Philippines, 16 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SECOND OVERTIME: Keeping the faith on these weary Warriors


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- To those with deep religious roots, faith is the belief in something they don't see. In sports, faith is the belief in something that's already been seen.

Through the course of this immensely challenging season --- a spate of injuries, a renewed threat from the Houston Rockets, internal strife, among other distractions --- my faith that the Golden State Warriors will win another NBA title has never wavered.

I saw them do it thrice in the last four years. I see them doing it again this June, this time in a historic three-peat that hasn't been accomplished since the 2000-02 L.A.Lakers that were headlined by the jarring and sometimes warring duo of Shaq and Kobe.

Which brings us to the ongoing 2019 NBA Finals, a bare knuckled and extremely physical brawl against the relentless Toronto Raptors.

Currently tied at 1-1 heading into Game 3 Thursday morning at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, doubt has once again accompanied these Warriors. And for good reasons.

Kevin Durant, the team's playoffs leading scorer with 34.2 points per, is out with a calf strain. Kevin Looney has been ruled out for the rest of this championship series with a rib injury. Klay Thompson hurt his hamstring late in Game 2. Andre Iguodala is banged up and DeMarcus Cousins is still working to find his sea legs after a long layoff.





Photos: The author chats up with the Warriors core of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and coach Steve Kerr.

But as the injuries pile up and the pressures rise, I still think Golden State will come out on the bright side. Warts, Kawhi Leonard, and all.

Steph Curry is on a mission and he will not be denied. With Durant reduced as cheerleader, Curry has quietly assumed the leadership mantle to the tune of 27.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per.

Klay Thompson, the other half of the Splash Brothers, has awoken from an early postseason slumber and is hitting 41.1 percent from 3-point range.

Draymond Green continues to be a conveyor belt for triple-doubles, averaging 13.6 points, 9.9 boards and 8.3 dimes an outing.

Andre Iguodala is norming what appears to be a harmless 9.7 points per, but he remains lethal in the clutch, while the reserves have answered when the going rough, especially in that Game 2 where Golden State had to climb out of a 12-point hole.

Another added ace that reinforces my faith upon these Warriors is head coach Steve Kerr.

The 53-year old has come a long way from being a former Bulls reserve to team executive, to TV analyst, and now one of the brightest minds to ever straddle the NBA sidelines.

Playing under both Gregg Popovich and Phil "The Zen Master" Jackson, Kerr has applied his acquired knowledge well, devising winning schemes on both ends of the floor while spectacularly managing the egos of a team loaded with All-Stars and future Hall-of-Fame inductees.

With Kawhi Leonard and a band of fearless Raptors on the other side, the Warriors will be tested. And they will pass with flying colors.

Another June. Another championship.

How sweet it is.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.