De Ligt makes history
Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £11.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://subscribe.premiersports.tv/ Matthijs de Ligt made history, becoming the first foreign player to score his debut Juventus goal in the Derby della Mole. The Dutchman became the first foriegn player in Juve’s 122-year history to score their first goal for the club against city rivals Torino. De Ligt, signed for €75m in the summer from Ajax, volleyed home in the 70th minute following a Gonzalo Higuain cut back from a corner. The goal will take a weight off the young player’s shoulders, as he’s struggled in his opening months in Bianconeri colours.
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The much debated Decision Review System will not be used in the forthcoming Test and ODI series between hosts India and Australia.”There won’t be any DRS in the series. We have already written to the International Cricket Council,” said Cricket Board’s CAO, Prof Ratnakar Shetty here today.Australia, who are set to arrive on September 21, are to play two Tests (at Mohali and Bangalore) and three ODIs (at Kochi, Vishakapatnam and Goa).Asked if the DRS could be used in next year’s Cricket World Cup to be held in the sub-continent, Shetty, who is also the Tournament Director, said it was an ICC event and the world body called the shots over the issue.On July 1, the ICC Executive Board met in Singapore and approved 13 recommendations relating to the use of DRS in Test matches and the 2011 World Cup following recommendations from its Cricket Committee and minor amendments from the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC).One of the decisions was that the host member board would determine whether to use DRS in home Test series (following consultation with the visiting country).It was also agreed that DRS would be used in 2011 World Cup if agreement can be reached with the ICC’s broadcast partner ESPN STAR Sports, the host countries (Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka) and if there is sufficient technology available to operate DRS in a global event.ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said after the meeting that the world governing body for the game was eager to use DRS in cricket’s mega event.advertisement”We have all seen the benefits of using DRS to assist umpires in Test cricket and we are now keen to use DRS in the ICC Cricket World Cup,” he had said.
Australian spin legend Shane Warne and former England coach Duncan Fletcher on Thursday joined the growing clamour for life bans on Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir if they are found guilty of ‘spot-fxing’.Pakistan’s Test skipper Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad are facing a Scotland Yard investigation over their alleged involvement in a betting scam “exposed” by a British tabloid’s sting operation.Warne, who was himself fined for sharing information with a bookie in 1994, said if found guilty, the Pakistani players deserve nothing less then a life ban.”If it is true and they have been found (guilty of) match-fixing and throwing games and spot betting with the no-balls and stuff, if that’s the case they should be thrown out,” Warne was quoted as saying in media reports here.”It’s as simple as that. I don’t think there should be any other way to do it. If it’s fixed by players, they should be banned for life. Anyone who’s involved should be thrown out,” he said.The former leg-spinner was a commentator during this January’s Australia-Pakistan Sydney Test which is suspected to have been fixed. Warne said he would not be surprised if it turns out that the match, in which Australia pulled off an unlikely 36-run win, was indeed rigged.”They are only allegations at the moment so I suppose you have to say innocent until proven guilty,” Warne said.”But looking back at the (Sydney) Test match, if it was fixed, you could understand how it was fixed by the way they were captaining the side and their tactics. It would make sense — if it was true,” he added.advertisementFormer England coach Fletcher said if the Pakistani cricketers are found guilty, it would do irreparable damage to the game and the cricketing ties between England and Pakistan.”We must remember that allegations of malpractice made against some of Pakistan’s players remain unproven. But if the allegations are true then Pakistan are guilty of a terrible lack of respect to the game and to English cricket,” Fletcher wrote in his column for ‘The Guardian’.”England have gone out of their way to help Pakistan cricket at a difficult time in their history. They have recognised the huge problems Pakistan cricket faces while they cannot stage matches in their own country because of the threat of terrorism. You would not think it was possible to squeeze any more cricket into an English summer, but somehow they did it. To read the allegations that are now being made is pretty hurtful,” he added.Fletcher said the scandal should not be taken lightly and the game’s administrators should be ruthless in dealing with the guilty.”Treating cricket with disrespect is not a frivolous matter. There must be no distinction between a player found guilty of rigging an entire match and a player found guilty of deliberately bowling a no ball. We must be ruthless and put the fear of God into people. Even the smallest transgression must mean that a career is over,” he said.
Opener Gautam Gambhir’s back-to-back 90s against Australia and Sri Lanka have not only helped India’s cause, but have given steel to an otherwise wobbly line-up. However, in the next ODI against Australia on Sunday he could be seen warming the benches as per Team India’s rotation policy.After his disastrous Test tour Down Under, Gambhir came back into his own in the ongoing tri-nation CB Series.Overcoming his shortcomings against extreme swing and pace, which were exposed time and again as India were whitewashed by the hosts in recently concluded Test series, the Delhi Dasher back to form guiding his side to a credible victory over the number one team with his 92 runs on last Sunday.Gambhir stamped his authority against Sri Lanka with a critical 91 in Tuesday’s tie to turn his fortunes as only he can. With 188 runs at a healthy average of over 60 in three innings so far, the opener has risen to the Aussie test emerging as India’s premier in-form batsman.However, with the men in blue determined on their rotation policy with the openers, Gambhir might well be forced to warm the benches in the upcoming Brisbane ODI.Skipper M.S. Dhoni recently said, “The interest of the team comes first. This is the time when we can do that. Gauti has scored runs. We also want Viru and Sachin to score runs so that the best XI can play the finals.”No doubt, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar’s return to top form would strengthen India’s chances of sealing a final spot. But the repeated failures of the big guns combined with the flop show from young Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma have only highlighted Gambhir’s value to reigning world champions.advertisementThe team management, however, seems willing to compromise on their best XI considering the long term goals.”These youngsters will be there for 2015 World Cup. We may not be there. It is important for them to experience conditions,” Dhoni insisted.It is indeed a catch 22 situation for Team India down under. While it is critical that one keeps an eye on the bigger picture, the team would have to guard against hampering the in-form Gambhir’s rhythm by reducing to the sidelines. After all, he has given ample evidence of why he would be key to India’s hopes of a second CB Series triumph.
Jayanta TalukdarHe loves the Max Payne video game and action movies like Mr & Mrs Smith, but Messrs Payne and Pitt have nothing on 20-year-old archer Jayanta Talukdar.The Guwahati native, now a rising star in his sport, is ranked world No. 1 in the recurve bow after a gold medal,Jayanta TalukdarHe loves the Max Payne video game and action movies like Mr & Mrs Smith, but Messrs Payne and Pitt have nothing on 20-year-old archer Jayanta Talukdar.The Guwahati native, now a rising star in his sport, is ranked world No. 1 in the recurve bow after a gold medal win at the World Cup in Croatia.Only a perfect ten off his final arrow would secure gold. “All I had to do was shoot perfectly”, he says of the time he nailed the bull’s-eye.The Asian Games this year are next and then, of course, the Olympics.
Brazilian swimmer Glauber Silva has been banned for two years and stripped of his place at the London Olympics for doping.Silva, who last month qualified for the 100m butterfly event in London, tested positive to excess levels of testosterone during Brazil’s Olympic swimming trials in April, Xinhua reports.He was handed the sentence by Brazil’s swimming confederation (CBDA) Wednesday after being found guilty by a doping panel.The CBDA also announced suspensions to swimmers Flavia Delaroli and Pamela Alencar.Delaroli was handed a three-month ban for using tuaminoheptane while Alencar was suspended for six months for testing positive for the diuretic furosemide.Silva’s claim that increased levels of testosterone were caused by a hormonal imbalance were refuted by the panel, which said the results were consistent with steroid use.The suspensions are the latest in a string of doping scandals to hit Brazilian swimming.Last month, Barbara Benke was banned for four months after testing positive to isometheptene.In 2011, four swimmers tested positive to furosemide, including defending Olympic 50m freestyle champion Cesar Cielo, who was later cleared.
Why do you think more of Sir Viv Richards than Michael Bevan? Is it because the sight of the ball disappearing into and over billboards satisfies some primal instinct? Or is it that the swaggering charm of the West Indian reminds you of what you could have been – the,Why do you think more of Sir Viv Richards than Michael Bevan? Is it because the sight of the ball disappearing into and over billboards satisfies some primal instinct? Or is it that the swaggering charm of the West Indian reminds you of what you could have been – the clockwork efficiency of the Aussie one-day specialist bringing to mind the classmate who was the perennial star of the prize-distribution day and the villain of your nightmares? You are not alone. Outside the sight of a lucky captain holding aloft the World Cup before millions of viewers, good old-fashioned hitting is the shortest ride to cricketing fame. Only bowlers want to forget hitters like Richards and Sanath Jayasuriya. Lance Klusener’s Cup performances in 1999 alone mean that no matter what his form, he will be held in dread till the day he retires. Hitting is one tradition that is in no danger of going out of fashion. In South Africa, keep your eyes peeled for Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist. Vivian Richards Master blasterThe World Cup is the stage for the kings of cricket. No one combined the regal arrogance and brute power of a monarch better than the son of an Antiguan jail superintendent. There were big hitters in cricket before him and there will be many more after him, but Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards was an original. Richards stood alone in a great team for the clean authority of his batting. A 23-year-old Richards came upon his – and cricket’s – first Cup in 1975 quietly, a debutant who scored 38 runs in all; but he impacted the final against Australia, running out Alan Turner and the Chappell brothers, Greg and Ian, to break partnerships that were threatening the West Indian total of 291. The West Indians ended up winning by 17 runs and were crowned cricket’s first world champions at Lord’s. Four years later when he returned to the World Cup, Richards was regarded as the game’s most fearsome and fearless hitter who swatted bouncers off his face and took on the fastest bowlers with gum-chewing insouciance. In the 1979 final, West Indies were 4-99 but England couldn’t stop Richards. He tore into the bowling, and when the dust settled was 138 not out, off 157 balls (11 fours, three sixes). A 137-run partnership between Richards and Collis King helped West Indies reach a total of 286. It was a bridge too far for England. The most destructive batsman in modern cricket had destroyed them long before they began to bat; England lost by 92 runs. For Richards the second consecutive World Cup win was, he says, “A turning point in the West Indian cricket history. We knew we could beat anybody and had no reason to feel inferior.”advertisementMark Greatbatch Pinch Perfect Mark Greatbatch was unstoppable in 1992. Part of Martin Crowe’s strategy to take opponents by surprise in the World Cup, the hefty lefthander was one Kiwi who took wing and flew far that year. Sent as a pinchhitter – with the brief to lead a kamikaze’s life at the crease – Greatbatch, a middle-order batsman by choice, revelled in rubbing opening bowlers the wrong way. Crowe’s novel strategy of having him hit quick bowlers over the top in the first 15 overs worked well for New Zealand. Opposition quickies didn’t have the time to adapt their bowling against the assault. The prematch meetings of rivals started centring on thinking of ways to contain Greatbatch with only two fielders at the fence in the initial overs. It was during New Zealand’s third league match against South Africa that Greatbatch’s intentions became clear. His 68 took only 60 balls. His 63 against the Windies and 73 in the match with India came in bursts of boundaries and sixes. Other teams were quick to learn the Greatbatch Way. Today, all sides grant one-day openers the licence to go after the bowling in the first 15. Greatbatch couldn’t keep up with the pace he had set and is forgotten today. But every time an opening batsmen gets ready to go for broke, the Greatbatch spirit lives on.Sanath Jayasuriya Matara Mauler Nobody was afraid of Sanath Jayasuriya when World Cup 1996 began. That was because no one had heard of him. But Jayasuriya took only one month to gain fame to last a lifetime. In partnership with Romesh Kaluwitharana, he took Manoj Prabhakar’s first two overs in the World Cup group match in Delhi for 33 runs. It was enough to shatter the bowler’s confidence forever. The short boundaries at the Ferozeshah Kotla had never looked nearer the batting crease. In the game against Kenya at Kandy, the Lankan was at it again, the team putting up 50 on the board in 20 balls. In the quarterfinal against England, Jayasuriya took four consecutive fours off Richard Illingworth. A six off Phillip DeFreitas landed on the pavilion roof.advertisementThe batsman’s 82 took just 44 balls. In the 1996 Cup, giving even the first ball of the innings the treatment wasn’t beyond Jayasuriya. He still treats bowlers in much the same way.Sourav Ganguly Bengal Tiger The India captain is going through batting horrors at the moment, but there are bowlers from Shaun Pollock to Chaminda Vaas who know what the left-handed opening bat is capable of on the big day. Ever since he took on the job of opening the Indian innings, first with Sachin Tendulkar and now with Virender Sehwag, Ganguly has brought his gift of clean timing, sparkling off-side play and an unabashed braggadocio into play in the one-day game. Ganguly stamped his presence on the World Cup with a mammoth innings versus Sri Lanka in Taunton in 1999. His 183 is the highest score by an Indian in a World Cup innings. Ganguly’s blitz of 183, with 17 fours and seven sixes, also equalled a record for the maximum number of sixes in a World Cup innings. In 2003, he will relish fighting his way out of the corner he is in.
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netGuarding Paul Desiderio was never strange for Ron Dennison.The two were teammates in high school at University of Visayas and both entered the UAAP at the same time in Season 76 and this familiarity helped Dennison put a stranglehold on Desiderio.ADVERTISEMENT ‘A complete lie:’ Drilon refutes ‘blabbermouth’ Salo’s claims Desiderio, the University of the Philippines’ stalwart headed into the Sunday matchup against Far Eastern University averaging 21 points a game, and Dennison made sure Desiderio would not reach that mark.“We were teammates in high school, so I knew how he moved,” said Dennison in Filipino after FEU trumped UP, 78-59, at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “I just played straight-up clean defense.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games openingREAD: FEU rolls to 3rd straight win, routs UPWith Dennison hounding him, Desiderio struggled from the floor, scoring ust nine points on 4-of-12 shooting, and converted only one of his five attempts from long range. Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim Winter storm threatens to scramble Thanksgiving travel plans And, just for the record, Desiderio is 0-7 against Dennison. 29 football fans hurt as French stadium barrier collapses Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Argentine bishop appears at court hearing on abuse charges For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Trump to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups
Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next MOST READ Desiderio also came off a career performance in a stunning win over defending champion La Salle with 30 points.READ: Desiderio struggles, praises ‘great defender’ DennisonDennison also made his presence felt on the offensive end with 16 points and three assists while also grabbing seven rebounds.The two also had an interesting duel last season in the first round when Dennison got ejected.“Last year, he one-upped me with that flop so during the game he started acting again but I didn’t let him do the same thing again,” said Dennison.ADVERTISEMENT LATEST STORIES Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ No more menthol cigarettes: New ban on tobacco, vape flavors Jordan delivers on promise: 2 Cobra choppers now in PH Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games View comments
Palace: Robredo back to ‘groping with a blind vision’ Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim Only eight games were played this week as the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament resumed after the Halloween break.ADVERTISEMENT Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ Malditas save PH from shutout Papi Sarr. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netPapi Sarr just showed University of the Philippines who’s the boss.The 6-foot-8 Soaring Falcon towed Adamson University in an all-important 86-70 win over the Fighting Maroons on Sunday putting up a gaudy 25-point, 17-rebound line.Sarr’s dominance over UP helped the 9-4 Soaring Falcons seal the third spot with a game to spare in their schedule.Forward: Arvin Tolentino (Far Eastern University Tamaraws)Arvin Tolentino. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netThe birthday boy delivered the goods for Far Eastern University when the Tamaraws needed it the most.ADVERTISEMENT Matt Nieto (Ateneo Blue Eagles)Matt Nieto. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netAs Ravena filled up the box scores against UST, Matt Nieto lit up from deep.Nieto had 19 points in the Blue Eagles’ 102-83 win over UST and all five of his field goals came from beyond-the-arc.Not too shabby for Nieto, who exploited the Growling Tigers’ lackadaisical perimeter defense. Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next All but one of the Final Four spots are now filled as Adamson University secured the third seed with Far Eastern University currently in fourth.University of the Philippines is a full game behind FEU while National University will now need to have its prayers answered if it wants to get to the semifinals.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games openingNow that the Final Four scenarios have been settled, here are the best players by position this week.Center: Papi Sarr (Adamson University Soaring Falcons) The Fatted Calf and Ayutthaya: New restos worth the drive to Tagaytay After 30 years, Johnlu Koa still doing ‘hard-to-make’ quality breads And the game’s magnitude wasn’t much of a factor for Pingoy as he put up 15 points, eight assists, six steals, and zero turnovers against the Fighting Maroons.Pingoy’s savvy play helped Adamson take an 86-70 win over UP as the Soaring Falcons calmly perched at the third seed and the 5-7 Fighting Maroons dropping to fifth.Guard: Jasper Parker (Far Eastern University Tamaraws)Jasper Parker. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netWith his family cheering him on, and the Tamaraws eager to take sole possession of fourth place, Jasper Parker put on a show.Parker led the Tamaraw charge against UE on Sunday with a season-high18 points and eight assists as his family saw him play at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum for the first time.Honorable mentionsBen Mbala (De La Salle Green Archers)Ben Mbala. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netIt’s kind of awkward to see reigning MVP Ben Mbala get relegated to the honorable mention spot.Well the reason for that is Sarr’s game with Adamson had a bigger implication as the win led to the Soaring Falcons securing the third spot while Mbala’s Green Archers already had their twice-to-beat advantage in their possession even before the Halloween break.Still, Mbala produced this week’s highest-scoring output with 30 points that went along eight boards.
MRT 7 on track for partial opening in 2021 For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ FEU needed to win its Sunday’s game against University of the East and the 22-year-old Tolentino heeded the call when the Tamaraws needed a closer.With a 49-49 score board at the end of the third quarter, Tolentino completed a four-point play that completed the Tamaraws’ 21-8 run in the fourth that gave FEU a comfortable 70-57 lead with 3:27 left in the game.FEU held on to win 79-63 to get to 6-6, and the fourth spot, with Tolentino finishing with 10 points, seven in the fourth, and seven boards.Forward: Thirdy Ravena (Ateneo Blue Eagles)Thirdy Ravena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netAteneo already secured the top seed in the league even before it faced University of Santo Tomas on Saturday.That precedent, however, didn’t prevent Thirdy Ravena from putting on a show in front of the hapless Growling Tigers.Ravena finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in the Blue Eagles’ 102-83 victory over UST and produced one of the best highlights of the season when he jammed home a tomahawk with 2:22 left in the game.Guard: Jerie Pingoy (Adamson University Soaring Falcons)Jerie Pingoy. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netWhat a surprise, another Soaring Falcon.When Sarr bullied his way through the UP interior, Jerie Pingoy orchestrated in and out of it. View comments It’s final: Bundit still Ateneo Lady Eagles coach ‘A complete lie:’ Drilon refutes ‘blabbermouth’ Salo’s claims Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games LATEST STORIES
Jordan Spieth of the U.S. hits his second shot on the 10th hole during the fourth round of the Australian Open Golf tournament in Sydney, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)SYDNEY — Defending champion Jordan Spieth’s difficult week in Sydney ended on a positive note Sunday — the American eagled the 18th hole for a 4-under 67.Spieth never seemed comfortable at The Australian Golf Club earlier in the tournament and couldn’t break 70 over the first three rounds, posting earlier scores of 70-71-70 for a tournament total of 6-under 278.ADVERTISEMENT “It was a great finish,” Spieth said. “I felt like I hit a lot of really beautiful shots that weren’t necessarily rewarded today based on just trying to judge the crosswinds.“That’s all it was today. I really felt like I shot 62 today and it was 67, I had so many looks.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games openingSpieth was coming off his longest layoff since his college days, nearly seven weeks since last playing in the Presidents Cup.Spieth was also playing without his regular caddie, Michael Greller, who stayed in the U.S. after the recent birth of his son. Spieth’s longtime coach, Australian Cameron McCormick, was on his bag the week Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games ‘A complete lie:’ Drilon refutes ‘blabbermouth’ Salo’s claims Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Jordan delivers on promise: 2 Cobra choppers now in PH Malditas save PH from shutout Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim Spieth was trying to win the Australian Open for the third time in four years.He won the Australian Open in 2014 in his first appearance in the tournament when it was played at The Australian. He won again last year in a playoff at Royal Sydney. In 2015, he finished in a tie for second with Adam Scott and a shot behind winner Matt Jones at The Australian.He said having his coach as caddie was beneficial.“I was just kind of voicing a lot more than I would have ever voiced to Michael,” Spieth said. “I thought it was important for Cam to kind of hear how I’m feeling hole after hole, day after day and about different situations. I think we actually made a lot of progress in that sense, or at least have a good starting point to make some progress this off-season.”Spieth was non-committal about making another trip Down Under for next year’s Australian Open.ADVERTISEMENT Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’
The Fatted Calf and Ayutthaya: New restos worth the drive to Tagaytay Wolves beat Booker-less Suns MRT 7 on track for partial opening in 2021 “I’d love to explore it,” Spieth said. “It’s just a matter of, like I’ve said every year, I try and figure out what’s going on the next week, let alone a year from now.”Spieth will play next week at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas where tournament host Tiger Woods will make his return to competitive golf.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next MOST READ After 30 years, Johnlu Koa still doing ‘hard-to-make’ quality breads LATEST STORIES View comments
The Fatted Calf and Ayutthaya: New restos worth the drive to Tagaytay Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games MRT 7 on track for partial opening in 2021 After 30 years, Johnlu Koa still doing ‘hard-to-make’ quality breads View comments Nazareth inaugural girls’ volley champ The Tigresses, who are getting the on-court lessons they need for the coming UAAP season, are winless in six starts while the Tornadoes created a three-way gridlock with the Petron Blaze Spikers and F2 Cargo Movers on top at 6-1.“We want to finish the eliminations on top,” said Foton coach Moro Branislav.Cocolife (3-3) and Sta. Lucia Realty (1-5) battle in the other match at 4:15 p.m..A top finish in the single-round eliminations would pit the No. 1 team against the No. 8; No. 2 against No. 7; No. 3 against No. 6; and No. 4 against No. 5.ADVERTISEMENT Malditas save PH from shutout Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. 
Even Sara Klisura was surprised upon finding out she scored a Philippine Superliga record 41 points.“Wow! 41 points?!” said the 25-year-old open spiker while looking at the score sheets after leading two-time defending champion Foton over erstwhile unbeaten F2 Logistics in Batangas City over the weekend.ADVERTISEMENT Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ MOST READ LATEST STORIES “I don’t usually count,” added the Serbian, who turned pro when she was 18 and has seen action for Russia, Italy and Romania in the European League.Klisura eclipsed the record of American Kristy Jaeckel, who made 40 playing for Petron three seasons ago.Incidentally, that earned Jaeckel the nickname “Jae-Kill,” very similar to what local writers have coined for Klisura: “Kill-Sura.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games opening“It’s not very important for me,” said Klisura of her scoring binge in the ongoing Chooks to Go-PSL Grand Prix. “The important thing for me is to make sure we get the championship.”That stern, no-fancy attitude will be front and center when Foton takes on lightweight Victoria Sports-UST at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Center. Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next ‘A complete lie:’ Drilon refutes ‘blabbermouth’ Salo’s claims Jordan delivers on promise: 2 Cobra choppers now in PH
Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim Effort pays off as Blackwater neutralizes Ginebra’s height advantage Ginebra Gin Kings. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netFor Greg Slaughter, Ginebra’s 94-77 shock loss to Blackwater boiled down to one thing—poor execution on offense.It was Blackwater’s first victory against Ginebra in the PBA Philippine Cup and Slaughter admitted the Elite just had their way against the Gin Kings.ADVERTISEMENT “We didn’t really make it hard on them with our offense,” said Slaughter Friday at Mall of Asia Arena. “We had just 30 something points (33) in the first half and they took advantage of us every time with their offense.”What it lacked in size against Ginebra, Blackwater made up for in speed and sheer guts to punish the Gin Kings in transition.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games openingSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingThe 6-foot-7 JP Erram and 6-foot-4 Mac Belo both scored 22 points as the two ran circles around Japeth Aguilar and Slaughter who stand 6-foot-9 and 7-feet, respectively.Blackwater’s fast-paced offense played to the tune of 16 fast break points and 29 points off turnovers. PH military to look into China’s possible security threat to power grid Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ ‘A complete lie:’ Drilon refutes ‘blabbermouth’ Salo’s claims “Every time we had a sloppy offensive possession, they pushed it to the other side,” said Slaughter whose team turned the ball over 21 times. “It’s tough when they spread the offense, and also our main problem was our execution on offense.”Slaughter also commended how Erram, his former teammate in the UAAP with Ateneo, matched up with him despite their substantial size difference.“Poy’s good, we’re both from Ateneo, so I know how hard he works so I wasn’t surprised,” said Slaughter who finished with 20 points and 10 boards. “He continued to work hard and hard work always pays off.”ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ LATEST STORIES
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And last month, Schumacher’s family said they were confident that the racing legend who defied death more than once on the track would pull through.Michael Schumacher is “showing small signs of progress”, his spokeswoman has said, with the Formula One legend slowly recovering from devastating brain injuries suffered in a ski accident.”There are short moments of consciousness and he is showing small signs of progress,” Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm told German broadcaster ARD on Sunday.”There are moments when he is awake and moments when he is conscious, which make us happy and give us great courage.”Of course I am not a doctor, but medically, there is a distinction between being awake and being conscious, the latter meaning there is an ability to interact with his surroundings.”I don’t want to disclose details out of respect for the family, but we have no doubt at all in the abilities of the doctors treating Michael, they are experts in their field.”Kehm stressed that any interaction with Schumacher is “on a very limited basis” and added that “a medical prognosis is not possible” due to the nature of his brain injury.Schumacher has been in a medically induced coma in Grenoble, France, since being badly injured in a ski accident on December 29 in the French resort of Meribel with his son and friends.Kehm said Schumacher’s family have been touched by a deluge of tributes and support from fans of the racing driver, but constant media speculation, particularly in German newspapers, has caused the family some anguish.advertisement”What upsets the family most is media quoting doctors who are not treating Michael and untruths are constructed from these,” said Kehm, who has been in Grenoble nearly every day since the accident.”It has been a problem when outsiders comment and it means we have to set the record straight, even when we don’t want to.”The 45-year-old Schumacher underwent two operations in the days after the accident to remove life-threatening blood clots before being placed into a coma.The family announced at the end of January that drugs used to keep him in his deep sleep were being reduced with a view to bringing him back to consciousness.In February, his friend and former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa was quoted as saying that Schumacher seemed to respond to him during a visit.”He is sleeping, he looks normal and he showed a few responses with his mouth,” Massa told German tabloid Bild.And last month, Schumacher’s family said they were confident that the racing legend who defied death more than once on the track would pull through.Schumacher survived a motorbike accident in Spain in 2009, during which he suffered head and neck injuries but was released from hospital after just five hours.Kehm once again asked that the privacy of Schumacher’s wife Corinna and their two children be respected, while thanking well-wishers for their support.
Wilson Palacios and Carlo Costly will be crucial for Honduras in the World CupPlaying at the World Cup for only the third time, teamwork and organization will be key for Honduras.Just qualifying for the tournament in Brazil was a massive achievement, but now the focus is on finally winning a match on football’s biggest stage.Here are five players to watch:CARLO COSTLYCarlo Costly is a tall striker who has been unable to find consistency in his club career.He has played in Poland, England, Romania, Mexico, the United States, Greece and China, but returned to Honduras with Real Espana early in 2014.Despite the globe-trotting, Costly has remained a central focus of the Honduran national team since debuting in 2007, although he missed out on the last World Cup because of injury.Costly uses his physical strength and aerial prowess to cause problems for defenders. He holds the ball up for his teammates and is an awkward player to mark.The former Birmingham player scored a famous goal for Honduras in World Cup qualifying, netting a second-half winner at Estadio Azteca to seal victory over Mexico.JERRY BENGTSONJerry Bengtson is Honduras’ other tall, powerful striker.The Costly-Bengtson partnership has the ability to cause problems for group rivals Ecuador, France and Switzerland at the World Cup.The New England Revolution player scored nine goals in 12 games in CONCACAF qualifying and is known for his all-around ability to both play with his back to goal and create opportunities for himself.advertisementBengtson made a name for himself outside of the Americas at the 2012 Olympics, scoring the goal that defeated Spain 1-0 to knock the European nation out of the tournament.EMILIO IZAGUIRRELeft back Emilio Izaguirre plays for Scottish champion Celtic and is one of the only Honduras players – along with Wilson Palacios and Andy Najar – with experience playing in the Champions League.The defender is best known for his forays down the left flank, but his crossing into Costly and Bengtson is one of the most dangerous aspects of the team.Izaguirre has previously been linked with big-name clubs outside Scotland, where he was voted the first division’s 2010 player of the year by his peers.MAYNOR FIGUROAWith more than 100 appearances for the national team and more than 200 Premier League games, Maynor Figueroa is one of Honduras’ most experienced players and is charged with leading the defense at the World Cup.Figueroa plays at left back for Hull, where he moved from Wigan in 2013, but is a central defender for Honduras, partly due to Izaguirre’s quality. He has a knack of scoring spectacular goals, including one in December 2009 from his own half when playing for Wigan.Goalkeeper Noel Valladares is Honduras’ captain, but Figueroa is one of the main leaders in the team.WILSON PALACIOSA combative defensive midfielder, Wilson Palacios’ best moment came at Tottenham when he dominated AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf in the Champions League in 2011.Palacios became Honduras’ most expensive player when Tottenham signed him from Wigan in 2009.The central midfielder has struggled following a move to Stoke in August 2011, failing to break into the first team on a regular basis, although he remains a key figure for Honduras and a leader on the field.Tragedy struck Palacios’ family in 2009 when his younger brother was found dead in Honduras. He had been kidnapped in 2007.
An elephantine effort marked the end of the 12-day worship of the elephant God Ganesh in Hyderabad on September 13. Nearly half the city poured into the streets to take part in the “Ganesh Nimmajanam” ceremony when several thousand multi-coloured idols, ranging in height from a few centimetres to six,An elephantine effort marked the end of the 12-day worship of the elephant God Ganesh in Hyderabad on September 13. Nearly half the city poured into the streets to take part in the “Ganesh Nimmajanam” ceremony when several thousand multi-coloured idols, ranging in height from a few centimetres to six metres, and in weight from a few hundred grammes to 12 tonnes were taken in reverent procession for immersion in the shimmering waters of the Hussain Sagar lake.In wave after celebrating wave, the cavalcade passed by on foot or in trucks, tractors, bullock-carts and push carts, as enthusiastic groups of onlookers, mostly women and children, showered marigold and rose petals on the spectacle that took more than three hours to pass a point on the 12 km route.All along the way lighting standards were festooned with saffron flags stamped with Om and plantain leaves, and a posse of armed police and saffron-capped volunteers stood by to complete what one onlooker described as “the greatest show of Hindu solidarity”.The organised and orderly procession revealed the meticulous nature of the planning. Its organisers, the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS) arranged for information desks at every 100 metres, with public address systems to inform onlookers of who was passing by at the moment. Volunteers, shops and hotels along the route distributed water and in some cases tamarind rice to all who asked for it.Though belief has it that Ganesh uses a mouse for his steed, the procession had him ride on peacocks, the fabled Garuda, in an elephant’s belly, and even a tank and an aircraft.advertisementAs the bands played, crackers exploded and the massed devout cried themselves hoarse with: “Ganesh Maharaj ki jai”. The carnival atmosphere was slightly spoiled by the occasional slogans of “Go hatya band karo” (Ban cow slaughter), “Hindu rashtra bachao” (Save the Hindu state), and Hindu ekta zindabad, (Long live Hindu unity), which smacked of communal and political overtones.Great Enthusiasm: Paradoxically, the origins of the massive festival are rooted in the problems faced by the Government and police in allowing a Moharrum procession in 1979. The then chief minister Channa Reddy and the police placated militant Hindu leaders in the Old City area by giving them permission to take out a Ganesh procession.Ganesh (top) and onlookers (above): Mixing religion and politicsThe Government’s immediate concern was to ensure peace when the Moharrum procession passed by under curfew. Hence from last year the Ganesh procession and festivities are being celebrated with such eclat that Bombay’s traditional splendour pales in contrast.Expectedly, the Arya Samaj which has organised religious processions during Holi and Dussera for the last 50 years in Hyderabad has been joined by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh.The chief architect of the Ganesh festival is the veteran Arya Samaj leader Vandemataram Ramachandra Rao. Says he: “For the first time there were problems in bringing together such a huge procession. Some of these have been overcome though frankly speaking we were apprehensive of trouble following the July flare-up. So, we drew up a 1,000-strong volunteer force from several organisations to help the procession to move smoothly. This is a religious procession, though it is yet to take that shape fully. The intention is to organise the celebration as an all-party, non-party effort.”However, the intentions of all the members of the BGUS, who include local leaders of the BJP, select Congress(I) men and rich traders besides the representatives of the Arya Samaj, are not as plain.Some BJP and Congress(I) leaders have funded the purchase and installation of idols besides organising music and dance programmes every evening as part of the festivities, in an obvious attempt to make political capital out of the rejoicing.Hyderabad BJP leader A. Narendra accuses Congress(I) leaders, including a minister, of having tried to entice some local utsav samithis away from the September 13 procession by offering money. Says he: “They took out processions on other days flouting religious practice in order to build political support in view of the coming corporation elections. But with the massive turnout for our procession the chances of a Congress(I) rout in the elections are bright.”Heavy Guard: Following the July carnage the prevailing tensions in the Old City are a matter of serious concern for the Government. When passionate speeches with communal overtones became a daily feature during the Ganesh festivities, Chief Minister T. Anjiah even threatened to cancel the procession.Anjiah addressing the crowd: Adding his power to his gloryThough the men who supplied most of the flowers and the trucks for transporting the idols were Muslims, the Government viewed it as “a communally sensitive” procession. Officials held several rounds of meetings to decide steps to prevent any violence. On the day before the procession Anjiah inspected the arrangements by driving around the city.About 125 platoons of the Andhra Pradesh Special Police, Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force, all available officers of the rank of deputy superintendent of police and below attached to various police offices in the city, joined the regular city police force sporting steel helmets and pistols to make it a heavily guarded event.advertisementInevitably, with several official facilities given for the procession, Anjiah seized the opportunity to play his party tune. Addressing the processionists at Moazzam Jahi Market, one of the assembly points en route to Hussain Sagar, he referred to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and was promptly heckled.Similarly when one of his publicity crazy ministers, Sarojini Pulla Reddy, chanted ‘Jai Hind, Jai Indira’ she was immediately booed. Other ministers and Congress(I) leaders tried to draw attention to themselves at different points on the procession route. Anjiah assured the idol makers in a bid for sympathy: “The Government will help improve your lot by setting up a co-operative.”Though the organisers were peeved at this, BJP leaders were more or less satisfied with the effort: they felt they had managed to gain public sympathy and support without waving their flag but by showing their organisational capabilities. Enthused by the response the BGUS is already planning the Ganesh festivities for next year.Narendra says bigger Ganesh idols, one for each locality, helps “bring about greater unity in the community”. Ramachandra Rao feels that “such a religious procession must be purposeful and help to instill discipline. It would be more orderly like some kind of route march”. With such militant enthusiasm in the air, it is very likely that Ganesh will ride in more sumptuous glory next year.
Shane Watson would be honoured to stand in for Michael Clarke as Test skipper against India next month even if he thinks it’s increasingly unlikely that Australia will need a caretaker captain.Australia are sweating on Clarke’s hamstring injury ahead of an important three months of cricket on home soil, which takes in the four Tests against India and the co-hosting of the 50-over World Cup with New Zealand.Allrounder Watson, who has had more than a few injury problems of his own in recent years, said he had spoken to Clarke and the prognosis for the injury was improving.”The diagnosis is, I think, better than what it was initially, which is a great thing. It’s all very positive,” Watson told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.”Everyone’s got their fingers crossed. Hopefully, over the next week or so, it’ll continue to improve really well and he’ll right for the first Test.”Watson was the stand-in last year in India when Clarke missed his only Test since he replaced Ricky Ponting as captain in March 2011.On the comeback trail himself in the one-day series against South Africa having missed half a year of international cricket because of injury, Watson said his focus was on proving himself worthy of a recall to the Test side.”I just need to be scoring runs over the next couple of weeks to give myself the best opportunity to be able to do that,” he added.Watson should get his chance in the remaining three one-dayers against the Proteas, in Canberra on Wednesday, Melbourne on Friday and Sydney on Sunday. The series is tied at 1-1.advertisementThe Test series against India begins in Brisbane on December 4 with matches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney to follow.
Yesterday Samsung almost made it certain that it will be launching the Galaxy S6 on March 1 by sending media invites. Now another rumor is doing rounds that the device will be launched along with a new payment system in partnershipwith VISA. The rumour ofthe new payment system is sourced from the Korean media.Samsung’s new payment system will be based on LoopPaytechnology. LoopPay alleges to be the world’s first mobile wallet solution thatwill allow customers to pay with the LoopPay device without the need of anyextra equipment from the retailers side as it can function with a normaldebit/credit card swiping machine. Currently only four devices support theLoopPay technology. With a big player like Samsung adopting the technology,LoopPay will surely get a boost in their user base. Samsung will have a different approach in implementing thetechnology, it will utilize the new Galaxy S6 fingerprint sensor. According torecent rumors, the company’s upcoming flagship will sport a non-swipefingerprint sensor. The sensor will still enable the usual TouchWizfunctionality, including Private mode, Pay with PayPal, as well as signing intoSamsung Account.Reportedly, LoopPay is also working on touch enabled paymentcases for the current Samsung flagships: Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung GalaxyNote 4. To get more information we will have to wait for Samsung’s GalaxyUnpacked event on March 1,2015.
Cristiano Ronaldo poses with the FIFA Ballon d’Or trophy in Zurich Living in the shadows of your nemesis can be disheartening for anyone, but if you are Cristiano Ronaldo it’s got to sting a little too much.Ever since his first Ballon d’Or triumph in 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo has been watching his arch-rival Lionel Messi claiming the honours for four consecutive years. Messi-mania was at peak and the Argentine star was being labeled as an all-time great.Despite being on par with the Argentine, while some might argue that, the Portuguese star was being rated behind his arch-rival. There was confusion and a lot of frustration for CR7 over the span of five long years.Cristiano Ronaldo and his wife Irina Shayk at the FIFA galaThe situation was good enough to push a rational human being into a state of depression. But, it couldn’t deter the Real Madrid striker from achieving the impossible.The 28-year-old star trusted his instincts and ensured that he answered his critics on the field with spectacular performances. Ronaldo was hungry and looked like a man on a mission to claim what was rightfully his.Ronaldo embarked on an epic journey in 2013 with 69 goals in 59 matches for Real Madrid and Portugal, when it seemed his tally of 63 goals in 2012 would take some matching.Cristiano Ronaldo with his son at the FIFA galaBut, it was his spectacular individual performance for Portugal in the World Cup qualifiers that undoubtedly sealed the coveted award for the footballer. Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in the play-off against Sweden, proving in his duel with Zlatan Ibrahimovic that he is second to none.In the UEFA Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo was back at it again. The stylish Real Madrid star thumped nine goals during the 2013/14 season to set a new record for the group stage of the tourney.advertisementCR7 has six hat-tricks to his name for Real Madrid in 2013, taking his club tally to 23. When compared to his arch-rival, Ronaldo stands tall with 29 goals against Lionel Messi’s 16 in all competitions during the 2013/14 season.Cristiano Ronald and Lionel Messi at the FIFA Ballon d’Or galaLike they say, in order to be the best you need to take out the best. And after waiting for five-long years, Ronaldo – with tears in his eyes – clinched the coveted award to dethrone Messi.Few might feel that Lionel Messi’s hamstring injury and FIFA’s extension on the balloting deadline beyond World Cup playoffs favoured Ronaldo. But, love him or hate him, Ronaldo is now the world’s best football player.”First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you and then you win,” Mahatma Gandhi could well have meant to say this about Cristiano Ronaldo.Here’s something for the CR7 fans: