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Andy Murray faces agonizing decision over Wimbledon farewell

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not yet decided if he will play Wimbledon for the final time despite the ruling body of the men’s tour claiming he has withdrawn from the Grand Slam tournament where he is a two-time champion.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

NBA draft: International prospects beyond France

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FILE – Red Star’s Nikola Topic, right, drives to the basket during the Euroleague basketball match between Red Star and Partizan, in Belgrade, Serbia, on Jan. 4, 2024. AP Photo, File)

France isn’t the only country producing top prospects for the NBA — it just sort of seems that way.

Victor Wembanyama was the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft a year ago and went on to win the league’s Rookie of the Year award.

Two more Frenchmen — Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher — are projected top picks Wednesday night in the draft. Tidjane Salaun is another potential lottery pick from France, and Pacome Dadiet could go late in the first round.

But the international pool extends beyond France. Other prospects include Nikola Topic and Nikola Djurisic of Serbia, Bobi Klintman of Sweden, Juan Nunez of Spain and Ulrich Chomche of Cameroon.

READ: NBA: Hawks GM taking trade calls but plans to keep top pick

Here’s a closer look:

Nikola Topic (Serbia)

The 6-foot-6 point guard has a partially torn ACL but is still projected to be a first-round pick. He doesn’t turn 19 until August. He was projected as a top-five prospect early in the 2023-24 season following his performance with Belgrade club Mega — Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic ’s old team. Topic made a midseason move back to his original club Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) to play alongside one of his idols, Milos Teodosic, and to get some meaningful minutes in the Euroleague. But he missed time with a left knee injury — before the ACL issue that came later.

“I’m working on my rehab with the knee injury, and that’s the main focus right now,” Topic said in a video call with reporters on June 4 from the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Treviso, Italy. “After that, I’ll work on basketball. … I’ve been doing (the) weight room. It’s not 100% healed. I haven’t started running or practicing with (the) basketball. The focus is on my rehab, on my knee and on my body mainly.”

In the latest AP NBA mock draft, Topic is projected to be selected 15th. He needs to improve his 3-point shooting — as he shot around 30% last season. He averaged 14.5 points, 5.5 assists and 2.3 turnovers per game in an injury-shortened season.

Nikola Djurisic (Serbia)

The 6-7 small forward has logged major minutes the past two years as a starter with Mega, where he was teammates with Topic for part of last season. The 20-year-old Djurisic improved his 3-point shooting this season but still shot just 30.5% overall — and 33.6% in 30 Adriatic League games. He averaged 14.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.2 turnovers.

In an interview with the Indiana Pacers when he visited there for a pre-draft workout, the 209-pound Djurisic said he is trying to show that he is a “three-level scorer, can defend multiple positions, can switch 1 to 4.” He says he’s “definitely a creator” on the floor “who cares about finding open teammates.” He’s projected as a second-round pick.

READ: Bronny James is staying in the NBA draft, agent announces

Bobi Klintman (Sweden)

The 21-year-old Swede played this past season in Australia as part of the National Basketball League’s “ Next Stars ” program. A versatile 6-foot-9 forward, Klintman shot 36% from 3-point range in 23 NBL games for the Cairns Taipans while averaging 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. The 212-pound Klintman played one season at Wake Forest and withdrew from last year’s draft. The AP mock draft predicts Klintman going toward the end of the first round.

Juan Nunez (Spain)

After developing through Real Madrid’s youth system, the 6-4 point guard played with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany the past two seasons. The lefthander shot 31.9% from 3-point range in both of his seasons there.

The 20-year-old Nunez has shown improvement. He averaged 9.9 points, 4.9 assists and 2.3 turnovers in 2023-24 and in 15 Eurocup games he upped those numbers to 10.8 points, 5.7 assists and shot 35% from beyond the arc. A crafty pick-and-roll playmaker, the 205-pound Nunez lacks explosiveness. He’s not an elite defender but can be disruptive on that end of the floor. Nunez shot only 60.7% from the free throw line last season. Most mock drafts predict Nunez as a second-round pick, which could make a draft-and-stash candidate.

Ulrich Chomche (Cameroon)

The 6-10 center is trying to become the first NBA Academy student-athlete to go directly to an NBA team. The 232-pound Chomche just barely qualifies for this draft — he turns 19 on Dec. 30.



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He has played in two seasons of the Basketball Africa League. Chomche was preparing for a third season but withdrew when he received an invitation to the NBA combine. In three BAL qualification games playing for the academy’s team, he averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and 2.7 blocks. His game is often described as “ raw,” because of limitations on the offensive end. With a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he can certainly block shots and protect the rim, though. Africa academy alums Babacar Sané of Senegal and Thierry Darlan of the Central African Republic left for the G League Ignite. Sané is in the draft; Darlan had declared but withdrew.

Delgaco knows tough task ahead in Paris

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PH rower Joanie Delgaco at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. –JUNE NAVARRO/INQUIRER

Rower Joanie Delgaco believes that winning a medal in the Paris Olympics is a formidable task. But that doesn’t mean she won’t try to.

“Every athlete wants to stand on the medal podium. I’ll certainly do my best and give myself a chance,’’ Delgaco told the Inquirer in Filipino.

Ranked No. 23 in the world, the 26-year-old from Iriga City is trying to improve her clocking in time for the qualifying heats of the women’s 2000-meter single sculls at National Olympic Nautical Stadium on July 27.

“If I’m not fortunate enough to medal, I’ll pursue my next goal of improving my world rankings,’’ said Delgaco, an Asian championships gold medalist.

Delgaco’s best time in the event is seven minutes and 39 seconds, good enough to get past the heats for a semifinal appearance.

Time to beat

A podium performance would mean clocking at least 7:19 in the finals where New Zealand’s Emma Twigg (7:13.97) is the defending champion.

“It would be a great accomplishment for me if I could row faster than my personal best in the Olympics,’’ said Delgaco, the first Filipino woman rower in the global quadrennial Summer Games.

Reaching the Olympics wasn’t only an achievement for Delgaco, who made the national training pool as an 18-year-old.

Making it to Paris erases all the pains of past failures to make the Olympics grade.

“This is my third attempt (to qualify for the Olympics) and I finally made it,’’ said Delgaco, who missed the Tokyo Olympic berth by one second and also had a failed bid for the 2016 edition in Rio De Janeiro.

She joined eight other Filipino Olympians who left Saturday for a monthlong training camp at La Moselle and Les Arenes in Metz, France, where she and the others enter the final stretch of their preparations. INQ



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Kento Miyaura steps up for Takahashi-less Japan in crucial win

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Japan’s Kento Miyaura celebrates during a game against France in the VNL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Kento Miyaura stepped up when it mattered most for depleted Japan as he provided the spark off the bench to book a ticket to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Final Eight.

After missing Ran Takahashi due to a nagging injury, Japan suffered another blow as Yuji Nishida needed to be subbed out early in the second set due to abdominal pain but Miyaura showed his next-man-up mentality to rise from two sets down and stun Olympic champion France, 17-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-10, on Saturday evening before an ecstatic 11,879 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.

The 25-year-old spiker dropped 19 points off 16 attacks, two aces, and a block, expressing his gratitude to the Filipino fans, who inspired him to unleash his breakout game in Manila.

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

“Sometimes this kind of situation [happens] but we were able to keep our concentration and Philippine fans pushing a lot for us. It’s a nice atmosphere,” Miyaura said.

Miyaura conspired with captain Yuki Ishikawa, who erupted for 33 points, as they delivered the finishing blows in the fifth set for an improved 8-3 record to secure their entry to the final round in Poland.

He believes that tough games like this will help them prepare for the Final Eight and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I can’t believe [we won] this match because it was so difficult match but I’m so happy to win and also it will be helping us for the Olympics,” said Miyaura, who plays in the French pro league.

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

Japan coach Philippe Blain lauded Miyaura and his wards for showing a never-give-up attitude against the 2022 VNL champions amid the absence of their stars. 

“In the first two sets, France played so good, making no mistakes, [and had a] great defense. We just kept on fighting. In these kinds of moments, we have to stay patient and try to stay inside the match. And fortunately from the third set, [our] substitution [worked] and controlled a bit more of the game,” Blain said. “It was a very tough match and I’m very proud of how my team stayed calm with their minds. It was a great experience tonight and I hope it will be very useful for [future] tournaments.”

Miyaura vows to stay ready for Japan as it wraps up its VNL Manila campaign against fellow fan-favorite USA on Sunday at 7 p.m.

“We are prepared for the next match. And it will be tougher,” he said.



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Boston salutes Celtics’ record 18th NBA championship with parade

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Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum celebrates the team’s NBA basketball championship during a duck boat parade Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

BOSTON — The Celtics entered the season vowing to turn recent playoff heartbreaks into happiness.

Eight months later, they toasted the franchise’s 18th NBA championship in what has become the signature Boston celebration, joined Friday by a huge crowd for a duck boat parade to mark the 13th championship won this century by one of the city’s franchises in the four biggest U.S. sports leagues.

The Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins have all commemorated championships by jumping aboard the duck boats — amphibious vehicles usually ridden by sightseeing tourists.

In Boston, firing up the boats for a slow cruise down city streets has become synonymous with its feeling of sports supremacy. Friday’s parade was the latest component of what has been a rolling salute to the Celtics since they finished off the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the NBA Finals on Monday night.

Starting at TD Garden, the procession lasted about 90 minutes, turning first onto Causeway Street in front of the arena, past City Hall, through Boston Common, down Boylston Street and ending at Hynes Convention Center.

READ: Celtics look to become first repeat NBA champion since 2008

Along the way, there were plenty of moments for the city to salute a franchise that just broke a tie with the rival Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in league history. Fans marked the moment by hanging on light posts, flashing homemade signs or standing on subway entrances.

“It’s unbelievable. It still doesn’t seem true. But just trying to stay in the moment,” All-Star Jayson Tatum said during a pre-parade rally at the Garden.

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck gave fans an early treat about 90 minutes before the trade began.

He was attempting to drive to the arena with the Larry O’Brien Trophy and newly made 2024 championship banner along with his wife, Emilia Fazzalari, and their daughter.

They couldn’t get through because of traffic and barricades. So they walked a half-mile down Causeway Street, passing by a sea of fans while carrying the trophy and banner.

Inside the Garden, the rally included players and their family members, members of the Celtics organization, arena staff, season ticket holders and guests including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

After celebrating in the locker room Monday night by spraying Champagne and posing for pictures with the trophy, the team flew to Miami for a private party.

When the Celtics returned Wednesday, coach Joe Mazzulla took the party back to people, allowing fans to see the trophy up close — and in some cases touch it — while he carried it through Boston’s famed North End.

“I drove all the way from Ohio (Wednesday) because we were coming for the parade,” Celtics fan Jason Hawkins told Boston’s ABC affiliate, WCVB-TV. “I touched trophy, man. I got video of it.”

The golden basketball was on display for all to see Friday as players, flanked by Celtics personnel and members of their families, waved and interacted with fans.

The Celtics broke every huddle this season by saying, “Together.”

Jaylen Brown said Friday the theme for this year’s team was unity.

“Whatever it took for us to win, that’s what I was willing to do,” Brown said.

As much as the day was a celebration of that team-first mantra that Mazzulla championed this season, it was also the culmination of mission that stars Brown and Tatum began after each was drafted third overall — Brown in 2016 and Tatum a year later.

The duo made it to four conference finals and one NBA Finals — a loss to the Golden State Warriors in 2022 — before finally reaching the league pinnacle. Brown earned Finals MVP honors, which he said also belonged to his “partner in crime.”

While the city had to wait nearly two decades for this celebration, the Celtics are in a solid position to try to become the NBA’s first back-to-back champions since the Warriors in 2018.

All five starters — Tatum, Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis — are under contract for next season. After having secured long-term extensions with Brown, Holiday and Porzingis, the Celtics are expected to do the same with Tatum and White this summer.



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Reserve Luke Kornet didn’t let fans forget the Celtics’ history of titles, leading fans on a count from one to 18 at the end of the parade route.

Their message to the city is clear: Keep the duck boats gassed up.

Pistons president doesn’t give timeline on coaching search, rebuild

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Detroit Pistons Owner Tom Gores, right, and President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon pose after addressing the NBA basketball media, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT — There is still plenty of uncertainty and mystery surrounding the Detroit Pistons.

The organization is coming off the worst NBA season in franchise history and is once again searching for a new coach. There’s no clearcut path to success and their roster — beyond Cade Cunningham — is a series of question marks.

One thing owner Tom Gores seems sure about is that he has finally found the right front office executive to lead the franchise. He considers Trajan Langdon not only his president of basketball operations, but his CEO.

“After assessing everything, I really felt the best choice for the organization was a fresh start,” Gores said Friday when the organization officially introduced Langdon. “Our mistakes in the past has nothing to do with just one person. We needed a fresh start and we needed Trajan to lead with a fresh start.”

Langdon, who was previously general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, replaced former GM Troy Weaver as the franchise’s lead executive. Head coach Monty Williams was dismissed this week with five years and $65 million remaining on his contract.

READ: NBA: Detroit Pistons fire coach Monty Williams after one season

Former Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and Pelicans assistant James Borrego are just some of the candidates who are expected to interview for the head coaching job. With the draft coming up next week and free agency starting on June 30, Langdon isn’t sure when a new coach will be in place.

“I can’t give you a timeline,” Langdon said of his coaching search.

Langdon inherits an extremely young roster — the Pistons finished the season with 11 players 25 or younger. Development will be a high priority for the next coach after a disastrous 14-68 campaign.

“As much as we want to win,” Gores said, “we want to develop these young players.”

The best of the bunch is Cunningham, who averaged 22.7 points and 7.5 assists this past season. He’s eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason.

READ: NBA: Pistons hire Trajan Langdon as basketball operations president

The 48-year-old Langdon said he’ll try to take some pressure off Cunningham by upgrading his supporting cast.

The Pistons could have more than $60 million in cap space to make improvements. With many teams looking to shed salary due to the tax aprons in the new collective bargaining agreement, Langdon is willing to make trades that will help in the short and long term.

“One thing we are looking for with the cap space we do have is bringing in contracts maybe from other teams and gathering assets as well,” Langdon said. “Hopefully, with the players that come in, they can bolster the growth (of the younger players). If we can interweave those two things, that would make our summer successful.”

That’s as much as Langdon, who has been on the job for three weeks, can offer now to a fan base weary of rebuilding. The Pistons haven’t won a playoff series since 2008.

“I don’t think there’s a timeframe for us to get to the playoffs,” he said.

Gores hired Langdon not only for his basketball knowledge but for his overall leadership qualities. Langdon has been given full authority to run the organization’s day-to-day operations. One of the previous criticisms about its structure was that too many people had Gores’ ear.



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“I’m extremely confident that this partnership with Trajan is going to work, that it is going to turn our franchise around,” Gores said.

Carlo Paalam ‘feeling better’ ahead of Paris Olympics

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FILE–The Philippines’ Carlo Paalam and Britain’s Galal Yafai fight during their men’s fly (48-52kg) boxing final bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 7, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Coming off an injury, Carlo Paalam is “feeling better” ahead of the Paris Olympics.

“Right now, it’s feeling better because I can really move it now,” said Paalam in Filipino, pertaining to his shoulder.

“Unlike before when it’s hard for me just even to change my clothes, now, by God’s grace, I’m adjusting with the help of my PTs (physical therapists) and coaches.”

READ: Paalam, Petecio relish being PH flag bearers for Paris Olympics

Paalam injured his shoulder last March which forced him to withdraw in the Round of 16 of the World Qualification Tournament.

The 25-year-old Paalam returned to action in June in the second World Boxing Olympic Qualification where he earned his ticket to the Paris Games following a unanimous decision win over India’s Sachin Sachin in the semifinal of the men’s 57kg division.

Although, Paalam is still not 100 percent, the injury doesn’t seem to be much of a concern for him as he goes for an Olympic gold three years after claiming silver at the Tokyo Olympics.

READ: Carlo Paalam hurries to be 100 percent battle-ready for Paris Olympics

“There’s some parts where it hurts sometimes but it’s very minimal,” he said.

“Sometimes I don’t feel it but I just enjoy it. This is a fight and I can manage it.”

Paalam is one of five Filipino boxers who will be competing at the Paris Games. Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial, who won silver and bronze medals in Tokyo, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas complete the Philippine boxing team in Paris.



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VNL 2024: USA posts second straight win ahead of Japan clash

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USA’s Micah Christenson during the VNL in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — On the eve of their thrilling match against fellow fan-favorite Japan, Micah Christenson was pleased that Team USA has found its groove in Manila after staving off Germany, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23, in the VNL on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

It was another day at the office for Christenso, leading the Americans and dishing out 29 excellent sets while Matt Anderson and TJ Defalco combined for 43 points. The United States nothced its second straight win to improve to a 5-6 record tied with 10th seed Argentina. 

“It was great. I think we hung on. We cooled out a couple of close sets. It’s a good feeling to be able to win and still learn,” said the American setter, who also scored three points. “It’s easy to learn when you lose but I think we’re gonna go back from this game with the smile on our faces that we’re able to get it done even if it was a little bit ugly.”

READ: VNL 2024: With Final 8 chances slim, Team USA turns focus to Olympics

The Germans tried to force a decider, leading the fourth set with a 23-22 advantage after Lukas Maase’s quick attack. Anderson tied it at 23-all with a kill before back-to-back winning blocks by Defalco and Jeffrey Jendryk.

Despite the great responsibility of leading the Olympic-bound USA, the American skipper isn’t afraid of taking risks and embracing great challenges.

“I feel like that pressure is created by yourself at some point as well you can create pressure. For me, I’m a Christian I believe in God and I know I get a lot of freedom from my faith in God,” Christenson said. “When I’m out there I feel free to make different decisions and take a little bit of risks because I know where my identity lies and that love is always gonna be there.”

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

Anderson led the Americans with 23 points off 20 kills and three aces. Defalco delivered 20 points, while middle blockers Jendryk and David Smith had four blocks each to finish with 10 and nine points, respectively.

Christenson hopes to save the best for last in front of their Filipino fans as USA ends its maiden Manila stint against Japan on Sunday at 7 p.m.

“Just try to get a little bit better than today. We were starting to get on this road where we’re taking steps in the right direction and we’re gonna just try to take another step in the right direction tomorrow and enjoy also the moment, I’m assuming when I was told it’s a full stadium here,” he said.
“Hopefully, we get a little bit of support I know Japan is very popular but we’re gonna try to do our best for everybody.”

Germany dropped to a 4-7 record before facing Iran on Sunday. Gyorgy Grozer led the Germans’ gallant stand with 16 points. Maase and Tobias Krick scored 12 points, while Moritz Reichert added 10.



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Paalam, Petecio relish being PH flag bearers for Paris Olympics

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Boxers Nesthy Petecio (left) and Carlo Paalam won silver medals in the last Olympics. —PDI FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—What’s better than representing your country in sports? Carrying its banner in the biggest sporting event in the world.

Just ask Filipino boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, who were announced as the Philippines’ flag bearers for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, with honor comes surprise and that’s exactly what Petecio felt when she heard the news that she will be the country’s representative in the most popular sporting event’s opening in France.

READ: Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio to carry PH flag in Paris Olympics

“To be honest, I didn’t expect it,” Petecio said during the Philippine Airlines’ exclusive dinner for Paris Olympians at Century Park Hotel in Manila on Wednesday.

“In my mind, I thought they would take EJ (Obiena) or Carlos Yulo as flag bearers so I was surprised. I’m blessed and thankful that I was picked as one of the people who will represent the Philippines as a flag bearer.”

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino made the announcement official earlier this week.

READ: Carlo Paalam says national anthem is best heard in moment of triumph

After basing off athletes’ performance in the previous Tokyo Olympics in 2022, Tolentino and the POC decided to make Petecio and Paalam the flag bearers for the Paris edition of the quadrennial sporting event.

It’s safe to say that upon hearing the news, Paalam was ecstatic and excited to represent the country to open the Paris Olympics.

“I’m so happy because we won’t just bring our surnames but we’ll also bring the Philippines; the Philippine flag so I’m so thankful and happy,” said Paalam in Filipino.

“We’ll also be fighting for more than ourselves. It’s better to hear that we’re fighting on our platform if we win [for the Philippines],” he added.



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In the Tokyo edition of the Olympics, Kiyomi Watanabe and Eumir Marcial were selected as the country’s flag bearers.

Quinto, the boy who dreamed, finally a PBA champion

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Meralco’s Bong Quinto recently paid a visit to the grave of his father and brought an item to show that he has arrived as a champion basketball player.

That was a championship shirt of the Bolts’ run in the PBA Philippine Cup, the culmination of a lifelong dream for Quinto, one which he obviously shared with his father.

“Nagbunga lahat ng panalangin mo para sa akin (All of your prayers have finally paid off),” Quinto wrote on his Facebook page on Friday.

Quinto became a PBA champion after his key role in the Bolts’ turnaround from the brink of missing the playoffs. In the Finals, his performance also downplayed why he was a huge steal as a second round pick in the 2018 Draft.

It’s also a full circle for Quinto, whose dream started when he watched a PBA game for the first time in 2007 at Cuneta Astrodome, where he saw the deciding Game 7 between Alaska and TNT for the Fiesta Conference title.

The Aces won that, and Quinto would see more games, cultivating his desire to one day become a PBA champion himself.

“Before I dreamt of winning a championship in college, I dreamt of becoming a PBA champion,” said Quinto in Filipino.

Also NCAA champ

He got an NCAA title in 2015 with Letran as part of the Cinderella “Mayhem” squad handled by rookie coach Aldin Ayo as they denied San Beda a fifth straight crown. He played three more years with the Knights, his versatility as a post player who can also play in the perimeter on full display.

But Quinto, a projected first-rounder, eventually ended up being picked 14th overall by the Bolts, who curiously had a chance to take him at No. 5 but chose guard Trevis Jackson instead.

Jackson is no longer in the league, and Quinto became a key fixture on the Meralco squad that made it to multiple semifinals and two Finals prior to this season, losing both times to Barangay Ginebra.

Quinto emerged as one of the key reasons for Meralco’s turnaround from 3-5 before eventually eliminating Ginebra in Game 7 of the semis. He also had key contributions in the Finals.

“I told the veterans that I was playing for them, because I know that at the end all of us will be the ones benefiting,” said Quinto.



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