Japan, Kazakhstan take wins in AVC classification
PHOTO from asianvolleyball.netBIÑAN, Laguna—Japan and Kazakhstan netted early wins in the classification stages of the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship Sunday, gaining a head start for a better seeding in the quarterfinals.The Japanese swept Chinese-Taipei 25-19, 25-16, 25-20, to improve their record to 2-0 as the “carry-over” effect applies to the tournament.ADVERTISEMENT Read Next Resurgent Federer advances to Montreal final MOST READ The classification stage will be used to determine the eight teams’ seeding come the quarterfinals. K-pop star Jung Joon-young convicted of gang rape, spycam crimes WATCH: Streetboys show off slick dance moves in Vhong Navarro’s wedding U.S. urges Japan, South Korea to share intel PLAY LIST 01:35U.S. urges Japan, South Korea to share intel00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games LATEST STORIES Catriona Gray spends Thanksgiving by preparing meals for people with illnesses
View comments LOOK: Venues for 2019 SEA Games SEA Games in Calabarzon safe, secure – Solcom chief Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC UPLB exempted from SEA Games class suspension Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Japan technically owns a 3-0 win-loss record but with Australia getting eliminated from the tournament the win over the Aussies won’t be counted in the classification rounds.Chinese-Taipei slipped to 1-1.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutThe Kazakhs had a slight slip-up in their game against Vietnam but prevailed in four sets, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20, and improved to a 2-0 record in the classification stage.Vietnam is at 0-2 in the classification stage.
Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Mbala says ‘I did not intend to hit or hurt’ Nieto Read Next Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university PLAY LIST 01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: 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 City Magsayo revealed that he wants to fight for a title elimination bout Joseph Diaz Jr of the United States to earn a shot at WBO world featherweight champion Oscar Valdez of Mexico.Magsayo is ranked No.2 in the WBO featherweight division while Diaz Jr is the current top contender.The last Pinoy Pride in Bohol with an estimated 30,000 crowd was in November 2005 when Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista was defeated by his opponent. Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo. FACEBOOK PHOTOTAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — ALA Gym’s undefeated Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo has defended his WBO International Featherweight title against Japanese challenger Shota Hayashi during the main event of Pinoy Pride 43: The Battle in Bohol on Saturday night.The 22-year-old Magsayo (18-0, 13 KOs), who was fighting in front of his home folks had his hands full against Hayashi (30-6, 18 KOs) who made a gallant stand against the hometown favorite, but all three judges scored the 12-round title bout 116-112 in favor of the Boholano.ADVERTISEMENT Yahashi sports a record of 30 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw with 18 stoppages. He was the former Japanese featherweight champion. He last fought Markquil Salvana of the Philippines on Sept. 3 in Kariya, Japan, where he stopped the Gensan native in the 4th round.Hayashi had previously told media that if he lost to Magsayo it would be his last boxing career.“Masaya ako. Daghang salamat sa taga-Bohol. Sa naga suporta nako daghang salamat (I am overwhelmed. Thank you Boholanos. Thank you to all my supporters),” said Magsayo after the fight.He also thanked Hayashi for a good fight.“Salamat kalaban at binigyan mo ako ng 12 rounds pero nakaya din kita (Thank you to my opponent for reaching 12 rounds but I was able to win),” he said.ADVERTISEMENT LATEST STORIES View comments MOST READ Kris Aquino ‘pretty chill about becoming irrelevant’ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Hayashi, 30, of Nagoya, Japan, put up a sturdy defense in the first two rounds, but Magsayo unleashed his punch on the third round.Magsayo, also called Magnifico, connected with heavy blows to the face and body of Hayashi whose defense started to wane through the following rounds.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutDuring the fifth and sixth rounds, Hayashi regained composure although his face started to slightly swell in the fourth round. However, Magsayo’s punch caught Hayashi by surprise that he continued to hit him.Magsayo has remained undefeated, improving his record to 18-0 with 13 knockouts. CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort
During that gap, Jaycee Marcelino never stopped working to stay on track.And on Thursday, Marcelino’s grind paid off as he led the Pirates to the national title of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League against none other than the Red Lions.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSLillard, Anthony lead Blazers over ThunderSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutout“My goal was to really become a champion,” said Marcelino in Filipino after the 70-66 clincher. “I want to experience that championship feeling that’s why every practice, every game I really give it my all and put in extra effort.”Marcelino poured in 19 points while grabbing nine rebounds and tallying three steals to pace the Pirates to be named the Finals MVP of the tournament. It’s been more than two months since Lyceum lost to San Beda in the championship series of the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. 2 ‘newbie’ drug pushers fall in Lucena sting Martinez kicks off Winter Games stint View comments LATEST STORIES John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding AFP official booed out of forum Sports venues to be ready in time for SEA Games PLAY LIST 00:59Sports venues to be ready in time for SEA Games01:27Filipino athletes get grand send-off ahead of SEA Games00:50Trending Articles01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: 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 City
Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH NEXT BLOCK ASIA 2.0 introduces GURUS AWARDS to recognize and reward industry influencers Globe Business launches leading cloud-enabled and hardware-agnostic conferencing platform in PH Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Read Next Slow and steady hope for near-extinct Bangladesh tortoises MOST READ And he also dabbled in the clutch for the Pirates when he put the Red Lions effectively at bay with less than a minute remaining.Lyceum held a 66-58 lead midway the fourth but the Red Lions managed to cut the deficit to four, 66-62, after Clint Doliguez finished the 6-0 run on a three-point play with 2:26 left.After the scoreboard stayed stagnant for more than a minute, Marcelino broke the silence and gave the Pirates a 68-62 lead with an elbow jumper 44.9 seconds left in the game.“I’m really that we became the champions for the first time and it was against San Beda,” said Marcelino. “I really wanted to get one against San Beda, and of course I also want to win in the NCAA.”“This is an experience for us and now we know what we have to do when we want to win another title.”ADVERTISEMENT
1 dead in Cavite blast, fire CLEVELAND — David Griffin’s run with the Cleveland Cavaliers is over after one championship and three straight trips to the NBA Finals.The general manager and team mutually parted ways on Monday when owner David Gilbert said Griffin’s contract will not be extended once it expires June 30.ADVERTISEMENT “On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Griff for his leadership and many contributions during his time here, including most recently, his role in the franchise’s first NBA Championship,” Gilbert said in a statement.“We have no announcement at this time related to new leadership of the Cavaliers basketball operations group, but we are confident our current front office will continue to aggressively explore and pursue opportunities to improve our team in the weeks ahead.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutGriffin’s departure comes three days before the draft — the Cavs are currently without a pick — and on the eve of free agency.The 47-year-old Griffin had been Cleveland’s GM since May 2014. He took over the role on a full-time basis after serving as an interim GM for three months following Chris Grant’s firing. Griffin oversaw the team’s return to prominence after LeBron James came back from Miami. Griffin orchestrated the trade that brought Kevin Love from Minnesota, and he bolstered the Cavs’ roster with other trades and free agent signings.Griffin was the fourth GM to work for Gilbert, who bought the Cavs in 2005.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next LATEST STORIES Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ Heart Evangelista admits she’s pregnant… with chicken World’s 50 Best Restaurants launches new drinking and dining guide 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 Tiger Woods receiving professional help to manage meds Heart Evangelista admits she’s pregnant… with chicken Jordan delivers on promise: 2 Cobra choppers now in PH WATCH: Firefighters rescue baby seal found in parking garage Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ What ‘missteps’? View comments
Sports Injury centre off the Blocks India’s first sports injury centre at Safdarjung Hospital is ready for the CWG. Built at a cost of Rs 70 crone, the unit is all set to handle the slew of “overuse injuries”-runner’s knee, tennis elbow, broken bones or torn ligaments-that abound in a,Sports Injury centre off the BlocksIndia’s first sports injury centre at Safdarjung Hospital is ready for the CWG. Built at a cost of Rs 70 crone, the unit is all set to handle the slew of “overuse injuries”-runner’s knee, tennis elbow, broken bones or torn ligaments-that abound in a sporting event of this scale. That’s not all. The 35-bed centre has hi-tech physiotherapy units and gym facilities. From cardio, strength training, hydrotherapy, sauna, steam baths-you name it, they’ve got it. Apart from modern diagnostic facilities-MRI-CT scanners, digital X-rays, doppler scans-three modular OTs with video conferencing facilities have also been added.The Kerala ContingentIndia’s very own Kerala massage is meant to be a health staple during the Games. Over 150 ayurvedic therapists have been hand-picked by the Kerala Government to provide relief to tired or injured athletes at various venues. But the ayurveda brigade is not happy. The adverse publicity of the CWG has apparently hurt the industry which is slated to be the biggest beneficiary of the event, reports ASSOCHAM.Top Ayurvedic Spas in the Capital:Santhigram Kerala Ayurveda at Safdarjung EnclaveVedanta Ayurveda near Saket Metro stationKeral Ayurveda at Green ParkThe Emergency ProblemThis may very well be the CWG nemesis. Experts say 34 ambulances are needed for general emergencies and 34 more for athletes and VVIPs at each venue. Plus, there have to be 170-180 more ambulances for citizens in a city like Delhi-spread across 1,400 sq km and with a population of 128 million. The CWG numbers are abysmally low. “For the last three years, the authorities have repeatedly tried to put in place a standardised network and failed,” says Dr Vijay Reddy, emergency medicine specialist with Access Health International, which documents the best practices in healthcare. “Now various hospitals have been roped in, apart from the army and other sources.” But without a common control room, protocol guidelines and standardisation, the current plan doesn’t sound very effective. “Especially if there’s a serious crisis,” adds Reddy.Tale of the Tapeadvertisement4 hospitals: AIIMS Trauma Centre, RML, Safdarjung, G.B.Pant42 medical centres and one polyclinic386 doctors, 262 nurses, 103 physiotherapists1882 personnel in the medical workforcePLUS: 857 personnel for first aid support, 64 ambulances, 95 masseurs, 179 medical volunteers–Compiled by Damayanti Datta
Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik, who has been ignored for the 2011 World Cup preliminary squad, has made it clear that his career is far from over and promised to soon make a comeback to international cricket. “It is hugely disappointing not to be selected in the World Cup squad and what is more strange is that neither the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) nor the national selectors have given any reason for ignoring me,” Malik said.The selectors yesterday did not pick the experienced allrounder in the 30-member preliminary squad and the board just stated that Malik was not cleared for selection.Shoaib Malik”I was mentally prepared to be selected as I am in good form and am performing well in the domestic cricket. But I don’t know why they didn’t pick me.”Missing the World Cup is a big setback for me but my career is certainly not over and I can still continue to play for another five to six years, so I know that I can make a comeback,” he added.However, Pakistani newspaper Dawn on Wednesday carried a story that said that Malik was not picked because he could not explain the presence of 90,000 pounds in his bank account in the UK to the integrity committee of the board.”Malik was unable to explain from where the money came from, its source and how it was in his account. That was the reason why he was not cleared for selection,” the report said.The PCB integrity committee had inquired into the assets, bank accounts and sources of income of Malik, Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaneria and Rana Naved in the lead up to the World Cup selection. It also sought advice of International Cricket Council (ICC) till the last moment before considering Kamran and Rana for selection, while ignoring Malik and Kaneria.advertisementMalik, who led Pakistan between 2007 and 2009 also clarified that he had no dispute or differences with any player in the national team and was ready to play under anyone’s captaincy.”I am ready to play under any captain and offer him full support. The impression that I am an intriguer is not right.”Malik said he would continue to play domestic cricket and wait for his time to make a comeback.Meanwhile, the former Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail said that if the board had functioned properly in the past, there would never have been any need for an integrity committee to keep a check on the players.”But anyway the good thing is that the selectors have picked the right mix of experienced and youth in the World Cup preliminary squad, because in such a big tournament you need seniors to lead the way,” Sohail added.He, however, criticised the selection of Yasir Arafat in the World Cup preliminary squad, pointing out that he had already been given lot of chances in the past and had failed to capitalise on them.- With PTI inputs
Australian players celebrate with the 1999 World Cup at Lord’s.No one will ever know if Australia would have had the same domination over world cricket in the 50-over format of the game had South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs not dropped Australia captain Steve Waugh – in an effort to celebrate – at Headingley in the final super-six encounter of the 1999 World Cup on June 13.Australia are yet to lose a match in the showpiece event since that fateful match – having remained unbeaten in 2003 and 2007.With Waugh’s tactical acumen being questioned by all and sundry after a sloppy start to the tournament – beaten by Pakistan and New Zealand in the group stages – the win against South Africa was a must if Australia had to clinch a semi- final spot and Waugh led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 120 as Australia came from behind to eclipse South Africa’s total of 271 and fix up a semi- final date with the same opposition.Back to the home of cricket after a gap of 16 years, the oneday format had undergone a sea of change since the last time when the World Cup was held in England in 1983.While white balls had replaced the red ones, the 60- over game had been curtailed to 50- over a side and the traditional whites had been outdone by the coloured clothing.But the conditions hadn’t changed much and while Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya had a gala time bulldozing each and every bowler in sight in the 1996 edition, he had a tough time in overcast and bowler friendly English wickets. Jayasuriya managed a mere 82 runs from five matches compared to the 221 runs he had scored in six matches in the 1996 edition.He more or less summed up Sri Lanka’s state of affair as the defending champions managed to win only against minnows Kenya and Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe were the surprise package as the team rode on the broad shoulders of all- rounder Neil Johnson, Andy Flower, Health Streak and Henry Olonga among others to create a stir with their performances in the group stages.If Olonga starred in the three run win over India, Johnson helped beat South Africa.While Zimbabwe were the surprise package, Bangladesh’s victory over Pakistan was a case of the 1992 winners taking the minnows too lightly.If choking is an art, South Africa definitely mastered it by first throwing away their match against Australia in the last super- six encounter from a position of strength and then snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the semi- final against the same opposition.Sadly, Lance Klusener’s heroics in the World Cup – 281 runs in nine matches at an average of 140.50 and 17 wickets at an average of 20.58 – ended with a mixup that saw Klusener standing with a dejected look as Adam Gilchrist ran Allan Donald out.Although the match ended in a tie, the Proteas went out of the tournament due to their defeat against the same opposition in the group stage.While Klusener’s heroics earned him the man of the tournament award, one man who used the biggest stage of the 50- over format to evolve as an ODI player and silence his critics was India’s Rahul Dravid.Till then considered to be a misfit in the shorter version of the game, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands to not only amass 461 runs in eight matches at an average of 65.85, but also put on a record partnership of 318 for the second wicket with Sourav Ganguly against Sri Lanka on an overcast day at Taunton – undoubtedly India’s most dominant show in the edition.While Dravid smashed them to all corners of the ground, Ganguly kept coming down the track to heave the likes of Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan beyond the mid- wicket stand. If Dravid paced his innings to perfection, getting to his century at run- a- ball, Ganguly scored his century off 119 balls before tearing into the Lankans, scoring the next 83 runs off just 39 balls.While West Indies failed to create much of an impact, Geoff Allott from New Zealand forced the opposition batsmen to sit up and take notice as he scalped 20 wickets in nine matches at an average of 16.25 to become the World Cup’s joint highest wicket-taker.Pakistan kept their own pace and quietly made it to the final and were up against Australia – a team they had beaten by 10 runs in the group stages. But the final was a onesided affair as Pakistan folded up for 132 with Shane Warne running through the Pakistan middle-order. Australia won by eight wickets.Soon after the World Cup, the match-fixing scandal broke out and saw end of many decorated careers – Hansie Cronje and Ajay Jadeja among others – and an overall change in the way ICC viewed players’ interaction with the media and general public.advertisementadvertisement
A slow-moving file travelling between four government departments delayed the removal of Suresh Kalmadi from his position as chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC).The CBI requested the cabinet secretary to remove Kalmadi and General Secretary Lalit Bhanot from the OC in the second week of December. The proposal was then referred to the Sports Ministry under M.S. Gill, which then forwarded it to the Law Ministry. The Law Ministry sent it to the Attorney General who finally cleared the sacking. The decision was announced by the new Sports Minister, Ajay Maken, less than a week after he took over.Suresh KalmadiThe move to sack the only two remaining key functionaries of the now-disbanded organising committee comes nearly three months after the conclusion of the scam-tainted Games and two months after the CBI took over the probe.The investigation agency, which has filed three FIRs related to irregularities in the Games, says Kalmadi and Bhanot were actively stalling the probe by “intimidating witnesses” and “interfering in the investigation”.”Following the CBI’s request, we got a legal opinion from the Attorney General and took this step,” Maken said. The CWG stain seems to have spread globally too. On a visit to Australia, Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna was virtually ambushed by contractors who had not been paid their CWG dues amounting to several million dollars.Maken has laid down a January 31 deadline for 45 outstanding payments to be made. “When verification of the works is being carried out and legitimate payments are to be made, we can’t have such people in the oc against whom the CBI has made such strong charges,” he said.advertisementKalmadi says Maken’s order is “illegal and arbitrary”. It may have been an attempt at protecting his appointment as president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), virtually the supreme commander of all Indian sporting federations. Maken has, however, clarified Kalmadi’s sacking would not interfere with his role in the IOA. A reassurance for Kalmadi perhaps, but not for Indian sport.
West Indies leg-spinner Anthony Martin, who produced a career-best spell in his team’s win over India in the fourth ODI, said bowling to Rahul Dravid five years ago led him to believe that he could have a career in international cricket.West Indies bowler Anthony Martin celebrates his team’s victory over India. AP”There was this practice game against India in 2006. Dravid hit my first ball for a four and was gone off the second, caught in the slips,” remembers the leg-spinner whose 4/36 led to India’s 103-run loss in the fourth one-dayer here on Monday.”I remember telling myself: ‘Hey, here is this batsman who I watch thrash international bowlers all over the world on television. If I can pick him, I can play international cricket’.””It was also a game where I took Virender Sehwag’s catch.The man just stood in the middle and didn’t want to leave the pitch. I ran around the stadium in celebration.”A fire-fighter by profession, Martin’s story is one of triumph over adversity as a debilitating injury once almost finished his budding career.”I represented Leeward Islands in under-15 cricket as a paceman in 1998. But then I suffered a serious injury and damaged my back.”Since I love this game so much, I started bowling off breaks. Now my Antigua Under-19 coach told me the team has two good off-spinners. So I turn to leg-spin. I always used to bowl a couple of deliveries of leg-spin in the nets as a sort of warm-up. I knew something about it so started working on it.”advertisementMartin said he was motivated to do well after he wasn’t picked up in the third match on Saturday.”It motivated me. I went to the hotel and thought ‘hey, my coach doesn’t think I am fit to play. I am gonna show’.Trinidad was slow. But Antigua is my pitch. Nobody destroys me here,” he said.”Nobody comes here and destroys me in my house. I didn’t want the whitewash. Losing is not a word in my vocabulary.Like my uncle who is my mentor, I don’t tolerate crap. I am always serious. I don’t crack jokes in the middle,” he added.Martin is mindful that in a land which is known for its fast bowlers — Andy Roberts, Curtly Ambrose, Winston Benjamin etc — he is the first spinner to make his mark.”Yes, I am here to make a difference.”Martin owes a lot to his mother and said the mere mention of her makes him feel like shedding tears.”I feel like shedding tears for her. She has done a lot for me, always supported me. She was today sitting in the stands with my daughter.”He has done well in cricket, but Martin still feels that his job as a fire-fighter is a priority.”I sometimes have to handle fire-fighting. Otherwise I do regular police work. Whatever I am told to do I do. If they want me to leave cricket, I would do so. It’s my job,” he said.- With inputs from PTI