Bryant gets more than a little help from his friends

Source: GMANews.tv from AP

BOSTON —Kobe Bryant stopped his dribble, spun one way to look for a teammate, turned back the other, then just hoisted a tough shot that missed badly.

At that point, who would he have wanted to pass to?

That was early in the fourth quarter, when Bryant was the only Los Angeles Lakers player providing any offense.

But his teammates finally started scoring when Bryant stopped, sending the Lakers to a 91-84 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA finals.

Lamar Odom, who was silent in two games off the bench in Los Angeles, made two baskets in the final quarter, both when the Celtics were within one possession. Derek Fisher had five of his six field goals in the period, and Pau Gasol had one.

“They weren’t going to let me beat them down the stretch," Bryant said. “It was important for everybody to make plays, and our guys made plays. Lamar made a big play, Pau made big shots, Derek obviously made big shots, and that’s what we have to do."

Bryant had only one field goal, but by then he was probably worn out from carrying the Lakers.

With no help in sight, he had four of their six field goals in their dreadful third quarter, with Gasol adding the other two.

Amazingly, the Lakers didn’t have a basket from anyone other than those players from late in the first half until Fisher’s basket with under 9 minutes left.

“You know, we did a lot through Kobe in the third quarter, which really got us in trouble," Fisher said. “In the first half we were much better with our execution, ball movement, and it makes it hard for their defense when we’re moving the ball and we’re moving players."

Fisher finished with 16 points, one of his best efforts of the postseason, and Odom made all five shots and scored 12.

“Just Derek being Derek," Bryant said. “He makes big plays all the time. He never ceases to amaze me."

Odom had only five points in 21 minutes of the opener while battling foul trouble, and Game 2 was even more frustrating. He picked up three quick fouls there and was on the court for only 14 1/2 minutes.

But he got off to a strong start, and was back on the court for the big finish.

“Well, he got going," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “He had a kiss shot that went in off the backboard. That was kind of a gift from God to him for all that stuff he’s been through in the series."

Last time Bryant was in Boston during the finals, he was helpless as none of his teammates stepped up in the Celtics’ blowout victory in the clinching Game 6 of the 2008 series.
This time, the Lakers were at their best when he wasn’t scoring.

Bryant had only two free throws in a 10-1 run that closed the first quarter, and contributed only one field goal in an 11-3 spurt to start that second that extended the Lakers’ lead to 37-20.

They got a key contribution during the stretch from sporadically used Luke Walton, who entered in the first quarter when Ron Artest was in foul trouble.

“Everybody on this team is prepared to play," Odom said. “Everybody works hard, practices hard together, everybody’s prepared."

Bryant did most of the work over the next two periods, but the Celtics kept closing during that time.

Not to worry for Bryant. By then, help was finally on the way.

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SLR's exit plan? Kelly, Ryan traded to TNT

Source: JVP/Rey Joble, GMANews.TV

Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez entered the press room as a protocol for winning coaches facing sports writers after the game.

He has won the match, his team’s third in its last four games, but came up with an opening statement as if he has lost a big one.

"I can’t imagine my team without my (most valuable player)," said Fernandez.

Yes, indeed, Fernandez lost his prized-player, 2007-2008 MVP Kelly Williams, after the Realtors shipped the versatile forward to Talk 'N Text, ending weeks of trade rumors.

As if that was not enough, the Realtors also lost their former rookie of the year, Ryan Reyes also to the Tropang Texters, completing a nine-player, three-team trade deal considered as the biggest this season.

But Williams and Reyes were two of the only players with greater value, so to speak in a trade that also involved Barako Coffee. The two cagers who played for the PBA-backed national team to the FIBA Asia Championship in separate occasions, will go to the Tropang Texters as a diverting route to the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas developmental squad.

The two players are reportedly set to be loaned to Smart-Gilas, which is also being supported by Manny V. Pangilinan, who also owns the Texters' ballclub in the PBA.

Also involved in the multi-player trade were Ali Peek, Nic Belasco, Pong Escobal, Ogie Menor, Yousif Aljamal, Mark Isip and a future rookie draft pick.

The Realtors were able to secure the rights on Peek, Belasco, Escobal, Menor and Aljamal.

The Energy Coffee Masters tabbed Isip and a future pick.

Sta. Lucia team manager and former PBA chairman Buddy Encarnado told GMANews.TV that it's really hard to let go of two of the Realtors' best players.

"Things are really done for a reason and one of them is because of a higher calling and that is to represent the national team," said Encarnado.

Sta. Lucia’s last hurrah?
But is this the sign that we have seen the last of Sta. Lucia in the PBA?

Encarnado neither confirmed nor deny that the Fiesta Cup would be the last conference in the PBA for the Realtors, who won two titles in nearly two decades of participation in the country’s premier cage league.

"We can't really tell it," said Encarnado when asked if this will be the final conference of the Realtors. "It’s like asking somebody if he still wants to stay alive or wants to die."

"But you cannot question anymore Sta. Lucia's tenure in the PBA. We have stayed longer than some of the teams that participated here. Right now, we'll still continue to show the same passion and willingness to compete," added Encarnado.

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War of words erupts between Lakers coach Jackson, Durant

Source: GmaNews.TV from AP

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— Phil Jackson doesn’t understand why Kevin Durant was upset with his comments about the Oklahoma City Thunder star getting superstar treatment from the referees.

The Los Angeles Lakers coach’s line about the referees earned him a $35,000 fine from the NBA on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Jackson was asked about Durant, who led the league in free throws, and he said in part, “I think a lot of the referees are treating him like a superstar. He gets to the line easily and often."

In response to Jackson’s comments, Durant told the Oklahoman newspaper in part: “It’s taking away from what I do. That’s a part of my game, getting to the free throw line and being aggressive. If you say that I get superstar calls or I get babied by the refs, that’s just taking away from how I play. That’s disrespectful to me."

On Friday, Jackson said he didn’t see Durant’s response.

“I really don’t know what he was upset about. It really wasn’t that upsetting," the coach said.

“He shot the most free throws in the league, he made the most free throws in the league, he shot the most shots in the league, he made the most shots in the league. I voted for him on the All-Star team, he made the All-Star team, we know he’s a great player, congratulations."

Asked about Durant feeling disrespected, Jackson replied, “Whatever."

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Kings take on Fiesta Cup champion Beermen

Source: GMANews.TV

Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico acknowledged defending PBA Fiesta Cup champion San Miguel Beer as the team to beat.

And on the way to the championship, one has to go through the Beermen themselves.

Uichico and the Kings get the initial crack at it when they battle the talent-laden Beermen in the main game of a Sunday doubleheader at the Araneta Coliseum.

“If you want to be contenders for the championship, you have to be able to compete with San Miguel," said Uichico.

The Beermen (4-1) shot on top of the standings following Coca-Cola’s 91-80 loss to Rain or Shine Friday.

Just half a game behind, the Kings can catch up with the reigning champions on top with a win in their 6:30 p.m. encounter.

Making Sunday’s schedule – which has Air21 battling Sta. Lucia in the curtain raiser – is the special appearance of former league commissioner Rudy Salud and ex-Senator Robert Jaworski Sr., along with some members of the Toyota and U-Text teams that saw action in the inaugural games of Asia’s first ever pro league 35 years ago.

The guesting of Salud and yesteryear’s star players is part of the PBA’s weeklong celebration in commemorating its foundation in April 1975.

San Miguel is currently on a three-game winning roll, although it was pushed to the limit the last time by Alaska in a 95-89 overtime victory.

Ginebra has the luxury of resting for about a week after picking up its second straight win last Saturday, coming back from a 16-point third-quarter deficit to drop Rain or Shine, 100-98, in a game held at Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Prior to that, the Kings dealt the Coca-Cola Tigers their first loss in the tournament, 98-91.

Knowing how dangerous the league’s crowd darling is, San Miguel mentor Siot Tanquingcen is not about to take chances, directing his team to take care even the nitty gritty of things.

“We have to make sure we don’t get outrebounded and give up second chance points," he said. “Likewise, we have to be able to make key stops and not allow them to get the momentum in the game."

Serving as sidelight of the potentially explosive game is the match-up between Ginebra’s Awvee Storey and Gabe Freeman, last year’s Best Import winner when he steered the Beermen to the title opposite the Kings.

Storey exploded for 40 points and pulled down 25 rebounds in the Kings’ victory over the Elasto Painters.

Meanwhile, the Realtors and Express each try to snap their three-game losing streaks in their 4 p.m. duel.

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Francisco stops foe in fifth round

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Drian Francisco of the Philippines last night demolished a Panamanian who only looked good on paper, winning their WBA superflyweight eliminator at the Ynares Sports Center and lining himself up for a shot at the world title.

The 27-year-old Francisco, now undefeated in 20 fights, with one no-contest, sent Ricardo Nuñez to the floor twice midway in the opening round, and on the second knockdown he celebrated like the fight was already over.

Francisco stepped on the ropes of a neutral corner as referee Bruce McTavish made the count. But Nuñez, who didn’t looked like the fighter ranked No. 1 by the WBC and No. 2 by the WBA, managed to get up on his feet.

The fight lasted longer than was expected after the two knockdowns, but it was clear that Francisco was to run away with the victory. Nuñez, 118-2 as an amateur and now 18-2 as a pro, looked like a bum pretending to be a boxer.

The end came in the 2:52 mark of the fifth round, with Nuñez down on the floor like he was never going to get up.

Now, Francisco will have to wait for the winner of the May 8 fight between WBA superflyweight champion Nonuo Nashira and Hugo Cazares in Osaka. Whoever wins that fight will have to defend the title against Francisco.

“I wanted to finish the fight soon because the opportunity was there. It was my opportunity,” said Francisco.

In the main supporting bout, Niño Magboo retained the WBO Asia-Pacific superbantamweight title with a unanimous decision over the stubborn Rey Las Piñas of General Santos City.

Magboo threw the better punches early in the fight and had Las Piñas in trouble in the third when the native of General Santos City took a blow to the head and looked off-balance when his gloves touched the canvas. It was ruled a knockdown.

Al Sabaupan of the Philippines made short work of Heri Andriyanto of Indonesia who was stopped with less than a minute left in the second round, and the native of Batangas walked off the ring wearing the IBF Pan Pacific lightweight belt.

Sabaupan, who wears his hair and goatee like boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, used a short left uppercut to finish off his opponent, quite lucky to last two rounds, considering that he has lost five of his last six fights before climbing the ring.

Sabaupan improved to 12-0 with eight knockouts.

Lloyd Francisco, the brother of Drian Francisco, got a big scare in the ninth round but went on to beat Leonardo Doronio in their super-bantamweight contest.

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Back to square one in Gilas hunt

Source: By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas’ search for a naturalized import continues as team manager Frankie Lim said yesterday the latest candidate Jared Homan of Iowa State has declined a contract offer with 7-foot Michael Fey of UCLA the new target in the effort to find a dominant center for the national basketball
squad.

Since the departure of C. J. Giles and Jamal Sampson, Gilas coach Rajko Toroman hasn’t found a replacement to play the center position as a naturalized import. He recently took the team to play in Australia and Serbia without an import. Gilas is scheduled to play another series of games in Las Vegas and Vancouver late this month in preparation for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha on May 22-30.

Lim said Homan was close to signing until an offer came from Bulgaria
for a similar role. Lim was previously in talks with Dwayne Jones, Brian Butch and Earl Barron all of whom backed out of the negotiations to play in the NBA.

“Homan asked if he could play in the PBA as a local and I told him it wasn’t possible because of the PBA rules,” he said. “I spoke with his agent Andrew Vie who was very frank in our negotiations. We were close to bringing Homan over until Bulgaria came in. Bulgaria offered Homan a slot in their national team as a naturalized import with the added incentive of being able to play in the Euroleague as a local, meaning he could earn more without being listed as a foreigner.”

Lim said he explained to Vie that playing in the PBA as a local wouldn’t pay as much as playing as an import because of the salary cap. Besides, the PBA will not allow a naturalized citizen to play as a local. In Bulgaria, a naturalized import is able to earn as much or even more as a foreigner because of his eligibility to play in the Euroleague.

Lim said his list of candidates is down to about four but the problem is he hasn’t scouted any of the remaining options. Fey, 26, is at the top of the list and Lim said he will try to fly him in for a tryout with Toroman. Fey played four years at UCLA and as a junior in 2004-05, averaged 8.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 23 minutes in 29 games, including 27 starts. That season, he shot .546 from the field and .697 from the line. His collegiate career high was 23 points.

As a UCLA senior in 2005-06, Fey missed 21 games because of injuries, including a groin strain, a sprained left shoulder and a severe right ankle sprain. He managed to play in 18 contests, starting two and averaged only 1.7 points. UCLA lost to Florida in the NCAA finals that year. Two of Fey’s varsity teammates are now in the NBA – the Los Angeles Lakers’ Jordan Farmar and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Luc Mbah a Moute.

Lim said it will be difficult for Gilas to be competitive at the Asian level with Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Aldrech Ramos, Rabeh Al Hussaini or Jason Ballesteros playing the slot.

“Greg has improved dramatically but he’s not at the level where he can compete against the big centers of Asia,” said Lim, referring to the likes of Lebanon’s Jackson Vroman, China’s Yao Ming and Iran’s Hamed Haddadi. “Our goal is to qualify for the semifinals in the Asian Games this November but we’ll need a center to help us.”

Lim ruled out recruiting Toroman’s 6-8 son-in-law Mladen Sakulavac, the Dallas Mavericks’ second round pick in the 2002 NBA draft. Sakulavac, 29, has played for the Yugoslavian national junior team and is a fixture in the Serbian league.

Last year, Sakulavac visited Manila and impressed Toroman’s local coaching staff with his deadly accuracy from the floor. SBP executive director Noli Eala described him as a Peja Stojakovic play-alike. But Sakulavac’s history of having played for Yugoslavia will not allow him to play for another national team under FIBA rules.

Toroman confirmed yesterday that because Sakulavac had played for Yugoslavia, he will not be eligible to play for another country in FIBA competitions.

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Aces get back at Llamados

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Swept by Purefoods (now called B-MEG Derby Ace) in four games in the Philippine Cup finals, Alaska Milk got some measure of revenge, beating the Llamados, 83-81, in their first meeting in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro last night.

They were swept away in the all-Filipino finale yet they won their first confrontation in the reinforced tourney handicapped by the early ouster on fouls by import Diamon Simpson.

Willie Miller made the deciding basket on a drive off three defenders in the closing seconds as the Aces notched their second straight win following a 0-2 start in the season-ending tourney.

Miller redeemed himself after becoming the goat in their overtime loss to San Miguel Beer last Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Reynel Hugnatan and Tony dela Cruz also sank clutch baskets helping the Aces win the third leg of the Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra clash at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Araneta Coliseum at the conclusion of the weeklong anniversary celebration of the league.

Former PBA commissioner Rudy Salud will grace the affair along with members of the Toyota and U-Tex teams which battled it out in the main game of the league’s inaugural bill on April 9, 1975 also at the Big Dome.

A trendy Suzuki motorcycle from Norkis, one Extreme Magic Sing, 10 short-term scholarship plans from Informatics and Molten basketballs will be raffled off while the Bingo Bola ng PBA offers P35,000 on the first draw, P10,000 on the second draw and P5,000 on the third draw.

Singers Luke Mijares and Paolo Santos will perform at the break.

The Llamados suffered a second straight defeat after nine consecutive victories in the season as they squandered a 10-point lead at the start of the final quarter, held down to two points in the last two minutes of the contest.

Still, they had a chance to win the game but Wade muffed a jumper with the count tied at 81-all with time down to 4.5 seconds.

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