Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo became the second European player to be selected the NBA's Most Valuable Player, winning the honor on Monday night at the league's awards show in Santa Monica, California. Luka Doncic, the No. 3 overall selection who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on draft day in 2018, won the Rookie of the Year Award. Antetokounmpo, a 24-year-old from Greece, joins Germany's Dirk Nowitzki (2006-07 Dallas Mavericks) as European NBA MVPs. The only other non-United States players to capture the honor were Nigeria's Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94 Houston Rockets) and Canada's Steve Nash (2004-05 and 2005-06 Phoenix Suns). In addition, two-time MVP Tim Duncan (2001-02 and 2002-03 San Antonio Spurs) was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Antetokounmpo was selected over fellow MVP finalists Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder and James Harden of the Rockets, last season's MVP. "The Greek Freak" averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 … [Read more...] about NBA awards: Antetokounmpo wins MVP, Doncic top rookie

MVP Antetokounmpo, ROY Doncic banner 2019 NBA awardees Luisa Morales (Philstar.com) - June 25, 2019 - 11:26am SANTA ROSA, Laguna — Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic took home the biggest honors in the 2019 NBA Awards night on Monday (Tuesday Manila time), winning Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, respectively. Antetokounmpo, who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals, bested reigning MVP James Harden and OKC's Paul George to win the prestigious award for the first time in his career.  The 24-year-old averaged 27.7 points and 12.5 rebounds per game in the season. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks beat fellow rookies Deandre Ayton and Trae Young to bag the top prize for the rooks. Doncic capped off his first NBA season with an average of 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Antetokounmpo's mentor Mike Budenholzer also bagged the 2019 NBA Coach … [Read more...] about MVP Antetokounmpo, ROY Doncic banner 2019 NBA awardees

PacificTown, BanKo spikers chase key wins (Philstar.com) - June 25, 2019 - 11:02am Games Wednesday 3 p.m. – PacificTown Army vs Creamline 5 p.m. – BaliPure vs BanKo-Perlas MANILA, Philippines — PacificTown Army and BanKo-Perlas try to build some momentum heading to their crucial face-off on Saturday as they take on separate rivals Wednesday in the penultimate elims playdate in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan. But while the Lady Troopers set out against a powerhouse Creamline side at 3 p.m., the Perlas Spikers will have less pressure and worry when they collide with the also-ran BaliPure Water Defenders at 5 p.m. PacificTown and BanKo-Perlas are in hot pursuit of the No. 3 spot in the crossover semis with the former having the inside track with a 4-4 card. But the Lady Troopers have a tough block to hurdle in the Cool Smashers, who are on a … [Read more...] about PacificTown, BanKo spikers chase key wins

Luka Doncic, the No. 3 overall selection who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on draft day in 2018, won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award on Monday night at the league's awards show in Santa Monica, California. Doncic received 98 of the 100 votes, with Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, getting the other two. The third finalist was the top pick in last season's draft, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton. Named Most Improved Player was power forward Pascal Siakam of the NBA champion Toronto Raptors, who won the award over fellow finalists De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings and D'Angelo Russell of the Brooklyn Nets. Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams was chosen the Sixth Man of the Year for the third time, matching the record the honor held by Jamal Crawford. The only other two-time winners of the Sixth Man award were Kevin McHale, Ricky Pierce and Detlef Schrempf. The other finalists for the Sixth Man award were Williams' teammate Montrezl Harrell and the Indiana Pacers' Domantas … [Read more...] about NBA awards: Doncic top rookie, Siakam most improved

Thurman bets on himself to KO Pacquiao Dino Maragay (Philstar.com) - June 25, 2019 - 10:15am MANILA, Philippines – WBA “super” welterweight champion Keith Thurman continues to ooze with confidence heading into his mammoth showdown with fellow champion Manny Pacquiao less than a month from now. In an interview with TMZ Sports, the brash 30-year-old fighter said he is betting on himself to stop Pacquiao during their July 20 clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (July 21 Manila time). And Thurman boasted he can do it in less than three rounds. “I don't think it’s a good bet but you know, you gotta believe in your fighters. I'm gonna put some money down on the fight too you know,” he told TMZ.  “Yeah, let's go for the first or second round knockout. Why not? You know what I mean. We don't wanna just make money so I don't wanna bet straight up, I wanna bet on the KO,” he added. … [Read more...] about Thurman bets on himself to KO Pacquiao