Like early part of Taulava’s career, Kiefer Ravena knows NLEX has to go through growing pains

NLEX only needed one win to make it to the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. But it blew its chance.

The Road Warriors headed into the quarterfinals with the coveted twice-to-beat advantage after clinching the top seed at the end of the eliminations, only for the NorthPort Batang Pier to come in their way and wield the upset ax.

The young franchise showed that anything can happen in basketball when it overcame the disadvantage to oust NLEX to become just the fourth number eight team in league history to take down the top dogs in the quarters.

The Batang Pier completed the massive upset Wednesday night through a thrilling and grueling 126-123 triple-overtime victory, leaving the Road Warriors filled with regret as they headed out of the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

“Sayang kasi one win away. We worked hard for the twice-to-beat advantage,” lamented Kiefer Ravena, who had 22 points, six assists, and five rebounds in the 50 minutes and 23 seconds he played in the stinging defeat.

Many expected the Road Warriors to redeem themselves — and snap their skid which began at the tailend of the eliminations — following the 90-115 loss they suffered last Monday in their first meeting with the Batang Pier.

However, they got themselves a tough blow just a day prior to the do-or-die when Poy Erram and Paul Varilla got suspended and were slapped hefty fines each for fighting Batang Pier import Michael Qualls last Monday.

“Poy and Paul could’ve been another element in our offense and defense, added bodies to the team,” opined Ravena.

Filling in for the absence of the 6-foot-7 Erram, though, was Asi Taulava, who at 46 years old still tried to give it his best for his team as he played for 20 minutes and 19 seconds and contributed six markers and nine rebounds.

“Asi played like he was twenty-four. I’m proud of that dude. He works hard every day, comes into practice 5:30 in the morning and delivers when it’s needed the most. Sayang lang kasi we wanted to win with the effort that he gave us,” said Ravena.

Taulava witnessed history repeat itself with the loss as it evoked memories of the 1999 All-Filipino Cup quarters, where his top-seeded Mobiline blew its win-once incentive and lost to Ginebra, 82-81, via Bal David’s game-winner.

For Ravena, he believes that this will only help the Road Warriors for the better, and they could even learn a lot more with Taulava — one of the most dominant big men to ever play in the league — around thanks to his wealth of experience.

“Yun naman yung isa sa mga role ni Asi ngayon sa’min e. More than anything else is to really implement the leadership. He’s been here for forty-five years in the PBA so marami na talaga siyang pinagdaanan,” Ravena said jokingly.

“Sobrang daming laro, sobrang daming mga ganitong laban, but I feel na marami talaga kaming matutunan kay Asi. He’s probably one of the most dominant players to ever play in the PBA and he has won a championship,” he added.

“Imagine all the heartbreaks na pinagdaanan niya to be one of the most dominant players ever but to only have one championship under your belt I’m sure he wants more. But all the lessons that he’s trying to teach us — even yung mga beterano marami pa ring natutunan sa kanya — it helps us a lot.”

tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/like-early-part-taulavas-career-kiefer-ravena-knows-nlex-go-growing-pains/171762

PH’s hosting of SEA Games is better: Sotto

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday said the country’s preparations for the SEA Games are way better and more intensive than the ones undertaken by other countries in the past.

Sotto, a former athlete, made the comment as he reiterated that glitches like the issue of food should have not been blown out of proportion anymore.

“In the first place, the Philippines was actually a very good host because we are very hospitable,” Sotto said in a statement.

Sotto was a former bowler and participated in the SEA Games several times either as a player or coach in the 1970s.

During those times, he said the host country would allow them to fend for themselves because it wanted them to lose in the competition.

Despite this, Sotto said they would always get the gold.

Sotto said those who blow some SEA Games issues out of proportion are critics of President Rodrigo Duterte.

He also blamed social media for giving importance to these issues, rather than support the country’s athletes by highlighting their preparation.

The lawmaker said it is not also the obligation of the host country to feed the participating foreign athletes.

Sotto recalled how he and his companions paid for their own food and board and lodging when he was a SEA Games participant.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087271

Kiefer Ravena gets shot at 5th SEAG gold, headlines Gilas Men

Kiefer Ravena gets a golden opportunity to add another Southeast Asian Games championship to his portfolio as he was named to the Gilas Pilipinas Men team that will play in this year's SEA Games 5-on-5 basketball event.

The NLEX guard, who was a late addition to the pool following the injury to Jayson Castro, now has a shot for a fifth gold medal as he will be the only SEA Games veteran in a roster full of first-time participants, although most of them are already Gilas veterans.

Junemar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Stanley Pringle, LA Tenorio, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Marcio Lassiter, Matthew Wright, and Christian Standhardinger make up the list of players who have already played for Gilas Men prior to their first SEA Games competition.

On the other hand, two first-time Gilas Men players, Vic Manuel and Chris Ross, complete the Final 12.

"Although the decision was surely not easy, the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) have complete trust in the team," said SBP president Al Panlilio in a statement.

All the 5-on-5 basketball games will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay beginning Dec. 4, when Gilas Men, who are going for their 14th consecutive gold medal in the competition, host Singapore.

"We're excited to defend our crown as the best basketball team in the region," added Panlilio. "We hope that the Filipino basketball fans are as excited as us and that they'll be there at the games in support of the team."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086882

Sun Life Cycle at BGC

Over a thousand bikers of all ages and skill levels set off for another fun ride with a cycling legend and a number of celebrities/sportsmen as the Sun Life Cycle PH gets going today at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Former three-time Tour de France green jersey winner Robbie McEwen, who has seen the big improvement in the local cycling scene being a visitor the last six years, joins regular triathlon campaigners Piolo Pascual and Matteo Guidicelli in the non-competitive event which features the kids ride, short ride (20K) and long ride (40K) categories around Taguig, Makati, Manila and Pasay.

“The Sun Life Cycle PH is getting bigger and better every year. I have watched the event grow and involve so many people from as young as two-years-old to serious elite cyclists, families and 60+ years-old,” said McEwen, an Australian cycling legend and Olympiad veteran during yesterday’s launch of the event put up by Sun Life Financial Philippines and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., now part of the IRONMAN Group.

“This year, we have a large number of riders from PH Police, Army, Navy and Traffic Enforcement taking part in the 20km and 40km rides. The highlight, however, is always the kids ride on the closed circuit so they can get active and discover a love for biking,” he added.

The event includes the tricycle ride (100-m distance for two-to three-year-olds), kids’ ride (500-m for 4-5 years), the family ride (30-minute ride for 6-15 with adult companion) and the solo ride (30-minute ride for 6-15).

McEwen, Pascual and Guidicelli, along with the other Star Magic artists, will see action in the long distance ride (40-km for 10 and above).

https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/11/23/1971056/sun-life-cycle-bgc

Gators Head to Atlanta for Georgia Tech Invitational

The No. 6 University of Florida men's swimming and diving teams will wrap up the fall portion of their schedule at the Georgia Tech Invitational on Nov. 22-24 in Atlanta, Ga.

The Gators (6-1) head back into action with a two-meet win streak after defeating Georgia and Florida State in back-to-back weeks at the O'Connell Center Natatorium on Nov. 1 and 8.

The annual three-day event will have UF competing against Alabama, Eastern Carolina, Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, South Carolina and Utah.

Prelim heats each day will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the top-30 prelim times from each event moving onto the finals in at 5:30 p.m. later that same evening.

Live results will be available here and the Meet Mobile App. The meet can be viewed in its entirety on ACC Network Extra.

Gator History at the Georgia Tech Invite

The Gators travel to Atlanta to compete in the Georgia Tech Invitational for the eighth time since 1998. In the previous seven trips, Florida has finished in first-place three times and posted runner-up finishes the other four times at the event.

Last season, the team won the three-day event with 1,224.5 points and led at the conclusion of each day. Kieran Smith and Khader Baqlah were members of the 400 free relay team that posted the 10th-fastest swim in school history. Additionally, Will Davis set the sixth-best 50 free time in school history on the first day of the event.

Prior to last season, Florida also posted wins in 2014-15 and 2004-05.

UF's finished runner-up in 2016-17, 2011-12, 2010-11 and 2009-10.

Quotables

Head diving coach Bryan Gillooly- "The Georgia Tech Invitational is always a really good meet. Along with some SEC schools, we get to see a little variety from other conferences as well. Although we are still early in the season, we should see some good diving here. It's great for us to be able to rehearse diving in a championship format as well."

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 22

Event 1- Women's 200 Free Relay
Event 2- Men's 200 Free Relay
Event 3- Women's 500 Free
Event 4- Men's 500 free
Event 5- Women's 200 IM
Event 6- Men's 200 IM
Event 7- Women's 50 Free
Event 8- Men's 50 free
Event 9- Women's Diving
Event 10-Men's Diving
Event 11- Women's 400 Medley Relay 
Event 12- Men's 400 Medley Relay

Saturday, Nov. 23

Event 13- Women's 200 Medley Relay
Event 14- Men's 200 Medley Relay
Event 15- Women's 400 IM
Event 16- Men's 400 IM
Event 17- Women's 100 Fly
Event 18- Men's 100 Fly
Event 19- Women's200 Free
Event 20- Men's 200 Free
Event 21- Women's 100 Breast
Event 22- Men's 100 Breast
Event 23- Women's100 Back
Event 24- Men's 100 Back
Event 25- Women's Diving
Event 26- Men's Diving
Event 27- Women's 800 Free Relay
Event 28- Women's 800 Free Relay

Sunday, Nov. 24

Event 29- Women's 1650 Free
Event 30- Men's 1650 Free
Event 31- Women's 200 Back
Event 32- Men's 200 Back
Event 33- Women's 100 Free
Event 34- Men's 100 Free
Event 35- Women's 200 Breast
Event 36- Men's 200 Breast
Event 37- Women's 200 Fly
Event 38- Men's 200 Fly
Event 39- Women's Platform Diving
Event 40- Men's Platform Diving
Event 41- Women's 400 Free Relay
Event 42- Men's 400 Free Relay

Looking ahead:

The meet will serve as the final event for the swimmers for 2019, while the Florida's divers will compete in the Auburn Diving Invitational in Alabama on Dec. 17-19.

The Gators will have a nice break before coming back to the O'Connell Center Natatorium when they welcome Auburn on Jan. 25. The meet will serve as Senior Day and the final home dual of the season.

https://floridagators.com/news/2019/11/21/mens-swimming-diving-gators-head-to-atlanta-for-geogia-tech-invitational.aspx

BCDA to maintain Clark sports facilities

New Clark City―Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon assured Thursday that the world-class sports facilities constructed in Tarlac province for the Southeast Asian Games on Nov. 30 will not become “white elephants.”

“The last thing that this government will ever allow is for these facilities to become white elephants...,” Dizon said at the sidelines of a media tour sponsored by BCDA.

“These facilities were not built just for the SEA Games...  these are parts of a masterplan [for the New Clark City],” Dizon said.

The sports facilities will host the aquatics and athletics events for the games. It also has dormitory facilities for the participating contingents.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the project worth of P6 billion was “well spent” not only for Filipino athletes but also for the country. “This is a world-class facility... The last time we had a world-class sports facility, which is Rizal Memorial Coliseum, was in 1934,” Dominguez said, adding the facility would also boost tourism in the area.

http://manilastandard.net/business/biz-plus/310654/bcda-to-maintain-clark-sports-facilities.html

TV5 executive upbeat on station’s prospects

The head of TV5 Network Inc. vowed to turn around the broadcasting network in the next coming years as it set to implement new strategy.

“I’ve always been transparent and it continues to struggle but what I’m most proud of is recently I just secured approval for the strategic plan of TV5 and hopefully in the next coming years I’ll be able to turn around the business,” Jane Basas, president and chief executive of TV5, said.

“There are other major announcements that will happen in the next months, but we’re not at liberty to say yet. When we’re ready to say it, we’ll make the announcement,” she added.

TV5 earlier said it was planning to overhaul its programming strategy next year to boost advertising revenues.

The network aims to break even this year.

Basas also said the company expects to generate more revenues for the broadcasting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games from November 28 to December 11.

http://www.manilastandard.net/mobile/article/310536

Alkhaldi banking on crowd support

There are no promises but tanker Jasmine Alkhaldi vows to put in a best effort in a bid to improve on her previous SEA Games performances.

Winner of four bronze medals in the Kuala Lumpur meet two years ago, the Olympic veteran sets her sights on copping a medal of different color – a silver or a gold.

“I never project a medal because swimming is unpredictable. You never know the result but all I want is to improve on my last SEAG campaign. I’m getting tired of a bronze finish so I want to change the color or maybe increase the number,” said Alkhaldi during the presentation of SEAG athletes backed by Blackwater the other day.

A native of Las Piñas, Alkhaldi has been donning the national tri-colors since she was 15. Having won a total of 12 bronze medals, the 26-year-old swimmer is eyeing to get over the hump with the help of an anticipated wild home crowd at the newly built New Clark City aquatics center.

“Maybe that’s the missing key – the Filipino crowd. It’s gonna be different because I’ve never experienced having our people watching and cheering. Usually when I swim, I’m in the zone and I don’t hear anything. This time, I want to hear the Filipino crowd cheering for me,” added Alkhaldi who already represented the country in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

To familiarize herself with the FINA-certified swimming venue at the NCC Complex in Capas, Tarlac, Alkhaldi and the rest of the national swimming team have started training since last week.

This home court session for the seasoned tanker is her last build-up after a series of international training camps in US and Europe funded by supporter Blackwater.

Alkhaldi will swim in nine events – 50-meter and 100-meter butterfly, 50-meter and 100-meter backstroke, 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, 4x100 meter freestyle relay, 4x200 meter freestyle relay and 4x100 medley relay.

She is confident of podium finishes in at least four individual events but is also looking to post good time to make the Olympic cut for the third straight edition as this upcoming SEA Games also serves as qualifier to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.         

https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/11/21/1970646/alkhaldi-banking-crowd-support

Aldin Ayo not going anywhere: ‘I love UST so much’

Aldin Ayo is here to stay.

Ayo on Wednesday quickly squashed rumors that he is on his way out as University of Santo Tomas head coach.

“I’m not leaving UST unless it’s UST that doesn’t want me anymore,” said Ayo in Filipino after the Growling Tigers lost to Ateneo, 86-79, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball Finals Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I was aware of that (rumors) but all I can say is I love UST so much, I love the community. The reason why I transferred to UST is because I want to achieve personal growth and I got that.”

Ayo has been with three teams in the past five years starting with a lone season with Letran where he led the Knights to the NCAA title in 2015.

From Letran, Ayo then moved to De La Salle and led the Green Archers to two finals appearances and a championship in his first year in the UAAP in 2016.

After losing to Ateneo in the 2017 finals, Ayo moved back to his Dominican roots, transferring to UST and led the rebuilding Growling Tigers to the championship round before bowing to Ateneo, which became the first UAAP team to complete a 16-0 sweep.

“I learned a lot when I transferred to UST, not just in basketball but in life,” said Ayo who studied Philosophy for college in Letran, UST’s sister school in the Dominican order.

“The way the priests treat us, the community, the students, and the alumni, that’s the first time I got that kind of support.”

https://sports.inquirer.net/374213/head-coach-aldin-ayo-not-going-anywhere-i-love-ust-so-much

Take a look at the cars that will be transporting SEA Games athletes and teams

WITH more than 50 competition venues spread across Luzon, the 30th Southeast Asia Games will need more than a traffic simulation to make sure that it runs smoothly and goes according to schedule.

British heritage car brand Morris Garages, now known as MG, has officially partnered with the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee and Mediapro Asia to address mobility concerns in the upcoming SEA Games and the 10th ASEAN Para Games.

"To be part of the 30th Southeast Asian games — an edition that features so many milestones and firsts — is a distinct honor for us at MG Philippines," MG Philippines President & CEO Alberto B. Arcilla said. "As the official mobility partner of the multi-sport biennial event, we are grateful to provide meaningful assistance to all local and international athletes and teams by equipping them with safe, comfortable, and stylish rides for the duration of the games."

A total of 80 MG vehicles will be used to transport Filipino and foreign athletes and teams to and from games that will be held in four clusters: Clark, Subic Metro Manila, and other areas. The special edition cars will carry the 30th SEA Games logo as they travel the country over the course of the competition.

Game venues include the newly renovated Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, select parts of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac, among others.

Atty. Arcilla added, "It is our privilege to be of service to all athletes as they battle it out for their respective countries, and it invigorates us to see so many energetic talents sharing in the spirit of competition and camaraderie. Through this partnership, we uphold the long sporting heritage of MG and enliven the competitive spirit that fuels MG to excel."

https://www.spin.ph/life/cars-and-tech/morris-garages-sea-games-mobility-partner-a547-20191120