Japan end China's reign as team champions

RIO DE JANEIRO - Not even the curse of the pommel horse could halt Japan's march to the men's team gymnastics title at the Rio Olympics on Monday as China's eight-year reign as champions came to an end after a day of slips, trips and botched landings.

Four years after Kohei Uchimura's botched dismount from the pommel horse almost denied Japan a team medal in London, it looked as if the same apparatus would be their undoing again when Koji Yamamuro lost his grip and rolled off.

But unlike in 2012, when they ended up with silver behind China, Yamamuro's score of 13.900 was their only blip in Rio as they put in a command performance on the remaining five apparatus to capture gold with a total of 274.094.

In a sport where tenths of a point can mean the difference between a gold medal and no medal at all, their total was 2.641 points more than surprise silver medallists Russia.

The Chinese team of Lin Chaopan, Deng Shudi, Zhang Chenglong, Liu Yang and You Hao sat back dejectedly in their chairs after Russia pipped them by 0.331 points to silver, with Zhang breaking down in tears afterwards backstage.

For all Uchimura's past success, the men's Olympic team gold was the one major medal missing from his vast collection, which includes the 2012 all around title, a record six successive world all around golds and the 2015 world team crown.

On Monday, he stood side-by-side with teary-eyed 2012 London Games survivors Yamamuro, Ryohei Kato and Yusuke Tanaka and new kid on the block Kenzo Shirai in triumph, their index fingers raised to confirm their standing in men's gymnastics.

"This was the event I really wanted to win gold in," Uchimura said after Japan returned to the top of the Olympic podium for the first time since 2004.

"You really have to work on yourself to become number one."

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Spain feels pain as U.S. juggernaut rolls on

RIO DE JANEIRO - After two routs to open the Olympic women's basketball tournament, the question is not so much will the all-conquering United States win a sixth straight gold medal but will they ever lose again.

The U.S. followed up their drubbing of Senegal in their opener with a less ruthless but no less clinical 103-63 dissection of third-ranked Spain on Monday, blowing out a team viewed by many as a legitimate medal contender.

It seems as if nothing can stop the U.S. juggernaut as the mighty Americans ran their Olympic winning streak to 42 games, a 24-year stretch of domination dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games.

"You go into the game thinking that maybe today is the day you can beat them because it is not impossible," offered a hopeful Spanish captain Laia Palau. "You just have to have a wonderful game on your side and they have to be, I don't know, sick."

Spain has never won an Olympic medal, but with an experienced lineup that includes two players earning a living in the WNBA they represented a huge step up in class following a 121-56 mugging of Senegal.

But like nearly every other nation that lines up against the United States, the Spaniards are still searching for their first-ever win.

The two countries have met nine times in Olympic and world championship competition, Team USA winning all nine including their three previous Summer Games encounters by a whopping average of 35 points.

"I haven't been on many underdog teams in my career but I do have an awareness of what it feels like when no matter what you do you have no chance, and it's not a good feeling," said U.S. captain Sue Bird. "But on the flip side there is also opportunity to upset, to make history and that I am sure is in the back of all their minds.

"Would I want to be in their shoes, probably not, but they are trying to make history by beating us."

Despite the difference in pedigree between Spain and Senegal, who are still chasing a first-ever Olympic win, the Group B contest unfolded in much the same fashion.

Playing in front of a small, sleepy crowd at the Youth Arena, the U.S. took a few moments to shake off the cobwebs but quickly turned on the style as they sped to a commanding 54-37 halftime lead.

Once again the depth of Team USA was highlighted with all 12 players getting on the scoreboard, including five in double digits with Diana Taurasi leading the way with 13 points.

"We're not easy to deal with obviously," said U.S. coach Geno Auriemma. "Spain is a pretty good but when you look at our depth it starts to take its toll on the other team.

"That's the pressure we can put on teams, everybody we bring in off the bench can score and make a play.

"It's a good place we are in right now."

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Fajardo shows off full arsenal of moves in All-Star Game

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer was like a kid in a candy store on Sunday during the PBA All-Star Game, as he got to show off moves and skills that he doesn't generally use in regular games.

Fajardo, playing for the South All-Stars, still displayed his smooth post moves, his light touch around the basket, and his rebounding ability, but the "Kraken" seemed to enjoy it best when he brought the ball down the court like a guard, as well as when he was shooting from beyond the arc.

He made only one of his three three-pointers, and when the game was on the line, he returned to where he is most effective – inside the paint, carving up the defense of the North team with lay-ups.

Fajardo finished with 25 points – shooting 12-of-21 from the field – to go along with nine rebounds in a losing effort as the North secured a 154-151 victory. After the game, his coach, Leo Austria – who also called the shots for the South team – said he was not surprised to see Fajardo display the skills of a guard.

"Sa practice, ginagawa niya 'yun," said Austria of the behind-the-back dribble and off-the-bounce three-pointers that Fajardo unleashed in the All-Star Game.

"Even in college, alam ko na capable siya mag-dribble. During college days niya, nagbaba siya ng bola pagka nagpe-press ang kalaban," he explained.

"'Yung touch niya sa three-points, talagang meron siya," he added. "Meron talaga siyang touch."

However, Austria is still unlikely to allow Fajardo to bust out those moves once he is back in a San Miguel uniform.

"Pagdating sa official game sa amin, mas maraming mas magaling sa kanyang tumira, katulad ni Marcio (Lassiter)," Austria pointed out. "At siya 'yung mas magaling na rumebound."

"That's why I advise him to stay in the shaded area," he added.

Austria, who coached SMB to back-to-back All-Filipino Cup titles earlier this season, did not completely rule out the possibility of a Fajardo triple in an official PBA game, however.

"You can never know," he said. "Sometimes – especially if the time is winding down, and nobody wants to take the shot – pwede rin siya 'pag ganoon."

Fajardo, however, does not seem willing to test his coach's patience.

"Hindi siguro," the big man said when asked if he will try his dribbling and three-point shooting skills in a regular game. "Magagalit siguro (si coach)."

Austria, Fajardo, and the rest of the Beermen resume their defense of the PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday against Ginebra.

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Mapua brings down San Sebastian to nab 5th win

Mapua bounced back from its defeat against Arellano by beating San Sebastian, 88-75, on Friday’s NCAA Season 92 seniors basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Allwell Oraeme had another all-around performance with 13 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks to help the Cardinals rack their fifth victory in six starts.

This time, however, he got able backing from Exe Biteng, Darell Menina and Andoy Estrella, who combined for 48 points.

The backcourt trio fueled Mapua’s second-quarter surge that placed the Cardinals well ahead for the rest of the game.

This offset the absence of CJ Isit, who had to bail out early after injuring his finger in the first quarter.

Justine Mercado paced San Sebastian with 18 points. The Stags suffered their fourth defeat in five games.

Last Tuesday, the Cardinals sustained a 75-96 beating in the hands of the Arellano Chiefs after Oraeme fouled out of the game.

Mapua is scheduled to face tough challenges ahead against San Beda, Perpetual Help, and defending champion Letran.

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Mapua outlasts Letran to seize solo fourth

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) Mapua Institute of Technology outlasted the defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 79-75, to rack up its sixth win and move to solo fourth place in the NCAA Season 92 men's basketball tournament Tuesday at the Arena in San Juan.

Darell Menina took over the scoring duties down the stretch, and the Cardinals survived a couple of late game blunders by their returning team captain, CJ Isit, to hike their record to 6-3.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak and allowed the Cardinals to take the fourth place in the league standings, behind San Beda College (8-1), Arellano University (7-2), and University of Perpetual Help (7-2).

The Knights, who led most of the way before falling victim to Menina's hot sniping and a few miscues of their own down the stretch, fell to No. 5 at 5-4.

"Nag-shoot lang ako with confidence," said Menina, who finished with 17 points on six-of-eight shooting, including three-of-five from beyond the arc. "Kasi noong first half, 'di ako naka-shoot. So sa second half, bumawi na lang ako"

The Cardinals were playing catch-up for most of the game, and were still down by five, 57-62, with 7:41 to go after a fastbreak bucket by Letran's Bong Quinto.

A 5-1 exchanged built on buckets by Isit and Allwell Oraeme made it a one-point game, 62-63, but JP Calvo padded the Letran lead with a jumper that made it 65-62 with 5:09 left to play.

That was when Menina took over. He scored 12 points in a blistering 13-6 run that put the Cardinals on top, 75-71, with 1:32 remaining. It was Menina's lay-up in transition that gave them the lead, 71-69, and his booming three-pointer over the outstretched arms of McJour Luib padded their lead to four points.

"Nag-practice lang ako ng mabuti para makatulong sa team," said Menina.

The Knights last threatened with 37.3 remaining, when Rey Nambatac evaded the defense of Isit to sink a three-pointer that made it a one-point game, 75-76.

Isit was warned for flopping on the play, and to make matters worse for Mapua, he committed a turnover in their next possession after being swarmed by Sollano and Jerick Balanza along the baseline.

Unfortunately for the defending champions, Nambatac misfired on a potential go-ahead jumper, and Quinto fouled Laurenz Victoria in the ensuing scramble for the ball. Victoria left the door open for a Letran comeback as he made only one of two charities, but Quinto was called for a traveling violation, allowing Joseph Eriobu to ice the game at the free throw line.

"I'm just happy that we got the win today," said Oraeme, who had 20 points and 20 rebounds in the victory. "We've been struggling for the past couple of games, so I'm just happy that we won today."

"We just believed in the system of our defense," Oraeme said of their strong stand in the final seconds. "No fouls, just contain them. Clean defense, and it worked out."

Eriobu played his best game of the season so far, scoring 19 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Isit finished with nine points in his first game back after missing two contests due to a finger injury.

The Cardinals shot nearly 46% from the field throughout the game, and won despite committing 29 turnovers that the Knights turned into 32 transition points.

The Knights, for their part, drew a 20-point performance from Quinto, while Sollano finished with 16 markers. But Nambatac only had 13 points on 11 shots, as he was contained for most of the game by the Mapua defense.

Letran shot a respectable 43.48% from the field, but were clobbered on the boards, 46-28.

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Laure sisters shine as UST pounces on erratic San Beda

MANILA, Philippines – EJ and Eya Laure took charge offensively as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses bucked a third-set meltdown to defeat the San Beda College Lady Red Spikers in the V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference.

The Laure sisters combined for 35 points in UST's 27-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-18 victory that gave them a share of the lead in Group B on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

"Kaya kami andito, para ma-expose din ang players at 'yung learning namin throughout ng liga, tumaas," UST head coach Kungfu Reyes said after the game. "Hindi naman kami nae-aim ng sobrang taas. Ang importante sa amin, kailangan magkaroon ng confidence ng mga bata."

With top spiker Cherry Rondina not playing due to an ankle injury, the Tigresses went to the Laure sisters early and often, and they responded by taking turns in breaking down the San Beda defense.

It was Eya's smart tap that put UST up by one, 25-24, in the back-and-forth opening set that saw the Tigresses squander an early 7-3 lead amidst a series of receiving errors. A service error by Jem Gutierrez knotted the count at 25-all, but EJ came through with an off-the-block kill to put UST at set point.

San Beda then committed a net violation to hand the Set 1 win to UST, and the Tigresses carried the momentum in the second set as they raced to a 16-9 lead and never looked back.

"Maraming mali noong first set… medyo nagiging problema ang first ball namin," Reyes admitted. "Lahat naman kasi, naga-adjust."

The Tigresses looked to be on their way to a straight sets win after they took an 8-3 advantage in Set 3, with Carla Sandoval coming off the bench to score a pair of attack points.

But Janine Marciano, serving as San Beda's guest player after suiting up for Bali Pure in the Open Conference, rallied the Lady Red Spikers back in the game, while UST succumbed to unforced errors that helped SBC's cause.

San Beda took a 16-11 advantage heading into the second technical timeout, thanks to a 13-3 scoring run – with eight of their 13 points coming off UST's errors, including a pair of mishits from the young Eya. The Lady Red Spikers went on to take the Set 3 win, with Eya committing another attack error to give San Beda the final point.

The Lady Red Spikers appeared determined to force a decider as they went toe-to-toe with the Tigresses in the fourth. Neither team could take control until an offspeed hit by Caitlyn Viray put UST up 16-15, and after the second technical timeout, EJ scored back-to-back aces to pad their lead to three, 18-15.

A crosscourt kill from San Beda's Francesca Racraquin temporarily stalled UST's charge, but the Tigresses responded with six straight points to seize the momentum and cruise to victory.

"Outstanding sa laro ang nag-deliver ang guest player namin, 'yung mga bata," said Reyes of the young Eya, who finished with 17 points on 13 attacks and two blocks, as well as setter Magi Mangulabnan, who had 29 excellent sets despite being alternated with Alina Bicar for most of the game.

EJ, the UAAP Season 77 Rookie of the Year, finished with a team-high 18 points. UST registered 47 attack points and had eight blocks to only two for the Lady Red Spikers. The Tigresses also overcame 42 unforced errors.

San Beda, led by Marciano's 18 markers, came away with 12 aces to UST's 10, but committed 32 unforced errors, many of them coming at the worst possible times. Indeed, it was a service error by Racraquin that secured the win for UST after an hour and 48 minutes.

No other player finished in double digits for the Lady Red Spikers, who dropped to 0-2 in Group B after losing their opening game to University of the Philippines last Saturday.

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Ateneo opens Spikers' Turf title defense with sweep of San Beda

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University overpowered San Beda College, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16, to open its title defense in the Spikers' Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

Marck Espejo scored 13 points, and Tony Koyfman added 11 as the Blue Eagles took only 68 minutes to demolish the Red Spikers.

Ateneo ran into trouble in the second set when San Beda clawed its way back from an 8-14 hole and eventually made it a one-point game, 23-24, but Espejo smashed a kill to secure the win for the Blue Eagles.

The Blue Eagles tallied 39 attack points against San Beda's 23, and had one more block, 4-3, and two more aces, 7-5. Ish Polvorosa tallied 28 excellent sets and scored three points – two off service aces – in the straightforward win.

Ateneo joined University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas in the early lead in Group B.

Guest player Berlin Paglinawan led San Beda with eight points.

In the first game, defending NCAA champion University of Perpetual Help swept Philippine Merchant Marine School, 25-13, 25-17, 25-23, for their first win in Group A.

Rey and Relan Taneo combined for 24 points for the Altas, who took advantage of the Mariners' 28 unforced errors to cruise to victory in an hour and 18 minutes.

Erickson Chan and Keyvin Premaylon scored seven points each to lead the Mariners. 

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Red Lions rally around coach after San Beda's first loss

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda College team captain Dan Sara expressed his full support to head coach Jamike Jarin after the Red Lions suffered their first loss of the NCAA Season 92 tournament in stunning fashion.

The Red Lions had a comfortable 71-59 lead against Jose Rizal University (JRU) in the fourth quarter, only to surrender a 20-2 run to the Heavy Bombers in the final six minutes. San Beda was held scoreless in the final 4:35 of the contest, and bowed to JRU, 79-73.

It was their first loss of the season after winning their first eight games, and it denied them a sweep of the first round.

"Sa fourth quarter, we're still up 13 points, then medyo naging complacent kami," Sara explained after the game. "Nag-laro lang talaga kami na medyo complacent kami."

"Pinag-usapan namin sa dugout 'yung complacency namin, and wala kaming natakbong play na na-instruct sa amin. We're just walking the ball. We didn't have the killer instinct," he admitted.

Sara is already anticipating that critics will hit out at Jarin, who is known for fielding in his entire line-up and playing even his third-stringers.

"You know the critics," Sara said. "Who's to blame? It's the coach, 'pag talo."

"Pero lahat kami, masama ang laro," he pointed out. "Walang maganda ang laro sa amin. Coach Jamike, su-support ko si Coach Jamike."

He also appealed to the San Beda critics: "Sana po huwag i-blame si Coach Jamike sa pagkatalo namin, kasi kami ang nasa loob."

Sara also made it clear that he was not blaming any of his teammates, not even the bench players who openly admitted that they became complacent in the final frame.

I have full trust sa team ko," he declared. "Lahat sila, sobrang laki 'yung tiwala ko sa kanila."

"It's just a bad day siguro sa amin," he added.

Despite the loss, San Beda still ended the first round at the top of the league standings with an 8-1 win-loss record.

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Teodoro’s game-winner lifts JRU past EAC

MANILA -- Tey Teodoro fired the go-ahead jumper that won the game for Jose Rizal University (JRU) against Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 60-59, in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball competition at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan on Thursday.

The Heavy Bombers were trailing by a thread, 58-59, following Francis Munsayac’s basket for the Generals. But Teodoro found an opening seconds later and drilled the clutch basket that proved to be the difference.

This saved the Heavy Bombers, which struggled with their shooting throughout the game. With the win, JRU improved its record to 2-3.

Teodoro ended up with 21 points.

He got help from Mark Cruz, who contributed 14 points -- his best performance of the year after scoring just a total of six in his first four outings.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses, however, wasn't happy despite the triumph. "I didn't see any positive in this game and we're way below the level of San Beda and Mapua," he said.

Paolo Pontejos, the second best player in the squad behind Teodoro, was benched and saw action in just less than five minutes after he missed all four of his shots.

Teodoro, fortunately, came through to fill the void.

Sidney Onwubere tallied 18 points and 19 rebounds for EAC, which also got 14 points and 14 rebounds from Hamadou Laminou. These numbers, however, did not save the Generals from suffering their fourth straight defeat.

The two teams engaged in a tight exchange all throughout the match. JRU was up, 58-57, in the final minute before Munsayac stole the lead for EAC with 11 seconds remaining.

But Teodoro refused to be denied and came up with the game winner, 5.3 seconds to go.

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Can JRU build on San Beda upset?

MANILA, Philippines – Jose Rizal University's (JRU) up-and-down campaign in the NCAA Season 92 tournament reached a new high on Tuesday, when the Heavy Bombers overhauled a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to shoot down erstwhile undefeated San Beda College.

JRU entered their game against San Beda with a 4-4 win-loss record, and on the heels of a huge 69-89 setback at the hands of Arellano University. 

The Red Lions, meanwhile, had all the momentum after beating San Sebastian College, 87-77, for their eighth consecutive victory of the tournament.

The Red Lions looked as though they were on their way to a sweep after seizing a 71-59 fourth-quarter lead, but shockingly, they scored only two more points in the final six minutes of the contest. JRU ended the game on a 20-2 run, with Paolo Pontejos and Tey Teodoro taking a starring role in the victory.

"Sa akin, nakita ko 'yung desire," JRU head coach Vergel Meneses said, when asked what made the win possible. "The past games, walang desire, especially when we played Arellano – the desire was not there, the energy was not there."

"Parang they just came here to finish the game, not to win the game," he added.

Against San Beda, however, the Heavy Bombers displayed tremendous effort on both ends of the floor. Even Teodoro and Pontejos – both players more known for their offense than their defense – did their part to limit the usually explosive Red Lions.

"Paolo and Teytey, they played together because they played defense," Meneses said. "That's why they were in the game."

It was only JRU's fourth victory of the season, and its first win over a team with a winning record. They had previously beaten De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian College – all of whom were at the bottom half of the league standings.

Yet when asked if the upset win over San Beda will be the start of big things to come for the Heavy Bombers, Meneses said to ask his players.

"It's up to them," he said. "Ang trabaho lang ng coach is to coach the team, to guide them, to make the game plan, and to scout the other team."

"Sila pa rin ang makaka-sagot niyan," Meneses insisted. "If the desire is there, if they want to win."

Pontejos, who had 27 points and four wins in the victory, was similarly reluctant to make a positive prediction, only saying that they will work harder in the second round.

"Na-feel ko na ito noong Benilde eh. Zero-two kami, tapos natalo namin ang Benilde. Sabi ko, eto na, eto na 'yung team namin," said Pontejos. "Pero hopefully, sana ito na."

"San Beda ang natalo namin ngayon – unang team siguro na malakas na natalo namin ngayong first round. So balik ulit tayo sa second round," he added. "Trabaho and one game at a time lang kami."

The only sure thing is that Meneses is still far from satisfied with his team's performance.

"We have to be consistent," he said.

"Kulang pa. Alam ko, I know the capacity of the players. Alam ko 'yung galing nila, that's why I keep on telling them, that's why I keep on yelling at them. Alam ko 'yung kakayanan nila," he insisted.

JRU's 4-5 win-loss record ensures that they will finish the first round in the middle of the pack, instead of at the bottom of the league standings.

"Okay na, maganda na rin 'yung situation," Meneses said. "We'll take it one game at a time pagdating ng second round, just like what happened last year and two years ago."

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