Gejon’s Cebuano challenger
The game of Els’ life 33
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n JOBANNIE C. TABADA Editor
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2004
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – The veteran savvy of Shaquille O’Neal and Gary Payton was too much for young LeBron James. O’Neal scored 37 points and Payton added 30 both season highs - to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 111-106 overtime victory over James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. p. 31
IN-YOUR-FACE SLAM. Gary Trent of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks over Dion Glover of the Atlanta Hawks in their game at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Atonement
Simon dishes out MVP act, leads Fash to series-tying win BY GLENN C. MICHELENA Sun.Star Correspondent
PETER June Simon couldn’t have bounced back in a better way. After a horrific showing in Game 3, Simon came to his team’s rescue by scoring 28 points in leading Fash Detergent to 69-62 victory over Welcoat Paints in Game 4 yesterday in their best-of-five duel for the PBL Platinum Cup at the Pasig Sports Center. Down 1-2 in the series entering the fourth game, Fash was in a difficult position: a Welcoat win would have ended the series. After Game 4, however, what was slated to be a fivegame series is now relegated into a one-game duel on Saturday, as Fash tied the series at 2-2 with the win. Fash has Simon to thank for their plight. After a disastrous Game 3 performance in which he failed to score a point, Simon hit the big shots in the endgame and provided the emotional charge that sparked Fash to victory. Simon had to endure a series of negative actions from the Welcoat players after winning the MVP award over Welcoat’s Jojo Tangkay – the league’s frontrunner in the statistical race – and had to atone for his zero-point performance (apparently a result of the emotional baggage SAVIOR. PBL MVP Peter Simon carried for winning the MVP) in Game 3, in which he Simon poured out 28 points was jeered heavily by the Welcoat fans. and took over in the fourth Simon’s emotional, MVP-caliber performance, however, period to tow Fash to a 69gave him the vindication he deserved. After being chosen as 62 victory. (SUN.STAR FILE) Best Player of the Game, Simon cried unabashedly in front of national TV during the post-game interview.
Apology accepted RESIGNED PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad has formally accepted the Welcoat franchise’s apology, but the former Philippine Basketball League commissioner didn’t give a clear answer to the league board’s call for his reconsideration. “I appreciate the call of the board for me not to step down, and at the same time I am elated by the gesture of apology from the Welcoat players, which I accepted wholeheartedly,” said Trinidad who surprised reporters by showing up for Game 4 of the Welcoat-Fash series in Pasig yesterday. “I need time and space to think whether I will reconsider my decision or not. Medyo malalim pa rin ang sugat,” said Trinidad. “If ever I will be back again, I want to be doubly effective in running the affairs of the league.” Trinidad unexpectedly resigned in haste in Game 3 of the Fash-Welcoat Game Platinum Cup Finals series Tuesday after he was offended by the on-court behavior of the Welcoat players. Apparently, the Welcoat players were incensed that their top gun Jercules “Jojo” Tangkay, the league’s front-runner in the statistical MVP race, lost the award to Fash’s Peter June Simon, and claimed that Tangkay was maliciously overlooked in the selection. GCM
(AFP FOTO)
Johnson in All-Star NEW YORK – Hall of Famer Magic Johnson will be among those participating in the Shooting Stars competition, the newest addition to the National Basketball Association AllStar Weekend. The Shooting Stars will feature four teams consisting of an NBA player, a WNBA player and former NBA star in a timed one-round shooting event. The event will take place on Feb. 14 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, one night before the AllStar Game. Johnson will headline the Los Angeles Lakers team that will include guard Derek Fisher and Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie.
Bulls coach fined NEW YORK – Chicago Bulls coach Scott Skiles was fined $7,500 by the National Basketball Association here yesterday for criticizing referee Jess Kersey. Kersey officiated the Bulls’ 10697 loss Monday at Seattle, where Skiles complained afterwards that he was being ignored throughout the game. “Jess turned his back on me from the beginning of the game,” Skiles said. “I’m not sure why. He was a big baby. It’s a shame for a guy of his experience to be that way.” Kersey called Chicago’s Tyson Chandler for a second technical foul, which results in an automatic ejection. (Text by AFP)