Badminton stars coming for international tourney
Determined to be a force to be reckoned with globally in the sport of badminton, Jamaica will stage the second annual International Badminton Tournament this month. The tournament will feature a stellar cast of internationally ranked players who will lock horns with Jamaica’s best for Rio 2016 Olympics qualifying points and US$6,000 in prize money. Action will take place at the National Indoor Sports Centre from March 17-20. Competition will take place in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles competition. Martin Giuffre of Canada, the reigning men’s singles champion, will be back to defend his crown. He is ranked 74th in the world. Also 60th-ranked Osleni Guerro of Cuba is expected to feature, as well as 66th- ranked Howard Shu of the United States. In the women’s singles competition, last year’s runner-up, Zuzana Pavelkova of the Czech Republic is slated to feature; as well as 58th-ranked Jeannine Cicognini of Italy and 75th, Telma Santos of Portugal. TOP NAMES The local hopefuls are led by many-time champions Gareth Henry and his sister, Geordine Henry. Mikaylia Haldane, Garron Palmer, Sean Wilson, Samuel Ricketts, and Katherine Wynter are other top Jamaican names. Jamaica Badminton Association president David Thomas has outlined that the local players will relish the opportunity and may even spring surprises as they look to improve their level of play and competitiveness. Speaking at yesterday’s launch at the Jamaica Olympic Association on Cunningham Avenue, general manager of the Sports Development Foundation Denzil Wilks praised the event’s organisers and sponsors and implored Jamaicans to support a world-class event. “When you approach the Independence Park facilities in the latter part of next week and you see flags and feather banners on the western side of the facility, please recognise that Champs is not the only activity taking place. Let us join them as our little but tallawah country stages two huge championships simultaneously,” Wilks said.
Marco Reus out of Euro 2016 BERLIN (AP): Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus was dropped from Germany’s European Championship squad yesterday and captain Bastian Schweinsteiger made the final cut despite injury. Reus, who had been struggling at the team’s training camp in Ascona, Switzerland, was omitted from the final list of 23 players, along with Hoffenheim defender Sebastian Rudy and Bayer Leverkusen players Julian Brandt and Karim Bellarabi. “The doctors could not give a clear prognosis,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said of Reus. “He has huge health problems and can only walk straight at the moment. More wasn’t possible in training so far. “It’s a bitter decision for us and for him, a disappointment for us all, because a Marco Reus in form, healthy and fit, would have been a huge addition,” Loew said. “But for technical reasons we have to take this decision as we know this tournament will be very strenuous.” Reus also missed Germany’s World Cup win in 2014 because of injury. No evidence of corruption in tennis match LONDON (AP): The Tennis Integrity Unit says no evidence of corruption was found after an investigation into a mixed doubles match at this year’s Australian Open that had reportedly attracted suspicious betting patterns. A statement emailed by TIU spokesman Mark Harrison yesterday said “no further action will be taken against any player involved in the match”, in which Lukasz Kubot and Andrea Hlavackova beat David Marrero and Lara Arruabarrena. The statement added: “TIU investigations not only root out corrupt practices, but also support players who are the subject of unproven speculation.” The Wall Street Journal first reported the TIU’s findings. Wrestling champion gives up Olympic place MOSCOW (AP): A two-time wrestling world champion says he is giving up his place at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after a brawl marred a Russian qualifying tournament. Viktor Lebedev was competing against Ismail Musukayev in a semi-final bout at the Russian nationals on Friday when Musukayev was angered by refereeing calls against him and shoved Lebedev. Musukayev’s supporters and coaches charged into the ring, prompting a scuffle that was broken up by riot police. Wrestlers from Musukayev’s home region of Dagestan then boycotted the tournament in protest at the standard of refereeing, causing a nationwide scandal. Lebedev told local news outlet News.Ykt that he is withdrawing from the Olympic team as “a matter of honour” because he feels the referees gave him favourable calls in front of his home crowd.
Veteran Paralympian Alphonso Cunningham and two newcomers, Shane Hudson and Dana-Gaye Weller, were announced as the three athletes that will represent Jamaica at the upcoming 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio De Janiero, Brazil, from September 7-18.The announcement was made at a press briefing at the Jamaica Olympic Association yesterday.Cunningham, a former world record holder and many-time gold medallist, will compete in the discus and shot put F53 class. Hudson, a 400 metres silver medallist at last year’s World Championships, will be competing at his first Paralympics in the T47 class and will be aiming for gold, while Weller, who will compete in the F51 class in the club throw, will participate internationally for the first time.Coach of the team Neville Sinclair expects all three athletes to at least be on the medal podium.MEDAL EXPECTATIONS”My expectation is that they go there and do their best. We have two persons competing for the first time. Dana-Gaye should be in the final, and once she is in the final, we will take it from there. Shane should be on the medal podium, and based on training and his times, he should get no less than the gold, but at worse, he should finish with a silver,” he said.”Alphonso is the veteran. He has had some hiccups, but he should do himself proud, and I expect him to do well in the shot put and be on the podium. So what they have been doing, in training for the past months, they are going to show it at the Games,” he said.The rest of the delegation includes Javon Campbell (chef de mission), Lincoln Cox (team doctor), Edmund Jones (Paralympic attachÈ), Ann Marie Smith (administrative personnel), Rushane Sterling (massage therapist), Kevin Brown (Web master), Christopher Samuda (president), and Suzanne Harris-Henry (general secretary).Chef de mission Campbell is set to depart the island next Sunday, August 28, and will arrive in Brazil a day later. The team is due to arrive in Rio de Janeiro on August 31. The Games ends with the closing ceremony on September 18, with the team set to depart Brazil on September 20.CONTINUOUS MOTIVATIONSpeaking at the press briefing, Minister of Sports, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange said the Paralympians continued to motivate and inspire all Jamaicans.”I don’t know if you know what an inspiration you all are to our country! You have overcome so many challenges to be performing at such high levels. You demonstrate every day how to be bold when necessary, how to stare adversity in the face, and refuse limitations. Sometimes I put myself in your shoes and wonder if I could have done the things you have,” she said.”We are a small team, and we know you will do your best and you will be satisfied along with your family, coaches, and support team, and the entire nation,” Grange added.
EDWIN Allen High’s Ackelia Smith and J’voughnn Brown of Jamaica College walked away with the trophies for most outstanding female and male performers respectively at yesterday’s JC Purewater/Danny Williams Awards function held at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium, Jamaica College. Smith captured the female award after her winning effort of 5.78 metres in the Class Three long jump. Her winning leap broke the previous record of 5.62 metres set in 2009 by former Holmwood Technical athlete Janieve Russell Wolmer’s Girls’ Valissa Brown was the runner-up. Brown was also named champion female in Class Three after amassing 18 points. She placed second in the long jump with 5.69 metres, second in the 80m hurdles in 12.31 seconds and third in the high jump with 1.55 metres. J’voughnn Brown’s record run of 2:09.19 which broke the previous Class Three record of 2:09.3 set in 1996 by Aldwyn Sappleton, then of Edwin Allen, was voted the most outstanding performance of the meet. Kingston College’s Class Two thrower, Nemory Cockett was adjudged the runner-up. Cockett topped Class Two with 20 points after winning the shot put with 14.05 metres and the discus with 46.10 metres. HARD WORK There were also incentives for the coaches of the most outstanding athletes. Michael Dyke of Edwin Allen and Ortis Wynter of Jamaica College received Samsung Galaxy phones. Meet organiser Ian Forbes lauded the athletes for their achievements and also praised the respective coaches for their hard work. “As usual we think it is befitting to award our athletes and coaches for the tremendous work they have all done and we are already looking forward for next year’ staging,” said Forbes. Also present yesterday were principal of Jamaica College, Wayne Robinson; Kadia Wright, marketing manager of Peak Bottling Company and Headley Forbes, executive member of the organising committee.
However, during a series of inquiries into the matter, it was learnt that Andrews had submitted to the agency a sick leave for the period of his absence from duties. Also, regarding the alleged false representation associated with the pension plan, Sagicor was fully responsible for conducting the exercise for appointing trustees. This exercise included a staff meeting for voting process and the issuing of a generic form from Sagicor, which Andrews was advised to sign and return to their offices. When questioned on the matter, Andrews said he was appalled being suspended for these reasons, and indicated that he is being victimised because of his refusal to approve contracts for retirees without the requisite approval from the Ministry of Finance and Public Service. The auditor general, in a recent correspondence to Andrews, has indicated her support for his actions regarding the matter of retirees. In a correspondence with Amos, dated February 13, 2017, Bassie requested a list detailing any other allegation that may be considered. Bassie also indicated his understanding that files have been removed from the premises along with security personnel since his client’s suspension. He further went on to state his understanding that there are plans afoot to remove the security cameras that management had installed. These actions cited would clearly compromise any further allegations from the board of directors. These actions also violate all government policies and procedures. Andrews recently requested the intervention of Sports Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange into the matter. The INSPORTS board of directors could find themselves facing legal challenges from Ian Andrews’ labour attorney, John S. Bassie. Andrews was recently issued a suspension letter from Deputy Chairman, Newton Amos during a recent board meeting. The letter indicated that the suspension is “pending investigation on issues”. Some of the issues reflected in the suspension letter are allegations relative to Andrews’ absence from duty and the island between December 23, 2016 and January 2, 2017 and accusations that Andrews deliberately and calculatedly made false representation as it relates to INSPORTS’ Pension Plan, purported to have been held at a meeting of the board of directors on August 10, 2015. SICK LEAVE
I have long held the belief that international sport should be the best of ours against the best of yours. Modern eligibility rules have made a mockery of my hope as national teams, in a fervent desire to win-at-all-costs, select athletes to national sides who have very little knowledge of, or loyalty to, their new country. Development of any sport by a nation demands that the natives of that country who live in and play the game in the land, are given opportunities to represent their homeland and learn (and develop) the skill and nous of playing and performing at the elite level where international sport is supposed to be played. Countries, like Jamaica who select foreigners with what are really tenuous ties to their new home, may have initial success. But over time, as the desire to maximise earnings trump the joy of national representation and the excuses for not being available for games and practices become thick and fast it eventually forces the country to come to grips with the stark reality that “development begins at home”. The Jamaica Football Federation seems to have realised (for the first time, at last) that development of football begins with giving locals the opportunity of national representation. STRANGE OFFER LEARNING PHASE The new selection criteria for the senior side will see us losing some matches, but with time and patience, better must come. Similarly, with administration and coaching, once the sport has moved past the learning phase, local expertise must be given a chance. In netball, our Sunshine Girls have proven time after time that the level of skill and talent available locally is among the best in the world, yet in international competition, they remain sometimes third, most times fourth. Foreign expertise has failed us. Local expertise has been kept out of the loop by the misguided belief that a man will coach the Sunshine Girls when a woman coaches the Reggae Boyz. Thankfully, we have gone past that unfortunate philosophy, and a local coach (Ms Reynolds) recently took a team to England and defeated them in a ‘Test’ series. Inexplicably, the successful local coach promptly resigned on returning home, leaving frustrated fans to have all kinds of speculation as to why. But the good news was that local expertise that was always available proved that the job can be done. So the search for a replacement began. One successful local coach, whose upward climb had been stymied by a lack of coaching credentials, went to Australia, one of the two top netball nations in the world, and obtained a Level 3 certificate. Armed with this piece of paper and an impressive rÈsumÈ of coaching experience, she applied for the vacant post. She was one of three, (eventually reduced to two by the technical team assessing the applicants) who were interviewed for the job. One was an Englishwoman (of Jamaican parentage), who holds a Level 2 coaching certificate from the United Kingdom, who in world netball terms are “sometimes fourth, most times third”, the other, our own Connie Francis, with a Level 3 coaching certificate from Australia. “The board, after deliberating, concluded that both candidates had strengths and weaknesses and recommended that both work as co-coaches for a period of 4-6 weeks with a view to making a final decision at the send of that period.” Yes, you read right, the previous sentence is a direct quote from the board. Our own Connie, should work alongside her rival for the job, for six weeks, presumably helping her rival look good while our Sunshine Girls are preparing for international competition. When Ms Connie Francis declined this strange offer, board member and media relations officer Wayne Lewis, in a style obviously learnt from studying Kelly Ann Conway, came out swinging against the statements emanating from a very disappointed coach Francis. Connie Francis will continue to be a successful coach, somewhere, she is frankly too good to be kept away from coaching jobs that may become vacant, and Jamaican netball fans will sigh and support our new coach in the desperate hope that a top two finish in international competition will materialise. Till then, my advice to local coaches is to continue improving your craft and upgrading your resume, but more importantly … develop a foreign accent when applying for local jobs.
Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks PLAY LIST 01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite LATEST STORIES The five were chosen after the National Youth Futsal Cup organized by Allianz PNB Life, PFF and Henry V. Moran Foundation last May.The four-day AJFC, now on its ninth edition but with the Philippines in the lineup just this year, is being held at Finns Recreation Club under the supervision of FC Bayern coaches led by Klaus Augenthaler and retired striker and AJFC ambassador Giovane Elber.“Have fun and enjoy,” Sollorin remembered the coaches telling them.Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore also sent their players aged 14 to 16. The final cast will fly to Munich on Aug. 17 to 22 to meet the FC Bayern players, train under the coaches of the German club and watch the Bundesliga 2017-2018 opening match at Allianz Arena.One participant will also get the Good Sportsmanship award which is equivalent to a one-week scholarship later this year at Aspire Academy, an internationally-renowned sports institution in Doha, Qatar.ADVERTISEMENT Battle on top: SMB, Star collide McGregor blasts Cerrone in 40 seconds in UFC return Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ ‘I’m out!’: PewDiePie releases last video before taking break from YouTube Former FC Bayern Munich striker Giovane Elber (fourth from left) joins PH’s Konrad Keim Sollorin, JM Mitra, Jasper Beruan. Aeron Tenollar and Jeofrey Fresado at theAllianz Junior Football Camp at Finns Recreation Club in Bali, Indonesia.BALI, INDONESIA—More than skills training and the much-coveted trip to the FC Bayern junior camp in Munich, Germany, camp directors want the 49 teenage players participating in a football clinic here to learn teamwork and improve on their character.Coach Jess Landagan of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) said the five Filipino players, all aged 14, at the ongoing Allianz Junior Football Camp (AJFC) have yet to overcome their timidness and develop concentration.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ LeBron James scores 31 points, Lakers beat Rockets OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Indian national gunned down in Camarines Sur Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers rally to beat Pelicans “They get shy around the other kids,” said Landagan. “At the same time, they’re still very playful.”“I told them to interact with the other kids and assert themselves on the field,” he added.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’Konrad Keim Sollorin of Ateneo de Iloilo, Aeron Tenollar of Baguio City, JM Mitra of De La Salle Zobel and Gawad Kalinga Football Program’s Jasper Beruan and Jeofrey Fresado arrived here Monday and began camp the following day.They were accompanied by Allianz PNB Life brand director Rei Abrazaldo. Mitra’s parents and Sollorin’s father are also here. End of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legend Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano View comments
Adamson thwarts UST, strengthens hold on third seed LATEST STORIES “I hope they’ll be impressed with my fitness,” he said, after wrapping up his run in the 2017 Gatorade PBA Draft Combine. “I’m taking my time with my conditioning and trying to learn everything I can. But I believe that I’m prepared physically and mentally. I worked hard preparing for this.”As for his brother, Jeron is optimistic that Jeric, who is currently a free agent after ending his contract with Kia, will find a new squad just in time for the 43rd season.He has one wish, though.“I hope we can be teammates,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Jeron Teng. PBA IMAGESJeron Teng isn’t ruling out the possibility of teaming up or playing against brother Jeric as he enters the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft.“If it happens that we’re opponents or teammates, we’re just up for it. If ever that happens, It’s going to be another blessing for us,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales? Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Coming off a triumphant run in La Salle, the younger Teng is expected to figure among the top players selected in the annual rookie proceedings.But his place on the draft board is the least of the 23-year-old’s concerns as his application for the pros already allows him to realize his childhood dream of continuing his dad Alvin’s legacy.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smog“For me, it doesn’t matter when I’ll be picked. Ever since I started basketball, it’s always my dream to follow my father’s footsteps so I’m just really excited to enter the league. Any team will do as long as I’ll be given a chance to play in the PBA,” he said.Teng is also hopeful that the scouts and coaches will take notice of his improved conditioning, noting that after graduating from his business management course, he really tried his earnest to be in his tip-top shape as he begins a new chapter in his basketball career. OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next MOST READ Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set View comments
Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set LATEST STORIES Boston (12-2) was playing without Kyrie Irving after he took an inadvertent elbow to the face from teammate Aron Baynes on Friday night against Charlotte. Irving has a minor facial fracture but has not been diagnosed with a concussion as initially feared.Jaylen Brown added 18 points, and Rozier helped fill in for Irving with 16 points off the bench. Boston shot just 40.2 percent from the field.DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points, and Kyle Lowry had 19 points and seven assists for Toronto. The Raptors dropped to 7-5 after winning two straight.“They are the best team in the NBA right now, 12 in a row,” Lowry said. “They’re playing unbelievable, everyone is picking up slack.”Jayson Tatum’s acrobatic layup with 1:26 remaining in the fourth quarter put the Celtics up 95-90.ADVERTISEMENT Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ MOST READ Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Huge Toronto crowd celebrates Raptors’ historic win PLAY LIST 01:08Huge Toronto crowd celebrates Raptors’ historic win03:12Kevin Durant out with Achilles injury; to undergo MRI on Tuesday01:43Who are Filipinos rooting for in the NBA Finals?02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Lowry’s 3-pointer with 5:32 left in the first quarter moved him past Andrea Bargnani (6,581 points) into fourth place on Toronto’s scoring list. Vince Carter is third with 9,420 points.TIP-INSRaptors: DeRozan had 20 or more points for the seventh straight regular season game in Boston and is averaging 22 points in that stretch. … Norman Powell left the game with a right hip pointer.Celtics: Boston held an opponent under 100 points for the 11th time in its last 12 games. Opponents are averaging 92.2 points during the winning streak. … Rozier scored at least 10 points in a career-best three straight games.UP NEXTRaptors: Continue a three-game trip Tuesday night against Houston.Celtics: Visit Brooklyn on Tuesday night in a tuneup for Thursday night’s home showdown with defending champion Golden State.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. “He’s playing young again,” teammate Terry Rozier said.Horford had 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists against his former team in Atlanta on Monday night, the same day an elbow to the head from Kent Bazemore sent him into the NBA’s concussion protocol. Horford also missed nine games last season with a concussion.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogHorford disagreed with Rozier’s assessment, thinking he’s playing even better.“I don’t know if young Al Horford played like this, to be honest,” the former four-time All-Star said. “You know, it’s been years of just working on my game and try to play this new way.” Boston Celtics’ Terry Rozier (12) and Jayson Tatum (0) celebrate at the buzzer as Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry (7) and Fred VanVleet walk off the court after an NBA basketball game in Boston, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)BOSTON — Al Horford turned back the clock in his return from a two-game absence with a concussion.Horford scored 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting to help the Boston Celtics hang on to beat the Toronto Raptors 95-94 on Sunday for their 12th straight victory.ADVERTISEMENT
Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson United States beats Belarus to win its 18th Fed Cup title DeRozan missed a potential go-ahead stepback jumper with 19 seconds remaining. Tatum got the rebound, but elbowed Fred VanVleet in the face for an offensive foul that was confirmed by video review.DeRozan had another look to give Toronto the win, but missed a turnaround jumper with 2 seconds left. Serge Ibaka scooped up the rebound, but lost the ball as time expired.“He shook him, he was wide open, vaulted up, and I’ll take that shot 999 times out of 1,000,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said about DeRozan’s effort.Brown, who was guarding DeRozan on the final possession, was a bit surprised himself that the shot didn’t go down.“That’s a shot that DeMar DeRozan probably hits nine times out of ten,” Brown said. “I got a late contest, but he missed this one so we’ll take the win.”STREAKINGBoston’s 12-game winning streak is tied for its third-longest in the last 30 years. The Celtics also won 12 straight from Jan. 11-Feb. 3, 2009. Toronto has never snapped an opponent’s winning streak of 10 or more games in franchise history, according to Elias Sports Bureau.MASKED KYRIEIrving visited a facial specialist Sunday and was fitted for a mask after being injured Friday. The last time Irving played in a mask was on Dec. 15, 2012, when he scored a then-career-high 41 points versus New York with Cleveland.PASSING BARGNANI OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene View comments Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales?
“Yes, [we’re playing the] same team,” Reyes said in a text message to the Inquirer. “We want to see improvement [compared to our first game].”After identifying some flaws in the game against Japan, Reyes and his staff decided to stick it out with the same team, leaving Raymond Almazan, Carl Bryan Cruz and Mac Belo in the freezer.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSBack on the throneGilas blew hot and cold against the Japanese, relying on its defense and the guns of Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro in the stretch to keep intact a winning streak against Japan that dates back to 2004.The Filipinos will be clashing with a Taiwan side that dealt them a very painful defeat in Manila four years ago, with Wen Cheng Tsai and naturalized center Quincy Davis III leading the enemy anew. Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales? Gilas has a deeper bench, and it is this depth that Reyes hopes to maximize as he got little from some of the more established players in his team like June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and Calvin Abueva.Taipei will be coming into the contest fresh from a 104-66 shellacking at the hands of world No. 9 Australia, also Friday.Gilas will be playing with size against Taipei as Blatche will be joined in the frontline by the 6-foot-10 Fajardo and athletic 6-foot-9 forward Aguilar.Both Fajardo and Aguilar will be coming off relatively silent games after failing to score in twin digits and combining for just six rebounds against the Japanese.Castro will surely be a marked man, more so after showing the field how he took over when the chips were down for the Filipinos.He finished with 26 points on Friday.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set LATEST STORIES Gabe Norwood is also a no-brainer inclusion, as he will again be tasked to put the cuffs on Taipei’s deadliest gun. On Friday, he wound up as one of four players in twin digits in scoring with 10.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Global Cebu settles for 2nd in Singapore Photo from Fiba.comSame lineup, yet Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes hopes to see something different from his charges on Monday against Chinese Taipei in the first window of their Fiba World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifying series.Reyes did not tinker with the 12-man roster that pulled off a 77-71 decision of Japan on Friday night in Tokyo, but obviously, the firebrand tactician doesn’t want to go through the same scare when they battle the Taiwanese at 7:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson View comments