SAN BEDA, MAPUA GET NEW COACHES
National Collegiate Athletic Association senior basketball champion San Beda College commissioned Boyet Fernandez as new head coach while Mapua picked Atoy Co as its new top mentor.

Fernandez, who won championship titles in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and PBA-Developmental League, confirmed the report saying that he has accepted the job offered to him by San Beda high school alumnus Manny Pangilinan. Co, a PBA legend also confirmed that he accepted the post as Mapua’s new head coach. JOSEF T. RAMOS

WARRIORS HELP COOL OFF CLIPPERS
OAKLAND, California: Stephen Curry had 31 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 115-94 win Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) over Los Angeles, handing the Clippers their second straight loss. David Lee finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, while Klay Thompson nailed five three-pointers en route to 19 points for the Warriors at Oracle Arena. Golden State have now won four straight. Los Angeles closed out 2012 on a franchise-record 17-game win streak, but the Clippers lost a 92-78 contest to the Denver Nuggets on New Year’s Day before suffering their second consecutive defeat against the Warriors. Jamal Crawford led the Clippers with 24 points, while Chris Paul added 23 points and six assists in the loss. AFP

ISNER UPBEAT AFTER INJURY WITHDRAWAL
PERTH, Australia: World No. 14 John Isner expects to be fit to play at this month’s Australian Open, despite being forced out of the Hopman Cup by a knee injury. The towering American withdrew from the mixed team event Thursday, having looked restricted in both his singles matches for the United States, losing in straight sets to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France. After his defeat to Tsonga in Perth on Tuesday, the 27-year-old American No. 1 conceded his right knee was sore but said it was not affecting his play. However, Isner, conceded on Thursday that his knee was hampering him. AFP

RAVENS’ LEWIS TO RETIRE AT END OF SEASON
BALTIMORE, Maryland: Ray Lewis, who is in his 17th season in the National Football League, announced Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) that he is retiring at the end of the Baltimore Ravens’ season. The 37-year-old Ravens linebacker was placed on the injured list after tearing his right triceps in October. He began practising with the team on December 5 but has yet to play in a game since suffering the injury. The Ravens host the Indianapolis Colts in an American Football Conference Wild Card game on Sunday. Lewis hopes to play in that game. The future hall of famer is considered the heart and soul of the Ravens’ franchise. Lewis has 41 1/2 career sacks, 31 interceptions and was named to 13 Pro Bowl teams. AFP