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Kabayan Daily

Denver Nuggets takes 3-0 lead over the LA Lakers in the WCF

May 21, 2023
Denver Nuggets takes 3-0 lead over the LA Lakers in the WCF
Image: NBA

Denver Nuggets are 1-win away for their first NBA Finals appearance after defeating the LA Laker in the game 3 of the Western Conference finals. This is the first home lost of the Lakers in the post-season. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history but Lebron James remain optimistic in his postgame interview.

For second straight games, Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 37 points, 7 rebs and 6 assists, followed Nikola Jokic scoring 24 points with 8 assists but was plague by foul trouble in the game. the Nuggets due received a lot of help from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who finished with 17 points, scoring 12 points in the second half, while Michael Porter Jr. chipped-in 14 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high of 6 assists.

Anthony Davis scored 28 points and 18 rebounds for the Lakers but was -12 in the plus/minus column, while James made 23 points with 12 assists and Austin Reaves added 23 points and 7 rebounds but they could not counter Nuggets balanced offence in the clutch. Five Nuggets players are in double figures which includes Bruce Brown’s 15 pts with 5 rebounds and 5 assists; Michael Porter Jr. with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists.

Game 4 will still be in LA which is a must for Lakers so they can extend the series to Game 5.

Apple opens online store in Vietnam

May 21, 2023
Apple opens online store in Vietnam

Apple just announced that the Apple Online Store is now available in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s Apple Online Store will offers a wide range of Apple products and accessories, with shopping assistance from Apple’s team of experts, no-contact delivery, trade-in program, build-to-order Mac options, and up to 24 months of financing for your Apple device. The Apple Online Store will also offer students a special pricing for their Mac or iPad, and receive discounts on accessories as well as AppleCare+.

The store is available in both Vietnamese and English, allowing customers to order a wide range of Apple products on the web.

Denver Nuggets defeats LA Lakers to take 2 – 0 lead in the Western Conference Finals

May 19, 2023
Denver Nuggets defeats LA Lakers to take 2 – 0 lead in the Western Conference Finals
Image: NBA

Denver Nuggets just took a 2 – 0 lead over the Lakers after defeating the LA Lakers in game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

Nuggets got the win behind Jamal Murray’s explosion by scoring 23 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter. Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic was not as impactful in game 2 as he is in the opener even though he just registered another triple-double, scoring 23 points with 17 rebounds and dished 12 assists, his 7th triple-double in the post season and 4th straight.

The Lakers are not panicking even though they’re down 0 – 2, and James even said this in his postgame interview – “This is not the NCAA Tournament. It’s the first team to four wins.”

In the game, Lebron James was flirting with triple-double, scoring 22 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds, he was also 0 – 6 from beyond in the three-point line in the game and just 1 – 19 in the fourth quarter this postseason. Collectively, James and Reaves both scored 22 for Los Angeles, while Anthony Davis scored just 18 points after scoring 40 pts in game 1.

Game 3 of the WCF will be this Saturday at the crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers are still undefeated this post season.

Marvel announces release dates of Loki Season 2 and Echo

May 18, 2023
Marvel announces release dates of Loki Season 2 and Echo
Image: Marvel

We know that it’s coming and now Disney has officially announced the release date of the second season of Loki and Echo. In a single twit, Marvel Studios announced that the second season of Loki will be this 6th of October 2023, while the Daredevil spin-off “Echo,” that will star Alaqua Cox to reprise her role as Maya Lopez/Echo, will be this November 29th.

Loki Season 2

In their announcement, Marvel explained that the second season of Loki will “pickup where Season 1 left off, after the death of He Who Remains, Loki is back at the TVA, but Sylvie, and Mobius and Hunter B-15 don’t know who he is.”

Echo

Here’s what Disney said about the new series;

The new series tells the origin story of Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. She must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward.

The series was originally scheduled for release mid-2023 but Marion Dayre, producer of the series, stated in December 2022 that Echo series will have a late 2023 premiere.

Here’s the complete 2023 NBA Draft Results

May 17, 2023
Here’s the complete 2023 NBA Draft Results

The 2023 NBA Draft just concluded with San Antonio Spurs emerging as the winner to draft Frenchman Victor Wembanyama in the coming 2023 NBA Draft this 22nd of June 2023 in Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York.

Below are the results from NBA Draft Lottery 2023;

First Round: Picks 1-30

  1. San Antonio
  2. Charlotte
  3. Portland
  4. Houston
  5. Detroit
  6. Orlando
  7. Indiana
  8. Washington
  9. Utah
  10. Dallas
  11. Orlando (from Chicago)
  12. Oklahoma City
  13. Toronto
  14. New Orleans
  15. Atlanta
  16. Utah (from Minnesota)
  17. Los Angeles Lakers
  18. Miami
  19. Golden State
  20. Houston (from LA Clippers)
  21. Brooklyn (from Phoenix)
  22. Brooklyn
  23. Portland (from New York)
  24. Sacramento
  25. Memphis
  26. Indiana (from Cleveland)
  27. Charlotte (from Denver via New York and Oklahoma City)
  28. Utah (from Philadelphia via Brooklyn)
  29. Indiana (from Boston)
  30. LA Clippers (from Milwaukee via Houston)

Second Round: Picks 31-58

  1. Detroit
  2. Indiana (from Houston)
  3. San Antonio
  4. Charlotte (from Charlotte via Philadelphia and Atlanta)
  5. Boston (from Portland via Atlanta, LA Clippers, Detroit, and Cleveland)
  6. Orlando
  7. Oklahoma City (from Washington via New Orleans)
  8. Sacramento (from Indiana)
  9. Charlotte (from Utah via New York)
  10. Denver (from Dallas via Oklahoma City)
  11. Charlotte (from Oklahoma City via New York and Boston)
  12. Washington (from Chicago via Los Angeles Lakers and Washington)
  13. Portland (from Atlanta)
  14. San Antonio (from Toronto)
  15. Memphis (from Minnesota)
  16. Atlanta (from New Orleans)
  17. Los Angeles Lakers
  18. LA Clippers
  19. Cleveland (from Golden State via Utah and New Orleans)
  20. Oklahoma City (from Miami via Boston, Memphis, and Dallas)
  21. Brooklyn
  22. Phoenix
  23. Minnesota (from New York via Charlotte)
  24. Sacramento
  25. Indiana (from Cleveland via Milwaukee and Detroit)
  26. Memphis

    27. — Chicago (from Denver via Cleveland; forfeited by Chicago)
    — Philadelphia (forfeited)

  27. Washington (from Boston via Charlotte)
  28. Milwaukee

Winning the #1 overall pick doesn’t assure that a franchise will be able to pick the best player in the class but it does help in knowing that a team can pick the player that they want.

Former VP Leni Robredo launches “TAYO ANG LIWANAG” book

May 9, 2023
Former VP Leni Robredo launches “TAYO ANG LIWANAG” book

Former VP Leni Robredo just launched TAYO ANG LIWANAG coffee table book. The TAYO ANG LIWANAG coffee table book, as Rappler describes it, a “390-page book, Tayo Ang Liwanag: Journeying Through People’s Campaign, is being launched on the first anniversary of the May 9, 2022 elections where Robredo lost to Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”

You can watch the book launch from the video here;

The book will be available in soft and hardbound book, it will cost ₱1,000 and ₱2,499, respectively. It’s now available for pre-order and part of the proceeds will go to Angat Buhay NGO, which Ms. Robredo chairs.

You can preorder, your copy at https://bit.ly/TayoAngLiwanagBook.

Lakers takes series lead 3 – 1, behind 4th Qtr Career Game from Lonnie Walker IV

May 9, 2023
Lakers takes series lead 3 – 1, behind 4th Qtr Career Game from Lonnie Walker IV
Image: @NBA

The Los Angeles Lakers are in full control of the series putting the Golden State Warriors on the brink of elimination and spoiling Curry’s triple-double, this is his third career in the postseason.

It was a close game even in the closing minutes and despite a monster game from Anthony Davis and Lebron James, the LA Lakers needed a career 4th qtr game from Lonnie Walker IV, who took control of the 4th qtr. The Warriors did not have any answer to Walker’s drives and jumpers, he even made a 3-pts at one point in the 4th. Walker scored all his 15 points in the 4th quarter, he also made grabbed 3 rebs and dished 2 assists.

Anthony Davis contributed scored 23 pts, 15 rebs and 3 steals. Lebron chipped in 27 points, 9 rebs and 6 assists but was -8 in the plus/minus column. James did made 2 crucial free throws that gave the Lakers a 3 point lead with just 1 mins 19 seconds remaining in the game.

On the Golden State side, it was just Curry against the whole Lakers roster, after scoring 31 pts, 10 rebs and 14 assists, and the second leading scorer for the Warriors is Andrew Wiggins who scored 17 points but was limited to just 4 rebs and 2 for 6 from beyond the arc. Klay Thompson, the hero of game 2, is also a non-factor in the game and only scored 9 points with 5 rebs even though he played for the 41 minutes.

With this win the Lakers will just need to win 1 game in order to advance to the Conference Finals while the Warriors needs to defeat the Lakers 3 games in a row and the series in game 7.

Game 5 will be this Wednesday night at the Chase Center, San Francisco.

Google officially announce Pixel Fold

May 6, 2023
Google officially announce Pixel Fold

It appears that the leaks are true, since Google has officially announced the Pixel Fold – the first foldable phone engineered by the company.

Beyond the 8 seconds teaser video (below), Google did not provide any other details like the specs, availability and price. The company also said that they talk more about the Pixel Fold at Google I/O this May 10th.

It was previously leaked that the Pixel Fold will be a 5.8-inch phone that unfolds into a 7.6-inch tablet, with a Tensor G2 processor that Google developed and a battery that Google claims to last for 24 hours on a single charge, and “the most durable hinge on a foldable.”

Gmail to introduce verified accounts for FREE!

May 6, 2023
Gmail to introduce verified accounts for FREE!

Google has announced that it will start verifying or adding a “blue checkmark” to business users using Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) in Gmail. This new feature will help users identify messages from legitimate senders versus impersonators.

Google further explains that “strong email authentication helps users and email security systems identify and stop spam, and also enables senders to leverage their brand trust. This increases confidence in email sources and gives readers an immersive experience, creating a better email ecosystem for everyone.”

The new verified Gmail account will be free of charge and available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers, and to users with personal Google Accounts.

Complete picture of the 2nd Round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs

May 1, 2023
Complete picture of the 2nd Round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs
Image: @NBA

Now that the Warriors will advance to the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs we now have a complete pictures of the 2nd Round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. A number of games have already been played and here’s a roundup as of this date.

Western Conference

  • Los Angeles Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers dispatched the Grizzlies in 6 games and have been waiting for winner of the the Warriors-Kings series.
  • Denver Nuggets versus the Phoenix Suns. Nuggets already won game 1 in a convincing win against the Suns. It was Jamal Murray who carried the load for the Nuggets scoring 34 pts and 9 assists. MVP candidate Nikola Jovic contributed 24 points, 19 rebs and 5 assists.

    Game 2 will on Monday, at the Ball Arena, in Denver.

Eastern Conference

  • Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers. Game 1 will this Tuesday at the TD Garden. Joel Embiid is doubtful for game 1 against the Celtics 76ers.
  • Miami Heat versus New York Knicks. Miami Heat already took game 1 even though Jimmy Butler is nursing an ankle injury. Jimmy Butler lead the Heat with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

    Game 2 will be this Tuesday, at the Madison Square Garden, New York.

Golden State Warriors wins epic Game 7 against Sacramento Kings (120 – 100)

May 1, 2023
Golden State Warriors wins epic Game 7 against Sacramento Kings (120 – 100)
Image: @warriors

It was a game for the record books, as Golden State Warriors routs the Sacramento Kings in the Game 7 of the 1st round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

It was a close game early in the 3rd quarter until Steph Curry single-handedly carry the Warriors’ offensive load. Curry score a team-high of 50 points on a 52.6% shooting, this is the most scored in a Game 7 in NBA history. Steph is the first player in Warriors history to score 40-plus points in a Game 7. Curry also dished-out 6 assists and 8 rebounds.

Aside from Curry, Kevon Looney continued to be a force on boards as he grabbed a total 21 rebounds, 11 on the offensive end, with his 11 points and 4 assists. Looney’s rebounding helped the Warriors control the pace of the game.

Steph and the Warriors will now face the Lebron and Lakers in the 2nd round, Lakers dispatched the Grizzlies in just 6 games. Game 1 of the 2nd round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs will this Tuesday at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

Game Highlights

Here are the results of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw

April 30, 2023
Here are the results of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw

The highly anticipated FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw presented by Wanda just concluded and below are the groupings and venues for the 19th edition of the of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Group A to D will be held in the Philippines; games will be further divided into two; groups A and B will be play in Araneta, while Group C and Group D will be played in MOA Arena. Group E and F will in Japan, and Group G and Group H will be played in Indonesia.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will take place from August 25 to September 10 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

Here are the complete list of groupings and the location of the games;

Group A (Philippines, Araneta)
Angola
Dominican Republic
Philippines
Italy

Group B (Philippines, Araneta)
South Sudan
Serbia
China
Puerto Rico

Group C (Philippines, MOA Arena)
United States
Jordan
Greece
New Zealand

Group D (Philippines, MOA Arena)
Egypt
Mexico
Montenegro
Lithuania

Group E (Japan, Okinawa Arena)
Germany
Finland
Australia
Japan

Group F (Japan, Okinawa Arena)
Slovenia
Cape Verde
Georgia
Venezuela

Group G (Indonesia, Indonesia Arena)
Iran
Spain
Cote d’Ivoire
Brazil

Group H (Indonesia, Indonesia Arena)
Canada
Latvia
Lebanon
France

Source: FIBA

You can now login your WhatsApp account to multiple devices

April 30, 2023
You can now login your WhatsApp account to multiple devices

In a blogpost, WhatsApp will now allow you to login your account to multiple devices. The company emphasis that they will maintain the same level of privacy and security.

WhatApp further explained that one account can be used sign-on to up to four additional devices, the same as when you link with WhatsApp on web browsers, tablets and desktops. personal messages, media, and calls are end-to-end encrypted, and if your primary device is inactive for a long period, we automatically log you out of all companion devices. Each linked phone connects to WhatsApp independently, ensuring that your personal messages, media, and calls are end-to-end encrypted, and if your primary device is inactive for a long period, we automatically log you out of all companion devices.

WhatsApps multiple login feature started to rolling-out to all users globally and will be available to all users in the coming weeks.

Lakers routs Grizzlies, advances to the 2nd round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs (125 – 85)

April 30, 2023
Lakers routs Grizzlies, advances to the 2nd round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs (125 – 85)
Image: @Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers will advance to the 2nd round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs after dismantling a resilient Memphis Grizzlies. It was a block party for the Lakers with a team total of 15 blocks against Grizzlies’ 2 blocks.

Lakers leading scorer for the game is D’Angelo Russell scored a career playoff-high 31 points with five 3-pts made. LeBron James made 22 points and 6 assists, while Anthony Davis chipped in 16 points, 14 rebs with 5 blocks.

As for the Grizzlies, their top scorer for the game is the seldom used Santi Aldama scoring 16 points with two 3-points made. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane scored a combined 25 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. had 14 on a 25% shooting.

Lakers will face in the 2nd round of the 2023 NBA Playoff the winner of the Game 7 between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.


Celtics defeats Hawks moves on to the 2nd Round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs

April 28, 2023
Celtics defeats Hawks moves on to the 2nd Round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs
Image @nba

The 1st round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs ended with a convincing victory for the Boston Celtics over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6.

The Celtics dominated the 2nd of the game after a close 1st half, leading by as much as 8 points with a little more than 2-mins in the game. The Hawks are lead by Trae Young who had 30 points and 10 assists but missed 12 of 13 shots over the final two quarters.

Dejounte Murray returned to the Hawks lineup after receiving a one-game suspension for bumping an official at the end of Atlanta’s Game 4 loss, only scored 14 pts, 11 assists and 7 rebs but was a -13 in the plus/minus column.

The Hawks tried to mount a comeback to force a game 7, but the Celtics were prepared to take on any run by Hawks.

Former-Hawks Horford hit a huge 3-pointer to keep the Atlanta at bay. Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum led the Celtics, contributing 32 and 30 points, respectively. Al Horford chipped 10 points, 12 rebounds two steals and three blocks.

The Celtics won 128 – 120 and advanced to the second round, where they will face the third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers this Monday night at the TD Garden.

Atlanta Hawks upsets Miami Heat to secure East 7th seed

April 12, 2023
Atlanta Hawks upsets Miami Heat to secure East 7th seed
Image: NBA

The Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks faced off in a thrilling play-in game on Tuesday night, with a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs on the line. The Hawks, led by their new coach Quin Snyder, who took over the team last February, showed their resilience and determination as they defeated the Miami Heat to secure a 116-105 victory.

The Heat, who were the defending conference champions, struggled to contain the Hawks’ dynamic duo of Trae Young and Clint Capela. Young, who averaged 26.2 points and 10.2 assists per game in the regular season, scored 25 points and dished out 7 assists in the win. Capela, who is top 7 in rebounding with 11.0 per game, dominated the paint with 21 rebounds, two blocks and 4 points.

The Hawks also got contributions from their supporting cast, as Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 14 points, John Collins added 10 points and four rebounds, and Dejounte Murray chipped in with 18 points, 6 assists and five rebounds. The Hawks shot 46% from the field and 24.4% from three-point range, while holding the Heat to 42.9% and 32.4%, respectively.

The Heat were led by Jimmy Butler, who had 21 points, four rebounds and 9 assists. Bam Adebayo contributed with 12 points and 9 rebounds, while Tyler Herro scored 26 points and two steals. The Heat were missing Victor Oladipo, who only played for just 9 mins and made just one assist.

The Hawks will now face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, starting on Saturday. The Heat will face the loser between the Toronto and Chicago game this Thursday.

Lakers beats Timberwolves (102 – 108) in OT to take West 7th Seed

April 12, 2023
Lakers beats Timberwolves (102 – 108) in OT to take West 7th Seed
Image: @NBA on ESPN

Lakers survives Timberwolves in a thrilling Play-in tournament that went overtime. The win will give the Lakers the 7th seed in the Western conference. To keep their hopes alive to be the NBA Champions, LA Lakers will face the Memphis Grizzlies, who are the 2nd seed in the West in the 1st round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Min. Timberwolves are without Rudy Gobert who was suspended for punching teammate Kyle Anderson during Minnesota’s regular-season finale against the NO Pelicans, while Jaden McDaniels is out indefinitely with a broken hand after punching a wall during the same gamae against the Pelicans.

On the Lakers win at NBA.Com – LAKERS OUTLAST WOLVES 108-102 IN OT, ADVANCE TO FACE MEMPHIS.

Watch the first teaser trailer of Captain Marvel’s sequel – the Marvels

April 12, 2023
Watch the first teaser trailer of Captain Marvel’s sequel – the Marvels

Marvel Studios just dropped the first teaser trailer of the Marvels, Captain Marvel’s highly anticipated sequel.

In the trailer (embedded below), we can see all three members of the Marvels; Carol Danvers/Capt. Marvel, Monica Rambeau/Photon and Kamala Kahn/Ms. Marvel. The 2 mins video also shows us that the body swapping is not just between between Capt. Marvel and Ms. Marvel but it also involves Monica Rambeau, we may see an explanation why this is happening in the film.

This is the premise of the film;

In The Marvels, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as “The Marvels.”

It’s unclear if the film will happen before or after the events of Marvel’s Secret Invasion series.

The Marvels, we’ll see a lot of familiar faces; Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson returning as Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) and Nick Fury, respectively. Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, we first saw her in the WandaVision Disney+ series. Then we have the Kamala Kahn’s whole family from Ms. Marvel series as well. Also in the film are Zawe Ashton as Dar-Benn, a Kree warrior and the new holder of Accuser’s hammer; and Park Seo-joon, who is reported to be playing as Carol Danvers’ alien husband, Prince Yan.

The Marvels is scheduled to be in theaters this 10th Nov. 2023.

Apple to open its first retail stores in India

April 12, 2023
Apple to open its first retail stores in India
Image: Apple

Apple has announced that it will be opening two new retail store in India. The Apple BKC in Mumbai will start operating this 18th April, then Apple Saket in Delhi on the 20th April. The new two new retail stores were opened 20 years after Apple entered the Indian market.

Even though India is the second largest market for Internet and smartphones in world, Apple is limited to the high-end of the market, specially for smartphones that are priced way below the price range of Apple in country.

You can read the full text of Apple’s announcement below;

Today Apple announced it will open its doors to customers at two new retail locations in India: Apple BKC in Mumbai on April 18, and Apple Saket in Delhi on April 20. These new retail locations mark a significant expansion in India that will offer great new ways to browse, discover, and buy Apple products with exceptional service and experiences for customers.
The barricade for Apple Saket was revealed this morning and features a unique design that takes inspiration from Delhi’s many gates, each signifying a new chapter to the city’s storied past. The colorful artwork celebrates Apple’s second store in India — located right in the nation’s capital. Beginning April 20, customers will be able to stop by to explore Apple’s latest product lineup, find creative inspiration, and get personalized service and support from the store’s team of Specialists, Creatives, and Geniuses.

In celebration of the first Apple Store opening in India, Apple BKC announced a special Today at Apple series — “Mumbai Rising” — running from opening day through the summer. Bringing visitors, local artists, and creatives together, these sessions will offer hands-on activities with Apple’s products and services that celebrate the local community and culture in Mumbai. Customers can explore the “Mumbai Rising” sessions and sign up at apple.com/in/today.

Ahead of opening day, customers are invited to download custom Apple BKC and Apple Saket wallpapers, specially curated playlists on Apple Music to move to the sounds of Mumbai and Delhi, and visit apple.com/in/retail/bkc and apple.com/in/retail/saket to learn more about the upcoming openings in India. Apple BKC opens Tuesday, April 18, at 11 a.m. IST, and Apple Saket will open for customers April 20 at 10 a.m. IST.

2023 NBA Playoffs and Play-In Schedule

April 11, 2023
2023 NBA Playoffs and Play-In Schedule

Now that all the seeding are complete, we now have a clear view on what the 2023 NBA Playoffs and Play-In will be. Unlike the Eastern Conference, we did not get the final picture of the Western conference until the very last game is done.

Below is the full schedule of this year’s 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament;
Tuesday, April 11

  • Game 1 — Atlanta @ Miami | 7:30 ET (TNT)
  • Game 2 — Minnesota @ LA Lakers | 10 ET (TNT)

Wednesday, April 12

  • Game 3 — Chicago @ Toronto | 7 ET (ESPN)
  • Game 4 — Oklahoma City @ New Orleans | 9:30 ET (ESPN)

Friday, April 14

  • Game 5 — Winner of Game 3 @ Loser of Game 1 (TNT)
  • Game 6 — Winner of Game 4 @ Loser of Game 2 (ESPN)

The winner for Game 1 will be the East 7th Seed and will face Boston Celtics, at the same time, the winner of Game 2 will be West 7th seed and will play against the Memphis Grizzlies. Winner of Game 3 and Game 4 will still need to win against the loser of Game 1 and Game 2, this will decide who will be the 8th seed for East and West, respectively, the East 8th seed will face Milwaukee Bucks, while the West 8th seed with be against the Denver Nuggets.

As for the actual 2023 NBA Playoffs, below is the First Round Schedule for Game 1s

Saturday, April 15

  • Brooklyn @ Philadelphia | 1 ET (ESPN)
  • East #7 @ Boston | 3:30 ET (ESPN)
  • New York @ Cleveland | 6 ET (ESPN)
  • Golden State @ Sacramento | 8:30 (ABC)

Sunday, April 16

  • East #8 @ Milwaukee | TBD
  • West # 8 @ Denver | TBD
  • West #7 @ Memphis | TBD
  • LA Clippers @ Phoenix | TBD

Here are the key dates for the 2023 NBA Playoffs;

  • April 11-14: AT&T Play-In Tournament
  • April 15: NBA playoffs begin
  • May 1-2: NBA Conference Semifinals begin (possible move-up to April 29-30)
  • May 16-17: NBA Conference Finals begin (possible move-up to May 14-15)

2023 NBA Finals

  • June 1: NBA Finals 2023 Game 1
  • June 4: NBA Finals 2023 Game 2
  • June 7: NBA Finals 2023 Game 3
  • June 9: NBA Finals 2023 Game 4
  • June 12: NBA Finals 2023 Game 5 (if necessary)
  • June 15: NBA Finals 2023 Game 6 (if necessary)
  • June 18: NBA Finals 2023 Game 7 (if necessary)

Source: NBA 1, 2

Disney drops the teaser trailer of Ahsoka

April 9, 2023
Disney drops the teaser trailer of Ahsoka

Disney just dropped the teaser trailer of Ahsoka, a spin off series from The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

The character Ahsoka Tano was first introduced in the Star Wars Universe as the Jedi Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, she then appeared as a supporting character in the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) and the subsequent animated television series (2008-2014; 2020).

The live action version of Ahsoka was first seen in the Disney+ series ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’, portrayed by actress Rosario Dawson, she will reprise the role in the series.

Ahsoka the series will be in Disney+ this August 2023.

Golden State Warriors beat OKC Thunder 136-125 behind Curry’s 34 points

April 5, 2023
Golden State Warriors beat OKC Thunder 136-125 behind Curry’s 34 points
Image: @warriors

After a slow start, Steph Curry and the Warriors just secured another win to keep them out of the Play-in tournament.

Both team played little to no defence in the first half, OKC was able to score 79 points in the first two qtr, while the GSW scored 69 points. Warriors Coach Steve Keer have nothing but praises for OKC during the Postgame Interview.

In the second half, Golden State;’s defense improved by limiting the Thunder to just 27 points in the 3rd and 19 in the 4th qtr, while maintaining offense. Even thought the Warriors are without Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, who scored a team high of 34 points, with six 3-pointers, had a lot of help most notably from Jordan Poole, scoring 30 points, on a 42% field goal and making five 3-pointers, then there’s Moses Moody, who contributed 13 points from the bench, Draymond Green chipped-in 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and a pair of blocks and steals.

The win moves the Warrior in the 5th place, two place above the 7th place and out of the play-in tournament, and just 1 game ahead of the LA Clippers and Lakers, who are currently in the 6th and 7th place, respectively.

After scoring 21 points in the first half, OKC Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished the game with 32 points, making only 11 points for the rest of the game. Rookie Jalen Williams added 19 points but the Thunder still lost their third game in a row and fourth out of five.

OKC will visit Utah for their last two games of the season, as they try to salvage their season to be in the play-in tournament.

Golden State Warriors will be at Sacramento on Friday night, which can be a preview in the 1st round of the playoffs between the 6th and 3rd seed of the Western Conference.

Steph Curry (34 PTS) & Jordan Poole (30 PTS) Combine For 64 Points

UFC parent company Endeavor Group Holdings to acquire 51% stake on WWE

April 5, 2023
UFC parent company Endeavor Group Holdings to acquire 51% stake on WWE

UFC parent company Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. have began the process to acquire World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE), a professional wrestling promotion known for it’s live events like Monday Night Raw, Friday Night Smackdown, NXT 2.0 and WrestleMania, which are all professional wrestling pay-per-view and livestreaming event.

WWE is also home to household names like Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, the Ultimate Warrior and Machoman Randy Savage. This is also where Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson started before becoming a successful actor and producer as well John Cena, known for his catch phrase “You Can’t See Me.”

Both UFC and WWE will form a new sports entertainment company valued at about $21 billion, the companies said on Monday. Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. which owns and operates UFC, will own a 51% stake in WWE, the professional wrestling outfit operated by Vince McMahon, who will retain his role in the new company. The transaction values UFC at $12.1 billion and WWE at $9.3 billion.

The combined company, which will be traded publicly under ticker symbol “TKO” on the New York Stock Exchange, and will take on a new name once the deal is done.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring together two leading pure-play sports and entertainment companies,” Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel said in an investor presentation, describing the deal as a “transformational step” for Endeavor.

With UFC and WWE under one roof, there is a big possibility of a crossover where UFC fighters make an appearance on any WWE matches or a WWE Superstar participate in a UFC fight.

I guess we just have to wait and see!

Source: Reuters, Endeavor

One Piece anime series will soon be available in Netflix Philippines

April 5, 2023
One Piece anime series will soon be available in Netflix Philippines

One Pience the anime series will be available for streaming on Netflix Philippines this coming 15th of April. This was announced by the official Facebook page of Netflix Philippines.

Once piece was only available on selected region including Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. It’s unclear if all One Piece episodes will be available including TV Specials, OVA and shorts will be available, since in Netflix Japan only 13 seasons are available while in Netflix US only 10 seasons or a total of 325 episodes can be streamed.

One Piece follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy and his gang of wacky pirates as they look for the legendary treasure One Piece and become the new king of the pirates.

Watch the new trailer of Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion only on Disney+ this 21st June

April 4, 2023
Watch the new trailer of Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion only on Disney+ this 21st June

Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion, an Original series, is streaming June 21 on Disney+.

Secret Invasion original series will be 6-episodes long and will star Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury from the MCU film series, along with Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, with Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, and Don Cheadle. The series is created by Kyle Bradstreet and directed by Thomas Bezucha and Ali Selim.

Secret Invasion original series is part of Phase Five of the MCU and will be on Disney+ this 21st June.

PinoyExchange.Com to shutdown on April 15th

April 4, 2023
PinoyExchange.Com to shutdown on April 15th

PinoyExchange, more commonly called PEx, just announced that the website will shutdown on 15th of April. PinoyExchange.Com is one of the first and oldest website in the Philippines, the domain was registered in 1999 and the website have been running for 24 years.

PinoyExchange.com is the virtual home of many Filipinos here and abroad, you can could say that it is the first website in the country that offer UGC (user-generated content). The announcement did not provide any reason or explanation as to why the website is closing.

Here’s a short history of PinoyExchange.com as posted on the website;

During the early days of internet in the Philippines in the late 1990s, an idea emerged to create an online message board because at that time, the only way to communicate online were via chat sites and chat rooms.

On July 12, 1999, PinoyExchange was born founded by Michael Nolledo, Nix Nolledo and Jude Turcuato (Kaboom!) and later on joined by Michael Palacios (Mikoid) as a lead designer and technical consultant. Some early PEx members also became moderators to help out in managing content and discussions.

The website gained popularity through its exposure via televised UAAP basketball games where Jude (Kaboom!) was a commentator. During halftime, viewers were asked to express their views regarding the ongoing basketball games by posting comments on PEx. Thousands of students and alumni from UAAP member schools visited the site and created discussions revolving around the UAAP games.

PEx reached the 2,000 member mark before the turn of the century. This was at a time when the Philippine internet penetration was less than 2%.

Today, PEx has over 1.5M monthly users and has evolved to become an online forum where users from all over the world can connect and converse on a wide variety of topics.

Watch the latest Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Trailer

April 4, 2023
Watch the latest Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Trailer

Sony just release another trailer of the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and this one is a doozy.

If in the first trailer, we do not know why all those “Spider-People”, including Spider-Man 2099, are attacking Mile Morales and Gwen Stacy, and now we got the answer or at least the idea on why they’re after Miles Morales.

As explained by Miguel O’Hara a.k.a. Spider-Man 2099, Morales can never be a full-fledged Spider-man because he never experience the tragedy of choosing to save the “one person he loves versus saving the entire universe,” which everyone of the Spider-People have experienced. This is where things got interesting, since Miles Morales refuse to accept this fate as a Spider-man, this is what prompted the rest of the Spider-People to go after him.

It is still unclear who the main villain of the film and the main plot line but whatever it is, it looks like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is going to be a great film.

Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson. Screenplay by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller and David Callaham. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be in theaters June 2, 2023.

Live action adaptation of Moana is in development

April 4, 2023
Live action adaptation of Moana is in development

A live action adaption of Disney’s Moana is currently in development, this was shared by Disney CEO Bob Iger and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared the news during Disney’s annual shareholder’s meeting on April 3. Dwayne Johnson, who voiced Maui in the 2016 animated film, with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions and Beau Flynn via Flynn Picture Co. will produce the film with, with Native Hawaiian actor Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in both the 2016 film, will serve as an executive producer of the upcoming film.

In a pre-recorded message from Hawaii that included his youngest daughters. “I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen,” Johnson said in a statement. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me.”

Aside from its announcement, no other details have been mention regarding the live action Moana and it may take a couple of years before new updates about film becomes available.

DC releases first trailer of Blue Beetle

April 3, 2023
DC releases first trailer of Blue Beetle

DC just the first trailer (below) of Blue Beetle, a super hero powered by mystical Scarab.

The film appears to be pointing to a version of the Blue Beetle where the previous owner Ted Kord, before it chose Jaime Reyes as its new “host,” Susan Sarandon who plays Victoria Kord, was Ted’s sister in the comics and the CEO of Kord Industries.

Blue Beetle is intended to be the 14th film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) but since taking over DC Studios last January 2023, Co-CEO James Gunn said the film would be “disconnected” from previous DCEU entries and instead will be part of the new DC universe the Gunn is creating.

Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero BLUE BEETLE.

Blue Beetle is directed by Angel Manuel Soto and written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, it stars Xolo Maridueña as Jaime Reyes / Blue Beetle, Adriana Barraza as Nana, Damián Alcázar as Alberto, Elpidia Carrillo as Rocio, Bruna Marquezine as Jenny – Jaime’s love interest. Raoul Max Trujillo as Carapax the Indestructible Man, Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord, George Lopez as Rudy: Jaime’s uncle.

The film was originally set to be release in February 2021 for the streaming service HBO Max but was later changed to a theatrical release this 18th August 2023.

NBA announces the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023

April 3, 2023
NBA announces the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Image: @ESPNNBA

NBA just named the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of (HoF) 2023, lead by Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade and Spurs head Coach Gregg Popovich.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will have three of the NBA’s all-time international greats; Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol, joining them are Dwyane Wade, Becky Hammon and Gregg Popovich. Also include in the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 are; former North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano, the 1976 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, former Purdue coach Gene Keady, former Texas A&M women’s coach Gary Blair, longtime coach at Division III Amherst David Hixon, and Gene Bess – who won 1,300 games as a junior college coach at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Most if not all of the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 are interconnected together; Tony Parker, Becky Hammon and Gregg Popovich all worked together for the San Antonio Spurts; Parker as a Player, while Becky Hammon is the assistant coach for Spurs Head coach Gregg Popovich. Under Head Coach Popovich, Tony Parker won four (4) the NBA Championship (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), it was in 2014 when Becky Hammon joined the Spurs as an assistant coach.

Also in 2014, where the Spurs faced and won against Dwyane Wade’ Miami Heat in just 5 games. Dwyane Wade won his first championship while with the Miami Heat against Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in 2006, coincidentally Dirk Nowitzki became an NBA champion against Miami Heat’s big three; Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Lebron James in 2011.

Paul Gasol, Spain’s longtime star won all two of his NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers playing alongside Kobe Bryant.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will receive their HoF jackets and rings on Aug. 11 in Uncasville, Connecticut, then the ceremony and their speeches will be on Aug. 12 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Source: NBA