NBA: Heat too hot for Nets in the third

source: www.gmanetwork.com

The Brooklyn Nets had a huge run to tie the game at the half. The Miami Heat used an even bigger run in the third to put this one away.

The visiting Miami Heat used a 36-14 third quarter to blow out the Brooklyn Nets, building to a 105-85 win, Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The victory by the reigning NBA champs ended an eight-game win streak by Brooklyn on their home court. It also improved Miami's record to 29-13, to keep them on top of the Eastern Conference, and dropped the Nets to 27-19.

Nine points by LeBron James in the first quarter helped the Heat to a 30-20 advantage after twelve minutes. Lay-ups by Dwyane Wade got it to a first half high of 12 twice, at 36-24, and then at 41-29, the latter coming with 7:30 still to play.

However, the home team Nets used an 18-6 run, fueled by a combined 10 by big men Brook Lopez and Andray Blatche, to knot things at 47-all. A Chris Bosh dunk momentarily gave the lead to Miami anew, but Deron Williams canned a jumper with 2.3 ticks left in the half to forge just the second tie of the game up to that point.

The third quarter saw the Heat reassert their dominance though, as the team shot 15-of-23 from the field, or 65.2 percent, en route to their 36 points. Their defense meanwhile, held the Nets to just 14 points, all from three players, Lopez, Williams and Joe Johnson, for an 85-63 lead.

Brooklyn couldn't cut into the huge deficit any more than 17 points in the fourth, which led to both sides sending in their bench to close this one out.

LeBron James led all sides with 24 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Dwyane Wade added 21 markers. Chris Andersen, signed to a second 10-day contract, was a nice spark off the bench, tallying three points, five rebounds, a steal and a block in under 10 minutes of play.

Brook Lopez led the Nets with 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Joe Johnson scored 16, but needed 15 attempts, while Deron Williams was held to just nine points and five assists. Williams was also forced into a team-high six turnovers.

Miami wound up shooting better than 50 percent from the field, 51.8 percent, and beyond the arc, 57.9 percent. The Heat also got a whopping 20-to-4 advantage in fast break points. - AMD, GMA News

NBA: Spurs overwhelm Bobcats in Popovich's return

source: Reuters through www.gmanetwork.com

The San Antonio Spurs gave recuperating coach Gregg Popovich a welcome return to the sidelines on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) by romping to a ninth consecutive win with a 102-78 thumping of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Popovich had missed the last three games through illness and despite the absence of big man Tim Duncan for a fourth straight contest with a knee injury, the NBA-leading Spurs were far too strong for the Bobcats.

Tony Parker stepped in to fill the void left by Duncan and recorded 22 points with seven assists, as Kawhi Leonard added 18 points to help San Antonio cruise to another comfortable win at home, where they are 21-2 this season.

The Spurs (37-11) set the tone for an easy night's work when they opened the game with an 8-0 run and never fell behind.

San Antonio enjoyed a typically efficient shooting performance with an impressive 55 percent success rate from the field, including 9-of-16 from three-point range.

Ramon Sessions scored 20 off the bench to pace the Bobcats (11-34), who lost for the 10th time in 12 games. - Reuters

Manny Pacquiao OK with fighting in September instead of April

source: www.interaksyon.com

With plans for him to fight in April falling apart, Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao said he doesn’t have a problem with postponing his comeback for September instead.

“Puwede naman, puwede namang September na lang,” said Pacquiao, who is coming off consecutive losses — to Timothy Bradley in a controversial decision and to Juan Manuel Marquez in a shocking knockout — last year.

According to Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz, putting together an April fight for the fighter was a massive undertaking, especially with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum expressing his preference for a later fight date.

The Pacquiao camp reportedly considered Singapore, Macau, Dubai, and Manila as possible venues for an April fight, but was unable to secure support to stage the bout. But the venue was not the only problem, according to Koncz.

“We have to work with HBO. They’re the expert in choosing the television dates,” he said.

Koncz also denied rumors that Pacquiao’s desire to fight in April was motivated by politics. Pacquiao, the incumbent representative of Sarangani, will run unopposed for a second term in May’s elections.

The Final Score: Rajko Toroman rejoins the race

source: www.gmanetwork.com

Rajko Toroman runs on a Wednesday morning with nothing but his thoughts. No earphones. No mp3 player. He hears the sound of his own breathing. His mind is engrossed, not by the frenzy of traffic around the Ortigas area, but by plans for his new PBA team, Barako Bull.

It’s the weekday drill for Toroman. Wake up at four. Watch a Euroleague game. Then by six, head out the door and begin a daily nine-kilometer run. As always, he runs for an hour.

On this midweek jog, Toroman’s brain is probably working harder than his feet. He thinks about Wednesday’s scheduled practice game against GlobalPort. He doesn’t think about the controversy surrounding his title as PBA Head Coach. He thinks about the new players on his team, instead. He imagines how JC Intal may finally unlock his potential. He pictures how Barako Bull will benefit from Allein Maliksi’s versatility.

Someone inside a jeepney shouts, “Coach! Good morning!”

The coach momentarily stops thinking about basketball, smiles and waves back.

Toroman returns to his reflection. He knows coaching Barako Bull won’t be easy. He has to convince PBA players to leap out of their comfort zones. Spend more hours in practice. Spend less time freelancing on the court. It’s the only way they will prosper under his watch. It’s the only way his system will work.

“I love the offense, “ Mick Pennisi, Barako Bull’s bearded veteran, admits. “It’s perfect for me because I’m an unconventional big man. We just need time to make it work. I just need to tell the younger guys that the system takes time.”

Toroman runs past the PhilSports Arena. He inhales. He exhales. There’s a map of sweat on his shirt. He’s not gasping for air at this point. He’s excited. He can’t wait for the tournament to start. He can’t wait to show critics that the Toroman Way can succeed.

[Related: Barako Bull shake up roster, dealing with four different teams in blockbuster]

Many believe Barako Bull greatly benefited from the recent five-team, 10-player PBA mega-trade. I agree, albeit cautiously. They brought in brand new players to beef up a brand new team. That team now plays under a brand new coach. On one hand, the set-up exudes possibilities. On the other hand, I worry about a cavalcade of untested variables.

“They say Filipino players have a hard time succeeding internationally because of size,” Toroman, who is fully aware of his widespread reputation as a drill sergeant, explains. “So if you’re smaller compared to players from other countries, shouldn’t you train even harder than the bigger guys? Right now, bigger players from other countries train harder than the players here. I want to change that.”

Toroman can see the Ynares Center along Shaw Boulevard from a distance. A scene from practice pops in his head: Moments after he completed his first practice session with Barako Bull, Jonas Villanueva started to experience muscle cramps. Sean Anthony approached Villanueva and comforted his new teammate by saying, “Welcome to the Serbian Military Camp.” Toroman heard Anthony’s quip and revealed a wry smile. -- GMA News

EPL: Terry says Chelsea lacked fight against Brentford

source: Reuters through www.gmanetwork.com

LONDON - John Terry said Chelsea lacked fight in their recent Cup disappointments and called for the team to "liven up" if they want to play Champions League football next season.

Captain Terry started his first game since returning from a knee injury in the 2-2 draw with third tier Brentford on Sunday (Monday, PHL time) and was clearly not impressed.

[Related: Torres rescues FA Cup holders Chelsea with late goal]

"It was always going to be hard. The pitch was a bit worse than we thought, but no excuses," Terry told Chelsea TV.

"We're really disappointed, and even though it's great to be back personally, on a team performance we should be winning the game and now we make it difficult for ourselves with a replay.

"We have another game we could do without but we should beat them at the Bridge. I was disappointed because we didn't fight and they wanted it more than us."

Only a late equalizer from Fernando Torres spared Chelsea an embarrassing exit against Brentford following their League Cup semifinal defeat by Swansea City.

Chelsea were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage and are a distant third in the Premier League.

Terry's knee injury meant he has hardly featured since Rafa Benitez replaced Roberto Di Matteo as coach, but now he is back he wants a big improvement against Reading in the Premier League on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time).

"It's disappointing going to Swansea and not scoring over two legs, then being lackluster [at Brentford]," he said.

"We came [to Brentford] and didn't create too much. Fair play to them, they played well but we need to liven up a bit and realize the importance to the fans and the club.

"Champions League football is a must next season. It's difficult but we have a squad and it's down to the players who come in to rotate and play well."

Goalkeeper Petr Cech and central defender David Luiz are both ruled out for the trip to Reading.

Cech has a calf injury and may return for the match at Newcastle United this weekend but Luiz is expected to miss both games due to a calf problem. - Reuters

Gilas needs longer buildup for Fiba Asia

source: www.philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Coach Chot Reyes said Gilas Pilipinas would need an intensive preparation to reach competitive level that would match the continent’s best and give them a good shot at playing in the global meet.

Reyes appealed to the pro league that they be given the longest possible period of time to train for a serious crack at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship set at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Aug. 1-11.

Fresh from his Hong Kong trip where he steered the Gilas cadet team to a championship in an invitational tourney, Reyes sat down in an initial meeting with PBA commissioner Chito Salud yesterday afternoon.

They discussed ways to get maximum time to brace for expected tough competition against Asian traditional title contenders China and Korea, new powers Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar and other contenders like Japan and Chinese Taipei.

“Big thing is the third conference adjustment. But we’re still working on the time that would be available for us (to train). Naming of the lineup is going to be dependent on the final schedule,” said Reyes.

The national mentor, however, has an idea on what kind of team he’s forming.

“Magbubuo tayo ng team, di tayo magbubuo ng collection of superstars (We’ll form a team. We’ll not put together a collection of superstars),” said Reyes.

“We’ll never have size advantage so we’ll have a team that has speed and outside shooting. It must be versatile. It must be a team with role players,” Reyes added.

He said players who played for Gilas in the last Jones Cup and FIBA Asia Cup and even the young cadet players who donned the national colors in the Dubai and Hong Kong invitationals will be considered for the team to the FIBA Asia Championship.

“They’re under consideration. They’ll be part of the pool where we get the final lineup,” said Reyes.

Greg Slaughter, the country’s lone seven-foot player, could well be the cadet player with the best chance of making the team. For a long time, he was part of the previous Gilas team under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman. Slaughter and Petron rookie center Junmar Fajardo are likely to fight it out for the role as Marcus Douthit’s backup.

Reyes said they’re also in the lookout for a naturalized player backup.

Considerations in this regard are naturalization papers and the salary. “It’s hard to pay him just to be a backup. Unlike in Lebanon, they already have four naturalized players to choose from. At yung naturalized nila hindi malalakas, super lakas,” said Reyes.

Reyes also mentioned the advantage of their rivals in preparation period, but nonetheless expressed gratitude to the PBA for its backing.

“We’re very thankful for their all-out support in this program in trying to achieve the goal in qualifying for the world championships. We’re very appreciative,” he said.

“What is clear from the PBA standpoint is we are here to fully support the cause of Gilas Pilipinas and as a proof of that we will come out with a third conference schedule that will certainly strengthen the chances of our national team,” said Salud.

“We are bending over backwards. We are meeting with the national team coach to see to it that his needs are met appropriately and from that standpoint we also want to be able to help the SBP and the MVP Group in successfully hosting this FIBA Asia,” Salud added.

Bundesliga: Leaders Bayern eager to keep spirits high on the bench

source: Reuters through www.gmanetwork.com

BERLIN - Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich tried to boost the confidence of their big-name substitute's bench on Tuesday, saying all players will be called upon when the team gets into the full swing of three competitions.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes has been spoilt for choice since the recent Bundesliga mid-season restart and has left several players, including Arjen Robben, Mario Gomez and Claudio Pizarro, on the bench or even out of the squad completely.

Brazilian Luiz Gustavo, Ukraine international Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Jerome Boateng have also not featured much in recent weeks.

The Bavarians are 11 points clear in the Bundesliga with 15 wins from 19 games as they seek to end a two-season title drought.

"These are all players who can compete at the very top level, they are hugely motivated," Heynckes told reporters. "We do not have 11 starting players, we have 20 starting players."

Bayern were the biggest Bundesliga spenders in the last transfer season bringing in Spaniard Javi Martinez, Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri, Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic and Brazilian Dante.

The wealth of talent in a squad that reached the Champions League final last season was by no means low when the new signings arrived.

The competition for a starting spot has been fierce this season with Mandzukic becoming first-choice striker over former Bundesliga top scorer Gomez, who has missed much of the campaign through injury.

Martinez has also established himself as a starter.

Dutch winger Robben, however, has not seen much action since his return from injury and has started the last two league games on the bench.

"This is of course a pity but the players have to accept that," said Heynckes, who will be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.

"At the moment there is no need for big changes," added the coach, whose team beat VfB Stuttgart 2-0 away on Sunday (Monday, PHL time). "We need to be successful and I will not risk anything.

"The players know I will rotate once we get to the busy weeks where we will be playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday."

Bayern are taking on Arsenal in the Champions League Round of 16 and meet holders Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup quarterfinal next month. - Reuters