MONDAY, MAY 10, 2021 11

Pakistan on verge of successive Patterson confident for clash of innings triumph over Europe’s finest at BRAVE CF 51 Sam Patterson to face Ylies Djirounin at the event in Belarus

Patterson calls Ylies a• ‘5-foot-nothing’ If we put the inches between us, compared TDT | Manama to his record and my Zimbabwe’s Regis Chakabva plays a shot he pandemic in the Unit- record, we’re probably ed Kingdom could very on par you know. He’s AFP | Twell have stagnated Sam a lot shorter than me, Patterson and what he sees as he’s like 5 foot nothing, akistan were thwarted by an inevitable road to the top, I don’t know what his Pbad light yesterday, one but the hold up and lockdown short of a second suc- 80 height is, but I believe situation have only given him cessive innings win against runs were scored by more time to elevate his skill any Lightweight I face, Zimbabwe, but could afford Chakabva as Zimbabwe made their highest total of set and find the perfect team to I’m always gonna have to start contemplating a clean the reach advantage a series in which they have enhance his abilities. Yearning sweep of series wins on their been outclassed to elevate himself to the top of and the height southern Africa tour. European ranking, Sam will be advantage Despite a fighting innings by presented with the biggest chal- Sam Patterson SAM PATTERSON Regis Chakabva on the third of a series in which they have lenge of his career as BRAVE CF, day of the second and final been outclassed. the fastest-growing promotion years on the scene. For ‘’The via stoppage, 10 of which were “He’s a lot shorter than me, Test at Harare Sports Club, The wicketkeeper-batsman in the world heads back to Eu- Future’’, Djiroun is just another submissions. Not only is he the he’s like 5 foot nothing, I don’t Zimbabwe were 220 for nine in followed up his top score of 33 rope and has matched him up name on the sheet, although he number one ranked Lightweight know what his height is, but I their follow-on innings at the in the first innings by making against Ylies Djiroun, Western understands a victory over the in Western Europe, he is also believe any Lightweight I face, close, 158 runs short of making his team’s only half- in Europe’s number one Light- top Frenchman can elevate his recognized as the top-ranked I’m always gonna have the reach Pakistan bat again. the two matches. weight athlete. name at BRAVE CF. Lightweight in the United advantage and the height ad- “It would be a great win for But his dismissal started a Patterson prides himself for “The opponent was irrelevant States. vantage.” us tomorrow as we will end collapse in which six defeating experienced oppo- really,” says Patterson. “But a However, Patterson’s calm- Ylies Djiroun vs Sam Patter- both tours with wins in all fell for 35 runs. nents, and his last knockout vic- good feather in my cap when I ness and confidence comes from son will be taking place as part series,” said left-arm spinner “It’s a very disappointing sit- tory against veteran Felipe Silva beat another much more expe- an advantage to him that has of the main card at BRAVE CF 51 Nauman Ali, who took five for uation to find ourselves in, in has pumped the fuel on his self rienced opponent in Ylies Djir- been the talk of the town since in Minsk, Belarus on June 4th, 86 in the second innings. both Test matches actually,” esteem, leaving him hungry to oun. If he comes limited to one news about the fight became a night headlined by the return Pakistan won two white-ball said Chikabva. prove himself and his style as art he will have a rough night.’’ public; a six-inch height differ- of the former BRAVE CF Light- series in South Africa before “Pakistan have good bowl- the new generation of mixed Having three times the ence and reach advantage. weight Champion Lucas Minei- winning a Twenty20 series in ers. They’re very skilful but it’s martial artists, those who have amount of fights as Patterson, “If we put the inches between ro Martins facing the former Zimbabwe ahead of the Test disappointing that on a good started their journey straight Ylies has a decade of profes - us, compared to his record and two-division national champion matches. batting track we didn’t apply into MMA, instead of the spe- sional fighting under his belt, my record, we’re probably on Marcel Grabinski who has been Chakabva scored 80 as Zim- ourselves the way we should cialists, who have reigned for with 12 out of his 18 victories par you know,” says Patterson. taking BRAVE CF by storm. babwe made their highest total have.”

Perez to bolster San Miguel squad Man Utd keep Man City waiting TDT | Manila for title with Villa victory J Perez – who has become Ca certified star after only AFP | London playing two seasons in the Phil- ippine Basketball Association anchester United put (PBA) – could be the missing MManchester City’s Pre- piece in San Miguel Beer’s elu- mier League title celebrations sive Grand Slam quest. on hold after coming from be- Last February, San Miguel hind to win 3-1 away to Aston acquired the 27-year-old Perez Villa yesterday. from Terrafirma Dyip in ex- Defeat for Ole Gunnar Solsk- change for three players and jaer’s side would have handed two draft picks in a six-man the title to City and their lo - off-season trade. cal rivals would have enjoyed The Beermen sent big man seeing Villa’s Bertrand Traore Russel Escoto, point guard Gelo opening the scoring midway Alolino and forward Matt Ga- through the first half. nuelas-Rosser to the Dyip, and But United hit back with two included two first round picks goals in four minutes after the in the 2020 (46th season) and break, Bruno Fernandes equal- 2022 (48th season) PBA Draft. ising from the penalty spot Bruno Fernandes scores Manchester United’s first goal from the penalty spot After failing to defend their before Mason Greenwood put Villa went ahead against the Perez, left, is a welcome addition to San Miguel Philippine Cup title two months them ahead. run of play in the 24th minute. ago, the Beermen are back as This may also pave the way United wrapped up the win Fred’s poor pass to Scott Mc- the undisputed favorites next for Perez to clinch his first PBA thanks to substitute Edinson BETTER Tominay allowed John McGinn season with the arrival of Perez title. Cavani’s goal three minutes to gain possession, with Doug- and the return of six-time Most I want to sustain the After getting drafted by Ter- from time. las Luiz playing in Traore. Valuable Player (MVP) June legacy they built. rafirma as the No. 1 overall pick Victory left second-placed KNOW The Burkina Faso interna- Mar Fajardo and Terrence Ro- They’ve sacrificed in 2018, Perez cracked into the United 10 points behind leaders tional turned neatly and held meo from injury list. a lot to win all the First Mythical Team selection City, with 12 still on offer to the off the challenge of Victor Lin- Coach Leo Austria expressed in his rookie season. Red Devils from their final four delof before beating United high hopes that Perez – the top championships they’ve In the PBA bubble, the former league games. Bertrand Traore’s goalkeeper Dean Henderson overall pick in the 2018 draft won. I have to do my Lyceum star was nominated for United, however, face Leices- opener put Villa ahead with a powerful shot into the and 2019 Rookie of the Year – part in maintaining Best Player of the Conference, ter and Liverpool in the com- but United fought far corner. would work wonders in their that legacy averaging 24.4 points, 6.8 re- ing week and defeat in either back in trademark United nearly equalised five campaign in the coming 46th CJ PEREZ bounds and 4.3 assists. of those matches will see City, fashion to postpone minutes before half-time but season. Fajardo is set to return from beaten 2-1 at home to Chelsea Manchester City’s title Greenwood’s low shot was “We have tried several times winner’s circle. a shin injury while Arwind on Saturday, crowned cham- party again pushed away by Emi Martinez. to achieve it (Grand Slam) but After two seasons with Terra- Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Chris pions before Pep Guardiola’s But United were level in th we failed. Now that we have firma, Perez will further bolster Ross, Marcio Lassiter and Alex men are away to Newcastle on 52nd minute when Fernandes CJ in our fold, we can aspire powerhouse squad San Miguel Cabagnot are out to atone for Friday. tional Jack Grealish’s ongoing scored from the spot after Paul again,” Austria said. that won half of the last 16 PBA San Miguel’s injury-riddle Phil- United kicked off having not absence due to a shin injury, Pogba was brought down in the Austria is confident that championships. ippine Cup. lost a Premier League match at with Egypt forward Trezeguet box by Luiz. Perez will bring a different kind “I want to sustain the legacy Mo Tautuaa emerged as one Villa Park since 1995, a year be- a long-term absentee as well. And they led in the 56th min- of dimension to an already-tal- they built,” Perez said. “They’ve of San Miguel’s top players dur- fore current manager Solskjaer Grealish looked on from the ute after Aaron Wan-Bissaka ented San Miguel squad that is sacrificed a lot to win all the ing that campaign while Romeo joined the club as a striker. stands yesterday as did Eng- found Greenwood inside the aiming to erase the bitter mem- championships they’ve won. I is also slated to return from a Villa’s hopes of ending that land manager Gareth South- box, with the teenage England ory of last year’s PBA bubble and have to do my part in maintain- shoulder injury that cut short run against United were not gate, himself a former Villa forward beating Martinez with return to its usual place in the ing that legacy.” his stay in the bubble. helped by England interna - defender. a low shot.