Atienza is Pacquiao’s VP for 2022 - INQUIRER.net

PHOTO from Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza is the running mate of Senator Manny Pacquiao for the 2022 elections.

Pacquiao and Atienza filed their certificates of candidacies together at the Sofitel tent in Pasay City.

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Atienza previously served as mayor of Manila before becoming the party-list representative for Buhay.

Why Atienza?

Asked by reporters why he picked Atienza as running mate, Pacquiao pointed to the congressman’s long years in public service.

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“Pinili ko po si Cong. Atienza dahil unang-una po yung pagseserbisyo niya sa taumbayan ay ilang taon na po, more than 50 years ang kanyang pagseserbisyo’t paglilingkod sa bayan,” Pacquiao said.

(I picked Cong. Atienza because first of all, he has served the Filipino public for more than 50 years.)

“Nakita ko yung sinseridad niya at eksperto niya at hangarin na makatulong,” he added.

(I saw his sincerity and expertise and desire to help.)

Atienza, for his part, said he was honored to run alongside the boxing champ-turned-politician.

“Naniniwala po ako na si Manny Pacquiao ang tanging maaaring makapagbago ng pamumuhay ng Pilipino. Kung paano niya binago ang kanyang kalagayan sa kahirapan, magagawa niyang baguhin ang kalagayan natin,” Atienza said.

(I believe that Manny Pacquiao is the only one who can change the lives of Filipinos. If he was able to rise out of poverty, he would do the same to change our situation.)

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“Ang kahirapan ay laganap magmula nung ako’y batang lumalaki sa Maynila, mahirap na ang buhay, lalong pinahirap ng mga dumaang administrasyon,” he added.

(Poverty is widespread even from when I was growing up in Manila, life is poor and it became worse with the administrations that have come and gone.)

“Si Manny Pacquiao ay pinanganak na mahirap, nakita ko ang kanyang pagsisikap, nakita ko ang kanyang determinasyon,” he further said.

(Manny Pacquiao was born poor, but I saw his hard work and his determination.)

/MUF

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Rajon Rondo loves competing with new Lakers teammate Russell Westbrook - Silver Screen and Roll

In Game 5 of the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals, when the Houston Rockets were already trailing the Los Angeles Lakers by 23 points, Russell Westbrook exchanged words with a fan sitting courtside at The Arena in Florida — that fan was William Rondo, the older brother of Rajon Rondo.

That heated interaction was one of the first things I thought about when it was announced that Rondo was signing a one-year deal to return to the Lakers, who traded for Westbrook earlier in the summer.

The second thing I thought about was the time Westbrook got ejected from a game for pushing Rondo, which prompted Rondo to point to the exit tunnel. The push alone didn’t get Westbrook ejected; he already had a technical foul for an earlier toss-up with Rondo.

That was in January.

But Rondo and Westbrook won’t go into the season with any hard feelings toward each other. There is no lingering beef. In fact, on Tuesday, Rondo expressed nothing but respect for his new teammate for the way he approached their matchups throughout the years.

“Russ and I, we’ve been competing for so long,” Rondo said. “He’s one of the best, ultimate competitors I’ve played with in my career. I love competing against Russ. I know he’s going to bring it every night. I know he’s looking to destroy me. Likewise, I’m looking to destroy him.

“There’s no better feeling than to go out against someone that plays at a high level and is going to bring it.”

Unfortunately for them, the days of them going at each other’s throats are over, at least for now. Instead, they’ll look to bring that competitive fire to the Lakers with the hope of winning a championship together this season.

For Rondo, that energy is expected to be relayed almost exclusively from the sidelines, but it’s easy to imagine him getting under Westbrook’s skin at practice and raising the intensity of team scrimmages. I mean, they have to have some sort of outlet for those feelings, right?

For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow this author on Twitter at @RadRivas.

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Klay Thompson Paid an Underrated Andre Iguodala the Ultimate Compliment, Though It’s One Iggy Might Not Deserve - Sportscasting

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson‘s admiration for Andre Iguodala goes a long way. In fact, Thompson believes that Iggy will one day end up in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Iguodala, who returned to Golden State this offseason, is at the tail end of his career. He will ultimately leave behind a legacy that, according to Thompson, should be honored by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. But does the 2015 NBA Finals MVP deserve that recognition?

Klay Thompson praised Andre Iguodala and said he should be in the Hall of Fame

Klay Thompson says he still goes to Andre Iguodala for advice daily. He said his jersey should be hanging in the rafters one day.

"He's a Hall of Famer in my book."

— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) September 27, 2021

Klay Thompson is one of the more accomplished players in the NBA. He is a three-time champion, five-time All-Star, and two-time All-NBA selection. Yet, as good as Thompson is, he still goes to Andre Iguodala for counsel.

The Warriors 2-guard said Monday he seeks advice from Iguodala on a daily basis. He also made a bold declaration about Iguodala’s status as an all-time great.

Thompson believes the Warriors should retire Iggy’s number and stated, “He’s a Hall of Famer in my book.” Does the veteran swingman have the credentials to merit enshrinement in Springfield? Or is Thompson reaching when he suggests Iggy belongs in the Hall of Fame?

Andre Iguodala’s Hall of Fame case

Klay Thompson’s assertion that the Warriors should retire Iguodala’s jersey is a strong one, though there’s a case to be made on Iggy’s behalf.

Igoudala, like Thompson, won three championships with the Dubs. He was named 2015 NBA Finals MVP and All-Defensive First Team during the 2013-14 campaign. However, it’s Iguodala’s willingness to take a back seat that has more resonance in terms of his legacy in Golden State.

The 37-year-old started in all 63 of his appearances in his first season with the Warriors. But he embraced his role as the sixth man for the 2014-15 team, paving the way for Draymond Green to enter the starting lineup. That move maximized Golden State’s two-way potential and resulted in the Warriors winning their first championship.

While Iguodala had to adjust to a bench role, he maintained his quality on the defensive end of the floor and remained an integral part of Golden State’s playoff rotations.

What about Iggy’s Hall of Fame resume? That’s slightly more difficult to interpret.

Iguodala has made just one All-Star team. His 15.4 career player efficiency mark isn’t exactly remarkable. Basketball Reference gives him a mere 6.1% chance of making the Hall of Fame. Then again, it’s worth noting that Toni Kukoc just entered the Hall of Fame with a 0.5% probability, though Kukoc’s impact in Europe surely had something to do with his selection. Moreover, the Hoops Hall is a bit fickle when it comes to the induction process.

Of course, Iguodala has yet to hang it up. He has the chance to win another championship with the Warriors, and his reputation as a critical veteran leader could make all the difference in the long run.

Iggy could play a vital role in Klay Thompson’s absence

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson introduces Andre Iguodala before an NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020 | Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images

The Warriors will need Andre Iguodala to soak up vital minutes at the wing spot as they await Klay Thompson’s eventual return from an Achilles injury.

Thompson is not expected to return until sometime in January. There is also uncertainty regarding Andrew Wiggins’ status, given his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine. Both those factors make Iguodala a key figure for the Warriors this season.

Golden State cannot allot tons of minutes to rookies Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga. Head coach Steve Kerr will likely want some stability in his rotations and look to preserve the team’s identity on the defensive end of the floor. Iguodala’s ability to defend multiple positions and be a secondary ball-handler and floor-spacer loom large in relation to the Dubs’ roster construction.

Time will tell whether Iguodala is honored in Springfield. For now, the Warriors will likely hope he can provide valuable minutes and be a defensive stalwart as they eagerly anticipate the start of Thompson’s comeback tour.

Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference.

RELATED: Klay Thompson’s Epic Game 6 Performance Against the Thunder Prompted Charles Barkley to Coin an Awful New Nickname

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PBA: Blackwater acquires McCarthy from TerraFirma - ABS-CBN News

Simon Enciso and Rashawn McCarthy will swap teams. PBA Media Bureau.

MANILA, Philippines -- Blackwater, in full rebuild mode after a historically dismal campaign, on Tuesday acquired Rashawn McCarthy from the TerraFirma Dyip.

In exchange, the Bossing sent their leading scorer, Simon Enciso, to TerraFirma.

The PBA approved the trade on Tuesday.

It's the second player-related move made by Blackwater in recent days, after reportedly giving point guard Baser Amer a contract extension.

It's expected that Blackwater will make more moves. Team owner Dioceldo Sy recently said that they are "reviewing the contracts of the players" after the end of their conference.

The Bossing are looking to recover from a brutal campaign in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup where they lost all 11 of their games. They have now dropped 19 consecutive contests, a record of futility in the league.

Shortly after their season ended, Blackwater let go of head coach Nash Racela and appointed Ariel Vanguardia to the interim head coaching position.

In McCarthy, the Bossing will have a veteran guard who averaged 9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and two assists per game while coming off the bench for the Dyip in the All-Filipino Cup.

Meanwhile, TerraFirma will welcome Enciso, who was one of the few bright spots for Blackwater this conference. The guard put up 13.7 points on top of 4.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game, while starting all 11 games for the Bossing. 

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Rest of the NFC West, Week 3: At least the 49ers lost... - Field Gulls

Another week, another Seahawks loss while the division ascends. Let’s get this over with.

Cardinals struggle early, but dominate late to secure win over lowly Jaguars

If you managed to catch any of the Jaguars-Cardinals game Sunday, you got quite a thrill. The Jaguars managed to open up a 9-point lead in the second half, which they promptly squandered by allowing the Cardinals to march down the field, and then Trevor Lawrence threw a pitiful flea-flicker pick-6 to put the Cardinals ahead for good. The Jaguars also scored a touchdown as the first half expired thanks to Kliff Kingsbury’s incredibly bizarre decision to have Matt Prater attempt a 68-yard field goal (turns out he was only that good when he was juicing). The Jaguars’ Jamal Agnew then returned the missed field goal 109 yards for the score.

So, aside from all of the theatrics, what is there to take away from this game? Well, honestly, this Cardinals team reminds me a lot of last year’s Seahawks. They can play both up and down to their competition on a consistent basis, and have been involved in some chaotic games these past few weeks, thanks in no small part to the incredibly erratic coaching from Kliff Kingsbury. But hey, if Kingsbury can’t run this team into the ground, nobody can (except maybe Pete Carroll? Controversial take?).

The point is, the Cardinals still have a scary amount of talent on both sides of the ball, and remain the NFC West team I’m looking forward to playing the least.

Rams dominate Super Bowl champs

In what was previewed as the game of the week, perhaps the two best teams in the NFC faced off in LA Saturday, and it was... very one-sided. The Rams defense was suspect at times, allowing Brady to throw for well over 400 yards, but they ultimately maintained control throughout the game. What really impressed, though, was their offense. Stafford was impeccable, throwing for 343 yards and four touchdowns in a dominant performance. Cooper Kupp continued to ball out, and 35 year-old DeSean Jackson, who I honestly had no idea was even on the Rams, broke free for a 75-yard score.

The Rams just seem to keep getting better, and I’m becoming a believer in this team’s Super Bowl chances very quickly. It remains to be seen if the offense can be this good week-to-week, but right now, I see no reason to think otherwise. The Rams weren’t even this complete of a team when they went to the Super Bowl, but now, they are, and that’s really scary. Our division will not be doing us any favors if we’re going to turn this season around.

Niners prove skill despite slow start from Garoppolo, fall late to Packers

We don’t really know just how good either the Packers or the 49ers are yet, but the two teams delivered a thriller on Sunday Night Football. Despite a slow start, Jimmy Garoppolo and the Niners offense rallied late in the fourth quarter to take the lead, only to squander it on the Packers’ final possession, as Mason Crosby hit the game-winner as time expired.

As the first half progressed, I was getting ready to write the “Niners and Seahawks both dwelling at NFC West’s cellar” bit for this article, but the truth is, the Niners looked like a far better team than the Seahawks on the whole tonight. The defense wasn’t amazing, but the offense certainly outperformed my expectations, and Garoppolo was once again above average. The Niners’ young receiving corps showed out, and I expect them to just eviscerate the Seahawks’ secondary next week.

Thankfully, the Niners have dropped to 2-1, meaning the Seahawks aren’t two games behind everyone else in the division, but next week’s game (and the following Thursday Night game against the Rams, for that matter) could very well make or break the Seahawks’ chances at winning the division. It seems weird to say that so early on, but all three teams above Seattle are definitely playoff-caliber, and the ‘Hawks have set themselves up to play catch-up for the next 15 weeks.

Standings

Los Angeles Rams: 3-0
Arizona Cardinals: 3-0
San Francisco 49ers: 2-1
Seattle Seahawks: 1-2

Week 4 Schedule

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

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Lando Norris says Russian GP 'hurts, so badly', but tipped by F1 stars to bounce back from 'worst nightmare' - Sky Sports

Lando Norris says he is in "pain" after losing his maiden win at Russian GP but F1 drivers console young Brit: Lewis Hamilton: "He's got so many more wins up ahead of him. He's doing a great job leading that team."

By Matt Morlidge

Last Updated: 27/09/21 11:07am

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Lando Norris' race fell apart in the final stages after a late downpour resulted in the McLaren driver spinning off the track and losing the lead

Lando Norris' race fell apart in the final stages after a late downpour resulted in the McLaren driver spinning off the track and losing the lead

Formula 1's top drivers have rallied around Lando Norris following the Russian GP heartbreak that the young Brit admitted still "hurts, so badly", claiming he was met with a "worst nightmare" situation and insisting he will secure his first win sooner rather than later.

In one of the most gut-wrenching conclusions to an F1 race on Sunday, Norris slid off the track and dropped from first to seventh, with him and McLaren made to pay for staying out on dry tyres as heavy rain fell at Sochi.

He told Sky F1 immediately after the race that he was "devastated" before posting on social media later in the evening: "It hurts, so badly.

"Pain for me and pain for the team. We lost this together. I feel so bad, will do for a while probably, it's just how much it means."

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Lando Norris was heartbroken after losing the lead in the final stages of the race following a late downpour which dramatically changed conditions on the track

Lando Norris was heartbroken after losing the lead in the final stages of the race following a late downpour which dramatically changed conditions on the track

Norris' Russian GP went from perfection to agony all because of the late rain, which left him and McLaren in an incredibly difficult position.

Norris and Lewis Hamilton were locked in a nail-biting fight for victory, one that neither driver wanted to leave by pitting for wet tyres even though the rain was getting heavier. McLaren did not overrule Norris - wanting to keep track position in the lead - but Mercedes did with Hamilton, and that ultimately proved a masterstroke as the heavens opened.

Norris slowly spun off the track as he lost out on a maiden F1 victory, while Hamilton came through on intermediates to take his 100th.

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It's heartbreak for Lando Norris as the McLaren driver loses the lead to Lewis Hamilton in the final stages of the Russian Grand Prix

It's heartbreak for Lando Norris as the McLaren driver loses the lead to Lewis Hamilton in the final stages of the Russian Grand Prix

There was sympathy for Norris across the paddock afterwards.

"It is every driver's worst nightmare, leading a race and the rain starts coming down," said George Russell, his fellow Brit and good friend, who will be joining Hamilton at Mercedes next season.

And there was also confidence that Norris, who has looked like a win contender a few times this season, would bounce back.

"I feel really bad for him," added Russell. "I have been there, I know how it feels. He will have plenty more victories to come."

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Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris joined forces mid-interview following their dramatic battle which resulted in Hamilton's 100th career win

Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris joined forces mid-interview following their dramatic battle which resulted in Hamilton's 100th career win

Hamilton, meanwhile, paid tribute to the "incredible" Norris and stated he would "for sure" get another chance to triumph.

"He's so young," said Hamilton, 36, of his 21-year-old countryman. "He's got so many more wins up ahead of him. He did a fantastic job yesterday in the wet. He's doing a great job leading that team."

Norris: I will come back stronger and better... I know it

Charles Leclerc, who like Norris also stayed out on track on medium tyres, continued: "I can imagine what he's feeling because also he's part of the decision process and he might feel very, very guilty."

"But he's an amazing driver. I think he has shown it very often this season. He has had a very strong season and I'm sure he will he will learn from it. It's just a matter of time before his first win."

Keep your head up mate. That W is coming. 👊

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) September 26, 2021

Norris is indeed enjoying a superb third season in F1, running fourth in the championship and claiming four podiums, having never previously finished in the top three before 2021.

"I'm sure once I've got this frustration and disappointment out the way, I'll look at the positives of this whole weekend," Norris told Sky F1. "But when you're fighting for a win, you don't want to just think about the positives and forget about the negatives."

Norris did, however, add on Instagram later on Sunday: "I, and we, will come back stronger and better.

"I know it."

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Yankees set rotation for all-or-nothing final week - The Morning Call

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So yields to French foe, Carlsen pulls away in Champs Chess Tour Grand Finals - Manila Bulletin

Wesley So

Grandmaster Wesley So yielded to old nemesis Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, 2.5-0.5, to fall farther behind leader Magnus Carlsen after two rounds in the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Grand Finals Sunday.

It was a stinging defeat for the two-time United States champion So as Vachier-Lagreve continued to dominate him in their head-to-head encounter.

The defeat cost So as it allowed Carlsen to stretch his lead from four points to six with 21.5 points. The Cavite-born American, meanwhile, has 15.5 points.

Carlsen gained two points after a hard-earned triumph over Azerbaijan’s Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in a showdown that was decided by an Armageddon playoff.

So, meanwhile, said he is moving on from the loss to Vachier-Lagrave.

“I just want to take it one round at a time, the tournament is very long,” said So in the tournament website interview.

Truly, the nine-round tournament is a long and arduous one as each will play a four-game set per round and a two-game blitz tiebreaker and, if necessary, an Armageddon playoff per round.

So faces Mamedyarov in the third round.

In the other results, Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda turned back the Netherland’s Anish Giri, 2.5-1.5; United States’ Hikaru Nakamura edged Azerbaijan’s Teimour Radjabov, 3.5-2.5; and Armenia’s Levon Aronian trounced Russia’s Vladislav Artemiev, 2.5-1.5.

Aronian currently trails behind So at third place with 12 points, Radjabov is at fourth with 8 points, followed by Giri and Vachier-Lagrave with identical 7.5 points, Nakamura with 7, Artemiev with 5.5, Duda with 3 and Mamedyarov with 1.5.

So made it to the finale by finishing second overall behind Tour leader Carlsen after topping three legs—the Skilling Open, the Euro Opera Rapid and the Chessable Masters.

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Paul Lee bucks black eye as Magnolia nears semis - Rappler

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PH women's team eyes early US training camp for Asian Cup prep - Manila Bulletin

Photo from AFC

National women’s football team coach Marlon Maro is eyeing to once again hold camp in the United States as part of its preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup slated Jan. 2022 in India.

The Philippines earned a place in the continental tournament which will also serve as a qualifier for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after topping Group F of the Asian Cup Qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan behind similar 2-1 victories over Nepal and Hong Kong.

Though pleased with the way his team performed, Maro wants the team to start as early as possible in order for some kinks to be ironed out before plunging into its second consecutive Asian Cup appearance.

“We have to start early,” Maro said in a recent virtual media session arranged by the Philippine Football Federation. “I think we have a three-week break and then after that, the PFF and the rest of the coaching staff will plan for the next camp.

“And then, we have to make sure we beef up with players based on position because there are certain positions that we have to strengthen, particularly the side defenders,” added Maro.

He’s also hoping that the whole team can be together this time, with some players part of the camp in California while the rest are stuck back home doing limited workouts due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“My plan is to make sure all the players can have their visas and California is the only place where you can train because you can do all sports activities,” Maro said.

“And besides that, we can have a lot of friendly matches like what happened before the competition because it helped us a lot to bond and to prepare tactically.”

The five best teams in the Asian Cup will secure spots in the World Cup, which the Philippines hopes to secure this time after falling short to South Korea in a playoff in the 2018 edition held in Amman, Jordan.

The Pinay booters rallied from a goal down to beat Nepal last Sept. 18 after newcomer Chandler McDaniel set up the two late scorers from Tahnai Annis and Camille Wilson.

McDaniel eventually got on the scoresheet six days later when her 88th-minute goal defeated Hong Kong.

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Clutch Cabagnot breaks NorthPort heart, lifts San Miguel in Game 1 - Rappler

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1. Clutch Cabagnot breaks NorthPort heart, lifts San Miguel in Game 1  Rappler
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3. Robert Bolick, CJ Perez rekindle rivalry in quarterfinals duel between NorthPort, San Miguel  ESPN Philippines
4. PBA News: Cabagnot hits winner as San Miguel beats NorthPort  Sports Interactive Network Philippines
5. Cabagnot hits winner, San Miguel escapes NorthPort for 1-0 lead  INQUIRER.net
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Kiefer Ravena not returning for '21 PH Cup, all set for Japan B. League debut in Oct. - ESPN Australia

8:09 AM GMT

• Philip Matel

NLEX guard Kiefer Ravena will no longer return for the remainder of the 2021 PBA season after securing his release from the both league and the Road Warriors on Saturday.

NLEX official Ronald Dulatre and PBA boss Willie Marcial both confirmed the development to ESPN5, as the Road Warriors had already sent their approval in writing to the Commissioner's office.

"If it's OK with NLEX, it's OK with the PBA," Marcial told ESPN5.com.

Ravena is presently in Japan, originally just to process his papers, but now in full preparation for the start of the Japan B. League season set to tip off Sep. 30. He and his team, the Shiga Lakestars, will have their first two games against the San-En NeoPhoenix, which features brother Thirdy on Oct. 2 and 3.

The star guard left for Tokyo last Aug. 25 in order to settle requirements as an Asian import. Once those were taken care of, NLEX stated that he will be returning for the team's games in the ongoing Philippine Cup.

However, the length of quarantine in going back-and-forth derailed his chances of getting back in time to help the Road Warriors' playoff run. Prior to his departure, he averaged 15.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds.

In fact, head coach Yeng Guiao had already said they were not expecting Ravena back.

"I told the team, let's expect that we have to do this on our own. We should not expect that Kiefer can come back. It will be just a bonus," stated the fiery mentor in an interview right after his court general left for Japan.

"I don't know [if he'll come back], I'm not sure because of that limitation in time, if that is practical. If we're eliminated, what will he return for? I think it will depend on how far we will get. If we go to the semifinals, he may still see action, but if we're eliminated, there's nothing," he added.

Shiga agreed in principle with Ravena last June, but the partnership was initially disallowed by the PBA due to his existing Uniform Player's Contract (UPC).

After a change of heart from Asia's oldest professional basketball league almost two months later, however, "The Phenom" was allowed to play in the B.League for just one season. The Road Warriors were also fined an undisclosed amount for abrogating the UPC.

Per the agreement, Ravena will have to sign a fresh contract with NLEX upon his return, and if does not, he will be sanctioned by the league.

Despite not having their primary playmaker since late Aug., the Road Warriors were able to make it to the playoffs as the seventh seed, with their backs against the wall, facing a twice-to-beat disadvantage against the Meralco Bolts.

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Adiwang willing to pave way for Pacio's reign in strawweight division - Manila Bulletin

Teamwork makes the dream work, as the famous saying of John Maxwell goes.

Lito Adiwang (ONE Championship)

That’s the case at least for the famed Benguet stable Team Lakay.

Strawweight contender Lito Adiwang proved how selfless he can be after declaring that he’s willing to pave the way for Joshua Pacio’s reign as the strawweight champion.

“We’ll cross the bridge once we’re there,” said Adiwang when asked for a possible matchup with Pacio, who he considers as his little brother, in the near future.

Adiwang, formerly ranked No. 5 in the division, continued his winning ways in the Circle after scoring a convincing unanimous decision win over Chinese foe Hexigetu in ONE: Revolution at the Singapore Indoor Stadium Friday night, Sept. 24.

“For me and for the team, I respect my team. I look on Joshua as my younger brother and if it’s his time, it’s his time,” said the 28-year-old Igorot warrior, who improved to a 13-3 record.

“I’m trying to screen out who’s the next tough challenger for him. So if they get past me, then at least we helped each other because we saw the strengths and weaknesses of whoever gets past me.”

If anything, Adiwang called out the next strawweight fighter who’s going to be propelled at the No. 1 position.

There will be a major haul in the rankings as Pacio knocked out Saruta, the No. 1 contender, in their trilogy.

As of this writing though, completing the Top 5 spot are Yoshitaka Naito of Japan (No. 2), Bokang Masunyane of South Africa (No. 3), Hiroba Minowa of Japan (No. 4), and former world champion Alex Silva of Brazil (No. 5).

READ: Pacio sets sights on Naito trilogy, bout with Masunyane

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Adiwang willing to pave way for Pacio's reign in strawweight division - Manila Bulletin
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Kiefer Ravena secures NLEX clearance in time for Shiga debut - Rappler

Delfin Dioquino dreamt of being a PBA player, but he did not have the skills to make it. So he pursued the next best thing to being an athlete – to write about them. He took up journalism at the University of Santo Tomas and joined Rappler as soon as he graduated in 2017.

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Kiefer Ravena secures NLEX clearance in time for Shiga debut - Rappler
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Warriors' Andrew Wiggins can't play home games without vaccine, says SF Dept. of Public Health - SF Gate

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins — who is reportedly unvaccinated against COVID-19 — will not be permitted to play in home games at San Francisco's Chase Center unless he is vaccinated soon.

In a statement to SFGATE on Friday, the San Francisco Department of Public Health said that Wiggins would not be able to claim a religious or medical exemption as a response to the city's policy for large indoor events.

"At large and mega indoor events, all patrons 12 and older must be vaccinated at this time," the statement reads. "Under the current order, if unvaccinated, they cannot enter indoor areas regardless of the reason they are unvaccinated and cannot test out of this requirement even if they have a medical or religious exemption. This same rule applies to performers and players employed by the host at large and mega indoor events who are covered by the vaccination requirements of the Health Order."

The department had previously stated it would not comment on Wiggins' situation unless he received a religious exemption from the NBA. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that those around the league believe the NBA would grant him such an exemption. (The San Francisco Chronicle and SFGATE are owned by the same parent company, Hearst, but operate independently of one another.)

The religious exemption conversation appears to be moot now, as the city will not allow Wiggins to enter Chase Center for games "regardless of the reason [he is] unvaccinated."

Wiggins, 26, was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Golden State Warriors in February 2020. He had a strong 2020-21 season, averaging 18.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from 3-point range. He has two years left on his current contract, which runs through 2023.

SFGATE sports editor Alex Shultz contributed to this report.

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Pinay booters book Asian Cup spot - Manila Bulletin

Pinay booters book Asian Cup spot

Photo from AFC

The Philippines confirmed its place in next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup after a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong in their final qualification match Friday, Sept. 24 at the Jar Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Chandler McDaniel’s goal in the 88th minute secured another win that gave the Pinay booters top spot in Group F of the Asian Cup Qualifiers with six points in two matches.

It will be the second straight appearance for the Filipinas in the continental tournament slated January 2022 in India.

The Asian Cup also serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

A draw would been enough for coach Marlon Maro’s side to book its place in the Asian Cup after Hong Kong’s Chung Pui Ki’s goal off a free kick past the hour mark cancelled Tanhai Annis’ opener in the 17th.

But McDaniel, playing just her second match with the national team, came through for the Philippines with a solo effort to secure the win.

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PBA: SMB's Romeo leads in scoring in Philippine Cup - ABS-CBN News

San Miguel's Terrence Romero topped the PBA Philippine Cup's scoring stats at the end of the eliminations.

Despite playing hurt, the three-time scoring champion averaged 19.0 points on 46.8 shooting percentage from the floor in just six games.

But TNT's prized rookie Mikey Williams is breathing down his neck at second spot with an average of 18.4 per game. 

NorthPort's Robert Bolick came in third with 18.1 points per game, followed by Barangay Ginebra's Stanley Pringle (17.5 points) and San Miguel's CJ Perez (17.2 points).

The Magnolia duo of Paul Lee (17.0) and Ian Sangalang (16.9) came in at sixth and seventh, respectively. The Batang Pier's big man Greg Slaughter ranks eighth with 16.5 points. The final two spots belong to Jayson Perkins of Phoenix (16.4) and Magnolia's Calvin Abueva (16.1).

Meanwhile, Slaughter leads the league in rebounding (10.7) and blocks (2.3) after playing just six games.

Joining Slaughter among the top rebounders are Barangay Ginebra's Christian Standhardinger (10.5), six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel (9.8), Abueva (9.7), and Alaska's Yousef Taha (9.6).

Bolick also leads in assists with 7.3 per game, while Beerman Chris Ross topped the number of steals with 2.3 per game.

Williams leads all rookies in scoring, three-point field goals made, and assists (3.7), but NorthPort's Jamie Malonzo is close by in scoring (13.2).

Other rookies in the upper scoring bracket are top pick Joshua Munzon of Terrafirma (11.7), Calvin Oftana of NLEX (9.3), and Meralco’s Alvin Pasaol (9.7).

FROM THE ARCHIVES

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PBA: SMB's Romeo leads in scoring in Philippine Cup - ABS-CBN News
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Black hints more minutes for 'flat-out' scorer rookie Pasaol - Rappler

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. Black hints more minutes for 'flat-out' scorer rookie Pasaol  Rappler
2. On Ginebra's KO game, Blackwater assistants, Terrence update  Sports Interactive Network Philippines
3. Just another game as Meralco pushes Ginebra to the brink  INQUIRER.net
4. View Full coverage on Google News

Black hints more minutes for 'flat-out' scorer rookie Pasaol - Rappler
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Wheelchair Tennis Overall Highlights | Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games - Paralympic Games

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Wheelchair Tennis Overall Highlights | Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games - Paralympic Games
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GAB suspends San Miguel player Daniel de Guzman's pro license - Rappler

Delfin Dioquino dreamt of being a PBA player, but he did not have the skills to make it. So he pursued the next best thing to being an athlete – to write about them. He took up journalism at the University of Santo Tomas and joined Rappler as soon as he graduated in 2017.

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GAB suspends San Miguel player Daniel de Guzman's pro license - Rappler
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Romeo No. 1 in scoring, Slaughter tops rebounding, blocks - Rappler

Delfin Dioquino dreamt of being a PBA player, but he did not have the skills to make it. So he pursued the next best thing to being an athlete – to write about them. He took up journalism at the University of Santo Tomas and joined Rappler as soon as he graduated in 2017.

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Romeo No. 1 in scoring, Slaughter tops rebounding, blocks - Rappler
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Behind the scenes: Joshua Pacio prepares for Yosuke Saruta - Manila Bulletin

Photo from ONE Championship

ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio looks excited in his return to the ONE Circle. He faces Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta for the third time in the co-main event of ONE: REVOLUTION this Friday, September 24.

Fans will be delighted to see how loose and confident Pacio has been during his final preparations for the #1-ranked strawweight.

ONE Championship gave an inside look into the Filipino’s life pre-event, and from the sight of it, Saruta might have to watch out for Pacio’s new moves.

The Filipino playfully showed off his inner John Cena while giving his training partner a piledriver in a light-hearted moment while grappling.

“Feeling good. There’s no ring rust. I’m excited to be here, to be back,” Pacio said. 

“Every bout for me is hard, that’s why I’m training hard. I’m improving, he’s improving, and expect that we have a game plan heading into this fight.” 

Pacio hopes to share some of that positivity with his teammate, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang, who battles “Wolf Of The Grasslands” Hexigetu in the final bout of the lead card. 

Joining the pair from Baguio City is Cebuano pride Roel Rosauro, who looks to spoil James Yang’s debut in a three round featherweight bout.

Lastly, ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee will banner the card as he defends his strap against #3-ranked Ok Rae Yoon in the main event. 

Read More From ONE Championship:    

Lito Adiwang Credits Manny Pacquiao For Pro Athlete Inspiration   

5 Reasons To Watch ONE: REVOLUTION On 24 September   

Yosuke Saruta Motivated By ‘Dream Match’ With Idol Demetrious Johnson   

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Behind the scenes: Joshua Pacio prepares for Yosuke Saruta - Manila Bulletin
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Ginebra, Phoenix to clash tomorrow for last playoff spot | Sports Desk - CNN Philippines

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PH women’s team takes on Hong Kong for Asian Cup spot - Manila Bulletin

PH women’s team takes on Hong Kong for Asian Cup spot

Photo from AFC

The Philippines aims to top Group F and also secure a spot in next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup when it takes on Hong Kong on Friday, Sept. 24, in its final qualification match at the Jar Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Despite needing a draw in the 6 p.m. match, the Pinay booters aim to deliver a much-convincing performance to their 2-1 win over Nepal last Sept. 18 when they scored twice in the final minutes courtesy of Tahnai Annis and Camille Wilson.

Chandler McDaniel, who had a hand in the two goals to complete a productive national team debut, is hoping that the team will have a better start this time after Nepal took the lead 10 minutes into the match.

“We want to start off more relaxed in the first half and not be so frantic and get that possession,” McDaniel said. “I think that we also not need to score on early again because that just really set the tone for the whole first half (against Nepal) and that made it really difficult to relax.

“But I think it will be good. I think we have this under our belt and I think we’re gonna show out and I think we’re gonna do well,” she added.

The Filipinas had one foot on the Asian Cup after getting the full three points coupled with Hong Kong battling Nepal to a scoreless draw earlier this week.

Hong Kong will look to play the spoiler role and secure a shock win that could deny the Philippines an Asian Cup slot.

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Malditas gun for Asian Cup berth - The Manila Times

THE Philippine women's football team guns for its 10th stint in the Asian Cup as the Malditas face Hong Kong today in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers at the JAR Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Kick-off time is at 6 p.m. (Philippine time).

All the Philippines needed is to hold Hong Kong to a draw to claim a slot in the Asian Cup slated in India next year.

The Malditas lead Group F with three points following a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Nepal on September 18.

Hong Kong and Nepal have a point each in the group after their match ended in a draw on September 21.

The top team in Group F gets to compete in the 2022 Women's Asian Cup, while the other two get eliminated.

After their scintillating win over Nepal, the Malditas have all the confidence and momentum heading into their game against Hong Kong.

Trailing Nepal for almost the entire match, the Philippines managed to level the count at the 89th minute following a goal by Tahnai Annis.

Annis' fellow midfielder Camille Wilson then delivered the game winner at the 91st minute (first minute of stoppage time) for the Malditas to complete a 2-1 comeback victory.

The Philippines, however, has to be cautious against Hong Kong because a loss would result in an elimination for the Malditas.

A win by Hong Kong would give the team four points, enough to unseat the Philippines from the top.

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Malditas gun for Asian Cup berth - The Manila Times
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