Tag: win

Max Verstappen aims for another win at Spanish Grand Prix

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Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen walks before during the first practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya on June 21, 2024 in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona, ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP)

MONTMELO, Spain — Max Verstappen will be out to quash any hopes that his Red Bull could be beatable at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, where the three-time world champion enjoyed his breakout as a teenager and has won for the past two years.

The race just north of Barcelona kicks off a run of three grand prix in as many weeks and five in a six-week span. Given that tight schedule, teams will have less time to tweak their cars. So the upgrades they are bringing to Spain could be key to determining who has the edge as the summer heats up.

Verstappen has won six of the nine races so far this season and recorded his 60th career win in Montreal two weeks ago. Overall, the 26-year-old Dutchman has won 50 of the last 75 events and holds a 56-point over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc going into Sunday’s race.

READ; Max Verstappen ‘very happy’ at Red Bull but could quit F1 in 2028

While some races have practically been over once Verstappen sped off the starting line, there have been signs that his chasers could at least make this season a bit more interesting.

Both Mercedes and McLaren led the pace during stretches of the Canadian GP before Verstappen steered clear. And two of the last four races have gone to other drivers: McLaren’s Lando Norris won in Miami after Verstappen clipped a chicane and had to pit, while Leclerc won in his home race in Monaco.

Spain, however, usually lets the flat-out fastest cars dominate. Twenty-four of 33 races here have been won by pole sitters, and no driver has won from starting further back than fifth. It is also well known to drivers because pre-season testing used to be held here.

The 4.6-kilometer Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit was made even more fit for speed last year when a chicane that was unpopular among drivers was replaced by two fast turns head of the main straightaway.

READ: F1: Verstappen wins ‘crazy’ rain-hit Canadian Grand Prix

“I think it’s always very tricky, in a way of course exciting,” Verstappen said about the state of the competition before practice started for the race on Friday.

“This is normally a track that is a bit more straightforward. People have a bit more information about a track like this, it’s been on the calendar for a while. Of course, from our side we are hoping to have a good weekend here.”

Verstappen has fond memories of a track where he showed the stuff of a future champion by winning the 2016 Spanish GP on his Red Bull debut. That made him F1’s youngest race winner at age 18. He also scored wins here the last two seasons.

In Canada, Norris lamented not having taken his chance to get a second win. Now he hopes McLaren can match the Red Bulls for pure speed.

“The whole season we’ve been strong, at every race,” Norris said on. “If we can get the car performing like it has done in the past on high-speed circuits, and then I’ll be confident that we can. We should be able to fight.”

For Mercedes’ George Russell, who finished third in Montreal, a good result here should translate into better things to come.

“I think this is going to be a real test and if we can be fast this weekend, that bodes really well for the season,” Russell said.

Ferrari is looking to bounce back from a frustrating weekend Canada, when both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz struggled in qualifying and then neither were able to finish the race.

Sainz’s showcase

F1 Spanish Grand Prix Carlos Sainz

(From L) Ferrari’s Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, Aston Martin’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso, Haas F1’s Danish driver Kevin Magnussen and Kick Sauber’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas attend a press conference at the Circuit de Catalunya on June 20, 2024 in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona, ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)

With Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin so far unable to reproduce their fine 2023 season, the home fans will likely place their faith in Sainz. He is trying to claim his second race of the season after winning the Australian GP in March, when an engine fire knocked Verstappen out.

Sainz is the best driver who does not have a seat guaranteed for next season, after seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton agreed to switch Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. So Sainz is in need of strong performances, especially ahead of teammate Leclerc, to showcase his talent.

Montmeló’s future

This is the first race in Barcelona since it was announced that Madrid will be getting a new F1 event for Spain’s capital in 2026. That sparked questions about the future of the Spanish GP that has been held at Montmeló since 1991.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali has said that the race in Catalonia could stay on the calendar beyond 2026, when its current contract expires. Even so, the Catalan regional government, which holds an 83% stake in the Barcelona track, has moved to spruce up the permanent track.

Some 50 million euros have been invested to upgrade areas both for teams and for fans, including changes to the control tower and pitlane, as well as hospitality and the installation of solar panels.



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“We are not worried about Madrid, our competition is the entire world,” Roger Torrent, the leading government official in charge of the track, told The Associated Press.

Ryan Garcia suspended for year; win over Haney ruled no-contest

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FILE–Ryan Garcia (white trunks) knocks down Devin Haney (gray trunks) during their WBC Super Lightweight title bout at Barclays Center on April 20, 2024 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

Ryan Garcia was suspended for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission, which also ruled Thursday that his April 20 victory over Devin Haney would be considered a no-contest after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

The commission also said Garcia would have to forfeit the $1 million he made on the fight and pay a $10,000 fine.

Garcia would be eligible to fight again in New York state after April 20, 2025, if he passes a drug test, the commission ruled.

READ: Ryan Garcia failed drug test before Devin Haney win, ESPN reports

“The Commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction,” NYSAC said in the statement.

Though the suspension applies only to fights in New York state, athletic commissions typically abide by rulings in other jurisdictions.

Garcia said several times on X, previously known as Twitter, before news of the suspension that he was retiring from boxing and later even posted that he wants to talk to UFC president Dana White about joining that organization.

READ: Ryan Garcia’s B-sample also tests positive for banned substance

“I really hope boxing good without me,” Garcia posted. “I fought everyone and was willing to. They have turned there (sic) back on me. I’m innocent. I stand by that I don’t care what everyone says. Gun yo my head I say I didn’t take PED’s.”

Garcia’s attorneys said in a statement he “was a victim of substance contamination” and that the boxer has repeatedly passed drug tests, even when not in training for a fight.

The statement said: “… he never intentionally took any banned substance. It’s simply not in his nature.”

ESPN previously reported that Garcia’s A-sample tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Ostarine the day before and the day of the bout with Haney, citing a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association letter. Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator, and its use can stimulate muscle growth. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The results of the test weren’t known until later.

Ryan Garcia defeated Haney by majority decision in New York. Garcia knocked Haney down three times and handed the WBC super lightweight champion his first loss, but did not win the title because he was over the weight limit.



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Haney thanked the commission in an interview with ESPN.

“The facts are the facts and I wasn’t on an even playing field,” Haney said. “Happy I was able to receive justice for what happened. It’s all part of my story and it’s only going to make me better. I look to enjoy this time with my family and friends and see what’s next.”

Iran turns up arena volume with second straight win

On: By: admin


Iran may not rank high among the Filipinos’ favorite teams here in Volleyball Nations League Week 3 leg at Mall of Asia Arena.

But on Thursday, the Middle Eastern squad proved to local fans that it can put on a show.

The Iranians pulled through another thrilling five-setter and overcame Nimir Abdel-Aziz’s 37-point explosion to pull off a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-10 win in front of a loud and appreciative crowd.

“It was great. The atmosphere, we’re really so excited to play in one of the best countries for volleyball, for the fans. It was a great experience for us,” said Iran skipper Milad Ebadipour, who helped apply the finishing touches on the win and finished with 13 points.

“I hope, all season, all year, they follow volleyball. Like this year, and especially next year it’s gonna be the World Championships, the most [important] tournament after the Olympic Games. I’m pretty sure that the [arena] will be full, full of fans and you know, it’s making us feel really good to play here.”

Amin Esmaeilnezhad and Poriya Hossein powered the Iranians for its second straight victory to improve to a 2-8 record, following their 26-28, 25-23, 25-18, 26-28, 15-13 win over Team USA less than 24 hours ago.

Esmaeilnezhad poured in 29 points off 25 kills, three blocks, and an ace, while Hossein drilled 27 points including three blocks to deny Netherlands of a comeback in the fifth set.

Nothing to lose

The Iranians quickly assembled a 10-5 spread after Hossein’s big block on Abdel-Aziz. The Dutch star, though, refused to give up and cut the deficit down to three, 13-10, but Esmaeilnezhad and Ebadipour eventually sealed the triumph.

Iran battles sixth-seed team France (6-3) at 11 a.m. on Friday. Ebadipour said they will continue to make the most of the experience and play with nothing to lose.

“We lost eight games, so, nothing bad can happen to our team anymore, so we gave everything, the best. But we look forward and our young generation, I think they are starting to play [well], they’re starting to push and change our mentality,” he said. “They are young but they are professional players and most of them, they play in the best leagues in the world in Italy, in Poland, in Russia. So, they have all this experience. We all help each other, the young guys, the experienced guys. It’s making a good team, and that’s the most important.”

The Netherlands remained in the 13th place with a 3-7 record despite another offensive masterpiece by Abdel-Aziz, who fired 27 attacks, nine aces, and a block. Maarten Van Garderen backstopped him with 17 points.

Abdel-Aziz, who scored 38 points two days ago, hopes to finally get a win in Manila against Japan on Friday at 7 p.m.

Earlier, Canada earned its second straight win in Manila after dominating Germany, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, to bolster its Final Eight chances.

Buoyed by its five-set win over fan favorite Japan two days ago, Stephen Maar and Arthur Szwarc dropped 15 points each to lift Canada to fifth place with a 6-4 record.



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“I think we did a good job in serving and passing today. Our team had pretty flawless volleyball,” said Maar after nailing 14 kills. “Germany gave some good fight in the end and I think we handled it really well, so I’m happy for the team.”

In Maar’s second time in the Philippines, he’s glad that he is now in better shape to play in front of Filipino fans.

Team USA overcomes Brazil for first win in Manila

On: By: admin


Team USA’s TJ Defalco goes for a hit during a VNL 2024 game in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — TJ Defalco connected to Micah Christenson’s brilliant playmaking as USA earned its first win in Manila after staving off Brazil in five sets,  25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9, in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 on Thursday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Defalco delivered 21 points including the two game-clinching attacks, as Christenson orchestrated USA’s offense with 41 excellent sets to keep themselves in the hunt for the Final Eight with a 4-6 record in 11th place. 

The 27-year-old Defalco also led the Americans’ bounce back from a tough 26-28, 25-23, 25-18, 26-28, 15-13 loss to Iran less than 24 hours ago as his 33-point explosion went for naught. 

READ: VNL 2024: Team USA’s Erik Shoji lauds ‘awesome’ Filipino fans

“That one was tough. We’re in an interesting part right now in USA volleyball. We just come out of every game trying to get better and just trying to play USA volleyball. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re figuring it out and that was a big step for us,” said Defalco, who had 18 kills and three aces.

“Coming out of playing Brazil, you know they’re gonna play hard every single time, and I’m very proud of our team staying in the game. We helped each other out. Brazil’s an amazing team and it feels great to barely pull that one out in five.”

Micah Christenson and Torey Defalco in Team USA's first win in VNL Week 3 in Manila

Micah Christenson and Torey Defalco in Team USA’s first win in VNL Week 3 in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Maxwell Holt finished with 15 points built on nine attacks, four blocks, and two aces that gave USA an 11-6 lead before Defalco put on the finishing touches.

Matt Anderson chipped in 13 points, while Taylor Averill added 11 points to gift their thousands of Filipino fans with a win.

READ: VNL 2024: Micah Christenson, USA grateful for fans’ support in loss

“Very intense five sets against Brazil. They’re always there to come out and play as hard as they can. Our only hope is to match that energy and I feel like we did that tonight,” Defalco said. “A lot of the USA guys are very friendly with Team Brazil because one, they compete really hard when they come to play. Real volleyball all the time. So, it’s very easy to compete and try to get to that level, and they’re at a very high level.”

Defalco also thanked the Filipino fans, who made them feel at home before they take a break on Friday before ending their Week 3 stint against Germany and Japan over the weekend.

Brazil remained as the fourth seed despite dropping to a 6-4 record. Alan Souza carried the team with 26 points. Lukas Bergmann had 19 points, while Lucarelli Souza added 13 points.



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Brazil seeks to bounce back against Canada at 3 p.m. on Friday

Iran upsets powerhouse USA for first win

On: By: admin


MANILA, Philippines — Iran turned to Poriya Hossein and Milad Ebadipour to stun the powerhouse USA, in five sets, 26-28, 25-23, 25-18, 26-28, 15-13, and earn its first win in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Although they are no longer in contention for the Final Eight, the Iranians played their hearts out to overcome the runner-up and Olympic-bound USA and snap an eight-game skid.

Hossein drilled 23 points including the game-winning kill to end a thrilling two-hour and 21-minute duel, while Ebadipour delivered 20 points off 16 kills, three blocks, and an ace to overcome TJ Defalco’s 33-point explosion.

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

“It was a great game. We had tough weeks in the past and we lost eight games from eight. This is the most difficult team to play in the third week, to start (the week) against USA, one of the biggest teams in the world,” said Ebadipour.

“I think we have to start to win games and today was our first game in the third week. I’m so happy to win against the biggest team like USA.”

The Iranians couldn’t close out the game in the fourth, allowing the Americans to force a decider, where the former squandered a 13-11 lead before Defalco trimmed it down to one before Micah Ma’a’s crucial service error that sent Iran to matchpoint, 14-12.

Defalco saved a point but Poriya ended the game for Iran to improve to a 1-8 record and sent USA to a 3-6 record in 12th place.

READ: Team USA has ‘mountain to climb’ as VNL unfolds in Manila

Amin Esmaeilnezhad also stepped up for Iran with 14 points including three blocks, while Alireza Moslehabadi added nine points.

Ebadipour is proud of his young teammates for holding their ground against the World No.6 USA.

“I would say I’m proud of them (Iran team). We have a really young generation as I’ve said many times. They have a really good and nice future. I’m happy for this because today, they showed in the future that they can show the best performance and they can improve a lot,” he said.

“All of them are almost under 25 years old. This is great for our national team. This is really good and today, they showed the best quality, especially in the fifth set because it is not easy to play a fifth set against USA or these kinds of teams but they showed the best quality and I’m happy.”



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Iran seeks to carry its momentum heading ito Thursday’s game against the Netherlands at 3 p.m.

Defalco poured in 30 kills, two blocks, and an ace. Setter Micah Christenson ran the plays for the USA, as Matthew Anderson had 13 points including three aces. Jordan Ewert added 10 points. 

USA has less than 24 hours before facing Brazil on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Mbappe breaks nose in France Euro 2024 win

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Kylian Mbappe of France receives a treatment after suffering an injury during a Group D match between Austria and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany, Monday, June 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Kylian Mbappe will not need surgery but will wear a mask when he returns to action after the France captain suffered a broken nose in his team’s 1-0 Euro 2024 win over Austria on Monday, the French Football Federation said.

Mbappe’s head violently collided with the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso as they competed for the ball in the air late in the Group D opener in Duesseldorf.

The star striker left the pitch in the 90th minute as blood poured from his nose, with a source close to the player later saying it was broken.

Philippe Diallo, president of the French federation (FFF), told reporters that Mbappe would “not require an operation”.

READ: Mbappe rules out representing France at Paris Olympics

A statement published by the FFF confirmed the extent of the injury, saying Mbappe had undergone tests at a hospital in Duesseldorf before rejoining the France squad at their base in Paderborn, a two-hour drive to the east.

“A mask will be made which will allow (Mbappe) to contemplate a return to action after a period of treatment,” the FFF said.

However, it is not clear if that means Mbappe will be able to play in France’s next game, against the Netherlands in Leipzig on Friday.

France coach Didier Deschamps was not optimistic when he spoke to reporters after Monday’s match, which was decided by a Maximilian Woeber own goal late in the first half.

“He is in a bad way. He is not well. His nose is a mess, that’s for sure. That is the black mark of the evening for us,” Deschamps said of Mbappe.

Play had initially continued after the accidental collision, with Mbappe prone in the opposition box until Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz signaled to the referee that the Frenchman required attention.

READ: Kylian Mbappe finally joins Real Madrid

Mbappe was treated by the France medical team and his white shirt was streaked with blood as he wandered down the touchline holding his nose.

The new Real Madrid signing came back onto the pitch and promptly sat down as the referee brandished a yellow card in his direction for re-entering the field of play without permission.

Mbappe was then replaced by veteran attacker Olivier Giroud.

“It is not a little scratch. I know he is always being talked about but I can’t say more,” Deschamps added, before expressing hope that his star player would not be sidelined for any length of time.

“I have always said that the France team will be stronger with Kylian in it.”

Deschamps was at least pleased with the result, as France kicked off with a victory in their quest to win a first European Championship title since 2000.

“It is good to start with a victory against such opponents,” he said.

“We could and should have done better with certain opportunities. But overall, it was positive, and we showed we were up for the fight as well.



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“That is important. We have quality and talent, but we need to remain solid as well.”

Celtics rout Mavericks to win record 18th NBA championship

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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics hugs head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFP

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics again stand alone among NBA champions.

Jayson Tatum had 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as the Celtics topped the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 on Monday night to win the franchise’s 18th championship, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.

Boston earned its latest title on the 16th anniversary of hoisting its last Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2008. It marks the 13th championship won this century by one of the city’s Big 4 professional sports franchises.

READ: NBA Finals: Celtics back home with chance to clinch record 18th title

Jaylen Brown added 21 points and was voted the NBA Finals MVP. Jrue Holiday finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Center Kristaps Porzingis also provided an emotional lift, returning from a two-game absence because of a dislocated tendon in his left ankle to chip in five points in 17 minutes.

It helped the Celtics cap a postseason that saw them go 16-3 and finish with an 80-21 overall record. That .792 winning percentage ranks second in team history behind only the Celtics’ 1985-86 championship team that finished 82-18 (.820).

Second-year coach Joe Mazzulla, at age 35, also became the youngest coach since Bill Russell in 1969 to lead a team to a championship.

Luka Doncic finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds for Dallas, which failed to extend the series after avoiding a sweep with a 38-point win in Game 4. The Mavericks had been 3-0 in Game 5s this postseason, with Doncic scoring at least 31 points in each of them.

Kyrie Irving finished with just 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting and has now lost 13 of the last 14 meetings against the Celtics team he left in the summer of 2019 to join the Brooklyn Nets.

READ: NBA Finals: Celtics take season’s worth of lessons into Game 5

NBA teams are now 0-157 in postseason series after falling into a 3-0 deficit.

Boston never trailed and led by as many as 26 feeding off the energy of the Garden crowd.

Dallas was within 16-15 early before the Celtics closed the first quarter on a 12-3 run that included eight combined points by Tatum and Brown.

The Celtics did it again in the second quarter when the Mavericks trimmed what had been a 15-point deficit to nine. Boston ended the period with a 19-7 spurt that was capped by a a half-court buzzer beater by Payton Pritchard – his second such shot of the series – to give Boston a 67-46 halftime lead.

Over the last two minutes of the first and second quarters, the Celtics outscored the Mavericks 22-4.

The Celtics never looked back.

Russell’s widow, Jeannine Russell, and his daughter Karen Russell were in TD Garden to salute the newest generation of Celtics champions.

They watched current Celtics stars Tatum and Brown earn their first rings. It was the trade that sent 2008 champions Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn in 2013 that netted Boston the draft picks it eventually used to select Brown and Tatum third overall in back-to-back drafts in 2016 and 2017.

The All-Stars came into their own this season, leading a Celtics team that built around taking and making a high number of 3-pointers, and a defense that rated as the league’s best during the regular season.

The duo made it to at least the Eastern Conference finals as teammates four previous times.

Their fifth deep playoff run together proved to be the charm.



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After both struggling at times offensively in the series, Tatum and Brown hit a groove in Game 5, combining for 31 points and 11 assists in the first half.

It helped bring out all the attributes that made Boston the NBA’s most formidable team this postseason – spreading teams out, sharing the ball, and causing havoc on defense.

And it put a championship bow on dizzying two-year stretch for the Celtics, that saw them lose in the finals to the Golden State Warriors in 2022 and then fail to return last season after a Game 7 home loss to the Miami Heat in the conference finals.

It’s Meralco’s time to win PBA title

On: By: admin


San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo during Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—June Mar Fajardo, as expected, displayed grace in defeat after a rare PBA Finals loss by the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Cup on Sunday.

Fajardo, a 10-time PBA champion, made sure to give credit where credit is due, tipping his hat to the Meralco Bolts, who closed out the Beermen in six grueling games.

“That’s really how it is. That’s how the sport is. We need to accept the losses,” said Fajardo in Filipino after a heartbreaking 80-78 loss that gave the Bolts their first-ever PBA title.

“It’s Meralco’s time to win the championship. Let’s clap for those who deserve it, let’s congratulate those who deserve the congratulations.”

Fajardo gave everything he had in the finals, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds in Game 6. He also made a clutch triple that would have forced overtime had it not been for Chris Newsome’s game-winning jumper with 1.3 seconds left.

READ: PBA Finals loss fuels CJ Perez to get better

The loss was Fajardo’s first loss in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals after winning in his last six trips to the all-Filipino championship round.

“While it’s painful to lose, that’s just how life is. We won championships but this time, it’s Meralco’s time. The ball was theirs. Let’s congratulate them, they played well as a whole,” said the seven-time PBA MVP, who missed a last-second 3-pointer that would’ve won it for San Miguel.

“As for us, we’ll keep our heads up. It’s not the end of the world for us, right? There’s still the next conference so we can bounce back there.”



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Unable to stop June Mar, Meralco still finds way to win

On: By: admin


Meralco Bolts’ Raymond Almazan and San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—A win’s a win, no matter the cost.

In the case of Meralco in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, the Bolts won 92-88, to take the commanding 3-2 lead despite allowing Beermen star June Mar Fajardo to go off for 38 points and 18 rebounds.

Raymond Almazan wouldn’t have it any other way, though.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco needs to ‘play with poise’ to close out San Miguel

“If you’ll ask me, I’ll trade that [performance] for a win,” said Almazan in Filipino at Araneta Coliseum on Friday. “He can even score 60 as long as we win.”

Almazan dropped 14 points and four rebounds in the crucial game but he got the last laugh over Fajardo who had a better shooting night.

While Almazan didn’t have the most dynamic night on offense, it was his defense that helped Meralco move to the cusp of making history.

And it wasn’t just Almazan, too, who had a hand in tiring out the Best Player of the Conference awardee.

READ: PBA Finals: June Mar Fajardo confident San Miguel will bounce back

The Bolts seemingly found the fix to San Miguel’s puzzle and one of the things they found effective was to put multiple bigs on Fajardo, including Almazan.

“What coach (Luigi Trillo) tells us is, if he scores, we run. If we foul and foul, he’s going to get some rest and we wouldn’t be able to run,” explained the lanky center.

Make no mistakes about it, though. It wasn’t easy to contain the seven-time MVP no matter how many bodies you put on him.

“June Mar’s heavy, he’s what, 260? Meanwhile, I’m at 220 but still trying my best to stop or at least limit him,” Almazan said.



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“It’s hard to stop him a lot. On his off night, he had 12 points and 15 rebounds. Off night pa ‘yon ah?”

History on the side of Meralco Bolts after Game 5 win

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Meralco Bolts’ Cliff Hodge, Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco is on the edge of a historic first crown in the PBA.

After nipping San Miguel, 92-88, Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Bolts are now up 3-2 in the best-of-seven championship series with a chance to finish off the defending champion this coming Sunday.

History is on the side of the Luigi Trillo and Nenad Vucenic-mentored crew as 15 of the 19 clubs in the last 12 years who won Game 5 after a 2-all deadlock went on to win the title, according to stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco Bolts need to ‘play with poise’ to close out San Miguel

Mathematically, that’s a 79 percent possibility favoring the Bolts.

But standing in the way is a San Miguel squad that has a veritable chokehold of PBA titles. And the Beermen, having won 29 titles, know what it takes to pull through in a stage where stakes are at their highest.

San Miguel owns three comebacks in the Finals. The Beermen have figured in 2-3 series deficits thrice and still managed to win the title, the last being against TNT four years ago, also in the Philippine Cup.

READ: Meralco on brink of first PBA title after Game 5 win over San Miguel

The other two instances are against Magnolia during the 2019 All Filipino, and against crowd darling Barangay Ginebra in the 2009 edition of the Fiesta Cup.

Safe to say Meralco has its work cut out for itself this coming Sunday when it tries to finish off the vaunted side at the fabled Big Dome.



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