Tag: sports betting

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

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Justin Brownlee and Gilas Pilipinas during a tune-up game against Taiwan Mustangs ahead of the Fiba OQT. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Rankings are not even in Gilas Pilipinas’ minds heading into the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

At least that’s how Justin Brownlee views it.

After Gilas’ runaway 74-64 win over the Taiwan Mustangs at Philsports Arena on Monday, Brownlee admitted that he and the squad are well aware of the beasts they’ll have to face in less than two weeks over in Latvia.

That, though, isn’t posing a problem for the National team as they’re trusting the process under coach Tim Cone.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas beats Taiwan Mustangs in tune-up before OQT

“No matter if they’re ranked higher than us, they put on their shoes like we put on our shoes and we’ll come in to represent the country in the right way, in the best way we can,” said Brownlee.

“It’s going to be tough, really tough for us but that’s why we’re here. We’re going to play against the best in the world and of course, if you want to be Olympians and qualify, you have to play with the best in the world.”

Brownlee played his role as a guard/forward to perfection on Monday’s win with the absence of star guard, Scottie Thompson.

READ: Gilas won’t win all the time but team will make PH proud, says Tim Cone

With Gilas’ general playmaker out, Brownlee took over and dropped 15 assists with 12 points and five rebounds to match.

Brownlee’s unselfishness on the playing court allowed the Gilas swingmen to all score, not leaving anyone without points at the final buzzer.

But ball movement has always been one of the memos for Gilas under coach Tim Cone along with fundamentals that the Nationals shouldn’t rush the process en route to the OQT.

“You know Coach Tim told us that we definitely can’t rush the process, we’re taking it just one day at a time trying to get to a point where we’re about 10 days or so? Where we want to be playing at a high level so we can’t jump and get there right away.”

“The next 10 days, we’re gonna get as close as we can and I think we’ll be playing really well.”



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Before Gilas flies to Latvia next month, they will be competing in more friendlies over in Europe against Turkey and Poland.

Team USA’s Fil-Am manager relishes PH return at VNL

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USA men’s volleyball team manager David Dantes.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA’s first time playing in Manila for the Volleyball Nations League was also a homecoming for the squad’s Filipino-American team manager David Dantes.

Dantes relished his return to the Philippines after 10 years.

“It’s really great to be back. I think the guys (players ) right now are having a wonderful experience. I think that’s been the best part. [For] most of our team, it’s their first time here and we love it. They love the fans, they love the passion, couldn’t be happier,” said Dantes, whose parents are from Quezon City. 

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

Like his players, Micah Christenson, Erik Shoji, Taylor Averill, and others, Dantes, who was born and raised in California and currently living in Georgia, was also in awe of the love Team USA received from the Filipino fans in their first VNL experience in Manila.

“It’s awesome. We want the sport to be popular everywhere. We want the fans to be as passionate as Filipino fans. So this means the world to us, and especially to our guys,” he said.

Dantes, who was also a coach and director for the University of Georgia, admitted he hasn’t watched Philippine volleyball games but after experiencing the massive Filipino crowd and his former player, Erica Staunton signing with Creamline as an import, he’s looking forward to catching PVL matches back home.

“I will now. Because one of my athletes in Georgia just started for Creamline last week. I will be watching it now because she’ll play,” said the Team USA’s technical support team and men’s sitting team Independent Contract Performance Analyst

“It’s really cool to see where I’m from, where my parents are from love it as passionately [as me]. Obviously, almost makes me want to come back and see the sport grow even more. It’s so cool to see the Philippines growing in the professional sport really quickly, which is great,” he added.

READ: VNL2024: USA star Taylor Averill wants to come back, explore PH

Dantes shares that grassroots development is key to taking Philippine volleyball to greater heights.

“I think it all starts at the grassroots level. Just provide as many opportunities as you can and let the kids, let the youth play as much as they can,” he said.

American libero Shoji shared the same sentiment as Dantes.

“I think it’s growing. Look at this crowd. So, we need more boys and girls playing volleyball and the more people the play, the better you’re gonna get. so, you know, we need more boys and girls playing volleyball in Manila, around the Philippines,” Shoji said. “That’s my hope for the country and little by little, step by step, they’ll get better.”



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USA, which finished with a 5-7 record, may have missed the VNL Final Eight after losing to Japan for the first time on Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena, but the experience playing before an electric crowd still made the Americans’ stint a memorable one as they head home and gear up for the Paris Olympics.

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

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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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USC basketball star JuJu Watkins throws strike at Dodger Stadium

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University of Southern California basketball player Juju Watkins gestures after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES — USC basketball star JuJu Watkins had a different kind of ball in her hand at Dodger Stadium.

She threw out a ceremonial first pitch Saturday night before the Freeway Series matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers.

“This is probably the most nervous I’ve ever been,” she said beforehand. “Basketball comes easy, not baseball.”

READ: Sarina Bolden throws first pitch at San Francisco Giants game

Watkins had said she would be throwing left-handed because of a sprained right index finger. But she warmed up tossing right-handed and stuck with her dominant hand to deliver a strike to Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone, who was behind the plate.

“I always see it on social media,” she said. “Never did I think I would be throwing a pitch.”

Watkins wore a personalized Dodgers jersey and after throwing from the top of the mound, she gave the traditional pre-game call of “It’s time for Dodger baseball.” She was accompanied by her parents and a cousin.

READ: Wembanyama throws out ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium

As a freshman, Watkins led Southern California to its best season in years, winning the Pac-12 championship before falling one victory short of a Final Four appearance. She’s riding the wave of increased interest in women’s sports, especially basketball.

“The women in the sport are incredible and just to see the rise of the game, it’s so inspiring,” she said. “It’s definitely a collective effort. I wouldn’t say I hold any sole responsibility. Just make sure I’m doing my part.”

Watkins took a break after the season ended and recently vacationed in Mexico.

“Now I’m ready to get back to it,” she said. “There’s so many things to get better at.”



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Conor McGregor withdrew from UFC 303 due to broken toe

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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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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.

With Final 8 chances slim, Team USA turns focus to Olympics

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Team USA’s Micah Christenson in the VNL Week 3 in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — USA skipper Micah Christenson has accepted they won’t make it to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Final Eight despite the slim chance, but he looks to make the most of their Manila experience to entertain Filipinos and prepare for the Paris Olympics 2024.

Christenson had a playmaking masterpiece of 41 excellent sets to treat the Filipino fans with USA’s 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9 win over Brazil on Thursday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.

The veteran setter, who is averaging 30.7 excellent sets per game in the VNL, gave his best effort to greet and sign autographs of their supporters at the fan zone after their game.

READ: VNL 2024: Team USA overcomes Brazil for first win in Manila

“Back in the United States, we play in certain areas where other teams’ fans fill the gym a little bit more. So, this feels like a pretty true home game for us and we’re very grateful for that,” said Christenson, whose teammates also felt at home with the hospitality and energy of the Filipinos.

“I can’t say enough about the support. We felt it a lot, even being here in the Philippines. So now we’re finally here, and we get to feel it in the stadium, it’s something really really special and we can’t say enough about it. We can’t thank the fans enough for being here and supporting us.”

USA, the runner-up of last year’s VNL, still has a chance to the Final Eight with a 4-6 record in 11th place but Christenson is already shifting their focus to the Olympics.

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

“We’re probably not gonna make the VNL Finals so what we’re gonna do is try to build and work our way towards the Olympic Games and getting ready. Tonight was just the first step, the first building block,” said Christenson. “Hopefully, for these next two games, we continue to get just a little bit better.”

“We can do a little bit more in certain phases of the game but we’re having that mindset of just getting a little bit better and trusting the process with the building blocks that we can build,” he added. 

USA wraps up its VNL campaign against Germany on Saturday at 11 a.m., before facing fellow crowd-favorite Japan on Sunday at 7 p.m.



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“I think we’ve shown over the years that we are a very resilient team. We know how to respond to a lot of difficult situations so, we’re gonna fix a few things, but at the same time, we’re gonna trust our process,” Christenson said. “I think, like I said before, it’s a step in the right direction. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Japan star Ran Takahashi out for remainder of VNL 2024

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Japan’s Ran Takahashi during a VNL 2024 game in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

MANILA, Philippines — Japan men’s national volleyball team has ruled out Ran Takahashi for the remainder of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg.

The Japan Volleyball Association (JVA) on Friday announced that Takahashi will be replaced by Shoma Tomita in the lineup hours before Japan’s game against the Netherlands.

“We are pleased to announce that there have been changes to the players competing on the Japanese men’s national team for the Philippines tournament in the third week of the Volleyball Nations League 2024,” the federation wrote. “Tomita will be available to play from the match against the Netherlands.”

READ: VNL 2024: Ran Takahashi, Japan seek improvement after loss to Canada

The JVA, though, didn’t disclose the reason but a Filipino fan wasreported to have seen Takahashi at the airport.

Takahashi delivered 13 points in their 25-21, 20-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10, dropping to a 6-3 record still in sixth place.

The Japanese star has been one of the crowd favorites in Japan’s third straight year to play in Manila.

Takahashi suffered from injuries in the previous VNL Manila leg last year where he also missed their games.

Japan, which holds a 6-3 record, seeks to solidify its Final Eight chances against the Netherlands.



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Ex-Georgia standout to fill in for ‘borrowed’ Creamline stars

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Erica Staunton is Creamline Cool Smashers’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference. –CREAMLINE PHOTO

Aiming to finally win a PVL title that has been elusive for the past six seasons, Creamline has signed a versatile spiker in Erica Staunton for the Reinforced Conference that gets off the ground in the second week of July.

With two of its top offensive weapons on loan to the national women’s program, Creamline will obviously ask Staunton to fill a huge void, something she can potentially do with the scouting reports saying she is comfortable playing both the open and opposite spikers positions.

Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, the Cool Smashers’ fearsome 1-2 punch, could miss a big chunk of the tournament to play for Alas Pilipinas FIVB Challenger Cup and SEA V.League.

The Cool Smashers, who have ruled the All-Filipino Conference in its last four editions, last won an import-laden tournament in 2018 when they were backstopped by Kuttika Kaewpin and Laura Schaudt also in the Reinforced Conference.

With less than a month left before the tournament starts, Staunton is the third import to find a team here after Kath Bell returns for another tour of duty with Chery Tiggo while PLDT brings in Elena Samoilenko.

The 6-foot-1 Staunton played for Georgia University in the US NCAA before having her first taste of pro action in Finland for Oriveden Ponnistus. She is just 23 years old and will be joining a really seasoned Creamline crew that has won a record eight titles.

Petro Gazz is the defending champion, although the Angels have yet to announce if it is bringing back Lindsey Vander Weide, a hard-hitting American who won Finals MVP honors after a sweep of the Cignal HD Spikers in 2022.



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Iran turns up arena volume with second straight win

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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.