Rain or Shine rallies from 21 down, wins in OT 88-84

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters rallied from a 21-point second quarter deficit, outlasting the struggling Purefoods TJ Giants, 88-84 in the 2008-2009 KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Olivarez Sports Center in Paranaque.

Jay-R Reyes tallied 23 points and 15 rebounds, Gabe Norwood added 18, Sol Mercado 17 and Don Dulay, who scored the team's last five points, 11, as the Elasto Painters snapped a two-game losing streak.

Rob Wainwright fumbled a crucial inbounds play in the last seconds of regulation that could have prevented the overtime.

Rain or Shine, trailing 29-45 at the half, uncorked a 20-2 run to start the third to grab the lead for the first time, 49-47. It was a close game from there.

A big three-pointer by Dulay gave Rain or Shine the lead for good, 86-83. Chico Lanete and James Yap both missed in the waning seconds as the Elasto Painters preserved the victory.

Peter June Simon led the Giants with 23 points. Enrico Villanueva and Kerby Raymundo added 17 each and James Yap 14.

Scores:

Rain or Shine 88 - Reyes 23, Norwood 18, Mercado 17, Dulay 11, Laure 8, Tang 4, Wainwright 3, Arana 2, Isip 2, Andana 0, Ibanes 0, Salangsang 0.

Purefoods 84 - Simon 23, Villanueva 17, Raymundo 17, Yap J. 14, Aban 7, Fernandez 2, Lanete 2, Salvador 2, Robinson 0, Yap R. 0.

Quarterscores: 8-24, 29-45, 54-56, 79-79 (reg.), 88-84 (OT).

Public satisfaction with Arroyo turns 'less negative'

Public satisfaction with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's performance improved toward the end of September but was still below zero.

Independent polling outfit Social Weather Stations (SWS) disclosed Monday that Arroyo's public satisfaction rating recovered from a "very bad net -50" last July 2008 to a "poor yet improved net rating of -27."

Net satisfaction rating is per cent of respondents satisfied minus per cent dissatisfied.

"Thus, Net Satisfaction with the President became less negative, back to the level of the first quarter of 2008, when 27% were satisfied and 54% were dissatisfied, or net -26," the SWS said in its October 13 release.

The SWS said "the improvement of the President's net rating was due to lessening dissatisfaction in Mindanao and Visayas."

The SWS also said "dissatisfaction with President...lessened in all socio-economic classes."

In the biggest and most critical "masa" socio-economic class, Arroyo's rating imporved from a "bad -35" to "poor -24".

The third quarter of 2008 SWS survey was conducted September 24-27. It used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults with a national margin of error of plus/minus 3%.

Arroyo calls for ASEAN Plus 3 summit on financial crisis

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday called on Southeast Asian neighbors and partners to meet next week and devise a plan to cushion the region from the impact of the global financial crisis.

Southeast Asian finance ministers said last week economic growth in Asia will suffer from the worst financial crisis in about eight decades but no region-wide measures were necessary to stave off systemic threats because banks in the region were not at risk, unlike in the West.

"I propose for ASEAN plus three to convene on the sidelines of the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) summit in Beijing next week to table the impact of the current credit crunch," Arroyo said in a speech at the launching of a manufacturing facility of food firm RFM Corp.

Aside from the Philippines, ASEAN, or the Association of South East Asian Nations, comprises Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

The plus three refers to the group's dialogue partners China, Japan and South Korea.

"I am asking developing and emerging economies to unite and come up with a coordinated approach to cushion the impact of a collapse of highly developed economies," Arroyo said.

"I am urging the developed countries or G7 to consider the interest of developing countries in their plan to prevent a worldwide economic meltdown."

Dodgers rout Phillies to narrow gap in series

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers fought back in their major league baseball playoff campaign Sunday with a 7-2 triumph over Philadelphia that narrowed the gap in National League Championship Series.

Japanese righthander Hiroki Kuroda pitched six-plus solid innings and Rafael Furcal homered and scored two runs for the Dodgers, who now trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series after dropping the first two games in Philadelphia.

Blake DeWitt highlighted a five-run first inning with a three-run triple, and Manny Ramirez scored a pair of runs for the Dodgers.

Kuroda allowed an RBI single to Pedro Feliz in the second before retiring the next 13 batters. He allowed three hits in the seventh before being replaced by Cory Wade.

Kuroda was charged with two runs and five hits, walking one and striking out three.

The Dodgers exploded in the first inning off lefthander Jamie Moyer, getting singles from Furcal and Andre Ethier before Ramirez plated the first run with an RBI single.

Moyer then hit Russell Martin with a pitch and struck out Nomar Garciaparra before Casey Blake made it 2-0 for the Dodgers with a single.

Matt Kemp struck out, but DeWitt followed with his triple to cap the five-run inning.

Moyer, 45, allowed a leadoff home run to Furcal in the second inning and got Ethier to fly out before being removed.

The third inning saw a benches-clearing, not-quite-a-brawl after Kuroda sent a fastball above the head of Shane Victorino.

Victorino pointed at the mound and his own body, yelling and gesturing to Kuroda to throw at his ribs, not his head.

After Victorino grounded out to end the inning, the benches cleared, but only light pushing and shoving ensued with no one ejected.

Kuroda's throw appeared to be retaliation for Martin getting hit by Moyer in the first, but it was clear the Dodgers were also still rankled by Phillies pitcher Brett Myers' actions in game two, when he knocked down Martin with a pitch and threw behind Ramirez.

"We wanted to send a message," said Ramirez, who had to be restrained by teammates. "I was mad at myself because of the thing that happened at Philly. We should have done that while we were there."

Given the history, Victorino was philosophical, saying he just objected to what he thought was a pitch at his head.

"Someone was bound to be hit on our team ... the situation called for it," he said. "The one thing is, don't throw at my head.

"I'll forget about it, show up tomorrow be ready to play," added Victorino. "I think it's over."

Dodgers catcher Martin said Kuroda "did it on his own" but added that the pitch that angered Victorino "wasn't at his head, it was over his head.

"They've been going up inside us, too. We're trying to make a statement. It's baseball, it's part of game. We're not head-hunters by any means, but when there's a statement to be made, you've got to get it done."

However, Martin wasn't about to let Ramirez make a big enough statement to get thrown out of the game, helping restrain his teammate.

"Manny looked a little more steamed than I was," Martin said. "I was trying to hold him back a little bit because we need that guy on the field."

Garciaparra added an RBI single in the fourth and finished his first start of the series 2-for-3.

Pat Burrell pulled another run back for the Phillies in the seventh, his single to center scoring Chase Utley.

Game four is on Monday in Los Angeles. Including regular season contests, the home team has won all 11 meetings between the two clubs.

Stern predicts 'minimum of one' NBA regular-season game in London by 2012

LONDON -- NBA commissioner David Stern said Sunday the league likely would play regular-season games in London before the British capital hosts the 2012 Olympics.

Stern, however, also said the possibility of taking meaningful games to Europe was nowhere near a done deal.

"Although we have no plans on the drawing board, it has been suggested to us that we should schedule in the next three years or so some regular-season games here -- more than just one -- on some regular basis," Stern said before the New Jersey Nets-Miami Heat preseason game at the O2 Arena. "It's fair to say that we'll see a minimum of one and possibly more regular-season games by 2012."

Stern sees the Olympics as a springboard to increasing the NBA's marketability in Britain, which is one of the richest countries in the world.

Dwyane Wade, possibly the most recognized player on the court, said he enjoyed the energy in the building during Sunday's preseason game.

"We don't really grow up thinking that people will one day know us worldwide," said Wade, who scored 18 points for the Heat in the 94-92 loss to the Nets. "It's a great feeling."

The NBA has a history of playing outside North America, including a regular-season game in Tokyo in 1991. But Stern has been hesitant to commit to anything specific in regards to Europe, while at the same time announcing a joint venture with Anschutz Entertainment Group on Sunday to build about a dozen or so NBA-style arenas in major Chinese cities.

China is one of the NBA's biggest overseas markets, and Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympics.

The NHL opened the regular season in London last year, and then started this season with games in Prague, Czech Republic, and Stockholm, Sweden. The NFL also played a regular-season game in London last year, and the New Orleans Saints are scheduled to face the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 26 at Wembley Stadium.

Stern said he was aware of the success the other leagues were having.

"We pretty much keep our own counsel with respect to our agenda, although we always watch what everyone does and if we see a good idea we unabashedly copy it," he said.

But despite sounding positive about playing regular-season games in London, Stern downplayed the chances of having an NBA All-Star game at the O2 Arena, which is hosting one of the four preseason games around Europe this year.

"It would take too many air buses and Boeing 747s to transport our 6,000 guests," Stern said. "We're in the basketball business, not the travel business."

Carter knocks down crucial free throws to help Nets hold off Heat

LONDON -- Vince Carter headed out of Europe with two wins and a few new jokes in his repertoire.

Carter made three free throws in the final 10 seconds to help the New Jersey Nets hold on for a 94-92 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday in a preseason game played in front of a boisterous London crowd.

It was the Nets' second win over the Heat in four days, after a 100-98 in overtime victory in Paris on Thursday as part of the NBA's European preseason tour. But for New Jersey's new-look squad, the weeklong chance to get to know each other could prove to be even more important than the two close wins.

"With a new team like this, these are the situations you need," Carter said. "We have a good time on the bus going wherever we go. We have a bunch of comedians on the team, so we have a good time laughing and joking. That's probably the highlight of the trip because everywhere we go, something funny is going to happen. Especially from our rookies."

Carter finished with 19 points and Yi Jianlian added another 17 in his debut for the Nets (2-0) in a game that treated the British fans to a number of high-flying dunks but even more sloppy turnovers.

Marcus Banks had 19 points, and Dwyane Wade added 18 for the Heat (0-3), who fought back from a 19-point first-quarter deficit to push the game to the final seconds. Miami has not won a preseason game since 2006, after going 0-7 in exhibition contests last year before posting the league's worst record (15-67).

"These two close-game situations are invaluable for the younger players, and also the veteran guys," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "But now as we move forward and we get back to Miami we really have to have a productive week."

Whether it was fatigue or the fact that the teams are still learning to play together, both sides struggled to keep possession of the ball and combined for 47 turnovers.

There were some highlights for the sold-out crowd at the O2 Arena, with Wade and rookie forward Michael Beasley providing the most memorable play midway through the fourth quarter.

After Banks made an emphatic block on Devin Harris, Wade led a fastbreak and sent a high pass to a soaring Beasley, who finished with a one-handed alley-oop dunk that drew the loudest cheers of the night.

"I threw it high on purpose," Wade said. "I wanted to see how high he can jump, and he showed me. It was a very athletic play."

That dunk gave Miami a 76-73 lead, but it wasn't enough to overcome its dismal first quarter, which included 11 turnovers.

"It took the air out of our sails at the beginning," Spoelstra said. "We couldn't get anything going."

New Jersey went on an early 17-0 run to lead 21-5 before Nets coach Lawrence Frank pulled his starters 6:50 into the first quarter. Carter scored eight of his team's first 12 points, including cutting along the baseline for a thunderous one-handed slam after taking a nifty bounce pass from Yi.

The Nets maintained a double-digit lead for most of the first half until the Heat went on a 14-5 run to close the second quarter, cutting its deficit to 50-47.

The teams stayed within four points of each other for most of the fourth quarter, and Carter made it 93-89 from the line with 9 seconds left before Banks put the Heat back within one with a 3-pointer at the other end. Carter then missed his second free throw after being fouled, but Miami lost the ball out of bounds with several players scrapping for the rebound with 1.2 seconds left.

Court-side celebrities for the game included hip-hop star Jay-Z -- a part-owner of the Nets -- French football player Djibril Cisse, and British 14-year-old Olympic diver Tom Daley.