HERE are the top sports news from Thursday.
Sports news December 22
Francis Lopez back in Ateneo?
Francis Lopez drew the attention of UAAP fans when he wore Ateneo blue and joined the Blue Eagles during their 75-68 series-clinching win in Game Three of the men’s basketball finals against University of the Philippines.
That raised the question about a possible return to Katipunan.
But the former Blue Eaglet can meet a roadblock in the UAAP board, which could weigh in on his eligibility after initially signing with burgeoning prep-to-pro league Overtime Elite, where he never got to play in owing to US visa concerns.
"His eligibility status will have to be resolved, first" an Ateneo insider with knowledge on the matter said, "then he can make his decisions."
Read more about it here.
Brian Goorjian on first career best-of-seven series
Brian Goorjian is relishing a milestone in the Philippines as he is set to lead Bay Area in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra starting Christmas Day.
The veteran Dragons coach is set to call the shots in just the first best-of-seven series of his career that has seen him win six championships in the National Basketball League in Australia and a historic bronze medal with the Australian national team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“I’ve been in the game a long time. Never in the NBA. But I’ve never been involved in a seven-game series,” the Australian-American mentor said.
“Five [games] in Australia. In Europe, it’s best-of-three. Every now and then, I’ve been involved in a best-of-five. But never a best-of-seven. So, great opportunity and just really proud to be in there and have a battle in our hands,” he added.
Denok Miranda to replace Olsen Racela at FEU?
Denok Miranda has emerged as the frontrunner to coach Far Eastern University after Olsen Racela stepped down.
The school announced the development about Racela after a tough UAAP Season 85 campaign that saw the Tamaraws adjust from the sudden departure of RJ Abarrientos and miss out on the Final Four for the first time in eight seasons.
Miranda is part of FEU’s golden era when he ran the offense of the team’s virtual UAAP three-peat from 2003 to 2006.
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