It’s one win that meant little in terms of the standing at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, but so much for millions of Filipinos unhappy with the state of their national basketball program and aching for relief from a string of defeats. Before an 11,000-plus crowd that packed the Smart-Araneta Coliseum last night (Sept....
Category: Sports
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Luckless Gilas Pilipinas moves to salvage World Cup ranking
Before their Aug. 29 match at Smart-Araneta Coliseum versus the Azzurri of Italy, Gilas Pilipinas had the daunting task of drawing up a game plan that would not only beat the Italians but also be ahead by at least 12 points. It looked achievable considering that the Azzurri were awful at the 3-point arc in...
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Gilas Pilipinas lives and dies with Jordan Clarkson
A Gilas Pilipinas game plan that lives and dies with NBA star Jordan Clarkson ended in a heartbreak loss, 87-81, to the Dominican Republic in last night’s (Aug. 25) first FIBA Basketball World Cup group stage match. The Philippines is, of course, still in contention, but it’s a tough road ahead as Clarkson and the...
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Philippines pulls out all the stops for FIBA World Cup
All roads lead to the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, on Aug. 25, the opening day of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. After the opening ceremonies, the first game, between Italy and Angola, will commence at 4 p.m. The Philippines’ Gilas Pilipinas will then see action against the Dominican Republic in a game that...
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Spain’s World Cup victory is a triumph for women’s sports
It was the only goal Spain would make for the entire 105 minutes of the final match against England on Sunday night, Aug. 20, in Sydney, Australia. Yet it was the only point that La Roja—the Red One—would need to lift their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy. The goal came early: Just 29 minutes...
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July was a thrilling month for women athletes
In the world of women’s sports, the month of July was thrilling. From July 23 to July 30, the second edition of the most prestigious stage race on the women’s cycling calendar—the Tour de France Femmes—tested the best female cyclists from around the world as they covered a 956-kilometer route throughout France. Of course, there’s...
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Filipinos hope to win big at The International 12 in Seattle
(Last of two parts) So can Filipinos and their teams join The International 12 (TI 12), the “Olympics of Dota 2 e-sports,” in Seattle, Washington, on Oct. 12-29? With a prize pool of at least $19 million (P1.04 billion), The International features teams from China, North and South America, East and West Europe, and Southeast...
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The Pinoy road to the ‘Olympics of Dota e-sports’
(First of two parts) Even before young children or even food delivery riders on a break started playing the hit video game Mobile Legends Bang Bang, internet cafes were already packed with Defense of the Ancients (Dota) enthusiasts showcasing their best over cash bets (pusta) or bragging rights. Visiting players (dayo) continue to travel to...
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Filipinas’ World Cup Cinderella run ends, but applause, admiration remain
The FIFA Women’s World Cup match on July 30 that pitted a heavyweight against a team playing for the first time on football’s grandest stage resulted in what most sports pundits expected. Hope that the Filipinas—or the Philippine Women’s National Football Team—would pull an upset against Norway had been stoked by its 1-0 win in...
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Bolden is golden and Filipinas make World Cup herstory
Don’t count them out yet. It’s true that the Filipinas—or the Philippine Women’s National Football Team—were blanked, 2-0, by the top-ranked Swiss squad in their historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut last July 21, strengthening the 500-1 chance given by the United Kingdom-based sports betting community platform, OLBG. But against New Zealand, which cohosts the...