Playing through injury ‘all worth’ it for Devance despite loss
MOST READ Ginebra’s Joe Devance. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netIt was a perfect embodiment of the never-say-die spirit. At any point in the series, or before it even started, Joe Devance could have opted to shut his conference down and proceed to heal a plantar fasciitis injury in his left foot.Instead, Devance plodded on. And when the sacrifice amounted to nothing, when all it gave him was a front-row view to San Miguel Beer’s third straight celebration of a PBA Philippine Cup triumph, Devance wasn’t left with any drop of regret.ADVERTISEMENT View comments Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks PLAY LIST 01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite “We faced a tough San Miguel team. They played great the whole conference. They got way too many weapons. We tried our best, but we just couldn’t get the wins,” he said.READ: San Miguel wins 3rd straight Philippine Cup titleDevance now turns his attention to his upcoming surgery, as he is set to miss a couple of months for his side in the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup.“I’m just gonna rest, probably get surgery. So I may be out for a few months. I did what I could and I don’t know what to say. I feel kind of bad right now, but San Miguel played great and that’s a great team. Let’s see what we can do next conference,” he said. “Hopefully my foot won’t be affected later in life. But I’ll worry about that if it happens.”ADVERTISEMENT China counts sharp rise in coronavirus cases, 2 in Beijing Taal Volcano continues to emit steam, ash from weak explosions Lassiter brings out inner ‘Salt Bae’ anew after clinching title Beggar dead in Quezon hit-and-run incident Prince Harry: ‘No other option’ but to cut royal ties Prince Harry: ‘No other option’ but to cut royal ties 2 ‘bookies’ bet collectors held in Quezon LATEST STORIES Marcos monument beside Aquino’s stirs Tarlac town Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Panelo: Duterte only wants to emulate strong political will of Marcos Palace: Crisis over ABC-CBN franchise unlikely Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. “It was all worth it. Just to battle with these guys, they played their hearts out. I don’t regret anything,” he said.READ: Cone: Beermen ‘overwhelmed us’FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSBreak new groundSPORTSMcGregor blasts Cerrone in 40 seconds in UFC returnDevance went full warrior mode for the Gin Kings in their first no-tomorrow match in the series. He wound up with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in Game 5 on Sunday. Before the game and at halftime, he took pain shots so he could get his mind off his foot and on trying to keep the Kings alive.Unfortunately, those efforts went down the drain as San Miguel claimed its third straight Philippine Cup title with a 91-85 conquest.
The semi final of the ongoing Nimba Electoral District Tournament is heating up with Electoral District # 4 defeating District #2, 2 –1 in the first game at the Ganta sports pitch on July 23.The second semi finals will be played today between District #7 and #9. It will be followed by a third place match on the Sunday July 26, to be climaxed by the ground final on July 27.The tournament was organized by the Steering Committee of the Nimba Sport Association in preparation for the forthcoming national coming county meet. Steering Committee Chair Prince Howard expressed enthusiasm in the manner in which the game has been going on.He assured the public and the county officials that if everyone contributes to the county’s efforts, their kickball and football teams would prepare well for this year’s national county sports meet.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
SharesIn hot water: Shanghai SIPG midfielder Oscar who was banned for eight games for sparking a mass brawl © AFP/File / Johannes EISELESHANGHAI, China, Jun 28 – Oscar is suspended for eight games after a brawl. Carlos Tevez riles fans with a trip to Disneyland while his club are playing. Ezequiel Lavezzi and Hulk deny being anti-Chinese.As the Chinese Super League (CSL) hits the halfway point of the season this weekend, the megabucks lavished on imported players has triggered unprecedented interest, but the headlines have been dominated by foreigners behaving badly. While nobody is chasing them out of the country just yet, Brazilian international Oscar — who received the mammoth ban for sparking a mass brawl last week — is not even the latest acquisition to run into trouble.Beijing Guoan’s Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz was sent off on Monday night after appearing to slap an opponent during a melee at the end of a bad-tempered scoreless home draw with Fabio Capello’s Jiangsu Suning.Prior to the rush of blood in which he lashed the ball directly at two Guangzhou R&F opponents, attacking midfielder Oscar, who cost an Asian-record 60 million euros from Chelsea in the January window, appeared to have settled well into life at Shanghai SIPG with a string of highly-rated performances.Far better than Argentine forward Tevez who has so far failed to ingratiate himself with fans at neighbouring Shanghai Shenhua and is rumoured to be eyeing a move away from China despite signing a contract reported to be worth a staggering 38 million euros ($40 million) a year in January.Lavezzi, another Argentine forward on big money following his move last year from Paris Saint-Germain to Hebei China Fortune, was told by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) last month to “regulate his words and actions more” after promotional photos emerged of him in a slant-eyed pose, causing outrage on social media.– Worth the money –Success: Shanghai SIPG’s Brazilian forward Hulk has scored nine goals in the Chinse Super League this season © AFP/File / Johannes EISELEForward Hulk, while flourishing with nine CSL goals on the pitch alongside fellow Brazilian Oscar at SIPG, was also hauled before the CFA last month over allegations that he punched the Guizhou Zhicheng’s assistant coach and made anti-Chinese comments in the players’ tunnel at half-time.The burly striker and the club both denied the claims and the CFA said there was “no evidence” against Hulk after an investigation.Yang Qinnong, 25, a diehard SIPG fan, said the money his club shelled out on Hulk and Oscar — at a combined cost of 116 million euros ($132 million) — had been worth it.Yang said it would benefit Chinese players to come up against the likes of Oscar, but felt some big-name imports have the wrong attitude and were motivated by money.“They think they are hot shots and think they don’t need to train and have self-discipline like others because they make more money than others and have more experience,” he said, supporting a ruling that caps the number of foreign players to three a match in China.“I think certain limitations on foreign players is a good thing but it could make the CSL less attractive to watch,” he added.– ‘Higher expectations’ –Across Shanghai all is not well.The 33-year-old former Manchester United and Manchester City striker Tevez scored just his second goal for Shenhua last weekend as they beat bottom club Yanbian Funde 2-0.Shenhua, managed by former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet, are languishing in eighth place in the 16-team CSL, 21 points behind pacesetters Guangzhou Evergrande, and failed to reach the group stages of this season’s AFC Champions League.Liu Yuan, a hardcore Shenhua supporter, accused the imports of failing to make an effort to blend in and were there only for the money.“Foreign football players did not change their state of mind. They came to China seeking only a high salary,” he said.Fang Hui, a 30-year-old football fan in Shanghai, said Chinese football was attempting a tough balancing act between attracting star names to raise the profile of the league while not squeezing local talent.Fang, who says she does not support either of the Shanghai teams, added that foreign players were being unfairly singled out for criticism.“Fans have higher expectations of foreign players,” she said.Argentine striker Carlos Tevez poses with a jersey after signing for Shanghai Shenhua in January in a deal worth a reported 38 million euros a year in salary © AFP / STR“They would make a big deal when Tevez went to Disneyland in his own time (instead of going to a Shenhua game when he was injured) and once they do anything that is not so good fans think they’re not worth the money they are being paid.”Shares(Visited 2 times, 1 visits today)
The greatest ever? – Credit: Reddit user de1vos Don’t make him angry… – Credit: Reddit user benharpas 15 15 15 Needs more hair… – Credit: Reddit user CarnivorousVegan 15 If you get this you’re in with a sniff – Credit: Reddit user L1cketyspl1t We won’t bail you out if you can’t get this – Credit: Reddit user BubbleBathGorilla 15 This Arsenal star has turtle power! – Credit: Reddit user dopebeat 15 15 Show him the money! – Credit: Reddit user TastyBabies Check this goalkeeper out – Credit: Reddit user PlayboyScientist 15 You should only need one bite of the Chiellini to get this… – Credit: Reddit user curiooreo 15 15 It’s that time of year when football fans will do anything to beat the boredom as the start of the new Premier League campaign comes slowly ever closer.And a creative bunch over on Reddit did just that last week, as they challenged themselves to draw their favourite footballers on the evergreen Microsoft Paint (who needs Photoshop?)We brought you a selection of our favourites on Friday, but Redditors just didn’t seem to want to stop.So here’s an update of the best, worst and most terrifying submissions.Our thanks go to Reddit user DriesMertens – props to you sir! – and all the Redditors taking part for giving us a laugh this weekend!Want to play along? Give us your answers (e.g 1. Bale) in the comments below! 15 15 Amazing! You shouldn’t need a clue with this one… – Credit: Reddit user Dickenmouf He’s not at Atletico Madrid anymore. He’s feeling Blue after a dance with the Red Devils last year… – Credit: Reddit user dentibus You shouldn’t need to pass on this Dutchie – Credit: Reddit user PiccoloTheSuperNamek 15 15 Beast mode… – Credit: Reddit user MoluccanDude Why always me? – Credit: Reddit user nicridestigers 15 Nice perm! – Credit: Reddit user iamafitrunner
Sam Warburton Sam Warburton said he used to dream of pulling on the lilywhite jersey and play for Tottenham, but what would you rather do? The Drive team needs your help … 1
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREPettersson scores another winner, Canucks beat KingsHealth has become a new religion in our school systems. But is it really healthy for everyone, including asthmatics like me, to run a mile in less than 10 minutes? Running this fast feels like some kind of torture. Last year, I witnessed a person pass out while running. When I get up in the morning, get dressed, brush my teeth and go to school, I feel like I’m going to a military boot camp. I don’t feel like I’m able to think for myself. I feel as if the gym teacher owns me. Even on rainy days, we are forced to run, despite the fact that our gym is small and there are about 140 people in one P.E. period. “They don’t care about the students’ needs at all”, says Joel Aguilar, age 12. “Awhile ago I hurt my knee. It was all bruised up and looked like some sort of alien disease, and despite the massive pain I was experiencing my P.E. teacher still made me run. “As I finished limping the run, I was disappointed to hear that I had failed my run. The next day my P.E. teacher was surprised to hear that I was excused from P.E. due to severe bruising of my patella bone.” A young Burbank boy, Austin Cook, recently died during a physical-education run at John Muir Middle School. He went to school Thursday morning, Nov. 29, and never came home. Austin was only 11 years old – one year younger than I am. As an asthmatic middle school student, I am not surprised. I think it’s crazy to make young kids run two and a half miles, in 20 minutes, in order to get an A for the run. From personal experience, I know how hard it is to get an A. I have been deprived of good run grades because of my physical disadvantages. By all reports, Austin was a very active boy who was on a youth football team called the Burbank Vikings. But knowing this absurdly insensitive physical-education system, Austin probably failed the run that day. Being healthy is great; however, the prevention of childhood obesity has turned into obsession. This running madness has got to stop! It is not only in middle schools and high schools, but is now spreading to elementary schools, too. “P.E. is challenging for me,” says Melissa Catherine, age 9. “I am good at other sports, like tennis and kickball; I am just not that good at running.” Are these runs physical education or physical abuse? Are your innocent children’s lives being put into the hands of drill sergeants? We go to school for an education, not to run around town like a company of Marines. So, next time you send your children to school, think to yourself: Are they going to come home? Megan McKenna, age 12, is a Gifted and Talented Education or GATE honor student at David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Donegal men have come up with a novel idea for St Valentine’s Day – they are taking their wives and girlfriends to a Grand Prix!But if you don’t think going to a motor race if a romantic gesture, then think again.Because the Grand Prix that Donegal men are flocking to is the best rose in the country. Leading florist Alcorns say they are inundated with requests for the ultimate red rose.The Letterkenny-based business has stocked up on thousands of the roses in time for next Tuesday.The roses have been specially imported from Holland for the big day.“We have already had a lot of calls and men have been coming in to place their orders. Despite times being tough, this is the one time of the year that men can show their wives, partners of girlfriends just how much they mean to them,” said a spokesman for Alcorn. DONEGAL MEN FLOCKING TO THE GRAND PRIX FOR ST.VALENTINE’S DAY! was last modified: February 10th, 2012 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:AlcornsGrand Prix rosesSt.Valentine’s Day
Liverpool fans have overwhelmingly backed the introduction of rail seating in Premier League grounds in what has been viewed as a key vote on the idea of safe standing.In a week-long poll run by the club’s biggest independent supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly (SoS), 88 per cent of the nearly 18,000 fans who took part voted in favour of rail seating.Grounds in England’s top two divisions have been all-seated ever since Lord Justice Taylor’s inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 which left 96 Liverpool fans dead.Calls for a relaxation of that requirement, however, have been growing over the last decade, as many fans continue to stand throughout games, more has been revealed about the real causes of the 1989 tragedy and British fans have seen how supporters in Germany and elsewhere are allowed to stand during games.Last month, after repeated calls from fans’ groups, the Premier League wrote to its clubs asking them if they would be interested in taking part in a safe-standing trial and League One’s Shrewsbury announced they would be installing a section of rail seats at their ground.The debate, however, has always been more contentious and sensitive on Merseyside, with many relatives of Hillsborough survivors and victims strongly opposed to any softening of the all-seater requirement.This is why SoS conducted the poll and why its result will be so keenly observed.In a statement, SoS chair Jay McKenna said: “It’s an incredible turnout, we aren’t aware of such numbers voting before.“It demonstrates to us that we were right to have this discussion and that supporters, families and survivors want to have their say. After nine months of discussion, we have now had the vote and it will be taken as the position for Spirit Of Shankly.“The size of the turnout majority means that no one can be in any doubt that supporters have had their say and made an informed decision.”But McKenna stressed that this result should not be “celebrated” as a “win” and SoS has issued a statement to Liverpool fans explaining the need for further “mature and sensitive conversation” on the matter.McKenna said: “The vote is significant and we know people will see this as backing of rail seating.“However we say to anyone who is campaigning for this to understand sensitivities and respect the views of those who disagree.“Those who have been through incredible heartache and tragedy have every right to be heard and to ask important questions about safety. It was important in our conversations to have these answered. It would be wise for that to take place elsewhere.”Successfully trialled at Celtic last season, rail-seat sections have safety barriers on every row to prevent surges and the seats can be flipped up and locked in place when not required. Unlike traditional terraces, fans are assigned a ‘seat’ which helps with crowd control.The SoS poll ran from July 22-28 and 17,910 fans voted.On the main question of whether they were in favour of rail seating areas in stadiums, 15,798 (88.21 per cent) voted yes, 902 (5.04 per cent) were against with the remaining voters saying they either wanted more information or were undecided.Nearly nine in 10 voters said they would either definitely or probably use a rail seating area, and of those old enough to have stood on Anfield’s old Kop terrace, 85 per cent voted in favour. Liverpool fans have voted in favour of rail seating 1
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREThe Christmas Truce of 1914 proved that peace is possibleWithin Southern California, Santa Clarita had the fourth-most unhealthy days for a measuring station, 39, behind Banning Airport, 44, Perris, 54, and Crestline, 60. A complete report will be released in October. “Personal exposure to air pollution is diminishing but not at the dramatic pace that we experienced during the past two decades,” Barry Wallerstein, executive officer for the South Coast AQMD, said in a statement. While automobiles run cleaner, officials with the AQMD say trucks using diesel fuel, ships at port and trains all still contribute to unhealthy days. The AQMD is continuing to encourage the federal government to order cuts in smog-forming pollutants and fine soot in diesel exhaust from trains and ships. For the third straight year, Southern California earned the distinction as the region with the worst overall air quality in the nation, researchers from the South Coast Air Quality Management District said Thursday. Releasing preliminary findings, AQMD officials said this year’s smog season in Southern California appears to be ending with 86 days of unhealthy air at at least one measuring station. That compares to 83 days last year, and 88 days in 2004. Smog season begins on May 1 and ends on Oct. 1. The San Joaquin Valley came in a close second with 82, while Houston finished a distant third with 34 unhealthy smog days. “This trend makes it imperative that we redouble our efforts to reduce emissions, particularly from mobile security sources, in order to meet upcoming federal ozone and particulate matter standards.” It will be years before scientists can say how the nearly month-old Day Fire, which has scorched more than 150,000 acres since it started on Labor Day, has affected the air quality, officials said. Researchers say the 2006 smog season peaked early because of this summer’s unusually high temperatures. The San Fernando Valley saw triple-digit temperatures for three weeks straight in July. Smog days are measured based on standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An unhealthy smog day is determined when ozone levels top 0.08 parts per million during an eight-hour average. The one-hour standard is 0.12 ppm. Southern California has enacted the strictest quality requirements in the nation. The area includes Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Health officials say ground-level ozone can cause shortness of breath, lung damage and increased symptoms for those with asthma and bronchitis. susan.abram@dailynews.com (818) 713-3664160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Torbey scores five goals for Dons in home winBy Paul LeckerSports ReporterMARSHFIELD — The Marshfield Columbus Catholic soccer team responded from its first Central Wisconsin Conference loss of the season with a resounding 6-2 win over Northland Lutheran on Thursday at Griese Park.Nadim Torbey continued his torrid scoring pace, netting five of the Dons’ six goals, four coming in the first half as Columbus went up 4-2 at halftime.Torbey scored again in the 62nd minute, and Kellen Delaney added a goal with just under nine minutes left to provide the four-goal cushion.The Dons are now 8-3-1 overall and 7-1 in the Central Wisconsin Conference. Columbus will play La Crosse Aquinas and Arcadia at the Stevens Point Pacelli Quad on Saturday at the Portage County Youth Soccer Complex.(Hub City Times Sports Reporter Paul Lecker is also the publisher of MarshfieldAreaSports.com.)Dons 6, Wildcats 2Northland Lutheran 2 0 – 2Columbus Catholic 4 2 – 6First half: 1. CC, Nadim Torbey (Nick Malovrh), 1:45; 2. CC, Torbey (Malovrh), 10:42; 3. NL, David Burgess (Isaac Zahrt), 17:50; 4. NL, Austin Haferman (Zahrt), 30:25; 6. CC, Torbey (Calvin Brown), 32:17; 6. CC, Torbey, 39:52.Second half: 7. CC, Torbey (Zach Olson), 61:17; 8. CC, Kellen Delaney (Kevin Nguyen), 81:28.Total shots: Northland Lutheran 10; Columbus Catholic 22.Shots on goal: NL 8; CC 15.Corner kicks: NL 2; CC 3.Records: Northland Lutheran 5-2-2, 4-2-2 Central Wisconsin Conference; Columbus Catholic 8-3-1, 7-1 CWC.