Masters look-back: Sam Snead beats Ben Hogan in 18-hole playoff to win in '54

A survey of 15 golf writers voted on the top five Masters in history. They are being republished this week because the Masters has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 1954 Masters was voted No. 6. The following story moved on April 12, 1954.

AUGUSTA, Georgia — Sam Snead gambled with the "graveyard of the Masters," the tortuous thirteenth hole, and beat Ben Hogan by a stroke in an 18-hole playoff for the Masters golf title on Monday.

Snead won by a score of 70 to Hogan's 71 in a duel that carried right up to the final green. They had finished the regulation 72 holes on Sunday with scores of 289, highest ever to win a Masters tournament.

The victory made Snead the second man ever to win the Masters three times, putting him even with Jimmy Demaret. And it deprived Hogan of the same honor and preserved the tradition that no Masters champion ever repeats the next year.

Hogan had won last year with a record 274 score and before that in 1951. Snead's previous victories had come in 1949 and 1952. Demaret, completing his triple in 1950, was the only player to break the mastery these two have held over the huge, testing Augusta National course in six years.

It was the first head-to-head meeting between these two since 1950.

PHOTO: AP

Snead was the one who got it — on the thirteenth hole, where many fine golfers have blown themselves right out of the tournament.

It was on the thirteenth on Sunday that Billy Joe Patton, the amateur sensation of this year's tournament, took a painful seven that cost him a victory. Patton was a member of Monday's gallery of some 7,000.

Par for the Augusta National course, with its 6,800 yards of landscaped fairways, is 36-36_72. Snead with 35-35_70 was just two under while Hogan had 35-36_71. The scores were in keeping with the unusally high 72-hole total.

While the scoring wasn't sensational, the tense duel between these two great golfers kept the sweating, hurrying spectators on edge right to the finish. The thirteenth was the deciding hole and when Hogan three-putted the short sixteenth, Sam's victory seemed assured. But it wasn't until Snead came out of a trap within putting distance of the last hole that the crowd really relaxed.

After they had turned the first nine all even, Snead went ahead for the first time when he holed a sensational chip shot from off the edge of the tenth green. Hogan got that one back on the twelfth and they came to the "graveyard" thirteenth.

PHOTO: AP

This is a 470-yard, par five hole with a sharp dogleg around some woods to the left. A creek winds in a deep ditch along the left side of the fairway, crosses in front of the green and bends around the right side of it.

Hogan, hitting first, elected to play safe. He drove to the right of the fairway and played a safe shot short of the creek. But Sam elected to gamble. He slammed his drive close to the trees on the bend, took an iron and fired a long, low shot to the green some thirty-five feet past the pin. Hogan's chip was weak and stopped on the front fringe of the green.

Snead, who has a reputation as a shaky putter and who admitted to the worst case of "yips" in his career before this tournament started, made an almost perfect putt. It came so close to dropping for an eagle that his caddy, holding the pin, bent down to the ball and waved it on.

Hogan, putting from the fringe, couldn't get down and Sam tapped his one-footer in for a birdie that put him ahead to stay.

When they halved the seventeenth in par fours, Snead's face finally relaxed into a smile. But it wasn't entirely settled. On the last hole Snead's second shot went into the trap while Ben was on the green. Sam played a beautiful explosion shot to within six feet of the cup. Hogan's putt was barely short and he got down for his four. Snead missed his first putt, but it didn't matter. He was close enough to get the winner.

PHOTO: AP

For a while on the front nine, Snead was close to succumbing to the jitters. He saw Hogan make a beautiful recovery from a trap to halve the 555-yard second in birdie fours and then Sam had three-putted the 220-yard fourth to go one down.

This was the second Masters playoff which Hogan had lost. Byron Nelson beat him by a stroke in 1942.

This time the stakes were a lot higher. With the guaranteed purse increased by 150 percent at the end of the tournament, the winner's share was $5,000 and the loser's was $3,175.

The only other Masters playoff took place in 1935 when Gene Sarazen beat Craig Wood in a 36-hole duel.

Snead and Hogan now have clashed three times in two-man duels and the score stands 3-0 in Snead's favor. He beat Hogan in the San Francisco match play tournament before the war and again in the playoff for the Los Angeles Open title in 1950.

 

The panel of voters: Jeff Babineau, Morning Read; Michael Bamberger, golf.com; Mark Cannizzaro, New York Post; Iain Carter, BBC; Steve DiMeglio, USA Today; Doug Ferguson, Associated Press; Bob Harig, espn.com; Rex Hoggard, golfchannel.com; Derek Lawrenson, The Daily Mail; Tod Leonard, golfdigest.com; Jim Litke, Associated Press; Jim McCabe, pgatour.com; Bill Pennington, New York Times: Dave Shedloski, golfdigest.com; John Strege, golfdigest.com.

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Source: Spin PH

UP Maroons 'bonfire' team Zoom-ed back in time and it's hilarious

ANYONE can dream, right?

Members of the 2014 University of the Philippines team - remember that ragtag crew which ended a 27-game losing streak and celebrated that win with a bonfire - couldn't help but compare themselves to last year's Maroons side.

Mikee Reyes, who hosted a Zoom session that reunited members of that team, raised the question to his peers as they willingly paired themselves on who will defend whom in a theoretical game against the last batch of the Fighting Maroons.

The result? It was hilarious.

"Noong panahon natin, di naman tayo nag-man-to-man. Puro zone lang tayo noon," said Mo Gingerich, who now works as an assistant to UP head coach Bo Perasol. "Wala tayong pag-asa pag tao-tao."

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And here is the list they came up with.

Kobe Paras will be defended by Gingerich, while Ricci Rivero will have Agustini Amar across him.

Juan Gomez de Liano will draw Reyes, although the Maroons guard turned TV commentator did gave a playful disclaimer and said, "Sa payabangan lang."

Bright Akhuetie will be guarded by Andrew Harris, Jun Manzo will have Jarrell Lim on him, and Jaybie Mantilla drew Diego Dario.

Javi Gomez de Liano and Will Gozum both drew the name of Mark Juruena, James Spencer will have Dave Moralde on him, and David Murrell will be facing JR Gallarza on the defensive end.

Rounding out the matchups were Gelo Vito on Noah Webb, Henry Asilum on Jaydee Tungcab, Darwish Bederi on Jboy Gob, Kyles Lao on Janjan Jaboneta, Martin Pascual on Jerson Prado, and Carlo Escalambre on Pio Longa.

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Fun as the activity was, the Season 77 side knows that they're no match against the Season 82 team in a best-of-seven series.

"Wala, 0-4 tayo doon," Reyes said, to which Gingerich responded: "Si Juan, mag-40 kay Mikee."

Lim, meanwhile, was more optimistic, responding, "1-4, kasi tiwala ako kay coach Mo na babantayan niya si Kobe."

Dario, on the other hand, was more snarky in his remark, saying, "Pag na-shoot na ni Mikee yung free throw, panalo tayo."

Source: Spin PH

Uncertainty remains but Nick Nurse, Mike Budenholzer preparing for playoffs

WITH NBA games indefinitely on hold, there has been a lot of discussion about postseason possibilities — including by coaches around the league.

They're preparing for what a resumption of the season that was shut down March 11 could look like in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Toronto coach Nick Nurse said he's trying to prepare for every possibility that would allow the Raptors a chance to defend their title.

"We're ready for whatever is thrown at us," Nurse said recently during a conference call with reporters. "I don't think it really matters. What matters is that we attack the title in whatever format it's going to be presented in and we go for it."

PHOTO: AP

No one knows what will be thrown at the NBA or the rest of the sports world. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advising against large gatherings make the calendar a major factor in how the league could resume its season.

The ideas are many, from a shortened version of the remaining schedule played without fans to the very real possibility of jumping straight into the playoffs to ensure a season is completed before the end of summer.

Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said he has spent part of this hiatus studying the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets — the Bucks' two most likely first-round playoff foes — as well as other Eastern Conference teams.

Nurse had already begun thinking postseason before the season was suspended.

PHOTO: AP

"When we hit March 1, we've got a kind of playoff prepping plan thing that kicks in," the Raptors coach said. "We spread the teams around our staff members and they prepare a pretty detailed couple of hour video sessions.

"They would normally come into my office and start showing that to me one-on-one. It's a two-hour video that we go through probably in about three hours on certain teams in the East and then a handful of them in the West as well.

"The coaches were started in on that already and they'll continue on that. The only difference is there's no real one-one-one time with me yet. They'll probably just have to send me their edit and then I'll just have to watch them and talk to them on the phone."

If the NBA resumes the season with the start of the postseason, Nurse and Toronto would be the No. 2 seed in the East and would host No. 7 Brooklyn. Other matchups would be: No. 1 Milwaukee vs. No. 8 Orlando; No. 3 Boston vs No. 6 Philadelphia; and No. 4 Miami vs No. 5 Indiana.

PHOTO: AP

In the West: No. 1 LA Lakers vs No. 8 Memphis; No. 2 LA Clippers vs No. 7 Dallas; No. 3 Denver vs No. 6 Houston; No. 4 Utah vs No. 5 Oklahoma City.

As good as the matchups look on paper, the play could be sloppy.

Celtics center Enes Kanter estimates it would take at least two to three weeks for players to get their bodies in game shape. Part of the reason, he said, is the time players have had away from the court.

Kanter believes a training camp-like period would probably be needed.

"You can't just say 'OK, we're going to play the games a week later.' Some players are doing some things. Some players are in their apartments not doing anything," Kanter said during a conference call. "We need to make sure everybody is doing their stuff and is in good shape to go out there and compete if we jump straight into playoffs."

PHOTO: AP

Kanter said a training camp setting would also help players refocus. He said while he's staying in shape, he's also spending time reading, watching documentaries and teaching himself to cook and play the piano.

It's clear time is not the NBA's friend.

Monday marked the 26th day of the shutdown, a stoppage that has already cost the league more than 100 games. And the CDC is recommending that no in-person events involving 10 or more people be held through the end of April as the US fights the spread of the pandemic. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday the league would not make any decisions about resuming the season until May at the earliest.

Kanter said if a decision is made to jump straight to the postseason, he hopes the length of the series won't be affected.

"We're competitors, man. We want to go out there and push through and finish the season," he said. "It's crazy because we have a really good chance to go out there and get a championship. So, it's like for sure you want to go out there and compete."

 

AP freelance writer Ian Harrison contributed to this report.

Source: Spin PH

Blackwater owner urges PBA to go back to two-conference format

BLACKWATER team owner Dioceldo Sy urges that now more than ever, this is the proper time for the PBA to consider reverting to a two-conference format for every season.

Sy said three conferences per year no longer appear viable especially with the league forced to tweak its schedule from time to time to adjust to the new FIBA format, and thus resulting in the overlapping of its playing calendar for a season.

Scheduling became an even bigger problem now that the coronavirus pandemic forced the PBA to suspended its young season that saw the its initial offering Philippine Cup play just its opening game day before the Enhanced Community Quarantine was imposed on the entire Luzon island. 

“I’m all for it (two conferences). I’m a long proponent of two conferences even before this coronavirus outbreak,” said Sy on Tuesday.

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

The PBA Board is set to convene in an online meeting later in the day to discuss measures on how the rest of the season will proceed especially with the quarantine period being extended to another two weeks, or until April 30, by President Duterte.

Commissioner Willie Marcial mentioned that making do with just two conferences this season or even adjusting the All-Filipino meet to just one long tournament are among the options being considered by the board and league think-tanks.

But for Sy, the two-conference set-up which he’s been advocating informally in the past, is practical.

“I think we can do away with two conferences with an import. Just an All-Filipino and one conference with import [na] 6-foot-9 and above. Nagawa naman na ng liga ito before, so I don’t see any reason why we can’t do it now.”

The league modified its format to a two-conference season when Noli Eala became commissioner in 2003, specifically to give a PBA-reinforced national team the time to prepare for major FIBA-sanctioned tournaments.

The set-up was retained by Eala’s successor Sonny Barrios until the league returned to its original three-conference system by the time Chito Salud took over.

The only other time the PBA had two conferences in a season came in 1981 when the country first hosted the Southeast Asian Games.

Sy is aware the PBA has an agreement with most of its sponsors about the number of games it should play in a season, which will likely be reduced if only two conferences are held in a year.

But there’s always a compromise, he added.

“Puwedeng mahabang tournament yung Philippine Cup, and then the same with the import-laden conference. It may not approximate the number of games of having three conferences, but nasa bargaining na yan.”

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Sy said the PBA is perhaps one of the few leagues in the world with long playing calendars, one that lasts nine to 10 months in a year.

With a reduced tournament, Sy said players will be less prone to injuries.

“Makakapahinga rin ang mga players, hindi rin yung bugbog talaga,” added the long-time team owner.

For the 12-member ballclubs, it may also meant lesser exposure and gains, but it’s a sacrifice everybody in the league should take, Sy added.

Source: Spin PH

Is Fajardo already the PBA's GOAT? Let's look at the numbers

THE 45th season of the PBA began last March 8 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the Annual Leo Awards, where San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo won an unprecedented sixth straight MVP award.

Fajardo, who received his MVP trophy while on a motorized wheelchair after fracturing his right tibia in preseason practice that will likely keep him out for the entire upcoming season, won six MVPs in a row right after losing out to Calvin Abueva, then with Alaska, for Rookie of the Year honors in 2013.

The 6-10 Cebuano is now two MVP trophies clear of Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio who previously had the most number of MVP awards in the league with four apiece.

There are already those who have already proclaimed Fajardo as the PBA’s GOAT, or greatest of all-time, because of his six MVPs.

But is the number of MVP awards the sole basis for being named the GOAT?

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

If that’s the case, why is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hardly popular in current NBA GOAT conversations among fans and in media despite his league-most six MVPs? Michael Jordan, Lebron James and the late Kobe Bryant are always the ones being mentioned in social media GOAT debates.

Is Fajardo’s eight-championship total with the Beermen, inclusive of the last five Philippine Cup titles, part of the equation as well for PBA GOAT considerations?

If that’s the case, then Fajardo’s total will pale in comparison right now to Fernandez’s 19, although the former’s career isn’t over yet.

In the NBA, Bill Russell has the most number of championships won of all time among players but he, too, is rarely mentioned in GOAT discussions.

Career statistics-wise, will Fajardo be able to catch up with the likes of Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Benjie Paras and Jerry Codinera, among the many PBA legendary centers, in terms of scoring, rebounding and shotblocks, among others?

Right now, Fernandez, who played 20 seasons in the PBA, is No. 1 in the league’s all-time list in scoring (18,996), rebounding (8,652) and shotblocks (1,853) and No. 2 in assists (5,220, behind Sonny Jaworski’s 5,825) and  steals (1,302, behind Johnny Abarrientos’ 1,358).

I guess we’ll never know until Fajardo’s playing career is over, right?

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But maybe we can take a peek at the answer by comparing Fajardo’s numbers with those of the other legendary centers in PBA history who have won multiple MVP awards after their first seven seasons in the league.

Aside from Fernandez, who won each of his MVP awards with different teams (Toyota in 1982, Beer Hausen in 1984, Tanduay in 1986 and San Miguel Beer in 1988), other centers who won at least two MVPs in their PBA careers were Guidaben (two; with Crispa in 1983 and San Miguel Beer in 1987),  Paras (two; 1989 & 1999 with Shell; the only Rookie of the Year & MVP winner ever which he did in 1989) and Danny Ildefonso (2 with San Miguel Beer in 2000 and 2001).

Here are their comparative numbers and awards won through their first seven PBA seasons:

Some notes we can infer from these numbers, or others worth noting:

* Fajardo’s 12.2 career rebounding average is actually No. 1 all-time among all local players to date, which should bode well if he intends to catch up with Fernandez’s numbers in that category.

* Fajardo has the worst free-throw shooting percentage among these 5 bigs in their first 7 seasons, which may be something he may want to improve on moving forward, and specially since he will likely continue to be among the most fouled players in the PBA for a long time, well unless he improves his foul-shooting.

* Even at 6-10, Fajardo’s shotblocking prowess pales in comparison to those of the 6-5 Paras’ and the 6-4 Fernandez’s, numbers-wise.

* Ildefonso’s 5 BPC awards is three less than Fajardo’s total but Danny I won his 5 consecutively - from the 2000 Commissioner’s Cup up to the end of the 2001 season.

* Guidaben never won an MVP nor was on the Mythical Team in his first seven seasons in the PBA and had the lowest across-the-board averages compared to the four other players but won the most number of championships in that span, all with Crispa.

If he isn’t yet, will June Mar be eventually the PBA’s GOAT by the time he hangs up his sneakers?

Source: Spin PH

All the different COVID-19 tests, explained

EXTENSIVE testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is beginning to ramp up. By the end of April, the country will be able to conduct 10,000 tests per day, according to Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. 

Is this the mass testing that many have been clamoring for?

In a way, yes. But infectious disease specialist Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña prefers to call it “massive testing”. As he explained in a Facebook post, “To clarify, the goal is to test everyone who needs a test[.] [T]his includes close contacts of known cases and some sampling in the community.”

He continued: “This is not mass testing but massive testing to test everyone who needs it. Testing people who don't need the test is a waste and can lead to misleading data, given the limitations of testing accuracy.”

With more wide-scale testing rolling out, here’s our explainer on how, exactly, COVID-19 tests work. Hopefully, it will clear up a lot of questions and terms floating around now that widespread testing is being rolled out.

Warning: science words ahead!

PHOTO: AP

First, let’s get some terms clear.

Viruses and diseases often have different names. For example, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the disease. The virus that causes it? HIV.

The respiratory disease that is currently raging around the world is called COVID-19. The virus that causes it has been named SARS-CoV-2. It is part of a family of viruses called the coronavirus, which include viruses that cause SARS and MERS. Early on in the start of its worldwide spread, SARS-CoV-2 was called the novel coronavirus (because it was a new form of coronavirus) or nCoV for short. 

In this article, we’ll occasionally use the words coronavirus or novel coronavirus to refer to SARS-CoV-2.

PHOTO: AP

So how do we test for SARS-CoV-2?

In the battle against COVID-19, there are two kinds of tests that are being deployed. 

One looks for the genetic material or protein evidence of the actual virus. The other kind of test looks for antibodies in your system that are fighting against SARS-CoV-2. 

Let’s first talk about the first kind of tests.

The main methodology for checking for genetic material of the virus is the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test. A quantitative reverse transcriptase-based PCR test (or RT-PCR, for short) remains the “gold standard in determining whether a person is infected or infectious,” according to a DOH circular dated March 31.

As of April 3, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration has approved 21 RT-PCR tests for use in the country — including the one locally developed by the University of the Philippines and manufactured by Manila Healthtek Inc.

How does RT-PCR work?

Basically, RT-PCR tests look for genetic evidence of the virus in a given sample. A patient is swabbed in the nose and throat (since COVID-19 is a respiratory disease), and this swab is brought to a central testing laboratory. 

Because the novel coronavirus is made up of a single strand of genetic material called RNA, it needs to be converted into double-stranded DNA so that it can be “copied” for further analysis. Scientists use a well-known process called reverse transcription to do this. So they extract RNA from a sample, then use an enzyme to reverse-transcribe it to DNA. 

The RT-PCR machine then essentially acts like a genetic xerox machine, churning out billions of copies of the DNA sample. The “amount” of the virus is then measured using a fluorescent dye. If the fluorescence goes above a certain level, then it’s a hit, and the presence of the virus is confirmed in the sample.

What are RT-PCR’s advantages?

They are highly sensitive, highly accurate (especially if administered early, and they are very easy to manufacture. On April 3, the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology announced that Manila Healthtek Inc., manufacturer of the UP-developed test, had already received reagents that would enable them to make up to 120,000 kits.

What are RT-PCR’s disadvantages?

Results often depend on the quality of the sample. “As the swab needs to pick up enough of the virus to work, this is one of the reasons the coronavirus in the PCR test can have a higher false negative test rate — that is, missing the virus even though someone has the infection,” explained Dr. James Gill of Warwick Medical School in the UK.

This is why repeat RT-PCR tests may need to be conducted on a single patient.

And while the actual testing process is very fast, samples need to be transported to a central testing laboratory. For the first few weeks of ECQ, there was only one in the country: the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa. There are now, however, six, with more already in the last phase of accreditation.

Still, the need for a centralized point of analysis means turnaround times for results could be slow.

PHOTO: AP

And what about the second kind of tests, the antibody tests?

In these kinds of tests, you’re not looking for the virus itself, but for evidence that the virus is (or was) inside your body. That means looking for antibodies — proteins manufactured in your blood that act as virus fighters.

Currently, the FDA has approved nine antibody test kits for use in the Philippines.

Some of these tests are laboratory based. But of particular interest to many people are the rapid antibody test kits, which are portable, don't need a specialized laboratory, and, as their name suggests, gives fast results.

What antibodies is this test looking for?

The antibody known as immunoglobulin M, or IgM, shows up anywhere from 5 to 10 days from when you first get infected. Then, there is immunoglobulin G, or IgG, which appears within 10 to 14 days. 

“Many tests can distinguish between IgM and IgG and thus give information on the phase of infection (early/current versus later stage/previous infection),” said Dr. Andrew Preston, a microbial pathogenesis expert from the University of Bath.

So how does the test work?

Developing an antibody test is a little tricky. To make a RT-PCR test, you only needed to know the full genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2, which China provided back when the coronavirus began to explode. But to make an antibody test, you had to study the protein coat around the virus — specifically, the proteins that would trigger an antibody response.

Once you’ve identified the proteins in the viral coat, you have to produce them in a laboratory and embed them into a matrix called an immunoassay. “[T]heir development takes time. Expressing the protein in the right structure is often the most difficult step,” wrote Anna Petherick for The Lancet.

However, once manufactured, rapid diagnostic antibody tests are portable, rapid, and can be used in point-of-care (POC) situations. For example, a lateral flow immunoassay test — “essentially a dipstick encased in a cassette,” as Nature described it — only needs two drops of blood. Results appear in less than an hour. 

Sounds handy, right? However, in its guidelines on COVID-19 test kits, the DOH says that only medical doctors can prescribe rapid antibody test kits, as well as interpret the results. It also cannot be bought over the counter. 

What’s the disadvantage of the antibody test?

Sure, rapid diagnostic antibody tests are fast and portable. But, as we described above, they’re also quite difficult to test and develop. 

You also have to remember that antibodies don’t appear in your blood right away. So it’s very important to know when to take the test. Take it too early, when your body hasn’t developed any antibodies yet, and you might get a false negative result. Because of this, they are regarded as less accurate than RT-PCR tests.

In the interim guidelines on COVID-19 testing by the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the organization wrote: "The true accuracy of immunoassays for COVID-19 has not been established yet. The likelihood of false negative results from immunoassays in general should be considered. Furthermore, analytical specificity and sensitivity have not yet been determined."

Can rapid antibody tests be used to mass test for COVID-19?

The DOH makes its rules clear in its March 30 memo: “All rapid antibody-based test kits cannot be used as a standalone test to definitively diagnose COVID-19.” In addition, all reports from the department will be based only on RT-PCR test results, and “no public funds shall be used to pay for any COVID-19 rapid antibody-based test kit.”

In the Philippines, for now, rapid antibody test kits can only be used by private medical institutions as an “adjunct tool” and a supplement for RT-PCR tests. For example, they can be used to clear patients who do not exhibit symptoms and have completed a 14-day quarantine after being released from a health facility.

PHOTO: AP

Is there another kind of test?

There is. It’s called an antigen test. It’s similar to the RT-PCR test because it looks for evidence of the virus itself, and not evidence that your body is fighting it. But if an RT-PCR test looks for a virus’ genetic material, an antigen test looks for the specific proteins (called antigens) found in the outer coats of SARS-CoV-2. Various biotech companies are working on making small, portable versions of these, similar to rapid antibody tests. However, these are still in development, and the Philippine FDA has not authorized any for use.

Quotes from UK experts from Science Media Centre.

Source: Spin PH

NBA won't make any decision on resumption until May at the earliest, says Silver

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is bracing for several more weeks of uncertainty about the remainder of this halted season, revealing Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time) that he does not expect the league will be able to decide anything until at least May.

Silver spoke on the NBA’s Twitter account as part of the league’s new NBATogether initiative, in a conversation hosted by Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson. Silver touched on many topics, including how the league is looking at numerous scenarios for a return, but in every case the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic makes it impossible right now to move too far forward.

“Essentially, what I’ve told my folks over the last week is that we just should just accept that, at least for the month of April, we won’t be in a position to make any decisions,” Silver said. “And I don’t think that necessarily means on May 1 we will be.”

The NBA was the first of the major U.S. pro leagues to shut down because of the COVID-19 threat, doing so after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first player in the league to test positive for the virus. The league’s regular season was to end April 15, and the playoffs were to begin April 18.

PHOTO: AP

That isn't going to happen, and that has been known for some time. The NBA wants this season to resume, but simply cannot say with any certainty if it will or will not happen.

“We miss it badly," Silver said. “To all the families watching this, I know the NBA is a big part of their lives. We just want to assure everybody that while we're putting the health and safety of everyone first, we're looking at every possibility to get our players back on the floor and to play NBA basketball again."

Among the decisions that have yet to be made, Silver said: whether the regular season will resume in some form or if the NBA would go immediately into the playoffs — assuming the league can salvage this season at all.

Also on the drawing board: if games would be played in NBA arenas or practice facilities, how televising games would work and if the league would take everybody to one site to finish the season. Cities have expressed interest in that option and have reached out to the NBA to say as much, Silver said.

“We're in listening mode right now," he said.

PHOTO: AP

The news likely wasn't unexpected, but it still hit All-Star center Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat hard when told that no decision on the fate of the season is expected anytime soon.

“It's a whole spectrum of the unknown," Adebayo told The Associated Press after Silver spoke. “But at the end of the day, it's about safety, it's about our families and it's bigger than us. It's a global thing and we've all got to take it even more seriously."

Silver also discussed Saturday’s 45-minute conference call that he and other major U.S. sports leaders had with President Donald Trump. The president said he had been watching some replays of past major sports events, then asked the commissioners and others for their thoughts.

“It wasn’t just a pep talk, but I think it was a reminder of what the meaning is of sports to Americans, to our culture in particular,” Silver said. “What came back from all the leagues collectively was once we get the all-clear, however that’s determined, of course with public health officials and by our government ... we’re going to be ready to go. But first and foremost is the health and safety of everyone involved.”

It has been, by far and for obvious reasons, the most personally trying season of Silver's tenure as commissioner. The NBA got into a major and costly rift with China in October after Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong around the same time as the league was making its annual visit to that basketball-wild nation for two preseason games that became incredibly awkward. Commissioner Emeritus David Stern, Silver's predecessor and mentor, died Jan. 1. Kobe Bryant, who was announced as a Hall of Fame inductee on Saturday, died Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna and seven others.

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Silver spoke in mid-February about how he had concerns about the coronavirus threat. By mid-March, it had shut down his league and now, in many ways, much of the world is shuttered. As he said in an interview with AP late last month, Silver said he feels a responsibility for 55,000 people who generate at least some of their income by working in the NBA or at NBA games.

“That's what's keeping me up at night," Silver said.

There is also some very personal worry for Silver right now: His wife is expecting their second daughter, due to arrive in mid-May.

“There's a bit of additional anxiety in terms of going into a New York City hospital in the middle of all this," Silver said.

New York has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country, and its healthcare system has been tested perhaps like never before by the demands of the pandemic.

“I think we're going to see a new approach to a lot of these problems," Silver said. "And maybe we were a little bit behind. This is a cruel wake-up call in many ways, given that we're talking about an enormous number of human lives, but we will come out of this better."

Source: Spin PH

It's official: Luzon enhanced community quarantine is extended until April 30

YESTERDAY night, President Duterte said in a press briefing that he was “likely” to extend the Luzon enhanced community quarantine for two more weeks until April 30.

In this morning’s Laging Handa press briefing, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles of the Inter-agency Task Force made it official: “[E]nhanced community quarantine is hereby extended until 11:59 p.m. of April 30.”

He said that they had confirmed this with the chief executive last night.

The ECQ was supposed to end on April 13. In the press briefing, Nograles explained the IATF decision to extend this deadline.

“Di pa natin nakikita ang peak,” he said. “Pag ni-lift mo ang ECQ, sisipa pataas ‘yan. Kasi gagalaw lahat. At kung gumalaw, kakalat [ang virus].”

He outlined several steps that the government needed to take to “flatten the curve”: the capacity to conduct 8,000 to 10,000 tests per day with a 24-hour turnaround time, the immediate isolation of PUIs, the construction of strategic testing centers, as well as the capacity to do contact tracing.

And if all of these things are in place by April 30?

He said that the ECQ will likely be relaxed, but Filipino citizens should be ready for a new normal. “Pag in place po lahat ‘to ng April 30, kelangan, andiyan pa rin ang social distancing. Eto yung sinasabi natin na magta-transition tayo sa new normal. And the new normal, ladies and gentlemen, is social, physical distancing.”

Source: Spin PH

NBA bans team workouts with draft-eligible players - in person or video - during shutdown

THE NBA has told teams that they may not conduct or attend any workouts with draft-eligible players during the league's coronavirus hiatus, a major change from typical procedures.

Teams also are being prohibited "from watching, requesting, or sharing any video (live or recorded) of a draft-eligible player or prospective early entry player taking part in a workout" during the league's shutdown. The NBA told teams of the rule changes Monday in a memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

Teams will be allowed to conduct interviews by phone or video, though they will be capped at a total of four hours with any draft prospect. They can also send questionnaires to players in advance of any interviews.

"Given the unique challenges associated with the current coronavirus situation, it is apparent that teams will not have the same scouting opportunities that are typically available in advance," the league told teams in the memo.

For now, the NBA draft is still scheduled for June 25. The league shut down on March 11 after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday night that he does not believe the league will be able to make any decision on the future of the season until sometime in May at the earliest.

The workout ban applies to ones that would have been hosted by either teams, agents or other representatives. The NBA said that decision was made "consistent with government guidelines and advice from health experts regarding how to promote individual and public health while minimizing the spread of the coronavirus."

Teams and their personnel can watch footage of any draft-eligible players or prospective early-entry players participating in games or practices that took place before the league's hiatus began.

So far, the league has not changed the dates or format of the NBA Draft Combine or G League Elite Camp, both of which were scheduled for mid-May.

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Source: Spin PH

THE Masters goes from that annual rite of spring to two weeks before Thanksgiving. The US Open now is scheduled in September for the first time since amateur Francis Ouimet took down Britain's best at Brookline in 1913 to put golf on the map in America.

And the oldest championship of them all won't even be played.

Golf organizations tried to salvage a season unlike any other Monday with a series of changes, starting with the British Open being canceled for the first time since 1945. The PGA Championship, which last year moved to May, would go back to August. That would be followed by the PGA Tour's postseason, the US Open and Ryder Cup in consecutive weeks, and then the Masters on Nov. 12-15.

"Any Masters is better than no Masters," Augusta native Charles Howell III said.

PHOTO: AP

Still to be determined was when — or even if — golf could resume because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down sports worldwide.

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said the Masters identified November as "intended dates." CEO Seth Waugh said the PGA of America was "holding" Aug. 6-9 as dates for the PGA Championship at Harding Park in San Francisco. USGA chief Mike Davis said moving from June to September was the best chance to mitigate health and safety concerns — Winged Foot is 5 miles from New Rochelle, New York, a virus hot spot — to have "the best opportunity" of staging the US Open.

The British Open effectively is pushing its schedule back one year, saying the 149th Open still is set for Royal St. George's on July 15-18, leaving the 150th Open for St. Andrews the following year.

"I can assure everyone that we have explored every option for playing The Open this year, but it is not going to be possible," R&A chief Martin Slumbers said.

PHOTO: AP

Golf's major organizations, starting with the PGA Tour and its calendar filled with tournaments, have been trying to piece together a puzzle for the last three weeks. Each agreed to announce their plans together in a show of collaboration.

Still missing is the starting line, along with some details on what could be the most hectic pace golf has ever known.

"We hope the anticipation of staging the Masters Tournament in the fall brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and all those who love the sport," Ridley said. "We want to emphasize that our future plans are incumbent upon favorable counsel and direction from health officials."

Augusta National closed early this year because of the coronavirus and does not open until October. The bloom of dogwoods and azaleas will give way to fall foliage. Instead of being the second full week in April, it will compete against football.

"It feels like in these extraordinary times, we need to do extraordinary things," said Kevin Kisner, who grew up 20 miles away in Aiken, South Carolina. "We can sacrifice a little bit of our life being perfect."

The PGA Tour has tentatively planned to complete its FedEx Cup season close to schedule, with the Tour Championship finishing on Labor Day. It is contemplating putting tournaments in dates that previously belonged to the U.S. Open, British Open and Olympics.

"It's a complex situation, and we want to balance the commitments to our various partners with playing opportunities for our members — while providing compelling competition to our fans," PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said. "But all of that must be done while navigating the unprecedented global crisis that is impacting every single one of us."

The new schedule:

— Aug. 6-9: PGA Championship.

— Aug. 13-16: End of PGA Tour regular season at Wyndham Championship.

— Aug. 20-23: Start of FedEx Cup playoffs at The Northern Trust.

— Aug. 27-30: BMW Championship, second playoff event.

— Sept. 4-7: Tour Championship for the FedEx Cup.

— Sept. 17-20: U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

— Sept. 25-27: Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

It was not immediately clear how the teams from Europe and the United States would be determined for the Ryder Cup, although European captain Padraig Harrington has said he would not be opposed to picking all 12 players.

For the 24 players, that means going from what long has been regarded as the toughest test in golf to what has become the most tiresome three days in golf.

"It's definitely better than leaving the Tour Championship and going to France, or leaving the Bahamas to go to Australia," said Patrick Cantlay, referring to the Americans' most recent Ryder and Presidents cup itineraries.

Like everything else, so much remains up in the air until golf get the signal to resume.

Gian Paolo Montali, the general director for the 2022 Ryder Cup, said on Italian radio Monday that officials faced a May deadline to postpone the Ryder Cup to odd-numbered years (as it was before the matches were postponed by the Sept. 11 attacks). He described the chances as 50-50. Montali also said players already have vetoed a Ryder Cup without its raucous fans.

Other details must be sorted out, such as U.S. Open qualifying. The next tournament on the PGA Tour schedule is Colonial on May 21-24, though that appears unlikely.

Ridley said every player who has received invitations to play the Masters in April will stay on the list. He said the Augusta National Women's Amateur was canceled, and every player can keep their spots for next year provided they don't turn pro.

The U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island and the U.S. Senior Women's Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Connecticut have been canceled.

As for the British Open, Shane Lowry gets to keep the claret jug longer than anyone since Dick Burton, who won in 1939 at St. Andrews in the last Open before World War II. Burton went from "champion golfer of the year" to member of the Royal Air Force.

Lowry said in a video tweet he understood and supported the R&A's decision.

"You can trust me when I say the claret jug is going to be in safe hands for another year," Lowry said.

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Source: Spin PH

LIST: Supermarket schedules for Holy Week

While we’re all on community lockdown, keeping safe, keeping healthy, and keeping sane is on top of everyone’s mind. Here are some essential life tips for living in the time of pandemic. This is SPIN.ph’s COVID-19 Survival Guide.

In case you might have forgotten, Holy Week starts is from April 5 to April 12. If you're planning on buying groceries anytime within the week, you should know that some supermarkets won't have its regular ECQ schedule during Holy Week.

Here's a guide on major groceries' operating hours during Holy Week:

Metro Stores

Metro Supermarket, Super Metro Hypermarket, Metro Market, Metro Fresh n Easy

April 8: adjusted store hours (except these branches)

April 9: 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Super Metro Calamba)

April 9: 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Metro Market! Market Supermarket, Metro Marquee Mall Angeles Supermarket, Metro Alabang Town Center Supermarket, Metro Ayala Malls Feliz Pasig Supermarket, Metro Supermarket Mandaluyong, Metro Market Plaza 66, and Metro Fresh N' Easy Lawton)

April 10: CLOSED

April 11-12: adjusted store hours (except these branches)

Follow The Metro Stores for more updates.

Puregold

Puregold Extra, Puregold Junior, and Puregold Price Club

April 8: 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

April 9: 6:00 am until 1:00 pm (Puregold Price Club - Candaba)

April 9: 8:00 am until 5:00 pm (Puregold Extra - Florida Blanca, Puregold Extra- Apalit, Puregold JR, Puregold JR - Angeles, Puregold JR - Balibago, Puregold JR - Cafe Fernandino, Puregold JR - Guagua, Puregold JR - Lubao, Puregold JR - Magalang, Puregold JR - Masantol, Puregold JR - Pandan, Puregold JR - Porac, Puregold JR - San Fernando,, Puregold Minimart - Calibutbut, Puregold Minimart - Sta. Rita, Puregold Price Club - Angeles, Puregold Price Club - Arayat Pampanga, Puregold Price Club - Bulaon, Puregold Price Club - Central Town Angeles, Puregold Price Club - Mabalacat, Puregold Price Club - Macabebe, Puregold Price Club - Magalang, Puregold Price Club - Sindalan, Puregold Price Club - Mexico Pampanga, Puregold JR - Sto. Tomas Pampanga)

April 9: 8:00 am until 6:00 pm (Puregold JR - Calanipawan, Puregold JR- Marasbaras, Puregold Price Club - Borongan, Puregold Price Club - Carigara, Puregold Price Club Alang-Alang, and Puregold Price Club - Tacloban)

April 9: 9:00 am until 6:00 pm (Puregold JR - Dulag, Puregold Price Club - Bato, and Puregold Price Club - Kananga)

April 10: CLOSED

April 11-12: 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Follow Puregold for more updates.

Robinsons Supermarket

April 9: CLOSED

April 10: CLOSED

Follow Robinsons Supermarket for more updates.

Rustan's Supermarket

April 6-8 and April 11-12: 9:00 a.m until 7:00 p.m. (The Grove, Ayala The 30th)

April 6-8 and April 11-12: 11:00 a.m until 7:00 p.m. (Uptown BGC)

April 6-8 and April 11-12: 9:00 a.m until 6:00 p.m. (Alphaland, Ayala-Alabang, Banawa, Cebu Ayala, Central Square, Century Makati, Connecticut, Corinthian Hills, Eastbay, Eastwood, Festivewalk, Glorietta Makati, Greenbelt, Katipunan, Leonard Wood, Magallanes, Met Live, Mille Luce, Oakridge Mandaue, P.Guevarra, Paseo Center, Rockwell, San Antonio, Santolan, Shangri-La, Tomas Morato, Two Central, and Westborough)

April 9: CLOSED

April 10: CLOSED

Follow Rustan's Fresh for more updates.

Shopwise

Shopwise and Shopwise Express

April 8, April 11, April 12: 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (San Pedro)

April 8, April 11, April 12: 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Sta. Rosa and Cebu)

April 8, April 11, April 12: 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (Limketkai and Cagayan De Oro)

April 8, April 11, April 12: 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Quezon Avenue, Bagong Silang, Bagong Silang Phase 2, Jackman Munoz, Fairview, San Lorenzo, Hillside - Antipolo, M. Alvarez, Maginhawa, Maypajo, Buhay na Tubig - Cavite, Pampanga, Lancaster, Malolos, Talaba, Guagua, Market City - Tarlac, Matatalaib - Tarlac, Basak - Cebu, Newton - Cebu)

April 8, April 11, April 12: 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. (Alabang, Makati, Araneta, Antipolo, Sucat, Commonwealth, Imus, Lancaster, San Fernando, Batangas, Circuit, Amigo, C. Raymundo, Cityland - Santolan, Mercedes)

April 9: CLOSED

April 10: CLOSED

Follow Shopwise for more updates.

SM Supermarkets

SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore

April 9: CLOSED

April 10: 7:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. (Savemore Market Morong)

April 10: 8:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. (SM Hypermarket Muntinlupa)

April 10: 8:00 a.m.to 7:00 p.m. (Savemore Market Sta. Ana)

April 10: 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Supermarket Cherry Antipolo, SM Supermarket MAAX, SM Supermarket Masinag, SM Supermarket San Jose Bulacan)

April 10: 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. (SM Supermarket Aura, SM Supermarket Cherry Shaw, SM Supermarket Cubao, SM Supermarket Fairview, SM Supermarket Makati, SM Supermarket Manila, SM Supermarket Marikina, SM Supermarket Megamall A, SM Supermarket Megamall B, SM Supermarket North EDSA, SM Supermarket Novaliches, SM Supermarket San Lazaro, SM Supermarket San Mateo, SM Supermarket Sangandaan, SM Supermarket Southmall, SM Supermarket Sta. Mesa, SM Hypermarket Alabang-Zapote Road, SM Hypermarket Bicutan, SM Hypermarket Cainta, SM Hypermarket Cherry Congressional, SM Hypermarket Deca Mall, SM Hypermarket Fairview, SM Hypermarket FTI, SM Hypermarket Jazz, SM Hypermarket Las Pinas, SM Hypermarket Makati, SM Hypermarket Mall of Asia, SM Hypermarket Mandaluyong, SM Hypermarket Monumento, SM Hypermarket North EDSA, SM Hypermarket Novaliches, SM Hypermarket Pasig, SM Hypermarket Sucat, SM Hypermarket Sun Residences, SM Hypermarket Taytay, SM Hypermarket Valenzuela, Savemore Market PM Cainta, Savemore Market Ardi Cainta, Savemore Market IMall Antipolo, Savemore Market P.Tuazon, Savemore Market Nepa Q Mart, Savemore Market Cyberwest Quezon City, Savemore Market Binangonan, Savemore Market Tanay). See the list of SM stores located outside NCR and branches.

April 11-12: 9:00 a.m. until 7: 00 p.m. (except these branches)

Follow SM Markets for more updates.

S&R Membership Shopping

April 8: 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

April 9: CLOSED

April 10: CLOSED

April 11: 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

April 12: 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Follow S&R Membership Shopping for more updates.

This story originally appeared on Yummy.ph. Minor edits have been made by the SPIN.ph editors.

Source: Spin PH

It's Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje as Dana White remains determined to hold UFC 249

THE UFC says Tony Ferguson will fight Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18.

The mixed martial arts promotion announced the main event matchup on Monday. Gaethje replaces lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is apparently unable to leave Russia during the coronavirus pandemic.

Although UFC President Dana White still hasn't even announced a venue for UFC 249, he remains determined to hold a pay-per-view show this month. Most US states have restrictions in place that would make it impossible to stage a show, even without an audience.

PHOTO: ap

UFC 249 initially was slated for Brooklyn, but a venue change became necessary several weeks ago. ESPN, the UFC's broadcast partner, has said White is attempting to secure an unnamed venue on the West Coast for the show.

The UFC held a full fight card in an empty arena in Brazil last month, but canceled its ensuing three scheduled shows. White has remained steadfast in his plan to stage the company's biggest show of the spring while virtually all high-level sports competition has stopped.

Ferguson (25-3) is a longtime lightweight contender who has been booked to fight Nurmagomedov five times. Every single bout has fallen through due to injury or other circumstances.

Gaethje (20-2) is among the UFC's most exciting fighters, with a heedless brawling mentality that suggests a thrilling matchup with the equally reckless Ferguson.

PHOTO: AP

"I'm terrified and I ... love it," Gaethje tweeted after the announcement.

Most UFC fighters have expressed an eagerness to fight during the pandemic. Mixed martial artists typically don't get paid unless they fight, although Bellator and other promotions have paid fighters whose bouts were canceled by the pandemic in recent weeks.

Nurmagomedov announced last week that he wasn't planning to leave his native Dagestan, suggesting Russia's travel restrictions made it impossible. The unbeaten champion later claimed he would be willing to leave for the fight, but couldn't plan because he didn't know where or when it would occur.

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Source: Spin PH

After Ninoy Aquino, Rizal Coliseum also converted to quarantine facility

THE Rizal Memorial Coliseum’s legend continues to grow.

The historic basketball venue is now being converted to a medical facility as the coronavirus cases in the country rise.

Work at the newly-renovated coliseum, first built in 1934, began on Monday and could start accepting COVID-19 patients by the end of the week.

PHOTO: PSC Executive Director Guillermo Iroy

The Rizal Memorial, where the 1954 Asian Games basketball games were played and later on, NCAA and UAAP matches, was among the sites inside the Rizal Sports Complex that was destroyed in the Battle of Manila during World War II.

The nearby Ninoy Aquino Stadium had earlier been converted into a medical facility that could accommodate as many as 200 beds. Secretary Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of National Action Plan vs. COVID-19, said it could be operational as early as Tuesday, after just almost a week of work.

The Rizal Coliseum will have 120 beds and two nurse stations.

PHOTO: PSC Executive Director Guillermo Iroy

Department of Health secretary Francisco Duque III thanked the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez for offering both the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Coliseum as quarantine facilities that will receive mild and asymptomatic COVID positive patients.

This developed as PSC executive director Guillermo Iroy mentioned that there is also the possibility of converting the Philsports Multi-Purpose Arena in Pasig as another quarantine site.

Along with the two venues inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the World Trade Center and the PICC are also transformed as temporary community quarantine facilities. The World Trade Center can accommodate 502 patients and PICC a maximum of 294.

Source: Spin PH

Beloved Tigers star and Hall of Famer Al Kaline passes away at 85

By JIM IRWIN and NOAH TRISTER

DETROIT — Fresh off the train and only 18 years old, Al Kaline ran into an immediate roadblock trying to join the Detroit Tigers. Called up to the majors, he couldn't get past the security guards at Briggs Stadium.

"I finally convinced them I was the guy who just signed a bonus contract for the enormous sum of $15,000. That was a lot back then," Kaline recalled in a 1999 documentary.

His anonymity was short-lived.

Kaline, the Hall of Fame outfielder who played his entire 22-season career for Detroit, died Monday at his home in Michigan. "Mr. Tiger" — as he was affectionally known — was 85.

John Morad, a friend of Kaline's, confirmed his death to The Associated Press. Morad, who spoke first to the Detroit Free Press, said he'd been in contact with Kaline's son. No cause of death was given.

Kaline was the youngest player to win the American League batting title in 1955 at age 20 with a .340 average. The right fielder was an All-Star in 15 seasons and won 10 Gold Gloves. The beloved No. 6 later sat behind a microphone as a Tigers broadcaster and was a special assistant to the general manager.

Kaline was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1980 in his first year of eligibility.

"There's a reason why he was Mr. Tiger," said Dave Dombrowski, Detroit's team president from 2001-2015. "First-class person, he was humble, he always played hard. He's the type of guy that everybody could latch onto."

Houston Astros star Justin Verlander, who pitched for the Tigers from 2005-2017, tweeted his appreciation Monday.

"Such a kind and generous man who meant so much to so many," Verlander said. "I hope you knew how much I enjoyed our conversations about baseball, life, or just giving each other a hard time. I am honored to have been able to call you my friend for all these years."

Kaline came straight out of Baltimore's Southern High School to the majors, making his debut on June 25, 1953. He took over as Detroit's everyday right fielder in 1954, and quickly became a fan favorite at Briggs Stadium, later renamed Tiger Stadium.

Kaline never hit 30 home runs in a season and topped the 100-RBI mark only three times, but his overall consistency at the plate and his exceptional fielding and throwing put him among the top AL outfielders.

"There have been a lot of great defensive players. The fella who could do everything is Al Kaline," Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson once said. "He was just the epitome of what a great outfielder is all about — great speed, catches the ball and throws the ball well."

Kaline finished his career with 3,007 hits and 399 home runs (what would have been No. 400 was lost to a rainout). He scored 1,622 runs and had 1,582 RBIs. He got his 3,000th hit back in Baltimore, slicing a double down the right field line in September 1974, his final season.

In his only World Series, Kaline hit .379 with two home runs and eight RBIs as the Tigers overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat St. Louis for the 1968 championship.

"If there is one accomplishment for which I am particularly proud it is that I've always served baseball to the best of my ability," Kaline said during his Hall of Fame induction speech. "Never have I deliberately done anything to discredit the game, the Tigers or my family.

"By far, being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the proudest moment of my life. You can be sure that I will make every effort to live up to the obligation associated with this honor," he said.

Later that year, his No. 6 became the first uniform number retired by the Tigers.

"Many of us who are fortunate enough to work in baseball have our short lists of the players who mean the most to us. Al Kaline was one of those players for me and countless others, making this a very sad day for our sport," Commissioner Rob Manfred said.

Kaline and Willie Horton — another beloved ex-Tiger — were named in 2001 as members of the new Tigers Baseball Committee, joining team owner and president Mike Ilitch, general manager Randy Smith and manager Phil Garner. Ilitch disbanded the committee at the end of that season, but both Kaline and Horton remained as special assistants to Dombrowski after his arrival.

Major League Baseball presented Kaline in 1973 with the Roberto Clemente Award honoring the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, community involvement and contribution to his team.

Hall of Famers Alan Trammell and Jack Morris, teammates on Detroit's 1984 championship team, praised Kaline's influence.

"Today we lost one of our treasures. Al Kaline was an icon, not only to the Tigers organization, but to all of baseball. Mr. Tiger was not just a great player, but was also a classy person who I held in high esteem," Trammell said in a statement released by the Hall.

Said Morris: "If you were a Tiger, you followed his lead. Whether he was a player or broadcaster, he was around the field, around the clubhouse, and available to have a conversation if you needed some advice. That's what the Tigers players cherished."

The Tigers' spring training complex in Lakeland, Florida, is on Al Kaline Drive.

Larry Herndon was a Tigers outfielder from 1982-88, when Kaline would work with the big leaguers as a spring training instructor.

"He was a golden person, along with being a great ballplayer. Gentle, kind, giving," Herndon said. "Every good thing you ever heard about Al Kaline, it's all true."

Source: Spin PH

SBP thrilled to see dear friend of PH basketball make Hall of Fame

THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is proud to see a dear friend of Philippine basketball get his deserved place in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

SBP president Al S. Panlilio was ecstatic upon learning the late former FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann will be part of the Class of 2020 who’s going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame four months from now.

The enshrinement ceremony for the batch led by led by the late NBA great Kobe Bryant is set on August 29 at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“Patrick was a dear friend of Philippine basketball and we could not be happier to see him join the ranks of our sports’ legends in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame,” said Panlilio when reached by SPIN.ph on Monday.

“He is undoubtedly a deserving inductee in the Hall of Fame Class of 2020.”

PHOTO: AP

The list of 2020 inductees was announced on Sunday with Bryant leading the eight other personalities that also included fellow greats Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Tamica Catchings representing the players, coaches Rudy Tomjanovich, Eddie Sutton, Kim Mulkey, and Barbara Stevens, and Baumann for basketball executive.

The 51-year-old Baumann, who died in 2018 while attending the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in Argentina, was elected posthumously by the International Committee as contributor.

“It’s unfortunate that he (Baumann) left us too soon, but he has left an indelible mark in the sport of basketball, and he’ll soon forever be known as a pillar in the global game,” added Panlilio.

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Baumann is best remembered for mediating in two separate instances when the local basketball federation was suspended by FIBA due to a lingering leadership dispute.

As FIBA deputy secretary general in 2001, he presided over the election of Quintellano ‘Tiny’ Literal as president of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).

Six years after when he was finally FIBA secretary-general, Baumann was again back in the country to oversee the formation of a unified BAP-SBP with Manny V. Pangilinan as its elected president.

Panlilio has since succeeded Pangilinan, who's now SBP chairman emeritus.

The SBP eventually formed a strong relationship with Baumann and FIBA, with the country clinching the hosting of the 2023 World Cup just months before Baumann’s death.

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Globally, the former FIBA executive also did a lot for basketball, including the introduction of the home-and-away concept that became the qualifier of the World Cup and the flourishing of the 3x3 event as an Olympic sport.

“These games gave countries the opportunity to see their national teams play more often,” Panlilio pointed out. “Under his leadership, 3x3 also became big and turned into an Olympic sport.”

“His lofty goal was to make basketball bigger than football and he worked tirelessly to make this become a reality,” added the SBP chief. “He revolutionized global basketball with his programs."

Baumann served as FIBA sec-gen from 2002 – replacing another Hall of Famer in Borislav Stankovic - until the time of his death.

Source: Spin PH

As pal frontliner recovers from COVID-19, Diego Dario starts own fundraiser

DIEGO Dario is hoping that no matter how small his contributions are, it would greatly benefit the medical frontliners who are battling this global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Blackwater guard has started a fundraising drive to acquire more personal protective equipment (PPEs) for those in need.

"I have a friend who contracted the coronavirus and frontliner siya. He was able to recover from it but he told me a story that they didn't have PPEs. They were handling patients without PPEs and that made me realize that I need to do my part to help out kahit maliit lang. Malaking tulong daw sa kanila every help they can get," he said.

Dario has already raised P50,000 and has ordered the first batch of goods, which account for 500 facemasks and 50 PPE suits.

Those will be donated to Makati Medical Center, with him looking to disseminate more PPEs to other hospitals as the funds come in.

"For the next 50,000, I plan to help out yung other hospitals that don't have enough resources like in Caloocan and Sta. Ana," he said.

"It's not yet the peak of the virus. That's why they need all the help."

Aside from helping our medical personnel, the former UP guard has also lent his hand in raising groceries to families in need.

"I am also helping my friend Jo Gamos of 'Tara Baraha' that will bring 1,000 worth of groceries for each family. That's one to two weeks worth of food na and that's a week or two of life," he said.

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It's an overwhelming sight for Dario to see people come together and share what they can to the communities as he expects the act of goodwill to continue to snowball.

"There are a lot of good souls out there. It's overwhelming that everyone wants to help. Yung mga little help really goes a long way," he said. "My heart is super full seeing a lot of people wanting to help."

For those who are willing to donate, you can check out the details for Dario's donation drive here.

Source: Spin PH

Raymond Almazan, Bong Quinto, Bryan Faundo join Letran fund drive

RAYMOND Almazan and several other former Knights have donated game-worn jerseys for Letran's fund raising campaign for medical frontliners.

Almazan's Meralco teammates Bong Quinto and Bryan Faundo, as well as Alaska's Kevin Racal and Columbian's JP Calvo have joined the campaign as the Dominican Province of the Philippines Inc. put their jerseys in an online auction.

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RJ Jazul of Phoenix Super LPG and Kevin Alas of NLEX were among the first to donate jerseys as Letran raises funds for the production of personal protective equipments (PPEs) in the country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also part of the auction which started last week are members of the Knights' championship team in NCAA Season 95, with Jerrick Balanza, Larry Muyang, Bonbon Batiller and Fran Yu putting their jerseys up for grabs.

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The auction ends at 11 p.m. on Monday.

More details of the auction here.

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Source: Spin PH

Pagtatanim ang palipas oras sa Survival Camp ni Ancajas ngayong quarantine

INAASAHANG magtatagal pa ang ipinapatupad na home quarantine bunga ng patuloy na pagtaas ng bilang ng mga tinatamaan ng COVID-19.

Kanya-kanyang paraan ng paglilibang ang mga tao habang naka-quarantine. Mayroong naglalaro ng video games, patok din sa social media tulad ng Facebook ang iba’t ibang ipinagagawang challenges na pagpo-post ng larawan ng ganito at ganoon, maging ang paggawa ng memes ng mga sikat na personalidad sa bansa ay naging libangan na rin at siyempre ang patok na TikTok.

Ang tropa ni IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas na naka-quarantine sa kanilang Survival Camp sa Magallanes, Cavite ang pagtatanim ang naging pampalipas-oras.

Ayon kay Joven Jimenez, manager-trainer ni Ancajas, dahil malawak ang lupain na nakapalibot sa kanilang training camp, minabuti nilang magtanim ng mga gulay at bulaklak.

“May pechay, talong at halos lahat ng gulay itinanim namin dito,” sambit ni Jimenez. “Pinaikot naming ung mga tanim sa buong camp."

PHOTO: Jerwin Ancajas' FB page

Nagsimula ang kanilang pagtatanim nang simulan din ang pagla-lockdown sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Luzon.

“Naging busy kami sa kakatanim mula noong mag-lockdown, mahigit two weeks na rin,” lahad pa ni Jimenez.

At para saan ang kanilang mga itinanim?

“Yong mga tinatanim po namin ay para sa amin at matuto rin kami kung paano ba ang magtanim. Masaya rin po pala mag-farming. Nakakaaliw, kanya-kanya po kami ni Jerwin at iba pang boxer ng tanim,” natutuwang pahayag ni Jimenez.

Una rito, mag-iisang taon na rin silang nag-aalaga ng manok, baboy at kambing.

“Nnapapakinabangan na namin ngayon,” litanya ni Jimenez.

Pero, kahit abala sa pagtatanim, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang training ni Ancajas, ayon kay Jimenez.

“Ang mitts niya nasa 4-6 rounds, low intensity lang. Wala pang sparring, pero baka next week mag-start na rin (sparring),” paliwanag ni Jimenez.

Bago magdeklara ng lockdown, si Ancajas, 28 at tubong Panalo, Davao City, ay naghahanda para sa kanyang ninth defense ng IBF crown laban kay Jonathen Javier Rodriguez ng Mexico sa Abril 11 sa Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino sa Las Vegas.

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Ikinalungkot ni Ancajas ang nagaganap na lockdown, bunga na rin ng epekto nito sa mga kababayan dito sa Pilipinas at maging sa ibang bansa, na nahihirapan dahil sa kakapusan sa buhay.

Gayunpaman, tuloy pa rin ang paghahanda niya sa kanyang susunod na title defense dahil pangarap niyang makalaban sa Las Vegas.

“Pangarap ko talaga makalaban sa Las Vegas, kaya focus pa rin kami sa training. May lockdown o wala, lagi naman akong lockdown sa training,” lahad ni Ancajas.

PHOTO: Jhay Otamias

Unang pagkakataong lalaban si Ancajas, 32-1-2 (22 KOs) sa Las Vegas. Ang kanyang mga naunang title defense ay ginanap sa Macau, Australia, Ireland, California (Fresno, Oakland at Stockton) at Mexico.

“Basta kami po, focus lang palagi, kahit gaano kahirap isipin ‘yung nangyayari ngayon. Palagi lang manalangin sa Panginoon na malagpasan po natin ang problema ngayon,” lahad ni Jimenez.

“Pag tungkol naman sa training, palagi kami naka-lockdown, kasi sa ganitong paraan kami pinapalad sa laban, laging seryoso ang paghahanda namin para maganda ang resulta,” pagtatapos niya. 

Source: Spin PH

SEA Games medalist Meggie Ochoa even more vigilant against child exploitation during COVID-19

THE Philippines is considered one of the global epicenters of the “live-stream sexual abuse trade”, according to UNICEF. In 2017, it was identified as one of the top sources of child pornography worldwide, and in 2018, at least 600,000 images of abused Filipino children were bought and sold online.

Often, it's the relatives that perpetuate the exploitation of kids — for just a pittance of money. 

“Economic imbalances in countries, such as high levels of poverty, unemployment, and job instability, have been identified as drivers of live streaming child sexual abuse,” wrote Andy Brown for UNICEF.

On March 30, an Australian child sex offender, who victimized 26 Filipina children into producing sexual material back in 2017, was sentenced in Australia to 18 years and six months of imprisonment.

PHOTO: UnSplash

Just four days later, the Philippine National Police – Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) issued a statement that their office remains watchful against the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).

"This current situation [of COVID-19] will not hinder us from performing our sworn duty to protect the most vulnerable women and children," said the agency's chief, Brig. Gen. Alessandro Abella.

SEA Games medalist and children's rights advocate Meggie Ochoa also continues to urge authorities to be extra vigilant in monitoring cases during the enhanced community quarantine. 

“I am no expert to recommend but just to share my thoughts, I think that the government should prioritize surveillance of areas that are known hotspots of online sexual exploitation of children,” she told SPIN Life. 

PHOTO: UnSplash

“Those areas should be heavily monitored at this time, and the basic needs of the communities in those areas should be provided to lessen the need for immediate income by the affected families that they can potentially get from online sexual exploitation of children.”

While enhanced community quarantine is necessary to slow down the spread of COVID-19 in the country, it may create conditions that encourage child abuse and exploitation.

"Because people are locked down, possibilities (for online sex exploitation) are high,” Evelyn Pingul, communications director for International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines, told Reuters.

With an economy that’s comprised of 82 percent informal workers, putting food on the table in the midst of a widespread business and transportation shutdown can be more burdensome. Because they're confined at home, children are more likely to be targeted by online sexual traffickers.

PHOTO: UnSplash

“There should also be widespread campaigns on online safety directed towards both the parents and the children themselves because everyone basically spends a whole lot more time online during the quarantine period,” the jiu jitsu world champ said.

Ochoa, however, is pleased to learn that the government is doing all it can to stem the rise of child sexual abuse in communities amid the threat of COVID-19. 

“I found out from International Justice Mission Philippines that the reporting agencies, investigations and rescue missions are active amidst the pandemic," she said. "That gave me the confidence to continue spreading awareness simply by sharing related articles, materials, reporting lines on the Fight to Protect Facebook page and my personal pages since people are online more during these times."

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The Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is a well-known advocate for the protection of children against violence. She established Fight To Protect (FTP), a movement launched in 2018. FTP nurses child victims, orphans, and survivors of sexual violence and online sexual abuse and introduces them to jiu jitsu.

Aside from closely monitoring the issue along with contact agencies, Ochoa continues to fuel FTP's drive, conducting online workout sessions with the kids. In the time of social distancing, actual jiu jitsu is, unfortunately, a no-no.

“We focus [instead] on doing related movements that we format into workouts to increase their fitness level," Ochoa said. "I think it's very important to be with the kids during this time, even if it's just online. Constantly, I pray for the children and their situation, and trust in the Lord and His purposes.”

Source: Spin PH

Jason Belmonte back Down Under after winning World Championship behind closed doors

TWO-handed bowler Jason Belmonte's return to Australia from another banner season on the PBA Tour in the United States was never going to be easy.

Due to a logjam of Australians trying to return Down Under because of the coronavirus shutdown, Belmonte sent his family ahead of him back to Sydney via Los Angeles from Las Vegas. He flew from San Francisco. When they met up in Sydney, they drove nearly four hours to their home in Orange in western New South Wales state, where they spent two weeks in quarantine to ensure they hadn't imported the virus. They finished that quarantine over the weekend, all clear of the virus.

"It was a really weird situation, what we were hearing while in the US was that they were going to close the borders up," Belmonte said on Monday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "I was in the middle of a tournament, my concentration was wobbling. But when they said they were closing up the borders, I figured this was getting really serious."

Fortunately, Belmonte's parents and siblings in Orange stocked their house with groceries and other supplies before they arrived, making the quarantine slightly less difficult — although Belmonte tweeted that his kids made it hard for him to get into their bedroom one day. They created a fort with blankets and demanded more information  from their dad before they'd let him in.

That tournament Belmonte mentioned was the PBA World Championship in Las Vegas, which finished March 15. Belmonte scored his second major of the PBA Tour season and 13th of his career with a win in the Vegas tournament.

Belmonte has a two-handed delivery from the right side, with the ball spinning at up to 600 revolutions per minute, nearly 20% more than bowlers using a conventional, one-handed style.

After the first day of qualifying, in 70th position and nearly 400 pins behind the leader, Belmonte out-bowled a field of 120 competitors over 56 games on four different lane conditions to earn the top seed for the PBA World Championship stepladder finals.

In the title match, Belmonte's opponent — fellow two-handed player Anthony Simonsen from Texas — had a bad start with two open frames after leaving difficult splits. Belmonte took a commanding lead by stringing strikes from the third through seventh frames to seal a 213-190 win and collect $150,000.

Due to the coronavirus, the PBA closed the event to the public, leaving the final to be contested before an audience limited to PBA players, family members and tournament officials.

"Playing before like 12 people was a weird sensation, but having my family there was also very special," Belmonte said.

A dominant season on the PBA Tour in 2019 earned Belmonte his fifth PBA player of the year and then player of the decade honors. There are no official rankings in pro bowling, but Belmonte is generally acknowledged as the No. 1 player. He began playing professionally in 2009.

Belmonte, 36, admits it's a difficult time for the bowling industry during the shutdown of major sports.

"We are going to have to work really hard to get it back," Belmonte said. "The powers that be are working on making sure of that."

In the meantime, Belmonte, who just led a funding campaign to raise nearly $150,000 for the victims of the destructive Australian wild fires, will spend time with the family in Orange, a primarily farming and wine-producing area with a population of about 40,000.

Like other parents, Belmonte and his wife Kimberly have a new-found respect for teachers after home-schooling their three children — daughters Aria and Sylvie and son Hugo — for the past two weeks.

"It's so difficult to keep them creative and entertained," Belmonte said. "For all the teachers out there, I don't know how they do it."

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Source: Spin PH