by Alastair Himmer Agence France Presse JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — A joint Korean women’s basketball team slammed Taiwan 89-66 to reach the Asian Games final on Thursday, helped by Las Vegas razzmatazz and some good, old, northern grit. Roared on by around 100 fans waving Korean unification flags, North Korean Ro Suk Yong joint top-scored with 17 points in a blow-out victory for the defending champions in Jakarta. The Koreans advance to face China […]
Tag: basketball
Four Japan athletes kicked out of Asian Games for buying sex
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Four Japanese basketball players on Monday apologised for bringing “disgrace” to their nation after they were kicked out of the Asian Games for paying prostitutes for sex. The regional Olympics was hit by scandal after the players were spotted in a notorious red light district of the Indonesian capital Jakarta wearing their national jerseys last week. The expulsion of Yuya Nagayoshi, Takuya Hashimoto, Takuma Sato and Keita Imamura will come […]
Philippines’ Clarkson calls on NBA to free players for global tournaments ahead of first PHL game
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson has called on the NBA to let players compete in more global tournaments to boost the sport’s popularity worldwide, ahead of his first appearance for the Philippines at the Asian Games. Clarkson, who dashed to Jakarta last week after the US league released him in a last-minute U-turn, said Sunday he had wanted to play for the Philippines for years but had been repeatedly blocked. […]
Butcher quits as Philippines’ Azkals head coach before crucial first game for Asian Cup
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — England football great Terry Butcher has stepped down as the Philippines’ head coach without taking charge of a single game, saying he was not “able to make this work”. Butcher, a veteran of three World Cups who has managed in England, Scotland, Wales and Australia, lasted less than 50 days in the job after he was appointed on June 14. The shock decision by the 59-year-old — who had spoken […]
Barangay Ginebra looking to spoil SMB’s grand slam bid as 2018 Commissioner’s Cup Finals tips off tonight
By Vivem Soriano Eagle News Service The San Miguel Beermen are looking to defend their crown and continue their quest for a rare grand slam as they are set to battle sister team and long-time rivals Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 1 of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Colisuem tonight at 7:00 p.m. SMB will be banking on their towering center and 4-time defending PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo. […]
Basketball Australia “acknowledges” Fiba sanctions over Gilas-Boomers brawl
(Eagle News) — Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Anthony Moore said on Thursday, July 19, they “acknowledge” the sanctions meted out on some of its players and on Filipino players over the Boomers-Gilas Pilipinas brawl in a World Cup Qualifier on July 2. “We also welcome FIBA’s finding in its report that no discriminatory or racist language was used by Australian Boomers players, nor did it incite the incident as has been alleged,” Moore said. […]
Kobe Paras joins UP Fighting Maroons
(Eagle News) — Kobe Paras is now officially a University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon. The men’s basketball team tagged Paras in a Tweet with the message “Welcome home.” In a Twitter post on Wednesday, July 11, Paras said: “Moves had to be made.” Paras joined the team after La Salle Green Archer Ricci Rivero made the same move. Paras’ father, Benjie Paras, led the Maroons to their first UAAP title in 1986.
Aussies and Filipinos ‘sorry’ for #basketbrawl in Manila; Aussie coach blames Gilas coach for “inciting” PHL players
Australia and the Philippines apologized Thursday for bringing basketball into “disrepute” with a massive on-court melee between players, fans and officials during a World Cup qualifier. The violence on Monday in Manila made international headlines. “We wish to apologize to the entire basketball community worldwide — and in particular to our fantastic fans,” said the joint statement from the nations’ basketball associations. The apology in particular cited “the behavior displayed by both teams and […]
Australia coach Longley blames Chot Reyes for brawl
BRISBANE, Australia — Australian assistant basketball coach Luc Longley Wednesday blamed Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes for an on-court brawl in their World Cup qualifier, alleging he incited his players to act violently. He also hit out at the Filipino players for taking “gangster selfies” after the clash. The brutal melee in Manila involving players, fans and officials on Monday left the Australian team fearing for their safety, and they sought embassy help to fast-track their departure from […]
Basketball diplomacy: S. Korea teams head for Pyongyang
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — A high-level South Korean delegation left for Pyongyang Tuesday with dozens of basketball players, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s favourite sport becomes the latest effort at athletic diplomacy between the neighbours. Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon will lead the delegation of 50 male and female players, in the first visit to Pyongyang by an official from the South since Kim and US President Donald Trump’s landmark summit in Singapore last […]
All-Star guard Rondo joins LeBron’s revamped Lakers
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Rajon Rondo, who helped the Boston Celtics win an NBA title in 2008, reportedly joined LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday as a revamped lineup begins to take shape. Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James agreed to a four-year deal worth $154 million Sunday with the Lakers, just hours after the NBA free agency period began. Four-time All-Star Rondo, a 32-year-old point guard, who has made […]
LeBron James to join NBA Lakers in four-year, $154 million deal
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James is to join the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-year $154 million deal, his agents said Sunday, ending months of frenzied speculation about the NBA superstar’s next career move. The blockbuster deal means the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player — who has played in the past eight NBA Finals — will now join one of the league’s most iconic clubs, adding to the legacy of such legends […]





