Calabar High’s Christopher Taylor continued his build-up for next month’s ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships with another fine display at the Digicel Youngster Goldsmith Classic at the National Stadium yesterday.Competing in the first leg of the Grand Prix series, Taylor took the lead in the Class Two 400 metres after clocking 47.18 seconds, the fastest overall time of the day in the event.Taylor, the World Youth champion for the one-lap race, was very pleased with his run.”Today, I just came out to run a cautious race and ensure I qualify for the Grand Prix finals later this month. I just followed my coach’s instructions to take things easy,” said Taylor.St Jago High’s Sean Bailey and Kingston College’s (KC) Shantamoi Brown also picked up good wins in the Class One 400m. Bailey crossed the line in 47.40 seconds to win overall ahead of teammate Leon Clarke, 48.54 seconds.Brown captured Class Three in 52.64 seconds, with Ronaldo Mighty of St Jago second overall in 53.81.Shannon Kallawan of Edwin Allen High clocked a very good season-best 59.15 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles open for girls, finishing ahead of Nicolee Foster of Holmwood Technical, 59.29, and Vere Technical’s Sanique Walker, 1.01.60.Rayon Holness, also of Edwin Allen, won his heat of the boys’ 400m hurdles in 53.11 seconds. Calabar High’s Aykeeme Francis was second in 54.01, while KC’s Orlando Smith was third overall in 54.10.SPRINT HURDLESCalabar ruled the boys’ Class One and Class Two sprint hurdles. In Class One, Pan Am representative Seanie Selvin looked a cut above his rivals clocking 13.80 seconds in a negative wind reading of 0.7 metres per second. His teammate, Lafranz Campbell, 14.16; and KC’s Orlando Smith, 14.31; were second and third, respectively.Dejour Russell topped the Class Two 110m hurdles in 14.11 ahead of teammates Michael Stevens (14.25) and Orlando Bennett, 14.28.KC’s Davion Williams had a big win in the Class Three 100m hurdles as he hit the line in 13.70 seconds. Calabar’s Schavan Carr was second in 14.05 with third going to Cardo Bailey of Jamaica College in 14.18.Holmwood Technical’s Gabrielle McDonald won the Class One girls’ 100m hurdles in 13.94 seconds beating teammate Nicolee Foster (14.01) and Camperdown’s Rushelle Burton, 14.05.Vere Technical took the first two places in Class Two as Amoi Brown captured the event in 14.30 with Roxan Foster second in 14.45.Hydel High’s Donna Ray Lee topped Class Three 80m hurdles in 11.53 ahead Lisandra Brown of Edwin Allen, 11.5, and Vere’s Codesha Lewis, 11.64.Edwin Allen’s Saleel Myles won the Class Four 70m hurdles in 10.97 seconds. St Jago’s Dayshanae Hall (11.11) was second and Patreece Clarke, also of Edwin Allen, third in 11.50.
Raptors pull away to win at Detroit in NBA
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan:Toronto pulled away early in the fourth quarter to set up a 103-89 victory at Detroit on Monday night, making it 14 wins from 15 games and extending the Raptors lead in the NBA Atlantic Division to five games.The Raptors have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland, which beat Sacramento 120-100, thanks to LeBron James’ 40th career triple double.Among other results, Portland won 112-106 in overtime at Memphis and Orlando surged back from a big deficit to also win 117-110 in overtime on the road, at Atlanta.Toronto’s Kyle Lowry scored 25 points and Terrence Ross added 18 points for the Raptors, who recovered quickly after Detroit’s Andre Drummond made a shot from about 80 feet to end the third quarter.Toronto led 70-65 at the start of the fourth and went on an 11-2 run to quickly take control of the contest.Cleveland won with James contributing 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. It was the 40th triple double of his career, but the first this season for the four-time league MVP.Kyrie Irving matched his season high with 32 points for Cleveland.Portland’s Damian Lillard scored 33 points to help the Trail Blazers defeat Memphis 112-106. C.J. McCollum scored the first three baskets of overtime and finished with 21 points for Portland. Mike Conley’s 27 points led the Grizzlies, who lost in overtime for the second straight night.Atlanta came from 18 points down in the third quarter to force overtime and then beat Atlanta 117-110. Nikola Vucevic was a key to the comeback, scoring 25 points after halftime after only three in the first half.Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant scored 25 of his 32 points in the second half to help the Thunder win 122-106 against Phoenix, which has lost eight straight.- AP
Uncle Taf takes feature
The front-running UNCLE TAF staged a spirited rally in the closing stages to beat 2000 Guineas winner and 3-2 favourite UNCLE TAF by a head in the three-year-old and up open allowance feature over 1500 metres for the Fontainbleu Trophy at Caymanas Park yesterday. Offering odds of 9-1 in a knotty field of 14, UNCLE TAF provided recent Jockeys’ School graduate Jerome Innis with his first winner, becoming the fifth from the batch of 17 who started riding on the previous Saturday to ride a winner. Running in heavy underfoot condition caused by showers earlier in the day, UNCLE TAF raced into a commanding lead from early to turn for home four lengths clear of ALI BABA and 5-1 chance FRANFIELD. Although he was reeled in by ALI BABA and headed off a furlong out, Innis did not lose his composure and, flashing the right-hand stick, conjured up a late spurt from UNCLE TAF to regain the lead from ALI BABA under in-form Richard Halledeen within shades of the wire for a narrow win. Both finished clear of FRANFIELD in third as the winner covered the distance in the smart time of 1:30.3 behind splits of 23.0, 46.0, and a brisk 1:10.1 for the first six furlongs. A five-year-old chestnut gelding by Traditional out of the Star Attitude mare Zaza, UNCLE TAF is co-owned by the father and son team of Solomon and Owen Sharpe and bred by both. Solomon said of UNCLE TAF: “He ran too well for third behind Perfect Neighbour in the Governor General’s Stakes in grade one company on the previous Saturday and now, stepping down to open allowance company, felt he was light enough to rebound with a win with an apprentice who has worked him constantly at exercise. “This is a horse who not only won the Governor’s Cup (Lotto Classic) in 2013, but finished second in the derby and Superstakes,” he recalled. “He has earned close to $9 million in stakes and this was, in fact, his second win in his last four starts,” he added. Earlier in the afternoon, another new apprentice, 21-year-old Bebeto Harvey pushed out 3-5 favourite BORDER LINE for trainer Richard Azan to his first win in the annual renewal of the Cecil C. Charlton Memorial Trophy over 1300 metres for $550,00 – $500,000 claimers. Leading jockey Shane Ellis (67 wins) rode two winners in the impressive two-year-old debutant ZUGULU for trainer Azan and 2-5 favourite STAN ROY in the fifth to widen his lead over closest rival Halledeen.
Jennifer Ellison-Brown: Factors affecting performance
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS Performances are snapshots of what is learned, combined with all the factors affecting us at the same time. Performance levels go up and down constantly depending on how we feel, the weather and interactions with other people. Everyone competes at different levels. The higher the level, the more important these factors become. Therefore, how well you perform in an event or any sport will depend on the following factors. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Skill: The more skillful you are, the more likely you are to perform well. Fitness: Once the physical fitness components are satisfied, the performance will be better. Physique: You will perform better at an activity that suits your Somatotype (ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph) Age and gender: If an activity depends on strength and speed, the performance will be better at 25 years than 40 years. However, for some activities such as golf age is less important than experience. Age and gender (whether male or female) affects your capacities. Natural physical capacities begin to deteriorate sometimes at age 25. Body composition: Carrying extra weight (over fat) is not good for performance. Illness and injury: Injury and illness can ruin performances. It is best to stay away from the activity. An injury will only get worse. Diet: Diet affects health, which in turn will affect your fitness. What and when you eat before an event will also affect your performance. Drugs: Some drugs improve performance in short term but have long term damaging effects. Athletes can be banned for using performance enhancing drugs. Socially accepted drugs such as alcohol and cigarettes impair performance. The Weather: If the weather is hotter, colder, windier or more humid than you are accustomed to, you won’t perform to the best of your ability. Change in weather may lead to change in tactics. Altitude: At high altitudes, the air is thinner so less oxygen is taken in with each breath. If the body is not adapted to this condition, you are likely to become breathless and dizzy. However, whereas long distance events are difficult to perform at high altitudes, performance in sprinting, jumping and throwing events are enhanced. Playing surface and equipment: Performance can be affected by equipment used and surface performed on. The need for special equipment can prevent some people from taking part, thus restricting their opportunities. Equipment changes as technology influences the design and materials used for increasing durability and performance e.g. boots are lighter and more flexible than before, Running shoes provide more support and protection in the ability to absorb and disperse shock. If you are used to performing on one type of surface, there can be a dramatic change in performance level if you have to adapt suddenly to another. The body and mind affect each other and the environment affects both. Therefore, all three combined will tremendously impact performance. If they are all at their best, optimum performance will be achieved. Personality: Some sports suit some personalities (introvert, extrovert). Everybody has their own distinctive character formed as a result of a complex unique to them and their personal history. Performance will be better in sports that fit personality. Motivation: This involves a sense of purpose, commitment and determination which comes from inside (intrinsic). Every performer needs this to do well. Sometimes the motivation comes from outside (extrinsic) and must be valued by the performer for it to have an effect. Arousal: There must be a general mental preparation to action, which is focused and sustained at the optimum point at which the performance is at its very best (psyched up). However, it is important to remain in control and not to pass the optimum level (psyche out) where performance declines under pressure (stress, worry, self doubt, anxiety). Stress: Any stressful situation ( injury, family issues etc … ) or other reasons than participation in the activity, is likely to impair performance.
Dottin happy with role as death specialist bowler at Women’s World T20
MOHALI, India (CMC):All-rounder Deandra Dottin says she is comfortable with her role as a death overs specialist after West Indies knocked out India yesterday to reach the semi-finals of the T20 Women’s World Cup.Dottin (3-16) bowled an outstanding last over to spur West Indies to a nerve-racking three-run win over India in their Group B game at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.She removed Ekta Bisht with a yorker, forced the run out of Shikha Pandey and with the penultimate ball of the final over dismissed Sushma Verma to restrict India to 111 for nine.”My heart was very good. I am accustomed, I love bowling last overs. It has become a trend for me having to bring my team to victory. I like being in that position,” declared Dottin.”The captain told me I have to limit the boundaries. Bowl yorkers. I said ‘it’s OK we got this’. I still have my nerve. When I am bowling I don’t have nerve. It is only when am batting I have nerves. So I am just calm when I am bowling.”Dottin made 45 and Stafanie Taylor, the Windies Women’s captain, led the way with 47, sharing a crucial fourth-wicket stand of 77 that anchored the Caribbean side to 114 for eight from their allocation of 20 overs, after they were put into bat.”The game plan was to stay there as long as possible,” said Dottin. “Knock around the ball, get the singles, the twos and pounce on the bad balls, try not to make rash shots. But the whole idea was to stay there until the last couple of overs.”The result meant that the West Indies Women ended the group stage in second position with six points – two behind group winners England Women. They will face New Zealand Women on Thursday in semi-final action at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.”We are looking forward to playing New Zealand,” said Dottin.”We actually have the chance to be in the finals. So it’s just some work that needs to be done and this team will bring it home.”
Barbados Women too hot for Jamaica
At Sion Hill, former Windies captain Merissa Aguilleira played a key role as Trinidad and Tobago bounced back from their first-round loss to inflict a six-wicket defeat on Guyana. The right-handed Aguilleira controlled the defending champions’ run chase with an unbeaten 30 as they overhauled a paltry target of 83. Aguilleira faced 50 deliveries and counted four boundaries. Caneisha Isaac had earlier taken four for 22 from eight overs to wreck Guyana for 83 all out off 42.4 overs. She was supported by West Indies Women off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, who collected three for 15. In the other game at Park Hill, Twenty20 World Cup star Afy Fletcher produced a solid all-rounder performance to help Windward Islands brush aside Leeward Islands by 75 runs. She struck 29 in the Windwards’ 179 all out off 41.1 overs and returned to take three for 23 as the Leewards were bowled out for 104 off 36.2 overs. KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC): Teenaged West Indies batting star Hayley Matthews made her presence felt, stroking an unbeaten half-century to fire Barbados to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Jamaica in the second round of the Women’s Regional Super50 here yesterday. Set a meagre 88 for victory at the Arnos Vale Stadium, Barbados romped home in the 24th over with the right-handed Matthews carving out a delightful 56 not out. Kycia Knight fell cheaply for five in the fifth over with the score on 20, but 19-year-old Matthews partnered with Reshelle Griffith (14) to add 40 for the second wicket and take Barbados to the brink of victory. Matthews struck 10 fours in her 73-ball knock. There was no such enterprise from West Indies Women’s skipper Stafanie Taylor, who was dismissed without scoring as Jamaica, sent in, were bowled out for 87 off 34.1 overs. Her Windies teammate, Chedean Nation, top-scored with 17, but it was medium pacer Deandra Dottin who shone, ripping through the innings with a spell of four for 22. Fast bowler Shakera Selman, who has also played for West Indies, claimed two for 17. AGUILLEIRA PLAYED KEY ROLE
‘We can do better’ – Sterling hopes for Sunshine Girls improvement
Even though Shamera Sterling is 21 years, the defender who stands at 6 ft., one inch is already a senior among the Sunshine Girls. One who has represented the country in netball at every level – under-13, under-16, under-21 – Sterling has been a member of the senior national team since age 15. Her experiences have been plenty and against the world’s top netball-playing countries, including Australia, New Zealand and England, who are ranked one to three, respectively. Sterling reckons fourth-ranked Jamaica, who will host Barbados in a three-Test series from May 19-22, can attain a higher status through a combination of factors. “Out of 10, I’d put it at eight,” is how she rates the team’s chances to become world number one. “We can do better if we have the resources and the right coach. “Other top teams have match practise with other countries and among themselves, but we don’t have that,” she reasoned. “I think the difference between the other countries like New Zealand and Australia is that they have resources, and that’s just it. I don’t think they have anything over us, but a lot of resources that can fulfil their needs.” They will get an opportunity to strengthen in the upcoming series against Barbados, even though Sterling does not expect the competition to push them greatly. Sterling was a member of the Sunshine Girls unit that won gold at the Vitality Series in England last year and she also won bronze with the Under-21 team at the World Youth Netball Championship in 2013 at Glasgow, Scotland. Add to that a load of other medals won at U13, U16 and senior Caribbean tournaments through the years for the player who represented Anchovy, The Queen’s School and Herbert Morrison Technical at high school level, then Waulgrovians club. As she became a student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Sterling now plays with UWI Pelicans. It is an association which gives her the best of both worlds. “I’m doing Literacy Studies, it’s for primary education,” she divulged. “When I leave UWI hopefully I’ll be teaching primary school students. I’ve a passion for kids, I love teaching kids, I love children overall, that’s why I chose to teach either grades two or three.” On the other hand, it juggles nicely to fit her lifelong passion. “I love the sport, I’d say netball is a nine out of 10 for me,” said Sterling with a cheerful grin. “I’m young in the programme, I’ve many years to go.”
Mayweather, McGregor clash over racism
Missile-capable frigate BRP Jose Rizal inches closer to entering PH Navy’s fleet IT happens: Facebook sorry for Xi Jinping’s name mistranslation Irish boxer Connor McGregor, background, touches US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr on the head, during a press conference to promote their upcoming fight, at the SSE Arena, in Wembley, London, Friday July 14, 2017. (Scott Heavey/PA via AP)LONDON—Conor McGregor celebrated his 29th birthday by defending himself against accusations of racism during a media tour to promote his fight with Floyd Mayweather in London on Friday.The Irish mixed martial arts fighter went on the defensive at the fourth press conference in as many days with American Mayweather at the SSE Arena, Wembley.ADVERTISEMENT “There has been a lot of trash talkers (through his career) and at the end of the day, he’s not bad.“We will rate him number two, I’m number one. He’s got heart. You need more guys to be more aggressive to each other, do more trash talking to each other.”By day four in London, some of the lines had already been heard, but not that the estimated crowd of 10,000 at the SSE Arena cared much. They lapped it up and cheered, but only for McGregor.Mayweather, a five-weight world boxing champion who knocked out Briton Ricky Hatton in 2007, was booed loudly by the fans, many of whom were Irish, and he could barely be heard.The pair met on a makeshift stage, a boxing ring, in the middle of the venue.“This is my first time in a boxing ring, and in six weeks I run boxing,” said McGregor.“Four years ago I fought in front of 400 people. Now I get to quadruple my met worth for half a fight.”At one point McGregor walked behind Mayweather and rubbed his head, before calling him a “bald” profanity and then throwing the microphone in the air.Their fight could be the richest in boxing history, making more than the $623.5 million generated by Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao in May 2015.Mayweather, who has earned approximately $700 million in his boxing career according to Forbes magazine, is the best boxer of his generation and has won world titles in five weight classes and is looking to extend his unbeaten record to 50-0. Malacañang open to creating Taal Commission End of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legend Wipeout But Mayweather, 40, was just as guilty as McGregor in using insulting terms for women on Friday.Their latest trash-talking exchange was full of profanities and insults, just like the previous events in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles.READ: Mayweather, McGregor take trash-talk tour to New YorkBoth claimed victory in the war of words.“I smoked him in all four rounds,” McGregor said.“In the first round, they set me up with no music or anything. The **** you suit I wore went viral. Toronto was a wipeout, a 10-7 round, and New York was alright, and tonight I smoked him so it’s 4-0, or 3-1 if you want to be generous.”But Mayweather, who has not fought since September 2015, believes he got the better of McGregor.“I’m the best at it, when it comes to trash talking,” Mayweather said.“He’s not able to push my buttons. He cannot out talk me. LATEST STORIES LIVE: Sinulog 2020 Grand Parade Horn wants to set record straight a second time 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 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano Duterte’s ‘soft heart’ could save ABS-CBN, says election lawyer Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. The pair meet in a light-middleweight boxing contest at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on August 26 in what could be boxing’s richest ever fight.But the event has received some negative publicity since McGregor said to Mayweather at a press conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday, “Dance for me, boy”.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’“If he feels disrespected he’s an idiot and **** him as well,” McGregor told reporters at a press conference.“I think it’s ****ing ridiculous. I don’t understand it. I know who I am as a person. Most realistic people can see that. He’s trying to sway something by (saying I’m) disrespecting women.” Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ View comments MOST READ OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson McGregor, a UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, has never had a professional bout and is a big betting underdog, but can still expect to make $100million from the fight.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Before going on stage in London, American Mayweather criticized McGregor for what he perceived were racists comments made by the Irishman.“Racism still exists,” said Mayweather.“I’ve got a diverse team. It’s all about treating people how you want to be treated. You have to give respect to give it back.“He totally disrespected black women, he called black people monkeys and he was disrespectful to my (13-year-old) daughter.“I’m not going to stoop that low to talk about his wife or child. There’s certain levels and you don’t stoop to or cross. I love everyone.”ADVERTISEMENT
Pirates book first F4 berth
Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ MOST READ DAY6 is for everybody 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 Already good for silver, Delarmino shoots for Muay Thai gold Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours LATEST STORIES Lyceum star CJ Perez (left) and Perpetual’s Flash Sadiwa are left suspended in midair during a loose ball scramble. —AUGUST DELA CRUZMake no mistake about it, Lyceum is far from satisfied from just clinching a Final Four berth in NCAA Season 93.Pirates coach Topex Robinson immediately set loftier goals for his team after a 94-83 whipping of Perpetual Help secured a first postseason appearance on Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.ADVERTISEMENT Mos Burger to open in Manila; teases with a pop-up “I guess the boys really want to be in this position, contending for a Final Four (spot),” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya. “Hopefully, everybody will step up so that we’ll have a better chance.”Perpetual Help dropped to 4-8, sharing seventh spot with Arellano, while St. Benilde moved to the brink of early elimination by slipping to a 3-10 card.The Pirates needed a late push to hold off the Altas, who once again drew a big game from Prince Eze, who had 26 points and 20 rebounds.Mike Nzeusseu, CJ Perez and JC Marcelino combined in a strong finishing kick that boosted the Pirates to a first Final Four appearance with five games to spare.Perez sizzled for 21 points, while Nzeusseu added 15 points to match JV Marcelino’s output and Spencer Pretta came off the bench to chip in 12 points, all from three-pointers.ADVERTISEMENT It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson In ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ Comedy and Drama Collide How to help the Taal evacuees OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene The Pirates still have their work cut out for them if they want to sweep their remaining matches that will actually guarantee a finals berth along with a thrice-to-beat bonus in the championship round.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next “If we’re goal-oriented, our goal is not just to make it to the Final Four but we have to go beyond that,” said Robinson, after the Pirates extended their historic run to 13 games.“It (making history) is really important to us, but if we could go further, I guess that’s what we’re aiming for. Again, you cannot be fat and happy just making it to the Final Four.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogLater, San Sebastian continued its Final Four push with a 73-61 drubbing of St. Benilde to forge a three-team tie for fourth spot.Renzo Navarro fired 16 points, while Michael Calisaan chipped in 11 points as the Stags improved to 6-6, tying Letran and Emilio Aguinaldo College. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
Bolts bolster roster for Finals rematch
Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales? PBA IMAGESThe Meralco Bolts were certainly miffed the way their season ended last year.So they spent the long road to a rematch against defending champions Barangay Ginebra Kings, putting vital new pieces in place that they hope will turn their fortunes around when the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals tip off on Friday.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Archers, Tams go at it anew LATEST STORIES Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene The winningest coach in the league with 19 titles said import Justin Brownlee, playmaker LA Tenorio and do-it-all guard Scottie Thomson will get more space to make plays with Slaughter around.“That’s the problem Slaughter poses for other teams,” said Cone.BPC updateMeanwhile, San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo topped the race for Best Player of the Conference with 38.455 statistical points after leading the Governors’ Cup in rebounds (11.64 per game) and blocks (2.27 per game).Trailing Fajardo, the league’s reigning MVP for three consecutive seasons, are Jayson Castro of TNT (33.56 SPs) and Slaughter (32.65 SPs).In the contest for Best Import, Durham seemed headed to replicating his award last year with 58.875 SPs, followed by Brandon Brown of Phoenix (54.500 SPs) and Blackwater’s Henry Walker (54.100 SPs).Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next MOST READ Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson “Our biggest improvement now is we can shoot the three, which was not there last year,” said Black.The Bolts lost last year’s best-of-seven confrontation in six games even though they took the series opener, something that the defending champion Gin Kings want to reverse this time.“You can dictate the series if you win Game 1. There’s comfortability of being ahead in the series because there’s always a sense of panic in being behind,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone during Tuesday’s PBA Finals presser.Cone feels he has his own game-changer in Greg Slaughter, who will be a new force for the Kings since he was out due to injury in last year’s Finals conquest of the Bolts.“He changes the way teams approach us. They have to find matchups for him,” said Cone.ADVERTISEMENT It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson SEA Games 2019: Philippines clinches historic gold in women’s basketball PLAY LIST 05:02SEA Games 2019: Philippines clinches historic gold in women’s basketball00:50Trending Articles06:27SEA Games 2019: No surprises as Gilas Pilipinas cruises to basketball gold02:14Carpio 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 “What we tried to do this year knowing that AD (Allen Durham) was coming back and we have a chance at winning this conference, we tried to bring in floor spacers,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.Meralco’s latest addition was veteran power forward Ranidel De Ocampo, acquired from TNT KaTropa to give the Bolts a stretch big who could free up space for Durham underneath.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogBefore that, Meralco added young shooters like rookie Baser Amer, Mike Tolomia and Garvo Lanete.“That’s something we didn’t have last year. These guys give AD more space in the floor to maneuver. Reynel Hugnatan was our best floor spacer back then,” said Black, bidding to clinch his 10th PBA crown. View comments