MANILA, Philippines – The Far Eastern University (FEU)  Tamaraws bounce back from their first loss with a 25-15, 26-28, 25-22, 25-14 drubbing of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament on March 31, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The win gave the Tamaraws a better grip of the 2nd seed with a slate of 8-1.

FEU started the match strong, got a tough challenge from UST in the 2nd set but went all-out in the closing frames to complete a sweep of the Tigers, who skidded to their fourth straight loss for a 3-6 record.

JP Bugaoan and Jude Garcia again played key roles for for FEU as the duo combined for 35 points.

Joshua Umandal was one of the bright spots for the Black and Gold as he fired a team-high 17 points.

In the first game, the DLSU Green Spikers quickly dismantled the UE Red Warriors in straight sets, 25-21, 25-22, 29-27. 

La Salle captain Chris Dumago led his squad with a game-high 12 points, while John David Delos Reyes delivered in the clutch for the Green and White with an attack that brought them to match point and a block that sealed the deal for the Green Spikers.

Lloyd Josafat and Clifford Inoferio tallied 9 points apiece for the Red Warriors on a losing effort.  –Wilmyn Migguel See/Rappler.com

CALASIAO, Philippines – Just like old times, Asi Taulava seeks to put on a show as he is set to see action in a record 17th PBA All-Star Game. 

Taulava – the oldest player in the league at 46 – was made as replacement for the injured Joe Devance and will reinforce the South All-Stars against the North All-Stars at the Calasiao Sports Complex here on Sunday, March 31. 

"I was hoping this is the All-Star for like the handicap, you know, senior citizen with wheelchairs," Taulava told reporters with a hearty laugh. "But in all seriousness, this is fun, this is for the fans."

"I guess fans wanted me here and the PBA office and I'm honored to be here and ready to put on a show even though I'm 46 years old." 

With the 6-foot-9 Taulava in the fold, the South All-Stars boast an imposing frontcourt. 

He will be joined by the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo, the 7-foot Greg Slaughter and the 6-foot-8 Poy Erram as the South All-Stars look to bank on their height to break a four-game skid to the North All-Stars. 

"Every year seems like a surprise. This year, I thought I was going to be exempted because of the age," Taulava said. 

Also suiting up for the South All-Stars are James Yap, Scottie Thompson, Mark Barroca, Roger Pogoy, Chris Ross, Baser Amer, Terrence Romeo, PJ Simon, Jio Jalalon and Mac Belo.

PBA legends Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codiñera will also play for the South All-Stars to commemorate the 30th edition of the All-Star Game. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Not leaving anything to chance, Taylor Statham and the Pasig Grindhouse Kings survived a very physical and highly emotional contest against the San Juan Knights-Go for Gold, 19-18, in the semifinals of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup at SM Fairview on Sunday, March 31. 

It was an all-important victory for Pasig as the win booked their ticket to the 2019 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters in Doha from April 18 to 19.

"I came here for one reason and one reason only, and that is to play 3x3 and represent the Philippines. I want to be part of the team that goes to the World Tour. I want to make my grandma proud, my family from Iloilo proud," shared an emotional Statham.

"There's a lot riding on it for me and it's bigger than basketball." 

With the game knotted at 12-all, Mac Cardona fouled Troy Rike. It was San Juan's seventh foul that led to two free throws.

Cardona was able to get one back but Statham converted on an and-2 to extend Pasig's cushion to 4, 17-13, with 1:44 left.

Though Cardona and John Wilson tried to will the Knights back, Statham was able to power his way to the paint with 35 seconds left that proved to be the dagger.

Pasig advanced to the semis after taking a dominant 21-9 win over the Zamboanga Valientes.

Though the Finals that has P1 million at stake is still going to be played, Pasig could no longer go to as low as 440 points – 15 points higher than the maximum points second-placed Bataan Risers can notch. 

Besides this, Pasig and Bataan will be the Philippine representatives in the 2019 Chooks-to-Go 3x3 Asia Pacific Super Quest. The regional 3x3 tourney will be held from April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall. 

The Super Quest will have an additional two tickets to the 2019 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Doha at stake. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs snapped their skid with a four-set victory over the Adamson Lady Falcons, 28-26, 32-20, 25-21,25-22, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday, March 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Playing with a healthy Ivy Lacsina this time, NU snatched its third win to improve to 3-7 after the match that kicked off with a pair of grueling extended sets.

Roselyn Doria led NU with 18 points off 12 attacks, 5 aces and 1 block.

Jennifer Nierva anchored the Lady Bulldogs’ floor defense with 44 excellent digs and 33 excellent receptions.

“Kung eager sila manalo, mas eager kami kasi naghahanap kami ng panalo. Lahat ng sakripisyo namin sa training, inapply namin,” said captain Doria.

(If Adamson was eager to win, we’re even more eager. We sacrificed everything in training and we applied it in the game.)

Bernadette Flora led Adamson with 16 points off 12 attacks and 4 aces to go with 21 digs.

The loss kept the Lady Falcons at the bottom of the standings at 1-9 and officially eliminated them from Final Four contention.

The last time Adamson made it to the Final Four was in 2014, where they fell to eventual first-time champion Ateneo.

The Lady Falcons had control early in the 1st set, but the Lady Bulldogs stayed within reach and extended the match thanks to Gelina Luceño.

A Luceño ace gifted NU with set point and Roselyn Doria closed out the opening frame with back-to-back quick attacks, 28-26.

Although the Lady Falcons bounced back with a dominant 8-2 start in the next frame, NU quickly overturned the huge deficit as Robles’ ace pushed them ahead, 11-10.

NU yielded the lead anew due to a slew of errors, but the Lady Bulldogs exploded with an 8-2 run to reach set point, 24-23.

The Lady Falcons, however, did not falter as they extended the set until Joy Dacoron evened the match with back-to-back spikes for a 32-20 set win.

In the 3rd set, Doria’s 4 straight aces gave the Lady Bulldogs the edge. Adamson's Eli Soyud attempted to spark a rally, but her own service error gifted NU a 2-1 match advantage.

Despite committing errors early in the 4th set, NU seized control midway through the frame and pulled through to complete its revenge. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Pasig Grindhouse endured another heated encounter as it ran through old rival 1Bataan, 19-7, to claim the first ever Chooks-to-Go 3x3 Pilipinas President's Cup on Sunday, March 31, at SM Fairview.

Joshua Munzon, the country's top ranked 3x3 player, led an inspired attack in the championship round to power the Grindhouse Kings  to the inaugural championship and take home the grand prize of P1 million.

Munzon scored 11 points in the finals, most of which coming after an altercation with Chito Jaime midway through the game.

"It's attributed to our hardwork. Since we first lost in this league, that really left a bad taste on our mouths. We're driven every week to push ourselves to get better," said Munzon, who was later named the tournament's best player.

"We've been practicing for the physicality. It's something we have to get used to," he added. I feel like we've been a target since week one," he added.

Taylor Statham added 5 points while Troy Rike chipped in 2 for the Grindhouse Kings, who earlier qualified to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters in Doha following their 19-18 escape over the San Juan Knights-Go For Gold in the semis. 

Alvin Pasaol led the way for the Risers, scoring 5 of their 7 points in the game. After a solid outing in the tournament, league owner Ronald Mascariñas later announced that Chooks will be giving P200,000 to the runners-up.

The two finalists will represent the country in the Chooks-to-Go Asia Pacific 3x3 Super Quest on April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall, where Bataan still has a chance to book a ticket to Doha. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Revenge never felt sweeter for the La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament.

The defending champions rallied back from a set down and had the last laugh over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in 4 sets, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24, on Sunday, March 31, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Flashing its trademark swag, La Salle grabbed the solo 2nd spot with a 7-3 record and pushed UST down to 4th at 6-4.

Desiree Cheng unleashed a career-high 20 points off 14 attacks, 3 blocks and 3 aces to lead the La Salle squad that headed into the game vying to avenge its embarrassing straight-set loss to UST in the first round. 

Early in the match, though, it seemed like the Tigresses again had their numbers as UST unleashed a 7-1 run to overturn an early deficit on the way to claiming the opening frame, 25-21.

But the Lady Spikers made sure it won’t happen again.

La Salle bounced back in the 2nd set with a pivotal 6-1 run for a 16-11 edge before fending off UST’s comeback attempts to even the match at 1–1.

With reigning Best Server Cheng at the line, La Salle went on a massive 10-0 run in the 3rd set that saw the team captain score two aces, 19-12.

Although Janine Balcorta ended Cheng’s dominant run at the service line, the Lady Spikers still took the frame and cruised to a 2-1 match advantage.

It was a neck-and-neck battle in the 4th set as neither team gave up more than two points. But it was La Salle that outlasted the Golden Tigresses in the extended set as Des Clemente wrapped it up with back-to-back blocks on Eya Laure. 

La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus, however, admitted that the Lady Spikers committed too many errors that cost them the opening frame.

“Slow start so medyo nangangapa pa noong 1st set,” said De Jesus. “Nakuha ng UST ang 1st set kasi madami kaming unforced errors. Sabi ko mag-adjust lang, mas kumilos ng mas magaan. Buti nakuha namin ang 2nd set.”  

(It was a slow start because we were struggling in the 1st set. UST got the 1st set because we had a lot of unforced errors. I just said that we should adjust so that we’ll move better. It’s a good thing we won the 2nd set.)

La Salle’s goal was also to limit Laure, but the UST super rookie still managed to tally a team-high of 20 points. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather is back in the Philippines sooner than expected to have some fun in the sun in Boracay. 

In photos posted by @wendellvans, Mayweather is staying at five-star Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay. 

View this post on Instagram

Boracay bound w @floydmayweather #tmt

A post shared by @wendellvans (@wendellvans) on Mar 30, 2019 at 9:09pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @wendellvans (@wendellvans) on Mar 31, 2019 at 12:37am PDT

As usual, Mayweather arrived in style with his own private jet "Air Mayweather." 

View this post on Instagram

Welcome to Boracay @floydmayweather #airmayweather #tmt

A post shared by @wendellvans (@wendellvans) on Mar 30, 2019 at 8:12pm PDT

Before he left for the Philippines, Mayweather did not reveal where he was going. 

"I’ll be over in the Philippines tomorrow. Philippines, we’re going to have fun, we’re going to enjoy ourselves," said the retired American Boxer on @wendellvans' Instagram. 

"Philippines, I love you. I’m on my way." 

It's still a question whether Mayweather will be meeting with rival Manny Pacquiao during his Philippine visit. 

Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division world champion, recently watched Errol Spence defeat Mikey Garcia in Texas as the blockbuster rematch between Pacquiao and Mayweather reportedly remains in the works.  

After its reopening last October 2018, the island paradise in Aklan has boasted the results of its six-month rehabilitation with crystal clear waters and trashless white sand beaches. (READ: Boracay no longer a cesspool – Cimatu). – Rappler.com

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – Japeth Aguilar put on a dunk show of his own as the North All-Stars cruised past the South All-Stars, 185-170, in the 2019 PBA All-Star Game here on Sunday, March 31.

The high-flying forward notched 32 points – with 18 coming in the maiden period alone – behind a barrage of show-stopping jams as North buried South early and never looked back. 

Showing off his bounce that had the jampacked crowd at the Calasiao Sports Complex on their feet, Aguilar connected on a number of alley-oops and even jumped over the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo twice for back-to-back dunks. 

Japeth Aguilar jumps over the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo in one of the best plays of the #PBAAllStar2019 game. | @dioquinodelfinpic.twitter.com/nEJdneuw2M

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 31, 2019

Aguilar was named co-Most Valuable Player with Arwind Santos, who delivered 34 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists. 

Although already 37, Santos proved he still has plenty of gas left in his tank as he pulled off his patented Spider-man dunk on multiple occasions and knocked down 4 triples. 

LA Tenorio also starred for North with a triple-double of 11 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds while Paul Lee caught fire for an All-Star Game record 9 three-points to finish with 27 points on top of 5 rebounds and 4 steals. 

The Scores

North All-Stars 185 – Santos 34, Aguilar 32, Lee 27, Cabagnot 18, Lassiter 12, Tenorio 11, Abueva 11, Rosario 10, Pringle 9, Banchero 7, Norwood 5, Paras 4, Perkins 3, Magsanoc 2, Castro 0, Caguioa 0.

South 170 – Simon 34, Fajardo 26, Romeo 19, Barroca 18, Jalalon 15, Erram 14, Pogoy 12, Ross 10, Slaughter 8, Belo 6, Patrimonio 4, Amer 2, Yap 2, Thompson 0, Codinera 0, Taulava 0.

Quarterscores: 51-25, 89-75, 137-122, 185-170– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – In exactly 3 months into 2019, Team Lakay is now left without a world championship. 

Shinya Aoki (43-8) reclaimed the ONE lightweight world championship after a quick first-round stoppage against Eduard Folayang (21-7) at ONE: A New Era at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Japan on Sunday, March 31.

The mega-fight two years in the making was over in two minutes after hometown hero Aoki established dominance on Folayang from the get-go.  

After pinning the Filipino fighter to the ground, Aoki applied a tight arm triangle choke that forced the referee to call the fight with 2:26 left in the opening round.

WHAT. A. FINALE! Japanese legend Shinya Aoki submits Eduard Folayang with a slick arm-triangle choke at 2:34 of Round 1 to reclaim the ONE Lightweight World Title! @a_ok_i#WeAreONE#ANewEra#Tokyo#MartialArtspic.twitter.com/TnF59STQUH

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) March 31, 2019

But that shock loss was just one part of Team Lakay’s worries as Kevin Belingon (20-7) also dropped the ONE bantamweight world championship to Bibiano Fernandes (24-4) after a third-round disqualification loss.

It was an anticlimactic finish to the hyped trilogy of the two champion fighters after Belingon got the red card for repeated elbows to the back of Fernandes’ head midway through the 3rd.

The Brazilian brawler already got the upper hand late in the 1st round after staggering Belingon with a swinging right hook. Fernandes then took the fight to the mat but Belingon got saved by the bell. 

Belingon managed to get even with a right hook of his own midway through the 2nd round, but Fernandes quickly shook it off and re-established dominance on the mat. 

Just as it looked like Belingon was about to turn the bout around in the 3rd, however, he inexplicably hammered a pair of elbows to Fernandes, causing the DQ stoppage. 

But not all was lost for the night for Lakay as Danny Kingad (13-1) earned a unanimous decision victory against Senzo Ikeda (12-8-1) to advance to the ONE flyweight Grand Prix semifinals. 

After Joshua Pacio and Geje Eustaquio dropped Team Lakay's first two world championships just 6 days apart, the Baguio-based stable leaned on Folayang and Belingon to salvage the historic tear they had to end 2018. 

However, they now head back home without a single title in their ranks. – Rappler.com

CALASIAO, Philippines – The North All-Stars had a double celebration on Sunday, March 31, as they defeated the South All-Stars not just in the 2019 PBA All-Star Game but also in the much-awaited dance-off.

Led by Calvin Abueva and Marc Pingris, North drew cheers from the jampacked crowd at the Calasiao Sports Complex as it danced to Lavaado's Switch it Up and JK Labajo's Buwan. 

But the moment of the North All-Star's five-minute performance? Their own version of Dante Gulapa's viral Eagle Dance.

Forced to sit out the All-Star Game due to an injury, Pingris compensated for his absence as he starred in the Eagle Dance. 

WATCH: The PBA North All-Stars jive to hit song Switch It Up in the All-Star Game dance-off. #PBA2019#PBAALLStars#PBAAllStar2019https://t.co/DE1jfdPJh3 | via @dioquinodelfinpic.twitter.com/Z3TApFjert

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 31, 2019

South also put on a show as it jived to ALLMO$T's Dalaga, Ciara's Level Up, EXO's Love Shot and Alex Gonzaga's Chambe with Scottie Thompson, Jio Jalalon and June Mar Fajardo leading the way in the two-minute presentation.

WATCH: The PBA South All-Stars imitate internet sensation Dante Gulapa’s Eagle Dance in the All-Star Game dance-off. #PBA2019#PBAALLStars#PBAAllStar2019https://t.co/DE1jfdPJh3 via @dioquinodelfinpic.twitter.com/LWvHGLF8Nm

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 31, 2019

The South All-Stars also performed the Eagle Dance, but in the end, the North All-Stars still prevailed to bag the P100,000 cash prize. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Despite dealing with a heavy heart, Eya Laure hopes the UST Golden Tigresses quickly move on from their frustrating loss to the La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball tournament. 

UST dropped to 4th place in the team standings after failing to capitalize on a strong first-set showing as La Salle cruised to a 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24 on Sunday, March 31. 

"Nagkulang lang kami. May mga nawala, ganoon. Lahat kami 'di na kami naka-focus. Siguro for us, 'di na kami nag-focus kasi doon ngayon eh. Move on na rin lang talaga 'yung mangyayari ngayon," said Eya Laure. 

(We fell short as some disappeared and we weren’t able to focus. We just have to move on from what happened today.)

The rookie looked like one of the bright spots in the loss as she scored 20 points, tying La Salle counterpart Desiree Cheng. 

But even Laure knew all that went for naught no thanks to the errors she committed. 

"'Yung score ko na 'yun, actually, 'di ko alam kung nakatulong siya sa team kasi sobrang alam ko naman na bawing bawi siya sa lahat ng errors na binigay ko," added Laure. 

(I don't know if my score helped the team because I know also had a lot of errors.)

UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes lauded the effort of Laure, who experienced pain in her thigh but soldiered on to finish the match. 

"Iyon naman 'yung pinakita niya, 'yung character na being a fighter. Ii-score, pero itatapon. Ii-score, pero itatapon. Pero kita mo 'yung decisiveness ng bata," said Reyes of Laure.

(Even though she committed a few errors in the game, you can see her character as a fighter. You can see the kid's decisiveness.)

And just like his rookie, Reyes just wants to leave the loss behind. 

"Sabi nga, 'It’s just a bad game, not a bad life.' So bawi na lang," he said.

(Like they said, "It's just a bad game, not a bad life." So we just have to bounce back.) 

The Tigresses now hold a 6-4 slate, just slightly ahead of the UP Lady Maroons – who carry a 5-4 record – for the last playoff spot.

UST looks to rebound against the UE Lady Warriors on Saturday, April 6, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Juro Morilla/Rappler.com

CALASIAO, Philippines – In the spirit of delighting fans, the PBA will not mete out a fine to Arwind Santos despite him pulling off his patented Spider-Man dunk in the 2019 PBA All-Star Game.

Santos highlighted his stellar performance for the North All-Stars by tapping both of his feet on the backboard on multiple breakaway dunks in a 185-170 thrashing of the South All-Stars on Sunday, March 31. 

The move has been forbidden by the PBA since the start of the season, earning those who do the "monkey ride" an unsportsmanlike technical foul. (READ: No more 'Spider-man dunk' for Arwind as PBA penalizes 'monkey ride')

But league commissioner Willie Marcial says Santos will go away scot-free since the game was staged to entertain the fans, even giving the example of June Mar Fajardo lifting PBA legend Benjie Paras for a dunk.

"Just for fun. Kita mo, ginagawa nila June Mar, nila Benjie para maging masaya. Sa game, talagang may fine," Marcial said. 

(It's just for fun. You saw what June Mar and Benjie did to make the fans happy. If it's an official game, there's a fine.) 

Although unsure of the consequences, Santos took the risk to break out the move he has been known for throughout his 13-year PBA career. 

"'Di ko pinaalam, 'di naman nila ako winarningan. Wala naman akong memo na bawal 'yun at mapa-fine ako dito kaya ginawa ko," he said. 

(I didn't ask if I could do the dunk and they did not warn me that I couldn't. There's also no memo that it's forbidden here so I did it.) 

Pumped up by the Spider-Man dunk, Santos had himself a night as he delivered 34 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists to be adjudged as co-Most Valuable Player with Japeth Aguilar. 

But will he do it again on an official PBA game? Santos has a simple answer for that. 

"[P]ag nag-dunk ako sa PBA, sa All-Filipino, sabihin ko na lang, 'Ay akala ko All-Star, nakalimutan ko. Sorry,' Para 'di nila ako i-technical," he said with a hearty laugh. 

(When I dunk in the PBA, in the All-Filipino conference, I'll just say, "I thought it was still the All-Star, I forgot about it. Sorry," So I wouldn't get a technical.)  – Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA – Duke University and superstar Zion Williamson were toppled by Michigan State as the Final Four was set in the NCAA basketball championship on Sunday, March 31 (Monday, April 1, Philippine time). 

The Blue Devils, crowned NCAA champions 6 times under iconic coach Mike Krzyzewski, fell 68-67 to bow out of the "March Madness" knockout competition that is one of the highlights of the US sporting calendar.

Kenny Goins drained a three-pointer with 35 seconds left that put the Spartans ahead for good and Duke went scoreless on its final 3 possessions as the second-seeded Michigan State reached the semifinals.

The top-seeded Duke saw its season end in the quarterfinals dubbed the Elite Eight for the second straight year.

Williamson scored 24 points with 14 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocked shots in what was almost certainly the finale of his collegiate career.

At 18, he has already drawn comparisons to NBA superstar LeBron James and is expected to announce his plans to enter next June's NBA draft, in which he is a likely No. 1 choice.

Duke wasn't the only favorite to miss out on a trip to the Final Four, which will take place fron April 6 to 8 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Auburn reached the semifinals for the first time with a 77-71 overtime win  over Kentucky – having already beaten perennial contenders Kansas and North Carolina.

Texas Tech is also in the Final Four for the first time after beting Gonzaga, 75-69.

Michigan State will play Texas Tech in one national semifinal Saturday in Minneapolis. Auburn will take on the University of Virginia, which advanced with an 80-75 overtime win over Purdue. – Rappler.com

PARIS, France – A cheeky Paris Saint-Germain fan ran onto the pitch at Toulouse and snapped a sneaky selfie of himself with Kylian Mbappe before being nabbed by security staff. 

The supporter, wearing a PSG jacket, clambered out of the stands during the Ligue 1 contest and ran slowly up behind the 20-year-old World Cup winner, who jumped with surprise when he saw the fan brandishing his telephone.

The young man was then wrestled to the floor by security, although Mbappe shook his hand and exchanged a few words with him before he was led away.

Selfie Mbappe en plein match #Mbappé#TFCPSGpic.twitter.com/eSlcHe7Sjs

— FredBeau[MediaPronos] (@fredbeau1) March 31, 2019

The incident was one of the few bright spots of a prosaic Ligue 1 game that saw Mbappe fire a goal to lift PSG to a 1-0 win over Toulouse on Sunday, March 31 (Monday, April 1, Philippine time). – Rappler.com

MIAMI, USA – Roger Federer lifted the 101st title of his remarkable career in dominating style, beating ATP Miami Open defending champion John Isner, 6-1, 6-4, on Sunday, March 31 (Monday, April 1, Philippine time). 

Having skipped the whole clay court season for the past two years, Federer declared the triumph over the big-serving American in just 63 minutes of what was an ideal performance to launch a French Open bid.

"I will have to take baby steps going back onto the clay, I have played so little in the last few years so I don't know what to expect but what this win does is takes even more pressure off me," Federer said.

"Already just how I've been playing and moving here makes me believe just going on vacation now, a bit of a break, and then preparation, physically I should be fine, but again, we'll see how the body is going to react."

"I am excited. It’s a good challenge," added Federer of trying to dethrone Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros when the second Grand Slam of the season begins on May 26.

Federer was in brilliant form in South Florida, recovering superbly from losing the Indian Wells finals earlier this month to emphatically beat Isner, who struggled with a foot problem at the end of the title match at Hard Rock Stadium.

Federer will not appear at the next Masters event in Monte Carlo but is slated to play in Madrid at the beginning of May.

"Madrid will be 'Let's see what happens' and then obviously I want to be ready for Paris and I hope all that hard work is going to pay off for the grass and hard court season," he said.

Federer seized control immediately as a break in the very first game sapped Isner's confidence. 

The Swiss great then aggressively gained control of a match which he never looked like losing, especially after the American's foot problem worsened.

Isner was struggling badly and was heard telling the trainer during a medical timeout that he feared he had broken his foot. 

"Somewhere during the 1st set I started feeling pain on top of my foot and it didn't go away and it just got worse," Isner said.

Isner's spirit was crushed after he dropped the 1st set in only 23 minutes.

"It's a terrible feeling, because you're on an island out there. You have no teammates to hide behind and going up against the greatest player ever, you know, playing in this incredible atmosphere, and my foot's killing me."

"I have never had a broken foot, but that's what I would imagine it would feel like."

"Not that I would have won the match but I could have made for a more interesting match and one that was a little more fun."

'Appreciate these moments' 

This was Federer's 154th tour final and his 50th ATP Masters showpiece appearance. He's in the twilight of his stellar career but has no plans to hang up his racket just yet.

"In terms of goals, it's about trying to win titles and trying to manage life so I stay injury-free," the former world No. 1 said.

"Some days you just don't feel so well but this is a good phase, a good stretch for me right now. I really feel super healthy."

"That's why I have been able to play every day for the last 4 weeks. That's something that maybe hasn't always been the case for the last few years.

"So you appreciate these moments."

Isner's booming serve failed to fire and there was to be no repeat of their last meeting at the Paris Masters 2015 when Federer was defeated in a third round encounter.

To give the Swiss 8 break chances in the 1st set spoke volumes about the sudden ineffectiveness of the Isner service game – he took only 50% of points on his first serve during the opener.

With Isner hurting, Federer, who finished with a perfect 100% of points won on his first serve, wasted no time in the 2nd set wrapping up his 28th Masters title. – Rappler.com

MIAMI, USA – Swiss great Roger Federer has refuted claims by Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas that the most experienced players on the ATP Tour receive preferential treatment from officials.

Federer, speaking after landing the 101st title of his career at the Miami Open with a straight sets triumph over defending champion John Isner, strongly disagreed. (WATCH: Federer sweeps Isner in Miami Open 2019 for 101st title)

He acknowledged that umpires might interact differently with players they are more familiar with, but said it didn't amount to preferential treatment.

”It's a tough one but what I do feel sometimes is that on the outside courts, more than just preferential treatment to the top guys, they are tougher on the rules," Federer told AFP.

"You do something – bang, warning. It's like there is no messing about."

"But with the umpires with the top guys on the main courts, I think the umpires know the top guys, they know their problems, they know how they behave and how they will react, so they know what acting stupid or silly means and what normal is."

"So because we know each other very well, I think it's easier for an umpire to handle a top player who they know over an up-and-coming guy like Tsitsipas or a young guy and that sometimes gets lost in translation and maybe bad mistakes can happen."

"But I don't see preferential treatment, there shouldn't be," Federer said. "If I get warnings – I got one recently – it's normal. So they should just, based on what happens, take those decisions and I really feel the umpires do that."

"I am sorry that Stefanos feels that way."

Tsitsipas, 20, shocked Federer in the fourth round of the Australian Open and was runner-up to Federer in February in Dubai, where the Swiss great claimed his 100th career ATP title.

He was ousted in the fourth round of the Miami Open singles by Canadian teen Denis Shapovalov.

But playing in the doubles final with Wesley Koolhof on Saturday he accused umpire Gianluca Moscarella of granting "privileges" to American opponents Bob and Mike Bryan "like you do with Roger and everybody else."

Tsitsipas elaborated on Twitter in response to a question from a Twitter follower, saying that despite Federer being his "favorite," the 20 time Grand Slam champion, along with the likes of Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, are protected by umpires.

"I think players that have been doing really well over the years, players that are generally much respected in the tennis world have privileges when it comes to certain rules and umpire decisions," the world No. 10 wrote. "I felt this couple of times when playing these guys and I think it's a bit unfair.

"Roger Federer is always going to be my favorite player no matter what. I don't want to drag him into this. It's not his fault or intention, it's the umpires that are trying to protect them more than they are supposed to. Nothing more than that." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Just when the La Salle Lady Spikers looked vulnerable in the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball tournament, their graduating captain Desiree Cheng found her groove.

Coming off a heartbreaking loss to the UP Lady Maroons, the Lady Spikers booked back-to-back wins against the NU Lady Bulldogs and the UST Golden Tigresses with the resurgent Cheng leading the charge. 

Cheng fired 17 points in La Salle's straight sets win over NU on Wednesday, March 27, before dropping a career-high 20 points in a revenge win over UST on Sunday, March 20. 

For keying La Salle's run back to solo 2nd in the standings, Cheng was deemed the rightful winner for Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week. 

The Lady Spikers, now with a 7-3 record, were determined to prove they were better than the team that lost in straight sets to the Tigresses in the first round.

Cheng proved vital, not only because of her offensive exploits, but also as the La Salle emotional barometer.

"Kailangan namin bumawi, 'yung bawi na hindi lang puro salita kung 'di 'yung bawi na may gawa," she said after vanquishing UST. 

(We needed to bounce back, not just bouncing back through words but also through action.) 

Last season's Best Server trusts that La Salle will continue to play with the same energy and pride as the tournament winds down to its crucial stretch.

"Feeling ko kasi habang tumatagal mas lumalakas 'yung mga teams, so kahit na ganoon na nothing to lose na 'yung ibang teams, kailangan pa rin naming respetuhin sila kasi baka mamaya sila pa 'yung makadali sa team namin, unexpected."

(I feel the teams are getting stronger as the season progresses. So even if other teams have nothing to lose, we still need to respect them because if we don't, they have a chance of beating us unexpectedly.)

Cheng edged out FEU's Ivana Agudo, NU's Jennifer Nierva and Ateneo's Kat Tolentino for the weekly honor given out by print and online media on the beat. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Local 3X3 competition is clearly no longer enough for Filipino-American star Joshua Munzon.

The 24-year-old guard flashed deadly form in the Chooks-to-Go 3X3 President's Cup Grand Finals, scoring 11 points in Pasig Grindhouse's 19-7 demolition of old foe Bataan Risers to win P1 million and their 4th title in the tournament's inagural conference.

"It's just attributed to our hard work," he said after singlehandedly outscoring the Alvin Pasaol-led Risers.

"Ever since we lost that first week, it left a bad taste in our mouth and we were just driving every week to get better and push ourselves and ultimately accomplish this goal of winning the grand finals."

Luckily for Munzon, tougher competition is right around the corner with the Chooks-to-Go 3X3 Asia-Pacific Super Quest happening from Saturday to Sunday, April 6 to 7, at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall.

Munzon, who was named the President's Cup Manok ng Bayan of the League, is already raring to go right after winning it all in the local tournament.

"I definitely see the competition being very tough," he said. "There are gonna be teams coming here [that have] been playing 3X3 for a lot longer than we have, so I think we're gonna have to mentally prepare ourselves for the physicality and just the overall competition that we're gonna see," he said.

"I think it's an honor for us to represent the Philippines in anything, whether it be 3X3 or whatever, but I think it's an honor and we're definitely grateful for this opportunity just to be here."

Along with Bataan, Pasig will wear the country's colors in the upcoming Super Quest, which offers two slots for the FIBA 3X3 World Tour Masters in Doha, Qatar, and one spot in the 3X3 Challenger Series in Penang, Malaysia.

The Philippines will face incredibly tough challenges from the get-go as Mongolia and China, the world's top 2 and 3 3X3 countries, are among the countries joining the two-day event.

All this work, Munzon said, is for the ultimate Filipino sports dreams – an Olympic berth and a shot at the ever-elusive gold medal.

"That's definitely the ultimate goal, Tokyo 2020," he said. "We wanna continue to push ourselves, starting with the Super Quest and moving on to the World Tour. We just wanna get better every week and just continue to strive for greatness." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Japeth Aguilar was in full flight mode in the 2019 PBA All-Star Game as he powered the North All-Stars to a 185-170 win over the South All-Stars on Sunday, March 31.

Putting on an aerial show for the fans who trooped the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan, the high-flying forward did it all, from alley-oops, windwill slams, putback jams and reverse flushes. 

One memorable dunk was simply a cut above the rest as Aguilar jumped over the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo. 

Aguilar failed in his first attempt before answering the fans' chants of "Isa pa! Isa pa!" by converting the dunk over Fajado. 

Japeth Aguilar jumps over the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo in one of the best plays of the #PBAAllStar2019 game. | @dioquinodelfinpic.twitter.com/nEJdneuw2M

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 31, 2019

Although playing for opposing teams, the good friends and longtime Gilas Pilipinas teammates managed to plan the highlight dunk. 

"Talagang nag-team up kami doon. Noong halftime habang nanonood kami ng 3-on-3, nag-usap kami," Aguilar said. "June mar, thank you."

(We really teamed up on that one. When we were watching the 3-on-3 game, we talked about it. Thank you, June Mar.)

Aguilar finished with 32 points and was adjudged co-MVP with Arwind Santos, who also entertained the fans with his famed Spider-Man dunk. (READ: Arwind escapes fine despite Spider-Man dunk in PBA All-Star Game) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino teen golfer Yuka Saso will be looking to extend her Asian domination when she tees it up in the 2019 Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) golf championship in Japan. 

Establishing herself as one of the region's best with a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games, the 17-year-old will try to bag the WAAP crown she fell short of winning in the inaugural edition last year. 

Saso came close to clinching the title after she forced her way into a 4-way playoff but a bogey on the second extra hole denied her victory as Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul prevailed.

"Even though I did not win, last year's WAAP was great fun too, and I felt that I learned a lot," said Saso, who has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs in the United States and plans to turn professional eventually. 

Saso has been in terrific form of late, having finished outside the top 4 only once in her last 7 starts since November and heads to the WAAP as the third-highest ranked player in the field at world No. 30.

She is also coming off a successful title defense in the Philippine Ladies Open last month, but Saso was quick to downplay her recent success. 

"I'm not so sure if I am playing my best golf at the moment but I'm happy with the way I'm playing right now," said Saso, who made 4 cuts in the 5 professional events she played in 2018.

"Of course, there's still a lot of things that I need to work on but what matters to me is I'm having fun."

It is not just Saso who will be part of the Philippine contingent in the WAAP.

Bianca Pagdanganan, who helped Saso and Lois Kaye Go win the team gold medal in the Asiad, will also see action in Japan with Abegail Arevalo, Clare Legaspi, Mikhaela Denise Fortuna and Francesca Bernice Olivares Llas.

Women's golf is enjoying a boom in the Philippines with 4 Filipino ladies ranked inside the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).

The championship, which will be played at the Royal Golf Club from April 25-28, comprises of 15 players ranked inside the WAGR. 

Host country Japan has the largest delegation with 8 players while Bangladesh, Guam, Vietnam, and Cook Islands – countries where the women's game is still in its infancy – will also see action. 

The champion will earn a spot in two of the 5 women's majors – the AIG Women's British Open and the Evian Championship – and will also receive an invite to the 2020 Augusta National Women's Amateur. – Rappler.com