UAAP Season 76 Finals: UST wins Game 1 vs. DLSU

UAAP Season 76 Finals: UST wins game 1 vs. DLSU
Image credit: UAAP Sports TV

University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers drew first blood with a hairline win over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 73-72, during Game 1 of the best-of-three UAAP Season 76 Finals series at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, October 2, 2013.

Kevin Ferrer led all scorers with 20 points. Karim Abdul added 19 points and 12 rebounds. Jeric Teng had 17 points and seven rebounds for UST.

UST carried the momentum of their inspiring win against National University (NU) during the Final Four. The Tigers marched into the championship against the Archers after winning twice against NU.

The Growling Tigers lost a double-digit lead early in the game but was able to recover in time and come to within a win away from their first UAAP championship since 2006.

It was a well-attended game as 20,000 fans trooped to the SMART Araneta Coliseum to witness the UAAP Finals.

Everyone was in shocked after UST beat DLSU. UST head coach Pido Jarencio said, "Ako rin, na-shock ako! Panalo pala kami!"

At the start of the fourth quarter, La Salle was still leading 54-50.

Jeric Teng, however, took charged in the final quarter by getting five straight points to regain the lead for UST, 55-54.

With a little over two minutes to go, Karim Abdul coolly drained two charities to make it 68-63 in favor of UST, only to see La Salle's Jason Perkins drain a triple that made it a one-possession game, 66-68, with just 1:58 left.

After a split at the line by Jeron Teng made it a one-point game, UST's Kevin Ferrer drilled a booming triple from the top of the key that made it a four-point game, 73-69, with just 41 seconds left.

Jeron however, completed a three-point play immediately after to make it a one-point game anew, 72-73, with still 29.1 seconds left in the game.

But in the next play, Aljon Mariano lost the ball after an inbound pass from Ferrer. That gave La Salle a chance to win the game.

But Almond Vosotros missed an open three pointer and Abdul blocked LA Revilla's putback as time expires.

Game 2 of the UAAP Season 76 Finals will be on Saturday, October 5. The championship game will be played at the Araneta Coliseum and will be live on ABS-CBN's Channel 2.

Pingris, Nabong, Devance PBA brawl draws fine, suspension

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) handed out its decision on Friday, September 6, 2013. Those involved during the Wednesday PBA brawl, that include Marc Pingris, Kelly Nabong, Joe Devance and Marvin Hayes, were fined and suspended by the Commissioner's Office led by Chito Salud.

Commissioner Salud met with all the players involved before he issued the penalties.

Below is the complete decision of Commissioner Salud.

1. Marvin Hayes is fined P20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, equivalent to a flagrant foul penalty.

2. Kelly Nabong is suspended for 2 games and fined P60,000 for attacking import Marqus Blakely and exchanging blows with Marc Pingris.

3. Pingris is suspended for 2 games and fined P60,000 for fighting and engaging Nabong in an exchange of blows.

4. Joe Devance is suspended for 1 game and fined P30,000 for triggering the commotion that led to the fight between Nabong and Pingris.

In a statement, Commissioner Salud reiterates the PBA's stand against violence during games. According to Salud:

Strong emphasis is being placed on this policy so much so that those who dare to trigger fights will also be penalized accordingly. With this, it should be clear to everyone that instigators, hotheads and troublemakers have no place in the PBA and will be dealt with severely. Instigators also deserve special mention, especially those not even directly involved in the immediate action. They too will have to bear a heavy price for their act.

Finally, I want to remind our players that long after sanctions have been served, your overall conduct's impression on our youth will continue to last. Be more circumspect in the future. Our players' responsibility of role modelling, particularly to our youth, is sacrosanct in the PBA.

Marc Pingris vs Kelly Nabong PBA Brawl (VIDEO)

Marc Pingris and Kelly Nabong figured in a major brawl during a game of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor's Cup on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

At least five (5) players from Globalport Batang Pier and San Mig Coffee Mixers were involved in the melee.

Among the players in the brawl include Joe Devance, Marqus Blakely, and Marvin Hayes.

The latest PBA brawl happened with 8 minutes and 11 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter of the Mixers vs Batang Pier game.

San Mig Coffee was ahead 58-39 against Globalport when the fistfight started.

Hefty fine and suspension may be meted on several players. Pingris and Nabong may expect to receive the heavier penalty when the PBA Commissioner's Office announced their decision on Friday, September 6.

But who really started the brawl and who should get the greater penalty? Watch the Marc Pingris vs Kelly Nabong video below and judge it for yourself.

FEU vs UST 2nd Round UAAP Match Goes Into Double OT

The UAAP game by Far Eastern University Tamaraws against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers went into double overtime on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UST won the game 79-78 to improve their UAAP standings.

Aljon Mariano's triple sends the FEU-UST UAAP Season 76 second round match into the first overtime . Regulation ended at 62-all.

After taking an inbounds pass, Mariano launches the game-tying shot.

FEU failed to get a shot with less than five seconds left in regulation.

The Tamaraws had a two-digit lead several times in the first half.

The first overtime ended tied at 70-apiece.

Karim Abdul led all scorers with 24-points. He also had a game-winning block against Belo in the dying seconds of the second overtime.

It was the 2nd back-to-back overtime game and third in eight games for the league-leading FEU team.

Gilas Pilipinas wins vs Korea in FIBA Asia 2013 Semis

FIBA Asia 2013
Credit: Wikipedia.com

Gilas Pilipinas versus Korea finally ended with a new result. The Philippines men's basketball team in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship finally beat Korea, 86-79, on Saturday night, August 10, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Marc Pingris led the Gilas Pilipinas sticky defense in the second half to snatch the victory against the team who beat them in the 2011 FIBA Asia.

Pingris, chosen as the game's best player, had a double-double for Gilas Pilipinas.

With the loss of Marcus Douthit early in the second quarter due to a leg injury, the Philippines team relied on the locals and employed a pesky defense against the Koreans.

It was all heart for the Filipino players down the stretch as they overcome a first half deficit against the Koreans.

Jimmy Alapag's three-point shots late in the game broke down the hearts of the Korean team.

Gilas Pilipinas will face Iran in the Championship game on Sunday, August 11, 2013. Iran won over Chinese Taipei to earn the first Finals ticket.

With the win by Gilas Pilipinas against Korea, they now qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Below is the game boxscore:

Philippines (86) - William 17, Pingris 16, Alapag 14, De Ocampo 11, Tenorio 9, Aguilar 8, Chan 5, Norwood 2, Douthit 2, Fonacier 2, David 0.

Korea (79) - Kim M. 27, Kim J. 11, Yang 11, Lee S. 10, Lee J. 10, Cho 6, Kim T. 2, Yoon 0. Kim Jongku 0.

Quarterscores: 15-19, 36-39, 65-56, 86-79

FIBA Asia 2013: Philippines wins Game 1 vs KSA, 78-66

Marc Pingris carried the Philippines Gilas team to its Game 1 victory, 78-66, over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Jason William Castro and Marcus Douthit made some key contributions to the Gilas team win.

Despite some questionable calls by the referee, the PH team rolled over KSA.

Analysts say that it could have been KSAs best game ever in a FIBA Asia game.

Ray Allen Big 3-Point Shot Sends NBA Finals Game 6 to OT (Video)

The San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat NBA Finals Game 6 went into overtime, thanks to Ray Allen's big 3. The NBA Finals is now going into a game 7.

Ray Allen
Credit: NBA.com

Allen transferred from the Boston Celtics to the Miami Heat in pursuit of another NBA Championship. He is still on the right track in attaining his dream after his game-tying three point shot on Tuesday night.

Allen's big three with 5.2 seconds in regulation tied the Heat vs Spurs sixth game at 95-all.

That shot from behind the arc could end up as Allen's most important shot of his entire career in the NBA.

Chris Bosh collared the rebound after a LeBron James' missed three, and immediately passed the ball to Allen who made a step back and a quick release of the ball.

See the amazing three-point shot of Ray Allen in the following NBA YouTube video.

Heat vs Spurs NBA Finals 2013: LeBron James led Miami to Game 6 win

LeBron James
Credit: NBA.com

The 2013 NBA Finals is not over yet. Miami Heat extends the series into a Game 7 with an overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs, 103-100, on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL.

LeBron James led Miami with a triple-double as he scored 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished off 11 assists. Mario Chalmers added 20 points and Dwyane Wade had 14 points for the Heat. 

Rey Allen had a three pointer with 5.2 seconds left in regulation and tied the game at 95 that send the game into overtime.

Tim Duncan had a productive night with 30 points and 17 rebounds for San Antonio. Kawhi Leonard contributed 22 points and Tony Parker scored 19 points for the Spurs

Allen's two free throws off a foul by Boris Diaw with 1.9 seconds left gave the final score and the win to Miami.

The Spurs was leading 94-89 with 28.2 seconds left. James scored with a three pointer after a Heat timeout.

A missed free throw by Leonard led to Allen's game-tying three point shot that send the game into another 5 minutes.

Game 7 on Thursday, June 20 will be played again at the Miami homecourt.

Memphis Grizzlies Leads OKC Thunder, 2-1

Memphis Grizzlies won over the OKC Thunder.
Credit: NBA.com
The Memphis Grizzlies beat Oklahoma City Thunder, 87-81, during Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Western Conference semifinal on Saturday night at FedExForum, Memphis, TN. Grizzlies now leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1.

NBA Playoffs 2013 Schedule and Matchup (Complete List)

2013 NBA Playoffs Matchup
Image credit: NBA.com

The NBA released the 2012-2013 NBA Playoffs schedule and matchup on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

Eight teams will play Game 1 of the first round series starting on Saturday, April 20. Teams who will be playing on Saturday include Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and the Chicago Bulls.

The other eight teams will begin their first round matchups on Sunday, April 21. These teams are Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers.

Below is the list of the complete schedule and national television and radio coverages for all First Round playoffs series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE - FIRST ROUND
(1) Oklahoma City vs. (8) Houston
Game 1 - Sun April 21, Houston at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 24, Houston at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat April 27, Oklahoma City at Houston, 9:30 p.m., ESPN/R
Game 4 - Mon April 29, Oklahoma City at Houston, TBD, TBD
Game 5 * Wed May 1, Houston at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 3, Oklahoma City at Houston, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 5, Houston at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD

• Thunder-Rockets series hub
(2) San Antonio vs. (7) L.A. Lakers
Game 1 - Sun April 21, L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 - Wed April 24, L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 26, San Antonio at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 28, San Antonio at L.A. Lakers, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 30, L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 2, San Antonio at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 4, L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, TBD, TNT

• Spurs-Lakers series hub
(3) Denver vs. (6) Golden State
Game 1 - Sat April 20, Golden State at Denver, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 23, Golden State at Denver, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 26, Denver at Golden State, 10:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun April 28, Denver at Golden State, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 30, Golden State at Denver, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 2, Denver at Golden State, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 4, Golden State at Denver, TBD, TNT
• Nuggets-Warriors series hub
(4) L.A. Clippers vs. (5) Memphis
Game 1 - Sat April 20, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon April 22, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 25, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sat April 27, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 4:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 30, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 3, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 5, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD, TBD
• Clippers-Grizzlies series hub
___________________________________________________
EASTERN CONFERENCE - FIRST ROUND
(1) Miami vs. (8) Milwaukee
Game 1 - Sun April 21, Milwaukee at Miami, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Tue April 23, Milwaukee at Miami, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 - Thu April 25, Miami at Milwaukee, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sun April 28, Miami at Milwaukee, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 5 * Tue April 30, Milwaukee at Miami, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 2, Miami at Milwaukee, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 4, Milwaukee at Miami, TBD, TNT
• Heat-Bucks series hub
(2) New York vs. (7) Boston
Game 1 - Sat April 20, Boston at New York, 3 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 - Tue April 23, Boston at New York, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 26, New York at Boston, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 28, New York at Boston, 1 p.m., ABC/R
Game 5 * Wed May 1, Boston at New York, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 3, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 5, Boston at New York, TBD, TBD
• Knicks-Celtics series hub
(3) Indiana vs. (6) Atlanta
Game 1 - Sun April 21, Atlanta at Indiana, 1 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 24, Atlanta at Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 - Sat April 27, Indiana at Atlanta, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Mon April 29, Indiana at Atlanta, TBD, TBD
Game 5 * Wed May 1, Atlanta at Indiana, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 3, Indiana at Atlanta, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 5, Atlanta at Indiana, TBD, TBD
• Pacers-Hawks series hub
(4) Brooklyn vs. (5) Chicago
Game 1 - Sat April 20, Chicago at Brooklyn, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon April 22, Chicago at Brooklyn, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 25, Brooklyn at Chicago, 8:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat April 27, Brooklyn at Chicago, 2 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Mon April 29, Chicago at Brooklyn, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 2, Brooklyn at Chicago, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 4, Chicago at Brooklyn, TBD, TNT
• Nets-Bulls series hub

* if necessary
All times are Eastern
TBD - To Be Determine
R - ESPN radio