The suspension for conduct detrimental to the league covers the first 25 games of the 2023-2024 regular season and includes conditions for reinstatement. 

He is ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, during the course of his suspension.

“Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. 

“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.

“For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time. Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.”

‘Sorry for failing you’

Morant took accountability for his actions last month and released another statement after the suspension was announced, apologizing to the NBA, the Grizzlies, and the city of Memphis.

“I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done. To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better,” Morant said in a statement. 

“To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.”

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“I’m spending the off-season and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making,” he said. “I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back… I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you (teammates) at the beginning of the season.”

“I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man that what I’ve been showing you,” Morant added.

$10-million suspension

The Grizzlies offered the following statement shortly after the suspension was announced:

“We respect the League’s decision to suspend Ja Morant following this latest episode. Our standards as a league and team are clear, and we expect that all team personnel will adhere to them.”

Based on his $33.5 million salary for 2023-2024, the suspension will cost Morant approximately $10.2 million.

The video, which was on Instagram Live, featured Morant waving a gun while sitting in the passenger’s seat of a car while listening to rap music. The clip was released on May 13, and the Grizzlies suspended the guard from all team activities the following day.

It was the second time in three months that Morant was caught with a firearm on social media. He previously was suspended eight games and sought counseling after a March 4 incident in which he filmed himself holding a gun at a Denver strip club following a 113-97 loss to the Nuggets.

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Ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Silver said the “history of prior acts” and “the individual player’s history” would be taken into account when the league made its decision on Morant’s punishment.

Morant, 23, is coming off his fourth season with Memphis after the Grizzlies selected him with the second overall pick in the 2019 draft. 

A two-time All-Star, Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 61 games (59 starts) in 2022-2023. – Rappler.com

Six players – led by Rome dela Rosa – scored in double figures as the Hotshots seized solo top spot in the preseason tournament with a pristine 5-0 record, breaking their tie with fellow unbeaten squad Rain or Shine (4-0).

Dela Rosa finished with 19 points and 6 rebounds, Joseph Eriobu chalked up 14 points, while Mark Barroca, Jerrick Ahanmisi, David Murrell, and James Laput chipped in 11 points apiece.

Laput also delivered 13 rebounds and 3 blocks as he continues to make a case for an increase in playing time when the PBA season opens in October.

Bucking a relatively lethargic start, Magnolia erased a 15-18 deficit at the end of the opening quarter and banked on Dela Rosa in the second frame to build a 43-31 halftime lead.

With star teammates Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva sidelined, Dela Rosa erupted for 11 points in the second period, where the Hotshots held the Tropang Giga to just 13 points.

Magnolia then pulled away for good in the final salvo and outscored a TNT side missing stars Jayson Castro, Mikey Williams, Roger Pogoy, Poy Erram, and Calvin Oftana, 31-11, in the quarter.

The blowout, though, still had its thrilling moments thanks to Murrell, the reigning PBA Slam Dunk Contest champion.

Murrell treated the sizable crowd at the Ynares Sports Arena to an aerial show as he slammed home a pair of breakaway dunks in the final four minutes.

Glenn Khobuntin put up 23 points and 5 rebounds for the Tropang Giga, who have yet to win after three games.

Without its core, TNT filled its roster with San Beda players Peter Alfaro, Clifford Jopia, Damie Cuntapay, and JV Gallego.

The Scores

Magnolia 96 – Dela Rosa 19, Eriobu 14, Barroca 11, Laput 11, Ahanmisi 11, Murrell 11, Mendoza 8, Corpuz 8, Corpuz 5, Jalalon 4, Reavis 2, Sangalang 0.

TNT 63 – Khobuntin 23, Cruz 11, Varilla 10, Marcelo 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Cuntapay 3, Gallego 2, Tungcab 0, Jopia 0, Alfaro 0.

Quarters: 15-18, 43-31, 65-52, 96-63.

– Rappler.com

Aleah Finnegan and Kylee Kvamme will join Carlos Yulo in the global showdown set in Antwerp, Belgium in September after making the cut in the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Singapore on Friday, June 16.

Finnegan finished seventh in the women’s individual all-around with a total of 50.399 points and advanced to the apparatus finals of the vault, balance beam, and floor exercise.

The reigning Southeast Asian Games vault champion, Finnegan emerged as the second-best qualifier in the apparatus after earning an average of 13.533 points, just behind Korea’s Yeo Seojeong, who normed 13.683 points.

Finnegan then ranked seventh in balance beam with 12.833 points and netted 12.933 points for eighth place in floor exercise, where compatriot Emma Malabuyo also clinched a final berth after placing fifth with 13.033 points.

The top eight gymnasts in each apparatus (a maximum of two per federation) will advance to the finals.

Meanwhile, Kvamme caught the bus to the world championships after garnering 48.765 points for 14th place in the individual all-around.

Since there were seven higher-ranked gymnasts (three from China and two each from Korea and Chinese Taipei) who qualified for the worlds through the team event, Kvamme made the cut as one of the next-best eight gymnasts.

China bagged the team all-around gold with 163.529 points, while Korea (160.095) and Chinese Taipei (147.397) settled for silver and bronze, respectively.

The Philippines – also composed of Lucia Gutierrez and Ancilla Lucia Mari Manzano – wound up at fifth place after posting 145.096 points.

Yulo looks to produce a pair of gold medals on Saturday as he competes in the men’s floor exercise and rings finals, while Finnegan eyes the women’s vault crown.

Also set on Saturday is the women’s floor exercise final, with Finnegan and Malabuyo seeking decent finishes. – Rappler.com

Tiongson scattered 22 of his game-best output in the last two quarters to steer the Dyip to their second win in five games in the preseason tournament.

Catching fire from three-point land on a 7-of-13 clip, Tiongson shot 13-of-26 overall and added 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in 35 minutes of action.

The Road Warriors still led 53-52 at halftime thanks to Kevin Alas’ buzzer-beating triple before Tiongson and the rest of Terrafirma hit their stride.

Four more Dyip players scored in double figures, with Gelo Alolino and Andreas Cahilig backstopping Tiongson with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Cahilig pulled down 14 rebounds to complete his double-double effort and recorded 2 blocks in the rout that saw Terrafirma lead by as many as 20 points, 107-87, off a Tiongson triple with under three minutes remaining.

Eric Camson and Allen Mina chimed in 12 points apiece for the Dyip.

Don Trollano showed the way with 20 points and 4 rebounds in the loss that dropped NLEX to the second-to-last place at 1-4 in the 12-team tiff.

Alas finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds for the Road Warriors, while Ben Adamos put up 13 points and 9 rebounds.

The Scores

Terrafirma 110 – Tiongson 37, Alolino 14, Cahilig 13, Mina 12, Camson 12, Go 6, Calvo 6, Ramos 4, Alanes 3, Taladua 3, Gomez de Liano 0, Grospe 0.

NLEX 96 – Trollano 20, Alas 15, Adamos 13, Pascual 10, Doliguez 10, Rosales 9, Anthony 9, Fajardo 8, Nieto 2.

Quarters: 18-22, 52-53, 85-76, 110-96.

– Rappler.com

Obiena said he welcomes the lofty challenge of clearing 6.25m set by Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano after surpassing 6.0m in the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway last June 10.

It is a dare for the world No. 3 Obiena to up the ante as he looks to contend for an Olympic gold medal against an elite field of rivals in the Paris Games next year.

Among the top 10 in the world rankings, three others have also cleared the six-meter plateau this year: reigning Olympic champion Armand Duplantis of Sweden, KC Lightfoot of the USA, and Sondre Guttormsen of Norway.

“I said you have to do 6.25. That will make all of us very comfortable going towards next year,” Capistrano told PlayItRight TV when asked about what he told Obiena following his historic vault in Norway.

No pole vaulter has reached 6.25m, with Duplantis being the closest when he reset his world record by soaring past 6.22m in France last February.

But Obiena is up to the task.

“I’m up for the challenge. I know what [Capistrano] meant by that. We’re gunning for gold in Paris,” said Obiena.

“The same motivation that I have and the same goals that I have, it’s pretty good to be aligned with people with the same mindset.”

Obiena joined the six-meter club by adopting a new 20-step technique for his golden vault in the Bergen Jump Challenge, where he beat two Americans in USA record holder Lightfoot and Tokyo Games silver medalist Chris Nilsen.

Admitting that the new method – an additional two steps from his old 18-step approach – is “difficult to control,” Obiena is convinced he can still raise the bar.

“I don’t think it’s the best jump I’ve taken. It’s one of the good ones but I don’t think it’s technically the best that I can do,” he said.

Needing to surpass the entry standard of 5.82m when the Olympic qualification period begins on July 1, Obiena aims to punch his ticket to Paris as he competes in the BAUHAS-Galan in Stockholm, Sweden on July 2. – Rappler.com

Kevin Quiambao showed the way for the Green Archers as they rolled past the Knights, 101-79, and kept their undefeated run going in the preseason tournament.

Quiambao delivered 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench, while Mark Nonoy also came up huge for La Salle with 18 markers built on four long bombs. 

Evan Nelle, meanwhile, hardly looked like he missed a beat in his return from an injury as he filled up the stat sheet with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in the 22-point drubbing.

On the other side, Kurt Reyson topscored for the Knights yet again with 17 points, while big men Kobe Monje and Paolo Javillonar added 11 and 10, respectively. 

In the curtain-raiser, Arthur Roque put on a show for the Altas as they eked out a thrilling 74-73 escape over the Tamaraws.

Roque erupted for 27 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting, along with a perfect 9-of-9 clip from the foul line. 

With the Tamaraws up by 1, 71-70, John Paul Boral and Roque knocked down four consecutive crucial free throws to give the Altas the lead with only 12 seconds remaining.

FEU’s Xyrus Torres and Royce Alforque had two opportunities to tie the ball game and potentially send it into overtime in the following play, but they both failed to connect on their attempts from beyond the arc.

Boral backstopped Roque in the hard-fought win with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.

For the Tamaraws, Aeron Bagunu led the charge with 14 points, while Torres and Cholo Anonuevo scored 12 each.

La Salle takes on the NU Bulldogs, while Perpetual faces off with the UP Fighting Maroons in the knockout semifinals on Monday, June 19.

The Scores

First Game

Perpetual 74 – Roque 27, Boral 15, Pagaran 9, Razon 8, Abis 5, Nitura 3, Ferreras 3, Nunez 2, Sevilla 2, Barcuma 0, Ramirez 0.

FEU 73 – Bagunu 14, Torres 12, Anonuevo 12, Montemayor 11, Alforque 8, Faty 7, Sleat 7, Pasaol 2, Tempra 0, Ona 0, Felipe 0.

Quarters: 17-25, 39-40, 53-60, 74-73.

Second Game

La Salle 101 – Quiambao 23, Nonoy 18, Nelle 12, Austria 7, Macalalag 6, Manuel 6, Policarpio 6, Phillips M. 6, David 4, Abadam 4, Gollena 4, Nwankwo 2, Cortez 2, Escandor 1.

Letran 79 – Reyson 17, Monje 11, Javillonar 10, Cuajao 9, Tolentino 9, Galoy 7, Santos 6, Bojorcelo 4, Morales 2, Guarino 2, Nunag 2, Bautista 0, Brillantes 0, Go 0.

Quarters: 23-18, 52-45, 74-61, 101-79.

– Rappler.com 

Pacquiao unveiled the Junior Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), where kids can test and hone their skills against other young athletes nationwide starting next month. 

“We want to discover our homegrown, grassroots players who are into basketball,” MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao said in a media event on Thursday, June 15 at Vivere Alabang.

“Filipinos are really in love with basketball, and that is why we are giving these kids a chance, accommodate them and be able to showcase their basketball talent.”

The Junior MPBL, set to launch on July 9, will feature three age groups – U18, U16, and U14 – as 18 teams to date have confirmed participation. 

Set to be televised over their MPTV channel on the Cignal pay TV service, the Junior MPBL plans to hold games regularly during the school break, before shifting to a weekend-only affair when classes start.

Teams from Antipolo; Batangas City; Bauan, Batangas; Caloocan; Cavite City; Dasmariñas City, Cavite; Imus City, Cavite; Las Piñas; Leyte; and Malabon will see action, said league commissioner Keith Picazo. 

Mandaluyong; Marikina; Muntinlupa; Pampanga; Quezon City; Quezon Province; Rizal Province; and San Pedro, Laguna also confirmed participation, while Iloilo is in talks to join.

Games will be played in different venues, including the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City, Batangas City Coliseum, Bauan Sports Complex in Batangas, Ynares Center Antipolo, Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas, and the Malabon Sports Complex.

Pacquiao to support Gilas in World Cup

Pacquiao, the eight-division world boxing champion known as a longtime basketball fan, said the MPBL will also give way to the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup from August 25 to September 10.

“We will stop to support the Philippines and stop the MPBL and Junior MPBL so we can watch the games personally,” said Pacquiao.

The former senator said he’ll support Gilas Pilipinas and watch at least one of its games in Group A action, where Filipinos will battle the Dominican Republic, Italy, and Angola.

While Pacquiao remains focused on his basketball league and other business, he admitted he is still on the fence when it comes to a political comeback.

Based on a recent SWS survey conducted last April 15 to 18, the former solon was the most preferred choice of local voters if the midterm elections were to be held today.

“I thank… the support of the people, we are always committed to serve the people properly,” said Pacquiao, who was a distant third in the 2022 presidential elections.

“But currently, I am focused on expanding my businesses, especially my family but we continue to help the less fortunate.”

Aside from politics, Pacquiao admitted he’s also not ruling out a return to the boxing ring. – Rappler.com

“Coach Tina will soon migrate to the USA as her immigrant visa application recently got approved,” the FEU Tamaraws posted on their Facebook page.

“She will remain with the team as consultant while she plans her move to the US,” it added.

Assistant Manolo Refugia will serve as interim coach of the Lady Tamaraws, who pulled off an impressive turnaround under new coach Salak. 

The Lady Tamaraws came within striking distance of the Final Four of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament last May, finishing fifth just a year after winding up dead last with only a win to show. 

In what turned out to be her lone season coaching her alma mater, Salak turned emotional and thanked her players for helping her reinvigorate the squad.

“It was not just a good run – it was a very good run,” Salak said in Filipino after FEU’s final game last month. “It was a very good season for us since we had made big strides because of our sacrifices.” 

According to FEU volleyball program director Dzi Gervacio, they are happy for Salak as she moves on to a new chapter in her life.

“We’re very grateful that she was able to be be part of FEU and got to share her vast knowledge on the sport and becoming a good Tamaraw student-athlete,” Gervacio told Rappler.

“This is not the end of the road for us as she will still be part of the team as a consultant and we trust that even with this role, she will still have a significant impact to the team.”

Salak, the 1995 UAAP MVP who played most of her career as a setter, powered the Lady Tamaraws to two championships in the 1990s.

Before bidding the team farewell, Salak had even bared that she was working on securing new recruits, but remains satisfied  with the team’s core players.

In the offseason, the team lost Jov Fernandez as she turned pro and signed with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in late May.

Shiela Kiseo and Jill Gallo likewise wrapped up their stint, according to Salak in her last interview as head coach.

– Rappler.com

The SBP on Friday, June 16, announced that ticket holders for the August 25 opening games at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan can avail of free shuttle service from major transportation hubs.

According to the SBP, 400 buses will be deployed on August 25 with hopes of encouraging fans to watch Gilas Pilipinas’ duel with Dominican Republic and shatter the FIBA attendance record that has stood for nearly three decades.

The current FIBA record is the 32,616-strong crowd that watched Team USA clobber Russia, 137-91, in the 1994 World Cup championship game at the SkyDome – now the Rogers Centre – in Toronto, Canada.

Gilas Pilipinas’ match against Dominican Republic at the 55,000-seater venue is set at 8 pm, after fellow Group A teams Italy and Angola duke it out at 4 pm.

Filipino fans who will watch in Bulacan are expected to play a key role as the Philippines – ranked No. 40 in the world – looks to capitalize on its home court advantage as it eyes an upset against No. 23 Dominican Republic.

A win over Dominican Republic will bring Gilas Pilipinas towards its goal of advancing to the second round and finishing as the best-placed Asian team, a feat that merits a coveted berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Philippines will then play the rest of its group stage matches against Italy and Angola at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ranging from P999 to P18,899, tickets for the August 25 games at the Philippine Arena are available for purchase online at https://philippines-ticketing.worldcup.basketball/. – Rappler.com

Fans let out a huge roar at the Rizal Memorial Stadium when at the 72nd minute, Schröck replaced Kenshrio Daniels to help close out Nepal as the Philippines hacked out a 2-0 triumph in the friendly match on Thursday, June 15.

In his 18-minute cameo, Schröck showed no signs of rust as he displayed the skills that mesmerized fans throughout his 11-year journey with the Azkals.

But Schröck had the crowd concerned at the 85th minute as he got clattered by a Nepal defender down the left wing and took a few seconds to get up and restart the play.

Returning head coach Hans Michael Weiss hopes Schröck, who begged off from the post-match interview, sustained no injury as the Filipino-German did not train for six months 

“With more fitness, he can be a game-changer in crucial game situations,” said Weiss. 

“I don’t consider him too much as a starter anymore, but he can help us for 30-45 minutes and maybe in big games also with his vision, with his feet, with his surprising moves, and you need players like this.”

Legendary midfielder

Weiss, who’s also back with the Azkals after a decade, shared how Schröck helped him get acquainted with the team again.

“Before coming here, he was the one mostly in contact with me and told me everything about the squad,” Weiss said of the 36-year-old  Schröck. 

“I knew most of the squad, but he helped a lot to bring me here and to help build up the squad, to train and give me advice on this, and this, and this because of course, nine years when you’re not here, even if you know the players, it’s different.”

Schröck’s name was surprisingly included in the official matchday team sheet of the international friendly match between world No. 136 Azkals and 174th-ranked Nepal.

Listed as a substitute, Schröck was then seen warming up with the players as soon as the team came out of their locker room minutes before the kickoff.

The anticipation of seeing the legendary midfielder increased when Schröck warmed up once again during the match.

‘Nothing is for sure’

Schröck’s on-pitch return came just a little over six months when he announced on January 1 this year that although “nothing is for sure,” he said, “99% this will be my last game.” 

But as the national men’s football team looks to reinvigorate its program, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers also on the horizon, Weiss said he wants Schröck to still be involved with the team. 

“We were thinking that for the meantime, good to have him still there like a player, also coaching and supporting role, so this is Schröck’s position,” said Weiss. 

“He will build his body up, he still has the drive to play. I think maybe having me here now also [helped] him because he was a little bit tired.”

Overall, it was a triumphant comeback for Schröck as he was able to record another win with the national team and help kickstart the second era of Weiss’ leadership on a positive note.

Schröck, Weiss, and the Azkals will close out the two-match friendly window against Taiwan on Monday, June 19 at 7 pm, also at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. – Rappler.com