Sports News

News#1

Shai stars as Thunder roll past Celtics

By Agence France-Presse

LOS ANGELES, California: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 36 points as the Oklahoma City
Thunder snapped Boston's six-game winning streak with a 127-123 victory on Tuesday (Wednesday in
Manila).
A heavyweight clash between two of the league's top teams lived up to its billing as Oklahoma City's
youthful lineup went toe-to-toe with the Celtics, who lead the NBA's Eastern Conference.
Gilgeous-Alexander's points haul came from 14-of-22 shooting, with the talented point guard adding
eight rebounds and six assists on a night when five Thunder players finished in double figures at
Oklahoma City's Paycom Center.
Australia's Josh Giddey added 23 points while Jalen Williams scored 16 and Chet Holmgren with 14.
Isaiah Joe chipped in with 10 off the bench as the Thunder extended their own winning-streak to five
games.
"Those guys have been to multiple conference finals, won plenty of basketball games, and they have the
best record in the league," Gilgeous-Alexander said of Boston.
"We knew it was going to take a whole game if we wanted to beat them. No matter how big the lead,
we knew they weren't going to lie down."
Boston led 61-58 at halftime, but the game swung decisively in favor of Oklahoma City after a
devastating third quarter in which they outscored the Celtics, 40-25, with Gilgeous-Alexander pouring in
16 points.
Oklahoma City appeared to be cruising toward victory, opening up an 18-point lead midway through the
fourth quarter. Boston, however, rallied bravely to cut the Thunder's lead to just two points to set up a
nervy finish.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey steadied the ship for the home team down the stretch, bagging clutch
free throws in the dying seconds to give Oklahoma City the win.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was satisfied with the victory but admitted his team had been "sloppy"
after allowing Boston back in the game in the closing stages of the fourth quarter.

Kristaps Porzingis led Boston's scorers with 34 points while Jayson Tatum had another big game
with 30 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.

Boston remain at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 26-7 record while Oklahoma City are
now just one game adrift of the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves,
improving to 23-9.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes to the rim during the second half against the Boston
Celtics at Paycom Center on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. AFP PHOTO

News #2

Soltones transfers to Chargers

By Aric John Sy Cua

MANILA, Philippines: After three seasons with the Petro Gazz Angels, Grethcel
Soltones is transferring to the Akari Chargers.
The team announced that Soltones will be joining the Chargers for the upcoming
Premier Volleyball League (PVL) in an announcement on its social media handles on
Wednesday.
"More firepower and championship experience. Let's light it up, Lady Beast!" the
announcement read.
The "Lady Beast" had also confirmed her move on her Instagram stories, thanking
the Chargers organization for bringing her in.
Soltones' former team, Petro Gazz, had also signed former F2 Logistics players Joy
Dacoron and Ethan Arce on Tuesday.
Grethcel Soltones PVL PHOTO

News #3

Surprising Colts control their destiny

By Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS: The Indianapolis Colts weren't supposed to be here, playing a prime-time game in Week
18 with a chance to make the playoffs.
Not with a rookie quarterback who then suffered a season-ending injury that forced Indy (9-7) to rely on
a veteran backup for its final 12 games. Not with an inconsistent running game or a first-time head
coach. And certainly not with a defense allowing 24.5 points per game.
Yet this gritty bunch is here, one win away from reaching the postseason for the first time since 2020,
completing a mission perhaps only they believed possible and, yes, proving the critics wrong. They can't
wait.
"One thing I've learned is how scrappy, how tough this team is," 2021 NFL rushing champ Jonathan
Taylor said after Sunday's 23-20 win over Las Vegas. "We knew we had tough players, but it's a different
story when you say you have a tough team."
Taylor is one of many Indy players who have overcome obstacles.
He opened training camp and the regular season on the physically-unable-to-perform list with an ankle
injury, forcing him to miss Indy's first four games. Thumb surgery kept him out of three late-season
contests. Now, he appears to be rounding into form.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew struggled with turnovers during a three-game losing streak after
replacing the injured Anthony Richardson in Week 5. He rebounded by leading the Colts (9-7) to four
straight wins before alternating wins and losses over the past four weeks to forge a three-way tie with
Houston and Jacksonville atop the AFC South.
If Minshew extends his career-best single-season victory total to eight Saturday night against the Texans,
Indy will be playoff bound. With a win and a Jaguars loss Sunday at Tennessee, the Colts would claim
their first division crown since 2014.

"In this league, everybody's got a chance," Minshew said. "There's a lot of parity, and then I think even
when you're struggling a little bit there at 3-5, I think everybody pulled together instead of growing
apart. We were able to get us in this position. So, I think everybody is fired up for the opportunity."
Now that they are here, the Colts don't intend to fritter away this opportunity — playing at home,
playing for the postseason and playing to prove they are every bit the playoff team they thought they
could be.

"We know what's at stake," Steichen said. "It's go out and take care of business. It's win or go home."

TAKE IT Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) gets a hand off from quarterback Gardner Minshew
(10) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in
Indianapolis. PHOTO BY AJ MAST/AP