09 APRIL 2019 - Copy

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14 SPORTS Tuesday, 9 April <strong>2019</strong> Daily Tribune MASTERFUL CONQUEST Ko plunges to triumph I won the tournament and that’s a happy moment LOS ANGELES — Reigning Rookie of the Year Ko Jin-young captured her first major championship, holding off fellow South Korean Lee Mi-hyang to win the ANA Inspiration by three strokes Sunday. The 23-year-old Ko finished in style by draining a long birdie putt on 18 for a two-under 70 final round in the first major of the season at the Mission Hills Country Club near Palm Springs, California. “I won the tournament and that’s a happy moment,” Ko said. “I thank God, I thank my parents; I thank my grandparents. It is an honor for me to join so many great Korean players. I’m honored to be here.” Ko, who is in her second year, finished with a 10-under 278 total for her fourth LPGA title. She also won the Hope Founder’s Cup last month. Ko celebrated her win by taking the traditional dip with her caddie, Dave Brooker, in Poppie’s Pond — the water hazard located off the right and back of the green on 18. Lee finished alone in second after shooting a two-under 70 while American Lexi Thompson was third with a brilliant final round of 67 to reach a six-under 282 total. Kim In-kyung and Carlota Ciganda of Spain tied for fourth at five under, five strokes back of Ko. Ko started the round with a one shot lead. She played steady golf on the front nine with two birdies but saw her lead slip to just one stroke over Lee when she made bogey on the 15th hole. She landed her approach in the bunker and then two-putted on the green. It was her second bogey in three holes. But Ko got one back by sinking a superb putt for a birdie on the par-four 16th. She parred 17 then iced the win with an emphatic 20-foot birdie putt on 18. Not only is she the fifth South Korean to win here, Ko is the 15th in history to win a major. The only country that has more major wins is the United States. “I can’t believe it,” said Ko. “I was nervous on all my shots.” Thompson also made a run at Ko but her seven-stroke deficit was too much to make up. “It feels amazing,” Thompson said. “I birdied the first hole and actually hit a ball out of bounds on number three but still managed to make bogey. My caddie helped out tremendously.” It is an honor for me to join so many great Korean players. In addition to the professionals, five amateur players competed in the event continuing a longstanding tradition of exemptions for top women amateurs. Patty Tavatanakit, who is ranked third in the world, finished as the top amateur in the field after closing with a four under 68 a tie for 26th with nine others, including fellow Thai Pornanong Phatlum. AFP KO Jin-young jumps into Poppies Pond after winning the ANA Inspiration on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. AFP Lloyd powers US The Americans put on an even more dominant offensive display in the first meeting between the two countries LOS ANGELES — Carli Lloyd headed two goals as the United States women’s national team routed Belgium, 6-0, in a FIFA Women’s World Cup tuneup match on Sunday. Coming off a 5-3 shootout win over Australia on Thursday, the Americans put on an even more dominant offensive display in the first meeting between the two countries. Alex Morgan, who scored her 100th goal against the Aussies, Lindsey Horan, Samantha Mewis and Jessica McDonald also scored for the Americans at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. Lloyd opened the scoring in the first half as she headed a free kick from Tierna Davidson into the far corner of the goal in front of a crowd of 20,900. She notched her second goal five minutes later by flicking home another header to give the Americans a 2-0 lead 19 minutes into the contest. This summer, the Americans, reigning world champions, will make their eighth straight appearance in the FIFA World Cup — gunning for their fourth title after victories in 2015, 1999 and 1991. The USA is one of about a half dozen countries to qualify for all eight Women’s World Cups along with Brazil, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Nigeria. AFP CARLI Lloyd of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Belgium during the International Women’s friendly football match at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. AFP We cannot be complacent By Joel Orellana Crown on Ateneo’s radar Ateneo de Manila University head coach Oliver Almadro was happy to see her Lady Eagles clinch the first Final Four seat in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament after trouncing National University (NU) Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. And doing it on his first year with the team is extra special. But the rookie mentor knows there’s still lot of games to be played and they don’t want to get distracted on Puig ejected Cuban star Puig was tossed from the game at PNC Park along with manager David Bell and reliever Amir Garrett LOS ANGELES — Cincinnati slugger Yasiel Puig was among five players ejected after a mass brawl broke out in the Reds clash with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Cuban star Puig was tossed from the game at PNC Park along with manager David Bell and reliever Amir Garrett. Two Pirates players, pitchers Keone Kela and Felipe Vazquez, were also ejected after the benches cleared in the fourth inning. Puig, who had to be restrained by teammates, broke free to angrily confront a scrum of Pittsburgh players as tempers flared. The brawl erupted after Pirates pitcher Chris Archer sent a 93mph fastball whistling behind Reds first baseman Derek Dietrich. The provocative pitch appeared to be retaliation for Dietrich’s conduct after smashing a mammoth home run in the second inning. Dietrich had lingered at home plate for several seconds to watch his blast sail out of the stadium before setting off to round the bases. AFP their ultimate goal — bring the UAAP crown back to Loyola. “We are preparing not just for this (Final Four). We are preparing long term,” said Almadro after Ateneo claimed its 10th straight win and 10th straight Final Four appearance. “The elimination round will not determine your character right away. It will be a different battle in the semis. Even if you are ahead of the standings, it does not matter,” he added. Graduating Bea de Leon said reaching the semis first could be dangerous for them and they know that they need to do in order to stay focused on their target. “We cannot be complacent. That’s not part of our character,” said De Leon, who was one of the Lady Eagles in double figures against the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points. It would be a massive achievement Newcomers, past winners and a host of green jacket hopefuls made final preparations Sunday at Augusta National on the eve of official practice rounds for the 83rd Masters. The year’s first major championship begins Thursday at the famed course under the Georgia pines with Rory McIlroy making his 11th Augusta National start and fifth attempt to complete a career grand slam by winning the Masters. The 29-year-old Northern Ireland star, a four-time major champion, has finished between fourth and 10th in each of the past five years at the Masters, sharing fifth last year, and is a Las Vegas odds-makers pick to win this time. If he dons the green jacket next Sunday, McIlroy would become only the sixth player to have won each of the major titles at least once in his career, joining legends Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen. “It would be a massive achievement. It would be huge,” McIlroy said during his run-up to Augusta. “But I can’t think about CINCINNATI Reds’ Yasiel Puig is restrained by Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach Tom Prince in the middle of a bench-clearing brawl during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh. AP McIlroy eyes grand slam it that way.” Among those driving down Magnolia Lane to Augusta National’s clubhouse early was 22-year-old Aaron Wise, a South African-born American who won last year’s PGA Byron Nelson title to claim his first Masters berth. “Right now I’m just soaking it all in,” Wise said. “We can all remember the great moments and great shots just from having watched on TV.” Wise, whose family moved to the United States when he was three, was last year’s US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. He missed the cut in three prior major starts as he and 16 other newcomers prepare for their Masters debuts. The buzz is unbelievable. “Coming to Augusta I feel good. I love the place,” said two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. “I’m thankful just to be here.” Watson was on hand for the start and finish of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur on Saturday and was among presenters in Sunday’s Drive, Chip and Putt Championship for youth. “The buzz is unbelievable,” said Australia’s Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion. “It gets me excited for next week.” AFP Vargas graces Forum Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas will be the special guest in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum today at the Amelie Hotel-Manila. Vargas is appearing in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Tapa King, Amelie Hotel and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation along with Ed Picson, the secretary general of the Alliances of Boxing Association in the Philippines. They are expected to discuss the training of the athletes and preparations for the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year. Also invited in the 10:30 a.m. public sports program are POC chairman Abraham Tolentino and POC secretary general Patrick Gregorio. Shortly after the Forum, Vargas will induct into office the new set of PSA officers led by president Tito Talao of the Manila Bulletin.
Tuesday, 9 April <strong>2019</strong> Daily Tribune WILL HE STAY OR GO? SPORTS 15 Parks takes sweet time That’s what we are still trying to figure out right now: What will be the next chapter By John Bryan Ulanday After bombing out in the Asean Basketball League (ABL), Ray Parks has yet to address rumors he won’t be playing a single minute for Blackwater when the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup opens next month. The 26-year-old playmaker said he would like to take a breather following a grueling stint for San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas, which was sent packing by Hongkong Eastern in the quarterfinals of the regional pay-for-play basketball league. “It’s been good, tough stint in the ABL,” said Parks, the reigning ABL local Most Valuable Player, at the sidelines of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals last Sunday. “But I needed to rest now. I’ve been playing three straight years, so I needed a break.” I’m still pondering on my thoughts. Multiple sources bared that Parks will not don the Elite jersey after making him as the second overall pick in the PBA Annual Rookie Draft last December. Insiders said a multi-player deal is in the works. It would send Parks to Meralco while Bolts guard Baser Amer would join Talk ‘N Text. The KaTropa, meanwhile, would ship Jericho Cruz to the Elite to complete the transaction. Parks confirmed nothing is final at the moment as his camp is still trying to map out the “next chapter” of his basketball career. “That’s what we are still trying to figure out right now: What will be the next chapter?” said the son of seven-time PBA Best Import awardee Bobby Ray Parks. “I’m still pondering on my thoughts, trying to figure out the best situation not only for me, but also for my family. I am the breadwinner in the family so I have to help out a lot.” Parks’ business manager Charlie Dy, however, doused cold water on the burning trade talks, saying Parks is set to attend Blackwater’s training in the next couple of days after wrapping up the Philippine Cup with a dismal 2-9 win-loss card. “Yes, he will be reporting to Blackwater practice,” Dy told Daily Tribune. “He’ll rest first then practice with Blackwater, maybe after the Holy Week.” Parks said nothing is cast in stone. “As of now, they (the Elite) hold my rights. But I haven’t signed anything yet,” he said. UVC parades Thai star With Sutadta on board, we will have another potent scoring option PLDT and Cignal seek to join Petron in the semifinals when they collide with separate foes in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre. Armed with a twice-to-beat edge, the Power Hitters aim to book a return flight to the semis when they clash with dangerous Generika-Ayala at 4:15 p.m. while the HD Spikers face United VC in the 7 p.m. main encounter of this prestigious women’s club league backed by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project. Petron, which swept the classifications to emerge as top seed in the quarterfinals, made short work of Sta. Lucia to become the first team in the best-of-three semifinal series. On the other hand, the Blaze Spikers’ main rival — F2 Logistics — was not as fortunate as it suffered a nail-biting fives-set loss to Foton in the other quarterfinal battle. That makes this explosive double-header that has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners very exciting as both Generika-Ayala and United VC are optimistic that they can forge a rubber match if they play superb volleyball from start to finish. United VC, for one, will be bringing in a new import in Thai star Sutadta Chuewulim to revive its title hopes after Magnolia displayed fighting form as it dominated Ginebra, 106-77, to force a rubber match in their Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinal series Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Still smarting from a 75-86 loss in Game 1, the Hotshots came out firing early to build a 51-38 halftime lead en route to the easy victory. It was the largest winning margin of the Hotshots in 11 years since beating the Kings, 103-76, in the elimination round of the Philippine Cup in 2008. SUTADTA Chuewulim of Thailand will make her debut when United VC battles Cignal in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix. failing to clinch the quarterfinal bonus. Chuewulim, who arrived Sunday and joined United VC practice on Monday, is tipped to hit the ground running as she is no stranger to Philippine brand of volleyball. In fact, she already saw action for Cagayan Valley in the Shakey’s V-League before campaigning for guest team EST Cola in the PSL Invitational Conference in 2016. Although the Thai juniors team fell prey to veteran-laden RC Cola-Army in the finals, Chuewulim still made her presence felt as she brought home the Best Outside Spiker award. “With Sutadta on board, we will have another potent scoring option,” said Ylaya, adding that the Thai will replace American Tai Manu-Olevao in their rotation. “We played without an import for four games. We could have bagged a twice-to-beat edge had we played with an import in our past few games. But now that Sutadta is here, we expect to be competitive to give Cignal a very good fight.” But bringing down the HD Spikers is easier said than done. Cignal is beaming with confidence as imports Erica Wilson and Anastasiya Artemeva are playing beautiful music with local stars like Rachel Anne Daquis, Acy Masangkay, Mylene Paat and Janine Navarro. Cignal coach Edgar Barroga said they will do their best to win over United VC because yielding their twice-to-beat edge will pressure them in the sudden-death. “I don’t want to focus on that (twiceto-beat advantage). We will play as if it’s a do-or-die match,” said Barroga, who knows that they have to neutralize Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kalei Mau and import Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani if they want to advance. Hotshots force ‘rubber’ 3-way fight looms Thailand has also underscored its readiness to go for the crown, sending 39 players, led by veteran Yupaporn Kawinpakorn It will be a toss-up among the leading players of Taiwan, Thailand and the host country as they set out for a duel of shot-making, iron play and putting in the ICTSI Manila Golf Ladies Classic, which gets going tomorrow at the Manila Golf Club inside Forbes Park. Babe Liu, the No. 3 player in the current LPGA of Taiwan ranking, along with joint no. 5 Hsin Lee and Lin Tzu-Chi and Ching Huang, banner the 25-strong player roster from Taiwan, ready to slug it out with the best in the $100,000 championship. Thailand has also underscored its readiness to go for the crown, sending 39 players, led by veteran Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, who is seeking a second LPGT crown after dominating the Pradera Verde leg of the circuit last December. Thanutra Boonraksasat, who turned back Princess Superal to snare the last LPGT crown at Manila Southwoods last month, is also back for a shot at a second straight championship. LPGT leg winners Onkanok Soisuwan, Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang and Wannasiri Sirisampant along with Chatprapa Siriprakob, Saraporn Chamchoi and Ornnicha Konsunthea are also coming into the event in top form and are brimming with confidence, guaranteeing a spirited battle for top honors. But a compact nine-player local side will be more than ready to defend its turf with Superal hoping to recall her fierce form on a course that best suits her game with the backing of fellow former Symetra Tour campaigners Mia Piccio and Cyna Rodriguez along with Chihiro Ikeda, Daniella Uy, Marvi Monsalve, Alex Etter and Gretchen Villacencio. Though relatively flat, the par-71 MGC is expected to provide a different kind of challenge for the competing 97-player field, including seven amateurs, with its narrow fairways, hazards and fairways and greenside bunkers that come into play in most holes. With that, the Hotshots tied the series and set the stage for a sudden-death Game 3 also at the same Cubao venue. Six players scored in double digits for the Hotshots led by Ian Sangalang with 21 points and nine rebounds in just 21 minutes of action. Robbie Herndon also tallied 18 points off the bench while Jio Jalalon posted 17 points, five rebounds, six assists and five steals. Meanwhile, Sol Mercado was the only bright spot for the Kings with his 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. JBU LIU RAY Parks attacks the basket against a Turkish defender during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in this file photo. Batang Gilas in good hands It was coach Sandy’s name that got more and more traction until the SBP finally made it official After so many months in limbo, Batang Gilas finally has a semblance of stability, especially with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) appointing a new head coach in long-time Ateneo de Manila University mentor Sandy Arespacochaga. It was not much of a surprise to those who, in one way or another, were in the loop, so to speak. For months, several names have been floated as possible replacements to former Batang Gilas coach Josh Reyes. Tab Baldwin, who is coach Sandy’s mentor in Ateneo, was for many, the leading candidate. In recent weeks, however, it was coach Sandy’s name that got more and more traction until the SBP finally made it official. Right off the bat, it was a lauded decision because of his reputation as a very level-headed bench presence and very effective teacher of the game. I know this first-hand, having had the privilege of being coach Sandy’s colleague (as a teacher) in Ateneo (he taught Araling Panlipunan for years before going into coaching full-time) and also having seen him help mold the character of so many Blue Eagles over the years. It’s also good that, in his first on-cam interview with CNN Philippines after the official announcement, coach Sandy deflected a lot of credit for Batang Gilas’ success to the team’s former coaches, especially coach Josh, who helmed the team when they qualified to the FIBA U19 World Cup. It’s clear that coach Sandy appreciates the groundwork that has been laid out by the previous coaches, but it’s also very good to know that he has a clear vision for the future of Batang Gilas. This early, coach Sandy understands the dire situation of the team, especially with both the U19 World Cup and U16 Asia Championship taking place in a couple of months’ time. He also knows the value of preparing extra early for next year’s FIBA U18 Asia Championship. I know for a fact coach Sandy hit the ground running, meeting as many Hot Take Hoops Enzo Flojo coaches and scouts who can provide the best possible collection of youth talents for Batang Gilas. He said he intends to keep last year’s U18 squad as intact as possible for the U19 World Cup this year and begin training the U16 squad and next year’s U18 pool in earnest as well. Who are the players who can possibly be called up by coach Sandy? He has a clear vision for the future of Batang Gilas. Well, the key generations for this year and next year are those born from 2000-2004. Batang Gilas will likely be composed of the best players born 2000-2002 for the U19 World Cup and then the best players born 2003-2004 for the U16 Asia tourney. Those born 2002-2004 will probably be called up for next year’s U18 Asia as well. Right off the top of my head, the biggest names I expect to be invited include the following (classified by year born): Born 2000: AJ Edu, Dalph Panopio, Rhayyan Amsali, Dave Ildefonso and Mark Nonoy Born 2001: Gerry Abadiano, Carl Tamayo, Geo Chiu and Terrence Fortea Born 2002: Kai Sotto, Raven Cortez, Forth Padrigao and Josh Lazaro Born 2003: Francis Lopez, Kenji Duremdes, Ian Espinosa and Kean Baclaan Born 2004: Aaron Ganal, Ethan Alian, Mason Amos and Prince Alao There are so many more talented players, of course, and I’m 100 percent confident coach Sandy and his staff will make sure our country will be well-represented by the Batang Gilas in the tournaments they will join this year and next. Laban Pilipinas!
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