Badminton body holds ‘thorough review’ of teenage player’s death

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In the handout picture taken and released on July 1, 202  Chinese badminton players and coaches pray together for the late Chinese player Zhang Zhijie, who collapsed during a match.  (Photo by Handout / public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) / AFP) 

Badminton’s governing body on Tuesday announced a “thorough review” following the death of a promising Chinese teenager who collapsed during a match.

Seventeen-year-old Zhang Zhijie was playing at the Asia Junior Championships in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta on Sunday when he suddenly fell to the floor.

Indonesia’s badminton association (PBSI) and Badminton Asia said he was promptly rushed to hospital but died that night having suffered a cardiac arrest.

READ: Chinese badminton player, 17, dies after collapsing on court

However, there were questions about the medical response at the venue. Footage showed it took 40 seconds from when Zhang collapsed for any kind of help to arrive on the court.

“We are taking all necessary steps to thoroughly review this matter in consultation with Badminton Asia and Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI),” the Badminton World Federation (BWF) governing body said in a statement.

A PBSI spokesman on Monday blamed the hesitant emergency response on the referee and said that as hosts they were only adhering to BWF rules.

“Following the completion of our review, we will determine whether specific aspects of these guidelines need to be changed,” the BWF added.

It is also waiting for an official report from Badminton Asia and the local organizing committee “to assess whether the correct medical procedures were followed in providing aid to Zhang when he fell to the court”.

Badminton great Lee Chong Wei earlier Tuesday called for changes in scheduling to give players more time to recover.

READ: Malaysia’s top badminton star Lee Zii Jia banned after quitting national team

The retired Lee, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, told The Star newspaper in Malaysia that Zhang’s shock death should be a wake-up call for the sport.

He said that medical teams needed to be “more alert” and called for the BWF to “review their match and tournament schedule”.

“He appeared tired and it’s sad to accept the reality that China’s future top player is gone,” Lee said.



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Chinese state media has also questioned the emergency response.

Gilas boys lose to USA by 96, bow out of Fiba U17 World Cup

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Gilas Pilipinas boys against Team USA in the 2024 Fiba U17 World Cup Round of 16. -FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Boys absorbed another brutal defeat to bow out of the 2024 Fiba U17 World Cup Round of 16 in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday night (Manila time).

The Philippines suffered a disheartening 96-point loss at the hands of United States, 141-45, at Ahmet Comert Sports Hall, ending its hopes for a podium finish on the global stage.

This after finishing the group phase without a win capped off by a 98-53 defeat at the hands of Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

READ: Gilas boys get crushed by Lithuania in Fiba U17 World Cup opener

Like the Gilas boys’ previous games, the Filipinos went on a slow start that gave them an insurmountable disadvantage until the final buzzer.

Team USA, on the other hand, began the game with an electrifying 43-13 opening period.

Eight players from USA scored in double digits headlined by a 22-point outburst from Koa Peat. Cam Boozer scored 20 while Jalen Haralson, Caleb Holt and Chris Cenac added 16, 14 and 14 points, respectively.

Joaquin Ludovice finished with 15 points n the loss that relegated Gilas in the classification phase. while CJ Amos dropped 10 points.

The Gilas boys await the other teams in the classification round, giving them either two or three days of rest before going back in action.



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Jeremy Miado braces for ‘young, hungry’ Japanese foe

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ONE Championship fighter Jeremy Miado makes his return for ONE Fight Night 23. –ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

As he makes his ONE Championship return, Jeremy Miado knows the enormity of the task ahead against No. 4 ranked strawweight contender Hiroba Minowa.

Miado takes on Minowa on Saturday in ONE Fight Night 23  at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand with the goal of staying among the division’s top fighters.

“From what I’ve seen from Minowa, he’s someone who doesn’t give up. He really has that fighter’s heart. He’s young and hungry,” Miado said of his Japanese foe.

READ: ONE: Jeremy Miado aims to climb strawweight ladder

“We’re both coming off bad streaks, and we both know that this is our way back to relevancy. I expect him to come out ready. It’s all about formulating the proper game plan.”

Planning is crucial for Miado’s game plan against Minowa, especially since he is once again facing a wrestler–a source of weakness as seen in his last few fights.

“His strengths will be his wrestling, that’s a given. I expect him to time my strikes and switch for a takedown,” Miado said.

READ: Jeremy Miado gets TKO win as Lito Adiwang injures knee

“On my end, my advantage would be my footwork. I plan to make things difficult for him when he’s shooting and use my length to maximize my advantage on the range.”

Miado is also banking on the motivation that this upcoming fight could catapult his career.

“We’re talking about my career here,” he said. “That’s what this fight means for me. I’m gonna give it my all, you’re gonna see it all. I’m not going to lose here.”



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Charles Tiu sees ‘great balance’ in Jones Cup-bound Strong Group

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Strong Group Athletics coach Charles Tiu and Rajko Toroman during an open training ahead of the Jones Cup. –SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—With the William Jones Cup coming up, Strong Group Athletics coach Charles Tiu is liking what he’s seeing from the Philippine side’s squad.

After SGA’s practice at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Tuesday, Tiu said that the team’s composition and chemistry so far have been exemplary as they undergo their final preparations before their tournament in Taiwan.

“I really like what I’m seeing. We’ve got great balance, a lot of talents in the wings and that’s a great problem to have,” said the top coach.

READ: Strong Group to represent PH in Jones Cup 

“It’s been really nice so far, they’re all coachable, they all pick up things so fast and I’m really excited for this tourney.”

The College of St. Benilde tactician, though, knows the competition will be anything but easy.

While the list of final participants for the Jones Cup has yet to be released, Tiu did some research of his own and saw that the playing field will be quite stacked.

READ: RJ Abarrientos nursing hurt foot ahead of Jones Cup stint

“Some of the teams participating are quite strong. I saw the Ukraine national team being there, there’s also an American team… Competition’s going to be good but it’s something that we’re hopeful to prepare for,” said Tiu.

The 43rd iteration of the tournament will signal Tiu’s fifth run.

With experience under his belt, Tiu compared his previous squads to the current team and acknowledged the local-heavy lineup flying to Taiwan.

“I think this time we’ve got a lot more local talents. We’re deeper on the local side, less imports and I think we’ve had a bit more time to prepare and that’s good. Hopefully, the results will be the same [from my previous coaching stints].”



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SGA will fly to Taiwan for the Jones Cup on July 12.

After VNL success, PH plays host anew as Challenger Cup fires off

On: By: admin


FILE–A general view of the crowd during a game between Team USA and Japan in the VNL 2024 at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines looks to continue its string of successful hosting gigs with the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup (VCC) for Women from Thursday to Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Behind the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the country will be hosting a third straight international competition this year with the VCC, which serves as a qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League.

Alas Pilipinas will see action in the VCC when it clashes with Vietnam in a knockout game on Friday at 6:30 p.m. following the 3 p.m. match between Argentina and the Czech Republic.

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at FIVB Challenger Cup

Puerto Rico and Kenya raise the curtains on Thursday at 3 p.m. while Belgium and Sweden plunge into action at 6:30 p.m.

Aside from developing Alas’ core for bigger international tournaments slated next year including the Southeast Asian Games, the PNVF is also preparing for its historic hosting of the 2025 Men’s World Championship.

“We’re down to 14 months to go and at the rate we’re going, we look forward to aiming for a well-hosted world championship in 2025,” said PNVF president Tats Suzara following a successful hosting of the VNL men’s Week 3 two weeks ago at Mall of Asia Arena.

The PNVF brought the AVC Challenge Cup at Rizal Memorial Coliseum last May with Alas winning a historic bronze medal. The country then hosted the VNL for the third straight year, drawing big crowds every night, especially for fan favorites Japan and USA.

READ: AVC Challenge Cup official praises PH hosting, Alas Pilipinas

The FIVB even lauded the hosting of the Philippines, looking forward to next year’s World Championship at MOA Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“The Philippines’ love for volleyball was clear, setting the stage for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025,” the FIVB wrote on its official website. “The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s pool in Manila … attracted a massive turnout of 45,886 fans eager to witness world-class volleyball, an exciting sign of what is to come for the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 in the country.”

“The event [VNL Men’s Week 3] was marked by excellent organization and hospitality, which allowed the action on the court to take center stage. As the tournament unfolded, fan excitement and engagement visibly grew.”

The highest attendance, the FIVB said, was recorded on the final day when it peaked at 93.82% with 12,497 tickets sold as fans packed the SM Mall of Asia.

READ: Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza won’t play libero in FIVB Challenger Cup

The men’s world championship featuring the top 32 nations, including the host Philippines, is set from September 12 to 28 next year.

Suzara, who was also part of the country’s hosting of the Fiba World Cup last year, is eager to improve its hosting of the prestigious men’s world championship, following another successful VNL in Manila.

“Of course, still a lot of improvement that we have to do. As you know this is the first time that the world championship will have 32 teams. So we have to divide 16 teams here and 16 in Araneta. But there are still a lot of logistical discussions with FIVB. And also on accommodation, and transportation after the VNL finals in Poland,” Suzara said. “Maybe, the discussions may also fall after Paris because everyone’s busy with the Paris Olympics. But we are looking forward to the one-year countdown on September 12.” 



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The one-year countdown on September 12 features the FIVB Draw, where the country expects 300 foreign delegates. Alas will also play Japanese club in friendlies against the Panasonic Panthers, Suntory Sunbirds, and Wolfdogs Nagoya. 

Rhenz Abando still weighing his next options after KBL run

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Rhenz Abando during an open training with the Jones Cup bound Strong Group Athletics team. -SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Rhenz Abando is still thinking about his next move after his run in the Korean Basketball League.

Abando, a member of the Strong Group Athletics squad that will compete in the upcoming William Jones Cup, revealed that he still doesn’t know his next move after his stint with the Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (formerly Anyang KGC),

“So far, I’m just waiting and weighing my offers,” said Abando in Filipino during SGA’s training at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Tuesday.

READ: Rhenz Abando leaves KBL club Anyang after 2 years

“[Those offers are from] other leagues. My status in Korea now is, I can’t go back because of the rules. They offered me a contract, but I didn’t sign with them so I can’t come back until after a year.”

The Letran product did not disclose the teams that have sent him offers.

With the PBA offseason in full effect, Abando was expectedly asked if one of his options was declaring for the Rookie Draft.

READ: Road to recovery gives Rhenz Abando time to decide what’s next

The former University of Santo Tomas swingman, however, quickly clarified that the PBA Draft isn’t in his options, but he is not completely shutting the door on playing in the PBA.

Just not anytime soon.

“The PBA, it’s just there. I don’t want to declare for the draft right away. Of course, I need to talk to some people and it wouldn’t be nice if I just apply for the draft all of a sudden.”

Right now, Abando is just glad to represent the country anew after having raised the flag in the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

Only this time, he’ll do it under SGA colors for the Jones Cup happening later this month.

“Now, I’m just thankful for coach Charles (Tiu) and Rajko (Toroman) because before all of this even began, they already prioritized getting us. One month before [official] practice, they were already messaging and prioritizing us.”



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During his rookie year with Anyang, Abando reached the top of the KBL right away, winning the 2023 season championship at the expense of the Seoul SK Knights.

RJ Abarrientos nursing hurt foot ahead of Jones Cup stint

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RJ Abarrientos during an open training with the Jones Cup bound Strong Group Athletics team. -SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—RJ Abarrientos may not quite be a hundred percent in Strong Group Athletics’ run in the upcoming William Jones Cup.

The Japan B.League Filipino import bared on Tuesday at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong that he’s been in pain after a freak injury that occurred during one of his home workouts in preparation for the looming tournament.

“I worked out in front of our house. Long story short, I stepped on broken glass while I was training and I even thought I tore my achilles. It was kind of scary,” said Abarrientos.

“When I saw that it was just a deep cut, I went to the ER and I got the results right away, they put five stitches on my foot and I even thought I was out.”

READ: RJ Abarrientos seeks improvement after first B.League season

Thankfully though, Abarrientos wasn’t ruled out like he expected to be.

After undergoing some minimal procedures, the Shinshu Brave Warrior was given the green light to start training with the squad under coaches Charles Tiu and Rajko Toroman.

However, Abarrientos was still imping from time to time during Tuesday’s scrimmages.

READ: RJ Abarrientos carries no pressure from KBL to B.League

Fortunately for him, the SGA’s coaching staff is taking it step-by-step for him to be completely ready for the Jones Cup.

“That’s the word. They’re not rushing me. They just want me to get my rhythm back,” Abarrientos said.

Whether Abarrientos recovers completely before the tournament or not, SGA will have quite the reinforcements with collegiate guards Titing Manalili from Letran and Tony Ynot from College of St. Benilde.

And Abarrientos is confident that the young guns in the backcourt will be of big help come tournament time.



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“I think the coaches have plans for Ynot and Titing that’s why they took them. Me, I’m a fan of them. I already saw their skills in the NCAA.”

PVL to use different format in return of Reinforced Conference

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FILE–A shot of the crowd during the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals between Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The return of the PVL Reinforced Conference features a Pool Play format, dividing 12 teams into two groups as pro volleyball action unfurls on July 16 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

With the import-laden tournament returning to action for the first time in two years, the PVL will be using a different format, using the serpentine method to separate the teams into two groups — based on their standings in the previous All-Filipino Conference with champion Creamline headlining Pool A, while runner-up Choco Mucho leading Pool B.

Creamline, which will be bolstered by American Erica Staunton, eyes to end a six-year Reinforced Conference title drought with the Khat Bell-led Chery Tiggo, PLDT with returning Russian import Elena Samoilenko, Galeries Tower with Brazilian Monique Helena, and Farm Fresh and Nxled, who have yet to unveil their respective imports.

READ: Cha Cruz-Behag returns to PVL as Petro Gazz assistant coach

Choco Mucho, which will miss Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag due to their Alas Pilipinas duties, parades Greek spiker Zoi Faki and newcomer Dindin Santiago-Manabat in Pool B with three-peat-seeking Petro Gazz, MJ Perez-led Cignal, Akari with Oly Okaro, Capital1 reinforced by Russian Marina Tushova, and ZUS Coffee bringing Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru.

PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo bared that ZUS Coffee and Farm Fresh were supposed to end up in the same group due to their records but they transferred the Thunderbelles to Pool B to avoid having sister teams in one group.

The Highrisers, who will also pick No. 3 in the inaugural PVL Draft on Monday at Novotel, will tip things off on July 16, facing the new-look Chameleons at 2 p.m.

Bell marks her return in Manila with the Crossovers’ 4 p.m. match against the Foxies, while Creamline and PLDT cap the tripleheader at 6 p.m.

READ: Thea Gagate eager to help ZUS Coffee rise after winless campaign

The group phase will feature two stages, starting with a single round-robin format. In the second round, the top three teams from Pool A will face the bottom three from Pool B in Pool C, while the top three squads from Pool B will compete against the lower-ranked teams of Pool A in Pool D.

Following the preliminaries, teams will be ranked using the FIVB Classification System. The top eight squads will move on to the knockout quarterfinals. The winners advance to the knockout semifinals, qualifying for the Invitational Conference in September with two foreign clubs.

The finalists will clash in a winner-take-all gold medal game. The Reinforced Conference will feature three games on all preliminary game days, paving the way for the Invitational Conference set for September.



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Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza won’t play libero in Challenger Cup

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Jema Galanza with fellow Alas Pilipinas players Cherry Nunag and Dell Palomata. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at FIVB Challenger Cup

MANILA, Philippines — After initially being listed as libero, Jema Galanza is back to her original position as an outside spiker in the FIVB Challenger Cup on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Two days before their knockout game against AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam, Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito said that Galanza will no longer have to play as libero following a minor foot injury during their preparation.

“She is [doing] better and she’s ok. She will be a regular player,” De Brito told Inquirer Sports.

De Brito also bared that Dawn Macandili-Catindig will be the lone libero of Alas as Chery Tiggo’s Jen Nierva and Eya Laure didn’t train with the nationals. 

READ: Alas Pilipinas hit with reality check ahead of Challenger Cup

Alyssa Solomon, meanwhile, asked permission to skip the tournament as she needs more time to recover after leading National University’s title redemption tour in the UAAP Season 86 last May. She will likely join Alas for the SEA V.League in August.

“Solomon, as I mentioned, she is still in recovery. She requested more time since we contacted her. And the other guys did not attend,” said the Brazilian coach.

Alas battles Vietnam on Friday at 6:30 p.m., hoping to advance to the knockout semifinal on Saturday with only one of the eight participating countries — including Argentina, Belgium, Czech Republic, Kenya, Puerto Rico, and Sweden — qualifying for the Volleyball Nations League next year.

Facing a tough Southeast Asian rival, De Brito banks on Challenge Cup Best Setter Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino in leading the bronze medal team also composed of newcomer Bella Belen, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Sisi Rondina, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos. Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, Dell Palomata, and Cherry Nunag.

READ: Alas Pilipinas women draw tough first FIVB assignment

Meanwhile, Sweden and Belgium clash in a knockout match to open the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Sweden, the European Golden League champion, brings a formidable team led by league Most Valuable Player Isabelle Haak against European League bronze medalist  Belgium led by star outside hitter Britt Herbots and middle blocker Silke Van Avermaet.

Puerto Rico and Kenya collide at 3 p.m., hunting for the other semifinal berth also on Thursday.

Puerto Rico was among the first to qualify for the Challenger Cup, topping the North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation International League Final Four last year.



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Bound for Paris Olympics, Kenya boasts of the top-ranked women’s team in the African Volleyball Confederation led by captain and veteran middle blocker Trizah Atuka.

Bucks banking on long-term potential of young NBA draft picks

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Milwaukee Bucks 2024 draft picks AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith pose for a picture with head coach Doc Rivers and general manager Jon Horst at a news conference Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

MILWAUKEE — If it wasn’t obvious enough already, the youth of the Milwaukee Bucks’ two NBA draft choices became apparent when second-round pick Tyler Smith discussed the origins of his love for bowling.

“I was in Vegas this year (and) there was really, like, nothing to do out there,” Smith said Tuesday during an introductory press conference for himself and first-round pick A.J. Johnson.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers’ stunned reply: “In Vegas?”

Smith explained that his status as a teenager didn’t give him much of an opportunity to sample the Las Vegas nightlife, so he and his friends often would spend their spare time at a bowling alley.

“Keep that mentality,” general manager Jon Horst responded.

READ: NBA: Bucks’ Patrick Beverley suspended four games without pay

The Bucks are banking on the likelihood that Johnson and Smith will have developed into key NBA performers by the time the two 19-year-olds have grown up.

Milwaukee appears to be in the latter stages of a championship window and can’t spend much in free agency due to salary-cap concerns. But rather than drafting players who spent a few years in college and could help right away, the Bucks took a chance on the long-term upside of Johnson and Smith.

“One of the things we liked about both of them is their work ethic and their drive,” Rivers said. “You can see, these two guys want to be great. They don’t want to just come in here and be potential players. They want to be players. Again, we just can’t wait to get to work.”

Johnson is a 6-foot-6 guard who initially committed to Texas in high school before bypassing college basketball and spending the last year in Australia’s National Basketball League, where he played just 7.7 minutes per game while competing with other pros.

Smith, a 6-11 forward, also went directly to the pros rather than playing in college and averaged 13.4 points for the NBA G League Ignite.

READ: NBA: Pacers oust Bucks for first playoff series victory in a decade

Whether either player will contribute much as a rookie remains uncertain.

“The main focus is really just working to a point where the coaches want to play us, like we can actually help the team win,” said Johnson, the 23rd overall pick in the draft. “So I guess we’re just trying to get to that as fast as possible, learn and get as good as we can possibly get, so we can get on the court as fast as possible and help the team win games.”

They’ll get the opportunity to work on a veteran-laden team with an experienced staff. Rivers’ core of assistants will include a couple of former head coaches in Darvin Ham (Los Angeles Lakers) and Dave Joerger (Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings).

Rivers said Johnson and Smith both possess a combination of skill and athleticism that should help them thrive.

“Now it’s our job to try to teach them the game, get them stronger, get them ready,” Rivers said. “But we have a head start. Both of them are excellent shooters. They just have skill to their game, and that’s what drew me to them.”

The Bucks need these picks to work out because they don’t have much draft capital in future seasons.

They currently don’t have any draft picks in 2025. They also traded their 2027 and 2029 first-round selections. Other teams have the right to swap first-round picks with them in 2026, 2028 and 2030.

That limits Milwaukee’s opportunities to boost its roster as the Bucks try to regroup after two straight first-round playoff exits.

The Bucks have surrounded 29-year-old, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with plenty of older players: Damian Lillard (33), Khris Middleton (32), Brook Lopez (36), Bobby Portis (29) and Pat Connaughton (31). The back half of the roster is full of players who are 24 or younger.

“We’ve got six returning core guys that we know are ready now to compete at a high level and take us to where we want to go,” Horst said. “We’ve got three returning young vets that contributed last year and should take another jump this year in MarJon (Beauchamp), AJ (Green) and Andre (Jackson Jr.). Chris Livingston had a great first year with us. He’s working his (tail) off and he’s going to be ready to contribute also.



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“And now we’ve got Tyler and AJ pushing them. And we’ve got three spots on our roster right now in free agency that we’re going to go and figure out the best balance in how they fit the rest of that group.”