Tag: best bets

Shohei Ohtani contemplating Home Run Derby amid streak

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, center, celebrates in the dugout after he his home run during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

CHICAGO — Shohei Ohtani is rolling along for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the moment.

When it comes to the Home Run Derby, well, stay tuned.

Ohtani hit a leadoff drive against the Chicago White Sox for the second straight night on Wednesday, extending his RBI streak to a franchise-record 10 games. The two-time AL MVP is batting .310 (27 for 87) with 11 homers, 23 RBIs and 24 runs in 23 games this month.

“Really my approach is to swing at strikes, and just making sure that my posture and everything else is lined up,” Ohtani said through a translator.

READ: MLB: Shohei Ohtani has 3 doubles as Dodgers rout Nationals

Ohtani’s latest tear has him contemplating another try at the Derby on July 15 as part of the All-Star festivities at Globe Life Field in Texas. He last participated in 2021 in Denver, when he lost to Juan Soto in a memorable first-round showdown.

Asked by Japanese reporters about the Derby following Los Angeles’ 4-3 victory at Chicago on Tuesday night, Ohtani expressed interest in the marquee event, but said he had to speak with the team about the possibility. A day later, he reiterated his thoughts.

“It hasn’t really changed much since yesterday,” Ohtani said after Wednesday night’s 4-0 win over the White Sox. “It’s something I have to talk to a lot of people about and make a decision.”

Ohtani, who turns 30 on July 5, is in his first season with the Dodgers after agreeing to a $700 million, 10-year contract in December. He isn’t going to pitch this year after he had major elbow surgery in September during his final season with the Angels — something that assuredly will come up during Derby discussions with his new team.

READ: MLB: Shohei Ohtani delivers for Dodgers in home opener

“The one side of it, for him to be in the Home Run Derby, it’s great for baseball, clearly,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The other side of it, on the manager of the Dodgers side of it, you’re trying to be more cautious and appreciating the fact that there’s a lot more swings, higher intensity, you know, going through the rehab process with his elbow.

“But for me, personally, it’s just defaulting to the player and supporting Shohei in whatever he chooses.”

Ohtani connected on a full-count cut fastball from Erick Fedde on Wednesday night, sending the ball soaring over the fence in right-center for his NL-high 25th homer. The 437-foot drive had a 113.9 mph exit velocity.

It was Ohtani’s third leadoff homer this season and No. 9 for his career.

Ohtani also walked twice. He scored from first on Freddie Freeman’s two-run double to right in the third inning.

“He’s unbelievable. He’s a freak,” Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes said.

Ohtani had two hits and two RBIs in the Dodgers’ win on Tuesday night. He went deep in the first inning against Chris Flexen, and then walked and scored in the third. He also hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the fourth.



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Ohtani moved into the leadoff spot after Mookie Betts was sidelined by a broken left hand. He became the first player to hit a leadoff homer for the Dodgers in consecutive games since Betts on May 31 and June 2, 2023. He has driven in 17 runs during his RBI streak.

“Shohei’s just really on a heater right now and swinging the bat so well,” Roberts said. “You know the leadoff homers, the consecutive games with a run batted in, all that stuff. … If they throw it over the plate in his zone, he’s going to hit it hard.”

Galeries eyeing outside spiker at No. 3 in PVL Rookie Draft

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Galeries Tower coaching staff at the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Galeries Tower looks to continue building its young lineup through the 2024 PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 as it targets a scorer for its third pick and also eyeing a setter and middle blocker in the succeeding rounds.

The Highrisers coaching staff, led by coach Lerma Giron and deputy Godfrey Okumu, were in full force on the final day of the draft combine at GameVille Ball Park on Wednesday.

They already have names on top of their minds but they didn’t divulge to protect their target players.

“We could get one of those positions. The setter, outside spiker, even an opposite, or a middle blocker. These players really add value because they’re just coming into the PVL. They’re new. The difference will be the one who settles first are the one who will add more value to their teams,” said Okumu, whose squad earned the third pick in the lottery.

“I think there’s a lot of talent. As I’ve said before I came to the Philippines, there’s a lot of talent in Philippine volleyball,” he added.

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

The Kenyan coach said their priority is an outside spiker, who can be a game-changer for their team, which only had a total of four wins in the past two All-Filipino Conferences. 

“In our team, we hope that the person we will get will come in settled and get to know the team better. That’s the most important thing, building the team together. With the people who are in and the people coming in,” Okumu said.

Okumu said that they will also bring a Brazilian outside spiker as an import but he didn’t disclose the name as the management will announce it in the coming days. 

READ: PVL: Alyssa Eroa grateful for chance to shine with Galeries

“We have a Brazilian girl, she’s coming in soon and we hope that she can fill the gap of one of the outside spiker positions. We cannot name it for now, we wanna make it official. Sometimes in the Philippines, we like fiesta. We wait for the right time like we have a big feast, we eat, and then we name names. I think it’s cool,” he said.

With a chance to bolster their roster through the PVL draft, Okumu is optimistic about the Highrisers’ future in the pros. 

“Last season, when we started, we had new players and we didn’t have time to train together with the new players so by the team the league was coming to an end, that’s when we were kinda getting to know each other, and beginning to work together. That’s why there’s a struggle in the beginning and by the end it is strong. That’s why we believe this time, we will start strong,” he said.



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Raptors, Scottie Barnes agree on $225M extension

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FILE – Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, March. 4, 2023, in Washington. Barnes and the Raptors have agreed to terms on a max extension, one that will be worth about $225 million over five years and could reach about $270 million if he meets supermax criteria, a person with knowledge of the deal said Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors have agreed to terms on a max extension, one that will be worth about $225 million over five years and could reach about $270 million if he meets supermax criteria, a person with knowledge of the deal said Monday.

Barnes intends to sign the contract shortly after the league’s moratorium on signings is lifted July 6, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be announced by NBA rule until that time.

It would begin in the 2025-26 season, with a starting salary of about $39 million and reaching about $51 million in 2029-30 — unless he qualifies for a supermax contract next season, and then the numbers would get even higher.

READ: Trae Young, Scottie Barnes injury replacements for NBA All-Star

Barnes will make about $10 million this coming season, the last of his rookie deal.

He clearly is the player that the Raptors will build around over the coming years. He was the NBA’s rookie of the year in 2021-22, was an All-Star for the first time this past season and has seen consistent jumps in his numbers. He averaged 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists this past season, all career bests.

In his three-year pro career, the forward from Florida State is averaging 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft.



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Gilas makes up for absence of injured cogs in tune-up before OQT

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Gilas Pilipinas during a tune-up game against Taiwan Mustangs. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas is down three men for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament but that doesn’t make them shorthanded, said coach Tim Cone.

Gilas will have to make do minus three key cogs with Scottie Thompson, AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo all nursing injuries in the Paris qualifiers in Riga, Latvia.

So far, Gilas has shown just that following a 74-64 win over the Taiwan Mustangs in a tune-up game on Monday at Philsports Arena.

READ: Gilas’ Tim Cone says Scottie Thompson presence ‘irreplaceable’

“I don’t feel we’re shorthanded at all, I’m not a guy who plays 11 or 12 guys anyway,” explained Cone.

“You know me, I don’t play that many guys. I’m really an 8-9 man rotation. The reason why you have 12 guys is not necessarily for the game, you have 12 guys for practice. You have extra bodies in practice or in case somebody goes down. I don’t feel shorthanded, at all.”

Without a heady playmaker in Thompson, who has been dealing with a bulging disc, Brownlee made sure Gilas still got the ball moving with 15 assists.

Kai Sotto and Chris Newsome also stepped up in the absence of Malonzo and Edu, who are out with calf and knee injuries, respectively. Sotto and Newsome took care of business in the rebounding department, combining for 17 rebounds.

READ: Rankings don’t faze Justin Brownlee, Gilas in Latvia OQT

Dwight Ramos, meanwhile, led the way with 19 points, highlighted by four triples.

Cone, though, knows the OQT will require a lot more from his wards if Gilas is to defy the odds and claim a spot in the Paris Olympics.

“We got a lot of work to do ahead of us, that’s why we’re playing friendlies. Hopefully we get better and better as we move forward.”



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Bella Belen back for UAAP title repeat bid with NU Lady Bulldogs

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Bella Belen is returning for her fourth year with National University in the UAAP.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen has made her fourth year of eligibility for National University official as she expressed her intention to win a third UAAP championship next year in the Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

Belen, who politely declined to comment about skipping the PVL Rookie Draft, finally broke her silence on Tuesday just hours after the first day of the PVL Combine with a short but meaningful message to the NU community.

“Redemption complete. We’re not done yet. Time to make it two in a row! See you next season,” wrote Belen in her Instagram post including the pictures of their triumph in the UAAP Season 86.

READ: Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon skip PVL Draft, stay with NU Lady Bulldogs

Belen led NU’s redemption after emerging as a two-time UAAP MVP and sweeping the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Finals.

Determined to run it back and complete a golden repeat next year, she is staying with Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon and her batchmates Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan, and Lams Lamina to keep a formidable Lady Bulldogs’ roster with Vange Alinsug, Chams Maaya, and Arah Panique.

Despite the high interest, Belen and Solomon skipped the draft and opted to stay with NU with La Salle stars Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, and Leila Cruz, Ateneo’s Roma Mae Doromal, Adamson’s Lucille Almonte, and UP’s Steph Bustrillo headlining the 47 rookie aspirants.

READ: Bella Belen, NU get perfect ending after rough start

Belen and the Lady Bulldogs lost the championship to the Angel Canino-led La Salle last year before completing a successful title-redemption tour this year also winning her second 1st Best Outside Hitter award.

The do-it-all outside spiker became the first-ever women’s volleyball Rookie MVP in 2022, leading NU to a perfect 16-0 title run for its first championship in 65 years.

Belen and Solomon, who missed the chance to play for Alas Pilipinas’ bronze medal finish in the AVC Challenge Cup, are part of the team’s training pool for the FIVB Challenger Cup, facing Vietnam in a knockout game on July 5 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.



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Julia Coronel shines in PVL Rookie Draft combine

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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.

Kings nearly pulled off trade to acquire Alex Caruso–report

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FILE – Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso gestures after making a 3-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, March 31, 2024, in Minneapolis. Caruso has been traded to Oklahoma City for Josh Giddey. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, file)

The Sacramento Kings nearly pulled off a big trade last week while shopping their first-round pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft in an effort to improve their roster.

League sources told The Athletic the Kings were close to making a trade for Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, a two-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. The Kings reportedly offered the No. 13 pick as the “key chip” in trade talks with Chicago, but the Bulls instead chose to send Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal for Josh Giddey.

Caruso, 30, is a 6-foot-5, 186-pound shooting guard who would have added a lockdown defender to a Sacramento backcourt that features De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell and Keon Ellis. He was an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection in 2023 and an All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2024.

Caruso averaged a career-high 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks for the Bulls last season. He shot a career-best 46.8% from the field and 40.8% from 3-point range on 4.7 attempts per game.

The Kings have been active and aggressive in trade talks since general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox came to Sacramento in September 2020. In February 2022, they pulled of a blockbuster deal to acquire Domantas Sabonis in a trade that sent Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson to the Indiana Pacers.

READ: NBA: Thunder trade Josh Giddey to Bulls for Alex Caruso

The Kings have also had a few near misses over the past three years. In July 2021, they were on the verge of trading Hield for Kyle Kuzma before the Los Angeles Lakers chose to send Kuzma to the Washington Wizards in a deal for Russell Westbrook. In February, the Kings were close to acquiring Pascal Siakam before the Toronto Raptors traded him to the Pacers.

Recent reports have linked the Kings to Kuzma and Bulls guard Zach LaVine. In July 2018, the Kings signed LaVine to an offer sheet before the Bulls matched the offer to keep him in Chicago. LaVine is entering the third year of a massive five-year, $215 million contract that will pay him $43 million in 2024-25, $46 million in 2025-26 and $49 million in 2026-27.

Kuzma is entering the second year of a much more team-friendly four-year, $90 million contract with a declining salary scale. He is owed $23.5 million in 2024-25, $21.5 million in 2025-26 and $19.4 million in 2026-27.



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USA stars rave about VNL Manila stint, relish Filipino crowd

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USA’s Taylor Averill during a game against Japan in the VNL Manila leg.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philipines — Having a blast in their first time playing in Manila in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) was an understatement for USA stars Taylor Averill and Erik Shoji.

Averill, who expressed his love to Filipino fans on his social media posts, even wore a Team Philippines jacket during the warmup of their match against Japan, which beat them in straight sets on Sunday in front of 12,000 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I’m so honored. This is the coolest jacket. Such a cool token to have of appreciation and I’m blessed to wear it,” said Averill, only one of two starters along with Shoji who played in the US’ final game in Manila.

READ: VNL 2024: USA star Taylor Averill wants to come back, explore PH

“I’m blessed again for the fans that came out. You guys don’t understand. In the States we don’t get this kind of love for what we do so it means a lot to me. I don’t take it for granted.”

Despite Team USA not making it to the Final Eight with a 5-7 record, the American middle blocker was thrilled to experience the Filipinos’ love for volleyball.

Erik Shoji Team USA VNL 2024 Manila

Team USA’s Erik Shoji.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I’m so excited to come back here. I’ve had way too much fun here. The volleyball community here is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I’m just so grateful. I don’t know how many. Apparently, it was sold out. Definitely sounded like it. I had a blast. It was so much fun,” said Averill. “I don’t know how many more times I can say it. I freaking love it here. I don’t want to leave. Thanks guys. Appreciate it.”

Shoji also savored the chance to meet the men’s and women’s players of Alas Pilipinas.

READ: VNL 2024: Experience makes USA’s Manila stint a ‘great success’

“It’s the best experience that I think we’ve had in the VNL in a while. Obviously, we wanted to win but the crowd was awesome and It was a stretch game for both teams as you can see but, Japan was a little bit better than us,” the American libero said. “The atmosphere was really intense so we’re hoping for a crowd like this one in here in Manila when we play in Paris.”

Averill urges the Filipino fans to continue supporting Team USA in the Paris Olympics and hopes to reunite with them in the FIVB Men’s World Championship in 2025

“Don’t be afraid to support us from afar this Olympics. We would appreciate your support. Otherwise, we’ll see you guys next year. Thank you so much. I love you guys,” he said.



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Verstappen wins Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton returns to podium

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Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium winning the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on June 23, 2024 in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)

Three-time world champion Max Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday after a decisive early move and an “aggressive strategy” from Red Bull to deny McLaren’s pole-sitter Lando Norris and extend his lead in the world championship.

Lewis Hamilton completed the podium at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit as the Mercedes seven-time former champion returned to the podium for the first time since Mexico last season.

The racing may be closer than the past two seasons but Verstappen always seems to pull it out of the bag when it matters most.

READ: F1: Max Verstappen aims for another win at Spanish Grand Prix

This was his 61st career win, seventh of the season, and fourth at the track where he first shot onto the F1 scene as a teenager in 2016.

And it pushed him another step further to a fourth straight title with Austria and Silverstone coming up over the next two weekends.

“I think what made the race was at the beginning I took the lead on lap two and that’s where I had my buffer,” said the 26-year-old.

“I think we did everything well, we drove an aggressive strategy but luckily it paid off until the end. Very happy to win here.”

Fourth-placed George Russell in the other Mercedes enjoyed a stunning start.

With Verstappen to the left of Norris, and Russell to the right of him in the charge into the first turn at the end of the long straight, the pole-sitter came out the loser.

As Norris grappled with Verstappen it was Russell, unsighted, who pulled out from fourth on the grid to take command.

“I got a bad start. As simple as that. The car was incredible today, we were for sure the quickest, I just lose it in the beginning,” rued Norris, who climbed into second in the drivers’ standings for the first time in his career.

Ferrari-bound Hamilton, who received a huge cheer from the Catalan crowd on the podium, said: “Unfortunately, like Lando, I got a really bad start.

“It’s been a solid weekend, I have to say a big thank you to the team as they’ve been training so hard on the pit-stops and the strategy, and they were on point.”

Verstappen raced in second from Norris with Hamilton in fourth.

Two laps later, at the end of the straight, Verstappen made his race-winning move.

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

He was told by his race engineer this “might be our best opportunity Max” and the Dutch ace needed no second invitation, producing a beautiful pass to deprive Russell of the lead, surging over one second clear of the Briton, with Norris less than a second back.

In the first flurry of pit stops after around a quarter of the 66-lap race Russell had a slow stop, emerging in eighth as Verstappen led by almost five seconds.

Hamilton had a quicker stop than his teammate as Verstappen headed in for a change of tires, returning to the circuit in fourth behind yet-to-pit Norris.

A feisty Hamilton zipped past home hero Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari and up to sixth at turn one, with contact between the pair.

Norris and his team were trying a different strategy, staying out longer before a new set of rubber.

He eventually ‘boxed’ for fresher tyres, to slot back in behind Sainz in sixth.

At halfway it was the familiar presence of Verstappen with a six-second gap from Russell, from Norris, back in third after a straightforward overtake past Hamilton.

‘We need to push Max’

A few laps later Norris bested Russell after a bit of nip and tuck between the pair to leave only Verstappen ahead of him, albeit around nine seconds up the road.

Russell promptly pitted as the race entered its business stage, Norris chipping away at Verstappen’s lead.

On lap 45 Verstappen came in for a second time, as Norris followed suit, setting up a compelling conclusion in Catalonia.

Norris had over six seconds to make up on his Red Bull rival with 15 laps left as Hamilton moved past his teammate to put himself in the running for his first podium of 2024.



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“We need to push to the end now Max,” Verstappen’s engineer urged on the team radio. He took the chequered flag for the third straight year at one of his favorite tracks by a little over two seconds from Norris.

Verstappen heads to Red Bull’s home race in Spielberg in a week’s time with a 69-point lead over Norris, who earned a point for the fastest lap, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, fifth on Sunday, third, two points further back.

France secures Final Eight slot with win over Brazil

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Theo Faure and France celebrate during a game against Brazil at the VNL in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Before defending its crown at home in the 2024 Paris Olympics, France eked out a nail-biting 25-23, 27-29, 25-13, 25-19, 18-16 win over Brazil to cap its Manila stint in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The French Spikers pulled the rug from a 1-2 deficit and recovered from a 12-point beatdown in the third set as Theo Faure fired 29 points off 25 attacks, three aces, and a block to secure their spot in the Final Eight in Poland with an 8-4 record.

France coach Andrea Giani got a crucial successful challenge in the fifth set when Adriano Fernandes brought Brazil at match point, 14-13, but was deemed as net touch, bringing the advantage on their side. 

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

However, France committed two crucial service errors before Lucarelli Souza forced a deuce anew at 16-all. Faure sent the French anew at match point before Quentin Jouffroy drilled the game-winning ace to complete the come-from-behind win.

Giani relished his second Manila leg in the past three VNL hosting of the Philippines, as his wards split their four matches, bouncing back from a five-set meltdown to Japan on Saturday.

“It’s the second time for me, and this gym is fantastic. For the fans, it’s perfect because many people, many fans, and this volleyball is a show. It’s important the player and the team used this because it’s a show, and we need to put in the best every time,” France’s coach said.

Although they will be playing in the Final Eight, Giani and his team stressed the importance of defending their Olympic title at home. 

READ: VNL 2024: France halts Iran streak to boost Final Eight push

“The VNL [is] too competitive. The first preparation for the Olympic Games. It’s important for the team to play against a big team. Every match we need to try to win and improve the level and quality,” he said. “I’m very happy because of this tournament, the starting six and the second lineup, they played against great teams here.”

Kevin Tillie also stepped up for France with 14 points, while Jouffroy and Yacine Loati added eight points each.

Brazil, which drew inspiration from Bruno Rezende’s return from injury, seeing limited action, only won a game in Manila, sliding to a 6-6 card,

Souza led the Brazilians with 18 points. Alan Souza had 15 points, while Fernandez and Flavio Resende added 11 and 10 points, respectively.



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