HERE are the top sports news from Monday.
Sports news July 3
Fajardo, Aguilar regain fitness for Gilas
Gilas Pilipinas’ top big men are getting back into vintage forms at the right time as the national team goes deep into its European training camp.
June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar are steadily returning to full fitness after dealing with similar MCL (medial collateral ligament) injuries they sustained in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Both star big men played in the tune-up matches against Estonia, Finland, and the Ukraine U-20 team.
“It was just a matter of time. Like I said, we started with these guys coming off injuries, and they were nowhere near competitive shape or basketball shape,” national coach Chot Reyes said of his two veteran big men following Gilas’ 84-74 win over the Ukraine youth team at the Zalgirio Arena in Lithuania.
Tyler Tio, Mike Nieto sign new Phoenix, Converge deals
Two Ateneo products have committed to their PBA teams for the foreseeable future.
Tyler Tio and Mike Nieto have signed new contracts with Phoenix and Converge, respectively.
Tio signed a three-year deal to put an end to trade rumors after an impressive rookie season that saw him earn the keys to the Fuel Masters’ offense.
Nieto, on the other hand, inked a two-year pact with the FiberXers, who recently acquired him in a trade with Rain or Shine for two future second-round picks.
John Dumont sons play for UE
Not just one, but two second-generation players have given University of the East a boost.
Jack and Hunter Cruz-Dumont are among the Red Warriors’ recruits ahead of the coming UAAP season.
The Filipino-Canadian prospects are the sons of the late John Dumont, a 6-foot-4 forward who played for the Pasig Pirates in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.
Jack Dumont, who obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC), is a 6-2 guard/forward who is a very creative player and one that can play and defend multiple positions on the court. The 22-year-old averaged 5.3 points, 3.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds in 20 minutes of play in his final UBC season.
The younger Hunter is a 6-5 forward with a high basketball IQ. The 20-year-old will be eligible to play for the Red Warriors in Season 87 after his residency since transferring in from Simon Fraser University.
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