In an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation between the two sides with the best players in Jeddah, Friendster blinked to the Vipers during the game that mattered most in the TFC Kingdom Cup basketball tournament.
The Vipers watched Friendster crumble like a deck of cards in the last 2:02 to turn a tight game into a decisive 107-99 victory in Game 3 of the best-of-three series to decide the semifinal qualifier from the western region in the three months long competition featuring some of the big names in Filipino basketball in the Kingdom.
Stars also qualified during the last week of eliminations on Friday, closing out their own series after a 94-75 triumph over Blazers in the decider at the Al Yamama Sports Complex court. Stars won the series opener by 89-67 while the Blazers bounced back in the second game 78-77 to force Game 3.
The Stars demonstrated their readiness for the tough grind ahead in the decisive win against the Blazers thanks mainly to the trio of James Smith, Roel Asay and Sherwin Garcia.
Garcia and Smith emerged the best players during the Riyadh eliminations with total statistical points of 154 and 146 respectively.
Joining the Vipers and Stars in the double round robin home-and-away semifinals were Oilers who advanced the previous week by sweeping the series against Blazers.
The first game is set for today with the Oilers to host Stars at the Al Nahda Stadium in Dammam. Next Friday, the Oilers again play host to the FBA Vipers.
Joseph Ubalde enjoyed a double double performance of 26 points and 10 rebounds in addition to 4 shot blocks and 5 steals including one which he completed off Yoyong Akmad with 1:50 to play that sent the Vipers on the way to victory.
Before that play point guard Robby David’s free-throw actually started the venomous 12-2 run by the Vipers and dissolved the last deadlock at 95 and in which Friendster self-destructed with turnovers.
All told the deeper bench of the Vipers was the big difference — Ron Magat had his shooting touch back after an injury to finish with 24 points, David had 12 points and 6 assists and Ryan Aguam played tough defense and made 15 points to go with 6 assists, three rebounds and 4 steals including a big one off tall Mark Basa that he converted giving Vipers a six-point lead, 101-95, with 55 ticks left. Also, power forward Raymond Matias had 10 points and 6 rebounds for the Vipers team touted to have the younger players among the three qualifiers as it looks to go all the way to the championship under the guidance of veteran coach Boy Corsega and team manager Francis Magat.
Cris Melebo’s Friendster has had its moments, taking a 30-19 lead to close the first quarter and getting back in the game each time the Vipers would threaten to run away. Vipers head their first sizeable lead at 45-34 and a desperation three by Brian Adaya that swished the net put them ahead by 9 at 79-70 going into the final period.
Christian Guimpatan top-scored for the Friendster with 20 points, Jay Lim added 18 while Diego Domalogdog and Basa each had 14 points.
An overflow crowd came to watch the big game at the Sheraton Sports Complex court. Vipers leveled the series 96-90 last week after Friendster took the opener 100-92.
Vipers, Stars advance in TFC Kingdom Cup
Vipers, Stars advance in TFC Kingdom Cup
Virat Kohli fulfils IPL dream as Bengaluru beat Punjab for first title
Kohli’s 43 from 35 balls at the top of the order set up Bengaluru for an imposing total of 190-9 which was one big blow too many for a Punjab side that battled until the end, finishing on 184-7.
More than 91,000 fans packed into the 132,000-capacity stadium in Ahmedabad, a sea of Bengaluru’s red and Kohli’s jersey number 18 dominating the stands as chants of “Kohli, Kohli” rang out.
They celebrated noisily when Kohli and RCB clinched victory for the first time in the 18 years of the IPL, their three previous finals having all ended in defeat.
The 36-year-old Kohli, one of India’s all-time greats in all formats of the game, collapsed on the ground after the win and then got up to be hugged by his teammates as the crowd celebrated their hero.
Punjab faltered in their chase after left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya took 2-17 from his four overs.
Shashank Singh hit a valiant 61 not out and finished with three sixes and a four off Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who defended 29 runs in the final over.
Hazlewood, who took 3-21 against Punjab in last week’s qualifier win after recovering from a shoulder injury, struck first to send back left-handed Priyansh Arya for 24 with Phil Salt taking a stunning catch at the ropes.
Impact substitute Prabhsimran Singh was the next to go off Pandya but the Bengaluru crowd went wild when Romario Shepherd had skipper Shreyas Iyer caught behind for one.
Pandya stuck again to cut short Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis’ stay on 39 and Bengaluru seized momentum and Shashank’s late blitz was not enough.
Bengaluru had the perfect start as ‘King Kohli’ dug in. Far from his fluent best, he only struck three fours during his innings but in the end it turned out to be key.
He lost opening partner Salt for 16 when New Zealand quick Kyle Jamieson struck in his first over to have the England batter caught in the deep off Iyer.
Kohli anchored the innings, sharing important partnerships with Mayank Agarwal, who made 24, and then skipper Rajat Patidar, who hit 26.
But Punjab kept chipping away with wickets as leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal got Agarwal and Jamieson trapped the captain lbw.
Kohli’s vigil ended when he mistimed a rising delivery from Afghanistan pace bowler Azmatullah Omarzai for a caught and bowled, the disappointment etched across his face mirrored by his fans.
Jamieson took his third wicket to cut short Liam Livingstone’s rampant 25 off 15 balls.
Wickets kept tumbling as wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma fell for a 10-ball 24 and Romario Shepherd for 17 off nine balls.
Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh took three wickets including Shepherd in the 20th over and gave away just three runs.
Bengaluru had defeated Punjab in the first playoff to book their fourth final.
The 18th edition of the world’s richest cricket league ended nine days late due to a pause because of the military conflict between India and Pakistan.
Coach Inzaghi to leave Inter Milan: club
- “The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,” Inter said
- According to renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Inzaghi’s next job could be with Saudi club Al-Hilal
ROME: Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is leaving after four years by “mutual agreement,” the club announced on Tuesday, as Italian media reported he was moving to Saudi Arabia.
“The club and Simone Inzaghi are parting ways. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement,” Inter said in a statement.
Both Inter and Inzaghi said the decision had been made at a meeting involving the coach and club President Giuseppe Marotta on Tuesday afternoon.
The parting came just days after Saturday’s 5-0 thumping by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
According to renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Inzaghi’s next job could be with Saudi club Al-Hilal, as he suggested a deal was in place for the next three years.
Meanwhile AFP report added that talks had already been swirling about his exit, and last month Inzaghi played down rumors about a two-year deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal worth 50 million euros.
Italian media said Tuesday this reported had been confirmed.
According to Romano, Inzaghi could earn up to €26 million ($29.5 million) per season in the Saudi Pro League as new Al-Hilal head coach, adding in a post on X that any contract would be “initially valid until June 2027.”
Inzaghi took over Inter in 2021 and had a contract until 2026.
The 49-year-old guided the club to one Serie A title — Inter’s 20th — and two Italian Cups. He led
the team to two Champions League finals in the past three seasons but lost both.
On track to repeat the treble heroics of 2010 just a few weeks ago, Inter ended the season trophyless after falling away in each competition.
In its statement, the club said Inzaghi’s management was “characterised by great passion, accompanied by professionalism and dedication.”
His trophies had “brought the club back to the top of Italian and European football,” it said.
Marotta thanked him “for the work done, for the passion shown and also for the sincerity in today’s discussion, which led to the common decision to separate our paths.”
“Only when we have fought together to achieve success day by day, can we have a frank dialogue like the one that happened today,” he said.
In a separate statement, Inzaghi thanked the players, managers and staff, but most of all the fans, adding: “I will never forget you.”
* With AFP
Uzbekistan, Jordan eye World Cup berths as South Korea close on finals
- Uzbekistan side take on the UAE knowing a draw will earn the Central Asians a berth among the 48 nations in North America
- Jordan could also advance with a win over hosts Oman
HONG KONG: Uzbekistan and Jordan will look to secure debut appearances at the World Cup as the pair on Thursday attempt to confirm their progress to next year’s finals while South Korea are also closing in on qualification.
Timur Kapadze’s Uzbekistan side take on the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi knowing a draw will earn the Central Asians a berth among the 48 nations in North America, while Jordan could also advance with a win over hosts Oman.
The Koreans, one of Asia’s World Cup regulars, will confirm their participation at an 11th consecutive finals with a draw against Iraq in Basra.
Japan and Iran have already taken two of the confederation’s increased allocation of eight guaranteed spots in the United States, Canada and Mexico as the top two finishers in each of Asia’s three preliminary groups advance automatically.
The nations finishing in third and fourth will progress to a further round of preliminaries for the pair of remaining slots while those in fifth and sixth will be eliminated.
Uzbekistan sit second in Group A three points behind Iran, who play Qatar in Doha, and lead the third-placed United Arab Emirates by four points ahead of the final two matches in the third phase of qualifiers.
South Korea, meanwhile, are in pole position in Group B on 16 points and a draw with Iraq in Graham Arnold’s first game as head coach of the Gulf nation will take Hong Myung-bo and his team into yet another World Cup draw.
The Iraqis, currently third in the table, need a point to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive as second-placed Jordan would progress with a win over Oman should Arnold’s side lose to the Koreans.
Oman sit in fourth place on 10 points, and victory over the Jordanians will keep Rashid Jaber’s outfit in contention for a first World Cup ticket.
Australia take on Japan in Perth knowing a win against Hajjime Moriyasu’s already-qualified Group C winners might not be enough to confirm their progress on Thursday.
Tony Popovic’s Socceroos lead Saudi Arabia by three points with two matches left, meaning a win for Herve Renard’s side away to Bahrain would see the remaining Group C berth decided when Australia face the Saudis next Tuesday.
However, a win for the Australians against a Japan side featuring a host of uncapped players and defeat for the Saudis in Riffa would confirm the Socceroos’ passage to a sixth consecutive World Cup.
Dubai Basketball end historic first season with knockout in Belgrade
- Despite a 114-97 defeat to Partizan, the season has been one of major milestones for the team
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball ended their inaugural ABA League season after a 114-97 defeat in the final leg of the semifinal against Serbian powerhouse Partizan.
The team officially set out on their journey in the Adriatic League in September, competing against some of the most prolific sides in Europe. From beating reigning champions Red Star in their opening game to being one of the only teams in the league to beat Partizan twice at their home court, the 2024-25 season was packed with milestones.
The third and final game of the semifinals took place on Sunday night at Belgrade Arena, the home of Partizan, with Dubai determined to capitalize on squaring the series in the previous game.
Dubai opened the game with intensity, taking an early lead as Davis Bertans, Klemen Prepelic, and Nate Mason each sank three-pointers within the first four minutes. By the end of the first quarter, Dubai had stormed ahead with a commanding nine-point lead.
However, the momentum began to shift in the second quarter. With the backing of a packed home crowd, Partizan tightened their defence and gradually closed the gap, reducing Dubai’s lead to just a single point by the end of the third quarter.
As the game progressed into the third and fourth quarters, Partizan demonstrated why they are seven-time ABA League champions. Although they surged ahead, Dubai refused to go down without a fight, repeatedly equalising the score and keeping the contest wide open.
In the final quarter, Partizan pulled away, scoring an impressive 28 points that widened the gap to 17 and ultimately secured their place in the finals. Dubai, however, walked away with their heads held high, having challenged one of Europe’s top basketball teams to the very end.
Reflecting on the season, Dubai Basketball’s head coach, Jurica Golemac, said: “We must be satisfied. This was our first season, with 13 new players in total. We were fortunate to have selected not only top-quality athletes but also exceptional people who made this journey smoother.
“Throughout the season, we played good basketball. We claimed major wins — including victories over some of the league’s giants — and today, we pushed Partizan into a serious battle for a place in the finals. Plans for the future are already underway. In fact, they’ve been in motion throughout the season. Analysis, planning — it all continues.
“As they say, the off-season begins tomorrow, and so does our preparation for what comes next.”
Rory McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
- McIlroy is first European to win the career grand slam
- Yas Links hosts the Abu Dhabi championship Nov. 6-9
ABU DHABI: Grand slam winner and five-time Major champion Rory McIlroy will return to Yas Links for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from Nov. 6 to 9 as he bids to win a seventh Race to Dubai Rankings crown.
The Masters champion leads the Race to Dubai having already secured his place in the field for the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs.
This is thanks to that thrilling victory at Augusta National, in addition to a fourth-place finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of the season.
Staged by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour, the championship is the first event of the tour’s end of season showpiece. This leads straight into the DP World Tour Championship where the Race to Dubai champion will be crowned.
The top 70 available players at the conclusion of the Back 9 events will gather in Abu Dhabi for the fourth Rolex Series event of the year as the season comes to a close.
McIlroy became the first European to win the career grand slam earlier this year when he added a Green Jacket to his four previous Major victories at the 2011 US Open, the US PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and The Open in 2014.
And he will look to clinch a fourth successive Race to Dubai title when he returns to the Middle East in November.
Aref Hamad Al-Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the UAE capital has established itself as a world-class golfing destination, and was “proud” to host McIlroy.
“Since its inception, the championship has played a pivotal role in supporting sports tourism and generating tangible economic benefits for the region.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the DP World Tour in delivering another outstanding event befitting the prestige of the Rolex Series.
McIlroy said: “I love ending the season in the Middle East and I’m excited to return to Abu Dhabi again for the first of two big events later this year.
“I’ve started the year well and I’ve got a good record at Yas Links so hopefully I can continue doing what I’m doing and give myself a chance of finishing the season strongly, and having a shot of getting another Race to Dubai under my belt.”
