Zaldivar 0, Macion 0

AMA (89) – Manalang 21, Andaya 15, Escalambre 14, Taganas 14, Martinez 13, Garcia 6, Lao 4, Antonares 2, Paras 0, Salonga 0, Tolentino 0

Quarter Scores: 22-19, 52-41, 79-68, 100-89

STANDINGS (as of March 5, 2018)

 Akari-AdU 5-2

CEU 4-1

Gamboa-St. Clare 3-1

Marinerong Pilipino 4-2

Wangs-Letran 4-2

Go For Gold-CSB 5-3

Zark’s-LPU 4-3

Che’Lu-SSC 4-4

Perpetual 2-5

AMA 1-4

JRU 1-4

EAC 1-6

– Rappler.com

ZURICH, Switzerland – Football's lawmakers on Saturday, March 3, approved video assistant referee technology (VAR) for this summer's World Cup, in one of the biggest changes to the sport in years.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), meeting in Zurich, rubber-stamped a move already backed by FIFA's top brass, including president Gianni Infantino.

"We came to the conclusion that VAR is good for football", Infantino told reporters shortly after IFAB announced the decision.

He added that the final decision to use the technology at the World Cup in Russia will be made when the FIFA Council – world football's top decision-making body – meets in Colombia on March 15 and 16.

"We will hope and encourage the council to take a favorable decision," Infantino said, voicing confidence that VAR will secure final approval.

IFAB said in a press release that the decision "represents a new era for football with video assistance for referees helping to increase fairness in the game".

Separately, the IFAB meeting also approved a fourth substitute in the case of extra time.

VAR can only be used when there is doubt surrounding any of four key game-changing situations: goals, penalty decisions, straight red cards or mistaken identity of a sanctioned player.

It has already been implemented in top European leagues including the German Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A.

Spain's La Liga on Friday began training officials ahead of the technology's expected introduction next season.

'Almost perfect'? 

But opinion is still divided.

Players and managers have complained of referees being too eager to defer to technology, while fans in stadiums have been left in the dark as to why decisions are being made.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said this week that European football's governing body would not introduce VAR in next season's Champions League due to ongoing "confusion" surrounding its use.

Infantino conceded that he too was once a skeptic.

"I was pretty much against it a couple of years ago and I changed my mind because I studied it," he said.

He pointed to IFAB research from 1,000 matches showing that referee accuracy without VAR – which stood at 93 percent – rose to 99 percent with video assistance.

With VAR, referee decision-making was "almost perfect", Infantino said.

Others have voiced concern about video assistance slowing down the game, possibly breaking a team's momentum or diminishing fan experience by forcing people to abruptly halt a celebration while a goal is reviewed.

Infantino said that rather than ruining celebrations, VAR will create "an additional moment of tension".

The Football Association's chief executive Martin Glenn, seated next to Infantino, conceded that improvements were needed.

That includes better communication with fans while reviews were ongoing and a better definition of what constitutes a "clear and obvious error" that justifies a VAR review, Glenn said.

Asked about reported hostility towards video review with the Premier League, Glenn said he believed English clubs understood the benefits of VAR "conceptually" and that its implementation was likely only a matter of time.

 'Ready for Russia?' 

Some skeptics also have reservations about introducing such a significant change at the June 14 to July 15 World Cup, before all the kinks have been resolved at lower-profile competition.

"I can guarantee the referees that will be at the World Cup will be ready", Infantino pledged.

Pierluigi Collina, the chairman of FIFA's referee committee, noted that the governing body had been preparing for more than a year to use VAR at the 2018 World Cup even though the decision has not been made.

"FIFA is not going to start tomorrow", he told reporters. "We already started in December 2016".

For Infantino, the overriding objective was to ensure that referees are able to make the right calls, especially in an era when many fans have access to a full range of replays on their smartphones.

"At the end of the day what is... important for us is that we can help the referee to take the right decision", he said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – June Mar Fajardo is set to make history anew as he is on pace to eclipse Danny Ildefonso with the most Best Player of the Conference (BPC) awards in PBA history. 

The reigning 4-time Most Valuable Player and Ildefonso have 5 BPC plums apiece but Fajardo can increase his tally to 6 with him leading all PBA players in statistical points (SPs) in the Philippine Cup.

Fajardo, who averaged 22.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists, has 44.1 SPs in 10 games to edge San Miguel Beermen teammate Arwind Santos, who has 37.6 SPs behind per game numbers of 16.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 blocks. 

All but one of Fajardo's BPCs came in the Philippine Cup.

Trailing at 3rd place is GlobalPort Batang Pier guard Stanley Pringle, who has 35.6 SPs off 20.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.5 steals, while Blackwater Elite center Poy Erram landed at 4th thanks to his 35.3 SPs behind 14.2 points and conference-highs of 13.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.

Completing the Top 5 is Barangay Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar, who amassed 34.2 SPs behind his 19.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 blocks. 

In the rookie race, NLEX Road Warriors' second overall pick Kiefer Ravena emerged on top after the elimination round with 27.0 SPs off averages of 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals. 

Alaska Aces' Jeron Teng has 25.2 SPs (13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals) for second place while Phoenix Fuel Masters' Jason Perkins has 22.3 SPs (10.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals) for 3rd place. 

Players from teams seeing action in the quarterfinals, namely San Miguel, Magnolia, Alaska, Rain or Shine, Ginebra, NLEX, GlobalPort and TNT, can still improve their SPs. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena poured in 25 points and 8 assists to help the NLEX Road Warriors draw first blood in their best-of-3 quarterfinals series against the Alaska Aces, 105-99, in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena Monday, March 5. 

NLEX, aside from inching a win closer to the semifinals, clinched its first playoff victory in franchise history. 

The Road Warriors were down 92-96 with less than 3 minutes left before Larry Fonacier completed a 4-point play for the equalizer. 

Ravena took over from since then as he assisted Mike Miranda before burying a layup with 18.8 seconds remaining to give NLEX a 100-96 advantage with 18.8 seconds left. 

Alaska threatened a late comeback after Simon Enciso drilled a triple with 9 ticks remaining, 99-101, but could not complete it as Ravena put the Road Warriors ahead by two possessions with his freebies. 

Fonacier finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds while Kevin Alas chipped in 17 points, 6 assists and 5 boards in the win. 

Chris Banchero paced the Aces with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. 

Alaska has yet to win a game against NLEX since Yeng Guiao took over the coaching reins for the Road Warriors.

NLEX and Alaska meet again on Wednesday, March 7, at the Araneta Coliseum. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines –  Former National University (NU) Bulldogs guard Jordan Bartlett has decided to commit to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, Monday, March 5.

The Fil-Am guard announced his decision via Twitter, stating that he picked La Salle “after a lot of prayer, consideration and workouts with other teams.”

{source} <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After a lot of prayer, consideration and workouts with several teams, I am proud and blessed to announce that I will continue my UAAP career with the De La Salle Green Archers. Thank you all for the love and support during my transition.  <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SZN82?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SZN82</a> <a href="https://t.co/cqlsjToUSl">pic.twitter.com/cqlsjToUSl</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Bartlett (@halfaflip) <a href="https://twitter.com/halfaflip/status/970615040041664512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source}

The decision came two months after Bartlett announced that he would leave the Bulldogs program last January 8, also via Twitter.

{source} <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you for giving me a home here in the Philippines <a href="https://t.co/Ej671vAXPc">pic.twitter.com/Ej671vAXPc</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Bartlett (@halfaflip) <a href="https://twitter.com/halfaflip/status/950328810859384832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source}

In his lone season under the program and under head coach Jamike Jarin, Bartlett averaged 5.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in just 11.3 minutes a game. Coincidentally, his career-high came when he faced the Green Archers in the first round of UAAP’s Season 80, where he tallied 23 points off the bench in a high-scoring 115-109 defeat.

Bartlett’s move is a breath of fresh air for a La Salle squad that has been plagued with controversies and key departures since their Season 80 finals loss against the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles.

He will now serve one year of residency in La Salle before being able to suit up for Louie Gonzales’ squad in Season 82. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena proved why NLEX picked him at second overall in the recent PBA draft by steering the Road Warriors to their first playoff win in franchise history. 

In his first PBA playoff game, the 24-year-old made the biggest plays in NLEX's 105-99 triumph over the Alaska Aces at the start of their best-of-3 quarterfinals series en route to a game-high 25 points and 8 assists. 

Ravena scored 12 points in the final quarter, assisted the go-ahead bucket, buried a layup that put the Road Warriors up by 4 points with 18.8 seconds left and drilled the insurance free throws to help NLEX inch closer to the semifinals. 

"Siguro gusto ko lang din talaga manalo. I was really in the zone during the game kasi sayang 'di ba? Nagpakahirap ka buong conference, nandito ka na tapos magrerelax ka lang," said Ravena. 

(I guess I just really wanted to win. I was really in the zone during the game since it I did not want our season to go to waste. We worked hard all conference long and we did not want to relax now that we are here in the playoffs.) 

The win was Ravena's redemption game. Last February 28, "The Phenom" submitted the worst performance in his young PBA career after a one-point, two-assist, one-rebound and two-turnover outing in NLEX's 75-101 loss to the TNT KaTropa. 

But despite etching his mark with the franchise, Ravena is seeking for a much better version of making history. 

"It's nice to be part of history of the franchise. But we're not satisfied, that wasn't the goal that we set during the start of the season. It's nice to have that feat and hopefully we get another taste of history for the franchise by making it to the semis," said Ravena. 

"We're one foot in, hopefully we get the other foot in too and close the door." 

Ravena currently leads the all rookies in statistical points (SPs) with 27.0 SPs but said getting his numbers is the last of his concerns now that they are in the playoffs. 

"If scoring one point and we win, that’s fine with me. Kung kailangan mas marami eh di 'yun ang kailangan gawin. But after this win, sabi ko nga stats and standings throw it out the window. It’s the quarterfinals, it’s a dog fight."

(If scoring one point and we win, that's fine with me. If the team needs me to score more, then that is what I will do. But after this win, I said all the stats and standings should be thrown out the window. It's the quarterfinals. It's a dog fight.) 

Ravena and the Road Warriors look to close the series in two games when they meet the Aces again on Wednesday, March 7, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com