MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals are bringing in a new 21-man squad that's hoping to make an impact in the the 2018 Bangabandhu Cup in Bangladesh.

College football sensations like UAAP MVPs Jarvey Gayoso and Ian Clarino, and Season 79 Rookie of the Year Jordan Jarvis, will get the chance to flash their fine form in the international front, which will help newly-appointed head coach Scott Cooper build his final lineups for the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup. (READ: Young aces strengthen Azkals' arsenal for Asian Cup)

"I think this is very nice opportunity for young players to play this tournament, 'cause it’s [a] mix of experienced players and young players who want to prove something and they are motivated," Azkals striker Misagh Bahadoran told Rappler. 

Veteran Azkals defender Anton del Rosario also returns to the national team for the first time since 2014. 

"Words cant describe the feeling of being called up to rep the flag again. 3 years back I thought would be my last opportunity but God has blessed me once again," wrote del Rosario on an Instagram post. 

{source} <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BoSpdubnSyR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BoSpdubnSyR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BoSpdubnSyR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Words cant describe the feeling of being called up to rep the flag again. 3 years back I thought would be my last opportunity but God has blessed me once again. Thank you for the strength to keep going also to @samrichelle for always supporting me! I&#39;m back and can&#39;t wait to make the country proud! . @mylesisaiah Kid, this ones for you!  #NationalDuty #Azkals #Bangladesh</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anton_delro/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> anton_delro</a> (@anton_delro) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-09-29T01:20:40+00:00">Sep 28, 2018 at 6:20pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script> {/source} 

In the six-team tournament, the Philippines is bunched together in Group B along with Laos and host Bangladesh. Only the top two teams of each group will advance to the knockout stages. 

"We are going to give our best to come up with good results and make our country proud," said Bahadoran.

The Philippine Azkals will open their campaign against Laos on Wednesday, October 3 and  will face Bangladesh on Friday, October 5. Both games are at 6:30 pm (8:30 pm, Manila time). 

2018 Bangabandhu Cup lineup: 

Goalkeepers

Louie Casas – Global Cebu FC
Eduard Sacapaño – Ceres-Negros FC
Nathanael Ace Villanueva – Kaya FC Iloilo 

Defenders

Amani Aguinaldo – Ceres-Negros FC
Jerry Barbaso – Ceres-Negros FC 
Ian Clarino – Davao Aguilas FC 
Anton del Rosario – Global Cebu FC
Jordan Jarvis – Global Cebu FC
Alvin Ken Sarmiento – Global Cebu FC 

Midfielders

Nathanael Alquiros – Stallion Laguna FC
Marvin Angeles – Global Cebu FC
Marwin Angeles – Kaya FC Iloilo
Kenshiro Daniels – Unattached 
Angel Guirado – Negiri Sembilan FA (Malaysia) 
Angelo Marasigan – Global Cebu FC 
Hikaru Minegishi – Pattaya United (Thailand) 
Paolo Salenga – Davao Aguilas FC 

Forwards

Fitch Arboleda – Stallion Laguna FC
Misagh Bahadoran – Perak FA (Malaysia)
Jovin Bedic – Kaya FC Iloilo 
Jarvey Gayoso – Ateneo de Manila University 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The La Salle Green Archers dealt their former coach Aldin Ayo a heavy beating.

Pulling away early, the Green Archers overwhelmed Ayo and his UST Growling Tigers, 99-72, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, October 3.

Justine Baltazar unloaded a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds to power the Archers, who bounced back from their shock loss against the UP Maroons.

Aljun Melecio was on fire for 17 first-half points, but relaxed down the stretch to finish with a season-high 19 points and Andrei Caracut also chipped in 13 points in the Archers' 27-point blowout win.

La Salle grabbed solo third place at 3-2, while Ayo – who steered the Archers to the 2016 UAAP crown – and the UST fell to a 1-4 tie with UE at the bottom of the standings. 

“Actually that's the primary game plan for today, for us to play 40 minutes na composed,” said La Salle coach Louie Gonzalez. “We played 40 minutes the highest level. Good thing sa laro ngayon, everybody contributed and everybody played sa highest level. Up to huling-huli, nag-stick sila sa game plan and still doing the execution.” 

(We played 40 minutes the highest level. Good thing in the game today, everybody contributed and everybody played to the highest level. Up to the end, they stuck to our game plan and executed.)

The game was out of reach early in the 2nd quarter, after breakout big man Baltazar scored a tip off the offensive board for the 20-point lead, 36-16, with more than 8 minutes left before halftime.

UST had some offense going for them, but their defense was not potent enough to trim their double-digit deficit to a comfortable striking distance.

The combination of Melecio, Baltazar and Jollo Go outscored the entire UST squad 39-34 in the 1st half.

La Salle also shot a blistering 83% (5-of-6) from three-point range in the 1st half.

Renzo Subido topscored for UST with 16 points and 2 boards.

Zach Huang also had 13 points and 6 boards for the limping Tigers before fouling out with 6:10 left in the final frame.

The Scores

La Salle 99 – Baltazar 22, Melecio 19, Caracut 13, Santillan 11, Go 11, Serrano 10, Bates 6, Manuel 5, Dyke 2, Capacio 0, Corteza 0.

UST 72 – Subido 16, Lee 13, Huang 13, Caunan 8, Cansino 7, Cosejo 5, Marcos 3, Bataller 3, Mahinay 2, Zamora 2, Agustin 0, Ando 0.

Quarters: 28-13, 54-34, 71-51, 99-72. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Perpetual Help Altas may be in danger of forfeiting their 9 wins in the NCAA Season 94 men's basketball tournament after it has been discovered that some of their players have suited up for an another league during their residency period.

Transferees-turned-key cogs Edgar Charcos and Kim Aurin suited up for the community league Metro Basketball Tournament (MBT) team Las Piñas Home Defenders, as verified by previous MBT game reports published in several broadsheets.

Christian Jacinto of Spin.ph first reported the development.

Per NCAA rules, players undergoing residency cannot play for other teams that are not school-based. As it turns out, the Home Defenders are not backed by Perpetual, according to sources.

This is also why there are no issues with PBA D-League college-based squads who field players serving residency, like Wangs Basketball-Letran and Go for Gold-CSB.

At the time Las Piñas played, Charcos just left the UAAP's UE Red Warriors while Aurin left the JRU Heavy Bombers and both were Altas redshirts.

However, it remains to be seen if the league will still allow complaints to be filed this late in the season's second round. Per rules, the league only accepts eligibility protests 24 hours before the final game day of the first round.

If ever a protest pushes through and is allowed by the NCAA, a formal investigation will be launched. If the season hosts are found to have violated the rules, their fourth-place, 9-5 record will be blanked to 0-14, eliminating them immediately from the Final Four.

The fifth-running CSB Blazers will be elevated to the fourth seed while the LPU Pirates, who lost to Perpetual at the buzzer in the second round, will now be undefeated once again at 15-0. Per the technicality, the Pirates' regular-season winning streak would be reinstated at 33 straight wins and counting. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University made sure it won't get embarrassed yet again.

After absorbing a shock loss to erstwhile winless UE, the FEU Tamaraws bounced back by holding off the freefalling NU Bulldogs, 73-68,  in the UAAP Season 81 men's basketball tourament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, October 3.

Wendell Comboy waxed hot for FEU with 18 points on a 3-of-4 shooting from downtown.

Kenneth Tuffin backed him up with 9 points with a 3-of-4 clip from deep – including a dagger three, 71-63, with 1:07 left in regulation – and 6 rebounds.

“Of course you're always happy with a bounce-back victory. But our problem is after victory. Ang sama namin mag-respond sa victory,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela.

“More than bouncing back, kailangan naming gawin is to be consistent with our approach to every game.”

(Of course you're always happy with a bounce-back victory. But our problem is after the victory. We don’t respond well after a victory. More than bouncing back, we need to be consistent with our approach to every game.)

FEU climbed to 3-2, tying La Salle for third in the standings while NU skidded to its fourth straight loss at 1-4 for a three-way tie with UST and UE at the bottom.

After trailing by 3 midway through the 3rd quarter, 44-47, the Tamaraws charged to the end of the quarter with a 10-2 run to go up 5, 54-49. 

The Scores

FEU 73 – Comboy 18, Tuffin 9, Tolentino 9, Gonzales 9, Orizu 8, Escoto 8, Ebona 6, Parker 4, Cani 2, Stockton 0, Iñigo 0.

NU 68 – Clemente 15, Ildefonso D 11, Aquino 11, Joson 7, Diputado 6, Yu 6, Ildefonso S 5, Gallego 3, Gaye 2, Morido 2, Rike 0, TIbayan 0, Malonzo 0.

Quarters: 20-24, 37-37, 54-49, 73-68.

 – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia claimed a share of the lead in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup after showing the luckless Columbian no mercy in a 113-95 beatdown at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, October 3. 

Import Romeo Travis frolicked in the paint with 32 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals as the Hotshots cruised to their third straight win to tie Barangay Ginebra at the top with a 5-1 card. 

The win moved Magnolia on the cusp of securing a playoff spot and virtually eliminated the Dyip, who remained winless after 7 games, from a quarterfinals berth. 

Mark Barroca finished with 17 points on a 7-of-10 shooting to go with 4 assists and 3 steals while Paul Lee chipped in 13 points and 5 boards in the win that saw the Hotshots lead by as much as 28 points, 77-49.

Columbian was still well within reach after the first half as it trailed 46-60 until Magnolia entered the final frame ahead by 22 thanks to Romeo's 13 third-quarter points. 

Ian Sangalang added 11 points while Robbie Herndon and Rome dela Rosa chalked up 8 and 7 points, respectively, and conjoined for 9 rebounds in the win. 

Jackson Corpuz paced the Dyip with 20 points and 9 boards and import Akeem Wright had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. 

JayR Reyes churned out 15 points while Jerramy King and Rashawn McCarthy pumped in 12 apiece in the loss. 

The Scores

Magnolia 113 - Travis 32, Barroca 16, Lee 13, Sangalang 11, Herndon 8, dela Rosa 7, Jalalon 6, Reavis 5, Mendoza 3, Melton 3, Simon 3, Gamalinda 2, Ramos 2, Brondial 2, Pascual 0, Abundo 0.

Columbian 95 - Corpuz 20, Wright 19, McCarthy 12, King 12, Sara 7, Khobuntin 6, Escoto 2, Gabriel 2, Celda 0, Ababou 0, Tubid 0, Cabrera 0.

Quarters: 31-20, 60-46, 92-70, 113-95.

– Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Playing in the shadow of a two-time MVP could be a difficult situation as a basketball player.

But now that former De La Salle Green Archers anchor Ben Mbala is busy playing overseas, the floor is wide-open for Justine Baltazar, and he is taking full advantage.

Against no less than his former head coach Aldin Ayo – who's now calling the shots for the UST Growling Tigers – the 6-foot-7 big man tallied a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds in the Archers’ 99-72 blowout win on Wednesday, October 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena. (READ: Green Archers embarrass former coach Ayo, Tigers)

Baltazar only wanted to prove his worth – nothing personal against his former mentor.

“Para kay coach Aldin, pinakita ko lang na nag-improve ako ngayon,” the former NU Bullpups Finals MVP said.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay coach [Louie Gonzalez]. Naging maganda yung gameplan namin tsaka sa mga teammates ko. Lagi nila akong binibigyan sa post kaya siguro naging maganda yung laro ko ngayon.”

(For coach Aldin, I just showed that I am improving now. I’m thanking coach Louie. We had a good game plan and my teammates kept feeding me in the post so maybe that’s why I had a good game today.)

After two years playing behind Mbala and averaging less than 10 minutes under Ayo, Baltazar has exploded for averages of 15.2 points, 11 rebounds and 2.2 blocks a game in 27.7 minutes over 5 games.

“Last year sa kanya (Ayo) wala akong playing time talaga, ilang minutes lang ako nilaro. Ngayon pinakita ko lang talaga sa kanya na nag-improve ako talaga," he added. “Gumanda ‘yung laro ko dahil sa mga teammates ko rin. Lagi kami nag-uusap kasi.”

(Last year under coach Ayo, I really didn’t have playing time. Now, I showed him that I improved. My game got better because I kept communicating with my teammates.)

With La Salle’s Kiwi reinforcement Taane Samuel  out for most of the season due to injury, Baltazar has all the time in the world to show why he was once one of the best players to come out of high school. Scarily enough for other teams, he may just be scratching the surface. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Romeo Travis leads the red-hot Magnolia in all but one of the 5 major statistical departments in the 2018 PBA Governors's Cup, but for him, he doesn't take the cake as the team's best player.

The multi-faceted import considers teammate Paul Lee as the major catalyst why the Hotshots breezed through their third straight win and moved on the brink of securing a quarterfinals berth behind a 5-1 record. 

"I don't think I'm leading the charge. I think Paul Lee's our best player. No question," he told reporters after Magnolia's dominant 113-95 triumph over Columbian on Wednesday, October 3. 

Against the Dyip, Romeo was like a man possessed after chalking up team-highs of 32 points and 14 rebounds on top of 7 assists and 2 steals in nearly 38 minutes of action. 

His stellar performance hiked his conference averages to team-bests of 22.7 points, 16.0 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.2 blocks. He also ranks second in the assists department with 3.3 per game, just behind Jio Jalalon's 6.3 assists. 

Still, Romeo points to the shifty guard as the one who has been balling it out for Magnolia. 

"With Paul Lee leading the charge, we're doing really well. We missed him when he was gone but now he's back and he's going to be here for a while and I think everybody's starting to settle in into their positions."

Indeed, Lee has been playing outstanding basketball for the Hotshots since he returned from his national team stint. 

The 29-year-old registered 22 points, 7 assists and 4 steals in a 92-76 victory over Rain or Shine last September 26 and followed it up with 28 points, 3 boards and 3 steals in a gritty 109-108 win over San Miguel 4 days later. 

Romeo is all about helping the team in ways it needs him to. 

"Today they needed me to score, last game I didn't score as much. It goes from game to game. Whatever the team needs, whatever coach asks me to do is what I'm going to do." 

Magnolia shoots for a fourth straight win against Blackwater on October 10 at the Cuneta Astrodome. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in his UAAP career, coach Aldin Ayo had to watch from the other side of a La Salle beating as coach Louie Gonzalez’s Green Archers wrecked his UST Growling Tigers by 27, 99-72, on Wednesday, October 3.

It was Ayo’s second-worst coaching loss ever, right on the heels of the Tigers’ 32-point destruction at the hands of old rival Ateneo Blue Eagles.

After the game, though, the two coaches shook hands like any other, and both downplayed the significance of the match.

“Siguro entering the game, alam naman natin ang buhay ng coaches. So again, it's Aldin or other coaches, siguro ako, ganoon pa rin naman ang treatment ko,” Gonzalez said after the game. “Pipilitin kong manalo. Pipilitin kong mag-compete.”

(Entering the game, we know the lives of coaches. Whether it’s Aldin or other coaches, for me, I treat it the same way. I try my best to compete and win.)

Likewise, Ayo kept things simple.

“Wala ako sinabi [sa kanya after the game]. Coaching, playing, if you’re here in basketball… it’s like politics,” said Ayo, who steered the Green Archers to the championsip in 2016.

“Magkasama kayo kapag parehas ‘yung gusto niyo mangyari, kapag parehas ang interest niyo but if there’s conflict of interests, it becomes different. You’re on the other side. Ganun lang ka-simple ‘yon. I don’t talk to them [anymore].”

(I didn’t say anything to him after the game. Coaching, playing, if you’re here in basketball... it’s like politics. You’re allies if you have common goals and interests, but if there’s a conflict of interests, it becomes different. You’re on the other side. It’s that simple. I don’t talk to them anymore.)

Gonzalez was Ayo’s former deputy in the latter’s two years leading La Salle, before suddenly jumping ship to UST in a reported six-year stint. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines found trouble cracking the winning column in the 2018 FIBA 3x3 U-23 World Cup as it dropped its two opening day games in Xi'an, China on Wednesday, October 3. 

Composed of Ricci Rivero, Rhayyan Amsali, Jeepy Faundo and RJ Abarrientos, the Nationals succumbed to both powerhouses Slovenia and Serbia to become the only winless team in Group C. 

The Filipinos, ranked 19th out of the 20 competing teams, first fell prey to world No. 5 Slovenia, 14-21, before absorbing a heart-wrenching 16-21 loss to world No.1 Serbia. 

With only the top two teams from each of the 4 groups advancing, the Philippines needs to win both of its contests against world No. 8 China and world No. 17 Turkmenistan on Friday, October 5. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED)  – Mike Harris flexed his muscles to power Alaska to a 106-89 win over skidding Rain or Shine in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, October 3. 

The former NBA player churned out monstrous numbers of 39 points, 25 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal as the Aces returned to the winning track to improve to a 4-1 record and kept the Elasto Painters winless in 3 games.

Rain or Shine actually led 77-75 entering the final frame until the Alaska put the clamps on defense to outscore its foes 31-12 en route to the victory. 

To put things into perspective, Harris singlehandedly matched the Elasto Painters' fourth-quarter output with 12 points in the payoff period. 

Chris Banchero backstopped Harris with 16 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals while Simon Enciso and Vic Manuel added 16 points apiece and combined for 8 dimes and 6 boards. 

"I thought we were a little bit rusty but they kept going and fought through it. Obviously there's a lot of things we need to clean up but our guys really fought through it," said Alaska head coach Alex Compton. 

A James Yap jumper put the Elasto Painters up the scoreboard first in the 4th period but they were kept scoreless in the next 6 minutes as the Aces erected a 16-0 run to take a 91-79 advantage and eventually, the win. 

Beau Belga saw his season-high 20 points go down the drain as Rain or Shine stayed with NorthPort (0-6) and Columbian (0-7) as the only winless teams in the league. 

Returning import Terrence Watson, who served as a replacement for J'Nathan Bullock, had a relatively underwhelming performance for the Elasto Painters with 10 points on a 3-of-15 shooting clip on top of 13 rebounds. 

The Scores

Alaska 106 - Harris 39, Banchero 16, Enciso 16, Manuel 16, Exciminiano 8, Teng 5, Baclao 4, Casio 2, Racal 0, Pascual 0, Andrada 0.

Rain or Shine 89 - Belga 20, Daquioag 11, Ahanmisi 11, Norwood 10, Watson 10, Nambatac 10, Yap 9, Washington 4, Tiu 2, Ponferada 2, Torres 0.

Quarters: 26-30, 47-49, 75-77, 106-89.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals immediately clinched a semifinal berth in the 2018 Bangabandhu Cup after winning their first match over Laos, 3-1, on Wednesday, October 3, in Bangladesh. 

Laos – which also lost to host Bangladesh, 0-1, on Monday – fell out of contention for the knockout stages as it wound up at the bottom of Group B.

The Philippines and Bangladesh earned 3 points apiece and will clash for the top of the table on Friday, October 5, 6:30 pm (8:30 pm, Manila time)

A hard foul in the box from the Lao side allowed Jovin Bedic to open the scoring in the 44th minute by converting from the spot. 

In the 53rd minute, Jarvey Gayoso – the youngest member of the squad – doubled the lead by heading the ball into the back of the net for his first senior international goal.

The Laotians fumbled with a handball foul that gave captain Misagh Bahadoran the chance to triple the lead. The Azkals veteran scored a successful penalty kick in the 82nd minute which sealed the victory for the Philippine Azkals. 

However,  Laos got on the scoreboard in the 88th minute after the Hikaru Minegishi committed a mistimed slide tackled that conceded a penalty. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – There could be a lot of excuses to defend Rain or Shine's dismal 0-3 start in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup, yet Beau Belga isn't buying into any of them. 

Instead, the burly forward wants to turn his focus on helping the team redeem itself after the Elasto Painters absorbed an 89-106 beating from Alaska on Wednesday, October 3. 

"Wala namang ibang options eh. Kailangan mo lang bumawi. We have to solve kung ano'ng problema namin. Back to zero," he told reporters after the game. 

(There are no other options. We just need to bounce back. We have to solve what our problem is. We need to go back to zero.) 

The Elasto Painters were groomed to end their dry spell as they entered the final frame with the upper hand only to witness the Aces rain on their parade. 

Leading 77-75 after the first 3 quarters, Rain or Shine crumbled when it mattered most as it scored only 12 points in the payoff period while allowing Alaska to pour in 31. 

The meltdown could be linked to the team's time away from each other with the Elasto Painters' core of players serving in the national team for almost two months. 

Rain or Shine also started its campaign more than a month after the season-ending conference began, meaning all of the other teams have began to pick up momentum.

Still, Belga doesn't see it like that. 

"Hindi magiging factor 'yung matagal kang nag-intay. And kahit naman matagal kang [hindi naglaro], walang options para sabihin mong maging dahilan 'yun eh," he said.

(Having a long layoff will never be a factor. And even if we did not play for a long period of time, that should not be an excuse.) 

"[G]inusto namin 'yun na mapasama sa [national team]. Okay naman 'yun eh. Kailangan lang naming mafind out kung ano 'yung problema namin."

(We wanted to play in the national team. That's okay. We just need to figure out what our problem is.) 

He is also not pointing fingers on new import Terrence Watson, who suffered from a suspected food poisoning during the game. 

"Ako tingin ko, okay naman siya. Hustle player. Talagang binibigay niya lahat. Nagkataon lang na may nararamdaman siya. So hindi mo mapipilit." 

(He's okay for me. He's a hustle player and he gives his all. It just so happened that he wasn't feeling well. So you can't expect him to give it all.) 

The Elasto Painters aren't given much reprieve as they next face Blackwater, a team that has won 4 of its 5 games, on Sunday, October 7, in Sta. Rosa, Laguna but Belga keeps the faith.

"I think we're good. 0-3 pa lang ito. Meron din kaming ganitong start dati and we still made it to the semis. So tiwala lang sa mga kasama." 

(I think we're good. This is just 0-3. We also had starts like this before but we still made it to the semis. So we just need to trust each other.) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After 3 straight wins, the Philippine men's team is back in the hunt to redeem itself from a poor start and a worst performance of 58th place two years ago in its 62 years of playing in the Chess Olympiad.

The men's team, bannered once more by unbeaten Julio Catalino Sadorra and two-time national champion Haridas Pascua, defeated Uruguay, 3-1, to climb to a share of 33rd spot with 10 match points from 5 wins and 3 losses after 8 rounds in the 43rd Batumi Chess Olympiad in Georgia.

They play Zambia, which the Philippines is expected to defeat in the 9th round, on Wednesday, October 4. 

Sadorra, who has saved two nearly lost positions in the Olympiad, remained tied for first with the top board one scorers after tallying 6.5 point out of 8 rounds. Joining him are Anish Giri of the Netherlands and Nils Grandelius of Sweden.  Based on quality of opposition faced in the tourrnament, though, Sadorra is not in the running for a board medal.

"The last 3 rounds are crucial in any Swiss System tournament. We just have to get a good position and win our remaining games," said team captain Eugene Torre before the team left for Batumi. 

The women's team took its second loss, this time to Argentina 2.5-1.5, as it slumped to 48th place. South Korea, whose junior players showed good form in the East Asian Juniors championship, is the Filipinas' next opponent.

Woman grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna lost for the second time in the 11-round tournament and former national champion Catherine Secopito took her third loss.  

Antoinette San Diego won the Philippines' only game, against Ayelen Martinez, while Bernadette Galas drew with Marisa Zuriel.      

Malaysia has stolen some of the thunder from the women's team as it is in 27th place with 11 match points. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After opening its campaign with a surprise loss, Creamline recovered with an easy 25-15, 25-21, 25-15 drubbing of Tacloban on Wednesday, October 3, in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez unleashed 20 points built on 15 attacks and 5 aces as the Cool Smashers crashed into the win column after a five-set loss to  PetroGazz on Saturday in Imus, Cavite.

Risa Sato scored all but one of her 9 points off spikes while Jema Galanza added 7 points for the Cool Smashers.

The Fighting Warays, who had hoped to extend their two-game winning run, slipped to 2-2. 

Although the Cool Smashers dominated the first and last frames, the Fighting Warays did manage to put up a fight in the middle set where they even took a 16-13 advantage.

But Valdez soon took charge, firing 5 straight points to put the Cool Smashers ahead, 18-16, on the way to a second-set win.   

Heather Guino-o and Jovielyn Prado paced the Fighting Warays with 7 points each. – Rappler.com

LAS VEGAS, USA – Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday, October 3, denied accusations by a former American model that he raped her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009 and said his conscience is clear.

Ronaldo's denial came as lawyers for his accuser said they had obtained damning correspondence between the footballer and his legal team.

The case has threatened the reputation of the Portuguese superstar, arguably the world's best footballer, with Las Vegas police this week saying they would reopen their file on the matter.

"I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me," he tweeted in Portuguese and English.

"Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in," said the 33-year-old Juventus forward.

"My clear conscious (sic) will thereby allow me to await with tranquility the results of any and all investigations," he added on his Twitter feed @Cristiano, which has nearly 75 million followers.

Kathryn Mayorga, 34, of Las Vegas, accused Ronaldo, in a 32-page lawsuit filed last month with a district court in Nevada, of raping her on June 13, 2009.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.</p>&mdash; Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/1047490574687907841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

{/source}

Las Vegas police this week said they were reopening a case filed on that date but did not identify the victim or the alleged perpetrator by name.

Complicating matters, Jacinto Rivera, a spokesman for the department, told AFP Mayorga did not identify Ronaldo by name at the time of her complaint and was "uncooperative."

Mayorga's lawsuit, however, said she had named the footballer to police "within weeks of the initial report."

'She said no'  

Larissa Drohobyczer, one of Mayorga's lawyers, told reporters that whistle-blowing website Football Leaks had provided documents that showed correspondence between Ronaldo and his team of fixers around the time of the incident, which they are considering making public.

According to the alleged leak, Ronaldo told his fixers: "She said 'no' and 'stop' several times," in his written correspondence to them.

Mayorga alleges she was pressured into signing a nondisclosure agreement in 2010 to keep the alleged rape secret and is seeking at least $200,000 in penalties and damages.

The complaint was first reported by the German magazine Der Spiegel. Lawyers for Ronaldo have reportedly threatened to sue the magazine over the story.

In the suit, Mayorga said she met Ronaldo, who was then 24 years old, on the evening of June 12, 2009 at the Rain Nightclub in the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

It said she accepted an invitation to join Ronaldo and others in his penthouse suite to "enjoy the view of the Las Vegas strip."

#MeToo movement  

She was invited to join guests in a hot tub but declined because she did not have a bathing suit, the complaint said.

Ronaldo offered her clothing and then followed her into a bathroom where she was going to change clothes, it said.

After she refused his demand to perform oral sex and said she wanted to leave, Ronaldo pulled her into a bedroom and anally raped her while she screamed "no, no, no," according to the suit.

"When Cristiano Ronaldo completed the sexual assault of the plaintiff, he allowed her to leave the bedroom stating he was sorry, he was usually a gentleman," it said.

The lawsuit said Mayorga reported the alleged assault to police the same day and was examined at a local hospital.

It said the assault left her with "severe emotional and bodily injuries including but not limited to anal contusions, post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression."

Under pressure from Ronaldo's "fixers," Mayorga settled the case "in exchange for a payment of $375,000 and non-disclosure of the sexual assault," the lawsuit said.

It claimed the agreement should be voided because she was "incompetent and lacked the mental capacity to participate in negotiations and settlement of her claims due to the injuries suffered during the initial sexual assault."

Leslie Stovall, another lawyer for Mayorga, told reporters his client had suffered years of trauma as a result of the alleged attack, but had found the strength to speak out thanks to the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault at the hands of powerful men. 

"The MeToo movement and the women who have stood up and disclosed sexual assaults has given Kathryn a lot of courage, and has enabled her to come forward," he said.

Ronaldo is a five-time winner of FIFA's men's player of the year award.

The Portuguese striker, a married father of four, left Real Madrid this year to join Juventus for 100 million euros ($117 million). – Rappler.com

PARIS, France – Lionel Messi struck twice as Barcelona inflicted more Champions League pain on Tottenham with a 4-2 win at Wembley on Wednesday, October 3, while Neymar hit a brilliant hat-trick in Paris Saint-Germain's 6-1 rout of Red Star Belgrade.

Philippe Coutinho scored after just two minutes for Barcelona, who arrived in London winless in three La Liga matches, with Ivan Rakitic drilling in a magnificent second.

Messi, who had earlier twice hit the post, then got on the scoresheet in between goals from Harry Kane and Erik Lamela, before the Argentina superstar grabbed his second late on to seal victory.

"After a few bad results it was important to do well today. Our response was very good," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.

Barca head Group B on 6 points alongside Inter Milan, but Mauricio Pochettino's side face a vital double-header against PSV Eindhoven after failing to collect a point from their opening two matches.

The Tottenham boss admitted Spurs had few answers for Messi as his team was left with an uphill struggle to reach the knockout stages.

"He's a fantastic player," said Pochettino. "His average performance is this type of game. He's always above everything."

Inter, the last Italian club to win the Champions League in 2010, again recovered from a goal down to beat PSV 2-1 in the Netherlands.

A cracking Pablo Rosario strike put PSV ahead, but Inter levelled through Radja Nainggolan moments after visiting goalkeeper Samir Handanovic somehow escaped a red card for handling outside his area.

Mauro Icardi, whose late goal stunned Spurs a fortnight ago, was the hero again for Luciano Spalletti's men as he pounced on hesitant defending to net the winner on the hour.

PSG rebounded from their 3-2 defeat by Liverpool with an attacking masterclass against 1991 European Cup winners Red Star at the Parc des Princes.

Neymar curled in a sublime free kick to open the scoring on 20 minutes, quickly doubling his tally before Edinson Cavani, Angel di Maria and Kylian Mbappe also found the target.

Former Germany international Marko Marin popped up with a consolation for Red Star, with Neymar completing his hat-trick from another stunning free-kick.

"I really liked the effort made by the whole team, but Neymar was sensational," said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.

"He is one of the best players in Europe and that is very, very important for us."

 Insigne sinks Liverpool 

Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli top Group C on 4 points after Lorenzo Insigne delivered a 90th-minute winner at home to Liverpool, who are level on 3 alongside PSG.

Dries Mertens hit the bar for Napoli late on, but there was still time for Insigne to nick all 3 points at the death as he slid to poke in a cross from Jose Callejon.

"Tonight we showed this group won't just be hard for Napoli, but for everyone involved," said Ancelotti. "It means a lot to us to have won against the finalists from last year."

Antoine Griezmann scored two goals to lift Atletico Madrid, last season's Europa League winners, to a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in Spain.

Arnaut Groeneveld cancelled out Griezmann's opener with a thunderous strike from the left wing, but the France international restored Atletico's lead before Koke made the points safe in stoppage time.

"I said it last season and I'll say it again – Griezmann is the best player in the world," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. 

Borussia Dortmund lead Atletico at the top of Group A on goal difference following their 3-0 defeat of a struggling Monaco outfit.

Jacob Bruun Larsen broke the deadlock in Germany shortly after his introduction as a half-time substitute, with Paco Alcacer finding the net just minutes after smacking a penalty against the bar.

Marco Reus fired in a third from a Bruun Larsen cross, leaving Dortmund and Atletico on 6 points apiece ahead of their upcoming home-and-away meetings.

In Group D, American international midfielder Weston McKennie hit an 88th-minute winner as struggling Schalke edged Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0.

Porto are joint-top with Schalke following a 1-0 win over Galatasaray courtesy of Moussa Marega's second-half goal in Portugal. – Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA – Boxing risks being thrown out of the Olympics unless the sport's ruling body addresses "grave" concerns regarding its governance, the International Olympic Committee executive board said on Wednesday, October 3.  

A strongly worded IOC statement warned that the International Boxing Association (AIBA) must tackle governance issues at its upcoming congress or it could face sanctions.

"The Executive Board of the IOC today expressed its ongoing extreme concern with the grave situation within the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and its current governance," the board said in a statement.

"These include the circumstances of the establishment of the election list and the misleading communication within the AIBA membership regarding the IOC's position."

The executive board, meeting in Buenos Aires where the Youth Olympic Games begin on Saturday, said the troubles in the AIBA affect "not just the reputation of AIBA and boxing but of sport in general."

"Therefore, the IOC reiterates its clear position that if the governance issues are not properly addressed to the satisfaction of the IOC at the forthcoming AIBA Congress, the existence of boxing on the Olympic programme and even the recognition of AIBA as an International Federation recognised by the IOC are under threat."

The IOC warned in July that boxing could still be axed from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if the AIBA did not put its house in order.

In February the IOC said they were worried by the nomination of Uzbek businessman Gafur Rakhimov for the AIBA's interim presidency.

However Rakhimov, who has been linked to organized crime by the US Treasury Department, is now the only candidate for the presidency to be voted on at the AIBA congress in Moscow in November.

In attempting to force change at the AIBA this year, the IOC had already suspended financial contributions from the IOC to the AIBA.

Even though the IOC believes sweeping change is needed at the AIBA, the governing body voiced support for boxers themselves.

"At the same time we would like to reassure the athletes that the IOC will – as it has always done in such situations and is currently doing at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 – do its utmost to ensure that the athletes do not have to suffer under these circumstances and that we will protect their Olympic dream." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Olympians Hidilyn Diaz and Marestella Torres-Sunang are among the Filipina athletes supporting the Expanded Maternity Leave Act of 2018. 

Under the act, a separate provision will allow pregnant athletes to continue receiving their allowances and other benefits. They will also be allowed to go on maternity leave until they are cleared to train again. 

The bill – which would grant 105 days of paid maternity leave to all working mothers – was ratified by the Senate and the House of Representatives last Wednesday, October 3. 

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano pushed for the athletes' provision after hearing that pregnancy is among the concerns of several female athletes. 

"Kung maging law siya lalong lalo sa sports maging masaya kami," Diaz, the weightlifting star who bagged an Olympic silver in 2016, told Rappler. "Iba kasi norm sa sports pag nabuntis ka na di mo na kaya [maging athlete]." 

(We'll be thrilled if it's going to be a law especially in sports. In sports, the norm is that if you get pregnant, you can't go back to being an athlete.) 

Many bemedalled athletes in the past have defied the odds, continuing their athletic careers after giving birth like Philippine long jump queens Elma Muros-Posadas and Marestella Torres-Sunang. 

"Pag naipasa yong bill na yan malaking tulong po iyan sa mga atleta na my plano pang  bumalik [sa sport nila]," Torres-Sunang said in a text message to Rappler. 

(If this bill is passed, then it will be a big help to those athletes who have plans of returning to their sports.) 

"Dahil nung time ko as in zero support and even nung bumalik na ako sa training wala pa rin sila [Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and government] support sa akin. Inantay nila mag compete ako then noong nag-compete na ako at ako pa rin ang No. 1 jumper sa Philippines, they just gave me [a] rate for training pool allowance." 

(During my time, there was zero support and even when I went back to training, there was still no support from the government. They waited for me to compete, then when I completed and was still the No. 1 jumper in the Philippines, they just gave me a rate for training pool allowance.) 

Torres-Sunang had to support herself with her savings during the 9 months she was pregnant with her son in 2013. After giving birth on January 25, 2014, she was just lucky to have a sponsor who funded her when she returned to training in March 2014. 

"At inantay pa nila (PATAFA and government) ang 2015 SEA Games bago ako mabigyan ng full support," added Torres-Sunang. 

(PATAFA and the government waited for the 2015 SEA Games before giving me full support.) 

But what made Torres-Sunang's journey remarkable was that she booked a ticket to her second Olympic Games by leaping to a Philippine record-breaking mark of 6.72m in the 2016 Kazakhstan Open. 

After a lackluster 2018 Asian Games stint, the Pinay long jumper decided that her last leap for the Philippines would be in the 2019 SEA Games in front of the home crowd. 

"Depende sa determination ng atleta kaya believe kami kay Ate Maris (Marestella)," said Diaz, who's inspired by veteran Filipina athletes like the 37-year-old long jumper. 

(It depends on the determination of the athlete that why we believe in Ate Marestella) 

The Expanded Maternity Leave Act is just waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature before it will be proclaimed a law. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Perpetual Help Altas edged out the San Sebastian Stags in an NCAA Season 94 men's basketball tournament overtime thriller, 85-77, at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Thursday, October 4.

However, uncertainty still clouds the 10-5 Altas as they're currently at the center of yet another eligibility issue that may forfeit their victories. (READ: Perpetual may forfeit 9 wins due to ineligibility issues)

Interestingly, they beat the 4-11 San Sebastian, the last team to get hit with forfeitures this season which ultimately eliminated them from contention, at least for now. (READ: NCAA forfeits San Sebastian’s wins)

If an NCAA team were to push for a complaint and the Altas' wins are overturned, the Stags would be awarded two victories, reinstating them in the Final Four hunt.

Tied at 69-all at the end of regulation, the Altas erupted for an 8-2 run ending with a shot clock buzzer-beating floater from the embattled Edgar Charcos, 77-71 with 2:23 left in OT.

With both teams in the penalty, Prince Eze and AJ Coronel calmly drained 4 straight free throws for a 10-point Altas lead, 81-71.

Stags head coach Egay Macaraya then got thrown out of the court after his second technical foul with only 39.7 ticks left in the extra period.

Allyn Bulanadi sank a last-ditch triple to end the game just down 8, 77-85.

Eze played all 45 minutes and finished with 25 points and 23 rebounds with 4 blocks to boost his MVP campaign. Charcos finished with 12 markers, 7 assists and 6 boards, albeit with 7 turnovers.

Alvin Capobres led the Stags with 18 points and 3 steals. Bulanadi and RK Ilagan chipped in 16 points apiece on a combined 8/18 (44%) clip from downtown. 

The Scores

Perpetual 85 – Eze 25, Coronel 15, Razon 13, Charcos 12, Aurin 9, Peralta 9, Mangalino 2, Cuevas 0.

San Sebastian 77 – Capobres 18, Ilagan 16, Bulanadi 16, Calisaan 8, Valdez 8, Calma 4, Baytan 3, Sumoda 2, Villapando 2, Dela Cruz 0, Desoyo 0, Isidro 0, Are 0, Arciaga 0.

Quarter Scores: 17-9, 30-21, 49-43, 69-69, 85-77 (OT). 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Not much is going right for the National U Bulldogs.

Apart from super rookie Dave Ildefonso performing as advertised, the team has been in disarray and has skidded down to 4 straight losses, tying UST and UE at the bottom with identical 1-4 records.

Luckily for the upstart Bulldogs, they may have just another breakout rookie in their midst to lift them up from the cellar.

Enter homegrown high school star John Lloyd Clemente, who just recorded a career-high 15 points off the bench in their close 68-73 loss to the FEU Tamaraws  on Wednesday, October 3.

Apart from his 15 points, the former UAAP juniors champion and Mythical Five member from the NU Bullpups drained 3-of-9 (33%) threes, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 4 assists. Prior to this game, Clemente averaged 6.8 points, 3.8 boards and 1.5 dimes on an ice-cold 23.8% clip in almost 23 minutes a game.

Ildefonso gave glowing reviews of his juniors foe-turned-friend despite the blown game.

“All credit goes to him. He did a good job. ‘Yun ‘yung silver lining this game,” he said. “We might have lost, but at least we were able to get John Lloyd going. Sana madala niya ‘yung performance ngayon sa mga future games namin.” (Hopefully he’ll be able to bring his level of performance today to our future games.)

While Clemente was pleased with his individual accolade, it didn’t matter to him that much given how the game turned out.

“For me, the other game talo kami kasi na-feel nila absence ko. ‘Di rin ako nakatulong sa team nung ibang games,” said the 6-foot-3 swingman.

“Pero ngayon ginawa ko naman ‘yung game ko, naging maayos. Pero talo pa rin. Para sa’kin, ‘di ako masaya kasi maganda nga game ko, pero talo kami.”

(For me, we lost the last game because they felt my absence. I also wasn’t able to help the team out in the other games. But today, I was able to get it going. Still, a loss is a loss. For me, I’m not happy with my good game because we still lost.)

Like Ildefonso, Clemente is also hoping that his cold spell has ended.

“Starting ngayon, malaki na maitutulong ko,” he said. “Ayoko na matalo kaya talagang pagbubutihin ko na every game.”

(Starting today, I will have a better contribution. I don’t want to lose anymore so I will really step it up every game.)

For the veteran Jarin, meanwhile, he’s just picking the positives from the negatives amid their bad run.

“Of course we should always be happy when your boys give the effort. You never coach effort,” he said.

“You’re happy with the effort, but you’re disappointed with the results. It’s like that not only for me but for all of the coaches. You’re disappointed every time you lose. But you always look ahead. You can’t go back. You just learn from the setback and hopefully the next ones, the result will be different.”

NU still has a chance to finish the first round at a manageable 3-4 slate. Clemente will surely want to be a part of that run. – Rappler.com