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Joe Lipa, the legendary coach and UP icon who piloted the UP Fighting Maroons to the UAAP title in 1986, paid the ultimate complement to the 2022 version of the team that won the school's first UAAP championship since that fabled title run of the 1986 team.

"This is the most-talented UP team I have ever seen," Lipa said of the Season 84 Maroons.

That's high praise coming from one of the best basketball coaches in Philippine history. Lipa added that the 2022 team is even better than his 1986 team.

"Yes (they're better)," he told ESPN. "Iba ang talents ng mga batang ito. Wala kang itatapon dito sa team na ito. Almost all of them are very athletic."

Regardless which team is better, there are several similarities between them. Both finished in second place behind the defending champions. Both had to survive a knockout game to make it to the finals. Both suffered heartbreaking losses in the prior season that denied them a seat in the finals.

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Additionally, some players on the current team remind Lipa of his own players.

"(Joel) Cagulangan reminds me of Eric (Altamirano) and Ronnie (Magsanoc), who are good under pressure. And the athletic ability of (Zavier) Lucero, he reminds me of Benjie Paras. (James) Spencer reminds me of Ramil Cruz and Joey Mendoza. He is a clutch shooter. (CJ) Cansino is also a clutch shooter. He's a very intelligent player and he reminds me of Ramil Cruz. Very smart player."

When asked to compare Season 84 Rookie of the Year Carl Tamayo with arguably the most popular player on his team, Benjie Paras, Lipa said both players possessed different skill sets.

"Tamayo is a tremendous athletic talent. It's different. First of all, Benjie is more of a post player. He relies on strength and his quick jump. Tamayo is very agile, very athletic and very mobile."

Lipa said the best-of-three title series could have gone either way, but that ultimately UP was destined to win.

"It was a matter of breaks of the game. UP defended very well, Goldwin (Monteverde) coached very well, and we ran our offense very well. On the part of Ateneo, Tab Baldwin coached very well also. But the breaks of the game really favored UP to be a team of destiny.

"Of all the teams in the UAAP, it was they who have proven themselves cool under fire. In a hopeless situation, they salvaged it, and they became tougher and tougher."

In fact, Lipa sees a chance for this team to do something his team wasn't able to achieve: repeat as UAAP champions.

"If the team will be intact, unless there is tremendous recruitment or changes in the other teams, UP will be dominating it for the next two or three years."

Lipa is also very happy for Monteverde, his former player at UNO High School, who has now joined him in the exclusive club of people who have coached the Maroons to a solo UAAP men's basketball title.

"Goldwin entered UNO in 1989. I was no longer coaching UNO but I was there as adviser to Milton Yu. I saw Goldwin there, and he impressed me with a cool demeanor and a very heady player. He was already a thinking player. He relied more on his mental aptitude.

"I wish him the best of luck. Good luck there, Goldwin, and keep up the good work."

Lipa said he was overjoyed watching Cagulangan give UP its first title in 36 years

"Just like any member of the UP community, I was very, very happy with our championship. After 36 long years... they deserve to be champions. The coaching staff was good, they worked very hard, and the players are very talented."

Just like his own 1986 team.

Excerpt from:
Joe Lipa, architect of 1986 title winners, says UAAP Season 84 champions 'most-talented' UP team he's ever seen - ESPN

Royal Challengers Bangalore will be up against Gujarat Titans in their last match of the league stage which will be no less than a knockout game for them. RCB needs to win their match against Gujarat Titans if they want to remain relevant in the race to the playoffs this season in IPL 2022.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans will go up against each other in their final match of the league stage in IPL 2022. Faf du Plessiss RCB need to make sure that they win against Gujarat as that will help them remain relevant in the race to the playoffs this season. RCB lost some close games and also suffered a heavy defeat during the season which has impacted their net run rate. So, it is important for them to make sure that they cross the line when they take the field against Gujarat Titans like they did earlier in the tournament. If RCB manages to register a big win over their opponents then it will even help them further as they will have a chance to improve their net run rate which can be a deciding factor in the qualification for the playoffs.

Gujarat Titans have dominated the season and have emerged as the number one side on the points table. Hardik Pandyas side can relax a little for this game and might even try to test their bench as they gear up for the playoffs. They will definitely want to register a win and reach the playoffs on a high but it is highly likely that few players might be given a chance from the bench.

Form Guide

Gujarat Titans have had the best IPL 2022 so far and have managed to win maximum games when compared to all other teams this season. Out of the 13 games that they have played so far, Gujarat have won 10 and lost three. RCB on the other hand, have also played 13 games but have won 7 and lost 6 which is why winning this game is very important for them.

RCB and Gujarat Titans have played once against each other and GT had emerged victorious in that match.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis(c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik(wk), Suyash Prabhudessai, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj.

Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (c), Gurkeerat Singh, Matthew Wade, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Pradeep Sangwan, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami.

Virat Kohli has not had a memorable IPL season this year. He might have scored a couple of fifties but he is still far from being at his best. He has struggled in IPL 2022 with the bat and might find it difficult to score big runs when he comes out to bat against the Gujarat Titans.

Royal Challengers Bangalore in a game that they have to win at all costs to stay relevant for the playoffs will come out with all guns blazing. They will be desperate for a win and the team atmosphere might be such that their mindset will help them register a win over Gujarat Titans.

Match - Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans, IPL 2022 Match no. 67.

Time - 7:30 PM IST

Venue -Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

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IPL 2022 | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans - Preview, head to head, where to watch, and betting tips - SportsCafe

Lucknow Super Giants' run to the playoffs has witnessed a stuttering halt after two losses in a row in IPL 2022 | Photo: Lucknow Super Giants

With three spots still up for grabs, 7 teams are still in the fray of qualification. Here's a look at chances of all the 7 teams in the hunt to advance to the next stage:

1. Rajasthan Royals

2. Lucknow Super Giants

With two back-to-back losses, LSG's spot in the top two is suddenly in danger with RR beating them in a crunch clash at Brabourne Stadium. Now, LSG don't just have to win their last game against KKR but also have to ensure that they win big to better their NRR, which took a hit after losses by 62 runs and 24 runs. Lucknow would also hope and pray that RR lose their final game and even if the Men in Pink win, they don't win big as they already have a superior NRR.

3. Royal Challengers Bangalore

To qualify

Delhi haven't helped themselves by being on the wrong side of at least 5 close encounters as the ones they have won, they did it comfortably. DC still have the destiny in their own hands and if they win their remaining two games, they will qualify for the playoffs. However, if they lose any of their last two games, then they will have to depend on other results hoping the likes of KKR, RCB and Punjab also lose their final league stage game.

5. Punjab Kings

Like Delhi Capitals, Punjab too have a simple equation in front of them - win the remaining two games and qualify for the playoffs. However, the equation will work only for one of the two teams as they face each other on Monday in a virtual knockout game. If Punjab lose any of the two games, they will have to depend on the results of KKR, RCB and Delhi's final games.

6. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have lost five matches in a row after winning five on the trot and only have a slim hopes alive. They not just have to depend on the results of the teams above them (RCB, DC, PBKS and KKR), but also have to win their last two games to get to 14 points first.

7. Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR are in the same boat as SRH and the loser of the PBKS vs DC game will join them on Monday. The three teams can get to only 14 points and not just have to win their last game but also hope that other results go their way.

Read this article:
IPL 2022 Playoffs qualification scenario: 7 teams in fray for three spots after LSG falter in two straight gam - Times Now

You would have been forgiven for reckoning that Ulsters season was shipping too much water to stay afloat, so what occurred on the last day of April at the DAM Health Stadium was more than just a restorative result, it was a full-on rescue.

he mood music heading into the clash with Edinburgh had all seemed rather funereal thanks to having baled out of Europe in the most unfortunate of ways which, in turn, had been sandwiched between two league defeats in South Africa and another grim result at home to Munster.

Ulster looked in grave danger on several fronts. Dropping out of the URCs top four and even the unthinkable of exiting from the top eight were both on the table, while next seasons qualification for the Champions Cup was also vulnerable.

Whats more, they were coming up against an Edinburgh side who had not lost at their new ground and were making a spirited charge to improve their placing in the leagues top eight while also still battling in Europe with a Challenge Cup knockout tie awaiting them at home to Wasps.

The chances of Ulster losing again looked only on the high side and yet they dug in and won with the dystopian outcomes being predicted for them, should they have come second, pretty much all evaporating thanks to that 16-10 result in the Scottish capital.

Now a home quarter-final beckons them again and the equation is simple. Fifth-placed Ulster simply have to get the better of the Sharks, who are third but one point ahead, at Ravenhill on Friday evening in the final round of regular season fixtures.

And with Siya Kolisi and his team-mates who have won eight from their last nine to put themselves on equal points with second-placed Munster also needing the victory to be sure of bringing a quarter-final game back to Durban, we have quite a contest on our hands.

With the prize of staying in Belfast should they prevail, Ulster have to nail the result to bring a sense of momentum and direction to what remains of their season with a maximum of three knockout games left.

And should other results work out for Dan McFarlands side if they win, then a second-place finish could yet be theirs and with it the knowledge that a home semi-final is also up for grabs should they navigate through the last-eight.

But that backs to the wall result in Edinburgh, when their late defensive set against wave after wave of home side attacks held firm, should instil belief in the squad after overcoming the odds from what appeared to be impending crisis.

Former Ulster scrum-half Paul Marshall certainly believes so and reckons that the province will have taken much solace from now having control over their own destiny as the URC approaches the quarter-final stages.

Certain moments can define squads and, indeed, seasons and Marshall thinks that what was seen in Edinburgh was an Ulster side possessing the skill and determination not to let things slip.

I think what was really evident at Edinburgh was how Ulster worked tirelessly hard to try and cover each others backs, said Marshall.

And I think you can always tell with defensive energy where a team is at, and Ulster were in the right place.

The three-times-capped Ireland player was particularly impressed with a tackle from Michael Lowry on the rampaging prop Pierre Schoeman when Ulster were under the pump late in the game and felt that this hit epitomised their refusal to wilt as Edinburgh came strong late on.

Though Lowry was far from alone in felling opponents, bringing down the totemic South African greatly contributed to where Ulster find themselves this week with a game which must be won to make the terrain going forward appear rather more forgiving.

Its all to play for then in terms of being at home over the first weekend in June.

One more game and one more win required.

And signing off at Ravenhill should further bolster their chances of getting what they seek.

Certainly, theyll be happy that its a home game to finish the (regulation) season off as they bid to get that home quarter-final, Marshall stated.

To have it in your own hands going into the final weekend with a home quarter-final at stake is massive.

And obviously if it comes to it, youd rather be playing a South African team at home than having to travel out there to contest a knockout game.

Meanwhile, the Sharks have brought a strong squad to Belfast with powerful Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am back in their colours again after returning from Japan.

Alsopart of coach Sean Everitts 27-player squad are World Cup-winning Bok captain and flanker Kolisi as well as dangerous running winger Makazole Mapimpi.

Original post:
Ulster must not let levels drop off in their bid to secure a home quarter-final, warns Paul Marshall - Belfast Telegraph

Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad will be going against each other when the two sides meet in their next game of IPL 2022. Both teams are in contention for the playoffs this season and the match between the two teams will be like a knockout game when they meet at the MCA stadium in Pune.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad will be playing against each other in their next game. The two sides will want to make the most of this opportunity as both have the potential to reach the playoffs this year. This could be one of the most interesting matches of the IPL as a win for one team means that it is curtains for the other. When the stakes are as high as in the game between SRH and KKR it will be no less than a knockout game and the match could go down to the wire with fans being on the edge of their seats.

The Shreyas Iyer-led KKR have had a mixed tournament so far as they started really well in IPL 2022.However, they were unable to capitalise on their early gains and lost 5 games on the trot after that which derailed their campaign a bit. But, with a win in the last game, KKR will be hoping to do well in the next few games and make sure they qualify for the playoffs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad too will have to put their best foot forward as they have lost their way a bit this season. Initially they lost their first two games to start their campaign. But after that, the Kane Williamson-led side managed to win 5 games consecutively and it looked like they would qualify easily for the playoffs. But that has not been the case for them and they will be looking to make sure that they register a win against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Form Guide

Kolkata Knight Riders have won one game in the last three matches that they have played in IP 2022. On the other hand, SRH have lost their 3 games which makes things difficult for them. Both teams will want to win the match if they want to qualify for the playoffs.

Head to Head

The two sides have met 22 times and Kolkata Knight Riders have the clear upper hand. As, KKR has won 14 times and SRH have only got 8 wins against their opponents.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kane Williamson (C), Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Abdul Samad, Kartik Tyagi, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, T Natarajan.

Kolkata Knight Riders:Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nitish Rana, Sheldon Jackson (wk), Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Shivam Mavi

Kane Williamson to score less than 26.5 runs @1.83.

Kane Williamson has struggled in the IPL this season as runs have not come as fluently as they used to for the New Zealand batter. With KKR having his New Zealand teammate Tim Southee in their bowling attack, it will be difficult for the Kiwi batter to score runs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will be desperate to change their fortunes if they want to stay alive in the tournament. After losing 4 games consecutively, the team will be hoping to make the most of their opportunities against KKR and with the kind of bowling they have KKR can be defeated. Our prediction is that SRH will beat KKR.

Match Info

Match - Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2022 Match 61

Date - May 14, 2022

Time - 7:30 PM IST

Venue - MCA stadium, Pune.

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IPL 2022 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - Preview, head to head, where to watch, and betting tips - SportsCafe