Tag: mma betting

Draft finally takes place; salary cap resolution to follow

On: By: admin


Thea Gagate–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The first-ever PVL Rookie Draft happens Monday night at Novotel Hotel in Cubao, and the league can finally check off the first of two activities it wants to implement that would hopefully instill—and keep—parity across the field beginning with the upcoming Reinforced Conference.

Ex-La Salle standout and Alas Pilipinas middle blocking ace Thea Gagate looms as the No. 1 overall pick by ZUS Coffee, and unlike in the past when direct recruiting was allowed, the next 46 players in the pool will also go through the process of being drafted.

Unresolved salary cap

The second item in the PVL’s parity agenda remains to be unresolved at the moment, with the league and its team owners yet to come up with individual and team salary caps, something which is expected to be ironed out after the Draft.

“The good thing that I could see in the long-term is it brings out more excitement in the games. I hope that’s what the drafting does,” PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo told the Inquirer with a mix of Filipino on Sunday.

The PVL and the teams have agreed, however, on putting a cap on rookies, with the first five picks to be given a maximum of P150,000 on their first year. A uniform players contract (UPC), will also be asked of all teams for all its players, all of them to be submitted to the Games and Amusements Board and the Office of the Commissioner.

Other rules

Other than the UPC, the league has already discussed with the teams discipline regulations, team commitment agreements and code of ethics as early as December last year as the PVL looks to shift the calendar and start a new season in October and finish by September 2025.

League president Ricky Palou will soon propose a P50-million salary cap per year for each team.

“After the Draft ceremony, we’ll be sending out a survey to each team because based on the previous surveys, I think P50M [a year] is more or less okay,” Malonzo said. “It’s not too high, but it’s not too low also. It’s not an exorbitant amount for a yearlong program.”

The Draft proceedings will run until all of the 12 teams stop picking from the pool. INQ



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Giannis, Greece beat Doncic-led Slovenia to reach final

On: By: admin


Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, rear, hugs Slovenia’s Luka Doncic ahead of a basketball match, during the Acropolis basketball tournament at the Peace and Friendship indoor stadium at Athens’ port city of Piraeus, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Giannak ouris)

An Olympics berth has eluded Giannis Antetokounmpo so far during his basketball career. He’s one more victory away from changing that.

Thomas Walkup had 19 points, Antetokounmpo added 13 points in 21 minutes and Greece moved one victory from the Paris Games, eliminating Luka Doncic and Slovenia 96-68 on Saturday from the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament.

“Since coach (Vassilis) Spanoulis took this whole deal over, it’s been one goal and that’s to get to the Olympics,” Walkup said. “We’re one game away from it. We have to stay humble and focused.”

READ: Fiba OQT: Luka’s Slovenia, Giannis’ Greece meet in KO duel

Doncic finished with 21 points in the game in Piraeus, Greece, which marked first time the two NBA megastars faced one another while representing their senior national teams.

“They played way better than us. They were way more aggressive,” Doncic said. “I think they have an amazing team. Obviously, they have Giannis. But other pieces are very important for them, too. And they’re very well-coached. … They outplayed us today.”

The matchup was one of eight semifinals taking place to determine the last four berths in the men’s basketball field for the Paris Games.

Vasileios Toliopoulos added 14 points for Greece, which will meet Croatia on Sunday in the final of the Greece tournament, with the Paris Olympics berth going to the winner.

Other semifinal games took place Saturday at tournaments in Spain, Latvia and Puerto Rico.

Doncic, who played through injuries in the NBA Finals for the Dallas Mavericks in their five-game loss to the Boston Celtics, averaged 31 points in Slovenia’s first two qualifying games. But he came out flat on Saturday against Greece’s big front line.

READ: Antetokounmpo, Doncic shoot for last shot at Paris Olympics

Slovenia was put on its heels early, as Greece scored the game’s first 13 points and took a 32-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Greece’s advantage grew as high as 23 points in the second quarter before Slovenia used a late flurry to cut it to 47-33 at the half.

Greece came out fast again in the third, using a 11-3 run to get some distance and carried a 16-point edge into the fourth quarter.

Slovenia shot just 43% (23 of 54) from the field for the game. That compared to 54% (34 of 70) for Greece, which also held a 38-25 rebounding edge.

Croatia 80, Dominican Republic 77

Ivica Zubac went 10 of 10 from the field and finished with 25 points and nine rebounds to help Croatia outlast the Dominican Republic in Greece’s second semifinals of the day.

Dario Saric and Jaleen Smith added 14 points apiece to put Croatia into Sunday’s final with Greece for a chance at making back to the Olympics for the first time since 2016.

Christopher Duarte finished with 17 points to lead the Dominican Republic.

The game featured 13 ties and six lead changes and was in doubt heading into the final seconds.

Trailing 78-74, the Dominican Republic’s Jean Montero got a steal and was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 3 seconds left by Croatia’s Smith.

Montero converted all three ensuing free throws to cut the deficit to a point.

The Dominican Republic quickly fouled Mario Hezonja, who connected on both of his ensuing free throws.

Duarte got a good look at a 3 at the buzzer, but his shot rimmed out.

Brazil 71, Philippines 60

In Riga, Latvia, Bruno Caboclo had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Brazil defeated the Philippines 71-60 to advance to the finals of that tournament.

Marcelinho Huertas added 13 points to help Brazil keep alive hopes of playing in its first Olympics since 2016.

The Brazilians will meet Latvia on Sunday in the finals of that tournament.

READ: Gilas’ Olympic dream ends, bows out of Fiba OQT with loss to Brazil

Justin Brownlee finished with 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the Philippines, which shot just 38% from the field (24 of 64) for the game and had 15 turnovers.

The Philippines led 33-27 at halftime before Brazil opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run. It was part of a 24-6 quarter for Brazil, which took a 51-39 lead into the fourth.

It was more the same in the final period. The Philippines got as close as 53-46, before Brazil responded with an 8-0 run to help put the game away.

Latvia 72, Cameroon 59

In the second semifinal in Riga, Rihards Lomazs scored 20 points and Latvia withstood several late pushes to hold off Cameroon 72-59.

Rolands Smits added 13 points to help Latvia advance to Sunday’s final against Brazil, where it will be looking to earn its first Olympics appearance since 1936.

Latvia carried a 53-50 lead into the fourth quarter and started the final period with a 9-0 run.

Cameroon got within 65-59 with 2:14 remaining on a layup by Brice Eyaga Bidias. But Latvia was able to close the game out at the free throw line.

Williams Narace led Cameroon with 14 points.

Bahamas 89, Lebanon 72

In Valencia, Spain, Deandre Ayton had 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Bahamas past Lebanon 89-72.

Buddy Hield chipped in 19 points and 10 assists to help the Bahamas move within a win of making its first Olympics field. It will meet Spain in Sunday’s final.

The Bahamas led by as many as 20 in the first half.

Lebanon whittled that deficit down to 75-68 in the fourth quarter. But the Bahamas outscored Lebanon 14-4 over the final 3:50.

Sergio El Darwich led Lebanon with 22 points.

Spain 81, Finland 74

Willy Hernangomez scored 28 points and Spain rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Finland 81-74 in Valencia’s second semifinal of the day.

Lorenzo Brown and Santiago Aldama added 15 points apiece to send Spain into Sunday’s final against the Bahamas. Spain will be seeking a seventh consecutive Olympic berth.

Andre Gustavson had 15 points for Finland, which hasn’t gotten to the Olympics since 1964.

There were three lead changes during a furious final 10 minutes.

Finland carried a 59-56 lead into the period and took its final lead at 66-64 on a 3-pointer by Elias Valtonen. But Spain outscored Finland 18-8 the rest of way.

Lithuania 88, Italy 64

Marius Grigonis scored 23 points, including six 3-pointers, the help Lithuania ease past Italy 88-64 and to advance to the finals of the San Juan, Puerto Rico tournament.

Mindaugas Kuzminskas added 14 points to keep Lithuania on track to qualify for its first Olympic tournament since 2016. It will meet Puerto Rico on Sunday.

Lithuania blew the game open with a 21-4 run that began in the second quarter and lasted into the third as it opened a 59-40 lead.

Danilo Gallinari led Italy with 15 points.

Puerto Rico 98, Mexico 78

Tremont Watter had 24 points to help host Puerto Rico roll into Sunday’s final with a 98-78 win over Mexico.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Jordan Howard finished with 20 to give Puerto Rico a spot in Sunday’s final against Lithuania. Puerto Rico will be attempting to qualify for its first Olympics since 2004.

Seven of the last eight games between the teams had been decided by 10 points or less. It was tight again on Saturday before Puerto Rico pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Fabian Jaimes led Mexico with 20 points.

Hornets keeping Miles Bridges with 3-year, $75M contract

On: By: admin


Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges goes up for a dunk against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The Charlotte Hornets are keeping forward Miles Bridges after the forward was re-signed to a three-year, $75 million contract, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Saturday because the agreement cannot yet be announced.

Bridges has spent his first five NBA seasons with the Hornets and indicated leading up to free agency that he wanted to remain with the franchise that drafted him in the first round in 2018 out of Michigan State.

He averaged a career-high 21 points and 7.3 rebounds last season after sitting out all of the 2022-23 season due to his involvement in a domestic violence situation. Bridges was suspended 30 games by the NBA last summer after pleading no contest, and sat out the first 10 games of the season.

READ: NBA: Kemba Walker returning to Hornets as part of coaching staff

In February, additional criminal charges connected to the domestic violence case against Bridges were brought, but then later dropped because of “insufficient evidence,” court documents revealed.

Bridges had been facing three charges for an alleged violation of a domestic violence protection order in Charlotte on Oct. 6, 2023, misdemeanor child abuse and injury to personal property.

But the state said in a Charlotte Mecklenburg County Court filing that prosecutors would “not be successful at trial.”

Authorities said the woman who accused Bridges gave conflicting stories of what happened.

READ: New coach Charles Lee out to turn around struggling Hornets

Superior Court documents say that when police officers responded to a call they found a woman – the mother of Bridges’ two children — and the two children in a vehicle with a damaged windshield. She initially told police another woman at the house caused the damage, but then told them a few days later it was Bridges who inflicted the damage.

Later, court documents stated the woman told prosecutors she was unsure how her car was damaged leading to the charges being dropped

Over the course of his five season with the Hornets, Bridges has averaged 14.8 points and six rebounds.

In other news, Charlotte announced that it received guard Devonte’ Graham from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for cash considerations. However, in a corresponding transaction, the Hornets waived Graham, making him an unrestricted free agent.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Charlotte also announced that it has waived forward Davis Bertans, guard Bryce McGowens and forward Aleksej Pokusevski.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek blames fatigue for shock Wimbledon exit

On: By: admin


Poland’s Iga Swiatek reacts after losing a point in the third set against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva during their women’s singles tennis match on the sixth day of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Iga Swiatek admitted she was running on empty at Wimbledon as the exhausted world number one suffered a shock third-round defeat against Yulia Putintseva on Saturday.

The top seed’s 21-match winning streak came to a stunning end on Court One as Russian-born Kazakh Putintseva battled to a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Swiatek won a fourth French Open and fifth Grand Slam title last month, but she felt the strain of that clay-court triumph by the time she arrived at the All England Club.

READ: Wimbledon star Swiatek’s a ‘Swiftie’ and she can’t shake it off

Unable to summon up the energy required to subdue the feisty Putintseva, the Polish star once again flopped at Wimbledon, where she has never gone beyond the quarterfinals.

“For sure, I felt like my energy level went down little bit in the second set. I couldn’t really get back up,” she said.

“My tank of really pushing myself to the limits became suddenly empty. I was kind of surprised. But I know what I did wrong after Roland Garros. I didn’t really rest properly.

“I’m not going to make this mistake again. After such a tough clay court season, I really must have my recovery.

“I need to recover better after the clay court season, both physically and mentally. Maybe next year I’m going to take a vacation and literally just do nothing.”

Swiatek, a four-time French Open winner, has never thrived on the All England Club grass.

READ: Swiatek seals place among greats with ‘surreal’ 4th French Open

‘I was playing fearless’

Asked to explain her struggles in south-west London, she said: “Actually, this part of the season is not easy because we’re switching surfaces.

“For me going from this kind of tennis where I felt like I’m playing the best tennis in my life to another surface where I kind of struggle a little bit more, it’s not easy.”

Losing to the diminutive Putintseva was especially painful after their clash at Indian Wells earlier this year.

Putintseva was ticked off by the chair umpire for moving from side to side as Swiatek shaped to serve.

Describing herself as “a gangster on court and angel off it”, Putintseva even threw in a collection of underarm serves.

“Maybe they teach that in Kazakhstan,” a grumpy Swiatek said at the time.

Swiatek was grudging in her praise for Putintseva after their latest meeting, saying: “I totally let her come back to the game in the second set. I shouldn’t have done that.

“I made some mistakes, as well. But for sure, she used her chance.”

Putintseva was also frosty when quizzed on her relationship with her Swiatek.

“No, I don’t know her. She never, at least what I see, she always like in her zone with her team,” she said.

“She don’t talk much to anyone. I mean, I’m not entering that bubble.”

Unlike Swiatek, Putintseva has adapted well to grass and won on the surface in Birmingham just before Wimbledon.

“It just clicked. At some point I was playing fearless,” she said.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“I have nothing to lose, just go for it. She didn’t lose it. I took it.”

76ers add playoff performer Caleb Martin from Heat

On: By: admin


(FILES) Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat celebrates making a basket and getting fouled by the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Golden 1 Center on February 26, 2024, in Sacramento, California. (Photo by EZRA SHAW / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers continued to build around their star trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George with the addition of NBA free-agent forward Caleb Martin, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Martin intends to sign the multi-year contract shortly after the league’s moratorium on signings is lifted, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official.

Terms were not yet available. ESPN reported it was a four-year deal guaranteed for more than $32 million.

The 28-year-old Martin, who averaged 8.5 points over five seasons, including the last three with the Heat. It was in Miami where Martin developed a reputation for raising his game. He averaged 10 points and shot 35% from 3-point range.

READ: NBA: 76ers make splash with $400M in contracts for Paul George, Maxey

He’ll likely fill a starting spot left open in Philly, where the 76ers have totally revamped their roster after another early postseason exit. They spent more than $400 million to sign George away from the Clippers and keep Maxey, their homegrown All-Star guard, in the fold for five more years. Team President Daryl Morey also signed free agents Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon and re-signed Kelly Oubre Jr.. The win-now moves for a franchise that hasn’t advanced to the second round since 2001 are designed to put them in the hunt with NBA champion Boston and put pressure on New York, Indiana and even Milwaukee to at least remain a threat in the East.

George and the Sixers agreed to a $212 million, four-year free agent contract on Monday and Maxey agreed in principle to a $204 million, five-year extension with the team.

“As long as players are playing at a high level, we’re focused on Joel and Tyrese and we’re focused on now,” Morey said in May at his state-of-the-franchise press conference.

Martin was undrafted coming out of college after stints at NC State and Nevada. He entered the NBA with almost no guarantees. He had to play in the G League. Charlotte let him go after two seasons.

Martin then became the breakout star of the 2023 NBA playoffs when he pushed the Heat to the NBA Finals.

READ: NBA: Buddy Hield traded to Warriors from 76ers

He should enter 2024 as the starting power forward for a franchise that hasn’t won an NBA title since 1983.

Martin averaged 19.3 points on 60% shooting and scored a playoff-career-high 26 points on Boston’s home floor in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. He was solid in the first two rounds that season against No. 1 Milwaukee and No. 5 New York, averaging 10.8 points on nearly 53% shooting.

Martin’s postseason numbers were exactly what the 76ers looked for as they filled out a roster that was about empty at the end of the season except for Embiid and Maxey. The 76ers also waived forward Paul Reed, the person said.

Under coach Nick Nurse, the 76ers’ roster could look like this: Embiid, Maxey, George, Oubre and Martin in the starting five with Drummond, Gordon, first-round draft pick Jared McCain among the key contributors off the bench. The 76ers already lost through free agency or trade Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton, Nic Batum, Mo Bamba and Buddy Hield off last season’s team.

“We’re mostly going to be a veteran-laden team after an offseason where there’s going to be a lot of change,” Morey said in May.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

With roster spots still to fill, Morey isn’t done yet.

De Brito seeks cooperation to solve longtime national team problem

On: By: admin


Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen (No. 10) led Vietnam against the Philippines. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito thinks that the way forward for women’s volleyball is for the national program to eliminate a longstanding problem.

“What we really have to do is this training camp in Japan will help us but also we need to have our players more time together to work so we can add something in the system that would be applicable,” De Brito said after the national team dropped a 25-14, 25-22, 25-21 decision on Friday to Southeast Asian (SEA) powerhouse Vietnam in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Alas Pilipinas will have a two-week training camp in Japan starting on July 14 before the team faces SEA Games rivals in the SEA V.League in August.

“Hopefully, we can keep these players since we have 14 days in Japan to practice. We’ll be better, you can make some changes, chemistry will be better because every single day we’ll train together two times a day.”

National team skipper Jia De Guzman also believes in the improvement that can be gained from keeping the national pool core intact.

“We’re going against teams which already grew old with their national teams so for us, our goal is to also grow old together in the national team,” the crafty setter said.

“That’s how longevity [happens], that’s how you build chemistry, that’s how you build a strong team in the long run,” the seasoned playmaker added after Alas finished seventh in the eight-team tourney, just above Argentina.

Keeping players together for continuity has been a problem for high-profile national programs like basketball and volleyball, especially with talents signed to professional clubs or school teams.

From De Brito’s current team alone, standouts Eya Laure and Jen Nierva were not allowed by their PVL club, Chery Tiggo, to join national team practices.

What De Brito hopes is that there will be some sort of agreement that will allow the national pool members to continuously train with the program without interruptions.

“We need the support from the fans, clubs, companies, UAAP board, PVL board and team owners,” he said. “All of us are part of the Philippine environment so we need to work together. We’re not gonna win, we’re not get better without the support.”

“We can’t expect that after one loss, one adversity, we need to switch it up immediately. [We need] to keep the same people, add new people, reinforce the team,” De Guzman said. “That’s how you make a team strong. So hopefully, that’s really what we will achieve.”

Gateway to VNL

Vietnam, led by Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen’s 30-point explosion, asserted its mastery of the Philippines to reach the semifinals of the tournament that serves as a gateway to the country-hopping Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

The winner of the Challenger Cup earns a spot to next year’s VNL circuit.

After the loss, De Brito said that while the program is gearing for the 2025 SEA Games, his main focus is to develop the current pool and add more players to it.

“It’s [still] far [ahead] to think about but there’s still time to work [with these players],” De Brito said of the SEA Games. “We have one and a half years to do that. Enough time, if we’re supported by the clubs and the schools, then we can do it.” the Brazilian coach told reporters.

De Brito admitted that Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are still the top three squads in the region. That’s why he seeks to make the most of the longer preparation time with the new breed of national players.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“It’s always a challenge for us but we’re trying to improve also. What we have to do is play hard and hard and minimize the distance between the No. 4 to No. 3 and then be able to beat them. It’s not a long way but it’s hard. Every step is really hard,” he said.

France sends Ronaldo, Portugal packing on penalties

On: By: admin


Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo walks to take his shot a penalty shootout after the match end goalless during a quarter final match between Portugal and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

HAMBURG, Germany — France’s heartache in penalty shootouts is over. So is Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-ever European Championship.

In a clash of the football superstars, it was Kylian Mbappé — and not Ronaldo, his idol — advancing to a semifinal match against Spain as France beat Portugal 5-3 in a shootout following a 0-0 draw on Friday.

Portugal substitute Joao Felix hit a post with the only miss in the shootout and Theo Hernández showed no sign of pressure by converting the clinching kick into the top corner.

READ: Ronaldo says he is playing his ‘last European Championship’

It was a record sixth and final European Championship for the 39-year-old Ronaldo, who scored Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout and ended up consoling fellow veteran Pepe afterward as the 41-year-old defender cried on his captain’s shoulder.

“We need to go through this moment of our loss, which is very painful,” Pepe said.

Ronaldo’s 20-year career in the Euros included the title in 2016 — when Portugal beat France in the final — and it remains to be seen if the five-time world player of the year will continue playing for his country through to the 2026 World Cup, when he will be aged 41.

“Everything is too raw,” said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, when asked if that was Ronaldo’s last game for his country. “We are suffering a defeat as a team — there are no individual decisions at this point.”

The victory ended the recent heartbreak of Mbappé and France in shootouts, having lost in them at their last two major tournaments — in the last 16 at the Euros in 2021 and in the 2022 World Cup final.

READ: Portugal beats Slovenia at Euro 2024 despite Ronaldo penalty miss

Before that, the French were also defeated on spot kicks by Italy in the 2006 World Cup final so it had been 26 years — since beating the Italians in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 1998 — that Les Bleus had been victorious in a shootout.

Mbappé didn’t even take a penalty this time, having been substituted during halftime of extra time following a couple of knocks to his broken nose that was covered by a protective mask. France coach Didier Deschamps said his captain was tired, too.

Les Bleus didn’t need their star player, as Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Kounde and Bradley Barcola all found the net in the shootout — held at the end housing Portugal’s vocal fans — before Hernández’s coup de grâce set off jubilant scenes for the French inside the stadium in Hamburg.

“It wasn’t easy,” France goalkeeper Mike Maignan said. “We didn’t always play that great, it was a complicated game.

Cristiano Ronaldo EUro 2024 France Football

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after failing to score during a quarter final match between Portugal and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

“We got to the penalty shootout and didn’t waver. We can be proud of ourselves.”

France will play Spain in the semifinals after its extra-time win over Germany in Stuttgart earlier Friday, with Les Bleus staying on course for a third European Championship title after 1984 and 2000.

Deschamps’ team has reached the last four despite no France player having scored from open play so far in the tournament. Fortunately for Les Bleus, they have been excellent at the other end, conceding just one goal — a retaken penalty by Poland’s Robert Lewandowski in the group stage.

“We are solid and exemplary in defense and that is essential at a major tournament,” Deschamps said. “When you don’t score a lot of goals, it’s best not to concede a lot of goals, either.

“But we need to score more goals .. we are at the mercy of our opponents.”

Portugal exited having failed to score in either of its knockout games — the team beat Slovenia on penalties in the last 16 — and its final group match, leaving Martinez plenty of questions to answer.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“From our side, we deserved to win,” the Portugal coach said. “But we are talking playing against the best players in Europe. It’s a sad night.”

Brazil braces for ‘highly technical’ Gilas in Fiba OQT semifinals

On: By: admin


Coach Aleksandar Petrovic and Brazil face Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba OQT semifinals in Riga, Latvia. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Brazil knows the caliber of the Gilas Pilipinas team that stands in the way of its goal to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Brazil and the Philippines square off in the semifinals of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga, the penultimate roadblock to securing one of the remaining spots for the Paris Summer Games.

Game time is at 8:30 pm with a victory sending either team into the Fiba OQT Final against either Latvia or Cameroon.

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT semifinals 2024

Coach Aleksandar Petrovic characterized fellow coach Tim Cone and the Filipinos, who have so far surprised the tournament–and themselves, as a “highly technical” team and he knows his team will have its hands full trying to contain them.

“The Philippines is a completely different team to [Cameroon]. It’s a highly technical team with excellent players who play one-on-one, four or five of them play more than 33 minutes,” said Petrovic after Brazil lost to Cameroon early Friday but still wound up as the top team in Group B.

Gilas Pilipinas tim cone latvia Philippines Fiba OQT schedule

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during a Fiba OQT Riga game against world No. 6 Latvia. –FIBA BASKETBALL

Gilas Pilipinas will lean on its trusty hero Justin Brownlee against the world No. 12, while the Brazilians tout several NBA talents led by their main man Bruno Caboclo.

READ: Gilas faces Brazil with Paris Olympics just two wins away

But the lack of winning history and the disparity in the world rankings shouldn’t faze Brownlee and Gilas Pilipinas, who have shown they have what it takes to beat higher-ranked teams after upsetting world No. 6 Latvia and eliminating No. 23 Georgia just a few days ago.

The Philippines has never beaten Brazil in any of their meetings in the 20th century between the 1950s to the 1970s. The last time these two teams faced off was in the semifinals of the 1978 World Championship for Men.

Saturday’s game will be an entirely different story for both sides.

“We are two games away from our dream so we need to forget who is not anymore with us. We need to find our energy, we need to find a way how to beat Philippines,” said Petrovic.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Thompson bids farewell to Warriors after exit

On: By: admin


Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after missing a shot against the Sacramento Kings in the second half during the Play-In Tournament at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2024, in Sacramento, California. (Photo by EZRA SHAW / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

SAN FRANCISCO, United States — Klay Thompson paid tribute to his former Golden State Warriors teammates on Friday, July 5, in a heartfelt farewell to the club.

Thompson, 34, left Golden State this week in free agency after spending the entirety of his 13-season NBA career with the team.

A key part of Golden State’s championship-winning seasons in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, Thompson is reportedly set to join the Dallas Mavericks next season.

Thompson, widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, said in a message on Instagram that he had been “honored” to play for the franchise.

READ: Klay Thompson is leaving the Warriors

“There are not enough words and images to convey how I really feel about y’all,” Thompson wrote. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for the best times of my life.

“I really just wanted to be the best I could be and help bring as many championships as possible to the region.

READ: NBA: Klay Thompson wants to decompress before free agency

“The best part was not the rings though, it was the friendships I made that will last a lifetime.

“My family and I would like to thank all of the amazing people who work tirelessly to make the @warriors organization world-class.

“Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened. Until we meet again. Sea captain out,” Thompson concluded, signing off with the affectionate nickname acquired due to his habit of commuting to Warriors home games at their waterfront arena on his personal pleasure boat.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Tim Cone says Gilas star Justin Brownlee ‘should be in the NBA’

On: By: admin


Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee puts on another sensational game to help secure the Fiba OQT semifinals ticket. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone believes NBA teams missed an opportunity to have “a big moment guy and best teammate ever” in Justin Brownlee as Philippine basketball continues to gain from his storied career.

Brownlee is the biggest key to Gilas moving within just two wins away from entering the Paris Olympics after leading the team with an average of 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists to reach the semifinal of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga.

Cone isn’t surprised with the stellar showing of his longtime import for Barangay Ginebra but he reminds the world what the NBA is missing out on since the 36-year-old forward went undrafted in 2011.

HIGHLIGHTS: Gilas Pilipinas vs Georgia Fiba OQT July 4

Brownlee only played the G-League with the Maine Red Claws and NBA Summer League with the New York Knicks in 2012 before syiting up for their developmental affiliate, Erie Bayhawks.

“I’ve said this before: Somebody in the NBA missed out on this guy. They weren’t on the ball, they should have seen this guy he never should have been in the Philippines. He should be in the NBA,” said Cone in the press conference of Gilas’ 96-94 loss to Georgia on Thursday to cap the group stage with a 1-1 record.

“He is a big moment guy. He plays huge in big moments. And he has proven it over and over again. What he’s [been] doing in this tournament is no surprise to what we’ve seen throughout his career in the Philippines. He’s dominant there and he’s always engaged. When he’s aggressive, there’s just nobody better than him,” he added.

It wasn’t Cone who just praised Brownlee. Kai Sotto made a bold statement after their shocking 89-80 win over World No.6 Latvia that their naturalized forward is “Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball” while Dwight Ramos tagged him as the best teammate he has ever played with.

READ: Gilas’ Justin Brownlee ‘Michael Jordan of PH basketball’

Brownlee, who willed the Philippines back from 20 points down against Georgia with another near-triple-double performance of 28 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, was grateful to hear those kind words from his teammates.

“Man, I really appreciate the compliment from both guys but I really don’t know how to feel about that. I just try to the [get the] W. and I always [try to be] a really good teammate, try to jell with the guys, try to get guys going and try to play off of the guys as well as try to get them playing off me,” Brownlee said.

Gilas Pilipinas' Justin Brownlee puts on another sensational game to help the secure the Fiba OQT semifinals ticket.

Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee puts on another sensational game to help secure the Fiba OQT semifinals ticket. –FIBA PHOTO

“Being compared to Michael Jordan of the Philippines. I don’t even know what to say about that but I definitely appreciate the compliment.”

Brownlee, who also delivered the country’s first Asian Games basketball gold in 61 years, said that he is just applying what Cone has been teaching him since he joined Ginebra in 2016.

READ: Gilas win over Latvia puts spotlight on Tim Cone triangle offense

“I would be nothing without [my] teammates. A famous quote that coach Tim tells the Ginebra guys and on the Gilas team is, ‘One is too small of a number to achieve greatness,’” he said. “I just try to go by that and try to get the best out of the team and try to put my best for the team.”

Cone had no shortage of praises for his longtime player, who already delivered six PBA championships out of the 25 the legendary coach has earned.

And Brownlee c0ntinues to deliver for Cone, this time on the international level for Gilas Pilipinas.

“He’s absolutely the best teammate I’ve ever seen through all my coaching, he’s just a tremendous teammate,” the Gilas coach said. “He has that rare skill that every time he plays and any team he plays, he makes the players around him better, they play at a higher level.”



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“I used to think I was really a good coach because I had him all the time and then he goes to another team and still wins everywhere he goes. So obviously it’s not me, it’s really him because he just wins everywhere, any country he goes to, they win championships and it’s amazing because he knows how to make people better around him.”

The coach-player tandem of Cone and Brownlee tries to bring their magic to Gilas, which battles Brazil in the semifinal on Saturday for a chance to enter the final, where the lone ticket to Paris is on the line.