Roughly six weeks later, the 22nd-ranked Cavaliers have the look of a contender, beating No. 10 Louisville, 57-54, Saturday afternoon to extend the ACC’s longest active winning streak to eight.

Diakite, who along with fellow senior Braxton Key was playing in his final game at John Paul Jones Arena, made one of two free throws with 1:48 left in the second half to put Virginia ahead to stay, 52-51. Center Jay Huff blocked Steven Enoch’s short jumper with 51 seconds to play and secured the loose ball.

Moments later, Kihei Clark’s 3-pointer provided a 55-51 lead, and Diakite’s two foul shots all but sealed Virginia’s eighth straight senior day triumph. A 3-pointer by Louisville with less than a second remaining made it the Cavaliers’ fourth consecutive win by three points or fewer and the seventh in their past eight games.

“I don’t think that was our best basketball yet, but it was a really good game,” said Clark, who led the Cavaliers with 18 points, five assists and five rebounds. “We needed this. We are going to keep evolving no matter what. Like I said, the job is not done.”

Virginia (23-7, 15-5) entered with an outside chance of sharing the regular season ACC title but needed first-place Florida State to lose to Boston College. The Seminoles instead won handily, 80-62, leaving Virginia in a tie for second and already assured of a double bye in next week’s ACC tournament.

A split in the regular season series with the Cardinals (24-7, 15-5) appeared certain to unfold until Virginia’s 14-point advantage vanished when Darius Perry made a 3-pointer to knot the score at 51 with 5:12 left, capping a 19-6 burst during which Jordan Nwora had 10 consecutive points.

The lead had swelled to 43-29 with 13:20 left on a 3-pointer by Tomas Woldetensae, whose proficiency from beyond the arc helped buoy the Cavaliers following three losses in four games in late January that dropped them to .500 in the conference.

The resurgence then commenced with Virginia outlasting Wake Forest in overtime, 65-63, and continuing to squeak out victories by slim margins during its ascent in the ACC standings, beating such powerhouses as Florida State, ranked fifth at the time, and then-No. 7 Duke each by two possessions or fewer.

The Cavaliers’ only loss in the past 11 games heading into Saturday came against Louisville, 80-73, at KFC Yum! Center.

“I treated it just like the rest of the games,” Diakite, a redshirt senior from Guinea, said of his final home game. “I knew our job was not done yet. We had to come in against a big caliber team and get it done. I remember the last time we played them, we did not execute very well.”

Key and Diakite figured prominently Saturday during a rally late in the first half after the reigning national champions had trailed by seven in front of an announced crowd of 14,629.

A 12-2 surge started with Key’s midrange jumper, and Diakite’s jumper tied the score at 22 before Clark swished a 3-pointer from the left wing for Virginia’s first lead since 6-5 in the opening minutes

Clark scored seven of Virginia’s final nine points of the first half for a 31-24 lead going in to a locker room. He also hit two technical free throws when Louisville Coach Chris Mack was assessed a technical for protesting a lane violation called on the Cardinals while Huff was attempting to complete a three-point play.

“That is the best send-off we can give them, especially with a team like Louisville,” Huff said of Diakite and Key. “We really wanted to win to honor them and what they have done for the program.”

Both players were recognized in a pregame ceremony, each having authored a signature moment during last season’s run to the national championship, starting with Diakite improbably sinking a long jumper at the buzzer to force overtime against Purdue on the way to an 80-75 triumph in the regional finals.

In the national championship game, Key blocked Jarrett Culver’s jumper at the regulation buzzer with the scored tied against Texas Tech. The Cavaliers went on for an 85-77 win in overtime in Minneapolis for the program’s first NCAA title one season after ignominiously becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a 16.

“I kind of thanked them for what they’ve meant to the program yesterday before practice and after practice,” Cavaliers Coach Tony Bennett said. “I said, ‘As much as I’d love it if [Boston College] could get it, and you can get a share of the ACC title, that doesn’t take away from what just transpired in terms of the effort you out here.'”

The third round of the US$1 million event, which got underway at 12.15pm local time, was suspended for the third time this week due to lightning threats at 2.05pm, just before overnight leader Andrew Dodt of Australia was due to tee off.

With inclement weather expected on Sunday, officials made the decision to shorten the tournament at 4.30pm on Saturday and abandoned play for the day at the same time due to continued lightning activity in the area.

All 74 players, who made the halfway cut set at one-under-par 143, will resume their third and final rounds at 8.30am on Sunday with the last two groups scheduled to tee off at 8.30am and 8.40am respectively.

“The tournament has been affected by several lengthy delays and suspensions due to inclement weather throughout the week,” said Fritz Katzengruber, Tournament Director, Asian Tour.

“As a result of the delays and the disruptions that we have suffered, we have taken the decision to reduce the tournament to 54 holes. The decision was made in the best interest of the tournament and our members,” Fritz added.

A total of 77 players had returned to the Kota Permai Golf & Country Club on Saturday morning to complete their second rounds, which resumed only at 8.15am local time due to a 35-minute weather delay.

At the age of 14 years and 308 days, Lo Tien Ming became the second youngest Malaysian after 2017 Order of Merit champion Gavin Green (14 years and 305 days, 2008 Johor Open) to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour at the Bandar Malaysia Open.

Dodt, who opened his campaign with a stunning 63, continued his bogey-free run when he signed for a four-under-par 68 to stay atop the leaderboard after 36 holes at the weather-disrupted Bandar Malaysia Open.

With a two-day total of 13-under-par 131, Dodt holds a one-shot edge over China’s Liu Yanwei, who had earlier impressed with a second round 65. American duo Jarin Todd and Trevor Simsby shared third place on matching 133s.

Korea’s Charlie Wi, winner of the Malaysian Open in 2006, Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino and Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Wade Ormsby of Australia will all be within striking distance of the coveted title when play resumes on Sunday.

The highly acclaimed Bandar Malaysia Open, which boasts a new tagline ‘Pride, Passion, Prominence’, is the flagship event for the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). It returns to the Asian Tour schedule this week after a four-year hiatus.

Dodt, who opened his campaign with a stunning 63, remained in the driver’s seat after returning with a flawless card highlighted by four birdies for a two-day total of 13-under-par 131 at the highly rated Kota Permai Golf & Country Club.

His overnight two-shot lead, however, was reduced to one by China’s Liu Yanwei, who carded an impressive 65 to take second place in the US$1 million event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

Play was halted for the second time this week at 4.15pm local time due to lightning threats. It was later abandoned for the day at 6.00pm.

A total of 77 players will resume their second rounds at 7.40am on Saturday with the third round scheduled to start not earlier than 11.30am.

The halfway cut is projected to be at one-under-par 143 with the leading 65 professionals and ties progressing into the next two rounds.

Asian Development Tour graduate Trevor Simsby of the United States marked the lowest round of the day when he fired a solid 64 to trail by two shots in third place with compatriot Jarin Todd, who posted a 66.

Korea’s Charlie Wi, former winner of the Malaysian Open in 2006, soared with an eagle-birdie-birdie finish from the seventh to register a 66. The 48-year-old Wi, a seven-time Asian Tour winner, sits his fifth place on his own on 135.

The highly acclaimed Bandar Malaysia Open, which boasts a new tagline ‘Pride, Passion, Prominence’, is the flagship event for the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). It returns to the Asian Tour schedule this week after a four-year hiatus.

Players’ quotes

Andrew Dodt (AUS) – Second round 68 (-4), Total 131 (-13)

It’s hard to back up a 63 but I did with a 68 today, pretty solid. I hit a lot of greens but didn’t hole as many putts as I did yesterday. But all in all, it’s a solid day’s work.

I had like a 10-footer down the hill on the last at the top. To see that going in was nice. But I haven’t really hit into any tricky spots so far this week. Nice to stay bogey-free and play some solid golf.

I didn’t think I played cautious today. I just didn’t hit it as close. I didn’t have as many chances as I did yesterday. The pin positions were pretty difficult.

I’m just playing a little bit technical with my swing. I think about it a lot on the plane coming here. I haven’t been playing well before this week so I just wanted to throw it up a bit and just play the game.

I’ve done that so far and happy to be in a good position with two more days to go. I’m just going to have fun, keep things simple and stay relaxed which is what I have done. Nothing’s changed.

Liu Yanwei (CHN) – Second round 65 (-7), Total 132 (-12)

I had to finish the first round this morning, so it was good to just keep going. I have been playing really well lately and this is probably the best I have been hitting my irons.

I didn’t even realize that I made nine birdies until just now, except for a bogey on my 10th hole and a three-putt on my 12th I played really well. Last time I made nine birdies in a tournament round was on the China Tour last year in March.

Some of the pins were in places I could get to them so I could afford to be aggressive, especially as well as I am hitting my irons at the moment.

I’m really happy with everything the last two days and looking forward to the weekend.

Jarin Todd – Second round 66 (-6), Total 133 (-11)

It was a good day, hit it pretty good got a few lucky breaks on some of the shots I hit poorly, but rolled in a few putts and just kind of kept it in play.

I didn’t have a five on the card, so I’ve been playing the par fives good. This morning I was five-free until the last hole and then I made a five, so I really wanted to make that putt on the last hole just to kind of get my revenge on the five-less card, which is kind of rare.

I hit a terrible drive on the last hole, a really good second shot, kind of punched it up through the trees, and then a good third shot at went farther than I thought. The putt was fast but kind of just held the line at the end and went in.

Trevor Simsby (USA) – Second round 64 (-8), Total 133 (-11)

I was really tired starting out the second round today. I came back early this morning to finish four and a half holes from round one. I had a great second round. I had zero putt on three holes today. On my last hole ninth, I putted off the fringe and had two chip-ins on 15 and 16.

Nice to have that five birdies in-a-row. It was one of those rounds. After the first round, I took some time to recharge and relax for a bit. That was important I thought. Got off to a solid start and had a nice run of birdies. I feel like if you can play the par threes in level par for the week,  you’re doing well, so try to do that.

It’s a very tough green on the ninth. Everything fits to the left. I left myself in a pretty good spot, and then had a nice putt which barely went in and then on the 16th, I pushed my tee shot to the right and had to punch out. And then I made it from probably about 35 yards.

I just want to keep the same kind of level head and momentum and try to not overthink it because there are a lot of birdie opportunities. Again, I want to play the par threes smart and if I can do that, I think I’ll have a good chance.

I’ve been here in Kuala Lumpur for two weeks now. Getting used to the weather and everything. Decided to come here and practise instead of going to New Zealand. I guess that helps. I spend a lot of time in Malaysia when I play in Asia.

Charlie Wi (USA) – Second round 66 (-6), Total 135 (-9)

Conditions were a little bit softer than yesterday, obviously rained a lot yesterday. It was a little bit windy in the afternoon yesterday as well but today, playing in the morning was really calm. The scoring conditions were perfect out there.

I’ve been hitting the ball solid. I just haven’t been able to make any putt. But I maanged to make some coming down the stretch. That eagle on seventh, I hit my driver and then a five-wood on the green to about 30 feet. Fortunately, I was able to make that eagle putt.

The greens are really nice out here and especially this morning when we were the first ones off. The greens are perfect. If you can get it started on line, you know you can make a lot of putts out here.

I took the last two and a half years off. You know I’m getting older and I do want to try the Champions Tour in a couple of years. So I’m just trying to start playing more this year. I enjoy competing. I don’t like to practise as much as I like when I was younger.

But I know I have to put some time in and you know, I just like coming out to Asia to see all the guys and the game of golf grow. I think I can still win again. I hit the ball well. It’s just a matter of making putts.

I had fun playing with Pavit and Angelo these two days. I’ve known Angelo for almost 20 years, so it was always good to catch up with him. He’s so easy to play with. I’ve never played with Pavit but he’s got so much talent. There’s so much talent here in Asia. It is really good to watch.

Scores after round 2 of the Bandar Malaysia Open 2020 being played at the par 72, 7016 Yards Kota Permai GCC course (am – denotes amateur):

131 – Andrew Dodt (AUS) 63-68.

132 – Liu Yanwei (CHN) 67-65.

133 – Jarin Todd (USA) 67-66, Trevor Simsby (USA) 69-64.

135 – Charlie Wi (KOR) 69-66.

136 – Wade Ormsby (AUS) 71-65.

137 – Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 66-71, Sarit Suwannarut (THA) 71-66, Bio Kim (KOR) 71-66.

138 – Hiroshi Iwata (JPN) 68-70.

139 – Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 66-73, Eunshin Park (KOR) 68-71, Hein Sithu (MYN) 70-69, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 69-70, Sunil Jung (CAN) 74-65.

140 – Angelo Que (PHI) 67-73, Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 74-66, Scott Vincent (ZIM) 70-70, Aman Raj (IND) 71-69, Toshinori Muto (JPN) 71-69, Ben Leong (MAS) 70-70, Berry Henson (USA) 73-67, Danny Chia (MAS) 70-70, Danny Masrin (INA) 72-68, Tomoharu Otsuki (JPN) 73-67.

141 – Amir Nazrin (MAS) 71-70, Shiv Kapur (IND) 71-70, Dodge Kemmer (USA) 69-72, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 71-70, Josh Younger (AUS) 67-74, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 69-72.

142 – Lo Tien Ming (am, MAS) 72-70, Jake Higginbottom (AUS) 69-73, Leunkwang Kim (MAS) 71-71, Poom Saksansin (THA) 74-68, Malcolm Kokocinski (SWE) 73-69, Tatsuya Kodai (JPN) 72-70, Ryosuke Kinoshita (JPN) 71-71.

For full current standings, please click here.

Ends.

About Malaysian Golf Association

Founded in 1929, the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) as the sole governing body of golf in Malaysia has been entrusted to promote the game while preserving its traditions and legacy. The Association is a non-governmental organization runs by volunteers who are passionate about the game with the help of management staff. The Association’s portfolios have increased over the years ranging from conducting 14 state amateur opens, national amateur open, national amateur close, Malaysian Open to processing handicaps through its National Handicap System to promoting grassroot programs and training of athletes to represent Malaysia in international events. The Association takes its responsibilities seriously in promoting the game in Malaysia while simultaneously upholds the Rules of Golf as prescribed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A).

About Bandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd

Bandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd is the master developer of Bandar Malaysia, which is a mixed-use urban development that will catalyse the transformation of Greater Kuala Lumpur. Strategically located within seven kilometres of Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), the development will serve as Kuala Lumpur’s gateway for the high-speed rail-line to Singapore and become a central transport hub in the city via MRT lines 2 and 3, KTM Komuter, ERL, and future access to major highway networks.

About Winning Matters

Winning Matters (WMSB) is an independent sports events, marketing and public relations agency that transcends the boundaries of conventional event, marketing and PR practices to bring multifaceted and creative representation to its clients.

Established since 2007, WMSB specializes in sports events, entertainment, art, culture and leisure with focused planning, multimedia strategies and timely execution. Over the years, WMSB has worked successfully with its clients in meeting their marketing objectives, establishing effective Public Relations campaigns, reaching their targets and maximizing their goals.

The QNB Grand Prix of Qatar kicks the 2020 Moto2™ season into gear this weekend, and that also marks the start of Triumph’s second season powering the class. After a record-breaking inaugural year that saw the Triumph 765cc triple powerplant redefine many a lap record, there’s even more to come in 2020.

To celebrate that closeness of competition in Moto2™, Triumph are launching the ‘Triumph Triple Trophy #PoweredByTriumph’, reflecting the incredibly competitive nature of the class – where victory is only one dimension of the story every race weekend.

This initiative has been created to recognise and further reward those standout riders during each Grand Prix, starting in Qatar, awarding points in three areas: fastest top speed of the weekend, pole position, and fastest race lap. The one rider at the top of each of these categories (or multiple riders in the case of a tie) will be awarded 7, 6 and 5 points respectively at each Grand Prix:

The Triumph Triple Trophy #PoweredByTriumph:

Fastest top speed: 7 points for the fastest rider/riders in case of a tie

Pole position: 6 points for the rider on pole

Fastest race lap: 5 points for the fastest rider/riders in case of a tie

The winner – the rider who accrues the most points throughout the season – will be awarded a Triumph Street Triple RS motorcycle, which is powered by the 765cc triple engine from which the Moto2™ powerplant is derived.

Steve Sargent, Triumph’s Chief Product Officer: “We’re very proud of what we achieved last year in Moto2™, but we won’t rest on our laurels and we’ve worked hard over the winter to make improvements using the benefits of a full season of race data, and as we’ve already seen, this year has started with more new lap records, beating those set using our engines last year, and with a number of new riders appearing near the top of the time sheets. It means the spectacle on track will look, and sound, even better this year, and we can’t wait to see the lights turn green on Sunday.

“We’re also launching the new ‘Triumph Triple Trophy #PoweredByTriumph’ in time for the first round, to give the riders the chance to win a Triumph Street Triple RS at the end of the year. This production machine features the 765cc triple engine from which we developed the Moto2™racing variant, and our top-spec RS variant is as perfectly suited to the track as it is the road.”

Pau Serrancanta, Managing Director at Dorna Sports: “We’re very happy to see Triumph take on an even bigger role in the development and promotion of the Moto2 class this season. Last year was an impressive debut, creating some of the best racing in the class we’ve ever seen, and I’m excited to see that continue in 2020 – and watch the The Triumph Triple Trophy #PoweredByTriumph reward those riders who thrill us so much on track.”

The Triumph Moto2™ 765cc race engine is a development of the class-leading Street Triple RS 765cc road motorcycle, producing more than 140PS and the same visceral soundtrack. Tune in this weekend as the Moto2™ chorus starts once again at Losail International Circuit from the 6th to the 8th of March.

After two opening birdies, the 34-year-old Dodt added a birdie on the sixth and an eagle-three on seventh to turn in 31. He nailed four more birdies on his way home to take his place atop the leaderboard just before play got suspended at 5.55pm local time due to lightning threats.

Dodt, who endured two missed cuts in his first three starts this season, was thrilled to regain his fine form in Malaysia, where he had sensationally claimed his third Asian Tour victory in Sarawak last August following a two-month injury layoff.

Reigning Asian Development Tour Order of Merit champion Naoki Sekito of Japan closed with three consecutive birdies to sit in second place at the US$1 million event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

Thai duo Phachara Khongwatmai and Pavit Tangkamolprasert returned with matching 66s, thanks to their respective front and back-nine 30s, to share third place with Chinese Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun and Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden, who came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School two weeks ago.

Mohammad Wafiyuddin emerged as the best-placed Malaysian after carding a commendable 68 to tie in 13th place at the award-winning Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, which last hosted the storied event in 2008.

A total of 51 players will resume their opening rounds at 7.40am on Friday with the second round slated to start at 7.50am.

The highly acclaimed Bandar Malaysia Open, which boasts a new tagline ‘Pride, Passion, Prominence’, is the flagship event for the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). It returns to the Asian Tour schedule this week after a four-year hiatus.

Players’ quotes

Andrew Dodt (AUS) – First round 64 (-8)

It felt quite simple. I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens and holed a lot of putts. This is, overall, what I’ve been trying to do everyday. Just felt comfortable and easy. It’s great to shoot nine-under.

Malaysia has been a happy hunting ground for me. Today’s round is just another step in the right direction for me. I was first reserve on site when we played the Malaysian Open here back in 2008. So I just sat around the putting green the whole day and didn’t get to tee up.

I birdied the first two holes and that kind of kicked off the round for me. My game’s in a good shape. I was very aggressively on my par-fives and there weren’t too much breeze. I could get on the green in two. That certainly helps.

This course demands accuracy off the tees. If you’re not on the fairways, you’re going to struggle getting on the greens. I haven’t played as well as I can the last two weeks but now I can. I just want to keep it simple and have a bit of fun.

Naoki Sekito (JPN) – First round 65 (-7)

It was good to finish with three birdies. I made a bad bogey on the fifth where I three-putted and I told myself to make at least one more birdie coming in. I managed to birdie the seventh hole and rode on the momentum from there. I am so happy.

I missed only one green today. I think that’s the key to my 65. I hit my irons quite close to the pins and made some good putts. I remember playing in a junior event here on this course when I was 17. I played really well but lost in a play-off.

I couldn’t speak English at that time yet. It was before I went to Australia. I only remembered playing on this course before when I came back here this week. Good vibes for me because I played well although I didn’t win at that time.

I haven’t played in a tournament for a month so it was nice to come back and get off to a good start. You need to keep the ball in play to give yourself birdie chances out there. On the seventh, I made the birdie putt from about 15 feet and then another similar one on the eighth. On the ninth, I hit a good second shot to about two feet and made the birdie putt.

Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) – First round 66 (-6)

I made a 30-footer for eagle on the first. Good start there. Gave me a lot of momentum there. I went on to make four birdies to turn in 30. The back nine was quite difficult for me because I didn’t get to practise yesterday due to the rain. I only flew in on Tuesday evening.

Even-par on the back nine, it’s not too bad. I’ll take it. I putted well today. The greens are quite difficult here. So I’m happy with the way I played.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) – First round 66 (-6)

I didn’t make any putts on the first nine at all. The turning point came on the 11th hole. I sank the birdie putt from about three yards. That gave me a lot of confidence heading into the remainder of the round. I felt like the putter is turning hot and I started making everything.

I hit it on the line on 17th actually but the green was so firm, I knew I won’t be able to hole it especially from 200 yards. I hit it good off the tee today and I was able to give myself a lot of opportunities. My approach shots were good too. I managed to hit it close on a few holes.

Mohammad Wafiyuddin (MAS) – First round 67 (-5)

Getting to play and practise on this course last week helped me a lot. I feel really comfortable out there. If I could hit a few more greens in regulation, I think I could go a few shots lower. My putting was key today but I’m not really happy with my iron-play.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the way I played. I don’t get to play here often because I’m from Kedah. Happy to get off to a good start in my National Open. It’s a good boost in confidence for me because I haven’t played in tournaments for about three months already.

Scores after round 1 of the Bandar Malaysia Open 2020 being played at the par 72, 7016 Yards Kota Permai GCC course (am – denotes amateur):

63 – Andrew Dodt (AUS).

65 – Naoki Sekito (JPN).

66 – Chang Wei-lun (TPE), Bjorn Hellgren (SWE), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), Phachara Khongwatmai (THA).

67 – Kyungnam Kang (KOR), Richard T.Lee (CAN), Kosuke Hamamoto (THA), Mikiya Akutsu (JPN), Angelo Que (PHI).

68 – Rikuya Hoshino (JPN), Mohammad Wafiyuddin (MAS), S. Chikkarangappa (IND), Pannakorn Uthaipas (THA), Eunshin Park (KOR).

69 – Joohyung Kim (KOR), Gunn Charoenkul (THA), Nicholas Fung (MAS), Dongmin Kim (KOR), Charlie Wi (KOR), Jake Higginbottom (AUS), Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA), Dodge Kemmer (USA).

70 – Shunya Takeyasu (JPN), Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), Zach Bauchou (USA), Jbe Kruger (RSA), Miguel Carballo (ARG), Chan Shih-chang (TPE), Shahriffuddin Ariffin (MAS), Kodai Ichihara (JPN), Travis Smyth (AUS), Jaco Ahlers (RSA), Jeev Milkha Singh (IND), Danthai Boonma (THA), Fakhrul Akmal (MAS), Will Heffernan (AUS), Scott Vincent (ZIM), Hein Sithu (MYN), Ben Leong (MAS).

71 – Mikumu Horikawa (JPN), Hung Chien-yao (TPE), Terry Pilkadaris (AUS), Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND), Seungsu Han (USA), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Taewoo Kim #1468 (KOR), Lawri Flynn (am, AUS), Wade Ormsby (AUS), Amir Nazrin (MAS), Shiv Kapur (IND), Leunkwang Kim (MAS), Toshinori Muto (JPN).

The Athletic, the venture-capital funded online sports media start-up, was flagging Reddit posts that included the site’s content, all of which is exclusively available to paid subscribers and protected behind one of the journalism industry’s stiffest paywalls, and the social media platform was then removing those posts from the site.

Since then, the hockey subreddit changed its rules to allow users to post links whose content is protected by a paywall, “but circumventing the paywall in the comments or any other means by posting the article in any form will result in a ban.”

With free sports coverage widely available on the internet, the Athletic employs stringent safeguards over who can access its content. It’s a strategy that’s led the Athletic to develop a growing and loyal audience — the company is approaching 1 million subscribers, representatives told The Post — but it could cost the publisher traction on social media and on Reddit, where sports media sites compete for an audience.

Indeed, fan communities on Reddit have begun removing links to and excerpts from Athletic articles, with moderators wary of the platform striking posts due to copyright concerns.

Moderators of the Buffalo Sabres subreddit will remove “links or copy/pasted text of paid subscription material,” according to the channel’s rules. The site’s main baseball subreddit, with 1.3 million members, forbids users from providing “access to content behind a paywall in any way, including re-hosting content on other sites or posting content in text posts/comments.”

The Chicago Bulls subreddit banned content from the Athletic in December. The fan group for Liverpool FC, which includes more than 235,000 members, did the same in February.

“We rewrote one of the rules with the Athletic in mind,” Bulls subreddit moderator Andrew Aubert said in a phone interview. “They’re the only publication we’ve had causing issues. There hasn’t been a lot of two-way dialogue between us and them. We’ve spoken with the Chicago Sun-Times and other publications, but we haven’t heard from [the Athletic]. We have an open invitation to them to start that dialogue to see what they’d want.”

“Recently The Athletic has taken a harder line on copyright infringement — with them contacting Reddit, who contacted a subscriber that used to post article summaries in comments,” a Liverpool moderator posted. “As such, posting about The Athletic articles now becomes purely subscription farming, as the contents are only visible to paying subscribers. It also puts the sub and posters at risk. We’ve really got no choice at this point than to ban them as a source.”

The Athletic files requests with Reddit under the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act to remove content that violates intellectual property regulations, Taylor Patterson, the Athletic’s senior communications director, said in an interview.

Reddit has an online form that allows users to flag posts that constitute copyright infringement.

Athletic readers who are also Reddit users often refer problematic posts to the Athletic, Patterson said, along with the company’s journalists, who frequently use subreddits to follow social media conversations about the teams they cover.

“When it comes to our content — and I’d imagine that we’re not the only publication that views activity on Reddit this way — our content is behind a paywall and we want to be sure that we’re preserving that model” she said. “When our content is posted in full, it’s violating the fundamental way that the business thrives here.”

Aubert said the Athletic monitors Reddit posts more aggressively than other media companies. The Bulls subreddit moderators are sympathetic, Aubert said, to the Athletic protecting its paywall model and proprietary reporting.

But users are unclear, he said, where the publication and Reddit administrators draw the line on what constitutes a copyright violation. Can users, for example, post a provocative quote included in an Athletic story and offer their opinion? Can they summarize the contents of an article? Can they copy and paste a paragraph or two to admire a reporter’s nifty writing?

“That’s the question,” Aubert said. “How much is enough to have a healthy discussion without encroaching on the copyright of the Athletic? We decided to simplify things where it’s all or nothing.”

A Reddit spokesperson said the site has no firm threshold over what constitutes copyright infringement. Patterson said the Athletic doesn’t have one, either.

That’s left moderators to fend for themselves while trying to stay on the right side of Reddit’s rules and the Athletic’s judgment. It also has moderators fielding complaints from some users who say they can’t participate in certain conversations on Reddit, which is free, because they choose not to pay for an Athletic subscription.

“You have this kind of open forum where everyone is supposed to be able to converse, but then inside that you have these smaller walled gardens where only 10% or so of the sub can see the Athletic articles,” Aubert said. “That didn’t seem very just to us to act as this de facto advertising platform for the Athletic.”

Patterson said Reddit users who don’t subscribe to the Athletic can still interact with reporters through periodic digital question-and-answer sessions on Reddit. The Athletic also has its own comments section beneath each article.

Then, one afternoon, on a backfield at the Nationals spring training complex, three players gathered around a batting cage. Adam Eaton and Juan Soto stood a few feet in front the plate, just off to the right and left of Emilio Bonifácio. When Bonifácio put down his warmup bunts, Eaton and Soto treated the balls like hockey pucks, passing to each other or shooting at the back of the batting cage as Bonifácio acted as the goalie.

This routine is a favorite among the Nationals, one they did regularly last season and semi-religiously throughout the playoffs. Eaton, a hockey fan, led the most fervent group with Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon, but Yan Gomes, Howie Kendrick and Soto are among the devotees as well. The Nationals believe other teams might play the game too, but they’re not sure.

“No!” Eaton cried when Bonifácio saved his shot, flinging his bat in mock outrage. “I should’ve passed!”

“As dumb as it is, and as short as it is — it’s, like, two minutes — it makes coming to work every day . . . a little bit more enjoyable,” Turner said.

Other than honing skills, the primary objective of spring training is to battle monotony. Early March brings the dog days because hitters feel back up to speed and most pitchers are almost there. The tedium is incalculably worse now than in the regular season, players said, because the games are during the day, their schedules are inconsistent and nothing counts. This year, after winning the franchise’s first World Series, the Nationals’ spring malaise has become more acute.

Manager Dave Martinez senses the drag. He’s tried to disrupt it with diversions such as cabbage-smashing races or dunk tanks — Max Scherzer soaked pitching coach Paul Menhart the other day — but he gets it. He’s been to spring training more than 30 times. Before a recent off day, he told the players to enjoy it.

“I understand how this fluctuates,” Martinez said. “There is that little lull that you kind of got to get ’em through.”

Teams know the season can be monotonous, and they build infrastructure to break it. “Good clubhouse guys,” such as Aníbal Sánchez, can do that, and lightening the mood is practically part of the job for others, such as coach Bob Henley. Any deviation from routine helps, which is why pitcher Erick Fedde wasn’t surprised to hear about the hockey-style batting cage game.

“Hitting is the whole fun part,” he said, rolling his eyes at the thought of another “PFP,” or pitchers’ fielding practice. “We [the pitchers] got to hit the other day — for real, not on the machine — and you could see everyone cheer up.”

“We love to hit,” said Patrick Corbin. “[It’s just] something other than those PFP stations.”

Eaton believes baseball workplace culture, in many ways, operates like any 9-to-5. People sometimes want their routine interrupted by good surprises. It’s just harder in spring training, when Eaton feels his brain slipping into neutral.

“You can do anything to break it up,” he said. “You can do cold tub, hot tub, sauna. You can do polar plunges where, if you’re bored, you can dive into the cold tub. That’ll get you going right off the bat.”

Others have their own ways. Sean Doolittle reads. Martinez fishes. Tres Barrera eats, apparently, because his latest iPhone screen-time report said his most-used app was DoorDash, a food-delivery service. Fedde goes to the beach or, because his girlfriend isn’t around, crushes the new Call of Duty video game. Corbin cooks — usually steak, but he made “pretty good” chicken and dumplings the other day — and Stephen Strasburg streams. The starter recently watched “Escape at Dannemora,” a limited series based on a prison break in Upstate New York, and now he’s slogging through “The Irishman.”

“I like to [nap],” said Asdrúbal Cabrera.

Wil Crowe doesn’t want to say what he does. The young pitcher doesn’t want to sound holier-than-thou. But when pressed, the Nationals’ fourth-best prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, admits he doesn’t find any of this monotonous. The 25-year-old remembers how, not long ago, he underwent Tommy John surgery after postponing a professional career to play at South Carolina.

“It got to the point where I didn’t know if I’d ever make it back,” he said. He gestured around the clubhouse. “Now I get to do this every day for a job.”

Fans of the batting cage game say it can provide a similar perspective. When you’re struggling, or when you feel down, they say nothing snaps you out of it like a hard-hit ball. Turner is a staunch believer in it — “There’s a lot of messing with each other, and that’s what brings you closer” — but he thinks it can go too far.

“Sometimes, people get a little carried away with it,” Turner said, his volume rising. “And then you get a little scared of it, and then you got to give it a break.”

“Soto hit one pretty hard back at us yesterday,” Eaton explained later. “We’re like, ‘Oh all right, all right. We get it, you barrel everything. Just don’t try to kill us.’ ”

As Eaton paused to contemplate other ways the Nationals try to break monotony during spring training, there was a loud crash. Soto, five feet in front of him, had tried to sit down at his locker but missed the chair. The outfielder lay on the floor, grinning and dazed, as Cabrera howled. The prospects smiled sheepishly. Eaton jokingly chastised a camera crew, there to interview Soto, for missing the moment.

“C’mon guys! We had to get that!”

After Soto collected himself, and once Cabrera’s laughter dissipated, his shoulders still shaking, Eaton grinned.

“Stuff like that goes a long way,” he said.