Julia Coronel shines in PVL Rookie Draft combine


Julia Coronel during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas setter Julia Coronel shone brightly in the PVL Rookie Draft Combine anthropometry for body measurements, as well as strength, jump, speed and agility, anaerobic, and speed endurance tests on Tuesday at Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.

Her La Salle and Alas teammate Thea Gagate may be the top pick of ZUS Coffee but Coronel was impressive on the first day of the combine, where she showed her impressive leaping abilities, topping the standard vertical jump at 27.78 inches, and placing second in the vertical jump with approach and standing broad jump, with distances of 316.0 centimeters and 248.9 cm, respectively.

The ZUS Coffee-bound Gagate stood the tallest at 189 centimeters and had the longest wingspan at 185 cm. She also ranked first in the vertical jump with approach, tallying 317.0 cm.

READ: Thea Gagate to be picked No. 1 by ZUS Coffee in PVL Rookie Draft

The shortest draft applicant was Lian Macasiray, a former libero from DLSU-Dasmariñas who stands at 148 cm.

Meanwhile, Filipino-Canadian Aleiah Torres, a libero, excelled in several tests, achieving a group-best 50 reps in the one-minute pushup and recording the fastest time in the modified agility T-test with 5.98 seconds.

Setter Angelica Alcantara of Adamson University was the fastest in the 60-meter shuttle run, completing the course in just 14.01 seconds.

Pierre Abellana, a wing spiker from the University of Santo Tomas, also performed well, leading in pushups (43 reps), standing vertical jump (25.0 inches), and 60m shuttle run (14.35 seconds) ahead of the inaugural rookie draft set for July 8 at the Novotel Ibis Styles, the official venue partner of the country’s only professional volleyball league.

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee, Creamline’s Sherwin Meneses, Choco Mucho’s Dante Alinsunurin, Cignal’s Shaq Delos Santos, Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara and program director Oliver Almadro, PLDT’s Rald Ricafort, and representatives from Galeries Tower, Akari, and Farm Fresh scouted the combine, which also featured 11 free agents in the morning session.

READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline PVL Rookie Draft

Eyeing for a direct hiring consideration, Mer Jauculan, formerly of Strong Group, stood out.

Jauculan, a 5-foot-4 spiker, topped five of the six tests, including 50 reps in the one-minute push-up, 32.18 inches in the standing vertical jump, 265 cm in the standing broad jump, 6.67 seconds in the modified agility t-test, and 14.34 seconds in the 60-meter shuttle run.

Other participating free agents included Judith Abil, Jan Cane, Chumcee Caole, Lhara Clavano, Dana Del Rosario, Cathrina Dizon, Sheeka Espinosa, Elaine Juanillo, Pia Sarmiento, and Menchie Tubiera.

Three free agents, AJ Jingco, Menchie Tubiera, and Souzan Raslan were absent on Day 1, while all the 47 rookies were present.

Day 2 on Wednesday will see all the draft hopefuls and free agents compete in scrimmage matches.



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ZUS Coffee will select Gagate at No.1. Capita1 will pick at No.2, followed by lottery teams Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh. 

Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, runner-up Choco Mucho, and All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline.

In winning NCAA MVP, Mondoñedo blazes a rare statistical trail


St. Benilde Blazers star Cloanne Mondoñedo during Collegiate Press Coprs Awards. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Everybody in the NCAA knew that Cloanne Mondoñedo deserved to win the women’s volleyball MVP award.

Except, maybe, St. Benilde’s ace playmaker herself.

“I had to convince myself that maybe this one’s really for me because I really worked hard ever since I joined NCAA,” Mondoñedo said on late Monday evening after being hailed by the Collegiate Press Corps as the finest women’s volleyball athlete of the country’s oldest varsity competition.

Aside from the fact that Mondoñedo believes so many talented players also deserve to be named MVP, there is that one little fact that contributed heavily to her disbelief: Setters rarely win the highest individual award, and Mondoñedo knew her victory was a statistical rarity.

“To be honest, I was surprised. I didn’t expect it,” she said. “Because all I [was expecting] is the [best] setter award as a bonus to winning the championship.”

“I really thought about it. At first, I said, “how?” I asked a lot of questions.” she said, laughing. “Why me? Why me? How did that happen? And then, I was surprised when I accepted the award from NCAA. They told me that it’s very rare to get the MVP and setter.”

In the collegiate ranks, individual awards are purely stats-based, with no votes getting in the way of the process.

And for setters, that’s an obstacle.

Traditionally, the statistical points that count toward the MVP race include points, attacks, blocks, serves, digs, sets and receptions.

Spikers and blockers hog a lot of those statistical points, especially on points and attacks. At most, playmakers draw their points from sets, serves and sometimes—because of their general proximity to the net—blocks. Digs may be scattered among team members but often, opposing squads have a specific target with their services, lessening the chances for setters to earn points off receptions.

Long-time beat reporters of the NCAA explained that it took a confluence of events to open up a path for Mondoñedo toward the MVP award.

First, a majority of the statistical points, especially the bonuses for won games, were sucked in by St. Benilde. And the Lady Blazers’ production was well spread out across its talented roster.

Then, there was the fact that there was no dominant performer in the NCAA the way the UAAP had. No Bella Belen, Angge Poyos, Angel Canino or Casiey Dongallo coming up with monster 20-plus points a game the way former San Sebastian star Grethcel Soltones did before.

Crucially, perhaps, the MVP candidates of the NCAA were culled from the four teams that survived the elimination round.

Unless those factors combine in a season again, setters—who get the team offense going and open up opportunities for their spikers and blockers to score—may not be in the mix of MVP contenders.

It was quite telling during the CPC Awards Night that Mondoñedo’s feat was described as something that “hasn’t happened in recent memory”—which is shorthand for “we can’t recall if this has happened at all.” In the UAAP, at least since the 1996-97 season, no setter has won the MVP award.



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Perhaps it is time to adjust the process for selecting the best individual athlete in a tournament? INQ

Andy Murray faces agonizing decision over Wimbledon farewell


(FILES) Britain’s Andy Murray reacts as he plays against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men’s singles tennis match on the fifth day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 7, 2023. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)

Andy Murray has not yet decided if he will play Wimbledon for the final time despite the ruling body of the men’s tour claiming he has withdrawn from the Grand Slam tournament where he is a two-time champion.

The ATP announced on its official ‘X’ account that the 37-year-old former world number one had pulled out of Wimbledon after undergoing back surgery on Saturday.

“After an operation on a spinal cyst, Andy Murray is sadly out of Wimbledon. Rest up and recover Andy, we’ll miss seeing you there,” said the ATP.

READ: Andy Murray uncertain if he’ll play in Paris Olympics

However, that message was quickly deleted, leaving a question mark over the fitness of the 2013 and 2016 champion at the All England Club.

Britain’s Daily Telegraph also reported that Murray will be a Wimbledon no-show.

Wimbledon starts on July 1 while Murray also faces a race against time to be fit for next month’s Paris Olympics. The Scot is a two-time gold medallist in Olympics singles.

The draw for Wimbledon takes place on Friday, giving Murray little time to consider his options, but Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said the star had yet to make a decision.

“I’ve seen the reports and on social media and that’s not my understanding,” Smith told the BBC on Sunday.

“This has come from one source and had a knock-on effect, a lot of people are reporting it but that’s not my understanding.”

‘Hope for the best’

Smith added: “He (Murray) obviously went through a procedure yesterday (Saturday) and you have to wait and see now. My understanding is no decision has been made and let’s hope for the best for Andy.”

Murray managed just five games before a back injury forced him to withdraw from his second-round match against Australia’s Jordan Thompson at the Queen’s Club warm-up event in London on Wednesday.

The three-time Grand Slam title winner, who plays with a metal hip, struggled from the start of his match against Thompson and said afterward he had a feeling of weakness in his right leg and had lost coordination.

READ: Andy Murray’s French Open career ended by Wawrinka in first round

“I never had that loss of coordination, control and strength in my leg before,” Murray said shortly after retiring from his match with Thompson.

“I’ve been struggling with my back for a while — I had lost the power in my right leg so lost all motor control, I had no coordination and couldn’t really move.”

Asked then about his prospects of playing at Wimbledon, he added: “Like all tennis players, we have degenerative joints and stuff in the back, but it’s all predominantly been left-sided for me my whole career.

“I have never had too many issues with the right side. So maybe there is something that can be done between now and then to help the right side.”

Murray underwent minor back surgery in 2013 and following a first-round loss at the recent French Open he said he would need treatment to address soreness.

The three-time Grand Slam champion only returned to competitive action in May after nearly two months out with an ankle injury.



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He had been due to play singles and doubles with his brother Jamie at Wimbledon before potentially ending his career at the Olympics.

‘Good to be back,’ says Lewis Hamilton after podium return


Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton raises his trophy as he celebrates on the podium with Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (R) after the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on June 23, 2024 in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona. (Photo by Manaure Quintero / AFP)

Lewis Hamilton may be a seven-time world champion and Formula One record holder but his delight at finally finishing on the podium again after a lengthy barren spell on Sunday was plain to see.

The 39-year-old, in his final season at Mercedes before moving to Ferrari, took third at the Spanish Grand Prix to join in the post-race champagne celebrations for the first time since Mexico in October, 2023 and to extend his record of 198 career podium appearances.

His buoyant race form came on the back of a superb qualifying session after a season when he had been bettered by his teammate George Russell 8-1 arriving in Catalonia.

READ: F1: Verstappen wins Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton returns to podium

He played down the prospect of ending his long and successful time at Mercedes with a final victory this season, but was upbeat that the team had finally emerged from the doldrums ever since Red Bull stole a march on their rivals with the change in the F1 technical landscape two years ago.

Hamilton, who missed out on a record eighth world title on the last lap of the season in controversial circumstances to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi in 2021, said: “It’s a big boost to finally get a good result and to be back up here.”

The Briton, who shares the record of six wins in Spain with Michael Schumacher, added: “We are slowly slowly getting closer.

“We have to take it with a pinch but I do think we have closed the gap a little bit.

“It’s all hands on deck (back at the Mercedes factory) and we have to keep pushing.

“We have to keep fine tuning the car but we are definitely building momentum.”

READ: F1: ‘One of my worst races,’ says Lewis Hamilton after missing podium

Talking about his recent wretched luck in qualifying up to this weekend he said: “My Saturday has been so bad for the past 15 races, it’s good to have a clean weekend.”

Talking about his upcoming switch to Ferrari Hamilton reflected: “I love Mercedes, I’ve been with them since I was 13.

“The job this year is to work as hard as I can, whatever trajectory the team is on there are things that I can be proud of being a part of.

“It would be nice to sign off with a win – but just being consistent at weekends like this is the target.”



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Hamilton sits eighth in the world championship, on 70 points, 11 behind teammate Russell, who finished fourth in Catalonia.

Red Bull’s Verstappen won Sunday’s race ahead of Lando Norris in a McLaren.

Tots Alas out for Alas Pilipinas, says coach Jorge de Brito


Tots Carlos.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Tots Carlos won’t play for Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Challenger Cup.

And as to why Carlos will skip the national team’s upcoming campaign, coach Jorge Souza De Brito said Rebisco, the Creamline star’s mother company, will provide the details.

“[She] plays good. She’s always been the one who we requested for us for the national team. But at the moment, she’s not there. Rebisco will release something [about the development soon]. What we’re expecting is to bring the guys who are really good at the same time,” De Brito told reporters after watching his home country, Brazil’s game against France in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Carlos was added to the Alas Pilipinas pool after it won bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup last month. However, only Bella Belen, Jema Galanza, and Alyssa Solomon joined the team’s buildup for the VNL qualifier.

READ: Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza added to Alas Pilipinas pool

“It’s always hard, but we’re prepared to go against Vietnam,” said De Brito. “Since we have more time, we can now have better preparations. The expectations are supposed to be always high so we have to work really hard and not just stand there, waiting for the guys to repeat the performance [in the Challenge Cup].”

Alas battles Challenge Cup champion Vietnam on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in a knockout game, seeking to advance to the semifinal.

De Brito believes the team chemistry of the new additions with Best Setter and captain Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino, as well as Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Faith Nisperos, Jennifer Nierva, Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, and Vanie Gandler are getting better.

READ: Tots Carlos grateful for chance to learn in Korea tryout

“They are much better now. It wasn’t lucky at that moment [in the AVC Challenge Cup] but it’s a short time for preparation. I’ll have more [preparation] so we can offer much more for each other and ourselves. I think that’s the way we have to do and expect for this team,” said the Brazilian coach, who got his contract extension until next year’s Southeast Asian Games.

Carlos, a three-time PVL MVP, last saw action for the national team in the past two SEA Games.



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Dutch star scorer proud of team despite missing Olympics


Netherlands’ Nimir Abdel Aziz in the VNL 2024.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Nimir Abdel-Aziz’s greatest scoring nights went for naught after the Netherlands ended up winless in Manila to cap its Volleyball Nations League (VNL) season.

Abdel-Aziz scored another 37-point explosion highlighted by six aces but the Netherlands fell to Canada in five sets,  21-25, 25-22, 28-26, 14-25, 15-9, on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Dutch star emerged as the league’s top scorer with a total of 284 points built on 235 spikes, 40 aces, and nine blocks. He was the only VNL player to score 30-plus points in five matches. 

But he’s not thinking about his scoring tear as all he wanted was to give his best for his team. 

“I just try to do my best like all the teams. We wanted to fight, we wanted to give our best. And I really don’t care about the individual points because I am just proud of the team and how we stood on the court,” said Abdel-Aziz, who averaged 29.8 points in four games in Manila.

The Netherlands lost all four games in Manila, missing the Final Eight with a 3-9 record to end the VNL season. But Abdel-Aziz remained proud of his teammates.

“I think we had a good fight, we gave everything. It was not enough but I am proud of the team [despite] not qualifying for the Olympics and everything. We continued to fight so we did great,” he said. “It’s our third year in a row. Every year, [we’re] improving. This year was great, so I think it’s only gonna get better.”

The 32-year-old Abdel-Aziz admitted that some of the Dutch players are retiring after the VNL, passing the torch to the young guns.

“We will see what’s gonna happen in the next year because I think some of us won’t be there anymore. So, it’s also time for some young generation guys. So we’ll see how they will develop and how they can continue to reach a higher level,” he said.

Despite the winless Manila stint, the scoring machine expressed his gratitude to Filipino fans for supporting them.

“The thing for us volleyball players, it’s one of the best places to play because the fans are here, they are supporting everybody. So, it’s not just the home crowds like in other venues,” Abdel-Aziz said. “Here, we feel support from everybody, every game, doesn’t matter who we play. Maybe a little less against Japan but for the rest, we feel a lot [of support], so it feels great to play here.”



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VNL 2024: Yuki Ishikawa, Japan rally past Olympic champion France


Japan team celebrates in the VNL 2024 Week 3 game against France. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Yuki Ishikawa took matters into his own hands to help depleted Japan complete an epic comeback-from-behind 17-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-10 win over Olympic champion France in the Volleyball Nations League on Saturday evening before a roaring crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

With Ran Takahashi flying home to Japan due to a nagging injury and Yuji Nishida sitting out after the second set due to abdomen pain, Ishikawa willed Japan back from two sets down, with 33 points off 31 spikes, one ace, and a block in front of 11,879 fans.

“First two sets, we were not working well. At the same time, we made too many mistakes, especially in our attacks. After the third set, we worked on our chemistry, our attack, and defense,” said the Japan skipper. “We have to push all the time. First and second sets we were a little bit nervous.”

READ: Japan’s Ran Takahashi leaves Manila to treat knee injury

“[33 points] is not important for me. What’s important is the team, so our teammates played very well, so I had to make the right plays,” he added.

Kento Miyaura, who came off the bench, also stepped up with 19 points built on 16 spikes, two aces, and a block as Japan improved to 8-3 in fifth place with one last assignment remaining against the USA on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Miyaura powered the Japanese to an early 10-5 start in the fifth set before Ishikawa delivered the killer blows to complete the comeback win against the 2022 VNL champions.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan bounces back with sweep of Netherlands

“It’s our last game in the Philippines, so we will do our best every time, and we will continue to play well,” said Ishikawa of USA. “It’s a really, really tough game for sure. United States plays fast, so our service needs to be well.”

Akihiro Yamauchi and Kentaro Takahashi added six points each as Japan won the second of its third assignment in their third consecutive VNL Manila leg.

France absorbed its second straight defeat in Manila, sliding to a 7-4 record in sixth place after a tough loss to the also-ran Iran.

Jean Patry led the balanced attack of the French Spikers with 21 points off 18 attacks, two aces, and a block. Trevor Clevenot backstopped him with 15 points, while Yacine Loati and Nicolas Le Goff had 11 and 10 points, respectively.



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France tries to end its skid against Brazil on Sunday at 3 p.m. 

PLDT’s Kianna Dy still day-to-day, no timeline for return


Kianna Dy.–Photo from PLDT High Speed Hitters

MANILA, Philippines — Kianna Dy’s availability remains day-to-day ahead of PLDT’s upcoming campaign in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July.

Dy, who has been missing the action since last year’s Invitational Conference due to a knee injury, is not giving a timeline on when she will make her debut as a High Speed Hitter but she assured that she is “doing good.”

“With my injury, we’re going day-by-day. And I just don’t want to give a specific date when I’m going to play because ayaw kong paasahin din yung sarili ko and also the supporters. So, we just go day-by-day and see what happens,” Dy told reporters during PLDT’s fan meet in the Volleyball Nations League on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: PVL: Kianna Dy can’t wait to play against former teammates

The star opposite spiker is crossing her fingers that she can play in the midseason conference with returning Russian import Elena Samoilenko, whom she faced in 2022 when she was still with F2 Logistics.

“She’s really nice. I’ve actually played against her the last time, so… [we’re] preparing for the next league and hopefully I get to join her play,” said Dy, who signed with PLDT with Majoy Baron and Kim Fajardo after F2 Logistics’ disbandment.

PLDT, led by Filipino-Canadian Savi Davison, is raring to end a three-conference semis drought after falling short in the All-Filipino Conference with an 8-3 record in fifth place.

READ: PVL: Kianna Dy says familiarity big factor in choosing PLDT

The top four of Reinforced will also qualify in the PVL Invitational Conference in September with two foreign guest teams.

Dy, whose with Fajardo, Erika Santos, Kiesha Bedonia, and Rachel Austerio, is enjoying the VNL fever with her teammates as she can’t wait to watch the clash of her favorite team Japan against USA on Sunday. 

“I actually am very excited to watch Japan, the next game because you know, they’re real-life Haikyu and I grew up watching Haikyuu so I’m very excited to watch them play,” said Dy, referring to a volleyball anime series “Haikyu!!”. “VNL is such a big event and we’re very proud to support the VNL and you know it’s high-play here so it’s nice watching players from other countries play here.”



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Alas Pilipinas name Italian Angiolino Frigoni as new coach


Alas Pilipinas men during the AVC Challenge Cup. —AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Alas Pilipinas men’s team will have a new coach in seasoned Italian tactician Angiolino Frigoni, according to Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara.

Suzara on Saturday bared that Frigoni has taken over the Philippine men’s volleyball team program, succeeding Brazilian Sergio Veloso, who will be now the program director for the boys and girls grassroots.

“We have a new Italian coach. He’s a two-time Olympic coach Frigoni. He’s here to share with us his expertise and to bring our team and elevate their skills next year,” said Suzara during the penultimate day of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: Alas Pilipinas finish 10th in AVC Challenge Cup

In time for the Alas’ participation in the FIVB World Championship next year in Manila, the Filipino Spikers get a timely boost from an Olympian coach, who is a decorated volleyball personality in the world.

Frigoni will have a chance to develop Alas stars Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas, setter Owa Retamar, and other Filipino players.

Suzara said Veloso will handle the grassroots after two years with the men’s team, ending his stint in the AVC Challenge Cup for Bahrain.

The Brazilian will form a team and coaching staff as the country participates in the under-18 boys in Bahrain and under-20 women in the AIMAG in Bangkok in November.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men beat Indonesia, advance to battle for 9th

“Sergio will now be the director for the junior development so we’re now setting up a junior development program. Sergio will be in charge of the under 18, under 20,” Suzara said. “He’s basically in charge of feeding the senior national team with very young players. He’s focused more on the upcoming university players to play in the national team

“He needs to get a pool of coaches to help him. He will start recruiting players in the province he’ll go to Cebu in the Palarong Pambansa and other national tournaments,” he added.

Suzara said that Veloso should retain Japanese coach Taka Minowa for the girls’ team, which won bronze in the Princess Cup and joined the Asian U18 women’s in Thailand.

The PNVF will be in the US for 10 days to discover Filipino-American talents for men’s and women’s indoor volleyball as well as for beach volleyball.



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Conor McGregor withdrew from UFC 303 due to broken toe


Conor McGregor poses for photographers during a photo call for the the film ‘Road House’ in London, Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor posted on Instagram on Friday that a broken toe was the reason he had to pull out of his headline UFC 303 bout against Michael Chandler after previously not specifying the injury.

“We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean,” McGregor posted.

“It needs a few weeks that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again. That walk has been seen. This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100% Conor McGregor. The fans deserve it and we are getting close.”

READ: Conor McGregor says he will return to UFC after injury recovery

Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will face top-ranked challenger Jiri Prochazka in the June 29 main event in Las Vegas in place of the McGregor-Chandler match.

McGregor said he would return to the octagon “Chandler or not.”

He took the X, formerly known as Twitter, to say that Chandler is getting paid 10 times the amount he would have received if he had fought someone else.

“For those saying he could have fought 2 or 3 times by now etc.,” McGregor posted, “He’d need 10 to break even with this cheque.”



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