LONDON, England - Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic were named the women's and men's players of the year by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Tuesday, December 22.

Both won 3 of the 4 Grand Slams in 2015 and are well clear in the world rankings.

Williams, who was named 'ITF World Champion' for the sixth time, won 5 titles throughout the year, finishing with a 53-3 win-loss record. 

After winning Wimbledon in July she also held all 4 Grand Slam titles at the same time for the second time in her career, which she previously dubbed a 'Serena Slam' in contrast to a calendar Grand Slam.

"It means a lot to me to be named the ITF World Champion for the sixth time. I am proud to have achieved my second Serena Slam, in what has been an amazing year for me," she said in an ITF statement.

Djokovic, who finished the year as men's number one for the fourth time, won the award for a fifth time.

He managed a career-best 11 titles and finished with an 82-6 record.

He got even closer to the Grand Slam than Williams, who was beaten in the US Open semi-finals, as he only missed out on a first Roland Garros crown in the final against Stan Wawrinka.

"My season was the best of my career with many highlights. It inspires me even more to keep on going, and I hope to continue to play at this level in 2016," he said.

India's Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis of Switzerland were named the women's doubles champions with Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau of Romania picking up the men's award. – Rappler.com

Player Of The Year: Misagh Bahadoran. The Iranian-raised Bahadoran was always brimming with promise. In 2015 he made the potential bear fruit with 3 goals in World Cup qualifying that briefly gave the Azkals Nation hope for Russia in 2018.

Wait, 3 goals? There is a case to be made that the goal in the Bahrain game credited to Javi Patiño was really off the boot of Lord Misagh. Watch the footage and be the judge. Bahadoran had earlier given the team an opener with a stab off a Phil Younghusband assist.

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The Global star's pace, guile and finishing were also on hand to help his club reach the final 4 of the Singapore Cup, where he wore the captain's armband with pride. Bahadoran has also proven to be a versatile attacker, effective on either wing and also up top, where Global coach Leigh Manson deployed him.

Goal Of The Year: Stephan Schrӧck versus Uzbekistan.

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September 8, 2015 was a rough day for Philippine football. The Azkals were getting bullied in their own house, the Philippine Stadium in Bulacan, by a more skilled Central Asian side. Trailing 4-0 after an hour in the pouring rain, substitute Stephan Schrӧck was given a free kick a good forty yards away from the Uzbek goal. 

“I saw we wouldn't win a header if I cross the ball in,” recounted the Greuther Furth man. (The Uzbeks were taller than the Azkals.) 

“So I only had two options: play short to Kevin (Ingreso), or look if the GK is on his way.” 

The Filipino-German did indeed spy Alexander Lobanov creeping off his line and so he launched an audacious curling missile that soared a few feet over Lobanov and into the net, sparking celebrations in the stands.

The Philippines eventually lost that match 5-1, but for one brief moment, we had a reason to cheer on that moist and dreary evening. 

“I think this was one of my best goals,” says Schrӧck.

My personal Honorable Mentions: This lovely long-range effort from Daisuke Sato against Jeepney.

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It's not every day you see a goal scored from a yard inside the center circle, much less by a female player. FEU's Daidai Dolino did just that in the UAAP final against UP. Carli who?

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Coach Of The Year: Kim Chul Su, FEU Tamaraws. There were a few successful coaches in 2015 who won titles. Ali Go won the UFL League with Ceres. Simon McMenemy steered Loyola to the Smart-PFF National Championship. And player-coach Chris Greatwich picked up his first bit of coaching silverware when Kaya won the UFL Cup.

But Coach Kim gets the nod. The avuncular Korean completed a UAAP back-to-back with Far Eastern's senior team with a thrilling 3-2 extra time win over De La Salle in March. Relive all the goals here.

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The game capped a topsy-turvy Season 77 campaign where they were far from the dominant team. They even lost a game against a non-Final Four team, NU. DLSU were the top-seed going into the playoffs but the Tams pipped them to the title. 

Kim also ended up coaching Manila Jeepney in the UFL, a team that was, for all intents and purposes, FEU with white or navy jerseys minus Paolo Bugas and Jhan Jhan Melliza. The beep-beep crew produced one of the shocks of the tournament when they defeated Ceres 2-1 late in the league. True, Ceres had sewn up the title by then, but still, for a virtually university-level side to defeat the best side in the land was an achievement. 

In October FEU added yet another trophy to the cabinet by defeating UP 3-0 in the Ang Liga league final. Kim was even confident enough to start his younger players in that game, with rookie Dave Deloso rewarding his faith with the first goal. It was only later in the game did Kim deploy his regular starters when it was clear that UP were going to be a tough nut to crack.

But Kim's influence goes beyond his men's senior team. In 2015 FEU completed the “Double Treble,” with back-to-back crowns in the UAAP Seniors, Juniors, and Women's competitions. FEU's ladies also won the PFF Women's Cup. Kim's fingerprints are all over these championships as well. 

UAAP MVP Paolo Bugas says Kim is a stickler for technical fundamentals, making sure that his charges have honed them long before they step onto the pitch. 

He can also be tough with players, but according to Bugas it's his way of bringing out the best in every Tamaraw.

“Ang Korean style dina-down ka niya tapos ikaw bahala mag-adjust kasi nasa player naman kung paano tanggapin. Syempre as a player babawi ka at babawi ka talaga para gumanda yung laro mo.” (It's the Korean way to bring you down or criticize you then it's up to the player how he accepts it. Of course as a player you want to bounce back so you perform better.) 

Bugas also notices that Kim introduces a whole new training program every year to keep things fresh so that the players can reach a new level.

Game Of The Year: UP 3, FEU 3, February 5, 2015. The Diliman Derby was magical on this day. Three quality header goals from Nicolas Ferrer, Jinggoy Valmayor, and Feb Baya within the first half hour meant UP lead 2-1 before a Jhan Jhan Melliza penalty leveled matters. 

The Tams thought they had taken the lead for good with a superb volley from Tata Chavez in the 54^th. But that only set up a classic finish in the 93^rd minute. Watch the goals and the jaw-dropping conclusion to an unforgettable football match.

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Breakout Player Of The Year: Paolo Salenga. The striker/winger completed a solid collegiate career with NU as their captain and main attacking threat. But better things were on offer for him this year.

Salenga scored a remarkable header consolation goal in an U22 game versus Thailand. Catch it in the very end of this clip. Start watching at 6:40, I don't recommend watching anything before that.

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Salenga struck again in the Southeast Asian Games, once again off an assist from from Kennedy Uzoka in the match versus Cambodia. Watch starting at 1:07.

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Salenga went on to score another international goal for Global in the Singapore Cup, a cheeky outside-the-boot chipped volley against Geylang that helped them reach the semis. Have a look at the footage from the 1:40 mark.

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There was more from the Kapampangan marksman. Check out this terrific volley for Global versus Kaya. 

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The youngster has pace and finishing ability to threaten for a spot on the Azkals sooner than later. Salenga might turn out to be our footballing Olson Racela: solid in college, great as a pro. 

Save(s) Of The Year: Nick O'Donnell versus Ceres in the UFL Cup Final. “It was surreal,” recalled Kaya's Filipino-Canadian netminder of the UFL Cup Final Penalty shootout against Ceres last August.

“I just had a strong feeling where they were going to shoot and then I went the right way. I felt no pressure at all and when the final whistle blew it was pure ecstasy.” 

When O'Donnell refers to “they.” he speaks of none other than Martin Steuble and Paul Mulder, veteran Azkals whom he stoned in the 4-2 penalty shootout win after the sides finished 1-1 after extra time. O'Donnell leaped to his right to deny Paul Mulders then went the other way to parry clear Steuble's attempt. 

O'Donnell also starred in a penalty shootout in the semifinals against Stallion. The kid is ripe for a recall back to the Azkals, especially during the Suzuki Cup, where European-based goalies Neil Etheridge and Roland Müller will likely not be available. 

Wackiest Game Of The Year: Green Archers United Globe 9, Pachanga 5, June 20, 2015. Last year I gave this award to FEU and UST, who combined for 11 goals in a weird 7-4 win by the Tams. This year the Archers and Pachanga went 3 scores better. 

Sadly there does not seem to be an available video for this game. But I was there in Rizal Memorial and I saw Robert Lopez-Mendy strike 4 times for GAU, with Melliza and Jimuel Ariola also getting in on the action. Great goals by Hamid Hajimehdi and Valmayor for Pachanga weren't enough to overturn the massive haul by the Archers. 

Lets hope for more unpredictability in the coming year for Pinoy Football fans. – Rappler.com

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MANILA, Philippines – ONE Championship has released the official autopsy report of Chinese fighter Yang Jian Bing, who died hours before the promotion’s year-end event dubbed “Spirit of Champions” last December 11. 

The results of the autopsy determined that Yang died due to an acute myocardial infarction, contrary to circulating report that rhabdomyolysis was the cause and manner of death.

According to Cleveland Clinic’s website, the aforementioned diagnosis remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide as it occurs when the myocardial ischemia, a diminished blood supply to the heart, exceeds a critical threshold and overwhelms myocardial cellular repair mechanisms designed to maintain normal operating function and homeostasis.

The article added that the ischemia at its critical threshold level for an extended period results in irreversible myocardial cell damage or death.

The autopsy was performed by Dr Voltaire Nulud, who was the acting medical legal officer on duty, shortly after the passing of Yang on December 11 at 12:06 pm.

(READ: Angela Lee pays tribute to MMA fighter who died before ONE FC card)

In ONE’s press statement, Asia’s largest mixed martial arts promotion disclosed that Yang’s remains have been repatriated back to China after his family and friends held a private vigil. 

“Yang Jian Bing's passing has been an extremely sad and painful time for me and the entire MMA community. My thoughts are with Yang’s family, friends, and fans around the world," Company head honcho Victor Cui said.

Yang, who is listed as age 21 with a 5-1 (1 no contest) record on Sherdog.com, was originally slated to face Filipino stalwart Geje Eustaquio in a 3-round flyweight contest on the undercard of ONE: Spirit of Champions, but the bout was cancelled as the Chinese competitor was unable to make weight.

At first, ONE was tight-lipped regarding Yang’s condition as neither fighter attended the official weigh-in, which took place a day before the actual event.

In Eustaquio's Facebook post on Friday morning of December 11, he revealed that his Chinese opponent was rushed to the hospital after suffering dehydration and possible heat stroke. (READ: Eustaquio remains grateful despite ONE FC bout's cancellation)

Yang turned professional in 2013 and competed his first 4 matches under the Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation banner before fighting his first fight in ONE at its "Warrior's Quest" card this past May.

Yang suffered his first loss in his last fight, a split-decision to Ze Wu in June on a card in which he fought twice in the same night. – Rappler.com

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—This week’s RAW hosted the annual year-ending Slammy Awards. But since everyone knows the Slammys are just an American Idol-style contrivance that isn’t really reflective of any important opinions, allow me to host my own year-end WWE awards. (For whatever it’s worth.) 

Rookie of the Year: Kevin Owens

Could there be any doubt? Kevin Owens has had such a tremendous 2015—debuting late last year, winning the NXT Championship almost right off the bat, impressing people on his first few outings on RAW, and eventually winning the Intercontinental Championship—that I’m now kind of scared what 2016 holds for him, because the only thing better than this is a main event run. He’s so good at being a modern-day, Reality Era heel that he even throws seemingly-knowledgeable fans for a loop by how he does it. 

The only thing going against him is that there are so many rumors swirling about his appearance and how some people don’t like it, but I’d like to think those qualms were dispelled the moment he won the Intercontinental Championship earlier this year. In a time where the show needs a lot of well-developed characters, Owens is an asset they can’t afford to bungle.

Honorable Mentions: Chad Gable and Apollo Crews from NXT.

Most Improved Wrestler: Roman Reigns

If there’s any better comeback story in wrestling this year than Roman Reigns getting absolutely slaughtered at the hands of the crowd during the Royal Rumble and redeeming himself in front of the same people last week on RAW, I’d love for you to comment down there and tell me all about it. I’ve already gone into detail about all of this last week, so I won’t repeat myself.

Honorable Mentions: Zack Ryder.

Flop of the Year: The Divas Revolution

Here you had 3 budding young women from NXT, wowing crowds with pure passion and athleticism, and they were reduced to a mere artificial story that completely missed the point of the NXT formula. Yes, giving the ladies time to work is an important part, but it also needs to be framed in a story that’s properly told and progresses organically. Ironically, Vince McMahon once famously claimed that they don’t do wrestling for wrestling’s sake—and the Divas Revolution showed the entire WWE Universe exactly why that philosophy is correct.

Honorable Mentions: The Lana/Rusev/Dolph Ziggler/Summer Rae love square, whatever Dolph Ziggler’s career was building up to

Manager of the Year: Paul Heyman

As much as I’d love to give all the credit to Xavier Woods for pretty much holding up the New Day on the mic, until he can start carrying feuds on his own while the other people involved are absent, he can’t have this award. Paul Heyman is taking this back-to-back because he’s just that damn good, and he shows no signs of stopping (if he were left to his own devices, of course). Sometimes it feels like we don’t even need Brock Lesnar or the Undertaker as long as Heyman is around.

Honorable Mentions: Xavier Woods, Lana.

Swerve of the Year: Seth Rollins cashes in Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 31

Here’s the beauty with rules: if you keep playing by them long enough, you’ll end up making a special moment when you do decide to break them (and break them well). Cashing it in this way was never a scenario anyone thought was legal (possible, but not legal) until this happened, and that’s the real definition of a swerve; it’s a thing that’s few and far between now in the advent of the Internet and dirtsheets and round-the-clock rumors and spoilage. Even though it has yet to be used again since, it adds a whole new dimension to how a championship match can be structured. (It also helps a lot that the swerve came in a situation people thought was helpless.)

Honorable Mentions: Jushin Thunder Liger comes to NXT, Roman Reigns wins the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on RAW, Undertaker turning heel against Brock Lesnar at Battleground 2015.

Promo of the Year: Paul Heyman’s “Latin prayer” promo

Don’t you just love it when Heyman gets all fired up and starts speaking in tongues?

Honorable Mentions: Dean Ambrose’s own take of “Hard Times”, New Day singing a modified version of “Empire State of Mind”

Tag Team of the Year: The New Day

Once upon a time, the New Day was a laughingstock in the entire WWE roster—a sincere but misguided representation of Vince McMahon’s out-of-touch narrative sensibilities. The reason why they win the Tag Team of the Year award is because of the insane turnaround they were able to pull off (but the only reason they didn’t win Most Improved is because they were already all solid wrestlers to begin with). Nobody consistently garners as much heat as the New Day (not even Kevin Owens, who still gets love no matter what he tries to do) and that is why they have been made to hold the tag titles twice this year and put in the main event spot more than once. New. Day rocks.

Honorable Mentions: None. There is no one else.

Female Wrestler of the Year: Nikki Bella

Okay, okay. I can hear you. You’re mad at me because the name after the colon doesn’t read “Sasha Banks.”

Listen—for all the flak WWE fans give Nikki for being a model-turned-wrestler, nobody can deny that in 2015, Nikki Bella was arguably the most consistent-performing wrestler in their division. Sure, Banks is an even-better wrestler, especially when she was reigning atop the NXT Women’s division, and Paige has experience and pedigree. But Banks was somewhat diluted upon reaching the main roster and Paige stumbled into her mean streak later in the year—meanwhile, Nikki already knows what kind of wrestler she wanted to be, stuck to it, and has consistenly produced solid matches (especially without the help of a few weeks’ worth of lead time before NXT TakeOvers) all year. In fact, I’d argue that that’s why she’s currently out with an injury.

Don’t worry, haters; I fully believe 2016 will be both Sasha and Charlotte’s years.

Honorable Mentions: Sasha Banks, Bayley.

Male Wrestler of the Year: Seth Rollins

It’s sad that both my Wrestler of the Year picks are out with respective injuries of varying degrees, but I have to point to those injuries as some sort of badge of honor that justifies their status. Seth Rollins was my Wrestler of the Year pick last year, and it doesn’t change now because the man literally needs to get hurt to stop going. (And even then, he’d still try to go.) The man put his life on the line challenging for a championship, defending it as best as he can, winning another one, and then defending both titles on the same night without missing a step. Beyond guys named John Cena, who else can do that?

Honorable Mentions: John Cena, Kevin Owens.

Match of the Year: Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (vs. Seth Rollins) for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, WrestleMania 31

To be honest with you, it’s much harder picking out just one match for Match of the Year. No matter what you think of 2015 story-wise, there’s just so much good wrestling coming out of the WWE that regardless of which way you go with this award, you’re going to do a huge injustice to the others that came out this year.

I’ve already talked about this in the Swerve of the Year award, but let me buttress this argument further by citing just how cathartic the ending was. It also helps that this match was the first milestone of Roman Reigns’s 2015 turnaround, an effort where he finally looked like he was holding up his own (it’s impossible to have a bad match with Daniel Bryan). Brock Lesnar, meanwhile, was Brock Lesnar and that was enough for us. Everything just came together—even the unexpected, which is always a gamble.

Honorable Mentions: The John Cena vs. Cesaro series, Cena vs. Owens series, Sasha Banks vs. Bayley series

*****

What do you think? Awards are rarely ever a totally objective thing, and I’m sure we’re disagreeing in more than a few parts here. Let us know who you think really won. Merry Christmas! – Rappler.com

TORONTO, Canada – Toronto guard DeMar DeRozan scored a game-high 28 points and the Raptors held off a late rally to beat visiting Dallas 103-99 Tuesday, December 22 (Wednesday, December 23 in Manila) in an NBA thriller.

Raptors guard Kyle Lowry added 17 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists while center Bismack Biyombo scored 9 points and grabbed a career-best 20 rebounds and Luis Scola added 15 points and 9 rebounds for Toronto.

"They all came up big," DeRozan said. "We needed everybody tonight."

The Raptors never trailed, up by as many as 18 points in the first quarter and well ahead when the Mavericks brought in a reserve unit with barely 5 minutes remaining.

The Mavericks battled back and trailed by only two points with 11.6 seconds to play on a Jeremy Evans layup, but Evans missed a free throw and Toronto's Terrence Ross made two free throws, the last of his 16 points, to finish the scoring.

"It was a big win," DeRozan said. "We finished ugly but we got a big win. We knew they were going to make a run but we were able to withstand it."

German star forward Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks (15-13) with 20 points and seven rebounds. He stands 10 points shy of passing Shaquille O'Neal for sixth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

At Miami, Detroit sank 15 three-pointers and erased an early 18-point deficit to edge the Heat 93-92.

Reggie Jackson scored 18 points to lead the Pistons while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Stanley Johnson each added 14 points and Steve Blake had 12, while Andre Drummond scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Chris Bosh scored 20 points, Dwyane Wade added 19 and Hassan Whiteside finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Heat, who fell to 16-11.

Wade and Bosh each missed jumpers in the closing seconds as Detroit hung on for the victory, the Pistons' fifth in 6 games.

76ers lose again

At Denver, retiring Kobe Bryant matched his season high with 31 points to power the Los Angeles Lakers over the host Nuggets 111-107.

Bryant hit two free throws and a jumper in the final minute to secure the victory, with Denver fans chanting his name in the closing seconds.

The Lakers improved the worst record in the Western Conference to 5-23 and rose to 3-16 on the road this season. Denver fell to 11-17.

The Nuggets led by 21 points, their largest lead in any game this season, but were outscored 32-16 in the third quarter as the Lakers fought back.

At Philadelphia, Memphis center Marc Gasol scored 19 points and added 6 rebounds and five assists while guard Mike Conley added 18 points and 6 assists as the visiting Grizzlies ripped the host 76ers 104-90.

The 76ers suffered their 11th loss in a row and have the worst 30-game start in NBA history at 1-29. Rookie center Jahlil Okafor led Philadelphia with 18 points. The 76ers turned the ball over 28 times, resulting in 36 Memphis points, and missed 11 of 32 free throws.– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – In an effort to help victims of Typhoon Nona, current and former UAAP basketball and volleyball players participated in a charity volleyball game held on Wednesday, December 23, at the San Juan Arena.

Despite being prepared just 5 days prior to the day of the game, Ateneo star athletes Kiefer Ravena and Alyssa Valdez were able to set up the event, titled “FASTBR3AK,” which raised 500,000 pesos for Philippine National Red Cross.

The athletes were divided into two teams: Team Alyssa and Team Kiefer, with the former winning in 3 sets, 22-25, 25-21, 30-28.

Notable names who participated include UST basketball star Kevin Ferrer, NU basketball star Gelo Alolino, former Ateneo volleyball stars Gretchen Ho and Denden Lazaro, former NU volleyball star Jen Reyes, and more.

Re-live what happened through these vines:

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– Rappler.com

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy - Austrian skier Marcel Hirscher considers himself "lucky" after narrowly avoiding having a drone crash land on top of him at the World Cup slalom at Madonna di Campiglio, Italy on Tuesday, December 22.

Hirscher was hurtling down the mountain on his second run when the drone, which was being used to film television pictures of the course from above, came crashing down to the ground just inches away from the 26-year-old.

"That's my Christmas present! I'm not hurt and I was lucky," joked Hirscher.

Television footage shows the drone smashing to pieces as it hits the ground just behind Hirscher, with a propeller bouncing up into the air.

However, Hirscher took a more serious tone with journalists when adding: "It's unbelievable, it's incredible, shameful."

Hirscher revealed he had no idea at the time what had happened, believing an official charged with flattening out the piste after a competitor's run had hit the ground.

"I just heard a noise, I thought a groomer had fallen over," said Hirscher.

The drone was being operated by an expert employed by the host broadcaster Infront Sports and Media.

Both they and the International Ski Federation (FIS) apologized for the incident and vowed to ensure no such repeat occurred.

"While FIS and its partners aim to use new technology to enhance the fan experience, an accident such as the drone crash cannot happen again," said an FIS statement. 

"FIS and the host broadcaster will work together with all the involved parties to see what occurred during the crash and ensure that this will not happen again."

Absolute premiere

Prior to the event, organizers had been championing what they described as "unprecedented live TV images" from the first ever alpine skiing event to use a drone to film the race.

"The recipe of successful events is to be able to build over history, and experience, while always trying to pursue innovation, to be one step ahead of your time," boasted a press release on Saturday. 

"Supported by its over-60-year history the 3Tre (the Madonna di Campiglio World Cup race) is the perfect place where something revolutionary may happen and amaze millions of TV viewers around the world."

It added: "A drone will fly over the slope to air live images during the event, an absolute premiere in Audi FIS Ski World Cup."

However, the crash has convinced some athletes that drones have no place flying over a skiing race.

"That drone almost crushing @MarcelHirscher WHAT!!!" said American skier Steve Nyman on Twitter.

"Drones=good idea. Flying over people=bad idea."

While countries like Austria, Switzerland and France do not allow drones to be flown over crowds of people, that is not the case in Italy.

A France Televisions spokesman told AFP that while they do not film sporting events with drones, they do use them to show the spectacular landscape around the country during the three-week long Tour de France bicycle race.

It's not the first time a major sporting event has been disrupted by a wayward drone.

In October 2014, a European Championship qualifying match in Belgrade between Serbia and Albania was halted when violence broke out on and off the field after a drone flew over the pitch.

The drone was carrying a flag bearing a map of 'Greater Albania', which included Serbia, in a clear provocation between two Balkan nations with fragile ties, particularly since Kosovo, a former province of Serbia populated by mostly ethnic Albanians, declared independence in 2008 - a move not recognized by Belgrade.

At September's US Open tennis tournament, eventual women's champion Flavia Pennetta's second round match against Monica Niculescu was disrupted by a drone flying over the court and crashing in the stands.

Italian Pennetta admitted to being terrified by the incident at the time, believing it to be a bomb.

"I was a little bit scared, I have to say," Pennetta said. 

"I mean, with all the things that happen now in the world, I'm imagining, 'OK, it's a bomb'. 

"That was my first reaction. I think it's normal to think something like that."

A teacher from New York City was later arrested and faced a charge of reckless endangerment. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo collegiate stars Kiefer Ravena and Alyssa Valdez headlined a star-filled roster of volleyball and basketball players that participated in a charity volleyball game held at the San Juan Arena on Wednesday, December 23.

The “FASTBR3AK" charity game was used to raise money with the proceeds going to rehabilitating areas affected by Typhoon Nona, which hit areas of Central Luzon and Visayas last week.

The event was highlighted by a 3-set volleyball game between Team Alyssa and Team Kiefer, with the former winning, 2-1. It was announced that 500,000 pesos was raised.

Check out what happened through these photos:

– Rappler.com

MANCHESTER, England - Embattled Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal showed signs of cracking under pressure as he stormed out of a media briefing on Wednesday, December 23 after becoming annoyed by questions about his future.

Van Gaal has reportedly been given two games to save his job after United's miserable 6-match winless run cost his side their place in the Champions League and saw them drop out of the Premier League's top 4.

Rumors have been rife this week that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is about to be sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho, who was dismissed by Chelsea last Thursday.

Quizzed about the speculation by reporters at his weekly press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Stoke, Van Gaal quickly became irritated and it was less than 5 minutes before he decided he had had enough.

Refusing to take any more questions, the Dutchman walked out, saying as he passed a table of mince pies and wine that had been laid on for the media: "I wish you a merry Christmas and also maybe a happy new year when I see you.

"Enjoy the wine and a mince pie. Goodbye."

Van Gaal, who has overseen just 3 victories in United's last 13 games in all competitions, only answered 3 questions from the broadcast media and then refused to take any questions from the written press.

It was clear the 64-year-old was in an angry mood from the moment he took his seat in the media room at the club's Carrington training ground.

"Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologize to me? That's what I'm wondering," he snapped after being asked about (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger's claim Van Gaal's treatment had been "disrespectful".

Van Gaal, under intense pressure since last Saturday's 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to Norwich, said he has received calls of support from former United manager Alex Ferguson, as well as former chief executive David Gill and current executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Dismissal expected

Despite that backing he is widely expected to be dismissed by owners the Glazer family if United lose at Stoke on Boxing Day or at home to Chelsea on Monday, yet Van Gaal feels that he has been treated unfairly by the media.

"I think I was already sacked, I read I have been sacked. My colleague (Jose Mourinho) was here already," he said.

"What do you think happens with my wife or my kids? Or with my grandchildren? Or with the fans of Manchester United? Or my friends? What do you think?

"They have called me a lot of times and also Arsene Wenger is saying something about that. 

"So you think that I want to talk with the media now? I am here only because of the Premier League rules. I have to talk with you.

"But I can only see when I say something that you use my words in your context. And I want to say only that I have tried to lift the confidence of my players."

Van Gaal gave a speech to his squad at the players' Christmas lunch on Monday, urging them to show unity as they attempt to improve their form while enduring criticism from former United players, the club's fans and the media.

"I have done everything this week. I held meetings with the players with my members of staff, I hold a Christmas lunch, I did a speech and I feel the warmth and support of everybody in Carrington, at this training complex," he added.

"But I didn't feel that in the media and of course I can imagine that you can write about that subject. 

"We are not in a good position but four weeks ago we were first in the Premier League and in 4 weeks' time we can be back in that position again.

"I have received calls from Alex Ferguson and David Gill and Ed Woodward because you are creating something that is not good, what is not being the facts." – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA - Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry raised the tension levels for his Christmas showdown with Cleveland's LeBron James, saying he considers himself the world's best basketball player.

In an interview published Wednesday, December 23 the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player told Time magazine that in the next year, "you should expect me to keep getting better."

That's a bold statement from a player on pace to shatter his own one-season NBA record for 3-pointers, who had the Warriors off to a record 24-0 start, and looks set to smash the record for the best season in NBA history, the 72-10 mark by Chicago in 1995-96.

Curry leads the NBA with 31.8 points a game and his Warriors will face 4-time NBA MVP James and Cleveland on Friday for the first time since beating them in the NBA Finals last June.

James, 30, has long been considered the world's best player, but Curry said he sees himself in that role now.

"In my mind, yes. That's how I have confidence out there that I can play at a high level every night," said Curry, 27.

"I don't get into debates, arguing with people about why I am versus somebody else. I feel like anybody who's at the level I'm trying to be at, if you don't think that when you’re on the floor, then you're doing yourself a disservice."

Curry, whose father Dell was also an NBA long-range sharpshooter, says he embraces his growing role as what teammate Draymond Green calls "the face of the NBA."

"You've got to be a winner and have all the right trajectory as a player and as a team to back that up," said Curry.

"The way I try to represent my family and coaches I think all are characteristics the league aspires to portray. That's just who I am. It's not changing anything about me to fulfill that role."

Golf with Obama

Curry said the athlete he most admires is Jordan Spieth, this year's Masters and US Open golf champion.

"His maturity, the way he handles himself, his vision as a 22-year-old, is unbelievable," Curry said. "How composed he is, whether he played well or not, is unbelievable."

Curry played golf last summer with US President Barack Obama, his father and NBA legend Ray Allen, and said he was more nervous than when he was playing for the NBA crown.

"I feel comfortable on the court," Curry said. "There on the first tee, it was the president, my dad, Ray Allen, and 40 people in the clubhouse yelling Obama's name the whole time.

"I'm just trying to make sure I get it in the air. I sprayed it a good 40-50 yards right. But we played the breakfast ball rule. I got to re-tee it. I hit a decent one the next time. I birdied the first two holes."

Back in the NBA, Curry picked out Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul for special praise.

"The whole team aspect, the history between our two teams but also our history individually. I used to work out with him before my rookie year," said Curry.

"As you go through the league, you start to try to get to where somebody else is, try to stay there, and the whole competitive environment. But yeah, there are certain guys that drive you because of their success. - Rappler.com

MIAMI, USA - NBA superstars LeBron James and Steph Curry meet Friday as Cleveland and Golden State lock horns in a rematch of last season's NBA Finals, one of the league's 5 Christmas contests.

The eighth consecutive year with so many holiday games again features several of the league's top players and clubs, the prime attraction being reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Curry's Warriors taking on four-time MVP James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Warriors own the NBA's best record at 26-1 after winning their first 24 games, the best start to any season in NBA history, while Cleveland is off to an 18-7 start, the Eastern Conference's best record.

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 nights &#39;til <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAXmas?src=hash">#NBAXmas</a>! <a href="https://t.co/IRVtVuFugj">pic.twitter.com/IRVtVuFugj</a></p>&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/679911968304685057">December 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
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It will be their first meeting since the Warriors won their first title in 40 years by defeating Cleveland 4 games to two in the best-of-seven final.

Friday's festive lineup opens with New Orleans at Miami and continues with Chicago at Oklahoma City. After the Warriors play host to Cleveland, San Antonio will visit Houston before the finale matching the Los Angeles rivals Clippers and Lakers.

The games will be telecast in more than 40 languages to more than 215 nations.

(READ: Stephen Curry proclaims himself world's best basketball player)

In all, 33 players from beyond US borders will be on rosters in the 5 games, Cleveland and San Antonio having the most with 6 each. Australians have the most representatives with 5, including Golden State's Andrew Bogut and Cleveland's Matthew Dellavedova.

Kobe Bryant, who is retiring after his 20th and final NBA season, will make a record 16th Christmas appearance. He is the NBA's all-time scoring leader in December 25 contests with 383 points, including 42-point holiday heroics in a 2004 loss to former teammate Shaquille O'Neal and Miami.

The Heat is 9-2 on Christmas and seeking a seventh consecutive victory on the holiday, which would boost Miami past Portland's 14-3 mark for the NBA's all-time best win percentage in December 25 games.

Dwyane Wade ranks second in scoring on the holiday with 258 points from 10 games for Miami (16-11) while Pelicans (8-19) star Anthony Davis, the only player ranked among this season's top 10 scorers and rebounders and shot blockers, makes his Christmas debut.

Oklahoma City (19-9) boasts Kevin Durant, who has averaged 31.8 points in 5 Christmas starts, second only to retired NBA icon Jerry West (32.2) among players with 5 December 25 appearances. The Thunder also sparkle behind 2015 NBA All-Star Game MVP Russell Westbrook.

Chicago (15-11) has lost 3 games in a row and struggled to come together, prompting Spanish star Pau Gasol to urge the Bulls to end their squabbles and improve their level of play.

Curry is the NBA's runaway leader in 3-pointers with 131 through 27 games. He shattered his own NBA record for 3-pointers with 286 last year and is on pace to break it again with 397 for this season.

Golden State's Draymond Green, the top NBA forward in assists with 7.1 a game just ahead of James, could join the Cleveland playmaker plus Larry Bird and Grant Hill as the lone forwards in the past 40 years to average 7 assists in a season. – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA - Film director Spike Lee has joined the NBA in an initiative to fight gun violence in America, hoping that star power can succeed where politics has so far failed.

Lee will direct several commercials as part of the "End Gun Violence" campaign, with the first television spots to hit the air during National Basketball Association games airing on Christmas Day.

The television spots feature some of the sport's biggest stars, including Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls, and the LA Clippers' Chris Paul.

The ads, also sponsored by the non-profit group "Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund" will call on Americans to show their support for the effort on Twitter using the hashtag #EndGunViolence.

The campaign also will profile the survival stories of 35 gun violence victims from across the United States.

"All over America, people are tired of daily gun violence," Anthony said in a press release.

"Using my platform to speak out, I know we can keep guns out of the wrong hands and save lives," he said.

President Barack Obama's efforts to tighten US gun laws have repeatedly been blocked in the Republican-controlled Congress, despite the scourge of mass shootings.

Steph Curry, the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) last season, said a shooting this past summer that claimed the life of a three year old tot, struck close to home, as the father of a child the same age.

"I immediately thought of my 3-year-old daughter Riley," he said.

"Then I learned the horrible statistic that every day, 88 Americans are killed with guns and hundreds more are injured," Curry said. 

"We've come together as a country to solve problems before - gun violence should be no different." – Rappler.com 

NEW YORK, USA - Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki passed Shaquille O'Neal for sixth place on the NBA all-time scoring list Wednesday, scoring 22 points to help defeat host Brooklyn 119-118 in overtime.

The 37-year-old German sank a jumper over Andrea Bargnani 2:09 into the second quarter to push past the 10 points he needed to overtake O'Neal, who finished with 28,596 points.

"He's probably the most dominant big man to ever play this game so it's kind of surreal that I'm up there amongst these all-time greats," said Nowitzki, after reaching 28,609 points for his career.

"For a kid leaving Germany over 18 years ago who didn't know what to expect, it has been an amazing ride."

Nowitzki, who passed Moses Malone for seventh on the list last year at Brooklyn, could challenge Wilt Chamberlain's fifth-place total of 31,419 points if he returns to the NBA next season.

JJ Barea scored 32 points and had a game-high 11 assists to lead Dallas while Thaddeus Young paced the Nets with 29 and a game-high 10 rebounds.

At Cleveland, LeBron James scored 24 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and added five assists while Kevin Love had 23 points and 13 rebounds to power the Cavaliers over the visiting New York Knicks 91-84.

The Cavaliers, 19-7 after their sixth win in a row, squandered an 11-point lead but finished with an 11-2 run for the victory.

James scored nine points in the fourth quarter. He is averaging an NBA-best 8.7 points in the fourth quarter this season with Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis second at 7.7 a game in the last 12 minutes of regulation time.

At Golden State, the defending champion Warriors tuned up for their Friday showdown with Cleveland by routing Utah 103-85. 

Klay Thompson scored 20 points and Curry added 16 as the Warriors improved the NBA's best record to 27-1 and boosted their perfect home mark to 13-0. 

Aussie Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Golden State while Derrick Favors scored 17 to lead the Jazz, who fell to 12-15.

Sixers fall to 1-30

Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo made his first 11 shots and scored 22 points while Khris Middleton added 21 to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over Philadelphia 113-100.

The 76ers fell to 1-30 with their 12th loss in a row and remained winless on the road after 18 such starts.

At New Orleans, Anthony Davis scored 28 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to spark the host Pelicans past Portland 115-89.

San Antonio stretched its win streak to 7 games with a 108-83 victory at Minnesota.

Kawhi Leonard netted 19 points to lead 6 double-figure scorers for the Spurs, who also had 14 points from French guard Tony Parker and 13 from reserve David West.

The Spurs, with the NBA's second-best record at 25-5, have outscored foes by 408 points over 30 games, the second-largest margin so deep into a season in league history.

Randy Foye scored 31 points to lead the Denver Nuggets over host Phoenix 104-96. Brandon Knight led the Suns with 21 points.

Kelly Olynyk scored 20 points and Jae Crowder added 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead Boston to a 102-89 triumph at Charlotte while John Wall had 14 points and 14 assists in Washington's 100-91 home victory over Memphis.

Thunder rip Lakers

At Los Angeles, the Oklahoma City Thunder scored the first 17 points of the third quarter for a 74-46 lead on the way to a 120-85 triumph over the host Lakers.

Russell Westbrook scored 23 points and Kevin Durant added 21 as every player scored for the Thunder (20-9). Kobe Bryant scored 19 points to lead the Lakers (5-24).

DeMarcus Cousins scored 25 points and grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds while Darren Collison added a season-high 24 points as Sacramento defeated host Indiana 108-106. Cousins sank two free throws for the winning points and Paul George missed a jumper at the buzzer to force over-time.

Orlando's Nikola Vucevic scored 21 points to lead six double-figure scorers in a 104-101 victory over visiting Houston, which had 31 points from James Harden.

Jeff Teague scored 23 points and Paul Millsap added 18 to lead the Atlanta Hawks over visiting Detroit 107-100. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Newly-crowned WBO junior featherweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr could make his first title defense in the Philippines, possibly on April 16 or April 23, according to initial plans. 

Michael Aldeguer of ALA Promotions told Rappler that he had discussed with Donaire’s promoter, Top Rank, and television network ABS-CBN about staging a championship bout at the Araneta Coliseum.  

“It’s a topic that we’ve discussed with [Top Rank CEO Bob Arum] and ABS-CBN,” Aldeguer told Rappler. “We haven’t signed anything yet, nothing has been really on the dot yet, but most likely that’s 99% sure.” 

Donaire (36-3, 23 knockouts) outlasted tough Mexican Cesar Juarez in Puerto Rico on December 11 to earn the belt. The Filipino-American boxer, who was born in Bohol but raised in San Leandro, California, has won world titles in 4 weight classes. 

A source within Top Rank confirmed that a conversation about staging a fight in the Philippines had taken place but said there was “nothing to report” as of yet.

(READ: How gratitude brought new life to Nonito Donaire’s career)

Ronnie Nathanielsz first reported the news, naming former IBF featherweight titleholder Evgeny Gradovich as Donaire's potential opponent.

Gradovich (20-1-1, 9 KOs) won a portion of the 126-pound title in 2013 with a split-decision win over Billy Dib. Gradovich had taken the fight as a late replacement but retained the title for 4 defenses before suffering his first defeat on a technical decision to Lee Selby in May. 

When contacted by Rappler, Gradovich said, “I hear about that but nothing for sure. Maybe later but right now nothing.” 

An email to Gradovich’s manager Egis Klimas was not returned by time of publishing. 

Donaire had previously fought in the Philippines 4 times, twice early in his career and once in 2009 when he stopped Raul Martinez to defend his IBF flyweight title at Araneta. His most recent fight in the Philippines was a second round blowout of overmatched Brazilian William Prado in March of this year.

In a conversation with Rappler earlier this week, Donaire (36-3, 23 KOs) said “there’s a possibility” of fighting in the Philippines. 

“ABS has been great in trying to make it happen over and over. We were able to make it happen this year so hopefully next year there’s a possibility of that.”

Aldeguer said that he hopes to put RING magazine/WBO flyweight champion Donnie Nietes on the card as well. The 33-year-old Nietes from Negros Occidental will be due for a mandatory title defense by then. 

Moises Fuentes, whom Nietes has a draw and a knockout victory over in two previous fights, won an eliminator against Francisco Rodriguez Jr that could put him in line for a third shot at Nietes. 

“We haven’t gotten any email to formally confirm that it’s going to be Fuentes. Hopefully after this holiday season I’ll talk to WBO and see who’s going to be the mandatory,” said Aldeguer. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Asian mixed martial arts promoter One Championship announced Thursday, December 24 it is banning weight-cutting by dehydration, weeks after one of its fighters died, reportedly following an attempt to make the weight for a bout.

China-born Yang Jian Bing, 21, who was due for a Manila bout, collapsed on December 10 and was taken to a hospital where he died a day later.

Philippine authorities this week said a heart attack caused his death.

One Championship's statement about the ban and its new weight-tracking program did not mention Yang.

"By banning weight cutting by dehydration, we are leading the way globally for enhanced safety standards for professional MMA athletes," said One Championship chief executive officer Victor Cui in a statement.

(READ: Angela Lee pays tribute to MMA fighter who died before ONE FC card)

One Championship said it would regularly monitor its fighters' weight as a way of reducing the widespread practice of fighters inching their way into categories by dehydrating themselves.

They will be weighed three hours before an event and can be disqualified if they do not fit within their weight class.

This will replace the practice used in many combat sports, such as boxing, where competitors need to meet weight limits at just one weigh-in, allowing them to dehydrate themselves beforehand.

"I invite the other two major global MMA organizations, Bellator and UFC, to follow in our footsteps to protect athletes and to eliminate the process of weight cutting by dehydration," Cui said.

Based in Singapore, One Championship maintains a stable of fighters signed to exclusive contracts for fights broadcast on cable television.

It claims to be Asia’s largest MMA promoter. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The 2015-2015 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs is set to commence on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, when phase one of the quarterfinals kicks off.

Opening the festivities will be the matchup between GlobalPort and Barako Bull at 4:15 pm, followed by rivals Star vs. Ginebra at 7:15 pm, with both contests taking place at the Mall of Asia Arena.

(READ: SCHEDULE: 2016 PBA Philippine Cup Quarterfinals)

The Gin Kings and the Batang Pier both hold twice-to-beat advantages, and so do the Elasto Painters against the Elite and the Tropang Texters against the Road Warriors.

The winner of GlobalPort vs. Barako Bull will then take on the winner of Ginebra vs. Star while the winner of Rain or Shine vs. Blackwater faces the winner of Talk 'N Text vs. NLEX in the sudden death, second phase of the quarters.

In the semifinals, Alaska and San Miguel - the top two seeds in the eliminations - will face the remaining teams from the quarters in best-of-7 series.

The two remaining teams after the semifinals will battle in a 7-game series for the title.

Here are the predictions of your Sports Rapplers Jane Bracher and Naveen Ganglani for the playoffs:

Jane Bracher:

Naveen Ganglani:

 – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Ron Jacobs, the American basketball coach who introduced new tactics to Philippine basketball during the 80s and 90s, has died at age 72, according to media reports. No official cause of death has been reported, but Jacobs had been left unable to walk or speak following a stroke in 2001.

The news, which was first reported by Quinito Henson, comes on Thursday, December 24 -Christmas Eve - just 3 days before his 73rd birthday. Henson reports that he died at 8:30 p.m. in Makati.

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sad to report Ron Jacobs passed away tonite at 830 in Makati, he would&#39;ve turned 73 on Dec 27-he was a great basketball coach n dear friend</p>&mdash; Quinito Henson (@TheDeanQuinito) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDeanQuinito/status/680036492563972096">December 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Jacobs, a native of North Carolina, forged his reputation as a coach at Loyola Marymount University in California before being recruited to coach the Philippine national team in 1980.  

His credentials as Philippine National Team coach include winning the 1982 Asian Basketball Confederation Youth title, 1985 William Jones Cup, and the 1985 ABC title, which is a precursor to the FIBA Asia Championship, according to his Wikipedia page.

Jacobs briefly coached the Philippine Basketball Association’s San Miguel Beermen in 1997-98, revitalizing the team to a pair of third placed finishes and earning the PBA Coach of the Year award. 

Olsen Racela, who played underneath Jacobs with San Miguel, tweeted his condolences after the news broke: "RIP Coach Ron Jacobs. You were more than just a coach to all of your players. Thank you for believing in me. I will forever be grateful."

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RIP Coach Ron Jacobs. You were more than just a coach to all of your players. Thank you for believing in me. I will forever be grateful</p>&mdash; Olsen Racela (@thebigOls) <a href="https://twitter.com/thebigOls/status/680054438568935424">December 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
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In 2010, Henson wrote that Jacobs “revolutionized Philippine basketball by introducing tactics, strategies and techniques to the game and opened career opportunities for players and coaches alike.” 

He leaves behind a wife, Menen. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The 2015-2016 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals opens in style when two familiar rivals in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Star Hotshots tip-off their quarters series on Christmas Day, Friday at 7:00 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Coming in as the fourth seed and with a twice-to-beat advantage, Ginebra will aim to quickly eliminate the 9th-seeded Hotshots, which obliterated the Gin Kings in their elimination round matchup in October.

(READ: PBA Philippine Cup playoffs predictions)

If Star wins, a do-or-die game will be held on December 27, Sunday, also at the MOA Arena to decide which team moves on to phase two of the quarterfinals.

The winner of Ginebra vs. Star will face the winner of GlobalPort vs. Barako Bull, both of whom will also face each other on Christmas Day.

Follow all the action with Rappler’s live blog:

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– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – In 1982, one morning at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, many coaches milled around the seats watching two American coaches handling a group of players. That session lasted for about one and half. Loreto Carbonell, the former cage great, watched pensively. Eddie Pacheco, then of UST, stopped smoking. Nemie Villegas of Letran was not his jocular self but was serious.

Later, at the Memorial Cafe and Restaurant, the coaches and former cage stars were intoned: "It seems there is nothing new but he drills them well."

Only Ron Jacobs, a 5-foot-7 American, who rarely smiled but was nice man off the court, remained to carve a new chapter in Philippine basketball history. On Christmas Eve, the man who restored Philippine basketball's winning fortunes in the 1980s, died on Christmas Eve, according to various reports, especially of sports columnist Quinito Henson.

Jacobs, 72, had been ill for 15 years after a stroke. He passed away 30 years to the date that the Philippines regained the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) championship in Ipoh, Malaysia. He would have been 73 on December 27.

The following year, EDSA happened and the 3-year-run of success under basketball project director Danding Cojuangco was interrupted.

Jacobs first led the Philippines to the 1982 Asian Youth title, then the Jones Cup and the ABC titles in 1985. He would have handled the 2002 Asian Games team but had that stroke, which led the PBA to name Jong Uichico, one of the first players recruited by Jacobs in 1982, as coach.

"People think it was not that difficult to form a champion team but it took a lot of work. We had to change players when it was necessary but we kept the core," said Filomeno Pumaren Jr., the long time assistant to Jacobs in the national team told Rappler.com in a phone interview.

In winning the 1985 ABC, Jacobs kept the team on a tight leash. "Teamwork helped us a lot. China was taller than us but we beat them. South Korea gave us a hard time but we won," said Pumaren.

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In the championship round, the Philippines turned back a second-half rally by South Korea to win 76-72. In the last game, the Philippines beat China, 82-72 to finish with an unbeaten 6-0 slate.

Under Cojuangco's stewardship from 1982 to 1986, the Philippines used naturalized players to add depth to the national pool as the best collegiate talents headed to the PBA. It was a trend in some European countries but this was the first time it was done here. The purists had a field day attacking this policy but the national pool's depth was shallow. Thus a system of training had to be forged and naturalized players recruited to reinforce the team.

Among the foreign players recruited were Ricardo Brown and Willie Pearson. The high-leaping 6-3 Jeff Moore remained, and later 6-8 Dennis Still was taken in. Deadshot Arthur Engeland, now a shooting coach of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, was recruited in 1985.

Cojuangco kept the team, first as Northern Consolidated, and then San Miguel Beer together. Jacobs was always looking for new talent, especially among the collegiate ranks. His 1982 squad, for example, was a far cry from the 1985 San Miguel team that won the PBA Reinforced Conference.

Pumaren said Jacobs was tough on the court. "He would say, 'I like this, I like this.' He would always remind the players what they should do," said the veteran mentor. "Outside the court, we are all equal."

Jacobs was simple and down-to-earth. He wasn't fond of elucidating theories but kept things simple. He would talk to a sportswriter if he thought what was written wasn't accurate, but the day after that, Jacobs would seek the reporter and apologize.

In a Facebook private message as part of an interview for a forthcoming book on Philippine basketball tentatively titled "Years of Glory," Brown, who later shone in the PBA playing for Great Taste, said: "The timing was right for Ron Jacobs and Philippine basketball."

Brown said Jacobs defense was simple: "Man to man, with help in the middle." Jacobs would stress fundamentals and practices were not only mere scrimmaging. 

Jacobs' ace was using a players' strength. For example, Engelland shot the ball and rarely anything else, like "being a creator or a ball handler." Pumaren also said players had to defend. "Ron doesn't like players who can't defend."

Jacobs' legacy lives on in his players who are now coaches like Uichico of Talk 'N Text.  – Rappler.com

NEW YORK, USA - Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris was suspended on Thursday, December 24 for two NBA games for what the club called conduct detrimental to the team.

The punishment was reportedly imposed for Morris tossing a towel at coach Jeff Hornacek during Wednesday's 104-96 home loss to Denver.

Morris has been unhappy with the Suns since they traded his twin brother Marcus to the Detroit Pistons before the season and dropped him from the starting lineup recently.

Morris played only 12 minutes against the Nuggets and when he was removed in the fourth quarter, Morris hurled a towel at his coach to express his displeasure.

"He's mad about not playing," Hornacek said. "I look at the stat sheet. He's a minus-13 in 12 minutes. So there, I took him out.

"He thinks he's better than that. Show me."

Morris will miss games Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers and Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. – Rappler.com