Sports

Paul Lee sinks the buzzer beater shot as Rain or Shine leads Alaska 2-0

Quezon City, Philippines (Eagle News) – The Rain or Shine Elastopainters takes a commanding 2-0 lead against the Alaska Aces in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals with the help of Paul Lee’s cold-blooded buzzer-beater shot. The Aces started the game looking to have control over the Elastopainters after leading all first three quarters after being led by RJ Jazul – who was filling in for the injured Jvee Casio – with 16 points coming […]

Boxing: Alvarez KOs Khan to retain WBC middleweight title

LOS ANGELES , United States (AFP) — Canelo Alvarez defended his World Boxing Council middleweight belt Saturday by knocking out Amir Khan with a vicious right hand late in the sixth round of their Las Vegas title fight. The 25-year-old hard-hitting Mexican dropped Khan with a straight right over a passive left jab that sent the Briton crumpling to the canvas with just 23 seconds left in the round. The back of Khan’s head bounced […]

Football: FIFA bans two South American scandal officials for life

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — A FIFA tribunal on Friday issued lifetime bans against two South American football officials who had already pleaded guilty to corruption offences in US court. The ethics committee adjudicatory chamber barred Sergio Jadue of Chile and Luis Bedoya of Colombia, both former senior FIFA officials as well as vice presidents of the South American confederation CONMEBOL, “for life from all football-related activities”, said a FIFA statement. FIFA’s in-house court launched a […]

NBA: Cavaliers sitting pretty with 3-0 series lead

WASHINGTON , United States (AFP) — LeBron James and Kyrie Irving took over in the fourth quarter as the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 3-0 stranglehold lead over Atlanta on Friday to move within one win of advancing to the NBA semi-finals. James and Kevin Love each posted a double-double for the Cavaliers who drained 21 three pointers against the Hawks in a 121-108 victory. Cleveland is the first team in NBA history to hit at […]

NBA: Clippers’ Griffin likely to miss Rio Olympics

LOS ANGELES , United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin had a bone-marrow procedure on his left thigh injury and will miss the USA team’s preparations for the Rio Olympics making it unlikely he’ll play in the 2016 Games. Griffin has started rehabilitation since undergoing the procedure on April 27 to address his left quadriceps tendon injury. The Clippers said in a statement on Friday that he would miss Team USA’s training […]

NBA: Warriors’ Curry improving, but still likely to sit Saturday

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Golden State guard Stephen Curry looked strong in training on Friday, but coach Steve Kerr said it was still unlikely his injured star would be in uniform for the Warriors in their playoff game at Portland on Saturday. On Friday morning Kerr indicated on “The Dan Patrick Show” radio broadcast that Curry would definitely miss Saturday’s game three of the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series. After watching Curry, who […]

NBA: Raptors turn up heat in overtime to beat Miami

WASHINGTON , United States (AFP) — DeMarre Carroll finished with a team-high 21 points as the Toronto Raptors evened the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series at 1-1 with a 96-92 overtime win over the Miami Heat on Thursday. DeMar DeRozan tallied 20 points and eight rebounds and Kyle Lowry finished with 18 points and six assists for the host Raptors, who scored six consecutive points to start the overtime then held on for the second round […]

Football: Argentina stay top, Philippines reach new heights in FIFA rankings

PARIS , France (AFP) — Argentina remain top as the Philippines reached new heights in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Thursday. With no international matches in April all teams in the top 50 held their positions. The Philippines, meanwhile, may have failed to advance to the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers for the AFC region, but the Azkals moved up one spot to their best-ever position of 115th. FIFA Rankings as […]

Rain or Shine forward Beau Belga (left) and Raymond Almazan (right) poses for photos with Alaska Aces forward Calvin Abueva during the PBA Commissioner's Cup press conference at the PBA Cafe Metrowalk. (Photo courtesy: Diego de la Paz / Sports On Air, Eagle News Service)

PBA: Alaska, Rain or Shine ready ahead of Commissioner’s Cup finals

By Diego de la Paz PASIG, Philippines (Eagle News) – The Alaska Aces, although banged and bruised throughout the season is ready to face a well-rested and energized Rain or Shine Elasto Painters squad when the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals tips off. Coming off a five-game set against the Meralco Bolts, the Aces will once again have to make-do with a shorter rotation without key veterans JV Casio (knee), Vic Manuel (calf), and Eric Menk. […]

NBA: Cavs use long-range 3 point onslaught to pound Hawks

LOS ANGELES , United States (AFP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers fired a record-setting 25 three pointers as they pummelled the Atlanta Hawks 123-98 to seize a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference playoff series on Wednesday. Cleveland produced 18 first half three pointers which propelled them to a 74-38 halftime lead. JR Smith led the barrage from beyond the arc with seven overall as 10 Cleveland players made three pointers in the second round postseason game. […]

Boxing: Khan ready for ‘dream’ showdown with Alvarez

LOS ANGELES , United States (AFP) — Amir Khan insisted Wednesday he is ready for the fight of his life when he steps up two divisions to take on Mexican world middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Las Vegas this weekend. The British boxer, who normally boxes at welterweight, faces a daunting battle against the hard-hitting Alvarez on Saturday in a fight which many believe is a risk too far for the 29-year-old from Bolton. […]

Tennis: Refreshed Djokovic makes winning return to Madrid

by Scott WILLIAMS MADRID , Spain (AFP) — Novak Djokovic stepped up his preparations for the French Open as the top seed beat teenager Borna Coric 6-2, 6-4 in his opening match at the Madrid Masters on Wednesday. The world number one, who lifted the trophy in the Spanish capital five years ago, has not played in Madrid since 2013 when he lost his opening match to Grigor Dimitrov. The Serb’s success over Croatian youngster […]