Amid stong start, Robinson reminds Lyceum to be ‘ready, humble, hungry’
LATEST STORIES 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano IT happens: Facebook sorry for Xi Jinping’s name mistranslation End of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legend Duterte’s ‘soft heart’ could save ABS-CBN, says election lawyer And Robinson hopes that the next games, starting next Friday against San Sebastian, will enhance the Pirates’ camaraderie as they seek to break the glass ceiling and make it to the Final Four for the first time since it joined the league in 2011.“Hopefully it could really propel our drive, but again, it’s really looking at the vision of really showing that we have a good culture, we have good leaders on the team, we have good that individuals, that are again inspiring others. That’s really important to us,” he said. Red Lions learn the hard way against the Pirates Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks PLAY LIST 01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.netWith Lyceum on a 2-0 start in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament, coach Topex Robinson is giving full credit to the entire squad and not just a single individual.“Success is a team sport. It’s really about us, the entirety of the team,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ Malacañang open to creating Taal Commission Robinson praised the versatile winger for his tireless efforts late.“(Reymar) has really been helping us. He’s deceiving because he looks like a big man but he really is a guard. He’s just confident and our trust on him is there. And today, he just bailed us out with his solid performance.“Caduyac strung the last five points for the Pirates, which proved to be the final blow to the powerhouse Red Lions.With the victory fortifying everyone’s claim from the preseason that Lyceum is indeed this year’s dark horse, Robinson was quick to pull his side back to earth and reiterated that it hasn’t proven anything yet.“Nobody wins a championship in the second game. We know that teams will be playing us harder. We just have to always be ready, prepared, and always be humble and hungry,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT CJ Perez has undoubtedly been the leader for the Pirates, but the youthful mentor has been adamant in pointing out that the hardworking forward can’t do it all alone.“That’s what I always tell him. CJ is gonna win games for us, and he’s gonna lose games for us. That’s the way of the world for us. But CJ knows that he will never be better than his teammates. He can never win it by himself,” said Robinson.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’And that manifested on Friday in Lyceum’s huge 96-91 win over defending champion San Beda.As expected, Perez was able to weave his magic and tow his team to the driver’s seat, but he needed the aid of his teammates, specifically Reymar Caduyac, to pull off the victory in the end game. MOST READ LIVE: Sinulog 2020 Grand Parade Missile-capable frigate BRP Jose Rizal inches closer to entering PH Navy’s fleet Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson View comments
Back in the Finals
Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award All’s well in Ateneo as Final 4 approaches “We don’t have any other motivation except to win the championship,” said Ayo.“In the first round, there were lots of distractions, simple schemes on defense that sometimes we cannot execute; we tended to gamble a lot. We were very undisciplined in the first round. But they became different come the second round because they just surrendered to the system and overcame the distractions.”It wasn’t smooth-sailing for the Archers in their Final Four rematch with the Falcons as they came out cold from beyond the arc, missing their first 17 three-point shots.Jolo Go hit one from the corner with 8:18 remaining that set off the endgame run that took the fight out of the Falcons. More than the shot, Abu Tratter’s pick to free up Go caught Ayo’s attention.La Salle stifled Adamson in the final period, holding the Falcons to just 12 points.ADVERTISEMENT But the defeat left a bitter taste in Adamson coach Franz Pumaren’s mouth. Pumaren was heard complaining about the officiating as he walked to the dugout after the game.“This was the worst officiating (I experienced in the UAAP),” Pumaren was seen telling the referees. “You did not give us a chance to play.”Adamson was called for 33 fouls, 21 more than La Salle, which went 26-of-39 from the free throw line. Adamson, in contrast, made just two of its five foul shots.“I don’t want to sound sour-graping but I guess everyone saw the game,” said Pumaren.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Trailing for most of the match, Ben Mbala (23) and La Salle fended off the challenge posed by Sean Maganti (left), Papi Sarr and hard-fighting Adamson. —AUGUST DELA CRUZDown by six at halftime to a hot-shooting Adamson team, La Salle coach Aldin Ayo took his players to task for their sloppy play, sensing a hangover from the big win over rival Ateneo almost a week ago.“Are you playing like this because its not Ateneo?” the fiery coach asked his team.ADVERTISEMENT Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson MOST READ Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours LATEST STORIES “This is the more important game. Some of you are not focused that’s why we can’t execute our plays.”Ayo finally got his response in the final period, where the Green Archers blitzed the Falcons on their way to an 82-75 victory that booked a return trip to the finals of UAAP Season 80 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSBack on the throneBen Mbala scattered 27 points, Leonard Santillan wound up with 15 and Ricci Rivero finished with 14 points as the Archers rolled to their eighth straight victory after rallying from 15 points down.The Archers now await the winner of Sunday’s clash between top seed Ateneo and Far Eastern U for the best of three Finals that starts next Saturday. It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales? Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny View comments
PSC eyes sports hub down south
PSC chair William Ramirez. Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.netWar-torn Mindanao gets a chance to become a hotbed for grassroots sporting excellence as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) envisions several projects there.PSC chair Butch Ramirez said they would revive the mothballed Mindanao Friendship Games, which would harness the island’s athletic talents and allow it to recover from the war that hit Marawi City.ADVERTISEMENT Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales? View comments SBP bats for longer preparation in Gilas PH bid for world cup berth “We will try to erase the stigma of war and replace it with peace through sports,” said Ramirez. “Sports has been neglected in Mindanao by the previous administrations, now the people of Mindanao will experience it under the term of President Duterte.PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey will serve as point man for the agency’s new thrust in the region.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkRamirez said the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education committed to support the PSC’s grassroots sport programs. Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’
LATEST STORIES MOST READ OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. 
Pacman’s inspiration
OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Nueva Ecija warehouse making fake cigarettes raided, 29 Chinese workers nabbed Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina Michael Porter Jr. stays patient as playing time increases Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Almazan vows to comeback stronger after finals heartbreak Punch stats confirm one-sided win Newsome sets focus on helping Bolts open new PBA season on right track
LATEST STORIES “Parang gusto kong umiyak (I felt like crying),” bared Ancajas, who idolizes the Philippine senator.They talked again shortly before he fought Israel Gonzalez on Saturday.Pacquiao, his benefactor by way of MP Promotions, encouraged him to give his best.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folk“He urged me to forget about the pressure,” said Ancajas, who did not disappoint with a 10th round knockout of Gonzalez.His fourth successful title defense put him on a collision course with compatriot and IBF No. 1 contender Jonas Sultan, unless Top Rank’s Bob Arum decides to pay Sultan’s camp a step-aside fee and choose a more interesting opponent. Roy Luarca/INQUIRERCorpus Christi, Texas—Jerwin Ancajas regards Manny Pacquiao so highly that his words were enough to uplift his spirits.When the eight-division world champion prayed over him over the phone Friday night, Ancajas was so moved that he felt goose bumps.ADVERTISEMENT Nonito Donaire vs Naoya Inoue is BWAA 2019 Fight of the Year Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award MOST READ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
Bucks sign guard Brandon Jennings to 10-day contract
FILE – Brandon Jennings of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Toronto Raptors at Verizon Center on March 3, 2017 in Washington, DC. Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFPMILWAUKEE — Brandon Jennings is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks, resuming his NBA career with the team that took him in the first round of the NBA draft nearly a decade ago.The Bucks signed Jennings to a 10-day contract on Sunday. The 10th overall pick of the 2009 draft out of high school will provide depth in a backcourt hit by injuries to ball handlers Malcolm Brogdon and Matthew Dellavedova.ADVERTISEMENT It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Phivolcs records 2 ‘discrete weak ash explosions’ at Taal Volcano GALLERY: Barangay Ginebra back as PBA Governors’ Cup kings Sea turtle trapped in net freed in Legazpi City Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award LATEST STORIES “Just come in, play hard, run the second unit, get guys the ball, get Giannis (Antetokounmpo) the ball,” said Jennings, referring to the Bucks’ All-Star forward in describing his role with the team.Jennings most recently played for the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ G League affiliate. He averaged 21.4 points, 7.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals in seven games with the Herd.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkThe 6-foot-1 guard appeared in 291 games with Milwaukee from 2009-13, averaging 17 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game.The eight-year NBA veteran has had plenty of stops in a well-traveled career since being traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2013 in a deal that brought second-leading scorer Khris Middleton to Milwaukee. UK plans Brexit celebrations but warns businesses may suffer MOST READ Nueva Ecija warehouse making fake cigarettes raided, 29 Chinese workers nabbed Prior to his stint with the Herd, Jennings played with Shanxi Zhongyu in the Chinese CBA.The 28-year-old Jennings had NBA stops with the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards last season. He has also played for the Orlando Magic.“Just being back with Milwaukee feels like home. I can call the Milwaukee Bucks my family,” Jennings said Sunday. “A lot of people don’t get second chances, but I’m grateful, I’m blessed for this opportunity.”ADVERTISEMENT Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew View comments Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Meggie Ochoa wins gold medal in Jiujitsu World Tour Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next
Mayweather proud of son for doing something he didn’t do—graduate high school
LATEST STORIES Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours MOST READ JR Smith says he knew game was tied when he dribbled out clock in Game 1 Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Dave Chappelle donates P1 million to Taal relief operations Winfrey details her decision to withdraw from Simmons film China population now over 1.4 billion as birthrate falls “I’m so proud of my son @kingkoraun for doing something that I didn’t do, and that’s graduate high school,” said in the caption of his photos from Koruan’s graduation rites at West Ranch High School in California. Floyd Mayweather Jr. was a proud father when his son Koruan recently graduated from high school.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownOn his Instagram, the usually flamboyant Mayweather praised the 18-year-old Koruan for being able to do something that he wasn’t able to.ADVERTISEMENT Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next “When I️ was his age I️ dropped out of school and followed my dream of boxing to take my family out of poverty!”Of course, Mayweather is now one of the world’s richest athletes of all time after a successful boxing career that saw him go undefeated in 50 matches.Boxing has been a part of Mayweather’s life since he was a kid, having been born into a family of boxers. His father Floyd Sr. was once a welterweight contender and uncles Roger and Jeff were also formal professional boxers.ADVERTISEMENT Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew View comments Jury of 7 men, 5 women selected for Weinstein rape trial
NBA free agency trend: Stay home, or sign short deals
Cloudy skies over Luzon due to amihan Jury of 7 men, 5 women selected for Harvey Weinstein rape trial MOST READ The Jazz have quietly crossed off many items on their summertime wish list, with general manager Dennis Lindsey going into free agency saying he wanted to keep all three of his team’s internal free agents.Check. Check. And check. The deals with Exum and Neto came one day after Utah agreed to keep Derrick Favors on a two-year, $36 million deal.Evans will give Indiana’s offense a lift. He’s a proven scorer, someone who expanded his 3-point ability last season when he averaged 19.4 points per game with Memphis.Green fills a big-man void, after the Wizards traded away starting center Marcin Gortat — the hole that Howard conceivably will fill — and losing backup power forward Mike Scott to free agency. Green, who turns 32 in August, spent last season with the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers.Carter-Williams gives Houston some guard depth behind MVP James Harden and Chris Paul, and Houston gives Carter-Williams yet another chance to restart what was a very promising career. He was the NBA’s rookie of the year for Philadelphia in 2013-14 when he averaged 16.7 points per game. But his scoring average has dropped each year since, and the Rockets will be his fifth team in six seasons.ADVERTISEMENT With LeBron James being a very obvious exception — getting four years to leave Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers — most of the biggest signings so far have been players staying home. Those include Paul staying with Houston, Nikola Jokic with Denver, Paul George with Oklahoma City, Aaron Gordon with Orlando, Golden State’s Kevin Durant and Denver’s Will Barton.Outside of James, the biggest-money deal that involves someone filing a change-of-address card is Dallas’ $24.1 million agreement with DeAndre Jordan. But even that one falls into the short-term trend, since that’s just for next season.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award FILE – In this May 4, 2018, file photo, Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) lays the ball up as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza, right, defends during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Salt Lake City.The Jazz locked up their third internal free agent of the summer Tuesday, July 3, agreeing to terms with Exum on a three-year extension that will be worth around $33 million. The extension was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person with knowledge of the agreement, speaking on condition of anonymity because it remains unsigned. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)For those seeking the trend in NBA free agency this year, it’s this: Most players are either staying put, or taking short-term deals that allow them to hit the market again next summer.Such was largely the case Tuesday.ADVERTISEMENT Utah kept two of its free agents, agreeing to extensions with Dante Exum (three years, $33 million) and Raul Neto (two years, $4.4 million). Avery Bradley, in a deal that was struck late Monday night, is also staying put — coming to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year contract worth $25 million.Most of the other known deals that were made on Day 3 of free agency were all of the short-term variety.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Aussie assistant coach blames Chot Reyes for Fiba World Cup violence Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil
SPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownTyreke Evans got $12 million to spend next season with the Indiana Pacers. Jeff Green agreed to terms on a $2.4 million, one-year deal with Washington — which is expected to seek another one-year pact with Dwight Howard later this month when he finalizes his Brooklyn buyout — and Michael Carter-Williams got a veteran’s minimum deal to play in Houston next season.All the deals were confirmed to The Associated Press by people familiar with the negotiations, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because the NBA offseason moratorium on signings does not end until Friday. Christopher Tolkien, son of Lord of the Rings author, dies aged 95 Bicol riders extend help to Taal evacuees Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ LATEST STORIES Taal victims get help from Kalayaan town Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
Cora-nation! Rookie manager leads Red Sox to championship
Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college No fan in New England would admit it now — still, chances are some had already started to wonder whether he was the right guy for the Red Sox.“It’s baseball,” Cora reassured that afternoon. “We know it’s going to happen. … I guess get it out of the way right away.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissYep, guess so.A calming presence in a boiling sports cauldron, Cora capped off one of the greatest runs by a first-year skipper in leading Boston to the World Series championship. “Alex was the manager that fit for us. He was really good in so many ways,” Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said before Game 5. “He knew Boston. I think he excels in dealing with the media, which in Boston is a bigger job than some other places. It can be cumbersome for a lot of people, and I’m not saying it’s not for him at times, but it’s part of the process and he handles it easily.”Cora was chosen over about a half-dozen candidates that included former managers Brad Ausmus and Ron Gardenhire.“It was a clear-cut choice that he was our guy,” Dombrowski said.After the opening loss, Boston won 17 of its next 18 games and was on its way.Cora steered the Red Sox to a team-record 108 wins in the regular season, then Boston topped the 100-win Yankees and Astros in the playoffs. Along the way, it seemed Cora could do no wrong.Brock Holt it for the first postseason cycle when Cora gave him his only start of the Division Series against New York. Cora masterfully managed a bullpen that many questioned before October, then avoided burning it out by leaning on hard-throwing starter Nathan Eovaldi in key spots. And Cora helped coax a breakout postseason from World Series Game 5 winner David Price.“A.C. told us from the first day in spring training we could do it,” AL MVP favorite Mookie Betts said. “We believed in ourselves, we believed in him and we went out and executed.”The clinching win at Houston came on the day Cora turned 43, and his players sang happy birthday to him in the clubhouse.“More than anything, he’s just brought consistency,” ace Chris Sale recently said. “He’s the same guy in the first inning as he is in the ninth inning of a 10-1 ballgame or 3-3 ballgame. I think that’s the overall thing as players that we take from him.“Ninth inning, bases loaded, one out of a one-run ballgame, and he’s sitting there eating seeds, doing the same thing as a 10-1 ballgame in the fourth inning. And I think that goes very well with us as players, when if he’s not panicking, why should we?” Sale said. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Allen Durham still determined to help Meralco win 1st PBA title Gov’t to employ 6,000 displaced by Taal Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Cora grew up playing ball with his older brother, Joey, a former big league infielder. Alex spent 14 years in the majors, batting .243 as an infielder with six teams.He got to the plate one time in Boston’s sweep of the 2007 World Series, putting down a sacrifice bunt for a team led by David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Manny Ramirez.“Offensively, we did a lot of good things. And then the bench, it was amazing, they had the best utility guy in the bigs in 2007,” Cora said with a playful grin Sunday. “That guy was great.”With the season over, Cora can enjoy spending more time with his twin 15-month-old boys. Free from any criticism that comes with such a high-pressure job, too, although he doesn’t stress over it.“I really don’t care if they second-guess me. I prepare. We prepare as a group, and you make decisions,” he said after Game 1. “And honestly when I’m done here, I shower, I get in that car, I might get a text and say, “Go to the pharmacy and get some diapers for the kids.”Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Gobert wins duel vs Jordan as Jazz beat Mavs Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew View comments “Next thing I’m going to ask ownership is if we can take the trophy to my island,” he said. “That would be great.”Cora again turned Dodger Stadium into his personal party room. A year ago, he celebrated at the park as Houston’s bench coach after the Astros beat Los Angeles in Game 7. This time, he was front and center when Boston hoisted the shiny gold trophy.Cora became the fifth manager to win the crown in his first season, joining Bob Brenly (Arizona, 2001), Ralph Houk (Yankees, 1961), Eddie Dyer (Cardinals, 1946) and Bucky Harris (Washington Senators, 1924).Called A.C. by his players, Cora has an unassuming presence. He often wears a gray hoodie in the dugout and doesn’t raise his voice — except to yell at umpires.Shouting at his own team?“No, no, I don’t,” he said before Game 5. “I talk to them and I try to stay in tune with them. If I have something to tell them, I just sit with them. Very casual. Very casual.”“I try to do it that way. It feels right. It feels right,” he said. “I never had a manager that was like rah, rah, screaming at guys. They always had good conversations, and I learned from them and that’s what I’m trying to do.”His dugout demeanor is boosted by a combination of analytical aptitude and people approach.“Coralytics” is what it’s called by his agent, Scott Boras.Cora was hired after John Farrell, who led the Red Sox to the 2013 title, was fired following two straight early exits in the AL playoffs. His Cora-nation came Sunday night, when the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5.The victory set off celebrations all over.While throngs of Red Sox fans chanted “Cor-a! Cor-a!” from the seats and so many more reveled across the country, all of Puerto Rico certainly cheered its native son from Caguas.Cora became the first manager from the island to guide a team to a championship. It came more than a year after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico — when Cora negotiated his contract last October, he asked the Red Sox to help his people with relief efforts, and the team eagerly pitched in.Moments after hoisting the championship trophy, Cora made one more request.ADVERTISEMENT Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum MOST READ Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora waits for the start of Game 5 of the World Series baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)LOS ANGELES — Hard to believe now, all these wins later, but the Alex Cora Era in Boston began with a loss. A brutal one, in fact.Opening day at Tropicana Field in late March, none of his late moves worked out as the bullpen blew a big lead in a 6-4 setback.ADVERTISEMENT Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil LATEST STORIES Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award
Cameron Johnson scores 15 points, No. 15 UNC tops Pitt
Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Nikola Jokic scores season-high 39, Nuggets beat Hornets For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Reality hit the Panthers about halfway through the first half. Au’Diese Toney’s tip-in for Pitt trimmed North Carolina’s lead to 15-14 with 11:58 to go before the break, but the Panthers wouldn’t make another shot for more than 10 minutes. By the time McGowens ended the Panthers’ dry spell with a 3-pointer, North Carolina led by 21.“They hit us in the mouth and we never fought back, we never hit back (during that) stretch they took the lead,” Pitt’s Malik Ellison said. “We let missing shots affect our defense and we can’t let that happen.”BIG PICTURENorth Carolina: The Tar Heels can be hit or miss with their defensive intensity but overwhelmed the Panthers once the early adrenaline wore off. The Tar Heels will need to muster it more often against better opponents. “I liked our poise because the crowd really did get into it early,” coach Roy Williams said.Pitt: Even with large swaths of light blue in the arena, that the Panthers were able to fill The Pete offers tangible proof of the optimism Capel has brought to the table in his first few months on the job. Turning that optimism into ACC wins, however, is another matter. The Panthers played hard but their offensive weaknesses and lack of size were exploited at will by the bigger, deeper and more talented Tar Heels.UP NEXTNorth Carolina: Visits in-state rival North Carolina State on Tuesday.Pitt: Welcomes Louisville on Wednesday. Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles01:56Boris Johnson ‘humbled’ after majority win, says Parliament ‘must change’00:50Trending Articles02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Philippine Army to acquire MANPADS, self-propelled howitzers In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ MOST READ View comments Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Japeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for Ginebra Besides, the boos faded quickly. Johnson helped make sure of it, hitting his first three shots on his way to 15 points and nine rebounds as the 15th-ranked Tar Heels opened Atlantic Coast Conference play with a lopsided 85-60 victory.Johnson grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and spent three seasons at Pitt. He graduated in the spring of 2017 and asked for his release. The Panthers initially balked at Johnson transferring to a conference rival but gave in after Johnson went public with the request . Johnson is flourishing for the Tar Heels, where he’s evolved into more than a 6-foot-8 spot-up shooter.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissHe provided the proof in front of 25 friends and family, many of whom rose out of their seats behind the North Carolina bench each time he touched the ball. The signature play came at the end of the first half when teammate Leaky Black chased down a Pitt miss and found Johnson, who took two dribbles to midcourt and hit a streaking Coby White for a layup at the buzzer.“I just feel like I’m a little better overall physically, a little more fine-tuned,” Johnson said. “As I keep getting older, I keep getting a little better and more experienced, so I feel like that’s all added up for me.” Tom Brady most dominant player in AFC championship history White led the Tar Heels with 22 points, Luke Maye added 17 points and 11 rebounds and North Carolina used a 16-0 run in the first half to subdue the first sellout crowd at the Petersen Events Center in nearly two years.“I just think we locked down on defense,” White said. “We got out in transition and we ran our sets and we just played harder and with a lot of effort.”Something that has been spotty at best during North Carolina’s uneven nonconference season. Yet the Tar Heels had little trouble against the young and undersized Panthers (10-4, 0-1), who are in the midst of a massive rebuild under first-year coach Jeff Capel.Trey McGowens scored 17 points and fellow freshman Xavier Johnson chipped in 14 for the Panthers, who lost their 23rd straight regular-season ACC game. The Panthers shot just 31 percent (19 of 62) from the field and struggled to get into any kind of rhythm. Pitt turned it over 15 times, made only 2 of 19 3-pointers and couldn’t keep up once the adrenaline wore off.“We have to work a lot harder to get better, that’s the thing,” Capel said. “What we did in the nonconference was good for the nonconference. We have to play good consistently, not just for a 12-minute period. Have to do it for an extended period for us to win in this league.”ADVERTISEMENT Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title North Carolina’s Cameron Johnson (13) drives to the hoop as Pittsburgh’s Terrell Brown (21) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Pittsburgh. North Carolina won 85-60. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)PITTSBURGH — North Carolina forward Cameron Johnson knew the boos were coming. Expected them actually. It’s part of the deal when you leave one school for another. So when the Pittsburgh’s “Oakland Zoo” student section politely let the former Panther have it during pregame introductions on Saturday, he took it as a bit of a compliment.“No hard feelings on my end,” Johnson said with a shrug.ADVERTISEMENT LATEST STORIES Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college
Gov’t to Invest in ‘Quality Education’
Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Monday informed fellow Liberians that her government is committed to investing in human development relative to the attainment of quality education, healthcare and other services critical to national development.Putting the country’s literacy rate is at 57 percent, the Liberian leader made the statement when she delivered this year’s annual message to the third Session of the 53rd National Legislature on the theme, “Consolidating the Process of Transformation.”President Sirleaf’s 2-hour, 35-minute speech was punctuated with rounds of applause mainly from her supporters and government officials in the audience.According to the president, “human development is central to our transformation agenda, and our goal is to improve the quality of life of Liberians by investing in more accessible and higher quality education,affordable and accessible quality healthcare; social protection for vulnerable citizens; and expanded access to healthy and environmentally friendly water and sanitation services.”Education, she said, is the most critical element of a development agenda, “though it is not cheap, and requires sacrifices by parents, students, teachers, leaders, and the entire nation.”Quoting the 2010 census, the Liberian leader observed that the educational system, as it currently stands, consists of 2,849 schools—2,103 of which are public, 343 private, 226 faith based, and 177 community-driven schools.She added that there are five community colleges existing or in pre-operational status. These include the Grand Bassa, Bomi, Bong, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, and Nimba community colleges.The President also reported the existence of nine four-year degree-granting institutions, including the University of Liberia (UL) and Tubman University which are public; two vocational training institutes–Booker Washington Institute, which plans to move from high school to junior college; and the Monrovia Vocational Training Center, which should also move this year into new ‘modern and well-equipped facilities.’The UL, she added, has a current enrollment of 34,000 students with facilities that are “most inadequate for the numbers.”Owing to that, she said, “It is time that we create a more conducive atmosphere for learning consistent with what pertains in other countries by completing the UL Fendell Campus with all the boarding, housing, academic, and sporting facilities that are required.”The President also informed Liberians that a survey of the land is nearing completion, after which the government will start the process of demolishing the structures, most of them illegal that have prevented the building of a proper university.“Proposals will be made in the next budget to start this process of full relocation from the politics of Capitol Hill to the knowledge center of Fendell,” the President declared to a long round of applause, punctuated by laughter.The president singled out Tubman University, which she described as a proper learning environment, with enrollment of 838 for the first semester of the academic year 2013-2014. It is gaining the reputation of a “quality technical institution, under a no-nonsense administration,” she added.However, the President observed that while her government initiated and promoted the establishment of community colleges, “it is clear that we must now limit further expansion due to the lack of teachers and education materials that will result in quality education, wherein a shifting to regional community colleges is now under consideration.”Referring to the ‘Education is a mess’ saga in 2013, the president explained: “…several months ago, I used rather unsavory terms to describe the education system. I did so as a reality check and a call to action. The Constraints Analysis puts the case: Though overall school enrolment and educational attainment rates have seen improvements in recent years, it is also important to note that a large percentage of Liberia’s current workforce is made up of unskilled labor, particularly in the rural areas and among women. 45% of Liberian males age 15 and over have no education, or did not complete primary school, and 67% of females have not or did not complete primary school, thus placing the literacy rate at 57%.”“The quality of education,” she said, “will also remain a major challenge in the medium term as most educational institutions lack the necessary laboratory and training materials, and are in need of reconstruction.The performance of the students too, who have taken nationally administered secondary school examinations tend to be below standard, although there is slow, but gradual improvement.“A large number of primary school students are considered inadequately prepared for school. For example, early grade reading results from the 2010 Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) show an average score well below the average for the region. This poor foundation makes it difficult for students that move on to junior and secondary high school and into the workplace.”“The quality of technical/vocational training system also is extremely poor and limited in scope. A 2008 international Labor Organization (ILO) Technical and Vocational Education (TVET), and Training Tracer Study found that 93% of TVET institutions in Liberia had poor quality education; 69% provided training not relevant to marketplace; and only 19% of graduates were able to find full employment.”Following a Sector Review, the president disclosed, an Education Task Force was established to formulate a four-year plan to respond to the crisis in education.The Operational Plan for 2014-2016 focuses on three key areas: increased learning achievement by improving the quality and conditions of teaching and learning; improvement in student performance and completion through increased access, enrolment, transition, and retention; transformation of systems through improved education governance and management within the context of decentralization for effective delivery of education services.President Sirleaf, however, admitted that the implementation of the plan is a “tall order with huge financial implications. But we must start the process as there is no better way to ensure a better future for our children. I will revert to you once the financial implications of the Plan have been determined,” she concluded.