MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine basketball youth team hopes to reedem the country in the international stage after a wild month that saw Gilas Pilipinas figure in a brawl with Australia, get slapped by FIBA with hefty fines and suspensions, and withdraw from the 2018 Asian Games.

Batang Gilas vies to make the country proud as it shoots for a world berth in the FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship in Nonthaburi, Thailand from August 5 to 11.

But Dave Ildefonso – the son of PBA legend and National University assistant coach Danny – isn’t sweating the pressure as Philippine basketball tries to rebuild its image. 

“There’s not much pressure really,” said the 6-foot-4 Ildefonso. “But as one of the more mature players [age-wise] on the team, I think we’re also a part of the redeeming process and it’s really a great help for the Filipino basketball fans if we’re able to pull this off.”

With Ildefonso manning the frontcourt with 7-foot-1 Kai Sotto and 6-foot-10 AJ Edu, and 6-foot-1 Dalph Panopio controlling the perimeter, the tall and talented national youth team targets the country’s first U19 World Cup berth in 39 years. (READ: FIBA Asia U18: Key additions Edu, Panopio boost Batang Gilas bid)

Team backer Ronald Mascariñas said the country needs to move forward after a forgettable Gilas Pilipinas campaign last July.

Not only did a majority of the Gilas Pilipinas team get suspended after the infamous July 2 brawl with Australia, but the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) also followed this up by withdrawing the country’s participation in the 2018 Asian Games, citing an inability to form a competitive team.

“[You] have great responsibility on your shoulders because we need to regain the motivation of the country, with what happened in the brawl against Australia,” Mascariñas told the players during the sendoff hosted by team backer Chooks-to-Go in Ortigas on Thursday night, August 2.

“If you do well and qualify for the FIBA World Cup, hopefully our grieving countrymen, yung mga nagluluksa nating mga basketball fans, baka maghilom yung sugat nila."

(If you do well and qualify for the FIBA World Cup, it will hopefully heal the wounds of our grieving basketball fans.)

“With what happened doon sa withdrawal natin doon sa Asian Games, may kapalit na tayo,” he added.

(With what happened regarding our withdrawal from the Asian Games, we already have a replacement.) 

Last July, Batang Gilas recorded its best World Cup finish at 13th place in the Under-17 competition. (READ: Batang Gilas nabs record-high World Cup finish)

"We expect them to be the hardest working team out there – to give their very best, to lay their hearts on the line each game, each possession," said Batang Gilas coach Josh Reyes. "No matter what the scoreboard would say after each game, I believe they will never lose if they do that.”

Rounding out the Batang Gilas roster are Raven Cortez, Gerry Abadiano, Geoff Chiu, Rhayyan Amsali, Migz Oczon, Joshua Ramirez, Bismarck Lina and Xyrus Torres. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines –  Defending champion San Beda extended its perfect run in NCAA Season 94 with an 88-70 blasting of Mapua in the men's basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Friday, August 3.

The Red Lions unleashed a 12-2 run, 61-49, off the hot hand of Gilas cadet Javee Mocon after the Cardinals had threatened within two, 47-49, on a rally capped by a triple from combo guard Eric Jabel at the start of the 3rd quarter. 

That decisive 12-2 run was all the window the champs needed to maintain their hold on the game as they broke away anew in the final frame.

Mocon finally had his breakout game of the season with 22 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

Last season's Finals MVP Donald Tankoua added 17 points, 7 boards and 2 assists for the Red Lions.

Mapua rookie Warren Bonifacio – who took on the Mapua scoring load in the 3rd quarter where he dropped 13 points – wrapped up his breakout outing with a 19-point, 12-board double-double off the bench.

Cedric Pelayo chipped in 15 for the Cardinals but was limited to a single point in the entire second half.

“The boys really stepped up their game especially in the second half,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez.

“We just have to learn to be consistent on how to play the game. We did a good job in the first quarter but we gave up 25 points from Mapua in the second quarter. Again, the boys really played well so that we will be ready for our big game against Letran on Friday.”

The Red Lions had a red-hot start to their day, outscoring the Cardinals in the first, 30-17. But Pelayo came alive off the bench with 12 points in the second quarter and helped the Cardinals inch within 4 at the halftime mark, 42-46.

The Scores

San Beda (88) – Mocon 22, Tankoua 17, Bolick 11, Oftana 10, Canlas 9, Doliguez 6, Tongco 6, Nelle 5, Eugene 2, Carino 0, Cuntapay 0

Mapua (70) – Bonifacio 19, Pelayo 15, Lugo 8, Serrano 7, Gamboa 6, Victoria 5, Jabel 5, Bunag 2, Aguirre 2, Salenga 1, Biteng 0, Pajarillo 0, Carandang 0

Quarter scores: 30-17, 46-42, 68-58, 88-70

STANDINGS 

LPU 5-0

SBU 4-0

CSJL 3-1

UPHSD 2-1

AU 2-2

CSB 2-3

MU 2-3

SSC-R 2-3

EAC 0-4

JRU 0-5

– Rappler.com

CEBU, Philippines – Celebrity athletes Piolo Pascual and Enchong Dee team up to lead the Sun Life Financial realy team's bid in the Alaska Ironman 70.3 race here. 

Former national tanker Dee will kick off the action in the swim stage, while Pascual will take over in the bike leg. Toniel Ty will finish the 70.3 race in the final 21-kilometer run. 

Competing in his 7th Cebu Ironman race, Pascual aims to surpass his previous performance even after juggling his training with his television series "Since I Found You." 

"I have to be able to finish stronger than last year," said Pascual. 

"So it’s a bit of a challenge for me to be able to train this time because I’m doing a soap. At the same time to be able to train and find time for it, it’s a bit of a stretch." 

The actor will also be challenged by the new 3-loop bike route at the Mactan-Mandaue bridge. The organizers decided to use the new route due to the ongoing construction along the South Coastal Road in Cebu. 

"The hard part there is that when you turn into the loop, that’s when a lot of people kind of mob you so I hope the audience or the people who are going out there to cheer us on will be more disciplined," added the long-time matinee star. 

"I hope and pray that it will be a fun race, a safe one." 

Dee, on the other hand, remains formidable in the water even years after a decorated swimming career.

Before becoming an actor, Dee led De La Salle University (DLSU) in 2009 to its first UAAP swimming title in 6 years while bagging 3 MVP titles throughout his collegiate career.

Dee also represented the country in the 2005 and 2007 Southeast Asian Games and the 2006 Asian Games.– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beermen's June Mar Fajardo continues his march towards unprecedented heights after bagging his 7th PBA Best Player of the Conference award. 

Fajardo, considered as the most dominant Filipino player today, won via landside after amassing a total of 1153 points as he topped the statistical race and each of the player, media and league voting. 

He bested Alaska Aces' Vic Manuel (766 points) and GlobalPort Batang Pier's Stanley Pringle (545 points) for the award presented by Master Sardines.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breakdown of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PBA2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PBA2018</a> Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference and Best Import of the Conference awards: | <a href="https://twitter.com/dioquinodelfin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dioquinodelfin</a> <a href="https://t.co/M9z60I1T68">pic.twitter.com/M9z60I1T68</a></p>&mdash; Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/status/1025338370845696000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Cebuano stalwart already edged former San Miguel teammate and mentor Danny Ildefonso – who owns 5 – last April for the most number of BPC awards in the league's 43-year history. TNT KaTropa's Jayson Castro ranks 3rd with 4 trophies. 

While Fajardo has been a regular BPC winner, it's the first time he clinched the honor in the Commissioner's Cup – having won 5 in the Philippine Cup and one in the Governor's Cup.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo is on a level of his own after winning his 7th Best Player of the Conference award. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PBA2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PBA2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/rQTnPbhAc2">pic.twitter.com/rQTnPbhAc2</a></p>&mdash; Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/status/1025337537773035520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The reigning 4-time league Most Valuable Player had trailed Manuel in statistical points after the elimination round but he reclaimed the top spot after his Beermen defeated the Aces in 4 games in their best-of-5 semifinals. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After 4 tours of duty, Barangay Ginebra's Justin Brownlee finally secured a PBA Best Import of the Conference award.

The ultra-talented reinforcement from St. John's University registered 1209 points amassed from media, player and league votes and the statistical race to beat top contender Renaldo Balkman (858 points) of the San Miguel Beermen.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breakdown of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PBA2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PBA2018</a> Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference and Best Import of the Conference awards: | <a href="https://twitter.com/dioquinodelfin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dioquinodelfin</a> <a href="https://t.co/M9z60I1T68">pic.twitter.com/M9z60I1T68</a></p>&mdash; Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/status/1025338370845696000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee wins his first Best Import of the Conference award. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PBA2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PBA2018</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/dioquinodelfin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dioquinodelfin</a> <a href="https://t.co/48c7hq2jXO">pic.twitter.com/48c7hq2jXO</a></p>&mdash; Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/status/1025336941665902592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Losing the award to Meralco Bolts' Allen Durham in the last two editions of the Governors' Cup, the 30-year-old nabbed the individual honor after helping the Gin Kings reach the finals despite a dismal 1-5 start. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Not even sports movies could have scripted this one any better.

Emilio Aguinaldo College did not open NCAA Season 94 like it had hoped. The Generals were winless in 4 games, the most painful recently happening right on their own home floor, 74-76,against Perpetual Help.

It was enough reason for head coach Ariel Sison to contemplate on resigning. But he hadn’t announced it to his players yet.

Then out of nowhere, in a seemingly uneventful contest against playoff contender San Sebastian, the Generals took the Stags to the limit and squeezed out a 79-77 win in overtime, ending their 4-game losing streak on Friday, August 3.

The game hero? John Paul “JP” Maguliano.

Yes, we don’t blame you if you don’t know him. Almost no one did prior to this day.

In one of the season's early surprises, a tryout walk-in who had averaged 2.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 3 games dropped 30 points and 17 boards in 36 minutes off the bench to will his team to the stunning victory. 

Maguliano shot 11-of-16 (69%) from the field, 8-of-9 (89%) from the free throw line, fouled just once and turned the ball over only once as well.

All that, and he didn’t even see the court in their last 46-61 thrashing loss against defending champion San Beda.

A guy who got rejected from the Adamson Falcons roster just saved his coach’s job, too. However, in his best moment yet in his collegiate career, he deflected praises to his team.

“Masaya po [sa pakiramdam] kasi sa kabila ng lahat ng pagkatalo namin, nanalo kami,” said the soft-spoken forward. “Sabi ni coach, kailangan din naming manalo kasi goal naming makapasok sa Final 4.”

(It feels great because despite all our losses, we finally won. Coach said that we have to win because it’s our goal to enter the Final 4.)

Although Sison hyped up his players’ hopes, deep inside, he was already at his last straw.

“Just to be honest with you, I thought last night, 'If I will not win today, I will resign,'” Sison shared in the post-game presser. “That’s the least thing that I can do so that the team will win. Di ko alam kung paano kami nanalo. Basta nanalo kami, yun na lang.”

(I don’t know how we won. All I know is we won, that’s it.)

“Talagang morale-boosting ‘to sa amin, lalo na sa akin,” he continued. “Talagang di ko alam kung anong gagawin ko just to make sure na mananalo kami. Pero sabi ko nga sa mga bata, yung nagpa-practice nga tayo, di tayo nananalo. Ngayon pa ba tayo titigil magpraktis na di [nga] tayo nananalo? Lalo tayong tuluy-tuloy lang magpraktis. Manalo, matalo, basta yung mind natin ilagay natin palagi sa game, sa training.”

(This is really morale-boosting for us, especially to me. I really don’t know what else to do just to make sure that we would win. But I said to my boys, we were losing even when we were practicing. Do we stop practicing especially now that we keep losing? More than ever, let’s just keep on practicing. Win or lose, let’s put our minds in the game and in training.)

For now, Sison has held off his departure for another day.

“Ang sa akin lang naman, yung school eh,” he said. “Gusto kong manalo yung team. Kung di ko kayang maipanalo, then someone else will be doing that for us. That’s the most important thing, for the school to win.”

(For me, it’s just about the school. I want the team to win. If I can’t do it for them, then someone else will be doing that for us.)

As for Maguliano, he’ll use this overnight Cinderella run to prove all those who doubted him wrong.

“Mahirap kasi maraming nagsasabing 'Ang laki-laki mo tapos di mo ginagamit,'” he said. “Kaya nagpursige ako, tapos thank God, eto na ngayon.”

(It was difficult because many kept telling me, 'You’re so big but you cannot use your size.' So I persevered and thank God, here I am today.)

JP Maguliano, EAC Generals. Remember the name. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – CJ Perez flashed yet another masterful performance as Lyceum routed Perpetual Help, 91-77, in the NCAA Season 94 men's basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Friday, August 3.

Perez, the reigning Most Valuable Player, dropped 26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to power the unbeaten Pirates to their 6th straight victory.

Jaycee Marcelino also played finisher anew with 20 points off the bench, 18 coming in the second half.

“More than the 6th win, it’s really just more of how these guys were really committed to playing to our best potential,” Lyceum coach Topex Robinson said in the post-game presser.

“The challenge was there. We know that Perpetual is really playing excellent basketball prior to our game so we just kept our composure.”

Perpetual opened the 4th quarter with a 6-0 fastbreak run to close the gap to 3, 65-68. But Marcelino, last season's Rookie of the Year, negated all that with 7 straight quick points for a 75-67 Lyceum lead.

Everything went south from there for the Altas as the Pirates sailed away for yet another easy win –their 24th straight elimination round triumph since last year.

As usual, Prince Eze was the Altas anchor with a 20-point, 18-rebound, 2-block outing in the loss. Jelo Razon chipped in 19 markers with 5 boards and 2 steals.

Buzzer-beaters highlighted the match as players from both sides beat the horn after every single quarter.

First, it was the Altas’ Razon beating the first-quarter buzzer with a wild 3-ball from his own inbound off a bounce pass on the back of an unsuspecting Jaycee Marcelino.

Then, Perez drained his own buzzer-beating triple off a dump pass from Reymar Caduyac,  punctuating a 24-8 run to close the first half with Lyceum up by 10, 48-38.

And finally, Perez’s partner-in-crime Mike Nzeusseu created a highlight of his own with a fallaway mid-range jumper to end the 3rd with a 9-point advantage, 68-59, heading into the final frame.

The Scores

LPU (91) - Perez 26, JC. Marcelino 20, Pretta 9, Caduyac 8, Ayaay 6, Santos 6, JV. Marcelino 4, Nzeusseu 4, Tansingco 4, Ibanez 2, Valdez 2, Serrano 0, Yong 0

Perpetual (77) - Eze 20, Razon 19, Charcos 16, Aurin 12, Peralta 7, Mangalino 3, Coronel 0, Cuevas 0, Pasia 0

Quarter scores: 21-18, 48-38, 68-59, 91-77

STANDINGS 

LPU 6-0

SBU 4-0

CSJL 3-1

AU 2-2

UPHSD 2-2

CSB 2-3

MU 2-3

SSC-R 2-4

EAC 1-4

JRU 0-5

– Rappler.com 

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The world's most decorated Ironman athletes are back in Asia and ready to endure the humidity in Cebu City for the 2018 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific championships on Sunday, August 5. 

Tim Reed aims for a winning comeback as the reigning champion of the Cebu edition targets his 4th straight title. But the Australian won't entirely be in his comfort zone especially with a route change in the bike stage. 

"It’s always a challenge in every race especially in Asia where the population is so dense, but I’ve always felt very safe here and the organizing crew did a fantastic job and I’m sure it’s going to be the same this year." 

Three-time world champion Craig Alexander and Davao Ironman 70.3 titlist Mauricio Mendez will also be around to contest Reed's hold on the title. 

"These are the guys I have much respect for and that also brings a different dynamic to the race," added Reed. 

"For sure it’s going to be a really tough race because you’re going against really top athletes, and I really want to win and I really want to make people happy and just be part of this," said Mendez, who is looking for another Philippine victory. 

{source} 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">World Ironman’s darling Mauricio Mendez’ “secret plan” is to continue his winning momentum in the Philippines and win the 2018 Ironman Asia-Pacific championship in Cebu. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AguilaIM703?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AguilaIM703</a> | via <a href="https://twitter.com/beebeego09?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@beebeego09</a> <a href="https://t.co/TDJlJWtxhC">pic.twitter.com/TDJlJWtxhC</a></p>&mdash; Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/status/1025331914394066945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In the women's division, Melissa Hauschildt is expected to flash her fine form and defend her Asia-Pacific title. The 3-time world champion recently took home the 2018 North American Championship and the 2018 Texas 70.3.

“I had a great season so far and I look forward to racing back in the Philippines,” said Hauschildt.

Radka Kahlefeldt from Czech Republic, the 2018 Subic and Davao 70.3 titlist, will also be among the favorites to snatch the women's elite title.

Meanwhile, more than 350 kids aged 6 to 14 will participate in the Ironkids race that will unwrap on Saturday, August 4.

The 13-14 division (400m swim-9km bike-3km run) will fire off at 6 am, the 11-12 category (300m swim-9km bike-2km run) will start at 6:40 am, the 9-10 class (200m swim-6km bike-1.5km run) will kick off at 7:20 am, while the 6-8 section (100m swim-3km bike-1km run) will have a gun start at 8 am. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra redeemed itself from back-to-back blowout defeats with a lopsided win of its own to level the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals against San Miguel.

Thrashed by an average of 31.5 points in the past two contests, the Gin Kings returned the favor by quashing the Beermen, 130-100, in Game 4 of the best-of-7 series at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, August 3. 

The win was a double celebration for Justin Brownlee after nabbing his first Best Import of the Conference plum – besting pal and San Miguel reinforcement Renaldo Balkman.

And in Game 4, Brownlee showed why he deserved the individual honor after leading the Gin Kings with 37 points on a stellar 15-of-18 clip to go with 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks and two steals. 

Ginebra rode on a blistering 17-0 start – powered by 8 points from LA Tenorio – and never looked back as it saw its lead swell to as large as 38 points in the payoff period.

Greg Slaughter backstopped Brownlee with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, Joe Devance chalked up 18 points and 5 rebounds and LA Tenorio added 17 points and 6 assists.

Scottie Thompson made his presence felt with 7 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and two steals while Sol Mercado and Japeth Aguilar conjoined for 17 points and 7 assists in the win. 

June Mar Fajardo won his 7th Best Player of the Conference award and joined the 5,000-point club but the night did not go exactly his way as the Beermen failed to notch a commanding 3-1 lead. 

Arwind Santos paced San Miguel with 22 points while Fajardo added 15 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. 

Game 5 is on Sunday, August 5, at the same venue. 

The Scores:

Ginebra (130): Brownlee 37, Slaughter 19, Devance 18, Tenorio 17, Mercado 9, Aguilar 8, Thompson 7, Caperal 7, Chan 4, Mariano 2, Manuel 2, Caguioa 0, Cruz 0, Ferrer 0

San Miguel (100): Santos 22, Fajardo 15, Standhardinger 15, Balkman 14, Cabagnot 13, Nabong 6, Lassiter 4, Pessumal 4, Heruela 3, Ross 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Mamaril 0

Quarter scores: 39-21, 67-52, 97-75, 130-100 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Championship duels are highly physical, and it means emotions will run high. 

That's how Barangay Ginebra's Joe Devance put things into perspective after he and San Miguel's Renaldo Balkman figured in a shoving incident in Game 4 of the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals on Friday, August 3.

The two players where heading into the locker room as the first half ended until Balkman twice pushed Devance.

They then engaged in a war of words before they were separated by players and security personnel. 

While it was a heated moment, the Gin Kings forward found nothing to worry about.

"I mean, he's an emotional guy. He's a great player. He went to the NBA, he's just very passionate," Devance told reporters of Balkman.

"We've been cool the whole time so I'm sure there's not going to be any hard feelings or anything like that. It's just a part of being in the finals. It's all good."

"Just a little pushing. You know, nothin'. There wasn't no punches thrown or anything like that."

This is not the first time Devance was involved in an intense scenario in the best-of-7 affair.

Late in Game 2, Devance and San Miguel's Chris Ross were at the center of a shouting match after they bumped into each other during a rebound play. 

They were both assessed technical fouls, leading to Ross' ejection. (READ: Ross on techs that led to ejection: 'I don't think I deserve them')

But unlike that 109-134 Game 2 loss, Devance had the last laugh this time as the Gin Kings cruised to a 130-100 Game 4 triumph to even the series at 2-all. 

He finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds and two assists and recorded a plus-minus of +35 in the win. 

"In a series, you can't get too high on your wins and too low on your losses. They came out and whooped our butts in Games 2 and 3," Devance said.

"We came back and made some adjustments, and you know it worked."

Devance and Ginebra look to make it two wins in a row in Game 5 on Sunday, August 5, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra's Tim Cone has been coaching in the PBA for 29 years, but he has not quite seen a championship series like the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals.

Cone only had the word "strange" to describe the best-of-7 affair that had been decided by an average of 30.3 points in its first 4 games after the Gin Kings knotted the series at 2-all with a 130-100 demolition of San Miguel. 

"I'm as shocked as everybody is over this series," the winningest PBA tactician with 20 titles to his name told reporters after Game 4. 

"It's been a strange series. I don't think I've ever seen one or been in one like this before."

So far, the finals duel has yet to have a game that has a winning margin lower than 25 points.

Ginebra ran away with the series opener behind a 28-point romp while the Beermen turned the tides with a 25-point win in Game 2 and a 38-point rout in Game 3.

For the 60-year-old tactician, it's what happens when two powerhouse squads collide. 

"[Y]ou got very, you know, two explosive teams, and if you allow one team to get momentum, it's really hard to break because they are that good," Cone said.

"And so it seems like the team that can grab momentum is the team that is able to keep it rolling so far."

While the win prevented the Gin Kings from getting buried in a 1-3 hole, Cone is still wary how the Beermen will respond.

"All it does is just scare me even more cause we've seen their fight coming out of the last time we did this."

The Gin Kings seek to move one win within the throne when they meet the Beermen in Game 5 on Sunday, August 5, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Members of the Philippine triathlon developmental team stole the spotlight in the 2018 Alaska Ironkids in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Saturday, August 4 . 

National team triathletes Zedrick Borja and Clifford Pusing went neck and neck in the entire 13-14 boys race, clocking same times in the swim and bike disciplines until Borja edged out his rival by 0.07 seconds at the finish line. 

Borja clocked 38 minutes, 24 seconds flat, while Pusing came so close with a time of 38:24.07.

However, it wasn't a surprise to them that they wound up as the main show in the 400m swim-9km bike-3km run.

"Matagal na kaming rivals, simula na nag-iba yung mindset ko ng Ironkids [and decided to take it seriously]," said Borja. 

(We were rivals for a long time starting from when I changed my mindset on Ironkids  and decided to take it seriously). 

"Inasahan ko po na magkadikit kami ng kasama ko," agreed Pusing. 

(I expected that I'll be going head-to-head with Borja.) 

Earol Belonguil checked in 3rd with a 39:49.47 clocking, narrowly beating out Gian Taylor (39:49.75) for the final spot at the podium. 

In the girls division, host Cebu earned bragging rights as its local rising stars swept the Ironkids 13-14 girls podium. 

Lapu-Lapu City's very own national pool member Moira Frances Erediano came from behind to take the 13-14 girls title with a 41:12.62 clocking.

The Mactan native finished 50 seconds ahead of silver medalist Nicole Marie del Rosario from Cebu City (42:01.05). 

The 13-year-old Erediano took the lead in the first 400m of the run stage after lagging behind in the swim stage and working her way to the top during the bike stage. 

"In the run, so the [first] 400m, I really sprinted until I got [first place] because I was fast in the bike and run but then I’m slow in the swim, so I caught up in the bike and run," said Erediano. 

Jeanna Canete from Minglanilla City rounded out the podium finishers with a 43:11.38 clocking. 

Alaska Ironkids has been the breeding ground of future triathlon stars like former age group champion Tara Borlain.

"Tara is one good example, she just won a silver in the ASEAN School Games and gold in Palarong Pambansa, so we’re really proud of them," said Alask assistant brand manager Diane Guerte. 

National team coach Ani de Leon-Brown – who has produced champions not only in Ironkids, but also in the Southeast Asian Games like national women's team members Claire Adorna and Kim Mangrobang – has also been spotting potential standouts in the event. 

"Being a national coach, I see Ironkids as a breeding ground and a great place for me to spot upcoming talent. It’s really a good way to monitor who will do good in the future," said De Leon. 

The Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific championships will kick off on Sunday, August 5 at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. 

Ironkids age group and relay results: 

{source} 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlaskaIronkids?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlaskaIronkids</a> results for age groups 13-14, 11-12, 9-10 and 6-8. <a href="https://t.co/pxlBwcLHt4">pic.twitter.com/pxlBwcLHt4</a></p>&mdash; Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/status/1025586224369549312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source} 

{source}  

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlaskaIronkids?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlaskaIronkids</a> Relay results: <a href="https://t.co/fC2OYW2Fhw">pic.twitter.com/fC2OYW2Fhw</a></p>&mdash; Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/status/1025609673121005568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> {/source} 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – With the series all tied up, Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer fight to gain the upper hand in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals. 

The Gin Kings aim to make it two wins in a row after they knotted the series at 2-all with a 30-point blowout win in Game 4, while the Beermen hope to bounce back in Game 5 of the best-of-7 duel on Sunday, August 5, at the Araneta Coliseum. 

If past games are any indication, the Game 5 winner will be the team that gets off to a blistering start.

And the bizarre trend – which saw the first 4 games decided by an average of 30.3 points – even prompted Ginebra head coach Tim Cone to label the series as "strange." (READ: Tim Cone: No finals series as 'strange' as San Miguel-Ginebra)

The finals is also bound to get more emotional, as proven by a pushing incident between Ginebra's Joe Devance and San Miguel's Renaldo Balkman (READ: Joe Devance downplays shoving incident with Renaldo Balkman)

Despite winning his 7th Best Player of the Conference award and becoming the newest member of the 5,000-point club, June Mar Fajardo has kept his focus on helping the Beermen redeem themselves. (READ: On night of milestones, Fajardo still eyes biggest prize)

Game time is at 6:30 pm.

Here is the full schedule of the games:

Get blow-by-blow updates through Rappler's live blog below:

{source}<a class="twitter-timeline" data-width="100%" data-height="1500" data-partner="tweetdeck" data-link-color="#E95F28" href="https://twitter.com/RapplerSports/timelines/1025375294054531073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">Game 5: Ginebra vs SMB - Curated tweets by RapplerSports</a> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – June Mar Fajardo isn't exactly giddy after winning his 7th Best Player of the Conference award and joining the 5,000-club in his 6th year in the PBA.

Fajardo's night full of milestones did not have a happy ending after his San Miguel Beermen absorbed a 30-point beatdown from Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals on Friday, August 3.

Not only did the loss dampen the Cebuano’s mood, it evened the best-of-7 affair at 2-all.

Coming off back-to-back blowout wins, the Beermen had a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead only to get their hopes spoiled by a determined Gin Kings side that skyrocketed to a 17-0 start and never looked back.

"Syempre malungkot, talo kami. Kung nanalo sana kami eh masaya pero ‘yun ganoon talaga, so bounce back na lang," said Fajardo, who finished with 15 points to become the 87th local player to reach the 5,000-point plateau.

(Of course I'm sad because we lost. If we won, I would have probably been happy but that's basketball, so we just have to bounce back.) 

Despite adding another BPC to his collection of individual awards, the reigning 4-time league Most Valuable Player did not much have to say about the coveted plum.

"Wala ‘yung isip ko doon pero blessed ako and thankful ako na nanalo ako ng BPC. Thankful ako kay God, thankful ako sa teammates ko, sa coaching staff – credit ko sa kanila 'yun kasi 'di ko naman 'yun magagawa kung 'di dahil sa kanila."

(I didn't pay much attention to it but I'm blessed and thankful that I won the BPC. I'm thankful to God, to my teammates and to our coaching staff – if not for them, I wouldn't be able to get this.)

Instead, Fajardo is turning his focus on how he can help San Miguel redeem itself as the finals series approaches its homestretch.

"Kailangan naming manalo next game kasi mahirap kasi best-of-3 na lang 'yung series," he said.

(Next game is a must-win for us because it will only get tougher since the series has become a best-of-3.) 

"Kailangan talaga magsikap – pagsikapan kunin 'yun kasi di nila ibibigay sa amin 'yun. Lesson learned. Kailangan pahinga and bounce back next game."

(We need to persevere because they will not just allow us to get away with the win. It's a lesson learned for us. We need to rest and bounce back next game.)

Game 5 is on Sunday, August 5, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger puts his whole Philippine experience as one for the books, or should we say, one worthy of YouTube. 

Standhardinger has been producing vlogs to document his professional basketball career in the Philippines starting from the PBA Draft where he got picked No. 1 last October 2017. 

Since then, the San Miguel Beer rookie has shown his exciting experiences on court, from playing his first PBA conference to representing the country in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

So expect Standhardinger to drop more baskets as well as vlog episodes.  – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Italian point guard Dalph Panopio may have been born and raised in Rome, but the 18-year-old is every inch Pinoy. 

The new Batang Gilas recruit – despite never having played in the Philippines – admits he has patterned his game from some of the national team's biggest names. 

“Mga idolo ko sa Gilas, sina Jimmy Alapag, si [Jayson] Castro, [Terrence] Romeo, yun. Mga point guard,” shared Panopio, whose parents are both Filipinos.

(From Gilas, I idolize Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, there. The point guards.)

Even as one of the newcomers in the Philippine basketball youth team that's set to compete in the FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship, Panopio acts like he has been here all along.

“Excited na po ako,” he told reporters in fluent Filipino after a team practice in Taguig. “Kasi hindi ko po kilala [skill-wise] yung mga makakalaban namin doon."

(I’m excited for this since I don’t really know whom we are facing skill-wise in the tournament.)

And like a true Pinoy joker that you always seem to find in any barkada (group of friends), he smoothly transitioned to taking jabs on his 7-foot-1 teammate Kai Sotto – the undoubted main star of the country’s youth basketball program.

“Ang pressure ko lang po na hindi makakuha ng bola si Kai at di maka-shoot,” he said with Sotto looking on next to him.

(The pressure is on me to keep Kai from getting the ball and scoring.)

“Sana makuha niya yung mga pass ko para ano, manalo,” he continued while giving Sotto a good stare.

(I hope he gets my passes so we can win.)

Of course, what enamored Gilas scouts to tap the young Panopio, aside from his wealth of humor and charisma, is the skills he got from the Stellazzura Basketball Academy back in Rome.

The 6-foot-1 guard actually turned down an invite to play for the Italian youth squad for a shot to finally represent his home country.

Batang Gilas kicks off its bid in the U18 tournament against Lebanon on Sunday, August 5, in Nonthaburi, Thailand 

“Parang kinuha nila yung nilalaro ko sa Italy eh,” said Panopio. “Gusto ko rin na ma-improve din ang team ng Pilipinas, na umiba din laro niya, na parang magsama yung bilis at yung technique. Itong practice namin maganda kasi natutulungan ko rin sila sa mga konting tip. Gumagaling din sila, nag-iimprove din. Sana mag-improve din ako.”

(It’s like they got me for my game in Italy. I also want to help improve the Philippine team, to make its game different, to combine our speed and techniques. I like our practices because I get to help them out and give tips. They’re improving. I hope I do too.)

 At this point, all that’s left for him is to finally don the country’s colors and play his game. From the looks of things, he was born to represent where his heart truly is. Italy just helped him out. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – In the game of basketball, much has been said about the Filipinos’ lack of height despite the abundance of heart. It’s this very principle that launched the puso (heart) mantra of the men's team Gilas Pilipinas.

However, for its youth wing, that height problem is all but fixed. And better yet, the heart is still there.

Enter 7-foot-1 Kai Sotto and 6-foot-10 Filipino-Nigerian Ariel John “AJ” Edu, the new front court duo bannering the Batang Gilas squad set to compete in the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship starting Sunday night, August 5, in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

While Sotto has made headlines for his exploits as a champion big man of the Ateneo Blue Eaglets in the UAAP juniors and as a Batang Gilas centerpiece in international competitions, not much yet is known from Edu, the University of Toledo commit in the US NCAA Division 1. He first suited up for Batang Gilas in the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup last year but has yet to play in the standard 5-on-5 setting.

“I’m definitely very excited,” said Edu, whose mother hails from Surigao. “This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a while.”

The 18-year-old power forward said his chemistry with Sotto and the rest of the team is going along nicely, as his new teammates have welcomed him with open arms.

Batang Gilas kicks off its bid versus Lebanon in Group B at 9 pm on Sunday. The Philippines will next face United Arab Emirates on Monday at 6:45 pm and China on Tuesday also at 6:45 pm.

The top 4 in the 16-team field will represent Asia in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. 

“[The chemistry] is building very well,” he said. “It’s building at a much faster rate than I thought it would. It’s looking good. At first, it’s a little bit difficult, to be honest – first few days, I was struggling a bit – but right now, I’m really getting used to [the environment], getting used to the style of play. I’m really enjoying it right now.”

Sotto couldn’t hide his excitement as well, as he enumerated the things that make Edu stand out. The team's other key big man, Carl Tamayo, will unfortunately sit out due to injury.

“Si AJ kasi, mas malaki, mas mahaba, mas athletic, mas skilled,” Sotto said. “Ang pagkakaiba kasi kay AJ, yung athleticism niya para sa size niya, 'yun yung parang mas special kaysa sa iba dahil 'yung laro niya, di siya yung [tipikal] na center.”

(AJ is bigger, longer, more athletic and more skilled. AJ’s difference is his athleticism for his size, and that makes him special because his game isn’t like the typical mold of a center.)

Individually, Sotto and Edu are proven talents for their age group given their respective track records. Starting on Sunday, however, the world will see what more damage they can do once they start playing under the same flag.– Rappler.com

PARIS, France – A colorful parade of athletes and supporters in a Paris stadium on Saturday, August 4, launched the 10th edition of the international Gay Games, a week of sporting events and cultural meetings.

More than 10,000 people from 90 countries are taking part in the games, which originated in San Francisco in 1982. 

Some of the participants come from countries where homosexuality remains a crime.

The aim of the games, according to the official website, is to combat discrimination, promote the recognition and freedoms of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) people and promote information on HIV/AIDS, drug use and other risks.

The 10th edition was launched as Paris like much of Europe deals with soaring temperatures.

Among the guests in the Jean-Bouin stadium were France's Sports Minister Laura Flessel, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Sports Minister Laura Flessel and French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Athletics and swimming are among 36 sports on the agenda for the week, in 67 venues in and around Paris and elsewhere.

The sailing events will be held in English Channel.

The opening of the games, 6 years before the French capital hosts the 2024 Olympics was hailed by government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux.

"Thirty-six sports, 90 countries, 10,000 participants and one idea; always doing more to fight against homophobia and for equality," he tweeted Saturday.

All participants will receive a medal.

"We want to promote self-improvement rather than victory at all costs," said Pascale Reinteau, co-chair of the event.

Cultural events will run alongside the sporting activities, with many taking place in the grounds of the Paris town hall.

The Gay Games will come to an end on August 11. – Rappler.com

SHENZHEN, China – Brazilian superstar Neymar made his first club appearance since February as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Monaco 4-0 in the French Champions Trophy in China on Saturday, August 4. 

Angel Di Maria's double fired PSG to their first silverware under new coach Thomas Tuchel as Neymar, long sidelined by a foot injury, came on as a late substitute.

Di Maria's thunderous free-kick opened the scoring on 33 minutes in searing heat and he grabbed PSG's 4th in injury time following strikes from youngsters Christopher Nkunku and Timothy Weah.

It was a comprehensive win for the reigning French champions in the season's curtain-raiser, even without Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani who are yet to return after the World Cup.

PSG start their Ligue 1 title defense on Sunday, August 12, with a home match against Caen.

"I'm very happy, because we won our first final. It's great, winning 4-0 is incredible," said the 44-year-old Tuchel.

"I really like the fact that we played as a team. It was a very young team and the conditions were very hard, but we played with a lot of intensity."

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel was drenched in champagne by his players during his post-match press conference, like Didier Deschamps was after France's World Cup triumph last month.

Captain Thiago Silva said he hopes there is plenty more to come from his new coach, as big-spending PSG look to finally make a mark in the Champions League.

"It's good, he's brought in a lot of positive things, responsibility, but always trying to be happy," said Brazil center-back Silva.

"I think that everyone deserved this result, especially the staff who have arrived, brought a lot of positive things and changed a lot."

"I hope it's just the beginning."

Buffon untroubled 

PSG, with their names in Chinese characters on the back of their shirts, were the aggressors and they took the lead via Di Maria's sumptuous strike.

The Argentina winger swept the ball over the wall and into the top right corner from 25 meters, evading Diego Benaglio's despairing dive.

As Tuchel watched while sitting on an ice box in the technical area, Nkunku made it 2-0 on 40 minutes with a close-range finish from Stanley Nsoki's inviting cross.

Weah, son of former PSG star and Liberian President George Weah, went close and Di Maria then left Benaglio nursing sore fingers with a powerful drive as the capital-city club went into half-time firmly in control.

The 18-year-old Weah put the win beyond doubt in the 67th minute when he stroked home Nsoki's pull-back to score his first PSG goal, before Nkunku rattled the crossbar from close range shortly afterwards.

Italian goalkeeping great Gianluigi Buffon was rarely troubled on his competitive debut, with Stevan Jovetic an isolated figure up front for Monaco in the absence of captain Radamel Falcao and several other key players.

There were loud cheers from the 41,000-strong Shenzhen crowd when Neymar was introduced on 76 minutes but the world's most expensive player, last seen in Brazil's World Cup quarterfinal loss to Belgium, couldn't add his name to the scoresheet.

Di Maria, deservedly, had the last word when Adrien Rabiot's long run set him up for an easy finish which he slotted past the beleaguered Benaglio in the 3rd added minute. – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA – Unbeaten Eleider Alvarez knocked out Sergey Kovalev in the 7th round on Saturday, August 4, with a stunning upset victory to capture the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight title.

Alvarez, of Colombia, hit Kovalev with a devastating right hook that sent the Russian to the canvas for the 3rd and final time late in the 7th round.

The 35-year-old Kovalev was trying to re-establish his dominance in the light heavyweight division in his first real boxing test since losing in back-to-back fights to Andre Ward.

Kovalev was the more aggressive of the two boxers and was winning the majority of the rounds heading into the final round at the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

But he let down his guard in the 7th and Alvarez seized the opportunity to land several power punches and go on to win the fight in one of the biggest boxing upsets of the year.

He knocked Kovalev down twice and then finished him off with consecutive right hooks to the head that sent him down for the 3rd and final time. At that point, the referee moved in and called an end to the fight with 15 seconds left in the round.

Kovalev, who won his last two fights over a pair of weak opponents, dropped to 32-3-1 with 28 knockouts.

Alvarez, who is based in Montreal, Canada, improves to 24-0 with 12 knockouts.

The result derails plans for a light heavyweight unification bout between Kovalev and Dmitry Bivol, who retained his World Boxing Association (WBA) belt with a unanimous decision over Isaac Chilemba on the same card.

Bivol controlled the early and middle rounds but seemed to tire near the end as Chilemba started to win some rounds. 

One judge scored the fight 116-112 for Bivol, while the other two had it 120-108. – Rappler.com