Tag: run

Czechia wins Challenger Cup, earns VNL spot with near-perfect run

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Czechia is crowned FIVB Challenger Cup champion.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Czechia topped Puerto Rico, 25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 25-18, to reign supreme in the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Opposite hitter Gabriela Orvosova hammered out 25 points on 23 hits and two blocks as Czechia also booked a coveted promotion ticket to the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

Team captain Michaela Mlejnkova added 18 points while Helena Havelkova and Magdalena Jehlarova chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Czech spikers, who needed only one hour and 48 minutes to win the knockout finale.

READ: Czechia sets up Challenger Cup final vs Puerto Rico for VNL spot

Now world No. 15, Czechia zoomed to a 2-0 start and fended off any resistance left from world No. 16 Puerto Rico in the fourth set.

“It’s unbelievable. We’re so happy and proud of our team. I’m speechless,” beamed Orvosova.

Czechia FIVB Challenger Cup champion

Czechia players celebrate after beating Puerto Rico in the FIVB Challenger Cup Final in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“It’s time to celebrate our success. I believe in this tournament, we’re the better team and we deserve to win but the VNL is another level,” added Greek head coach Ioannis Athanasopoulos.

It was a near-perfect Manila conquest for Czechia, which only dropped one set the entire tournament.

READ: Alas tormentor Vietnam bags bronze in FIVB Challenger Cup

Czechia pummeled world No. 17 Argentina, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, in the quarterfinals then trounced now world No. 32 Vietnam in the semis, 25-19, 25-14, 25-19, of the VNL qualifier.

Grace Mar Lopez Villanueva and Paola Nicole Santiago Cabrera put up 23 and 18 points, respectively, while Stephanie Rivera tallied 12 points for the Puerto Ricans.

“Fans here are unbelievable right from first moment we arrived at the airport. Volleyball is huge over here and I didn’t know that. It’s a great experience for our team. From the entire Czech national team, we’re really thankful,” said Athanasopoulos.

Earlier, Vietnam stunned world No. 12 Belgium, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, to salvage the bronze medal behind the 35-point eruption on 34 hits by ace hitter Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen.



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Rhenz Abando still weighing his next options after KBL run

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Rhenz Abando during an open training with the Jones Cup bound Strong Group Athletics team. -SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Rhenz Abando is still thinking about his next move after his run in the Korean Basketball League.

Abando, a member of the Strong Group Athletics squad that will compete in the upcoming William Jones Cup, revealed that he still doesn’t know his next move after his stint with the Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (formerly Anyang KGC),

“So far, I’m just waiting and weighing my offers,” said Abando in Filipino during SGA’s training at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Tuesday.

READ: Rhenz Abando leaves KBL club Anyang after 2 years

“[Those offers are from] other leagues. My status in Korea now is, I can’t go back because of the rules. They offered me a contract, but I didn’t sign with them so I can’t come back until after a year.”

The Letran product did not disclose the teams that have sent him offers.

With the PBA offseason in full effect, Abando was expectedly asked if one of his options was declaring for the Rookie Draft.

READ: Road to recovery gives Rhenz Abando time to decide what’s next

The former University of Santo Tomas swingman, however, quickly clarified that the PBA Draft isn’t in his options, but he is not completely shutting the door on playing in the PBA.

Just not anytime soon.

“The PBA, it’s just there. I don’t want to declare for the draft right away. Of course, I need to talk to some people and it wouldn’t be nice if I just apply for the draft all of a sudden.”

Right now, Abando is just glad to represent the country anew after having raised the flag in the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

Only this time, he’ll do it under SGA colors for the Jones Cup happening later this month.

“Now, I’m just thankful for coach Charles (Tiu) and Rajko (Toroman) because before all of this even began, they already prioritized getting us. One month before [official] practice, they were already messaging and prioritizing us.”



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During his rookie year with Anyang, Abando reached the top of the KBL right away, winning the 2023 season championship at the expense of the Seoul SK Knights.

Gilas Women’s 3×3 run is an ‘eye opener,’ says Sam Harada

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MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3 team may not have gotten the the best result in its Europe stop in the Fiba 3×3 Women’s Series, but Sam Harada is keeping a positive outlook.

While it may have been hard to absorb the last losses, the 3×3 squad is still grateful for the “eye-opening” experience and will be carrying it in their next stops said Harada.

“Our experience there was an eye-opener because the competitions that we faced were really all world-class,” said Harada in Filipino.

READ: SEA Games 2023: Gilas Pilipinas Women settle for silver in 3×3 basketball

“Even if we did not get the results that we wanted, we know that we will just keep on improving.”

The Philippines failed to advance in the group stages of their forays in Clermont-Ferrand and Orleans, France.

The Gilas squad had silver linings, though, as it reached the quarterfinals in its Ulaanbataar stop of the series.

“We have to improve on a lot of things, from individual skills, strength, discipline and patience for the system that we’re running. As Pinoys, we’re small so we need to learn how to fight with taller teams.”

Harada played with Kaye Pingol, Hazelle Yam, and Allana Lim in those first three stops while they were backed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Uratex Dream.

Lim, though, will be replaced by Angel Surada in the Wuhan iteration of the series but it poses no problems for the squad, according to Harada.

“The good thing is, we have chemistry and we’re getting exposed to these kinds of competition,” explained Harada.

“We won’t quit and we will show how Filipinos play beautiful basketball.”



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Shohei Ohtani contemplating Home Run Derby amid streak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

UP rallies past La Salle to complete perfect Filoil title run

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UP Fighting Maroons’ Francis Lopez during the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup. –HANDOUT

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines completed a perfect championship run in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup after pulling off a come-from-behind 69-66 win over its UAAP tormentor La Salle in a winner-take-all final on Wednesday.

The Fighting Maroons needed to recover from a 23-43 deficit, unleashing a 29-6 second quarter and a 46-point explosion in the second half to complete a golden repeat in the preseason tournament.

“During the halftime, [our coaches] told us that we can’t shoot and failed to execute our defense. So entering the second half, we tried to bounce back,” said Gerry Abadiano, who restored the order for UP. 

READ: While building perfect Filoil record, UP tries to solidify its culture

Abadiano finished with 12 points to earn the Finals MVP award after leading the collective effort of the Fighting Maroons.

“For me, we can’t stop [with a preseason championship]. We have to keep on improving,” he said.

JD Cagulangan was also instrumental with 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Francis Lopez contributed an all-around game of eight points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Cagulangan and Lopez were part of the Mythical Five with Far Eastern University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran impact rookies Veejay Pre and Jonathan Manalili and La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao.

READ: Pressure is key for La Salle’s improvement, says Topex Robinson

Quiambao earned the tournament MVP with 14 points and 10 rebounds but missed two crucial three-pointers in the final seven minutes of the championship game.

CJ Austria stepped up for the Green Archers with 14 points as they settled for silver.

Meanwhile, FEU bagged the bronze medal after escaping Letran, 80-78, behind Jorick Bautista’s 21-point effort to give rookie coach Sean Chambers a podium finish in his first major tournament.

The Scores:

UP 69 — Cagulangan 13, Abadiano 12, Alarcon 9, Ududo 9, Lopez 8, Torres 7, Torculas 7, Felicilda 2, Alter 2, Stevens 0, Walker 0, Bayla 0, Briones 0, Belmonte 0, Tan 0

LA SALLE 66 — Quiambao 14, Austria 14, Ramiro 7, Agunanne 7, Gollena 7, Dungo 6, Policarpio 4, Macalalag 3, Marasigan 2, Cortez 2, Zamora 0, Buenaventura 0, Gaspay 0, Abadam 0, Rubico 0, Alian 0



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QUARTERS: 17-14, 23-43, 48-53, 69-66