Latest news with #Reavis
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Rafi Reavis ends 16-year stint with Magnolia
After 16 years, Magnolia and Rafi Reavis are going their separate ways, with the club releasing the veteran big man ahead of the new era it is set to begin in PBA Season 50 later this year. The Hotshots announced the development on Saturday as the 48-year-old Reavis closed out his tenure with Magnolia — the franchise he helped lead to multiple PBA titles, including a rare Grand Slam feat more than a decade ago. "16 years together, you and I. We are grateful to have learned from you and to have been part of your life. You will always be a part of ours," the team said in an Instagram post. "It's an honor to have played alongside you. We wish you all the best, and we are very much excited for you as you take on the next chapter of your career. Thank you, Capt Rafi!" The 6-foot-8 Reavis, the second overall pick in the 2002 draft by Coca-Cola, was acquired by the Magnolia franchise in 2009 through a three-team trade that also involved Barangay Ginebra and Burger King. He would go on to play for the team for the next 16 years, helping the organization secure seven championships, highlighted by the Grand Slam run in 2014, where he teamed up with the likes of James Yap, PJ Simon, Marc Pingris, and then-head coach Tim Cone. Reavis last suited up for the Hotshots in the recent Season 49 Philippine Cup, where the squad squandered a twice-to-beat advantage against TNT in the quarterfinals. It remains unclear, however, whether the seasoned center will retire or sign with another team to continue his professional career. The announcement came just weeks after Magnolia appointed LA Tenorio as its new head coach, replacing longtime mentor Chito Victolero. With Tenorio ushering in a new chapter, the Hotshots are making significant changes as they aim to return to championship contention in the upcoming PBA Season 50. —Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
Chicago Tribune
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
After pushing car home, Jozef Walus propels Reavis to upset win over Brother Rice. ‘Meant for a moment like this.'
On the eve of one of the biggest boys volleyball matches in years for Reavis, senior outside hitter Jozef Walus certainly didn't see this coming. The engine blew in his car. Walus and his friends pushed the car for two miles Wednesday night, and when all was said and done, he got home at 3 a.m. and finally went to sleep. But the effects from that adventure weren't over. 'I got up at nine and my back was hurting from pushing that car,' Walus said. His mother, Agnieszka, came to the rescue. 'She put some Icy Hot on my back, I fell back asleep with it, and when I woke up, I felt better,' Jozef said. 'I felt replenished.' Things went much better Thursday night for Walus. The host Rams hummed along like a brand-new car, pulling off a 25-18, 25-15 stunner over Brother Rice at the Reavis Regional in Burbank, winning their first regional title since 2011. Walus tallied five kills and three aces for sixth-seeded Reavis (31-2). He also unleashed several other serves that had the backrow of third-seeded Brother Rice (30-8) scrambling. Pawel Greczek led the Rams with nine kills and a .500 hitting percentage, while Brandon Wilke added six kills. Blue O'Neill had 23 assists and Krystian Paluch chipped in with 18 digs. Vaughn Goberville paced Brother Rice with four kills. The Crusaders were guilty of 13 hitting errors and six serving miscues, ensuring that their season would end sooner than they expected. Walus and the Rams, however, set the tone by taking a 14-5 lead in the first game. That helped silence the jitters they were collectively experiencing. 'We were 100% nervous,' Walus said. 'We were all nervous, but we put that aside and said that we wanted to win this. We put it aside and played our hardest.' How nervous was Walus? 'When I went back to serve, I thought I was going to trip and fall,' he said. To prove the opener wasn't a fluke, the Rams took a 15-4 lead in the second game and won handily, advancing to Saturday's Hinsdale Central Sectional semifinals against second-seeded Sandburg (33-4). For Reavis coach Mike Jebens, this was the culmination of a graduating class that featured talented freshmen with potential four years ago. And Walus was one of them. 'Joey has been through so much,' Jebens. 'He was a JV player as a freshman and started as a sophomore and started as a junior and as a senior and has improved so much. 'He was meant for a moment like this.' Paluch, who was also a top soccer player for Reavis, remembered regional final losses to Marian Catholic and Sandburg the past two years. He thought the Rams were ready for a breakthrough. 'It was great that we were at home,' he said. 'When we're at home, there is this different vibe, and the fans came out and supported us. This is something special.' Paluch said he doesn't think he will go to college, so he wants to make the most out of the end of his high school career. On the other hand, Walus committed to play volleyball at Bryant & Stratton in Wisconsin. He's glad that he can get in at least a couple more years of the sport and go from there. 'They are bringing in a few 6-8 middles and the setter from Argo,' Walus said, referring to Alexander Jakowicki. 'I didn't want to go to a four-year college. I just wanted to get my associate's degree real quick and go to a trade school. 'But I had a friend who committed there. It's a two-year program and it's close to home.'
Chicago Tribune
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Catching on as utility player, Carson Maranda rights ship for Richards. To him, it's easy. ‘I'll just lock in.'
Junior Carson Maranda is the ultimate utility player for Richards. He can be a game-changing catcher, the way he was Monday, or he can operate on the other end of the battery as a pitcher. Third base or outfield? That's no sweat, either. And Maranda is ready to go anywhere on short notice. 'It's amazing,' Maranda said. 'I love being that utility guy. Before the game, I ask coach (Jeff Kortz) where I'm playing and I'll just lock in right then and there. 'If he tells me I'm catching, I mentally prepare for that because it's a big mental game.' Maranda was locked in for Monday's game, throwing out back-to-back runners on stolen-base attempts in the fourth inning while also reaching base three times to help visiting Richards pull off a 3-2 South Suburban Red win over Reavis in Burbank. Maranda went 2-for-2 with two singles and a walk for the Bulldogs (9-5, 4-2). Illinois-Chicago recruit Sean Cody went 2-for-3 with a homer and raced home for the go-ahead run in the seventh. Joliet Junior College commit Xavier Fernandez struck out five over five innings, allowing two earned runs while scattering five hits and five walks. Max Kawa tossed two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Parker Zasada picked up an RBI single for Reavis (12-6, 7-1), while Isaac Velasco reached base three times and scored a run. Dennis Muraida pitched 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing three earned runs on five hits. Richards broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh when Kawa hit a fielder's choice grounder but beat the throw to first to prevent what would have been an inning-ending double play. Cody dashed home all the way from second base. 'I'm speechless right now,' Cody said. 'I knew it was going to be a close play at first and I knew Max had good speed and he'd beat it out, so I just went home. It was great.' Maranda, meanwhile, set the tone both offensively and defensively. When consecutive Reavis baserunners tried to steal second base in the fourth inning, Maranda threw them both out. 'I was thinking, 'I hope he goes, I hope he goes,'' Maranda said. 'They ended up going. It was a costly mistake for them. Every time a guy steps on first base, I'm always thinking, 'He's running.' 'And when he does, I'm ready.' Maranda, who said playing third base helped him develop a powerful arm, did some catching on the freshman team but did not play the position at all as a sophomore in his first varsity season, spending most of his time in the outfield. 'After not catching at all last season, I had to take a big leap stepping back in but it's been a lot of fun,' he said. 'Definitely blocking is the biggest challenge. My arm has always been there. 'Framing takes time to get down, but that's been fine. Blocking is the hardest.' Regardless, Cody is always confident in Maranda. 'We can always count on Carson,' Cody said. 'Carson is electric. Back-to-back plays throwing guys out — that really got us all amped up. And then he's always doing his job getting on base.' Richards snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Rams, beating them for the first time since 2019. That was especially meaningful for Fernandez, whose uncle, Ryan Flood, is an assistant coach for Reavis. 'At Christmas, he's always talking, so it feels good to get him back,' Fernandez said. Maranda helped make sure Richards would finally break through against Reavis. And Kortz knows the junior leader will always be ready for anything. 'We've got him behind the plate because he's so athletic,' Kortz said. 'Last year, he took some lumps at the plate, but he started to feel it toward the end of the season and he's continued to get better. 'Next year, the sky's the limit for him.'
Chicago Tribune
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Uncertain about college, Pawel Greczek grinds away as Reavis rolls past St. Laurence. ‘That's biggest thing.'
Pawel Greczek came to Reavis as a soccer player. But during his freshman year, Stephanie Korbakes coaxed the 6-foot-4 Greczek into coming out for volleyball. Korbakes, his health teacher, also happens to be an assistant coach for the Rams. 'She told me to come and try out because I was pretty tall,' Greczek said of Korbakes. 'And I just fell in love with the sport.' Without any experience from club or grade school, Greczek had to learn on the fly. 'At first, I wasn't really comfortable, but it was a great atmosphere — great people around me,' he said. 'I love the coaches. Everybody wanted me to get better, and that's the biggest thing.' Greczek, a senior outside hitter, would play a big role Tuesday night for host Reavis in a 25-16, 25-17 season-opening win over St. Laurence in a nonconference matchup in Burbank. While Greczek finished with five kills, a block and an ace for the Rams (1-0), Jozef Walus came through with 10 kills, including seven in the first game. Brandon Wilke added six kills and hit .500. Krystian Paluch tallied 15 digs and Ryan Odell chalked up 23 assists for Reavis. Elijah Landeros landed six kills and two blocks for St. Laurence (0-1), while Tim Hyland had four kills. Since 2021, the Battle of Burbank has been the opening match for both teams. The previous four seasons, St. Laurence prevailed in three games. This time, it was Reavis' turn to start with a win. 'This game was amazing after we kept losing to them in three sets,' Greczek said. 'We lost to them every single year, and this year we broke the streak. It's my senior year, and it feels amazing to finally do it after all of these years. 'I played club ball with Elijah and I know a lot of their players, so it feels good.' Greczek and Landeros play for Adversity. Greczek said playing on that team boosted his game. 'It really helped me mentally,' he said. 'I've learned not to just dwell on points and move on. They taught a lot about how to focus on my game.' Reavis coach Mike Jebens likes what he has seen out of Greczek 'He has gotten way better during the offseason,' Jebens said. 'He's the guy on the team that looks most like a volleyball player. And he looks like a physical one, too. He has that dominant presence not only hitting, but blocking, too. 'I'm really excited to have him for his senior year.' Walus, a Bryant & Stratton recruit, joined Korbakes in talking Greczek into playing volleyball three years ago. 'He's one of our best hitters,' Walus said. 'He gets kills like they are nothing. His passes are great. His serves are great. His defense is great. He's just a great player overall.' Greczek gave up soccer after this freshman year to concentrate on volleyball. He's undecided about his future in the sport, though. He's getting college interest but remains unsure. 'I love the sport because it's like a family being on a team,' Greczek said. 'Every day at practice, I'm really pumped to be here.' If this is his last season, however, Greczek wants to definitely make it a good one for the Rams, who should contend for a South Suburban Conference title. 'Honestly, I think we have a really good team and we've been 10-0 in the conference each year since my sophomore year,' he said. 'I feel like this year, we're all seniors and we've played together for so long. 'I have high expectations. We want to win a regional championship and go farther. Maybe go to state.' Originally Published:
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill that protects free speech, journalists and guards against frivolous lawsuits heads to Senate
Rep. James Reavis, D-Billings, speaks before the House Judiciary Committee about House Bill 292 which would prohibit strategic lawsuits against public participation. (Photo screenshot via Montana Public Affairs Network) For now, it's safe to say that no bill may ever be quite as popular as House Bill 292, which unanimously passed the Montana House of Representatives on Thursday and would protect citizens and journalists from 'SLAPP' lawsuits. If passed into law by Montana, after going through the Senate and the governor's desk, it would give new protections to those targeted by 'SLAPP' lawsuits, which stands for 'strategic lawsuit against public participation.' The bill, cosponsored by Reps. Tom Millett, R-Marion, and James Reavis, D-Billings, demonstrated bipartisan and overwhelming support throughout its journey in the House, where it passed the Judiciary Committee 20-0, and then passed both readings on the full House floor by votes of 100-0, and 99-0. The bill will now head to the Montana Senate. SLAPP lawsuits, which have garnered attention increasingly, including an entire segment on the popular HBO news show, 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,' are often filed by large corporations or sometimes even government entities to try to prevent the public or media from bringing facts to the public's attention. Often, the lawsuits are funded by corporations or businesses that have extensive legal resources or in-house attorneys, while those speaking out against them must hire their own attorneys, and may not have the legal resources to challenge it in court, thus stifling or completely ending criticism or investigation into wrongdoing. As many advocates argue, the purpose in SLAPP lawsuits isn't to win, it's to stop the opposing party from being able to fight, using wealth and the justice system to force opponents to stop. 'The real goal is to entangle the defendant in expensive litigation and stifle their ability to participate in constitutionally related activities,' Millett said. Both sponsors of the bill told fellow lawmakers that the legislation is modeled after other states that have adopted similar laws. The new anti-SLAPP bill allows courts to quickly dismiss SLAPP lawsuits, while forcing those who brought the suit to pay for the other side's attorney fees. Reavis and Millett said that provides a deterrent from bringing bad faith lawsuits. And both sponsors pointed out that the legislation was consistent with freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of association protections found in the state and federal constitutions. 'The mandatory nature of attorneys' fees will help stop the filing in the first place,' Millett said. As attorney, Reavis said fellow lawyers will look at these cases differently. 'It will discourage the practice because an attorney will have to warn their client that they could be on the hook for the other side's attorneys' fees,' Reavis said. Jacqueline Lenmark, one of five Montana Commissioners on the Uniform Law Commission, said her group unanimously supports the measure, which has been adopted in 32 other states. The bill also had the support of some larger, higher profile groups, like the Motion Picture Association of America, which represents large news organizations as well as small independent documentary filmmakers, who are often sued to stop reporting on a project. 'This protects everyone's free speech against costly and unnecessary litigation,' said MPAA lobbyist Jessie Luther. Al Smith of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association said his organization supports the efforts, too. 'Bad attorneys and their clients get dinged for bringing bad suits, and good attorneys get fees because they brought a valid lawsuit,' Smith said. He said as Montana law stands currently, even fighting a SLAPP lawsuit can take years and thousands of dollars. 'This speeds it up and protects free-speech rights,' Smith said. Jay Adkisson, an attorney in Nevada, told about his experiences as an attorney being sued. He said he was once sued for $4.7 billion and also faced a $20 million SLAPP lawsuit in California, just for writing about a court opinion for He said that both were eventually dismissed, but both could also stifle free speech and a free press. And both lawsuits took an extensive amount of time just to fight, even though he was successful, and the claims were preposterous. 'These cases are not about winning in court, but about wasting the resources of those who speak out,' Millett said. 'We need to make it harder for entities to abuse the legal system.'
