By Michael Angelo S. Murillo

BOCAUE, BULACAN — The Philippine women’s team had a tough start to its FIBA 3X3 World Cup campaign, losing its opening two games in Day One of the tournament on Friday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Mandaluyong and Marikina, two teams expected to draw much attention in the coming season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, will get their baptism of fire when the fastest growing regional basketball league opens on June 12 at the Araneta Coliseum.

MILO Philippines continues its unwavering commitment to give the Filipino youth more opportunities to get into sports with the launch of their newest sports programs, the MILO Champ Camp and the Barangay MILO Liga. 

Over the next two years, these programs aim to bring sports closer to grassroots communities by engaging over one million students and 60,000 parents through the MILO Champ Camp and over 500,000 residents in 300 barangays with the Barangay MILO Liga.

The Portland Trail Blazers are riding a 13-game winning streak. The Houston Rockets have the best record in the NBA. For those reasons alone, Tuesday night’s headliner is sure to have fireworks. But there’s a fold in the Blazers-Rockets dynamic that might give each team an extra push to one-up their opponent.

Here’s another entry into the lexicon into unbelievable anecdotes about LeBron James’ body: James once began an Eastern Conference Finals game weighing 271 pounds and finished at 278. Yes, according to an ESPN story published Monday, James gained seven pounds during a high stakes playoff game.

CHICAGO -- Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue left Saturday night's 114-109 win against the Bulls with an illness, marking the third time this season that his health has kept him from coaching an entire game.

With the Cavs leading 69-52 at halftime, Lue remained in the locker room and handed the coaching duties to associate head coach Larry Drew.

BATANGAS CITY—Batangas City and Muntinlupa came away with similar victories on Tuesday night to put themselves in a better position heading to the playoffs of the MPBL-Anta Rajah Cup at the Batangas City Coliseum here.

The Tanduay-backed Athletics shook off a slow start with a big third-quarter run on their way to scoring an 86-75 triumph over the Caloocan Supremos-Longrich.

FROM zero to hero.

The Senate Defenders completed an amazing journey from last place to champion Monday when they swept the Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission Kamao, 84-64, in the 6th UNTV Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

FROM zero to hero.

The Senate Defenders completed an amazing journey from last place to champion Monday when they swept the Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission Kamao, 84-64, in the 6th UNTV Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.