MANILA, Philippines – Familiarity might not be a primary concern for the Philippine basketball team that will see action in the upcoming Asian Games.

The core group from TNT, an Alaska player, a handful of Gilas cadets and naturalized cager Andray Blatche will compose the Filipino basketball delegation in the quadrennial meet slated from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 in Indonesia. 

This is what the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) together with the PBA Board of Governors decided after convening in a special meeting on Thursday, May 31, that tackled Kiefer Ravena's status as a PBA player and the Asian Games. 

With the Asiad coinciding with the schedule of the Governors' Cup, PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said they opted to choose the core of the KaTropa instead of having the whole league go on a longer hiatus just so it can lend more players.

The PBA is set to have a break to cater to Gilas Pilipinas' games in the 4th window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, which begins on August 30, and Vargas said the league couldn't afford stopping league operations for the Asian Games, too. 

"Everybody in the board wants to participate in the Asian Games but they also want to be competitive and they also wanted to find a solution to the challenges," said Vargas. 

Vargas said that board thought of sending an all-cadet team bannered by Ricci Rivero, Kobe Paras and Ray Parks but agreed "maybe that's not a competitive team."

"What the board thought about is, 'Why don't we send a core group of one team?' We will just deal with the playing schedule of that team." 

Vargas said 8 to 9 players will be borrowed from TNT while 4 to 5 players will be handpicked from the Gilas cadets. Completing the squad are Blatche and an Aces player. 

National team mainstays Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy – all TNT players– are expected to lead the Philippine's Asiad team. 

"When we saw the composition, we said, 'Wow, this is probably very competitive.'

The SBP has yet to finalize the roster of the squad, which will be mentored by Gilas head coach Chot Reyes. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – As if they didn’t have enough problems facing Australia, Gilas Pilipinas will now fear the deer.

Milwaukee Bucks reserves Matthew “Delly” Dellavedova and Thon Maker have now joined the Australia Boomers’ FIBA World Cup Qualifying squad, according to  Basketball Australia’s official Twitter account.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ANNOUNCEMENT | Two <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA</a> stars will join the Boomers for the third window of the <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIBAWC</a> qualifiers with <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewdelly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@matthewdelly</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ThonMaker14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThonMaker14</a> (making his national team debut) coming into the team to face Japan and the Philippines: <a href="https://t.co/G8guovA3Y0">https://t.co/G8guovA3Y0</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBoomers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBoomers</a> <a href="https://t.co/55j1YlXSif">pic.twitter.com/55j1YlXSif</a></p>&mdash; Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) <a href="https://twitter.com/BasketballAus/status/1002111058096541696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Most fans already know the scrappy Dellavedova as Kyrie Irving’s backup point guard during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2015 and 2016 Finals appearances. Although he has struggled to crack Milwaukee’s guard-heavy rotation, he will still prove to be a pest on both ends against Gilas’ backcourt.

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However, the threat levels for Gilas crank up another notch when they “Meet their Maker.”

At 7-foot-1, Bucks’ backup big Thon Maker is a lanky and agile stretch 5 prospect who has shown flashes of defensive prowess in limited minutes with Milwaukee. He recently recorded 5 blocks in back-to-back playoff games against the Boston Celtics.

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Here is the complete Boomers lineup for the 3^rd window:

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bang! Add a couple of <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bucks</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/BasketballAus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BasketballAus</a> is BOOMING <br><br>The Boomers have added some <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> firepower to the squad for the third window of <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIBAWC</a> qualifying <br><br>Story ➮ <a href="https://t.co/QTrYhwWrfk">https://t.co/QTrYhwWrfk</a> <a href="https://t.co/PFfu9e61K5">pic.twitter.com/PFfu9e61K5</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1002112476878536704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Gilas Pilipinas will battle Australia in the 3rd window of the qualifiers on July 2 at the Philippine Arena. In their first meeting, the Boomers cruised past the Filipinos, 84-68, in Melbourne last February. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles sustained their dominant run in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup, embarrassing the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 94-60, in San Juan on Thursday, May 31.

The reigning UAAP champions bust out their deadly team-oriented playmaking early in the first quarter, jumping out to a 26-10 lead. Sharpshooting reserve Jolo Mendoza then dropped 3 triples in the second quarter in a run that virtually put the game away, 48-24.

The Eagles just held on and extended their lead to as many as 34 points in the second half.

Ateneo standout Thirdy Ravena led all scorers with 20 points on 8/14 (57%) shooting on top of 8 rebounds and 3 assists.

Foreign big man Angelo Kouame also posted a double-double of 12 points and 16 boards that went with a game-high 5 blocks to help the Blue Eagles stretch their unbeaten run to 5 games.

The victory gave the Blue Eagles a share of the top spot with the La Salle Green Archers at 5-0 in Group A. 

Only Shaun Ildefonso cracked double digits for the Bulldog side with 16 points and 5 rebounds.

In other games, the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons emphatically snapped College of St. Benilde (CSB) Blazers’ 5-game winning streak with a 20-point rout, 80-60.

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons also strung up 5 straight wins of their own after dropping the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in a tight encounter, 66-61.

Finally, the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs squeaked one past the winless Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers, 76-74.

The Scores:

ADMU (94) – Ravena 20, Kouame 12, Nieto, Mi. 11, Mendoza, 9, Nieto, Ma. 8, Navarro 7, Asistio 6, Tio 6, Belangel 5, Black 3, Maagdenberg 3, Wong 2, Mamuyac 2.

NU (60) – Ildefonso, S. 16, Mosqueda 8, Mangayom 7, Joson 6, Clemente 5, Ildefonso, D. 5, Aquino 5, Galinato 3, Gallego 2, Salim 2, Diputado 1, Yu 0, Sinclair 0, Gaye 0, Tibayan 0.

Quarter scores: 26-10, 48-33, 69-46, 94-60,

Standings:

GROUP A

Ateneo 5-0

La Salle 5-0

Mapua 4-1

San Beda 2-1

UP 5-3

NU 3-4

UE 2-4

Gilas 2-5

EAC 0-5

Perpetual 0-5 

GROUP B

Adamson 5-1

CSB 5-1

FEU 5-1

Letran 4-2

SSC 3-2

Arellano 3-3

LPU 1-4

UST 1-5

JRU 0-8

– Rappler.com

MADRID, Spain (UPDATED) – Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane dropped a bombshell Thursday, May 31, quitting the Spanish giants just days after winning the Champions League for a record 3rd year in a row.

The 45-year-old former international decided to quit at the top saying that it was time for a change for himself and the club and admitting he was unsure of his ability to maintain his winning record at Real. 

But he said that no other club was involved in his decision to part ways with Real and although experts have linked him to the French national team coaching job, Zidane insisted he is eyeing no other position at this time.

"I have taken the decision to not continue next year as Real Madrid coach," the Frenchman told a hastily convened press conference.

"This club deserves to continue to win and needs a change" he said, adding that he believed the "moment has come."

"After 3 years the club needs another discourse, another method of working," he added 

Zidane said he was unsure of his ability to inspire the team to more victories.

"I don't see myself continuing to win this year and I am a winner, I don't like to lose," added Zidane, who was under contract with Real until 2020.

"I have thought a lot about this decision and I can't go back on it."

Real beat Liverpool 3-1 in the final in Kiev on Saturday, making Zidane the first coach in history to win 3 successive Champions League titles.

Zidane has now won 9 trophies since replacing Rafael Benitez in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout in January 2016.

He was flanked at the press conference by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez who said Zidane's announcement was "totally unexpected."

When Benitez was sacked in January 2016, Barcelona daily Mundo Deportivo dismissed Zidane as merely a "sticking plaster," who would be replaced quickly by a permanent coach. 

But Zidane won the confidence of players and the rest is history.

"This is a sad day," Perez said.

"This house will be his family forever, he triumphed and won everything, as you know. I thank him for his commitment, his passion. I have no doubt that he will return."

Stunning blow

Zidane said his decision had nothing to do with Cristiano Ronaldo hinting that he will also leave the club following the Champions League triumph on Saturday.

The bombshell decision came 12 years after another stunning blow from Zidane brought a controversial close to the midfielder's international career.

He earned a red card in the 2006 World Cup final, probably costing France the title, for his full-blooded headbutt against Italian Marco Materazzi.

The next step for the former Real Madrid star player is unclear but he has time on his side.

Guy Lacombe, Zidane's first coach when he joined AS Cannes, his first professional club, in 1988, said that there was little left to challenge the coach who had already won virtually everything.

"But there is one thing...," Lacombe told AFP. "He would like one day to coach the French national team. He has made no secret of that ambition.

"It will happen at the right time. In the right conditions. There is no rush." – Rappler.com

PARIS, France – Serena Williams battled back from a set and break down to defeat Australia's Ashleigh Barty 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the French Open third round on Thursday, May 31.

The 3-time champion and former world number one, dressed again in her all-black catsuit, is playing her first Slam since winning the 2017 Australian Open while two months pregnant. 

The 36-year-old, seeking a 24th Grand Slam title, will face Germany's Julia Goerges for a place in the last 16.

If she gets past the 3d round, Williams could face old rival Maria Sharapova for a place in the quarter-finals.

"It's just incredible," said Williams.

"I am so happy to be back here. I lost the first set and thought I must try harder, I must try harder and then Serena came out.

"I will be back tomorrow to play doubles with Venus. I don't mind playing singles and doubles – I will fight my heart out." 

Williams, playing in her first Slam since winning the 2017 Australian Open while two months pregnant, had cruised through her opening round match against Kristyna Pliskova in what was a record 317th win at the Slams.

But Thursday was a tougher proposition for the 36-year-old American who was playing just her 6th match of 2018.

Catsuit

Williams appeared once again in her striking, all-black catsuit.

However, her game failed to match her impressive outfit in the first set where she was broken in the 6th game by the Australian.

Barty wrapped it up when the American netted a weary-looking forehand, the 12th unforced error of the set for the 23-time major winner. 

Williams hit just 3 winners in the opener while 22-year-old Barty could afford to bide her time, just two winners and four unforced errors.  

She was a break down again after dropping serve in the opening game of the second set.

But just as the half-full crowd enjoying the late evening sunshine in Court Philippe Chatrier anticipated a quick kill, Williams came storming back, reeling off four straight games for 4-1.

A 5th ace of the contest won her the set. 

A break in the 3rd game of the decider proved crucial and Williams, now ranked 451 in the world, claimed victory on a second match point with a sweeping, running forehand. 

Sharapova, the champion in Paris in 2012 and 2014, saw off Donna Vekic 7-5, 6-4 in a tie which featured 10 breaks of serve and secured on a fifth match point. 

Former world number one Sharapova, seeded 28 this year, will face Czech 6th seed Karolina Pliskova for a place in the fourth round. 

"She won a big title in Stuttgart, so I have to be ready for this match and I'll be ready," said Sharapova of Pliskova, a player she defeated in their only previous meeting in the 2015 Fed Cup final.

The Russian star is playing in Paris for the first time since a quarter-final run in 2015. She served a doping ban in 2016 and was refused a wild card last year.

Nadal breezes through 

Ten-time champion Rafael Nadal breezed into the 3rd round and a clash against childhood friend Richard Gasquet.

Top seed and world number one Nadal, chasing an 11th title, swept past Argentinian Guido Pella 6-2, 6-1, 6-1, showing no signs of the brief struggles he faced in the first round against lucky loser Simone Bolelli.

The 31-year-old will next face home favorite, and his old junior rival Gasquet, whom he has beaten 15 times from as many meetings in professional tennis.

"Richard is a very good friend. We've known each other since we were 11 or 12 years old so it will be very special to play again against him," said the champion.

Top seed Simona Halep reached the 3rd round with a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over Taylor Townsend of the United States.

Halep, twice a runner-up in Paris, will face Germany's Andrea Petkovic for a place in the last 16.

Spanish 3rd seed Garbine Muguruza, the 2016 champion, was too strong for France's number 257 Fiona Ferro 6-4, 6-3.

Title challengers Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem struggled into the last 32.

Third seed Cilic reached the 3rd round for the 8th time with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 7-5 win over Polish qualifier and world number 188 Hubert Hurkacz.

Seventh seeded Thiem, a semi-finalist in 2016 and 2017, racked up his 31st win of the year.

The Austrian, the only man to beat Nadal on clay this year, saw off Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match which had been suspended overnight after the third set. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Life gives us second chances and Julian Fuentes is the latest beneficiary.

Dropped from the national team in September 2017 due to declining performance, Fuentes was helping his wife in their canteen in Divisoria when national coach Sean Guevara sought him out and convinced him to restart his track and field career. 

Guevara's motivation paid off as Fuentes won the long jump with a personal best of  7.71 meters at the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championship in Ilagan, Isabela on Thursday, May 31. It was doubly fulfilling Fuentes as he is from Cordon, Isabela.

Though Fuentes missed qualifying for the Asian Games in Indonesia by 13 centimeters, Guevara is jubilant. "Our goal was only 7.50 meters. I didn't press him to go further. Hopefully, we can use this to improve further," said Guevara in a phone interview.

Guevara, who holds the national record in the high jump, said he sought out Fuentes because a talent like him shouldn't go to waste. 

But he talked to some friends who will help Fuentes' comeback and sought the permission of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association ( PATAFA) to handle him

"Some persons agreed to help me and a monthly allowance of P10,000 was given to him for around two months before he was reinstated in the Philippine team," said Guevara.

Fuentes' comeback overshadowed the failure of veterans Ryan Bigyan and Caido to make the  finals of the 400 meters, where two Sri Lankans are tipped to win in Friday's finals.

With top 400m man Eduardo Alejan Jr sick and Archand Bagsit competing in the 200m, ably picking up the slack were Raymond Alferos, who had the 3rd best time of 48.08, a personal best, and Jose Rizal University ace Frederick Ramirez, 4th best with 48.39. 

Richard Salano of Army trounced many-time Southeast Asian Games champ Christopher Ulboc in the 3,000m steeplechase. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – A 6-foot-1 find from Roxas City stole the thunder by battling the top seeds in the 400 meters before finishing second in the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships in Ilagan, Isabela on Friday, June 1.

Joyme Sequita, a 23-year-old criminology graduate, finished second in 47. 34 behind winner Dilip Ruwan of Sri Lanka, who won in 46.87.

Sequita, who drew the tough lane 1 but kept pace in a very fast first 200 meters, clocked 22 seconds unofficially. 

In the last 50 meters, the runners began to tighten. As Ruwan powered ahead, it was Sequita’s finish that allowed him to nose out MG Ajith Premakumara. The Sri Lankan was third in 47.65.

The hard pace led people to believe that the 33-year-old national mark of 45.57 by Isidro del Prado will be broken. 

But Sequita’s performance and the 5th-place finish of rookie Frederick Ramirez of Jose Rizal University, who did 48.07, were more than enough to make up for the poor form of national team members. 

Sequita, who represented Mapua, and Ramirez were the only Filipinos in the final. 

“ We have to fix many things with him but his knee action in the finish helped a lot,” said Sequita’s coach, Ernie Candelario in a phone interview.

“ He is a real sprinter-type 400-meter man,” added Candelario, a former SEA Games 400m champion. 

Candelario spotted Sequita two years ago in the PRISAA. He said every year, he would ask Sequita to join training sessions.

“He stil has to build muscle that’s why he can’t use the (starting) blocks much,” said Candelario. “But we will get there.” – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – TNT banked on a balanced scoring attack to pick apart Columbian, 123-95, and claim a share of the lead in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, June 1. 

Six players breached double figures as the KaTropa improved to 5-1 to tie the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the top of the standings.

Troy Rosario finished with 21 points, 3 rebounds and two assists in just 19 minutes while Terrence Romeo chalked up 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals for TNT.

Jericho Cruz chipped in 17 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds and import Joshua Smith, Kelly Williams and Don Trollano added 11 points apiece in the win.  

Following a 2-2 tie in the maiden period, the KaTropa went on a 12-0 blitz for a 14-2 advantage. They kept their foot on the pedal and led by as much as 40 points, 117-77, midway through the 4th quarter.

"We were able to dictate the tempo of the game in the first, it really helped us down the line. We just needed to manage the rest of the game," said TNT head coach Nash Racela.

TNT shot the lights out all game long with an impressive 54% clip from the field thanks to its 35 assists while clamping down on the Dyip, who shot a decent 34%. 

John Bailey Fields frolicked in the paint with 34 points and 20 rebounds only to see his effort go down the drain as the Dyip slipped to 3-4. 

Ronald Tubid and Eric Camson were the only other Columbian players in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively. 

The Scores:

TNT (123): Rosario 21, Romeo 19, Cruz 17, Trollano 11, Williams 11, Smith 11, Carey 9, Garcia 7, Semerad 7, Pogoy 6, Golla 2, Reyes 1, Castro 1, Nuyles 0, Paredes 0, Saitanan 0

Columbian (95): Fields 34, Tubid 13, Camson 11, Lastimosa 9, Gabriel 6, Khobuntin 6, McCarthy 5, Cabrera 3, Ababou 3, Celda 2, Sara 2, King 1, Corpuz 0, Cahilig 0, Escoto 0

Quarter scores: 36-17; 72-40; 98-65; 123-95

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Proving his worth yet again, Mark Dyke led La Salle to its 3rd straight win as the Green Archers downed the University of the East Red Warriors, 52-40, in the 2018 Milcu Sports Basketball presented by Got Skills Adidas Summer Showcase recently at the Trinity University Gym in Quezon City.

The incoming second-year forward – who returned to the Archers' fold after trying his luck with Far Eastern University late last year – imposed his will all throughout the game and outmuscled defenders Shannon Gagate and Reymark Acuno en route to a 17-point, 18-rebound performance.

With transferee guard Jordan Bartlett also chipping in, the Green Archers outscored the Red Warriors, 28-11, in the second half on the way to the win that improved their record to 3-2.

Bartlett wound up with 9 points while backcourt partner Donn Lim scored 8.

Big man Acuno collected 12 points and 8 rebounds to pace the Warriors, who tote a 4-3 card.

Meanwhile, NU edged out Lyceum, 71-69, in a showdown between well-stocked programs.

Former UAAP Juniors champion Karl Penano showed the way with 18 points and 6 rebounds as the Bulldogs grabbed a share of the top spot at 4-2.

Versatile wings Mike Malonzo and Robert Minerva also delivered a combined 21 points and 13 boards.

The Pirates, who hold a 5-3 record, had their 3-game win run halted despite the best efforts of sweet-shooting forward Ralph Tansingco, who had 16 points and 5 rebounds.

In other results, Letran (4-2) also gained a share of the top spot following a 67-65 victory versus Arellano (4-2), while FEU (3-2) dragged UP (3-2) down the standings with a 56-53 win.

The Adidas Summer Showcase resumes on Tuesday at the Trinity University Gym featuring a duel between Letran and FEU. 

The scores:

First Game

NU (71) – Penano 18, Malonzo 11, Minerva 10, Morido 10, Salim 6, Chatman 6, Flores 5, Atienza 3, Sistoza 2, Puray 0

LYCEUM (69) – Tansingco 16, Pretta 13, Navarro 10, Ibanes 9, Pericas 8, Japzon 3, Mahinay 2, Remulla 2, Serrano 2, Guinto 2, Valencia 2, Caduyac 0, Cinco 0, Longalong 0, Barbero 0

Quarter scores: 15-18, 33-35, 51-54, 71-69

Second Game

Letran (67) – Mina 22, Cordero 12, Sangalang 10, Pascual 8, Solera 6, Pambid 4, Domingo 2, Favilla 2, Ular 1, Pamulaklakin 0, De Villa 0, Labrador 0

Arellano (55) – Baila 11, Meca 10, Chavez 7, Alban 6, Dela Cruz 4, Sacramento 4, Labarda 4, Alcoriza 3, Concepcion 2, Filart 2, Sera Josef 2, Abdurasab 0, Ongolo-Ongolo 0, Codinera 0, Abanes 0, Cahigas 0

Quarter scores: 16-13, 33-32, 52-42, 67-55

Third Game

FEU (56) – Jopia 9, Tuffin 8, Tempra 7, Abarrientos 6, Casino 6, Gonzales 5, Alas 3, Roman 2, Tchuente 2, Laigo 2, Senining 2, Celzo 2, Gloria 2, Davis 0, Ferrer 0, Gabane 0

UP (53) – Longa 11, Gomez de Liano 10, Battad 9, Espanola 8, Tungcab 4, Santiago 2, Madrigal 0, Gozum 0

Quarter scores: 14-13, 27-19, 46-37, 50-50, 56-53 (OT)

Fourth Game

La Salle (52) – Dyke 17, Bartlett 9, Lim 8, Pastor 7, Manaytay 4, Corteza 2, Manuel 2, Tolentino 2, Bongay 1, Cu 0, Alcala 0, Escandor 0

UE (40) – Acuno 12, Sobrevega 8, Conner 5, Amora 5, Guion 4, Manalang 3, Strait 3, Gagate 0, Dimayuga 0

Quarter scores: 14-16, 24-29, 41-38, 52-40

Standings

Arellano 4-2

Letran 4-2

NU 4-2

LPU 5-3

FEU 3-2

La Salle 3-2

UP 3-2

UE 4-3

MLQU 1-5

UA&P 0-8

– Rappler.com

MILAN, Italy – European football's top financial investigators have recommended excluding Chinese-owned AC Milan from the Europa League next season for violating rules that limit spending, the New York Times reported on Friday, June 1.

According to the US daily newspaper, "two people involved in the process" have confirmed that UEFA investigators have recommended Milan be excluded from European competition for violating Financial Fair Play rules.

UEFA announced last week that the 7-time European champions had failed to convince officials they are financially sound and referred the case to the adjudicatory chamber of its financial control unit to recommend an appropriate punishment.

A decision is expected next week and according to the New York Times investigators "have recommended excluding .. AC Milan from continental competition".

UEFA officials are concerned over AC Milan's stability after it was purchased by Chinese businessman Li Yonghong  from Silvio Berlusconi for 740 million euros ($918mn) in April last year.

The club also spent more than 200 million euros on new players in the summer and have a massive high interest loan of 300 million euros from US hedge fund Elliott Management.

Milan finished 6th in the Serie A last season and qualified for the second-tier Europa League for a second consecutive season missing out on the money-spinning Champions League.

If Milan were excluded they would become the highest profile club banished from Europe, following Spanish club Malaga, Red Star Belgrade and Turkey's Galatasary, who were banned for a year in the past for failing to meet financial criteria. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – On a day John Marvin Miciano showed how close he is to becoming the country's strongest Philippine-based chess player, a last-round defeat at the Asian Universities Chess Championship cost him a podium finish.

Miciano wound up tied with fellow Philippine bet Paulo Bersamina with 5.5 points in the 9-round event played in Tagaytay where Indonesian Yoseph Taher, who scored 7 points, emerged as winner.

But  the 17-year-old got a consolation as his FEU juniors squad finished 3rd behind Gunadarma University and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in the team event.

It would have been a nice feather in Miciano's cap to get a bronze medal to mark his rapid growth. Last year,  Miciano won the Asian Youth Under-18 to become an International Master. 

There are still tests ahead for the FEU high school graduate as his foes have studied his game very well, and noted some tendencies, among which is that he seldom fights for an early initiative but wears one down with patience and technique.

In the June rating list by FIDE, the World Chess Federation, Miciano was ranked 7th at 2459, one point below Eugene Torre and two below John Paul Gomez. 

But his lofty rating might go down as Miciano still has to play in Monday's semifinal of the national championship, and after a few days, take part in the Asean age group championship in Davao City.

Despite  Miciano's rapid rise, FEU coach Jayson Gonzales said: "The best few tournaments will be crucial." 

And in that vein, so would the outlook for the Philippines' brightest young chess talent. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – TNT import Joshua Smith had a relatively quiet night in his first game back in the PBA but that hardly mattered for the KaTropa.

Even with Smith chipping in just 11 points and 3 rebounds in 13 minutes of action – numbers that are considered subpar for an import – the KaTropa still wreaked havoc and demolished the Columbian Dyip, 123-95, on Friday, June 1.

And for the burly reinforcement, stats get thrown out of the window as long as they come out victorious. 

"I'm playing with some new guys, playing with some guys I played with last year, but all that matters is we won," he said.

The 6-foot-10 behemoth, who steered the KaTropa to the finals of the Commissioner's Cup last season, met some new faces after TNT tapped his services again as a replacement for Jeremy Tyler. 

For starters, it was Smith's first game alongside Terrence Romeo and Jericho Cruz, players acquired by the KaTropa during the past few months. 

Their addition may have had a hand in the 26-year-old's performance. 

"We're running new plays that we didn't run last year. It's a new system, so I'm just trying to get used to it. The guys played their hearts out today. It's a good win." 

But make no mistake, Smith is glad to have Romeo and Cruz in the fold as he seeks to complete his unfinished business with the KaTropa after they fell short of the championship against the San Miguel Beermen. 

"To add two guys like that with the guys we have right now, we're deep," said Smith. 

The KaTropa, who share the top spot with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after improving to 5-1, aim to book a playoff spot against the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday, June 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines (UP) stunned NCAA champion San Beda University (SBU), 56-54, as the Fighting Maroons rolled to their 4th straight win in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup in San Juan on Friday, June 1. 

The UP Maroons uncorked a 12-2 run anchored on Jun Manzo and Javi Gomez de Liano on the way to the thrilling win that secured UP a slot in the quarter-finals. 

“I’m proud of what we accomplished, [especially] beating a strong time like San Beda,” said UP head coach Bo Perasol.

Big men Gomez de Liano and Bright Akhuetie topscored for the Maroons with 10 points apiece. Jun Manzo also chipped in 9 points and 5 assists, while Paul Desiderio added 7.

The Maroons traded shots with the reigning NCAA champions and built an early 11-7 lead. But the Red Lions caught up by the second frame with Javee Mocon putting up back-to-back triples that sparked a 13-2 run as Robert Bolick and Calvin Oftana also contributed from beyond the arc to trim it to 26-28 at the break.

Javee Mocon paced the Red Lions with 18 points on a 3/5 (60%) shooting from beyond the arc and 5 rebounds.

Earlier, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles demolished the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Atlas, 83-59, to keep their record perfect at 6-0. 

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers also had their own 6-0 streak going as they turned the tables on an early-leading Mapua Red Cardinals, 102-95, despite the efforts of Exerjel Biteng, who waxed hot with 6 triples on 6/10 shooting for a game-high 34 points. 

 The scores:

UP (56) - Akhuetie 10, Gomez de Liano 10, Manzo 9, Desiderio 7, Lim 5, Dario 4, Murrell 4, Gozum 3, Jaboneta 2, Vito 2

SBU (54) - Mocon 18, Tankoua 11, Bolick 8, Oftana 5, Soberano 3, Dominguez 3, Nelle 2, Cabanag 2, Cuntapay 1, Eugene 1

Quarter scores: 11-7, 26-28, 39-41, 56-54 

– Tonichi Regalado and Franco Luna/Rappler.com  

MANILA, Philippines – Justin Brownlee made his keenly-awaited PBA return for Barangay Ginebra but Meralco made sure it will have the last laugh.

Arinze Onuaku posted another monster double-double to electrify the Bolts to a 93-82 triumph over the Gin Kings in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, June 1. 

The American import scattered 24 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks as Meralco redeemed itself from a heartbreaking loss the last game to improve to 4 wins in 6 outings. 

Chris Newsome backstopped Onuaku with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists while Jared Dillinger and Anjo Caram made their presence felt with 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the win. 

Brownlee, who replaced Charles Garcia as import, delivered 20 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists but his triple-double went for naught as Ginebra absorbed its 4th loss in 5 outings. 

– Rappler.com

SUBIC, Philippines – As the Philippines hosts its first full Ironman, the finishers will likely experience indescribable pain and exhaustion. 

But a unique reward awaits them – a memento that also serves as a reminder that passion and perseverance will always pull them through.

The finisher medals in the 2018 Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Philippines feature a new look as medal designer Daniel de la Cruz collaborated with Maranao weavers from war-stricken Marawi to create the medal ribbons.

“I’m quite happy that we were able to help a few displaced Marawi [residents] who suffered through the war,” De la Cruz said.

With the job opportunity, the Maranao master weavers were able to create handmade ribbons for the Ironman medals. Collectively, the woven ribbon and the sculpted medal make up what is called the “Alab ng Puso” (Flaming Heart) award.

The medals will be given to the finishers of the grueling 3.8 km swim-180 km bike-42.95 km run event on June 3, Sunday, at Subic Bay in Zambales.

“The Marawi people have gone through very extreme hardships,” said Dela Cruz. “And I can attest to the fact that with very minimal tools at their disposal, they managed to create 1,200 of these individually-handwoven ribbons for the medals.”

That’s why De la Cruz sees Salika Maguindanao, who’s at the helm of the medal weaving project, as his hero. 

Maguindanao, like many of her unfortunate brothers and sisters, was among the hardest hit by the war against the Maute group last year. 

But fellow weaver Jardin Samad also shared they were fighting a different war long before terrorism wreaked havoc on their city – a war on prejudice.

“Gusto namin na mabago ‘yung tingin sa amin ng mga tao,” Samad said. “Na pag sinabing Maranao, sinasabing mga terorista agad… mga [may] hindi magandang trabaho.” 

(We want to change the people’s perception of us, that if they refer to the Maranao, they liken us to terrorists or people with shady dealings.)

“Dito namin papatunayan na hindi kami masasama, kundi magaganda ang [gawa] namin lalo na sa kultura,” he added. 

(This is where we prove that we’re not evil, but rather we create something good as well, especially for the culture.)

Maguindanao said she’s thankful for the opportunity Ironman Philippines has given their weaving community. 

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who believed in us,” said Maguindanao. “Because of that belief, we started to believe in ourselves, that we are not merely survivors but we are also defined by the achievement we have brought with the Ironman race medals.”

So come Sunday, when the medals adorn the Ironman finishers, they won’t be mere tokens of victory. But rather, they also serve as symbols that they, like the Maranao, survived in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Even a triple-double from Justin Brownlee won't cut it for the skidding Barangay Ginebra.

Brownlee posted 20 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists in his PBA return but that did not prevent the Gin Kings from absorbing an 82-93 loss to the Meralco Bolts on Friday, June 1.

Ginebra has now lost 4 of its first 5 games in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup and Brownlee believes they have to develop a sense of urgency if they do not want to go on an early vacation. 

"We can’t be lackadaisical. We have to play with a lot of urgency to be aggressive 'cause right now, we’re 1-4 and that’s a tough spot," he said. 

The Gin Kings replaced initial import Charles Garcia with Brownlee in an attempt to climb out of the rut they've been in since the conference began. 

Unfortunately, the 30-year-old's first game back after 7 months came against the inspired Bolts led by hulking import Arinze Onuaku, who delivered 24 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. 

Four other players finished in double figures for Meralco while only two breached double digits for the Gin Kings. 

"Tonight, it just seemed the energy level, they had outmatched us. That was the main thing: we didn’t shoot the ball well," Brownlee said. 

Brownlee and Ginebra face a tough task in their next assignment as they meet the defending champions San Miguel Beermen on Sunday, June 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

"I think we have to come out with more energy and more focus on what we want to do defensively and offensively."

– Rappler.com 

PARIS, France – German second seed Alexander Zverev saved a match point in coming back to defeat Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur in 5 sets to reach the French Open 4th round on Friday, June 1, while former champion Novak Djokovic made the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the 43rd time.

World number 29 Dzumhur also served for the match in the 4th set, but Zverev clung on and claimed a 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 victory.

Zverev, 21, who is seen as the main threat to Rafael Nadal's expected coronation as champion for an 11th time, endured a nightmare outing on Court Philippe Chatrier that lasted almost 4 hours.

He hit 73 unforced errors, dropped serve 8 times and served up 7 double faults.

He had to save a match point in the 10th game of the decider before breaking and holding to make the last 16 for the first time where he will face either French 15th seed Lucas Pouille or Russia's Karen Khachanov.

The match between Pouille and Khachanov was one of two men's matches not completed as rain curtailed play at 1910 local time (1710 GMT), before being called off for the evening an hour later with the Russian leading 6-3, 7-5, 1-1.

"It was an amazing, high level match," said Zverev after his first-ever win on Chatrier.

"It was the first time I have won on this court and I hope there are many more to come."

Zverev, who also had to fight back from two sets to one down in the second round against Serbian Dusan Lajovic, is looking to become the first German man to win the title since 1937.

But he has never reached a Grand Slam quarter-final, although the longer best-of-5 format has worked twice in his favour now at Roland Garros.

Djokovic battles through 

Djokovic claimed a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over a grieving Roberto Bautista Agut.

The 31-year-old former world number one struggled at times on Suzanne Lenglen court, but eventually came through the 4-set battle in 3 hours and 48 minutes.

Djokovic has now made the last 16 of a Slam for the 43rd time, tying Jimmy Connors on the all-time list, second only to Roger Federer's tally of 60.

Djokovic, seeded 20 after struggling to find his best form since returning from an elbow injury, will take on Fernando Verdasco for a last-8 place after the Spaniard knocked out 4th seed Grigor Dimitrov.

The Serbian has now made the second week at Roland Garros for the last 9 years in a row.

Mother's death

Bautista Agut was playing in Paris despite the death of his mother last week.

"Fours hours for the match, I'm a bit tired, Bautista Agut plays with too much patience for me, but I'm very happy to have won the match," said Djokovic.

The 34-year-old Verdasco inflicted an early exit on Dimitrov, with the Spaniard winning 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-4 in his 350th clay-court match.

Bulgarian Dimitrov, a two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, has still never reached the second week at Roland Garros in 8 attempts.

"You have to draw the line and, you know, look for the next chapter," said the world number 5.

Sports science doctorate

Japan's Kei Nishikori made short work of home hope Gilles Simon as he cruised into the 4th round for the 5th time.

The 28-year-old, seeded 19 in his first Grand Slam since Wimbledon last year after struggling with a wrist injury, saw off Simon 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.

Nishikori will next play Austrian Dominic Thiem, the only man to beat Nadal on clay this year, after the 7th seed beat Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2.

In the women's draw, Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki eased past Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier 6-0, 6-3.

The second seed, a quarter-finalist in Paris last year, will face Daria Kasatkina for a place in the last 8 after the Russian beat Maria Sakkari 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.

US Open runner-up Madison Keys saw off Japanese 21st seed Naomi Osaka 6-1, 7-6 (9/7), setting up a last-16 tie with 31st seed Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Buzarnescu, a 30-year-old Romanian with a doctorate in sports sciences who had never won a Grand Slam match before this week, downed Ukraine's fourth seed Elina Svitolina with a shock 6-3, 7-5 victory. – Rappler.com

SUBIC, Philippines – The spirit of competition, indeed, sparks at a young age as shown by the promising athletes in the 2018 Alaska IronKids aquathlon on Saturday, June 2, at the Remy Fields in Subic Bay.

At the sound of the 6 am airhorn, the racers were off like torpedoes in the water. The young racers swam for 400 meters in the Wow Recreation Center pool, just adjacent to the Remy Fields track where they transitioned for the 3-kilometer run under the searing heat. 

Zedrick James “ZJ” Borja, a 13-year-old from from San Pedro, Laguna, crossed the finish line first and submitted a time of 16 minutes and 39.81 seconds to rule the 13-14 boys age group. 

Ronel Victor Cruz (16:52.81) trailed by just 13 seconds to check in at second place. Clifford Pusing (17:56.37) rounded out the top 3.

While Borja and Cruz have been fierce race rivals, they remain good friends and Borja warmly congratulated Cruz. 

Samantha Corpuz of San Fernando, La Union coasted to the finish line to top the 13-14 girls division with a time of 17 minutes and 23.39 seconds.

The 13-year-old even left some of the boys in the dust despite their two-minute head start. Finishing behind Corpuz were Honny Yanong (18:08.88) and Katrina Salazar (18:15.94). 

In the 11-12 age group, Rob Jarrel Balderas topped the boys side (14:09.35) followed by Juan Miguel Tayag  (14:31.21) and Jose Maria Tayag (15:22.53). Aubrey Tom won in the girls category (14:50.61) as Kira Ellis (15:18.24) and Princess Patilan (15:57.76) settled as runners-up.

The event also featured the 6-8 age group where Rafael Ubiadas, a 6-year-old IronKids first-timer,  pulled off a surprise win (8:38.09). 

Kaden Sy (8:57.75) and Charles Andallo (9:01.66) checked in after Ubiadas. In the 6-8 girls side, Mikayla Salada (8:33.38), Sinagtala Cuevas (8:44.75), and Sophia Relf (9:45.29) wound up as the top 3. 

Of course, Raf’s mom Catherine couldn’t be any more proud of her son knowing that he has a bright future ahead of him.

While most of the kids were shy during the interviews, all of them said they’d compete again if given the chance. At least they got that going for them. They can deal with media jitters much, much later. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska played its first game in two weeks but that didn't prevent the Aces from picking up where they left off as they notched their 5th straight win in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup. 

Vic Manuel showed up for the 5th straight game tallying at least 20 points and import Antonio Campbell submitted another double-double as the Aces eked out a 109-103 win over GlobalPort at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, June 2. 

"The Muscleman" scattered 22 points and 3 steals while Campbell posted 18 points, 18 rebounds, 6 blocks and 3 assists for Alaska, which claimed a share of the top spot with Rain or Shine and TNT after improving to 5-1. 

The Aces missed the services of star Calvin Abueva, who didn't attend the team's practices after the All-Star Week ended, but Chris Banchero filled in the void he left with 19 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. 

It is the second time this season that Abueva missed an Alaska game due to a personal emergency.

Malcolm White paced the Batang Pier, who lost their second straight game for a 3-4 card, with 27 points and 8 rebounds. 

The Scores:

Alaska (109): Manuel 22, Banchero 19, Campbell 18, Casio 12, Racal 10, Thoss 8, Teng 8, Enciso 6, Exciminiano 3, Magat 3

GlobalPort (103): White 27, Pringle 26, Anthony 16, Nabong 12, Javelona 7, Grey 6, Tautuaa 5, Elorde 4, Sargent 0, Teng 0, Araña 0

Quarter scores: 20-29, 50-59, 85-83, 109-103

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – To fight for the iron woman title is tough, but to set a national junior record is even tougher.  

Evangeline Caminong may not have won the girls' heptathlon but she leapt to a new national junior mark of 1.71 meters in the high jump where she defeated her nemesis on Saturday, June 2, at the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships in Ilagan, Isabela.

Caminong, daughter of a farmer, shaved off two centimeters off Kaylene Mosqueda's two-year-old record.

Although she did not win a medal – since her record came in just one of heptathlon's 7 events – Caminong's mark notably turned out better than women's individual high jump champion Raziebel Fabellon of Adamson, who had a winning leap of 1.65m.

Ateneo's Alexie Mae Caimoso finished second to Caminong after registering 1.65m.

"This is to get back at my defeat to her (Caimoso) in the Palarong Pambansa and in the individual high jump girls event," said Caminong, who later bagged her first gold in the girls' long jump with a 5.23m tally. 

Caminong left her home in San Vicente, Palawan to pursue her dream to make the national team. 

Now representing Dasmarinas City, Caminong could receive a cash incentive of P20,000 as the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association offered rewards for setting a national mark.

As the future of Philippine track and field basked in the spotlight, the veterans are racing against time to be in top form for the Asian Games in August.  

Olympian and former Asian long jump champion Marestella Sunang won after registering 6.16 meters, which is still far from her marks in two previous foreign events.

Harry Diones, the 2017 Southeast Asian Games triple jump silver medalist, is still struggling to return to last year's superb form despite winning the event in 15.93. 

"We still have two months of work," said Diones' coach, Jojo Posadas. 

In late Friday's results, Trenten Beram defeated Eric Cray in the 200 meters. Beram won in 21.11 against Cray, who seldom runs this event. Cray clocked 21.79 and Juan Caido finished 3rd in 22.07. 

Cray, the 2017 SEA Games 100m champion, had figured in a miscue in the 4x100m relay as the hurriedly assembled national team failed to connect. Anfernee Lopena failed to hand off the baton to Cray.

John Albert Mantua, who won the shot put by heaving the 3rd all-time best of 15.85 meters, added a second gold by taking the discus in 46.45 meters.  

Mantua's twin gold matched that of Richard Salano, who took the 5,000 meters after ruling the 3,000m steeplechase on opening day Thursday. – Rappler.com