2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup

Harold Alarcon was hailed the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup as the 6-foot-1 guard steered University of the Philippines to the crown — their first-ever since joining the tournament.

Alarcon also led the Mythical Five selection alongside teammate Malick Diouf, and the duo of Evan Nelle and Kevin Quiambao of De La Salle University, which finished the elimination round with a perfect slate. Jun Roque of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA completed the mythical team after helping the Altas reach the semifinals.

— Bea Micaller (@beamicallerrr) June 21, 2023

Perpetual’s Cyrus Nitura, meanwhile, was named the Best Defensive Player.

The Fighting Maroons defeated La Salle, 87-76, in their winner-take-all finals on Wednesday with Alarcon finishing with nine points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

Veterans Jack Animam and Afril Bernardino are tasked to lead Gilas Pilipinas Women when the nationals compete in the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup set on June 26 in Sydney, Australia.

Joining the two are six other holdovers from the squad that finished silver in the 2023 SEA Games last month in Khate Castillo, Janine Pontejos, Camille Clarin, Ella Fajardo, Angel Surada, and Chack Cabinbin.

Completing the 12-player lineup is the debuting Vanessa de Jesus alongside Jhazmin Joson, Louna Ozor, and Mikka Cacho, who suited up for the 3×3 national team in the biennial meet in Cambodia, with seasoned tactician Patrick Aquino still at the helm.

The Filipina ballers are in Group B where they will first face host Australia on the 26th before taking on Japan and Chinese Taipei on June 27 and 28, respectively.

The Philippines finished seventh overall in the 2021 edition of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

The Philippine women’s volleyball team escaped India in the quarterfinals, 25-22, 26-28, 11-25, 29-27, 18-16, to remain in contention in the 2023 ASEAN Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women on Wednesday in Indonesia.

Shaya Adorador sent the Filipinas to a 9-6 cushion in the crucial fifth set before the Indians notched four straight points to retake a 10-9 lead. Aiza Maizo-Pontillas then drilled back-to-back attacks to give the Philippines momentum with an 11-10 upper hand.

India got the first match point, 14-13, but an off speed attack from Adorador and a block from setter Djanel Cheng gave the Filipinas two match points, 16-15. Adrador’s down-the-line kill made it another match point for the Philippines, 17-16, as Cheng’s ace delivered the winning point.

The Philippines will still face Australia on June 23. They need to finish at the top two in order to book a semifinals spot.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

NEW YORK – Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan will play in their fourth Women’s World Cup alongside a number of new faces as United States head coach Vlatko Andonovski unveiled his squad on Wednesday ahead of their bid for an unprecedented third consecutive title.

Nearly two decades sit between the oldest and youngest players, with 18-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson joining 37-year-old Rapinoe at the tournament starting on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

“”We’ll do anything possible to help this team make history,” Andonovski told reporters. “We want to do it for the players, we want to do it for the team, we want to do it for the community, we want to do it for this country.

“We want to do something that has never been done before.”

The top-ranked Americans are fielding one of their least experienced squads in recent memory, with 14 of the 23 players going to their first World Cup, compared to 11 in 2019 and seven in 2015.

Key defender Naomi Girma, 23, earned a spot after bursting on to the scene last year and uncapped 25-year-old midfielder Savannah DeMelo was a surprise inclusion amid a strong National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.

“Based on the needs that we have in terms of the opponents and different situations that we may face, we see (DeMelo) being very important for us going forward,” said Andonovski, who led the team to Olympic bronze in Tokyo.

Up front, Andonovski has put his faith in 22-year-old NWSL MVP Sophia Smith and 21-year-old Trinity Rodman along with the 33-year-old Morgan.

“We believe in the quality of the team, we believe in the support that we have and we think that we have what it takes to make it possible,” said Andonovski, who took the reins from Jill Ellis in 2019.

Five players, Rapinoe, Morgan, midfielder Julie Ertz, defender Kelley O’Hara and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher were part of the victorious US World Cup squads in 2015 and 2019.

‘Winning combo’

The four-times champions hold a coveted place in American culture as crusaders for gender equality and last year resolved a lengthy dispute with their federation over equal pay on what the players described as a landmark day for the sport.

U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden appeared in a celebrity-filled video unveiling the squad.

“From lifting trophies to fighting for gender equity, these women have been a source of inspiration to Americans of all ages – our family included,” Biden said.

Pop star Taylor Swift announced Morgan’s name while four-times NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal congratulated Rodman, and Mikaela Shiffrin, the most successful Alpine World Cup skier, cheered for her fellow Coloradoan Smith.

“Colorado kids and World Cups? That sounds like a winning combo to me,” said Shiffrin.

Injury issues

The squad will, however, travel to the tournament without several key players due to injuries.

Leading scorer Mallory Swanson went down in April with a serious knee problem, while captain Becky Sauerbrunn said last week she would miss out due to injury and midfielders Catarina Macario and Sam Mewis were also ruled out.

Andonovski said Sauerbrunn would “always be our captain” as he decides on her replacement.

“We’re going to miss her on the field, we’re going to miss her off the field,” he said.

Sam Mewis’s sister and fellow midfielder, Kristie Mewis, was included in the roster for her first World Cup at age 32. Her Gotham FC team mate, Lynn Williams, also made the cut for the global showpiece tournament for the first time at age 30.

The US begin their World Cup campaign on July 22 against Vietnam. They also play the Netherlands and Portugal in Group E.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign)

Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC), Julie Ertz (Angel City FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais, FRA), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)

Forwards: Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC) — Reuters

NBA

Kristaps Porzingis could be headed for the Celtics as part of a three-way trade involving Boston, the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers.

According to reports, the swap involves Porzingis to Boston and Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon relocating to L.A., with Clippers forward Marcus Morris and draft picks being offered to the Wizards. ESPN and Stadium reported the deal gained steam Wednesday, one day before the 2023 NBA Draft.

The Wizards are reportedly looking for a new home for point guard Chris Paul, who was acquired in the Bradley Beal trade from Phoenix earlier this week.

ESPN and Yahoo reported the Celtics were also kicking the tires on a trade for Suns center DeAndre Ayton.

After the two sides set the groundwork toward a four-year, $180 million extension in March, Washington reportedly re-engaged Porzingis about a new contract before the looming deadline for his 2023-24 player option worth $36 million. But the 7-foot-3 forward appears intent on testing free agency or being traded for the third time in his career. Porzingis, drafted by the Knicks, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019 and then acquired in February 2022 by the Wizards.

Porzingis, who turns 28 in August, averaged a career-high 23.2 points per game last season.

Brogdon exclusively played off the bench in Boston in 2022-23 and averaged 14.9 points and 3.7 assists per game.

The former Bucks and Pacers guard landing with the Clippers could chart the course for Paul and another veteran at the position — unrestricted free agent Russell Westbrook. Westbrook joined the Clippers following a contract buyout in Utah. The Jazz acquired Westbrook from the Lakers at the deadline.

Morris, 33, averaged 11.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game with the Clippers last season and is owed $17.1 million next season.

–Field Level Media/Reuters

NBA Draft

Victor Wembanyama has known where he will be playing professional basketball since the moment the San Antonio Spurs won the draft lottery last month.

And the 19-year-old French phenom can’t wait to officially become a member of the Spurs, who intend to open the draft by using the No. 1 pick on Wembanyama on Thursday night in New York.

“For me, San Antonio is synonymous with winning,” Wembanyama said at Wednesday’s pre-draft press conference in New York. “On lottery night, when the Spurs got the No. 1 pick, I was just thinking, I was feeling lucky that they had the pick as a franchise that has that culture and that experience in winning and making, creating good players. So I really can’t wait.”

The Spurs have won five NBA titles under coach Gregg Popovich and have previously hit the No. 1 overall draft pick jackpot twice with the selections of David Robinson (1987) and Tim Duncan (1997).

Both players are members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as is Popovich.

Another appealing thing about the Spurs to Wembanyama is that French players Tony Parker and Boris Diaw had successful stints with the Spurs.

San Antonio definitely needs Wembanyama, who is alleged to stand 7-foot-4. The Spurs missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons and were a woeful 22-60 last season. San Antonio has lost more games on just two occasions.

Call it amazing timing to grab Wembanyama, the most hyped draft pick to enter the league since LeBron James in 2003.

Wembanyama isn’t the least bit rattled by all the fuss about him leaving France to play in the world’s top basketball league.

“I don’t let this, all this stuff, get into my head because I got such high expectations for myself that I’m immune to all this stuff,” Wembanyama said. “So I really don’t care.”

Part of what makes Wembanyama so intriguing is the fact that he is not your typical 7-foot-plus player.

Wembanyama likes to bring the ball up court and fire 3-pointers. He doesn’t mind getting physical in the interior but he prides himself on his all-around skillset.

“No one is going to stop me from dribbling the ball, bringing the ball up and shooting 3s,” Wembanyama said. “Nobody is going to stop me from doing that. Even though sometimes coaches in my career would try to stop me from doing that because they had to win right now.

“So it was really an everyday fight to stay true to myself, and, yeah, this is something that I’m never going to lose, for sure.”

However, Wembanyama made just 27.1 percent of his 3-point attempts in 44 games for Boulogne-Levallois this season in France. He made a sizzling 75.1 percent of his two-point attempts to shoot 55.2 percent overall.

Wembanyama averaged 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.0 blocked shots and 2.5 assists this season for the Metropolitans 92.

–Field Level Media/Reuters

NBA

Kristaps Porzingis reportedly is headed to the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade.

The late twist Wednesday night, though, was that the deal will send guard Marcus Smart from Boston to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN and The Athletic.

The Washington Wizards, the team shipping out Porzingis, reportedly will acquire guard Tyus Jones from the Grizzlies and a second-round pick (35th overall) in Thursday’s draft from the Celtics.

Memphis is sending first-round picks in this year’s draft (No. 25 overall) and next year’s draft to Boston, per the reports.

ESPN added that Porzingis, a 7-foot-3 forward/center, is opting into the $36 million player option on his contract for the upcoming season.

Washington is also acquiring Celtics forward Danilo Gallinari and center Mike Muscala in the deal, according to ESPN’s report.

An earlier three-way trade involving the Celtics, Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers fell through earlier Wednesday night, according to multiple media reports.

In that scenario, Porzingis was to go to Boston with Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon relocating to L.A. while Clippers forward Marcus Morris and draft picks would have gone to the Wizards. ESPN added that Los Angeles would have sent Amir Coffey to Washington, which also would have received Danilo Gallinari from Boston.

According to The Stein Line and The Athletic, the three-team deal collapsed due to the Clippers’ concern about Brogdon’s health. Brogdon played through a torn tendon in his right arm during the Celtics’ playoff run.

The Wizards reportedly are looking for a new home for point guard Chris Paul, who was acquired in the Bradley Beal trade from Phoenix earlier this week.

ESPN and Yahoo reported the Celtics were also kicking the tires on a trade for Suns center Deandre Ayton.

Washington reportedly had re-engaged Porzingis about a new contract before the looming deadline for his 2023-24 player option, after the sides set the groundwork toward a four-year, $180 million extension in March. Porzingis, drafted by the New York Knicks in 2015, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019 and then acquired in February 2022 by the Wizards.

Porzingis, who turns 28 in August, averaged a career-high 23.2 points per game last season.

Smart, 29, was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22, and he is a three-time All-Defensive Team selection. Last season, he averaged 11.5 points, a career-high 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 61 games.

Over nine NBA seasons, all with the Celtics, he has career averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals.

Brogdon, 30, played exclusively off the bench in Boston in 2022-23 and averaged 14.9 points and 3.7 assists per game.

Jones, 27, played the past four seasons with the Grizzlies after starting his NBA career by playing four years with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He put up career highs across the board last season with 10.3 points, 5.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Morris, 33, averaged 11.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game with the Clippers last season and is owed $17.1 million next season.

Coffey, 26, averaged 3.4 points in 50 games (nine starts) last season, while Gallinari, 34, missed the entire 2022-23 campaign due to a torn ACL.

Muscala, 31, split last season between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Celtics, averaging 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 63 games (nine starts).

–Field Level Media/Reuters

EcoOil-La Salle moved one win away from defending its title as it fended off Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University, 108-82, to draw first blood in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Green Archers waxed hot right from the get-go, unleashing 31 huge points in the second quarter alone to take a 59-33 halftime lead. Prior to that, a Mark Nonoy trey sent La Salle to its biggest lead of 32 late in the second period, 59-27.

The Red Lions, though, staged an uprising in the third frame with James Payosing sinking a free throw to help cut their deficit to just 14, 68-54, before La Salle headed to the fourth with a 77-61 cushion.

Budding guard Jacob Cortez and big man Damie Cuntapay tried to pump life to the Mendiola crew with the latter drilling two big three-pointers that made it an 88-73 affair.

However, La Salle didn’t allow San Beda to create any momentum as Mike Phillips put the punctuation with a slam, 100-79.

Phillips led La Salle with 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals while Mark Nonoy and Kevin Quiambao chipped in 16 and 12 markers apiece.

“Motivated ‘yung players namin kasi alam nila na nage-expect ang school ng championship yesterday and hindi namin nabigay. They’re just motivated to get it here in the D-League,” said assistant coach Gian Nazario, pertaining to their Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup finals loss to UP on Wednesday.

(“The players were motivated because the school was expecting to get the [Filoil] championship yesterday and we were not able to give it. They’re just motivated to get it here in the D-League.”)

The win was a revenge for the Green Archers, whose only loss in the elimination round came at the hands of San Beda. They will now look to sweep the series come Monday, June 26, for Game 2 at the same venue.

Scores:

EcoOil-La Salle 108 – Phillips M. 19, Nonoy 16, Austria 13, Quiambao 12, Gollena 9, David 9, Nelle 7, Abadam 7, Alao 5, Nwanwko 4, Cortez 4, Phillips B. 3, Manuel 0, Escandor 0.

Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda 82 – Cortez 18, Cuntapay 16, Payosing 13, Royo 13, Andrada 8, Alfaro 6, Visser 4, Jopia 3, Tagala 1, Puno 0, Alloso 0, Jalbuena 0.

Quarters: 28-18, 59-33, 77-61, 108-82.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Friday will celebrate the Olympic Day, which will be highlighted by the ceremonial turnover of incentives prepared for the Filipino athletes who bagged medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games last May in Cambodia.

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino will lead the event held annually to celebrate the founding of the International Olympic Committee by Baron Pierre de Coubertin on June 23, 1894.

The Olympic Day celebration starts at 7 a.m. at the University of the Philippines Track and Field Oval in Diliman, Quezon City.

After the ceremony, checks will be given to the 260 SEAG medalists — from individuals, doubles, and team sports.

Represented by over 840 athletes, the Philippines copped 54 gold medals, the biggest haul in the country’s history in the biennial meet, alongside 85 silver and 117 bronze plums to finish fifth in the Cambodia Games.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News

Adamson University standout Trisha Tubu and three of her teammates are moving on from their collegiate careers as they joined Farm Fresh for the upcoming 2023 PVL Invitational Conference set on June 27.

Farm Fresh head coach and former Adamson mentor Jerry Yee confirmed the development to GMA Integrated News on Thursday.

Aside from Tubu, also leaving Adamson to play in the PVL are Kate Santiago, Ckyle Tagsip, and Cae Lazo, who are tipped to reinforce the Foxies that will be made up of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde core.

Tubu, who still has four playing years left, will join former NCAA MVP Mycah Go as well as other Benilde stars in opposite spiker Gayle Pascual, open hitter Jade Gentapa, and setter Cloanne Mondoñedo as they look to battle powerhouse teams in the PVL.

The move came weeks after Yee parted ways with the Lady Falcons, which arose after the seasoned mentor accepted the job to be at the Farm Fresh helm. Yee has also been named the new University of the East mentor for UAAP Season 86.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

Former ONE world champions Eduard Folayang and Joshua Pacio were ecstatic to hone their boxing skills at the famed Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California.

Known for being home to Filipino boxing Manny Pacquiao for many years, the mixed martial artists from Baguio relished every moment they spent at the gym during their visit to the USA.

“I am so glad I was able to shake the hands of Coach Freddie. He’s one of the greatest trainers in boxing history, and it’s an honor to meet him in person,” said Folayang, who is touted as the face of Philippine MMA.

“It’s a surreal experience. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would train in a gym that has produced many world champions in boxing. It was another day of learning new techniques,” Pacio added.

Both fighters trained under the tutelage of Roach’s deputy and Filipino coach Marvin Somodio.

Folayang and Pacio have been in the USA since April to train with various mixed martial arts gyms spending their first month at the renowned Jackson Wink MMA in New Mexico.

Both fighters made headlines together with ex-world champions Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario last March when they announced their departure from Team Lakay.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News

NBA

Nick Nurse, who guided the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 NBA title, has agreed to become the new coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN reported on Monday.

Nurse and the Raptors split in April after his fifth season guiding the Canadian club, which included him winning the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2020.

According to the report, which cited unnamed sources, Nurse will take over a Sixers squad that pushed Boston to seven games before losing in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, which prompted the firing of coach Doc Rivers earlier this month.

The 76ers had lost in the same round of the playoffs three consecutive seasons under Rivers.

Philadelphia last won the NBA title in 1983 but the Sixers have NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring leader Joel Embiid of Cameroon and star guard James Harden as they try to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2001.

Nurse and 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey know each other from Nurse’s two seasons coaching the top development club of the Houston Rockets while Morey was general manager of the Rockets. — Agence France-Presse

NBA PLAYOFFS

Jimmy Butler scored 28 points, Caleb Martin added 26 and the Miami Heat became the second No. 8 seed to reach the NBA Finals with a convincing 103-84 victory over the host Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night.

Butler was named MVP of the series after averaging 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists.

Bam Adebayo recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as Miami bounced back after losing the previous three games. Teams that held a 3-0 series lead improved to 151-0 all-time in the NBA playoffs.

Jaylen Brown had 19 points and eight rebounds and Derrick White scored 18 points for second-seeded Boston, which was just the fourth team in NBA history to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games.

Jayson Tatum had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, but he turned his left ankle during the game’s first possession and hobbled throughout the contest.

The Heat will face the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is Thursday in Denver.

The New York Knicks (1999 postseason) are the only other No. 8 seed to reach the NBA Finals.

The other three teams to force a Game 7 after falling behind 3-0 are the New York Knicks (lost to the Rochester Royals in the 1951 NBA Finals), Denver Nuggets (fell to the Utah Jazz in the 1994 second round) and Portland Trail Blazers (lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2003 first round).

Miami shot 48.8 percent from the field, including 14 of 28 from 3-point range. Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent added 10 points apiece. Martin made four treys and collected 10 rebounds and Butler also had seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.

The Celtics connected on 39 percent of their shots and were 9 of 42 from behind the arc. Boston went 16 of 77 from 3-point range over the final two games of the series.

Brown was just 8-of-23 shooting and committed eight turnovers.

Boston trailed 52-41 at halftime and Game 6 hero White kept the Celtics in the contest with 13 third-quarter points.

White scored eight straight points as Boston trimmed a 16-point deficit in half with 8:29 remaining in the third. The Celtics were unable to creep within less than seven and Martin’s short baseline jumper with 1.5 seconds left gave the Heat a 76-66 lead heading into the final quarter.

Miami started the fourth quarter strong with a 3-pointer from Martin and back-to-back baskets by Butler to push the lead to 17. Later, four straight points by Adebayo pushed the advantage to 21 with 6:55 remaining. Miami’s advantage topped out at 23 points.

Boston missed its first 12 3-point attempts as Miami controlled the first half, leading by as many as 17 points.

—Field Level Media/Reuters

The Philadelphia 76ers have reached an agreement to make Nick Nurse their next head coach, ESPN reported Monday.

Nurse, 55, was dismissed by the Toronto Raptors in April after five seasons as their head coach, a tenure that included the 2019 NBA title in his first season at the helm.

He was in Toronto for the past 10 seasons overall, starting as an assistant coach from 2013-18. Nurse had a 227-163 record in five seasons as the Raptors’ head coach. He is also the head coach of the Canadian men’s national team.

Nurse will be tasked with replacing Doc Rivers, whose 76ers made the NBA playoffs in each of his three seasons as head coach before losing in the second round each time. The 76ers fired Rivers on May 17 after the 76ers bowed out in seven games to the Boston Celtics.

He inherits a team anchored by league MVP Joel Embiid. Nurse and Embiid have some history as opponents, and after a 76ers playoff win over the Brooklyn Nets last month, Embiid said the Nets “kind of took the Nick Nurse route of begging for free throws.”

Nurse’s Raptors eliminated the 76ers in seven games in the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals.

ESPN reported that the Phoenix Suns were also interested in Nurse for their head-coaching vacancy.

—Field Level Media/Reuters

Former world champion Jerwin Ancajas will make his return inside the ring on the undercard of IBF world super flyweight champion Fernando Martinez vs. Jade Bornea bout on June 24 at a yet-to-be-announced venue.

Ancajas, 33-3-2 with 22 knockouts as a professional boxer, is coming off back-to-back defeats at the hands of Martinez last year. His upcoming bout will be in the 118-pound bantamweight division.

“From what  I see, Jerwin is now ready for the 118-pound division,” Ancajas’ manager and trainer Joven Jimenez said.

The 31-year-old Ancajas was on the brink of making ten world title defenses until he came across Martinez in February 2022 where he lost by way of unanimous decision. A rematch took place eight months later where he lost on points again.

Following two consecutive defeats for the first time in his career, Team Ancajas previously acknowledged that it is time to move up in weight stating that the fighter’s body had overgrown the 115-pound division.

—JMB, GMA integrated News

PLDT has secured a huge boost ahead of its campaign in the PVL Invitational Conference next month as the squad got the services of veteran open hitter Royse Tubino, the team announced on Tuesday.

“More fire. More power. Just what we needed,” said PLDT on its Facebook post.
“Veteran outside hitter Royse Tubino joins the High Speed Hitters for the upcoming PVL Invitational Conference!”

The former NCAA MVP was coming off a three-year stint with the Army Lady Troopers, who have yet to see the end to their 21-game losing streak since the Invitational Conference last year. But in those woes, Tubino served as among the bright spots, leading the squad in scoring as they finished last in the previous All-Filipino Conference.

However, Army has decided to skip the upcoming Invitational tilt, leaving Tubino available to join other teams.

In PLDT, the former University of Perpetual Help System DALTA standout will bolster an already stacked PLDT wing that features Michelle Morente, Mean Mendrez, Erika Santos, Jules Samonte, Fiola Ceballos, and Jovie Prado.

PLDT wound up fourth in the previous conference, falling to F2 Logistics in their battle for third place.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News

Rhenz Abando marked his return to the Philippines the same way he left it — with a championship.

The high-flying Filipino import and his Anyang KGC team reigned supreme in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), dethroning defending champion Seoul SK as Abando added another title to his growing trophy collection.

Prior to leaving for Korea, Abando steered Colegio de San Juan de Letran to a Season 97 sweep to deliver the school’s back-to-back NCAA titles while also helping University of Santo Tomas to a UAAP Season 82 finals appearance before he decided to transfer to Muralla.

And the 6-foot-2 cager has his fruitful collegiate stint to thank for the opportunity to make a name for himself in the international scene.

“Sobrang laking tulong sakin na maglaro [sa] collegiate kasi kung hindi ako naglaro dito, hindi naman ako makikilala at [makakapunta] sa abroad,” said Abando, who was feted by the Collegiate Press Corps as the 2021-2022 Basketball Player of the Year on Monday night.

Rhenz Abando shares how his collegiate stint in the Philippines helped him reach his status now

“Sobrang laking bagay kasi kung ‘di ako nakapag-college dito… siguro ‘di ako mabibigyan ng opportunity na makapaglaro overseas, ‘di rin ako makikilala.” #CollegiatePCAwards pic.twitter.com/D15w25N5xH

— GMA Sports (@gmasportsph) May 30, 2023

(“Being able to play collegiate ball was a big help because if I didn’t play here, I wouldn’t have been scouted and gone abroad.”)

Aside from Abando, also given the same award were Thirdy Ravena (2019-2020) and Ange Kouame (2022-2023) while Tab Baldwin, Goldwin Monteverde, and Bonnie Tan were hailed the top coaches for steering their respective teams to championships in UAAP and NCAA.

Tan, who was the architect behind Letran’s three-peat feat, said that timing matched with resources are a recipe for success.

“If you have the chance to prove yourself… go for it. Right timing, right materials, right resources, malaking chance na mananalo tayo,” said Tan who parted ways with Letran a month ago after three seasons to focus on NorthPort in the PBA.

(“If you have the chance to prove yourself… go for it. Right timing, right materials, right resources, there’s a good chance we’ll win.”)

In the volleyball scene, the only Rookie MVPs of the UAAP women’s division – Bella Belen of National University and Angel Canino of De La Salle University – were hailed as the Collegiate Volleyball Players of the Year for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

In the NCAA, Benilde’s Mycah Go and Gayle Pascual received the annual honor for years 2022 and 2023, respectively, after continuing the Lady Blazers’ dynasty with back-to-back championship sweeps in Seasons 97 and 98.

“Sobrang thankful din kasi hindi namin ineexpect kasi maraming players ang UAAP. So it’s a blessing kasi napasama kami dito,” said Belen.

(“I’m so thankful because we didn’t expect because there are a lot of players in the UAAP. So it’s a blessing that we were able to be part of this.”)

—JMB, GMA Integrated News

Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda secured the top seed and an outright semifinals ticket after eking out an 81-72 victory against CEU in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Red Lions led by as much as 17 points, 42-25, late in the opening quarter before the Scorpions staged a late rally with Franz Ray Diaz burying a triple to make it a 70-69 deficit for CEU in the fourth.

But an 11-3 closing run helped the Mendiola crew seal its fifth win in six games.

Third year player Jacob Cortez led the way for San Beda with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block while Peter Alfaro, Yukien Andrada, and Clifford Jopia each poured in 11 markers in the victory.

“The incentive of being No. 1 and being in the semis is of course a welcome for us but at the same time, hindi kami pwede mag-relax. Tataas ‘yung laro sa playoffs so we have to be prepared,” said coach Yuri Escueta.

(The incentive of being No. 1 and being in the semis is of course a welcome for us but at the same time, we can’t afford to relax. The level of play will be higher in the playoffs so we have to be prepared.”)

The scores:

Marinero-San Beda 81 – Cortez 15, Alfaro 11, Andrada 11, Jopia 11, Payosing 9, Visser 8, Cuntapay 7, Tagle 5, Puno 2, Royo 2, Jalbuena 0, Tagala 0, Gallego 0.

CEU 72 – Tolentino 25, Santos 15, Diaz 12, Balogun 6, Bernabe 5, Borromeo 4, Puray 3, Cabotaje 2, Peñano 0, Joson 0, Ferrer 0, Anagbogu 0.
Quartescores: 19-13, 42-31, 60-57, 81-72.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News

PBA

Phoenix Super LPG has shipped big man Ben Adamos to NLEX as the Fuel Masters acquired the rights to another bruiser in Tzaddy Rangel as well as Reden Celda in a trade approved by PBA on Tuesday.

With the move, Adamos will get to reunite with Road Warriors head coach Frankie Lim, who helped him unleash his true potential during his days at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the NCAA.

He will join an NLEX frontcourt led by Gilas Pilipinas member Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Michael Miranda. NLEX finished with a quarterfinals appearance in the 2023 Governors Cup, where they collected seven wins and four losses.

Meanwhile, Rangel and Celda will look to boost Phoenix’ roster as they eye to pick up where they left off in the previous conference, where the Fuel Masters wound up eighth before bowing to eventual champion TNT in the quarterfinal round.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News

Kurt Reyson saved the day as Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran kept its top-two hopes alive with a 62-61 squeaker against University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The veteran guard drilled a crucial layup off the glass in the final seven seconds before Cyrus Nitura missed a potential game-winning basket for the ALTAs to give the Knights the narrow victory.

Letran improved to 3-2 ahead of an all-important clash against defending champion EcoOil-La Salle (4-1) on Thursday with both teams looking to book the second seed and the final outright semifinals ticket.

Perpetual, on the other hand, dropped to an even 3-3 card.

“May pag-asa pa sa semis. Ginusto ng mga bata na manalo this game para sa tsansa na ‘yun. They worked hard for this,” said coach Rensy Bajar.

“In the end, our veteran players lead us to this win. Isa doon, si Reyson. Reyson is a born-winner. He’s our leader. Kumbaga, binigay na namin sa kanya at luckily, na-shoot niya sa huli.”

Team captain Reyson poured in 13 points off the bench together with six rebounds, three assists, and three steals while Kobe Monje chipped in 15 markers, eight boards, one steal, and a block.

Pao Javillonar and Kint Ariar each chimed in with 10 points.

The scores:

Wangs Strikers-Letran 62 – Monje 15, Reyson 13, Ariar 10, Javillonar 10, Fajardo 4, Santos 4, Alarcon 3, Tolentino 2, Cuajao 1, Go 0, Guarino 0.

Perpetual 61 – Roque 12, Nitura 11, Boral 8, Pagaran 7, Razon 6, Abis 6, Ferreras 5, Nunez 2, Ramirez 2, Barcoma 2, Movida 0.

Quarterscores: 11-20, 29-39, 48-49, 62-61.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News