EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 220 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021
SPORTS
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Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots 10 for 15 in 33 minutes of action. PHOTO: AP
P2-M awaits MPBL Invitational champ
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huge early Christmas gift awaits the champion of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Invitational. Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas announced on Friday night that he would be giving away PHP2 million to the team that will win it all in the short tournament from December 11 to 23. MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes believes the huge pot money at stake should give the teams another reason to go all-out. “That’s added motivation to those who are involved in the organization, especially the players, dahil papunta na rin sa Pasko eh (because Christmas is nearing),” the Philippine Basketball Association legend said. The other two podium finishers will also not be leaving the pre-Yuletide event empty-handed.
The second placer will receive PHP500,000, while the third placer will take home PHP250,000. Balanced field The announcement happened during the group draw for the elimination round of the MPBL Invitational at the Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom in Pasig. The 22 participating teams were divided into four groups of varying numbers of clubs. Groups A and D will have six teams each. Western Visayas-based teams Iloilo United Royals, Bacolod All-Star Ballers, and newcomers Negros Muscovados have all been drawn to Group A to be joined by Luzon-based clubs Bacoor City Strikers, Pasig Realtors, and the Caloocan team now known as the Excellence. The other six-team group, Group D, will have Manila, Rizal, Imus, GenSan, Mindoro, and Bulacan in it.
Bucks beat Pacers for seventh straight win I NDIANAPOLIS — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 13 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks extended their winning streak to seven, routing the Indiana Pacers, 118-100, on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time).
The Bucks led by five at halftime and pulled away with a 39-27 third quarter. Guard Jrue Holiday scored 11 of his 23 points in the quarter. “We’re playing together and everybody is contributing,” Holiday said. “It’s been fun.” Much like the surging Bucks, who improved to 13-8, Holiday has been hot in averaging 19.7 points in
the last four victories. He also had nine assists and seven rebounds against Indiana. “Being able to go through the things we went through last year was huge,” Holiday said of winning the NBA title. “We know we can make a run at any time.” Bobby Portis scored 15 points, Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton each
had 14, and Indianapolis native George Hill added 13 for the Bucks. “We didn’t have enough in the tank tonight,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “We just had a very difficult night.” Caris LeVert led the Pacers with a season-high 23 points. Malcolm Brogdon had 16. “They’re the champions,” said the Pacers’ Justin Holiday. “It’s going to be a tough game against them every time.” In reference to multiple reports that the Bucks have signed veteran center DeMarcus Cousins, coach Mike Budenholzer acknowledged a lack of depth
at center because Brook Lopez has played only one game due to a back injury. “When you look at the depth chart and look at how we’re subbing, depth at the big position is something that we could use,” Budenholzer said. TIP-INS Bucks: Extended series winning streak against Pacers to six games ... Antetokounmpo has led the team in scoring in 17 games and in rebounding in 16 games. Pacers: After a season-high 12 assists Friday night in a home win over Toronto, Brogdon had just two. ... Domantas Sabonis scored a season-low four points on 1-of-8 shooting.
The lead was just two after a Cuba basket by Jasiel Rivero with 34 seconds remaining. The US didn’t call a timeout, and Thomas kept the ball in his hands for the entirety of what became the biggest possession of the game for the Americans. The two-time NBA AllStar — who averaged 29 points for the Boston Celtics in 2016-17 and spent a considerable amount of time battling injuries since — waited for a screen, used it and connected from near the top of the key for a 93-88 lead. “We have prepared for those moments,” US coach Jim Boylen said. “We were organized. And he made a huge play.” Thomas — an NBA free agent with hopes of getting back into the league — last
appeared on the national team in February, starting two games during qualifying for the AmeriCup. He led the team with 14 points per game in those contests, with the US defeating the Bahamas and Mexico. He was in the NBA briefly last season, averaging 7.7 points in three games with New Orleans. “For me, personally, the ultimate goal is to get back in the NBA,” Thomas said. “But I just love playing the game of basketball. So, obviously, at some point, if the NBA isn’t an option I’ve got to look at options overseas. But I’m in love with the game. No matter where I’m playing, I have no pride whatsoever. I love competing and I love playing against the best players in the world.”
Thomas’ clutch trey lifts USA past Cuba in Fiba qualifying
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Isaiah Thomas and the US squad survive a huge scare. PHOTO: FIBA.BASKETBALL
HIHUAHUA, Mexico — Isaiah Thomas made sure USA Basketball’s road to the 2023 Fiba World Cup didn’t begin with a major upset. Thomas scored 21 points, including a sealing 3-pointer with 13.3 seconds left, and the Americans erased a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Cuba, 95-90, on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) in their World Cup qualifying opener. “It’s an honor and a privilege to put USA on your chest,” the 32-year-old Thomas said. “So, anytime USA Basketball comes calling, I’m always going to be for it. We have a great group of guys, a great coaching staff and it was fun to be out there. It was a great game. It was a tough game for us.”
