SPORTS Likes

  Laker guard Russell Westbrook rebounds and scores on a fast break against the Nuggets. It's not that I am a Laker for life fan. But I like Russell Westbrook even before he wore the purple and gold jersey.       He should remain at Los Angeles. His game has been improving over the Lakers recent outings following their dismal 0-5 start this season.      I like Westbrook because of his razzle dazzle play. I like his all-around game.      In fact, Westbrook holds the all-time best record in triple-double with 196.     His last triple-double game was against Denver on Dec. 17, 2022. The Lakers beat Nuggets 126-108 with Westbrook closing out with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.      He almost did it again in their next won game on Dec 19 over the Wizards, 119-117, with his 9-8-9 finish but did not play in the team's next two games when they lost to Phoenix,130-104, on Dec 20 and to Sacramento, 134-120, on...

Leo Messi fan club Twitter account shows it all. A rgentinians continue to hold the biggest celebrations at home a week after their national team's historic conquest of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.       Reports estimate that about five million people went to the streets of the nation's capital city of Buenos Aires to greet team captain Lionel Messi and the rest of the line-up including Gonzalo Montiel and goal keeper Emiliano Martinez.      Images of the celebrations inundated Facebook, Twitter and Instagram the past three days -- scenes that are so inspiring to look at from far across the ocean.      And it inspires us also to look back at the tournament. The final game betwee Argentina was indeed the greatest ever played in the history of the World Cup.      For Messi it was a dream is come true. His mission for a first ever WC title after fivecattempts was accomplished in a terrific fashion. It was a fitting end to his il...

Pau Gasol I t is interesting to see Pau Gasol, Tony Parker and Greg  Popovich being candidates at the same time for 2023 Naismith Hall of Fame.      Gasol and Parker played together with the San Antonio Spurs alongside coach Popovich.      Another nominee who at some point had an important role in Spurs franchise is WNBA coach Becky Hammon.      Others who have earned nomination status for the annual award given to those who have contributed to the development and popularity of basketball are Dirk Nowitzki, Dwayne Wade and Chauncey Billups.  The award is in honor of James Naismith, founder of the game.      The American-Russian born Hammon is now coach of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA and once assistant coach of the Spurs.      The announcement was made on Wednesday on ESPN's "NBA Today."

T he Filipino nation must threw its full support again when the country's first ever grandslam champion will take her game to a higher level.      Alex Eala, the reigning US Open junior grandslam singles winner and French Open doubles co-champion, has just made the cut for the qualifying round of the upcoming Australian Open.      It will be the 17-year old Filipina's debut as a professional tennis player and her countrymen must keep their fingers crossed for this journey.      The Aussie Open is set January 16-29, 2023 at Melbourne Park.