Sports

Chile trains ahead of Copa America hoping for a repeat victory

Defending Copa America champions Chile were on the field for training on Tuesday (May 24) ahead of next month’s tournament. Chile is hoping to repeat last year’s victory, their first-ever Copa America title on home soil, with a new coach at the helm, Juan Antonio Pizzi. Pizzi has kept much of last year’s team intact and midfielder Francisco Silva said it could bode well for Chile’s chances. “The base [of players on the Chilean team] […]

NBA: Lowry, DeRozan star as Raptors stun Cavs to tie series

MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan scored more than 30 points each as the Toronto Raptors withstood a ferocious Cleveland Cavaliers fightback to level their Eastern Conference final series on Monday with a 105-99 victory. Lowry scored 35 points while DeRozan weighed in with 32 as Toronto completed a victory that leaves the best-of-seven series tied at 2-2 with three games to play. The win continues a remarkable transformation in fortunes for […]

NBA: Warriors star Green escapes ban for Adams kick

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has been fined $25,000 but will escape a suspension for his kick on Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams, the NBA said Monday. Green left the Warriors sweating on the prospect of a possible ban after kicking Adams in the groin during Golden State’s rout to the Thunder in Game Three on Sunday. Golden State’s management and Green had insisted the incident in […]

NBA: Thunder humble Warriors to grab edge in West final

WASHINGTON , United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 33 points and Russell Westbrook added 30 as the Oklahoma City Thunder routed defending NBA champion Golden State 133-105 Sunday to seize the lead in their playoff series. The Thunder grabbed a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals and seized momentum with a lopsided blowout, making Tuesday’s fourth game at Oklahoma City crucial for the reigning champs. Golden State, which set an NBA record […]

NBA: Cavs’ Jones gets one-game ban for hit on Biyombo

NEW YORK , United States (AFP) — Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dahntay Jones was suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Sunday for striking Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo in the groin. The incident happened with 17.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 99-84 Toronto home victory over the Cavaliers, which snapped Cleveland’s 10-game win streak to open the playoffs. The Cavaliers still have a 2-1 lead over the Raptors in the […]

Football: Van Gaal defiant as Mourinho speculation mounts

by Tom WILLIAMS London, United Kingdom (AFP) — Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal defended his achievements after reports that Jose Mourinho is poised to replace him overshadowed his side’s FA Cup triumph against Crystal Palace. A memorable extra-time winner by Jesse Lingard brought United a 2-1 victory at Wembley on Saturday, ending the club’s 12-year wait for a record-equalling 12th FA Cup, but within minutes of the final whistle, reports were circulating that Mourinho’s appointment is […]

Football: Morata strikes as Juve retain Cup, keep Milan out of Europe

Milan, Italy  (AFP) — An extra-time winner from late substitute Alvaro Morata saw Juventus to their 11th Italian Cup with a 1-0 triumph over AC Milan on Saturday. It means Juventus become the first Italian team to win successive league and Cup doubles, a year after ending a 20-year wait to achieve the feat. AC Milan’s defeat means the seven-time European champions failed to qualify for Europe next season. Sixth place finishers Sassuolo will be handed […]

NBA: Cavaliers rip Raptors for 10th playoff win in a row

WASHINGTON , United States (AFP) — With LeBron James producing another overpowering performance, the Cleveland Cavaliers routed Toronto 108-89 Thursday, stretching their playoff record to 10-0 and moving closer to an NBA Finals return. James scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and passed out 11 assists as the host Cavaliers, who swept through the first two playoff rounds, seized a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals with game three Saturday at Toronto. “We’re […]

NBA: Curry sparkles as Warriors roll Thunder to level series

OAKLAND , United States (AFP) — Stephen Curry scored 28 points as the Golden State Warriors roared back to life in their Western Conference finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a emphatic 118-91 victory on Wednesday. Curry seized control of the contest with a spellbinding third-quarter points blitz as the Warriors squared the series at 1-1 heading into Sunday’s game three in Oklahoma City. The 27-point blowout victory preserved Golden State’s remarkable season-long […]

NBA: LeBron’s Nike deal could be worth more than $1 bln

NEW YORK , United States (AFP) — Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James could make more than $1 billion in his lifetime endorsement deal with sportswear manufacturer Nike, his business manager indicated in an interview with GQ magazine. Maverick Carter, agent for the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, was asked Tuesday about the assertion by rap singer Kanye West that James’ Nike deal was worth $1 billion. Carter smiled at the notion and pointed a finger […]

PBA: Rain or Shine clinches 2016 Commissioner’s Cup title

By Diego de la Paz QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – Rain or Shine poured on a barrage of treys in the fourth period to finally end Alaska’s dream of a miraculous turnaround, etching a 109-92 win in the books to capture the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Elasto Painters torched the nets for seven three-pointers in the first quarter to jump the gun on the […]

Olympics: Athletes and federations face Olympic doping bans – Bach

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) – IOC president Thomas Bach said Wednesday that athletes and federations face tough sanctions up to a lifetime ban as he warned that doping has hit “an unprecedented level of criminality”. The International Olympic Committee leader also stepped up calls on Russia to clear up accusations of interference in testing at its doping laboratory during the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. In a new sign of pressure on Russian sport, the New York […]